The FR.47 is maturing.  I need to make the struts for the RATOs and then decal it.  Minor touch up and then decals.  Now that I'm actually working on it again it should go fairly fast.

Greg, most British and Commonwealth vehicles from Depots would have been Bronze green at first, however as stuff was transferred in from US stock you would have had more OD making an apperance - I've enclosed a link you may find useful;

http://www.hmvf.co.uk/pdf/PAINTINGpart1.pdf

Otherwisea busy week, finishing off two models for a customer, emptying out my stuff into the spare room so I can strip the wallpaper before decorating, trying to work on getting my model railway ready for a show in November and doing the odd bit on the Albatross. The props are now painted, the landing gear sub assemblies done bar touch up. Wingtips and floats need another coat of yellow, the fuselage is assembled masked and now has its first coat of primer. If I get chance I may start on the NM finish on it this week.

Doc

Hello all, awfully quiet on here lately.  Must be everybody is getting lots of bench time!

I am pretty sure this ground got covered before, but what color was commonwealth motor transport and armor?  I know that the Cent's were bronze greeen from earlier posts.  Is that what a U-carrier or a quad tractor would be too?

I haven't been home in a few days, and that is where my RF-51 and LVT are.  It shouldn't take too much more.  I am plugging away on the M32.  It is actually looking pretty good.  The details are too small for me to photograph right now.  I haven't started on the boom yet.  That will be the tricky part.

Cheers,

Greg

I think the poster is in error. I have never read of the Bearcat serving in Korea. I am fairly certain that by the time of the Korean War they had been phased out of USN active service and replaced by the F2H and F9F. Those that had been replaced were transferred to France and Thailand in that time period for use in SE Asia. The F8F was inferior to the F4U/AU Corsair as a ground attack/close air support aircraft, so that aircraft performed that role in Korea.

Heya folks!

Working on day 5 of six days off.  Had a bit of allergy probs for two days, that stank!  I'm  making a trip into Seoul for groceries tomorrow and will meet up with friends. 

The question I've got is, I have a poster that has 'all of the aircraft of the Korean War' on the wall of my living room here in Korea.  It's quite accurate, even to the markings of the aircraft.  The only discrepancy that I can see (apart from not having every mark of aircraft) is that it shows the Grumman F8F Bearcat.  Does anyone know if these were used on the peninsula?  I can't find any references that show it in use, but that could just be me being lazy.  Monogram does have their 1/72 kit that's actually quite good considering its age, so it's not as though I can't find one.  But I just don't see investing in a kit for a build that it doesn't apply to. 

Thanks in advance!

Hey, she's lookin' good SP.

Stuff happens, I used the same paint, thinner,and mixing ratios on my Panther here,one day for lowers, one day for uppers. Even got different results there. I think humidity was the big variable there. Can't control that.

Here is the Panther with Aluminum on the leading edges, wing roots, and tip tank tips.

Sorry to hear about the problems guys, I suppose as complex a chemical formula paint is you can't expect the same results 100% of the time.

After recommending Model Master Acrylic gloss and flat varnish I had both go bad on me recently and turn white after spraying them on the same way I've been spraying them for years.

In my case the paint problems are part unknown basis, and part self inflicted. The unkown part is  for some reason the paint did not thin properly and sent flecks of unthinned pigment all over the model. I found they could be "polished" away. The self inflicted part was the polishing. In my experiments with the polishing I polished thru the paint to bare plastic in a few spots with the methods and items used...

stikpusher

Enamel or Acrylic on the Flat Black?

Acyclic ...

The only suggestion I can give is to remask, spray the walkways again, and remove the tape as soon as the paint is dry to touch within a few minutes.

Did so and this time, the tape pulled off cleanly and the paint stayed put ... just as an experiment, I shot the walkways using the remainder of the mix I'd used the first time and all went well ... go figger !! ...

  Was is pretty humid when you airbrushed on the black?

I usually check humidity before painting and it was only 11%, so I discounted that as a factor ...

Sorry to hear about the problems, PK. My F-86 is sidelined due to paint problems currently.

What's happening with your Sabre jet ... something we should be aware of to avoid the same problem ? ...

Since having trouble with the decals brought my WIP to a screeching halt, I sprayed a light coat of Testors Decal Bonder on the sheets yesterday ... am just now getting ready to sit down and start the process again and hope that will keep the decals from falling apart ...

pepper

WOOHOO!  Just got my package from Kiwi-land...  Also known as New Zealand.  I've got my Squadron vac formed canopies and other bits for the Sunderland and the Privateer.  And another Falcon P2V5 sheet...    I wish that I'd known that I already had one when I bought this one!  RVHP did a resin conversion for it aeons ago but it's very OOP and no one has it in stock.  I'm not really keen on vac forms, but I can manage one or three.

In other news, I've got the majority of my models set up in my office at work.  Being in the office, the kids don't have access to them.  But there's a monster sized window for them to LOOK at them!  The littler ones absolutely are amazed at them.  It actually has calmed a bunch of them down according to my colleague.

I've been putting off my Seafire for a bit.  I had it up on a computer speaker and my cat knocked it off the other night.  The cat has survived (for now) but the Seafire had some minor damage.  I'm working myself up to fixing it so that I can continue on it with the black 'invasion' stripes.

Enamel or Acrylic on the Flat Black? I tell you that I have had more issues with MM Acryls than I care to remember. The only suggestion I can give is to remask, spray the walkways again, and remove the tape as soon as the paint is dry to touch within a few minutes. For some reason your paint bonded better to the surrounding masking tape than to the painted surface beneath. Was is pretty humid when you airbrushed on the black?

Sorry to hear about the problems, PK. My F-86 is sidelined due to paint problems currently.

Thanks Guys for the tip ... this morning, I applied a very thin coat of MicroSol (red bottle) on the big stripes on the tail and the decal disintegrated before my very eyes ... I'll swing by my LHS this morning and pick up the items you guys mentioned and try them before applying any more decals ...

Had another problem last night ... I masked off (with Tamiay thin yellow tape) the wing walkways and painted them with Model Master flat black ... this morning, I gently pukked off the tape - I always pull tape at a 45 degree angle to itself - and pulled off most of the paint ... anyone have this problem happen before ? ... and if so, do you know why ? ... this was using Model Master paint and is a brand new bottle to boot ... again, this is something I've never experienced before ... m'thinks the Shooting Star doesn't want to 'shoot' but would prefer to go 'bang' and stay in its box !! ...

pepper

WOW!  Thank you Doc for posting those great pictures.  Of course I think everybody knows which is my favorite... LOL

Yes, I am still around... all of your work are looking real good as usual.

Pepper: I'll third what Draken Andy and Greg already said. I like the Testor's spray decal bonder but gloss coat should work almost as well. I haven't used the Microscale product though.

Doc Win: Great photos and thanks for sharing! There is a museum close to here that has a bunch of WWII armour but of course most of it is US with a smattering of German. Nice to see an universal carrier and those cool looking British armoured cars.

Andy (Draken) it was Pepper with the decals.  Sorry, I wish I had a nice F-80!  I usually use Microscale Decal Film myself.  I have the Testor's spray, but I confess, I have never used it.  I really like the Microscale stuff.  You brush it on.  It dries smooth, and very quickly.  The thing is to put it on before you trim the decal.  Don't ask me how I know this.....

Doc, AWESOME!  Thanks for sharing.  Those are some great vehicles.  The half-track pushed me over the edge, I am ordering one or two tonight.  And the Quad and field gun with limber.  I have been holding off on buying an M-19, but as I wasn't obsessing enough about one, now I will be hitting evilbay for one.

Pepper, lunch sounds great.  It will be nice to put a face to the name.  The weather here in San Antonio cooled down some, and it is really nice.  There is a lot of dust in the air, however.  I hope to capitalize on the weather tomorrow and get a little bit of painting done.

Cheers,

Greg

Yo, Gregbear...

I regularly spray old decals with a clear overcoat if there's a potential for cracking.  There's a couple of options for you:

1.>  Testors makes a clear spray specifically for decals and it can be found at Hobby Lobby and most LHS's.

2.>  I've been using Tamiya Clear Gloss lacquer and have had excellent results, apart from a tendency to bead up on older Hasegawa decals.

3.>  Testors glosscote or dullcote have always worked fine for me.  Never had a problem with them.

I loved the photos of the armour Doc!  And thye Shooting star is looking awesome Greg.  I've been noticing something, though.  Although Helop has been starting a vast number of projects, he doesn't seem to have many finished...    Comments, John?  Just kidding!  Hoping to see something soon, like maybe one of those cargo planes!

Hey John,

                   Your Albatross will probably catch up on mine, as I'm working away at the moment, so I only get at the models at weekends. I'm not going to worry about the lack of interior detail on mine, I doubt you'd be able to see much through the transparencies anyway. There should be attached to this message a whole pile of military vehicle phots I took from the show on Sunday, all ETO markings but good for reference shots. I've just picked out all the vehicles later used in Korea...

Enjoy...

Doc

Gregbbear

 in Austin, Texas.  Also, AMPS is having a show in October in Austin.  The theme for that one is the Korean War.

Greg

Hi All:

A couplea shots of the Shooting Star ... decal work underway and much trouble with the Aeromaster decals ... seems that every one of them so far, tear or fall apart sliding off the sheets ... I've thought of spraying a clear gloss coat on the sheet to see if that might keep them in one piece ... any suggestions ? ...

Greg, I'm interested in coming down for either or both of the upcoming shows ... what say we get together to grab lunch ? ...

pepper

Decal placement start ...

Nose art ...

Thanks John, and thanks for the halftrack comparison.  I guess I am going to have to get one of each!  The figures from the Hasegawa sounds like they could come in handy.  It seems most of the vehicle crew figures out there are German or Russian, and most of those are in white metal.  I've never done metal kits before, so I am unsure of the quality.  I did see a very expensive set by Black Dog in resin.  Unfortunately, of the six figures, two are civilians.  So, I passed at this time.

Later this month, the 24th I believe, there is an IPMS show in Austin, Texas.  Also, AMPS is having a show in October in Austin.  The theme for that one is the Korean War.

Cheers,

Greg

AWESOME work so far Greg on the M32 turret 

I never thought of looking for some PE for the Sherman , I will definitatly add some to the shopping cart next time I'm over at Hannants ....

As far as 1/72 and 1/76 compare , here is a comparision pic of Italeri's 1/72 and Revell's 1/76 Halftracks ;

I also placed the Hasegawa and Airfix M3 Halftrack side body pieces up against the Revell M16 and there appears to be no difference .

Hasegawa's Halftrack come with a seated driver , standing passenger with binoculars and three seated soldiers with guns .....Nice

                                           John .

Doc, yes please!  I would love to see the pictures.

As for halftracks, Academy vs Hase vs Airfix vs Matchbox.  Not really versus I suppose, but I like that the Airfix has a trailer.  Matchbox has an M-16, and Academy's is supposed to really good plus comes with two more vehicles.  Each of them has features I like, but I guess what I should be saying versus is the 76 vs 72.  Do they look odd next to each other?  Or odd next to other vehicles of the opposite scale?

Andy Draken, I like the Seafire.  That is one wild plane with those counter rotating props.

While I should have been working on my NF Meteor, I started messing around with my M32.  Originally, I thought the turret part should be easy.  I can't find any images of the big hatch being closed or having a lid, as I was originally going to have it closed up.  Now, I went and entered imaginationland.  With no pictures to go buy, I made up what I think would be a probable interior.  Since the hole is big, I had to add some psuedo detail in the hull.  I also made a turret basket, a radio, seats, and some .50 cal ammo can holders.  I will probably add some more stuff, as it looks pretty empty.  To add some more detail, and replace some that I will have to sand off, I went ahead and ordered Eduard's Mid Production Sherman p.e. set.  That will give me the pioneer gear as well as light guards and other things.  John emailed me the Italeri 35th scale directions, and I reduced the drawings to 72nd in the photo-copier.  That is a tremendous help!

Cheers,

Greg

Hi Doc ;

I did order one of those Seafire FR.47 kits from Jays model kits and hofully it should arrive by the end of the week ; Thanks for the link to the web site as they had lots of interesting kits .

You mentioned earlier about Hubrol Bronze Green for my Centurion ; Humbrol paints are available here in Sydney , it's just that I airbrush with acrylic paints like Gunze and Tamiya . Although a lot of the hobby stores are no longer stocking Gunze Sangyo paints , so I may end up using Humbrol and Model Master enamels eventually .

Sounds like your making good progress on your Albatross , the lack of cockpit detail with the kit is a little disappointing , I scrounged a spare consol panel from the spares box for mine . I've only airbrushed the insides of the fuselage halves so far , your a little further progressed than I .

I would also love to see some pic's of the vehicles you mentioned ,  especially the M19 Tank Transporter ;

Of late , I've really become hooked on 1/72-76 Military vehicles .

Cliff , no problems trimming the drapes a little , upstairs is my domain and the curtains are 1.5 times the width of each window so a little snip , snip and no one will no the difference ..........I hope .

Thanks again Doc for the Seafire kit link , I'm looking forward to getting mine ...

                             John .

Doc: I'd like to see your photos if it's not too much trouble to post them.

Draken, there is a Seafire F.47 available in 1/72nd in injection plastic from Jays model kits of New Zealand, I posted links up to the site a few pages back. Its the one I have sitting in the stash! I'm also keeping an eye out for the upcoming Special Hobby one too.

Not much to report on the Albatross, props and wheels painted black, interior into green, the rivets all sanded down to something less horrible and the floats built and undercoated in white along with the wingtips ready for the yellow next weekend when Im next back home.

The RS Tachikawa Ki-9 has arrived, super little kit, etched brass fret and all, and it has the markings for the South Korean one in the Wikepedia photos too as well as 1946 Korean! Though it does have it in IJAAF green in the instructions, the photos look more black, could be well battered green? What do you guys think?

Was also at a local WW2 show in Leicestershire at the weekend, have some nice pics of M19 tank transporter, M24, M3 half tracks, trucks, M8 greyhound, Damiler II armoured car, Damiler Dingo and Bren carriers if anyones interested? 

Doc,

I seem to remember someone asking about who put a photo of an open topped SU-76 up on here. It was me, though looking at the squadron book all the pics seem to be of closed up ones. Oh damn, I'll have to buy another... :)  

John: Very nice work as always though I envy the rubber tracks on your Centurion

You're not going to get yelled at for cutting up the drapes are you? Even if it's extra material?

Cliff , It sounds like it would take weeks to assemble those tracks ; I certainly admire your perseverance .

Andy nice work on the FR-47 Seafire , it looks like you have mastered another horrible fitting kit .

I did see a FR-46 Seafire in 1/72 , is there much difference between the 46 and 47 ?

Anyway , I did a little airbrushing today , a few coats of olive drab on the Hasegawa M3 Halftrack Ambulance and some paint on the Heller Searchlight Truck parts ...

The centurion is ready to have the bogies and wheels attached and another 1/76 Centurion kit arrived yesterday , a MPC boxing of the Airfix kit . I noticed that the rubber tracks in the MPC kit are much softer and can stretch quite a bit , so I super glued the ends together and I will use them on the current Centurion build , I think they will fit okay .

Like Andy , I had a bit of a brain-storm  today regarding some camouflage netting ;

I noticed that the curtians covering the two windows above my work bench have a nice open weave appearance and I can easerly trim some from the overall width to make a quite a few pieces of camouflage netting ....

I think it will work out nicely ...

                     John .

Hey guys, great work all around. Sorry I've been a little busy here lately and work on the M46 is dragging. Each link in the link &pin tracks consists of FOUR teeny little parts of which one has a huge enjection pin mark. So overall I'm guessing there are close to 700 parts to the threads alone. Why the heck Dragon can't put rubber band tracks in their kits like Tamiya I'll never know.

John: I've done one of the Academy 1/72 trucks a couple of years ago for a aircraft dio and didn't have any real problems with it. Wish I had photos, I took some of the whole thing but none just of the truck itself. Gave the dio to a vet who flew the plane so I don't have it anymore.

Korean food is good, just make sure to tell them 'mild' if you don't normally eat hot food. As I was talking to Draken Andy a while back apparently Koreans will soak anything in hot sauce.

Here's where I am on the FR.47 Seafire from Czech Master Resin:

The white for the visibility stripes is painted, the major colours are painted on.  The prop is installed, and the gear is installed.  I've got the weapons painted and awaiting install following the black visibility stripes.  Last will be the canopy.

At the moment this is THE ONLY game in town in this scale.  It's not incredibly horrible, but I do believe that I've seen the face of Satan at least once whilst building this kit.

Warped as all get out, I tried the hot water soak and then twist, but it went right back to what it was.  Even with books sitting on it.  So now the tail is SEVERELY bent to port at the top.  Everything else seemed to line up okay.  The locator slots for the port tail flap are way too far back, I just sliced off the tab.  Overall I'm not unhappy with the build so far.

Type to y'all later!

Andy , have you ever seen any 1/76-72 M41 Walker Bulldog tank kits ?

                    John .