Wow, great work guys all around

Great work on the B-29 Draken. Love the black undersides, thought about doing my model the same way but can't find any photos that point to her being painted that way so I'm just going with the default NM all over.

Deafpanzer: Wecome to the GB and great stuff so far. I built the kit about twenty years ago and had the same decal sheet. The instructions detailed all the schemes but I have no idea where they are now or if I still have them. I'm thinking the only nations to use M24s in Korea were the US and the Phillipines. The ROK were supposed to get some but there were never enough to go around. I certain someone else here is better informed than me though.

Guys, afraid I promised photos of the completed K1A1 this weekend. Took her to our local modeling club last night and got some comments and constructive criticism. I've decided to do a little 'fine tuning' to the dio and figures. Should have the photos before much longer though.  

Gamera, thanks for the information.  I will go ahead and use the big white stars that came with the kit.  I don't see anything else I could use.  I shouldn't be too worried because Chaffee will be hauling alot of stowage.   Do you have any idea when this Italeri kit was made?  It wasn't printed on the box or even the instructions.  I googled too but to no luck I have no idea how old it is.  I am just curious...

I feel very pleased I could point you in the direction of such wonders. Im going to have to have to behave and wait until my birthday before splashing out on some! But Im looking forwards to seeing some photos of the finished articles. Your B-29 is looking good Draken. You ought to get some of your maintainance guys memories down on tape then translated - that generation are starting to thin out now. Sounds like he has some valuable oral history to impart! I remember my Korean co-teachers looking at me in a different way after I told them that my late uncle was a Sea Fury pilot on HMS Ocean...

How do you keep the kids off the models? With some of my classes they wouldn't  have lasted the day!

Cheers Stik, nothing to report on the Dingo,  haven't had chance to anything with it for a couple of weeks now, the model railway has been taking the bulk of my free time lately. Currently I have that, the Dingo and eight pieces of commission work. I'm seeing glue in my sleep! 

Deafpanzer - I've only seen photos of Chaffees with white Stars and US numbering towards the rear of the chassis. Some I know had all the gaudy tiger paint on the front in late 1950/early 51 as the US started to push the Chinese back north of Seoul in operation 'RIPPER' & 'KILLER'. The ROK armour training school at Kwanju also had the M-24 and I've seen pics of those with ROK flags painted onto the side of the turret and the US markings left in situ...

Dr Win

 You ought to get some of your maintainance guys memories down on tape then translated - that generation are starting to thin out now. !

Dr. Win:

I agree with what you've said (above) ... there's a retired Col that lives down the street - started as a B-17 gunner (credited with 3 Me109's) and then moved up to a pilot and made the Air Force a career ... we have him to our house (often but not often enough) for coffee and then sit at the kitchen table, with a tape recorder running, to have him share his memories and thoughts of days gone by ... am putting it all down in booklet form for my kids - so they'll understand where we've come from ....

Those guys, sadly and rapidly dying off, were the 'Greatest Generation' ... this might just be my, very puny, tribute to them ...

As an aside, i just bought (for $5.20) an Academy kit (all Korean writing on the box and instruction sheet) of a TBF Avenger  that has been autographed by the only pilot, who flew from Midway (with Torpedo 8), who survived the Battle of Midway ... in the box, besides the kit, are several 8 x 10 B/W photos of the pilot and his navigator/torpedo man (who also survived) + several written biographies and more ...

I'm thinking to not build the kit but put it, with the photos, in some sort of shadow box and either hang on the wall or put on my desk ... didn't the USN fly Avengers in the Korean War ? ... if so, it would qualify for this GB ...

I'm at a crossroads though,  whether or not I should build the kit or leave it still in the box ...

Suggestions anyone ? ...

pepper

Pepper: Not sure, you could always build the kit and then display it with the autographed box and the photos. Pretty dang neat find.

Deafpanzer: Not sure how old the M24 kit is but I remember it being in the Squadron catalog back in '87 so it's at least that old.

Pepper;

The USMC and USN (only a few) flew Avengers in and out of Korea to waiting carriers as air ambulances.  The didn't have the turret or belly gun at that point, and the sources I've read suggest that they were more akin to the ASW version of the Avenger.  The currently popped out Hasegawa JMSDF ASW kit would be proper for the role.  I have no idea what units or the markings.  The a/c is mentioned in three of my books:  Max Hastings, "The Korean War:  A History", "The Final Crucible:  The History of the USMC in the Korean War, Part II", and "Night Fighters Over Korea."  None of them singularly describe the a/c, and none give unit or markings details, but all specifically mention the bird being used as an air ambulance.

Personally, I'm waiting to find one of them on eBay for a little under $30...  Right now they're all being priced at $0 [USD] which is bloody well outrageous no matter how many resin parts and 'special' decals you throw at a thirty year old kit.

Deaf Panzer, that Chaffee kit was not new in the late 80s when I bought and built mine. But it really is one of Italeri's best from that era. I would advise not using the Musette bags provided in the Verlinden set as those had been replaced by the time of Korea with a later style backpack with US forces (the M1945 Field Pack)

and here is a great shot of a Chaffee in Korea for reference on markings,

Gamera, I am really looking forward to that K1.That is one sharp looking tank.. I am sure the fine tuning will really make it shine.

Pepper Kay, in one of my Squadron books on Korea,I can recall if its"MiG Alley"or "Air War Korea", there is a photo of the Air Ambulance Avenger as well as a brief description about the number of casualties evac'ed  by two Avengers to Japan over a few day time span. I would scan it and post but my scanner is not working these days. 

But I did find these shots with a quick google...

stikpusher

Pepper, in one of my Squadron books on Korea,I can recall if its"MiG Alley"or "Air War Korea", there is a photo of the Air Ambulance Avenger as well as a brief description about the number of casualties evac'ed  by two Avengers to Japan over a few day time span. I would scan it and post but my scanner is not working these days. 

But I did find these shots with a quick google... 

Y'know guys, that doesn't look too hard to build ... some .005 clear styrene to replace the top turret and take the bottom gun out and a bit of rescribing for different doors and hatches might do the trick ...

Think I'll print out the picture and compare it to the kit to see what shaeks ...

Thanks for the tip, stikpusher,

pepper

Guys, thanks for the great information!  Obviously the Verlinden stowage kit was made for WWII.  Korea War wasn't that far behind and I assumed the Americans pretty used same uniforms and vehicles used during WWII except for new jets and helicopters.  I am always learning here... I wanted to make sure I am looking at the right thing since there is no instructions for this Verlinden set.  Pink arrow inserted below:

Stik, that picture of Chaffee is my favorite and its what I am going for!  That was the reason why I ordered the stowage set.  I looked everywhere for AM decal set for this but I don't think they make one yet.  It says 'EAGLE CLAW'... I might print my own decal but I never tried it before.  I remember reading something it was not recommended to print white decals?

Yesterday I went ahead and ordered RB aluminum barrel.  If you don't hear from me by Monday, it is probably because my wife has killed me.  I told her I was going to order an aluminum barrel but she doesn't know yet that I ordered enough for my next 6-7 builds to save shipping cost. 

deafpanzer

I told her I was going to order an aluminum barrel but she doesn't know yet that I ordered enough for my next 6-7 builds to save shipping cost. 

Aw...  Crap.  Just what we need to clear things up on this board. 

Another poster named 'Andy." 

Good name, dude! 

LOL!  I lost count too... are there three or four Andy here now?  Let's make it easier... just call me Deaf Andy!

deafpanzer

 

I might print my own decal but I never tried it before.  I remember reading something it was not recommended to print white decals?

Heya Deaf Andy:

Unless you have an ALPS printer, you can't print white ... however, if you get white decal paper (MicroMark is a good source - they also have clear as well), you can print a star with a black outline - then, just trim the black off and you'll have your white star ...

If you decide to give it a try, do this: A) get white decal paper; B) make up your graphic - anything at all - copy something, scan something, draw it out in Corel or Paint or ?; C) put the decal paper in your printer and prinit it and be sure to let it dry - a few hours is just fine; D) then spray a few misty coats of GlossCote or Crystal Clear or somesuch over your star and let dry  - when that dries, hold up the sheet of paper at an angle to the light so you can see that your clear coat covered your decal ... if not, shoot it again ... and then, finally,; E) use your new decal just as any water slide decal you've used before ... it'll work with the MicroScale products just fine too ...

Even if you only 'need' 'one star',  put as many other items on the sheet as you can so as not to waste the decal paper ...

pepper

I'll stick with screen names here to avoid confusion about the numerous Andy's (Andies?) on this GB... Yes the packs you have pointed out are the Musette bags. They are similar to, but not quite the same as the later pack used in Korea by the Army. The Musette bag was a stand alone item while the later Field Pack was a two part more capable item similar in concept to the older Haversack to which items like E-tool, shelter half and such could be attached externally

Musette Bag

M1945 Combat Field Pack... Notice all the extra attachment points and straps for gear. And the new green shade of OD canvas. Not the older Khaki OD shade of WWII gear. 

and with the lower bag attached.

As a side note. In Korea the US Army had phased out much uniform equipment of what the started WWII,and was equipped with the gear just coming into combat service at the end of that war. Wool summer field uniforms, canvas leggings, and combat shoes were gone. Instead in Summer it was HBT fatigues with large cargo pockets, M-1943 combat boots and  cold weather gear for winter of Hooded Parkas, Shoe Pacs and Pile Caps.Items that served well in the frozen winters of Korea learned about in the frozen winter of the Ardennes.

Now the Marines on the other hand still used primarily WWII field gear, at least in the first year or so- they still even used the old Boondocker shoes and canvas leggings at Inchon and on to Seoul...

Cool find Pepper!  Was that George Gay?  I too have been thinking about doing a TBM for this GB.  I passed on way too many good deals at Modelfiesta though.  I had phantom phever at the time.  There were several Accurate Miniature TBM-3 in 1/48 and Hase's 1/72 for less than $20.  Quickboost makes an Ash radar too.  Oh well, woulda, coulda, shoulda.  It appears that some of the Marine machines retained the turret, and had an ASH radar for hunting bed-check charlies.  Here are a few pics I found in USN/USMC Over Korea.  I have more in other books, but they are pretty much the same thing.

Seems like it wouldn't take much to make some of them.  You don't even need codes on the tail.  Just Gloss Sea Blue, stars and bars and a BU number by the tail.  Add, or scratch and ASH radar pod, and you are in business!  That would be a unique build, and probably something right up Helo John's alley too.

Great pics you found Stik.  I love the vintage color stuff.  It is sad to think that there a possibly millions of great wartime and service pictures thrown away by families after the servicemen pass on or are moved into nursing homes.  I regret not making copies of some stuff that some old salts had when I was in the 1st Marine Division Association years ago.  When I was on I&I duty (that is Marine for training reservists) in Galveston, Texas, I was a member of the local chapter.  Some of the guys had been Galveston reservists when Korea started, and were immediately called up and attached to the 1st Mar Div.  They fought at Chosin.  One very nice old Devil Dog, donated a Nagant 7.62x54R Soviet made rifle he had captured there.  We even test fired it with shell he had captured too.  When the balloon went up, he was a drilling reservist, but hadn't gone to boot camp yet.  They sent him anyways, and he said he survived by doing and watching the old salts.  While on the assault, he noticed the salts would hit the ground, then roll into a firing position.  So, he did the same.  He told me he was just "monkey see, monkey do".  Sure enough, the impression he made on the ground when he first hit, was hit by two rounds.  Another gentleman, was a radioman, and operated and maintained radios mounted up in an LVT (sort of the forerunner of today's AAVC7A1) for Chesty Puller's command post!  I am ashamed that I don't remember any of their names now.

Cheers,

Greg

Heh, Deafpanzer that's why I've been referring to you by your callsign. I think it's two Andy's and one Andrew here. Or maybe the other way around, I forget. Thankfully I'm the only Cliff here, but I keep forgetting to stick my name at the end of my posts. So either Cliff or Gamera are fine.

Anyway, the K1A1 is done in fact. Just tinkering with the dio, I was trying to set up a small scene and some of the guys were confused about what was supposed to be going on in it. Hopefully, things will be clearer now.

Just giving this a bump back to page 1. 

Cheers,

Greg

*BUMP* 

Ob Comment:  Have started on the Airfix "Forward Command Post" building for a field aid station diorama.  Looking awesome so far.

Well, it bloody well took forever, but I've finally gotten my linux machine at home to begrudgingly accept the existence and cooperation of PhotoBucket.  I'm modelling it as a unit from the 2ID, which is stationed just up the street from me in the next town, Dongducheon, at Camp Casey.  Here's some in progress pics of the Field Aid station:

And finally, the Superfort as it is in the class room!!!

Sorry about the date stamp being off, I still haven't figured out how to change it.  More pressing issues at hand.

Gregbbear

Cool find Pepper!  Was that George Gay? 

Seems like it wouldn't take much to make some of them.  You don't even need codes on the tail.  Just Gloss Sea Blue, stars and bars and a BU number by the tail.  Add, or scratch and ASH radar pod, and you are in business!  That would be a unique build, and probably something right up Helo John's alley too.

Gay was the sole survivor of the Devastator attacks, launching off the HORNET ... Al Earnest and his radioman were the sole survivors of the Avengers that flew from Midway ... Earnest is the pilot who signed my kit box top ...

Looking at your first picture, the caption says that 2 Avengers were used for evacuation pruposes and these still have the top turret installed ... can't see the radar usit on the right wing, but will be easy enough to find or scratch build ...

So, maybe the thing to do is build up the kit, which would qualify for the GB and shadow box the pictures and kit box to hang on my wall ? ...

pepper

Draken: Wow, the tent looks good, and the B-29 looks great!

Pepper: Wow, George Gay!?! Now that's a nice autograph to have.

Ok stick a fork in the K1A1, other than fiddling around with the pastel 'mud' she's done. Only off thing is used a very matte semigloss for the young ladies since I think flesh looks better with a teeny bit of gloss to it. And in the photos they look like I shot them with full out gloss varnish. I've had the camera turn something that looks like matte in person into a gloss before this, not sure what's going on. Anyway, overall very happy. First serious attempt to use filters on an AFV and I like how they came out.

Gamera...   That is sweet... very easy to figure out that story line  Very nicely done!  You certainly earned your GB badge here! Now which pic to copy for the honor roll here...

Draken, the 29 looks great... and oh so right hanging from a ceiling...

Gamera:

They must be Filipinas from Bosan or Teokgori.  Korean babes wear shorter shorts, but cover their torso.  Weird but true! 

Thanks guys!

Draken: Really? Dang, I should have consulted you firsthand. 

I suppose more clothing would have made more sense but the Preiser nudes are so nicely detailed I really hated to cover up all the work they put into them. I started work on them after watching some music videos on YouTube with K-pop singer Mina Shin who seems to be really into the whole belly dancing thing...

Hey Gamera!  Here's some proof for ya, not that I'm guessing you were asking for any. 

Miss A, my current favorite girl group.  Seriously HAWTNESS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaDHtRgXspA&feature=related

And of course, the perennial favorite, Girl's Generation!  Nine HAWT Korean ladies who can sing quite well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRPCsW2wggw

As you can see from the above videos, not only are Korean ladies uber HAWT, but they also have seriously beautiful gams and don't show off their midrifts much.  People tell me that I've lived here too long.  I disagree, I figure I haven't lived until I GOT here. 

Thanks Draken!

I love that cartoon and I'll give the videos a look tomorrow when I have more free time.

Trust me, I ain't complaining- I'm a leg guy myself.

The Asian-Americans around here seem to be about 60% Chinese American (mostly Cantonese), 30% Korean American, and 10% everyone else. Funny that a lot of people think of Japanese-Americans but there are almost none here in SW Virginia.  Of those I've noticed the Korean-American gals seems to be on average the most attractive. Though a local Thai resturant has two Mogolian-American waitesses that are knock-outs.

Looking over the figures I'm thinking of redoing them with a pure flat coat and seeing how that looks. I'm thinking that without much work I could redo them with a T-shirt or tank top instead if that would make more sense?   

I was able to get the decals on last night.  Decalling is not my favorite part of model building.  Luckily there weren't a lot to put on.    There are a lot of irregular surfaces to work with on this model.  I noticed some silvering so I will have to poke a few little hole and re-apply Micro-Sol. 

The main and tail rotors are all painted up and ready to go.  The wheels/tires are all painted up too.  A wash and gloss coat and it should be done.

I will get some pics up tonight.

I usually enjoy decaling myself... much more than say seam clean up or masking or... Waiting on those pics

I applied a coat of Future on the Centurion today, so tomorrow I can get the decals on and knuckle down on the finish... almost there. I will get some pics once the decals are on.

Since my Centurion is on the home stretch I also am pulling a Helo and starting my next build- a Monogram 1/48 F-86F. I began contraction yesterday building the cockpit basics, wings, and drop tanks. Today I applied the base colors in the cockpit, wheel wells, and speed-brake wells.

bare plastic...

and after a base coat of paint...