ColGray wow !!!! I would say you have learned very well my friend Hurry Home Honey is looking fantastic, cant wait for the finished pictures. And it seems you built it rather quickly too for a large scale. I am really impressed with the finish and your hand painting skills. You used Alclad paints ?

Heavens Eagle oh my look at all those goodies Your Do335 is going to be loaded with detail and will be a fun build to watch for sure.

A quick update on the Streak Eagle before the fun part starts.......the paint job. It is all ready for masking and painting. I made the nose probe on my little lathe out of brass, didnt think I could still spin diameters that small. The tip is only .040 dia, and the antenna in the cockpit on the rear deck was made from a bit of evergreen plastic I had layin around with hard wire in the base to help locate it in a hole I drilled in the deck.

ColGray- Nice looking Mustang there!

Well as I promised here are some pics of the Aeries Do 335 add on. 

First photo shows the back side of the instruction sheet with all the parts that are included.

This is the inside of the front starboard cowling part showing the inside of the duct.  Very thin crisp and nice!

The 2 engines from the kit. The right one has a metal insert to weigh down the nose and keep it on the wheel.  The other one is for the rear engine located amid ships.  That one will not be used as the plane wasn't fully finished.  Just an empty mounting, with an open side door.  No problem as the entire compartment is included as well!  

The nose gear well.  Finely detailed. 

Close up of some of the parts.  The 3 rounded parts are the front radiator.  It was missing when I got the kit. It arrived from Aeries in the mail today.  Took about 2 weeks, not bad coming from the Czech Republic!

The back side of the instruction sheet.  Quite impressive and worth the cost.

AND......... its time to unveal the P-51 Mustang minus the final weathering

The invasion stripes are hand painted the cone was handpainted the checkerboard was a pain to align and get it to sit completly down and not bubble other than that the whole thing was an amazing fit barely had to fill anything

]

For once im completly happy and do not want to modify it an anyway.... its weird

Heavens Eagle nice choice of subject for your build I will enjoy watching it go together. NMF III will be starting on May 2nd so you wont have long to wait. Loads of cool builds are lining up for round III already. How were you planning on finishing it ? Paint or foil or ???

Casper cant wait to see what you do with the Mustang or the Lightening.

AlterEcho yup you are in the home stretch now I have to echo what was said above you have a very nice clean paint job there. Very crisp masking work too

Gamera SWEET B-29 !!! A beautiful paint job and I like the markings you have chosen a lot. Your build is making me want to drop everything I have going now and start mine. So hurry up an "Git-er-Dun" cant wait to see it finished.

AlterEcho: Nice! Very sharp, clean job.

Anyway the B-29 as she currently stands:

Sorry about the photos, they need editing but the work computer won't run the editing tool in Photobucket.

Started fitting the landing gear in place. Seems like everything I think I've finished painting I find something else I need to paint aluminum and have to drag the airbrush out again.

Well, I made a major goof...I applied a decal (checkerboard) that should have not been there. So, I have repainted the stripes, in black, and have started the rest of the decals. At least it is not something that cannot be fixed.

Heavenseagle, by all means mate post up a pic of the Aires set, thats the one i would probably go with when i eventually make a start on mine...

Echo, yeah you look close to closing this one out, very cool looks excellent so far

Coming down the home stretch...

  Most of the painting is done. I finished hand brushing Future onto the fuselage, this evening. Added brake lines on the landing gear...I know this is supposed to be OOB, but it looked naked without the lines. I will start the weathering tomorrow...

Ok Vetteman, I just purchased a 'stang! I've ordered the Tamiya 1/48 P-51B "Blue Nose" edition with a matching Legend productions P-51B/C cockpit set. I'll save this and the Lightning for the NMF III when ever the post for that goes up.

Cheers

I have the dual engine Aries set for this kit. I picked it up at the local HS they had picked that set up with the 2 seat trainer kit in a trade in.  ( They do that quite often and you never know what will show up on the shelves)

From the photo on the Aeries box it doesn't look like there is much to it.  I was astounded by all the parts that were inside that box.  Not just the engines and engine bays but landing gear wells and the ultra thin cowling covers to go with it.  It was only after studying all the parts for about a half hour that I finally discovered that one of the part sprues was missing.  The front radiator parts were not there.  (UGH!)  I sent an e-mail to Aeries and they said they would send one.  I have not seen the part yet, and to be frank am not all that worried about it.  It has a full coweling around it in the photo so it probably will not be a problem.  If you would like I will set out the set and take a photo tomorrow and post it here.

JMart

Richard – Ditto on the Eduard Zooms… that how I started my a/c PE adventures. Careful sanding resin, can be quite nasty, wear the same protection or respirator as when you AB enamels.

JMart, Yeah same here, it was the instrument panels and seat belts that first attracted me to the Zoom sets....Some guys are awesome with their fine detail brushwork and can paint stunning I/P's but i'm not one of them so Eduard allowed me to get some nice cockpits for my models...I'm only now just starting to play with resin and i like it......This current P-51 will be my first with a resin/pe engine and gunbay, can't wait for the Verlinden set to show up.....

Hey looking forward to seeing your P-51

Heavens Eagle, Welcome to NMF GB, nice choice with the Arrow, i have the single seat version in the stash and have contemplated adding the Aires or Verlinden detail set to do an on the production line type of vignette.....

There were actually 2 planes like this.  The 221 that is in the photo and one other the 219. The 219 has only one photo that is not the best.  It is the same colors as the 221 but it is outside and all the ports are closed up. Also the vertical stab is complete.  

Here is the Photo and the color clips:  

The 119 sitting outside

A color plate showing an artists rendition.  NOTE: In both actual photos the front canopy is off or missing and the 119 is also missing the rear canopy.  Both planes do have the front engine installed but the 121 does not have the rear engine even though the cover is closed and the top is on. Unable to tell for sure with the 119 though the right side hatch is open (air intake just above the wing) and the plane "seems" to set a little lower in the rear as if it has a little more weight in the aft part of the plane.

Ah, nice one Eagle! I'm doing one of these for the Way Too many props GB. I'm doing the Tamiya 1/48 kit with the Aires conversion with engines displayed. Can't wait to see how yours turns out.

Cheers

Thanks Richard I missed a couple of things on that.  Years ago I had an FTP site for photos.  It was basic and simple, but have not done this in quite a while.

(Sigh) Hope this works as it is supposed to this time.  Thanks for your patience guys.

OK sorry for the repeat guys but here it is off of a new host.

?action=view¤t=D0335 221reference.jpg

Heavens eagle,

Don't worry All beginning is hard for who never did a certain thing before.

Our friend DoogsATX created a how-to blog here:

http://doogsmodels.com/2011/01/27/how-to-post-your-photos/

Hope this will sort things out for you

Richard

One more try

Well THAT didn't work so I will have to try something else.  

There is quite a lot of nice work on here guys.  Am just now getting back into modelling after 20 years off.  Lot of reasons and things.  Still have my ancient stash from the way back (Woohoo the ex didn't get that!) Now some of these kits are never to appear again.     'Cept I have them in my stash.  

No way I can start the build I have in mind for build 2.  Great possibility for NMF III!  What about something like this?

D0335 221reference.jpg.html

I have the kit Tamiya and the Aeries detail add on.  (That is one awesome resin add on)

Also this is my first attempt at adding a photo online in quite a while.  Please let me know if it works.

JMART GAMERA - Thanks for the info. I did not know that MM was so touchy...hated to find that out the hard way.

DOOGS - I read this a while ago, the ALC 600 Aqua Gloss Clear is the one to use for 'high' shine Alclads. Here is the 'bit:

http://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/6-new-products-alclad-ii

Richard – Ditto on the Eduard Zooms… that how I started my a/c PE adventures. Careful sanding resin, can be quite nasty, wear the same protection or respirator as when you AB enamels.

NMF III – yes! I already know what I will be building (after being tempted by the 1:144Trumpy Badger). I have to get cracking and complete my Revell P51s. Wife visiting daughter in College, should be able to make a dent this weekend at the bench (if she asks, tell her I indeed took care of the yard…).

RedR- Bummer about the tape; which do you use? I find that the painter’s low tack blue tape can be left on for awhile (months) without lifting paint/primer coats. Any leftover residue can be cleaned with GooGone.

AlterE – I use MM metalizers, both with the AB and brush… I am very happy with the results. If I want to take ‘shiny” to the next level, may have to try Alclad or SnJ. I always paint the MM metailzers last to try avoid accidental scratching.

Doogs – Never used A-clear, sorry.

I also have a Trumpy 1:72 Backfire that will take a gallon of whatever metal paint I choose…. No, not yet, do not have anywhere to put it after its done!

vetteman42

 

... I was thinking the new one should start on May 2nd and go to May 1 2012...

NMFIII May 2nd?! I'm there!

Cheers

Doogs: Funny, Last P-47 I built was 'Raid Hot Mama' though I used the SuperScale sheet on the Hawagawa kit:

Don't think I've seen 'Magic Carpet' though. BTW: Lifelike Decals from Japan have about five sheets of great P-47s.

Haven't used the Alclad finish coats but I had some of the Testor's Metalizer sealer lying around and used that. Looks good to me, evened out everything killing the excess shine on the decals but leaving a solid shine on the NM finish.

Alterecho: I like the Metalizer but I stopped using it since it's just so darn fragile. You can't use regular masking agents and I kept accidently scratching it. I've had some luck masking by using moist paper, just enough water to make it tacky but not so much that water is running everywhere.  

Question for the group - anybody have any experience with Alclad's new clears? I read a review of the Aqua Clear Gloss that says it can be used to seal the Alclad high-shine finishes (presumably the other clears can be used on the "regular" Alclads?).

Also, in poking around Alclad's site, I just noticed that they say decal setters and solvents are fine on regular finishes, but not recommended for high-shine. And here I always thought they were verboten altogether. Awesome news, since I don't ever have much cause to work with the high-shine stuff anyway. Aluminum, Duraluminum and friends typically suffice.

Gamera

Doogs: Awesome! I've the same set of decals in 1/48th and intend sometime in the future to pick up the Academy 1/48th P-47N to build 'Too Big & Too Heavy'.

Yeah, I picked this sheet up for "Raid Hot Mama", but like the Slick Chick markings for a bubblejug.

I've got one of the other Zotz sheets in 48th. Really looking forward to doing "Magic Carpet". Love the olive drab with NMF wings, cowl, and cowl flaps. Definitely one of the more distinctive Razorbacks I've seen.

  I have been working with Model Master's Aluminum Metalizer. I am starting to prefer it over Alclad because I can use a brush to apply it. After it dries, I am having a hard time telling it from the Alclad. Very impressive product, so far.

  Also, I found a stress crack on the Academy canopy. I am going to use one of these canopies and order another one when I make a larger order. No need to pay shipping for one canopy, eh....

V-Man: Thanks, never really thought about cross-overs. I like the idea of a P-47 GB if someone other than me wants to set one up. I'd consider tossing in a P-47 of some sort for it and/or NM GB III sometime this summer or autumn. I hate to commit to myself as I said I'd made a resolution not to start anything else till I finish some stuff off, I signed on for three GBs so far this year after I vowed I wouldn't do any!

I am looking forward to that foiled 1/48th B-29. Gee the 1/72nd scale kit is a friggin' handful, I can't imagine the 1/48th scale kit.

Doogs: Awesome! I've the same set of decals in 1/48th and intend sometime in the future to pick up the Academy 1/48th P-47N to build 'Too Big & Too Heavy'.

I started work on the fiddly bits on the B-29 last night. No idea the darn thing had so many little radio masts, pitot tubes, and little thingees mounted on it. I was hoping to be done this weekend but that ain't gonna happen...

  Vetteman - Count me in for the next NMF GB. I will be doing either, or both, a Ki-61 and a C119 'Flying Boxcar'.

  I think I might have a fix. I found an open kit for $5.00. Some parts are missing, but the canopy is intact and so are the decals. So, I might go with the donor kit's decals. The fuselage was included, but already glued up. I examined the fuselage with the Tamiya. The donor kit's fuselage is horrible (donor kit is a Academy P-47D). The cowling is to fat and the canopy cannot be opened without hitting the aerial. On the underside, the turbocharger exhaust would have to be cut off and moved rearward. Even a newbie like me can see that this kit is horrible. Anyway, at least I have some stuff for my stash.

Vetteman:I'm probly gonna have to carry my Mustang over to round three.  Right now the only time I got time to work on it before May is the 4 days I got off for Easter but even then I'm not sure how much work I'll get done since I had a couple setbacks on it last time I was home, namely I for some reason left masking tape on the wings (from january....stupid me) and it pulled up bits of the silver I had on the wings and then also part of the aileron broke off with the tape too, so I doubt I will finish it in those 4 days.  I get out of school the 2nd week of May, and instead of dragging this GB on, I might as well go to the next one.

vetteman42

 So if you all think it would work this build group ends on May 1st and I was thinking the new one should start on May 2nd and go to May 1 2012. I will get the new page posted on the morning of May 2nd, and will be keeping the same rules. And as before if you are a week or so away from completing a build for round II I will keep it open for ya or you may carry over to round III, just let me know.

Sweet! I'm down for...something!

Right now I'm leaning very heavily toward the 1/32 Hasegawa Jug my wife got me for Christmas. Considering doing "Slick Chick" of the 9th AAF/368th FG/395th FS. See the top two at left.