Convair "XAB-1" concept design of about 1958 -- part of the rash pf proposals when it was thought nuclear propulsion might be feasible. It wasn't...

M/TB379

All round great work guys!!!

Mike I do have one question. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS IT????

Hi all,

I thought you might like to see why I've been absent from the halls of GroupBuilddom lately -- I had a deadlined project underway which ended up involving some very late nights (like a 6am finish once!) to get it done. It's an all-resin kit of a 'paper' bomber design from the late 50s, a Convair drawing board type. This was my first foray into all-resin construction, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality.

I can't say too much about it as it's destined for magazine coverage in the near future, but at least I have an excuse for not being in action on my all-too-many GB committments. I hope to get back to them very soon!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Doogs, looks like your off to a good start with your wildcats

Doog,

I'll go with you on the OD on the panels around the gun tubes.

By the way your Dauntless is looking very good!

Steve,

I feel your pain regarding the heat. It hit 102 in my area and prevented me from some airbrushing in the garage. TO HOT!

I did manage to sand the puttied seams on my F-4 Phantom with 600 grit in the laundry room and that wore me out. I'll move to the higher grits tomorrow since I decided that watching college football in the man cave and working on some miscellaneous model projects was a more relaxing idea.

IBuild - I feel you on the whole paint order headache thing. Trying to work it out on the Wildcats right now. 

A quick thought about your Alclad plans. And...I haven't done much research into whether this was the case with Jugs, but I know P-51s had bare metal fuselages, but the wings were finished in a silver lacquer. Though from what I've read this was to preserve laminar flow, so may not have applied. Anyway...something to maybe consider when planning the scheme.

As for the color around the gun tubes, just going off my photography background I'd venture either green - like an OD or something - or red. But I'd probably lean toward OD, since it seems really close to the pant legs.

What do you think?

After thinking myself into a 'headache' I have decided to ask you guys for input / ideas on how I should approach the painting of my P-47 Kansas Tornado. Looking at this photo and others it looks war weathered wary.

Using Alclads only here my proposed steps:

1. Use a grey primer and then wet sand it with 1200 grit.

2. Apply Semi Matte Aluminium as the base color on the upper and side surfaces of the P-47

3. Apply Dull Aluminium over the Semi Matte Aluminium in certain areas

4. Dark Aluminium for the underside

5. Satin Black cowl

6. OD anti glare

On another note....looking at the photo can someone give me an idea what the color is around the guns and what color for the wheel hubs? I have the 'star" for the hubs.

Argh.  I've let the Krylon paint cure on the B-36, and upon inspection, there were an awful lot of rough spots.  I'm not sure what happened with the painting session.  I've never had this happen before on previous NMF builds where I primed with the Krylon shiny black.  Some of the paint was mirror smooth but in lots of areas, especially on the wing surfaces, the finish had a grainy appearance.  I took to it with fine grade sanding film, spent about an hour sanding the entire build (all while sweat was rolling off me in this hot weather we're having here), and took away most of the graininess.  But there remains a few spots where the finish looks pitted, for lack of a better term. 

This will not do, as that pitted surface will show up crystal clear under NMF.  So I guess my next step is to sand with lower grade film on these areas.  I may have to re-apply the Krylon and let it cure again for a few days.  In fact, I may go ahead and bring that big boy inside while I am sitting on the couch watching college football.

Gamera

Doog- the cockpit looks nice enough that it's a shame to shove it down inside the fusilage where I doubt you'll be barely able to see it.

LOL! I learned my lesson on that one with the Dauntless. Spent a good week, week and a half super-detailing the cockpit, and all you can see is the pilot's seat and gunner's turret ring.

These will probably be even less visible, between the smaller cockpit openings and the bronze green finish (which is a really great color, but definitely dark). I imagine I'll focus the bulk of my attention on the seats and headrests. 

Speaking of the bronze green, I got all of the interior bits sprayed down last night when I wasn't occupied ruining the Dauntless. Went well enough, but my Iwata is acting up like nobody's business. It got the full strip cleaning four times last night, and it's still having problems. I'm wondering if the HP-C Plus' 0.3mm nozzle is just too narrow and susceptible to clogging. 

Doog- the cockpit looks nice enough that it's a shame to shove it down inside the fusilage where I doubt you'll be barely able to see it.

Richard- yes thanks for your suggestion. I didn't do it before since the computer ran fine for hours with the cover on when the 450 watt power supply was in there. It only started to malfunction when the right power unit was installed. I'm hoping this solves the problem, maybe I can find a larger fan.

kermit

Doog,

Can't give you advice on attaching wings after painting... i never done it myself before and afraid to say something about that, my own logic would say don't but as far as fit goes i'd say that the wing/ fuselage join won't be much of a problem with some careful dryfitting and sanding before painting.

The hobbyboss wildcats have, however, two main points of concern: The attachment of the lower fuselage to the main fuselage halves can be tricky, getting everything to line up properly. And the biggest one would be NOT to follow instructions when it tells you to glue the pit assembly to the lower fuselage. It will leave a gap where the headrest bit should attach to the upper fuselage. This happened on all three of my wildcats.

Other than that these kits are very easy to assemble and smooth sailing all the way

Hope my ramblings are clear and helpful to you...

Richard

Totally helpful, thanks! I can already see what you mean about the cockpit and the fuselage. Thankfully there's that nice big hole in the bottom, so installing things upside down shouldn't be a problem.

Guess I'll play the wings by ear. If they line up just right it'd save a lot of masking time. Think I may still go ahead and spray and mask off the various fuselage bands and wing stripes before attaching in any event. I was planning on doing those before spraying the yellow wings and NMF fuselages anyway.

Doog,

Can't give you advice on attaching wings after painting... i never done it myself before and afraid to say something about that, my own logic would say don't but as far as fit goes i'd say that the wing/ fuselage join won't be much of a problem with some careful dryfitting and sanding before painting.

The hobbyboss wildcats have, however, two main points of concern: The attachment of the lower fuselage to the main fuselage halves can be tricky, getting everything to line up properly. And the biggest one would be NOT to follow instructions when it tells you to glue the pit assembly to the lower fuselage. It will leave a gap where the headrest bit should attach to the upper fuselage. This happened on all three of my wildcats.

Other than that these kits are very easy to assemble and smooth sailing all the way

Hope my ramblings are clear and helpful to you...

Richard

The Dauntless is finally wrapping up. Just one or two more flat coats, attaching the tires, bomb trapeze, various clear bits and the radio wire and it'll be off the bench!

While the first flat coat was drying last night, I dove into the Wildcats. Trimmed up some pieces and test fit the canopy bits. Have to say I'm really digging Hobby Boss' kit design here. It's like a breath of fresh air after the Rube Goldberg-esque way Accurate Miniatures approached the Dauntless' office.

Planning to hit the various pieces with paint tonight. The kit calls for Interior Green, but I've read that the early Wildcats actually used a darker bronze green, so I'll be shooting Vallejo Bronze Green. Might try my hand at some masking tape harnesses while I'm at it.

Also - Richard - you've built this kit before. How well do the wings seat into the fuselage? I'm contemplating leaving them off until I'm through with principal painting. It'd make masking a heck of a lot easier.

My first christmas downunder the wife bought me a ride with smoke and video and full aerobatics in a Tiger Moth!!! Not fast but very memorable!!! No I didn't, even after the first spin and saw the ground goin' round and round!! When we did the loop, in the video the sun was blocked by the top wing, once past that you see my face with a grin as big as a cheshire cat!!! Just wish there would have been a stick in the front seat!!!

Julez, those D-Day stripes are the ***!!! looking forward to more pics of her!!!

Vette, really, ginger??? dude i'd puke just eating that....Lets just say that i don't enjoy heights and i was turned off flying by that show air crash investigations

Owl,  i'm painting 3 different NMF paints on this one, the gunbay panels, exaust, rudder, and the small panel under the engine cowl are all alclad duraluminum...The horizontal stabilizers and alierons are alclad aluminum....I just have to mask all those panels off and then put down the MM buffing metalizer aluminum plate on the rest of it.....

48, mate i thought about useing the decals for the invasion stripes for about 4 seconds before deciding on paint, decals and me have a hate hate relationship....The reason i'm painting all those panels first is because of the MM buffing metalizer i plan to use for the rest of it, i tested it out on my mule and while it looks really good i noticed that it was extremely fragile and don't feel confident masking over the top of it where as i'm quite happy to mask over alclad once i give it a barrier coat of future...After i did the stripes and panels i gave it a generous coat of future which i've let dry for 48hours now so i'll mask it tonight and paint the aluminum plate tomorrow...

Gamera, it's good to hear you have your pc problem sorted

took the cover off and haven't had any more problems (cross your fingers).

Told ya. I havent seen your setup in person but it's usually the problem with most people.... 500 Watt slurping video cards generate heat...alot of it so it might have been too much for the fans you already had inthere.

Great work going on here btw

Richard

julez,

Your invasion stripes look great!

How long will you let them dry before masking?

The reason I ask is I am in the 'planning stage' for how I want to do my invasion stripes on my P-47 and as you know I can use decals or paint them on.

I see that you did the invasion stripes first and NMF to follow whereas I was going to the opposite.

If I go with paint it will be my first on a NMF so I want to avoid a catastrophe.

Owl: great photos! Thanks for posting them for us!

Julez: that's one fine looking pony!

I love the idea of SELLING rides on the MiG- Marx and Lenin must be rolling in their graves...

Am beginning to think my computer problems is a heat thing, took the cover off and haven't had any more problems (cross your fingers). Which is odd since she hadn't been over-heating before with the cover on- weird.

Hey Julez72 an old pilots trick goes as follows

Get some fresh ginger root and cut it up into half inch cubes ( 13mm X13mm ) Take one and chew it up good 45 minutes before flight, then another 10 minutes before flight. You will belch a bunch but wont toss your cookies. Got that from an old WWII pilot, well my flight instructor really. Worked great for me when I went up and tried to scare myself. Oh and do not brake the cardinal rule of pilot stuff, no carbonated drinks an hour before flight.

Your build is coming along well and the stripes came out nicely.

Vetteman: I have no problems with you calling me Owl, go ahead! 

Julez: there are areas on your mustang's wings that are a different color: the gun panels and ailerons...what did you do to get that?  and the invasion stripes look great!

OWL

It would be fun, i think i'd take the sissy $2000 10 minute ride with a nice smooth ride and a couple of loops...i'd up chuck for sure in the adrenaline ride...Hey i get it for a few hundred less for being a local I think it would be worth it, how often do you get to ride in a Mig in a lifetime???although i'd prefer a Hornet

WIP pics....

I have a few areas to touch up on Grim Reaper but i'm pleased with it all so far...I just have to mask all that off and paint the aluminum paint and it's out of the paintshop....

Julez72

I know what Richard wants for Xmas.. For $3000 Au you get a 25minute hellride, catch is it's here in Queensland...

 

Sumpthin tells me that our fearless Kermit would travel much farther than Queensland to catch a ride on a MiG

Simpilot thanks I remember from our earlier conversations that the Streak Eagle had the turkey feathers, I am still looking for them either in the form of a resin AM burner can or someone who has built Hasagawa's F-15. The turkey feathers are included in that kit but from what I understand are rarely used. I did find the correct ejection seat and have that in the box along with the decals that Gamera was so kind to send me. I will be referencing the pictures Owl ( may I call you Owl ? ) posted for painting the inside of the burner cans, they were great shots to my eye. I will admit I don't know jets well at all so any help or advise is truly appreciated.

very glad you all liked the pictures. I sure enjoyed taking them!! 

I called Squadron; they are re-sending me the Foil-Adhesive, and are letting me keep the Micro Flat. SO hopefully within a week or so I will get my (correct) package.

OWL

OMG...

Who do i have to kill.???

Seriously, i would pee my pants out of sheer pleasure, not fear LOL. There's one thing i saw on tv once that would give an even better thrill... I saw this show about some company offering a real dogfighting experience in (i believe it was) Texans using some kind of laser technology. Would give anything to experience that...

Especially the bit on your mig website about going low for some strafing like manouvres would be awesome. You would really get a feel for the speed when youre closer to the ground methinks.

Soo....

Anyone wanting to make my xmass experience a memorable one can pm me and donate your life savings

Thanks also to everyone pitching in with foiling advice. I already figured to trim the foil to the panellines, just needed the confirmation

Richard

Julez72

I know what Richard wants for Xmas.. For $3000 Au you get a 25minute hellride, catch is it's here in Queensland...

Not just Richard! 

A few years back I got to spend a day out at the BMW Performance Center racing M3s. Believe it or not, it was for work (they were a client). Easily the most fun I've ever had in a mode of transportation, but I imagine riding in a fighter would make it look like riding a tricycle by comparison.

Oh almost forgot, Randy those are the burner cans with out the turkey feathers which aren't the right ones for Streak Eagle. It's a good shot for the inside though. All the workings that are visible would be covered alot like what the F-16 ones look like.

I know what Richard wants for Xmas.. For $3000 Au you get a 25minute hellride, catch is it's here in Queensland...

Great work ppls!!!!

Richard, if you keep your foiling like that you will do fine!!! As mentioned, trimmingback to the panel line is a must, otherwise when you put the leading edge bit on with out trimming it, you will have a surface irregularity. As you know a BIG no no for a BMF.

48, wish I could be there for the airshow!!! Mather is one of my old stompin' grounds and have been to many airshows there while it was still an active SAC/ATC base.

Gamera, my condolences go out to you and yours as well.

OWL, love the pics, thanks!!!!

OWL - I know what its like to have the batteries die while at an event like that.  Couple years ago, the Collings Foundation came into Dallas Love Field with their B-17, 24 and 25.  I grabbed my camera and down I went.  Then the batteries died almost all the way through , was barely able to take a few shots of 909 when she flew by after takeoff.  Hope you had a good time at the airshow, hasn't been one in Dallas for a long time, though I think they have one one occasion in Ft. Worth.

Kermit - From what I read about foiling, you have to do one panel at a time.  Cut a little bit larger piece for the panel you're doing, barnish it down then cut the foil at the panel lines.  Just my worth.

Slow progress has been made on my 757.  Ready to paint the NMF, when I noticed a seam opened up and then the weatherman calls for scattered t-storms for the week, though the weekend is looking good!