Thanks!

I'm not sure it's an exact match to the real aircraft. I thought I had the paint I needed but when I pulled it out most of the bottles had dried up. I live about 45 min. from the nearest hobby shop and was snowed in. Since I had a whole drawer of green and brown paint I tried to match it as closely as possible to the colour plates in Geust, Keskinen, and Stenman's Red Stars: Soviet Air Force in World War Two.

I've been using the pre and post-shading style I picked up from Floyd Werner's DVD set. Lay down a base coat, apply darker paint to the panel lines, apply lighter paint to the center of the panels and then spray a light dusting of thinned base colour to blend everything together till the shading is barely visible.

Bottom: Base: Model Master Enamel Russian underside blue

               Dark: Sorry I forget what I used.

               Light: MM Lichtblau RLM 76

Green: Base: Tamiya NATO Green XF-67

              Dark: Tamiya JN Green XF-11

              Light: MM Russian Armour Green

Brown: Base: MM Leather 4674

              Dark: Panzer Schokladnbraun 4797

              Light: MM #4 Brown 4249

Everything acrylic except the Russian underside blue that the hobby shop only had in enamel. It's a little complicated at first but once you do one or two aircraft it becomes pretty simple.

Gamera I really really like your paint job especially the preshading mostly because it doesnt POP out at ya. Thanks for telling how you did it as I will be trying that on my next build. Very well done

Thanks!

Pre-shading is pretty forgiving. Unlike a colouring book there aren't all rules against colouring outside the lines. I've tried pre-shading with a Sharpie felt-tip marker but it comes out too regular. You want the lines to be a little irregular and uneven. Going a little outside the lines is fine as well.

Finally you can decide how subtle or stark you want the results to be just by how much of the thinned down base paint you apply over the pre-shading. And if you you don't like it you can just start over, all you've lost is time.

Gamera – ditto on the great paint job. Preshading really does it job well.

Sherman1111 wow I cant believe I missed your finished Tunguska Very well done, I like your weathering and rust effects, and I really like the way you did her guns. Made them look real and too heavely used.

Yo, VM42 -- how's your schedule looking for ripping into those MiG-3s we planned? I've been very busy with a lot of stuff, but I'm thinking the bench may be clear enough to tolerate an extra build in March.

Cheers, Mike/Tb379

Mike sounds good to me should be finishing up my Me 262 about then. Finally finished the F-104 this morning now I need the weather to clear so I can take pictures.

Excellent! I might jump the gun with a parts-wash, they look like they need a thorough cleansing to get rid of mould release.

I have a plane and two AFVs to finish (I picked up the paint for the Stryker today), and March will see my 262 back on the bench for paintwork, plus I have a Starfighter to start on -- not as such, it gets chopped and cropped as an SF conversion, plus I have another Mustang that's been waiting for bench time for way too long.

Then there's April...

M

Hey wait no fair jumpin the gun Mike

Man Mike sounds like you have a bunch goin on at your bench, most I can have going is 2 at once, more than that becomes kind of overwhelming for me.

Actually I pulled my MiG-3 out today and got things all gathered up for that build and washed the parts even. I still have a ways to go on my 262 build but think I will start cleaning up flashing and trimming parts in preperation for the build. Cant wait to get started on this one.

Hi Randy,

I have about a dozen kits in various stages at this time, maybe 14,  with maybe eight more scheduled to start later this year, going up to ten or more with my next GB hostings if all goes at planned... I really need to assemble a new display case!

I have the MiG-3 in hand and an old toothbrush and am about to do the parts-scrub, so it sounds like we're getting a level start. We talked about schemes a few months back, maybe we'd better have a look at our finishing options again. I fancy a white over blue, possibly one of the options with the natural metal engine fairings and red upper wings, like the box art... But there are ten interesting options on there!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

I completed the cockpit assembly of the Accurate Miniatures' IL-2m3 Sturmovik . Any comments, suggestions or feedback will be appreciated! Work in progress pics below:I 

Just curious, but should the outer window frames on the armored glass be painted as well?

Thanks for noticing. I didn't see the raised edges on the piece and couldn't tell in the instructions.  But I agree with you, it looks like they should be painted.

Thanks again!

Dzhonbaker Nice work on your cockpit making for a nice start on your build.

Thunderbolt379 I remember you wanted to do the NMF nose markings, I was thinking I would do the 3rd or maybe the last one on that same page, if that works for you. I really like the engine in this kit and am hoping I can show it off a bit. With that in mind I got me mitts on some Microscale liquid tape, so I can remove the cowling when I wish to. I have read that the engine doesnt fit under the cowling very well and that some leave the engine out of a closed cowl build. Hopefully I can make it work. Oh did you notice that there are no markings in the kit for the one on the box art ?

Hi Randy,

Yes, I did notice those aprticular ones weren't there! Yep, I'm leaning toward the top or second one of the white schemes, the third, "For Stalin!," is one of the arrow schemes, so that'll be a challenge around an open cowl, you'll need to cut up the decal to apply it in several pieces.

You're right, it's a good engine, but it'll take lots of extras -- engine bay auxilliery stuff, wiring and ductwork, you'll have a bit of scratching to do, depending on how many cowl panels will be removable. Good luck, it'll be pretty spectacular when it's done, especially with maybe a maintenance bay diorama -- can't wait to see it, and maybe it'll encourage me to try an engine display one day. I'm going to leave the engine at this point out and go closed-cowl, and concentrate on the finish.

I washed the sprues today in warm water and dish soap, rinsed them and air dried them, so I can actually start work soon. I'll recheck references on cockpit painting, and hopefully get some plastic together before too long.

Cheers, Mike

I'm happy to say I've made a start on ICM's MiG-3;

The slight pebbly finish to the plastic was handled by wet sanding with 1200 wet'n'dry -- I rubbed down the whole outer skin of the aircraft and rinsed her off in fresh water.

Next I did some minor construction in the cockpit area and assembled the outer wing panels. The good news is ICM's plastic reacts very positively with Testor Liquid Cement, a strong, quick bond. Also, despite the order of construction being somewhat eccentric by Japanese, European or American standards, the fit is actually very good. There's some flash to clean up, but nothing major.

Rather more work than a Tamegawa, but therin lies a challenge!

Next will come some interior painting, then the fuselage can start to come together from its many parts. Oh, there are very few positive location devices, either!

WIP photos before long!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Thunderbolt I cant wait to see WIP pictures I found a few links you might be interested in on the MiG-3, was doing a bit of research last night looking for engine detail. I have found there arent many pictures of the MiG-3 out there. I guess the Russians didnt like cameras very much. Here are the links if you wish to take a peek.

http://www.fluggeraet.de/e_am38.html

http://mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/mig3/rusavia.html

http://mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/mig3/kuybyshev.html

I found the second link interesting seems someone is restoring a MiG-3. If anyone has pictures of the MiG under the cowl I would like to take a look at them. Oh I saw a review of the ICM kit that says the engine does in fact fit under the cowl quite well. There were 2 different versions of this kit done at ICM and the earlier one had the engine fit trouble.

If anyone has pictures of the MiG under the cowl I would like to take a look at them

Sure buddy

The majority of the Mig 3 variants were powered by the Mikulin AM-35A engine. A quick google just now reveiled this for starters:

http://images.google.nl/imgres?imgurl=http://mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/mig3/museumam35.JPG&imgrefurl=http://mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/mig3/engineam35a.html&usg=__4YEQcyJViDF-VJdb2lEiqVUNxbU=&h=444&w=683&sz=98&hl=nl&start=1&itbs=1&tbnid=xBjqMwRJP-8UjM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=139&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dam-35A%2Bengine%26hl%3Dnl%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1

Some Migs were modified in the field in attempts to convert this high altitude interceptor into a low altitude fighter by installing the IL2' s AM38 engine which was slighty more powerful while retaining overall size and weight.

Hope this helps you out my friend

Richard

Thanks Richard I too spent last night googling like a madman and didn't come up with this site. Just what I was looking for.

Well I did some clean up today on the MiG-3, didn't need much cleaning up really, the ICM kit is almost flash free. I did start on the engine, which is a model in and of itself, and messed around with a bit of dry fitting. I think this build is gonna take me some time just so much detail one can play with. Might have a couple of WIP pictures the first of the week.

WooHoo!!!  The Trumpeter PT-76 is DONE!!

I'll shoot a pic or two of it over the weekend and get 'em posted! 

I feel so special!  My first group build badge! 

Dzhonbaker – Nice pit.. I have that one in my stash, look forward to your build.

Mike/TB – Nice tips and info about the ICM kit.

I am still a “lurker” with a few WIPs/GBs to complete before tackling my little sub flotilla.

WOW!!! I just lurk around for a couple of weeks and look what happens. Stuff gets started and finished!!!

Dzhonbaker: Love the cockpit. The painting gives it a very Russian crude basic look. But in a good way.

REslusher: Congrats, on finishing the PT-76. Now make with the pics!

Randy and Mike: Happy the MiG-3's are getting airborne. Cannot wait to see some WIP pics.

Just to say guys, the thing I love about this GB is it has taken on a life of its own. I think you guys would work on it with or without me at this point.  But I'm not going anywhere, school and family just kind of take over once and a while.

See y'all on the flip side.....................

Scott

OK Guys!  Here's the Trumpeter PT-76!  It wasn't a pretty tank; but Russian jarheads liked it a lot!

All things considered it wasn't a bad kit.  I'll probably build another one later on.  Maybe an Iraqi one.

I welcome your comments!  That's the only way we get better!  I'm gonna finish up the old Tamiya "Gepard" flakpanzer from the 80s that I've been working on for the Anti-Aircraft GB.

See ya 'round, guys!! 

We cant have this Group Build on the second page thats just no good ya know ?

I got the engine block together and painted black a few days ago and today drilled it for plug wires, fuel injection lines and, a few coolant lines. This engine just screams for a bit of extra work. I will see if I can get the wires on tonight and get some pictures posted. Oh at this point it seems the lack of locating pins is working well for me, but we will see as the build progresses.

Thunderbolt I gotta warn ya this is going to be a slow build for me lots of new things to try to do on it.

Hi Randy, no rush -- I'm having logon difficulties and need to access FSM through another terminal, which is very frustrating. Also, I'm in the final thoes of my PhD and haven't been able to touch plastic since last week, which is even more frustrating. I'm hoping to have the thesis submission draft ready in a matter of days, then I'll be able to take a deep breath and get back to the bench, and get some more done on the MiG-3 and my entry for my own Phantom GB, which has so far not happened!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

T-bolt- good luck to you sir!

RESlusher- Great looking PT-76. It's not a very big model is it? I think the actual vehicle was fairly small. I suppose some of the threadheads would tell you to throw some dirt on her but she looks good to me.

Mike wow ! good luck getting your PhD  that's impressive I have to say I am sure your thesis will be great.

I am braking new ground on the MiG-3 with this engine detailing so no worries, you have plenty of time to get back to your build. I am still messing with the plug wires and a bit of the plumbing. I hope to have some pictures up soon but at this point I cant say when that will happen.

I have two little buggers done. This has been fun!

ICM's 1/72 Zil-157 command post. I added the antennas and stuff working from a few photos and such.

And, Trumpeter's 1/72 BTR-80 pretty much stock.

"Bagram Airforce Base, Fall 1988"

Both are great little kits, although in different ways. The ICM has about a zillion parts and is easy to modify. And the Trumpeter has one big hull casting that is amazingly detailed.

Oh, and I also built an ICM BTR-152 but it ended up in Israeli colors, captured in 1967. It's currently providing base security for a little 6 Day War project...

Looks Awesome Bondoman!!!

     Ok, guys I have updated the main post with who is finished and added the second 2 star badge for those who have done at least 2 kits. So far that is Bondoman, Satch_IP and Kermit.

Give these guys and yourselves a big round of applause this GB is doing great!!!

See ya

Scott

Bondoman Oh I like them very well done sir. I especially like the last picture with the plane in the background.