The 144 Group Build - Complete, pics pg 1

Dirk, those fighters sure are well detailed for 144th scale, and I know you're going to have a blast building them!

Thank you Douglas; I appreciate it!

The first-surface mirrors are almost impossible to find on the market without spending a fortune, but I have Mirror kits available through Flyteline Models, Inc., starting at $14 which come in three sizes: Standard 7.5 x 9.5" / Medium 12 x 12" / Large 24 x 24", along with instructions and the URL to an online manual.       The mirrors are embossed on 2mm polystyrene sheet which makes trimming and/or cutting simple, and a removable protective layer of mylar that is left in place until you mount the model.       You can get wooden hardware to meet your requirements at your local hardware store.

Please visit my website for more information/photos/ideas, and direct links to Flyteline.    http://FloatingMID.com    (I'm currently updating it to include model attachment methods)      Email me if you'd like.

Take care,

Frank

Gumby on the rock!

Ha ha actually tried the Millputty green to sculpt a figure... Think plastic skelleton with Millputty details instead, straight Millputty is to flimsy alone.

'Come in Moscow!' Umm best get it airborn as landing gear never made the cut.

Hi guys,

It good to see all your progress on the different builds.

I am a bit bogged down, I have to many "real world" things going on at the moment (job and doing a study). As for my build, the tank is almost completed (as in "glueing all the pieces" not painting) but the rolling stock that isn't.

I have some trouble with the plastic Dragon uses. I tried different glues (Revell, Faller and Tenax) but nothing sticks! The plastic wil just not melt! I think I wil have to use CA as a last resort.

Hi Frank,

Amazing build there and nothing comes closer to capturing the look of an aircraft model in flight! Do you offer instructions / kits on how to do this this type of diorama? Again top notch build!

Cheers, Douglas

Its been a while but I finally got a chance to sit and do a little (Scuse the pun ) modeling. I started the next in line in our progression to 144 1/144 models.   This is the second plane in the "Jolly Roger" Memorial Flight kit. The F/A-18.

Can you believe this cockpit and the cockpit with the dudes from "The Day the Earth Stood Still" are not only from the same company but in the same damn kit?  

 This brings the F/A-18 up to speed with the F-14. Next will be some filling and sanding.

Thanks fellas,

Here's a couple more pictures I made this morning....

Thanks again and take care,
Frank

Terry it was a plan for a total of 144 kits, built during a period of 144 days ( but that was never a realistic goal, just a dream) with all 144 scale kits.

Feel free to enter either or both kits into the build.

Andrew

Does this mean everyone has to build 144 models in 144 days OR a group total?

I just got the Dragon MH-60s twin pack(since that's the ONLY scale offering of this newer version and it sister Romeo(which would be welcome too!!) to replace the H-46,possibly MH-53, SH/HH-60B/F/Hs,and any SH-3 still around at air stations or Reserve(?) )

I can't believe this version hasn't come out in 1/72 yet,since it's earlier USAF MH-60G/K versions have and there are parts in this Dragon kit for the refueling probe,senor/small radar of the above!!

Some units have been redesiganated now for almost 5 years and/or recieved thier MH-60S/Rs already including a few HS/HSL/HC units.

P.S. since I haven't recieved a reply for an older post,on the ARC site yet...,on the subject of paint scheme:

Dragon instructions suggest just a two gray scheme on these two colorful tail draggers.

Top:36320

Bottom;36375

with either a matt/flat black or Insignia blue 35044 tails,*which incorrectly include the tail rotors!!

My reference for the Seahawk/Knighthawks show a 3 tone gray TPS

Top of engine/anti-glare/TPS markings:35375 Blue-Gray

Entire fuselage,below top of above,except bottom of cabin/moveable tail horz.stab:36320 Dk(Ghost) Gray

Bottom of SH-60B radar dome/and all versions cabin/tail stabs:36495 "Very" Lt Gray

But of course for this small of scale..,all would be toned down or an alternate of 36320 top engine/anti glare,36375 rest of fuselage,36495 bottom could work? 

Also have an older Dragon kit,in box( from 1993) of F-14D of VF-31/CVW-14/CVN72 lo-viz under my digital TV antenna...er providing height..hey those whiskers work great!!

Terry

Suppression looking great, cant wait to see the finished product.

Frank Well thats got my thoughts going, cant picture doing one to soon but yeah really want to, looks awesome 

Awesome job on the 747! I really like the display, great photos!

Mini-Me isn't gooped in blue paint, its blue poster tack actually....Mask for the black spray bomb underside.

Great build Frank

A tad thick???   Nooooo, that looks just right!!! 

Well, it's been a long time coming, but at 12:30 today I scooted my chair back and called it complete! Enjoy!









It's good to see N7470 back in the air, and nice to have participated in the great Group Build!!

Thanks all!
Frank

Sweet Mother of Merlin!!! It looks like it's been toilet papered in a rainstorm.  Well at least it probably didn't adhere well.  I'll hazard a guess of it being an enamel, so some thinner and an old toothbrush. No barrier between it and the base? 

Q:

How do I remove blue paint thats a tad thick?

Kongiwolf13 Thanks buddy! The wet sanding took the shine and flaws off, I think the 'fish eye' was more the mist coat and not the paint. Anyhow the sanding also turned it flat, I dry brushed flat green and its looking more close now. WIP's later today

Sorry for the delay peoples, had a major build to do in three days that wiped me out for a few days afterwards  now I am building a 'easy' (tamiya 1/48 A6M2-N Rufe) kit to enjoy modeling again before I deal with fiddly 144's. 

Well everything this is updated I think, I still have to get pics posted on the first page of completed builds.

That 262 is going awesome Suppression, and more pics everyone

Heh gang! Those of you that are not in Me 262 Defender group build probally miss Mini-Me. Painted today, the pre shade flat black wask lookes really cool, Testor's flat black enamel.

The top coat looks like it says...'Spring Grass'

Will wet sand with 1500 grit and dry brush more close color before next camo. coat.(dark green)

I made some reasonable progress over the weekend on the Harriers.  The interiors are painted and the pilot/ejection seat parts are installed.  I found a major mistake in the Dragon instructions as they have you cut off the original nose cone in the wrong place for the new ones.  I was able to correct this problem, and fortunately, I was working one at a time, so I did not make the same mistake twice.  I did manage to get a photograph before I installed the canopies, so once I get it off of my camera, I will share it here.  I am hoping to paint the undersides this evening.

Here's my progress so far on the Pegasus War of the Worlds kit. It's been slower going than I would like but life always gets in the way of the fun stuff. Since this photo was taken (and apologies for the not so great quality as our digital camera is a cheapie) I've added Woodland Scenics ground covering as well. More to follow.....

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Thanks! I experimented with every camera Wallymart had, after a hour was going to a real shop when my girl friend took a few close-ups on the Cannon SD1200IS that impressed me. I like the fact a pack of smokes is larger, this way it will always travel along unlike a full size one. Below are a few progress shots, too much light so not quite the quality. Found its better darker and let the camera add light w/ flash.

Uncontrolled spin? Actually tried to thin OD of 1/8 alunimum tube then just used 1/8 drill bit after thinning with # 11 blade. Custom alunimum inserts for the after burner ends.

Finding the correct shape for the landing gear doors.

Yep it will fly! Doors up and ready to move on...detail inside gun bay wasted as I will use closed door piece instead.. besides the spent ammo. chutes were incorrect. If to build again would scratch build the cannons as they sat to low anyway.

Jason and Frank, your builds are looking good guys!  I can't imagine doing a fighter in 1/144 (ok I can as I have several in the stash). 

I started the E-2C a couple of days ago, but have been lazy and haven't posted any pics.  The radome went together like a dream, with some careful sanding and knife work when removing the remnants from the tree, there was no seam (did a happy dance as that would've been a pain).  Assembled the radome tower, again no visible seams (I probably should buy a lottery ticket).  Mocked up the the radome and tower on the fuselage, the shaft the drives the radome doesn't reach the fuse.  No prob, out came the cutters and the drill, cut off the kit shaft and drilled through the bottom of the tower.  Once the tower is attached to the fuselage, a hole will be drilled in the fuselage and a brass or plastic rod used.  Assembled the engine nacelles, only some light sanding needed on one, and some putty will be needed on the other as I wasn't as careful as I should've been removing the sprue and put a small gouge in the seam.  Now for the bad part, the nacelles are see through, however I think some tiny FOD covers will take care of that quite nicely.  No landing gear bays are provided, am torn about scratching them or leaving well enough alone.  Will try to post pics when I get home.

OldHooker Thanks! Ill finish the engine nacelles flutes and get a WIP' up over here... ya im two timeing this build and the Me262 one.... Don't tell Natural metal finish GB or the one I started....

Beautiful work on the little 262s' control surfaces, SuppressionFire, and nice photos on your new camera!!

Brien Wygle and half of Jesse Wallick are in their seats now, waiting for the fuselage to be mounted against the mirror (this weekend) so Jesse's other half and Jack Waddell can take their places.

Just some minor detailing left to do on the plane and she'll be ready to fly; I will post photos when it's finished.

Take care,
Frank

Doh! wrong picture.. here it is....

Much more to do regarding mini-Me

Filled the repositioned wing gaps also fiddled with the gun bay, three times is a charm. The jet engine nacelles are in place, much time involved to get decent fit. Pilot will need control panel as shown sketched on the white strip. Gun barrels on green tape

Photo taken useing Cannon power shot SD 1200 IS

Andrew,

That is quite a family!  My wife and I "knew when to say when" and stopped at one (he will no longer be a teenager next month).  The summer vacation also threw me as I can look out of my office window and see the ground covered with snow.

Anyway, I promised that I would update you when my review kit arrived, and it came in the mail yesterday.  I will be building two AV-8B Harriers in US Marine Corps markings.  I will update the group as I get going with the construction.

I still don't have the camera with me, so pics will have to wait till tomorrow. I am not really too happy with the way it turned out. I screwed a few things up. That said it was an experience. I learned a few things from this kit. First time I ever rescribed a whole kit. Even for something this small its not something I want to do again soon. In my opinion, raised panel detail is just fine :)

Deeve,

I feel your pain! I have saton that B2 for about a week no. I have the grey painted. The seams are so bad on this kit! After reading you post I am not looking forward to decaling at the end (something I really enjoy!). I will probably give this thing to my 5 y/o sone to play with it as I am not thinking of displaying it next to my B-1B. The kits are not even in the same ballpark!

Andrew, How do we get our GB badge?

Travis/STFD637

Heh 1/144 dudes!

Much to do about tiny Me262! been modifying and such, moved some control surfaces. Drilled a pin through the front landing gear, just to delicate to count on. Also expect custom handel bars on the little tractor / bike. Major general thinner and decided trailing edge of front wings a bit thick... Shown is custon scribeing tool (thinned saw end) Found its better than scribeing tool, had a few pannel lines to replace / add.

Well, I am done the Revell of Germany, Northrop B-2 Spirit.

Apologies for no work in progress pics, I am not very good at keeping track of progress with pics. I never have the camera when I am downstairs, plus if I do take pics, I usually forget about them anyways.

I still don't have the camera with me, so pics will have to wait till tomorrow. I am not really too happy with the way it turned out. I screwed a few things up. That said it was an experience. I learned a few things from this kit. First time I ever rescribed a whole kit. Even for something this small its not something I want to do again soon. In my opinion, raised panel detail is just fine :)

I ran into some serious problems with decal silvering. Its bad. I also have some issue with the dullcote. It looks like it has made the kit look almost as if it was covered in dust. I am worried it went on too thick. I also have real issue with threads from the qtips all over the finished product. I never noticed it when I was applying the decals. Last issue was some of the spots I had to fill and sand. I didnt do enough filling in some spots and others I sanded too much. I should really have gone back and redid them, but I didnt notice till the final coat of paint was on and I am just too lazy to fix it. Last thing I screwed up was I dropped a blob of paint thinner on the top. Fortunately it is under a decal so its not too noticable, but it was irritating.

Anyways, Pics will be coming tomorrow.

The BOAC build (the project proposed from the other side of this one) should move along quicker than this one thanks to lessons learned and the other half of fabricated parts, such as the windshield/cockpit top I thermoformed today, after realizing it would be easier to do that than try to form a frame from putty. Also had to sand the nose down a bit as it was too pointed.


It was a full days work, but did manage to get the repositioned horizintal stab attached also, so I'm that much further along.

Take care,
Frank