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

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

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 ?

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!

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

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 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 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!

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.

Hey

      Gamera

      I agree. That paint job is looking sweet!

What paint brand and colors did you use?

See ya

Scott

Thanks JMart I've always thought the Pe-2 was a smart looking aircraft. I hope the limited run kit in your stash isn't the Historic Models kit- it's been a bear (no pun intended) to assemble so far. I think Italeri makes a much better kit.

Anyway I'm sure no one wants to hear me whine so just to prove I'm still alive here she is. I've still got some detail painting to do yet so I haven't removed the masking from her lower surfaces yet. I'm pretty happy with how the upper with the pre-shading and all came out.

Finally catching up with this GB! Looks of good stuff. Another variation of the “ranking system”, would be to have different badges for armor, a/c, naval subjects. I hesitate to say this, as I have no knowledge of badge making! I (months later) also ditto Bill (bondoman) on writing a line or two on your subject (kit). One of the main reasons I join GB is to learn some more about the era/ vehicle.

Subrevolution – I love the look of the Frogfoot, just looks great and menacing; have it in my stash, look forward to your build!  I have had similar pic-problems in the past…. I invested in a small OTT lamp (for crafts); its pricey, the smallest lamp is 40$ with the Michael’s 40% off coupon, but gives a bright true white light. Easier on the eyes and on the pics!  Nice paint job…and now I see the end product! Very well done; and thanks for sharing the information and details, will save those for my own Frog  build sometime in the future. Cheers

Osher – nice start; look forward to the rest

Richard/Kermit– love the KV2;  Trump’s KV series got good reviews, looking forward to your build. I see what you mean about the barell; there is a small gap on the left hand side. Maybe put some putty down and simulate a weld line? Im not sure if the KVs had welded lines like the earlier T34s (not a thread-head here).  Of course, since I am responding weeks later, you are already done with it J  Very nice job…  Ron Goins (Biffa) wrote a nice article for Armorama in weathering soviet armor subjects, really helped me on my first armor kit. Congrats on the build!  

And your aircraft looking good… you managed two builds before I even make my first post lol

Sherman – Tunguska looking good; you are doing a really nice job there! Such a kit is weeeeeel beyond my capabilities! I see now your latest painted pics… nice!  Yes, tone down the rust… that’s one mean looking machine… are you thinking of maybe doing an pinwash?

Konigwolf – Love how that T34 is coming out. I am building the old OLD Tamiya T34/76 1942 for Winter Warriors… still a good kit! You are doing a nice job on yours… I know this advice comes “late to the party", but have you tried Solvaset on decals that need to contour around rounded portions? Has worked for me in the past. Congrats on the finished build!

M1A1A2 – I think you did a VERY nice job on the texture…  another method I am trying out on a T34/76 cast turret is using Mr Surfacer and then “poke it” with a stiff nylon brush.  I do like yours came out, the irregularities are very random, nice job. And of course Murphy’s law of modeling… I got on sale the Dragon Typhoon, just to learn its very VERY inaccurate and the Alanger is much better offering.. and by the time I get the Alanger, Bronco comes along……  I see your final product; looks very nice! I think the turret texture came out real good, congrats on the finish!  

Satch-ip – very VERY interesting kit, look forward to the build! Nasty seam down the line, but cant complaint about a 5$ rare subject kit! From the last batch of pics, seems you conquered that seam. Final product looks great; hey, your “base” idea is the one I use…  1$ wood bases from Michael’s, some sealant and a quick do-over, looks good to me!  Bummer about the canopy; but we all have oops in our builds. Maybe down the road you can find a good enough approximation and get a vacuform canopy from Squadron at 1-2$ USD.

Trabi – Welcome to the GB and look forward to your build! Nice start and good scratchbuilding.

RESlusher– Welcome to the GB and look forward to your build! Nice start on the PT-76

Gamera– Welcome to the GB and look forward to your build! I always liked the look of the Soviet Pe series; have a limited run kit in my stash that I will build in a few years when I have more of a clue what I am doing lol

Painklr – Welcome to the GB and look forward to your build!

And Merry Christmas!~ (Yes, I’m up to page 10 now lol)

Stikpusher – nice jobs on the subs…. Yes, Bronco subs are really something….

vetteman42 – look forward to your build and nice Xmas gifts! My two kids got together and got me a Wii for Xmas..for me… er… yeah right! ;)

kustommodeler1 – That is a very nice kit; good pics, I look forward to your build. I have the same problem; I paint AB with enamels in a hood within my attached (and non-heated) garage. I cannot AB until it gets warmer outside….

*Phew * I finally caught up with the GB! : )

cheers

Soviet 2S6m Tunguska Complete

Here is the compleated Tunguska , it was a 5 Star kit, resin painted with Tamiya,testors, Alclad 2, oil paints and a wash. it built up to a nice kit, but thes tracks are terriable and there is no aftermarket.

but She is complete

enjoy

jd

Sherman, Sub, M1 - great stuff guys!!!

I have gotten the Pe-2 together and started to paint her. The fusilage is warped but I'm hoping it won't be too noticeable once the camo is on her. She not something I'll be taking to any shows though. I did pick up the Osprey book on modeling the T-34 and found an interesting idea on doing whitewash that I'm going to try to work into the Pe-2 as well.

Hey

       Everyone

                    Ok, earlier today I had the genius idea of reducing the size of the single star GB badge.

Needless, to say that did not turn out to well and since I had replaced the original, everyone's was to small

to read. So what I had to do is delete it and re-post it , this of course broke pretty much everyone's link.

So if you have a badge, you'll need to go back to the first post I did and link to it again.

               I am very sorry for this inconvenience and promise to not make this kind of stupid mistake again.

See ya

Scott

Hey

        satch_ip

                           I'll pm  it to you later today. Are you going to go for 3?

See ya

Scott

Does anyone have the multiple stars version of the GB badge?  I'm a Hero of the Soviet Union twice over now!

Scott Cant say anything bad about your build, I can say I really like the rust effect you achieved there. How did you do that ? I would call it a sweet build well done and congrads on finishing it

First off, great job sub revolution. I like the SU-25. But where is your badge buddy?

OK, now it my turn,  it has finally happened my build for my own group build is done! And it is also the first GB I have finished. LOL.

So tell me what you think guys, I can take it.

Some notes about this build I left the Commander's DShk off, because the kit one sucked so bad CA could not even keep it together.    Also, I did not go as heavy as usual on the weathering since this tank is wearing parade markings.

Keep those builds coming guys. And don't forget to add the GB badge when done!!!  LOL!!!!!!

See ya

Scott

Alright guys, I'm sticking a fork in mine.

So, in the spirit of the group build, I will share some info I found from the Squadron publication SU25 Frogfoot In Action. From what I can tell, this model (built and marked straight from the box) represents "Red 12", a Frogfoot based at Demmin-Tutow, Germany. Something I didn't notice until too late was that all Frogfoots apparently had a green band at the top of their tail. It is not mentioned anywhere in the kit directions, but is in every picture in the book.

Here you can see the Red 12 on the nose, and the Grach emblem on the left engine. The Grach is a Russian crow, or Rook, that is known for sheltering its young with its wings in time of danger. The nickname of Grach was given to the SU25 by Soviet ground forces in Afghanistan where the plane proved to be deadly against Afghan ground forces in the tight canyons. Thus, most "Grachs"  that were in Afghanistan had the emblem on them, but few, including Red 12, had it outside of the Afghan war. Also here, note the simple but accurate boarding ladder, although the book says it was rarely used, the pilots normally using a removable ladder. You can also see my one deviation from OOB: I scratch built wheel chocks on the left side because I didn't think to put weight in the nose. As a note, the chocks didn't work and the plane still doesn't want to sit right, so it has to live with a crutch. Look at the front of the nose and you see two instrument tubes. The kit actually comes with four tubes, including these two and two more that go on the bottom. These bottom ones, however, were only added to a Frogfoot that went to the Paris Airshow in 1989 so the plane could conform to Western aviation systems.

From left to right, a fuel tank, air to ground missile, two rocket packs, and an Aphid air to air missle. Here is also one of the kit's most obvious inaccuracies: The production model Frogfoots had a vertical metal plate mounted near the end of the wing to serve as a glare shield from the landing lights on the wingtip. Also the airbrakes on the wing tip are two piece, and can be positioned in the open position, but production Frogfoots had four piece airbrakes.

Production Frogfoots also had an air intake at the base of the tail, which the kit lacks. However, you can see here a couple of interesting features. The air intakes and fence on the engines were added after the first Frogfoots were sent to Afghanistan. Although the plane was a rugged design, it was susceptible to Stinger missles. One solution was adding flare dispensers, which are the fences on each engine. The other thing added was a system using the air intakes you see to bring cold air in and cool the exhaust. Early modifications also had a tube in the center of the exhaust that ran water coold air, but this was removed later on. An internal feature that was added was extra armor between the two engines to prevent damage from one destroying the other.

Overall, I enjoyed the build, except for some fit issues. Since I'm not much of a "rivet counter," the discrepanies in details don't bother me too much, but I noted some here for those who are interested. I'm also still in the learning stage here, so the model is far from perfect, but I like it. Coments and criticism wlecome.

2S6M Tunguska

Been a whie, but almost done just started to weather and went wild on the rust on the wheels so I have to redo them to tone them down, mabe another week then done

Then mabe this next for the fun of it

have a good weekend

Jm

Also gonna add trumpeter's KV-1 1942 Lightweight Cast Turret

I think I got mine for a steal, it was $46 taxes included plus I got AFV Club's Workable indy links.e