Hi everyone ;

Unfortunately my father has become ill quite suddenly , so I will be taking a break from the Korean War GB for a while . Thank's to everyone for all the help with my builds and good luck to everyone else with their Korean War models .

I hope to catch up with everyone again in the not too distant future .

Kind regards ;

                        John .

Cliff, as daylight faded yesterday (my painting area is in my garage which I open for good ventilation and sunlight) I brush painted a partial run of the tracks to see how the color looks. I like it! A great start point for weathered dirty burnished metal tracks. But airbrushing will be a better way to go. I will get more pics posted as I get that done. Way before the finished ones.

SP: Thanks for the heads up. I don't use much enamel paint anymore but I'll have to give these two a look. If you get a chance I'd love to see some photos of how the the paint looks on the treads. Though I suppose I can just wait till you post the finished photos if it's less trouble for you.

Draken: Very cool, looking forward to the finished photos.

Well, the base is done and I'm mostly happy with how it came out. Secured the tank to it with a wood screw though the bottom hull into the base and broke off the the trailing right road wheel and reglued it to match the curve of the terrain. Will try to get some photos up this weekend. Cross your fingers, I am getting close to the finish line. Then hopefully I can get back to the F9F Panther. And have been eyeing the Dragon M46 though the LAST thing I need to start is something new. You're a better multi-tasker than me John if you can keep all your stuff straight.

Cliff

Okay, here's a couple of in progress shots of my ICM Yak-9P.  I've had to remove some of the fuselage plastic to create the window area for the DF aerial and used a bit of thin clear plastic from one of the Korean egg cartons for the plexiglass.  I was sure that I'd lost the clear parts and then remembered that I'd left them in the larger Tu-2/Yak-9 kit box for safe keeping.  Only a day lost in time and the entire workbench being cleaned in the mean time... 

You can see the home made aerial in the second picture.  The paint scheme is overall 'bright grey' which I've decided is going to be light ghost grey.  I'll be removing the clear parts after I'm done with the spray painting, then I'll touch up any interior details.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm as dumb as they come !

I found this pic in my Squadron "Air War over Korea" book , by Larry Davis ....

According to the caption the F9F-5P from VC-61 is painted silver all over .

On another note I don't think my two F-4 Phantoms and F-16A and B will be suitable for the current modern ROK aircraft . The Academy KF-16C arrived today , so that kit will be okay , I'll see if I can track down the other Academy F-16CG/CJ with low-viz Wolf Pack markings.

                                          John .

Thank's Greg ;

I also picked up a second hand copy of that terrific "USN/USMC" book and I bought the Airwaves resin 5P Recon nose based on that same color profile but like you I haven't come across an actual photo of one in use in Korea as yet .

Nice score on the Airfix Banshee , those recon version certainly had a long nose with all those camera's fitted . I'm sure the Banshee will take pride and place along with your other Korean Builds .

On a personal note , 2011 will be the last year I start multiple builds at the same time ; My upstair's living area is completely clutted with on going builds , frankly it looks more like a 'bone yard' with all the partially built aircraft sitting around , I would like to return to the good 'ol days where I built one kit at a time .

                                          John .

Thanks Greg. I am having a great time working on it and taking my time to make sure everything comes out just right. Its an old kit that is great "canvas" to try new techniques on for me. Good thing too. Last nite I was browsing the website of a LHS for some paints regarding a question on here and low and behold, I find that MM has come out with two new enamel colors- Oily Steel and Track Brown. The Track Brown sounded just like what I wanted for the outer face (insteadof having to custom mix a shade) and I will try the Oily Steel for dry brushing highlights. So needing other paints I made a trip there this morning and scooped some up as well. Now my old favorite and long discontinued Humbrol "Track Colour" died long ago, so I am hoping this will be a suitable replacement. It looks good in the bottle. We should know this evening.

Go ahead and let the Armor bug bite... You dont know the power of the Dark Side....

No worries back at you, John.  Start when you can.  Remember, it is supposed to be fun.  I'm at work for a couple of days, so I only have one Korea book with me:  the Squadron "USN/USMC Over Korea".  I couldn't find any HUP references in there anyways.  It does have a color profile of a F9F-5P of VC-61.  It is named "look".  I've seen this scheme on the Trump F9F-2P, but a -5P?  Can anybody confirm this?  Except for this, I haven't been able to find any reference to the -5P being used in Korea.  I am building one in post war colors for the Alley Cat GB, but would like to build a Korea machine instead or addition too since that kit is readily available and reasonably priced.  I know the Marines used Banshees exclusively in Korea for jet recon planes.  But the Navy did use Panthers, just -2P's that I can find.  I did read that the Airfix 1/72 Banshee comes with the recon nose, and is supposed to build up really good.  So, I of course over paid (I think) for one on ebay.  I am looking forward to seeing it.  I wish Revell would come out with a nice 1/48 Banshee along the lines of their very nice F-84.......

Stik, I went back and looked at your Centurion again.  It just looks good.  I am trying not to let the armor bug bite me.  I already have such a backlog of planes and cars!  I got into planes as a break from cars, and now I have a huge stash of those too.  When I retire, I am going to have to move up into a cabin in the mountains, and do nothing but build!   Retirement is a long way off though.

Enough ramblings.  I hope all you are doing good, whether you are freezing your tail off or sweating it off down south.

Cheers,

Greg

Gregbbear

 

Hey John, I would have gladly scanned it, and emailed it too you.  You've always been a big help to me, so if you need anything I would like to do the same.  I looked up a review on the Classic Airframes Skyknight.  It appears that it is quite challenging to build, but the end results are worth the perseverence.  We have a model show here on the 19th.  I am going to keep my eye out for one, well, along with a lot of other "wants".

 

Cheers,

Greg

No worries Greg , Squadron had some resin seats for the Meteor so I added the magazine into the shopping basket as well . I'm sorry I haven't gotten to your Night Fighter GB as yet , all the PE arrived for the four kits I have including a nice resin interior set for the PV-1 Ventura , sadly I think it wont be until after july before I make a start on anything .

                                       John .

the_draken

Ya know, that made me think [strange concept though it may be] that I only have a single helicopter in my classroom!  I've got two H-19's a HUP2, and an HO3S in the stash to build...  I might have to take a crack at a helo when I finish the B-29 and Yak-9.

I wasn't sure if the HUP series Helo's operated during the Korean war ? ; I have Amodels HUP-1/ Hup-2 and HUP-2 /HUP-3 as well as the H-25 "Mule in the stash , so I was thinking about adding the HUP-1 in but din't see any reference to them in any of my books .

I was looking at the large pile of Korean war kits still in my stash , I may have to forget about building F-84's , F-86's , Skyraiders and the two Sword F-80/RF-80 aircraft . I still haven't started the B-29 Bomber , C-54 , C-119 , C-121and C-124 Transport aircraft or the B-45 Tornado and AJ-2 Savage . Where already into february and I'm up to my eyeballs with the modern era stuff F-4's , F-16's and A-10 . Yesterday I ordered the Airfix F-5E , we only have untill July and there is so much more to do .

                                          John .

Helo H-34

Gregbbear:

Looked at the Nov 08 Model Airplane International for the Meteor build.  It was built by Mike Grant, of Mike Grant decal fame.  It appears that he used rlm 66 schwarzgrau for the cockpit .  The article is 10 pages, but that includes two pages of cover profiles, and his making of a display base.  It apparently has a lot of fit issues and requires a lot of test fitting.  However, it was said that this is also the most accurate and detailed of the type F Mk 8.

Cheers,

Greg

 

Thank's Greg  ,

I checked Squadrons site and they had the Nov 08 issue Model Airplane International , so I ordered one .

I was looking through my stash of xtrakit Meteor's , the F.8 and T.7 are similar to the MPM kit , however the two NF.11/12/13 are re-issue's of the matchbox kit . Instructions for the NF Meteors call out for flat black interior . I look forward to the magazine arriving it should be a great deal of help .

Thank's again for the info .

                                   John .

Hey John, I would have gladly scanned it, and emailed it too you.  You've always been a big help to me, so if you need anything I would like to do the same.  I looked up a review on the Classic Airframes Skyknight.  It appears that it is quite challenging to build, but the end results are worth the perseverence.  We have a model show here on the 19th.  I am going to keep my eye out for one, well, along with a lot of other "wants".

Anybody from here going to Modelfiesta in San Antonio?  I am not showing anything myself.  I'm just not to that level yet.

Stik, your Centurion looks good.  That is such a handsome tank design to begin with, and you are doing it justice for sure.

Cheers,

Greg

Ya know, that made me think [strange concept though it may be] that I only have a single helicopter in my classroom!  I've got two H-19's a HUP2, and an HO3S in the stash to build...  I might have to take a crack at a helo when I finish the B-29 and Yak-9.

The front page looks awesome everyone!  Nice work!    Nice job on your tank Stik.  Those tracks look great.  Those particular style tracks look menacing compared to others. 

The Lancer will be finished tonight so I will be able to give attention to the HRS-2.  The assembly is mostly done.  I just have to head to the paint shop.

Thanks guys:

My stapler worked just fine and I'm off to Auto Zone to find the bumper paint ... I forgot that was the other issue I came across with this tank - paint wouldn't stick well to the tracks ...

This Panzer is one that my grand daughter found in the stash and she/we built it together (mostly she) ... she painted it freehand with my airbrush, then put decals on it from a Luftwaffe bomber - said the tank decals weree 'dorky ...

But, it really turned out nicely ... geez, I've been building forever and still have trouble with 3 part camoflage and she whipped it out in one sitting - yellow/red brown/dark green and had the whole thing doen in less than 15 minutes (she prepped all her paints ahead of time so she could just change colors as she went) ...

Ah, such is youth !! ...

pepper

Yes a stapler works well. Also you can hold a screwdriver over a candle flame and when hot melt the pins. Or wrap some thread around cross ways so the pins in the piece won't come apart.

Also while on the subject some sorts of paint won't stick to the 'rubber' plastic. A guy in our club cued me in on 'Rubber Bumper' spray paint. You can get it at your auto parts store. They make it for the well... rubber parts of bumpers on cars.  I just give the treads a good coat of the stuff on both sides and it serves as a great primer for any other paint I want to lay down on top of it.

Heya Helo,

I use a stapler.  Yup, one of those mini-staplers found in school supply sections.  I just staple it and put the joint area where it won't be seen (if possible).  Usually there's gonna be skirts or something.  The only tracks I don't have issues with are the Revell -Matchbox re-pops, they tend to be tab/hole units. 

Hope this helps!

Helo H-34

Great stuff Stik ;

The tracks look really good too .

                  John . 

Hey Guys:

A question for the group ... I am impressed by the way you guys put together your tracks - and my question is - how do you do that  ?? ...

I just built a Tamiya Panzer and it has the 'rubber band' tracks ... of course, I couldn't get the little nubs in the little holes at the ends of the tracks ... no glue I have will hold them together, etc., etc. ...

So, what's the real deal ? ... how's it done ?? ...

Thanks,

pepper

PS  As always, everybody's work is simply fantastic !! ... good going, guys !! ...

Gregbbear

Looked at the Nov 08 Model Airplane International for the Meteor build.  It was built by Mike Grant, of Mike Grant decal fame.  It appears that he used rlm 66 schwarzgrau for the cockpit .  The article is 10 pages, but that includes two pages of cover profiles, and his making of a display base.  It apparently has a lot of fit issues and requires a lot of test fitting.  However, it was said that this is also the most accurate and detailed of the type F Mk 8.

Cheers,

Greg

Thank's Greg  ,

I checked Squadrons site and they had the Nov 08 issue Model Airplane International , so I ordered one .

I was looking through my stash of xtrakit Meteor's , the F.8 and T.7 are similar to the MPM kit , however the two NF.11/12/13 are re-issue's of the matchbox kit . Instructions for the NF Meteors call out for flat black interior . I look forward to the magazine arriving it should be a great deal of help .

Thank's again for the info .

                                   John .

It's a good idea Pepper but she's together now and I wish I'd done that before hand. Or like Dr. Win suggested and went slow and steady. I cemented it using the pink label Tester's brand. I like it since it's not too strong and won't mar the plastic. Now that I think about it maybe I should have used something stronger. I went back today and hit the seams with a little Tenax which is the strongest solvent I own. Then I brushed a little Gunze Sangyo Mr. Surfacer 1000 over the seam and will try to sand them without bearing down very hard. Funny the popped seams aren't that big at all, the largest is about a cm long and the other two about half that. But on the NM they stick out like a sore thumb.

Great looking Centurion SP, paint the threads, put on the decals, slap on a little weathering and mud and looks like you're done!

Looked at the Nov 08 Model Airplane International for the Meteor build.  It was built by Mike Grant, of Mike Grant decal fame.  It appears that he used rlm 66 schwarzgrau for the cockpit .  The article is 10 pages, but that includes two pages of cover profiles, and his making of a display base.  It apparently has a lot of fit issues and requires a lot of test fitting.  However, it was said that this is also the most accurate and detailed of the type F Mk 8.

Cheers,

Greg

Great stuff Stik ;

The tracks look really good too .

                  John .

Gamera

SP: Looking forward to a Centurion update! 

OK a few progress pics...

More to come during the week...

[quote user="Gamera"]

. I've glued mine over and over but small places want to pop open every time I  sand the blasted thing.

Would it help to put some strips of styrene - say .010 - on the inside of one fuse half, then glue the fuse together ? ... what I use are pieces (not strips) and they provide more gluing surface to keep the sides together when i start the filling and sanding process ...

I hope that makes sense ... if not, I'll try to draw a diagram and post that ...

pepper

Helo H-34

Revells 1/72 CH-54 Skycrane kits come with what looks like a howitzer , I was thinking of opening up one of the skycrane kits in my stash for a peek at one .

How big is the carrier deck display piece ,

Okay, here's a cool thing for you!  The Revell  (actually, ancient Aurora kit) does have an M-101 in it, but if you want a far better one, Ace (out of the Ukraine) has an EXCELLENT unit!  It's out of production, but there's still tons of them floating around in hobby shops and on eBay.  Average price is about $8.00[USD].  I've got both here, I'm going to hook one up to a 2.5t truck for my pontoon bridge convoy.  The other I'll have in a deployed condition.

The carrier deck is about the same as yours, 290x450mm.  It has one arrestor wire and one elevator printed into the design.  I'm going to have one of my corsairs ready to take off, one a/c on the elevator, and other aircraft placed variously around.  I'm kind of disappointed, it really doesn't look as lifelike as it appeared in the web pics, but it was pretty cheap.  All that was done was some one printed out the picture on sticky-back 'contact' paper.  But it was only $6, so I can't complain too much.

I broke down and bought them all...  What's sick and twisted about it is the shipping.  Only L6.17 to send everything to me AIRMAIL in 3-5 days.  It costs my wife over $50 to send about the same weight from the states and it's only airmail, no surface freight anymore.  I saved in postage what I feel I overspent in initial price.

Or at least, that's how I'm rationalizing it.  And it's going to save me effort nagging my wife to send it to me, I'm having it shipped straight to Korea!  Woohoo! 

Doc Win;

I'M UNWORTHY!  I'M UNWORTHY!  

That is an incredible site!  I've already got a bunch of stuff in my wishlist, I think I may just buy it all and have it shipped to me here in Korea!  (I'm sure that UK will do surface shipping, the USPS stopped!)  It's so freaking tempting!  Both the M-18 and M-39, the Bofors vehicles, the LVT-3!  And more...  So awesome, thanks for the link!

When it comes to most things , I'm not exactly the "brightest bulb in the pack" ; So after about an hour looking over the CMK resin engine pieces for the Meteor , I'm sitting at the bench scratching my head .

I went and checked CMK's web site for additional info and images but just got the same diagram that came with the engine set ; HOWEVER , I didn't realize untill now that there is two sets of resin engines for the MPM Gloster Meteor kit and I saw this one over at Hannants just now ;

This set is much more complete with engine access panels included and the engine piece to me seems a lot more straight forward . I ordered two of these to use instead , I have four xtrakit Meteor kits in the IDF stash which I also just realized are the same as the MPM kit , so the current CMK resin engine sets can go with those kits , [if I ever figure out how the pices fit together] and I'll use the newly ordered resin engine on the RAAF Meteor .

Another delay starting the Meteor I guess , more time for research though . It's a nice looking jet , I hope I can make a go of it eventually . Orders from the UK take about two weeks  to arrive .

                                        John .

WOW , some awesome resin armour on that web site you posted Andy .

I really like the LVT's , 20 pounds for a LVT-4 , that's about $30 Aus ; excellent detail with ammo boxes and machine guns , mmmmmmmm I give this some thought .

                              John .

Hey Draken, I can point you in the direction of a British firm called Milicast, they make exquisite 1/76th military vehicles in resin. A bit pricey but if the photos on the website are anything to go by worth the money. I think I'm going to rescind my 'no 1/76th' rule after I found it. They certainly do one of the vehicles you are after the M19 AA tank.  Here's the weblink  - http://www.milicast.com/ 

Doc.

Admirable patience with those B-29 bombs, when I get round to doing mine I think I'm going to leave them out and keep the bay doors shut! I always found with big planes the trick was to glue a bit of the seam at the time rather than all at once. prevented getting too much of a step between the pieces.

Sorry Andy , I don't have any info on M-18 and the AA gun . Wish I could of been of more help , my sole korean armor book doesn't mention the M-18 . the book has a pic of a 75mm pack howitzers .

Revells 1/72 CH-54 Skycrane kits come with what looks like a howitzer , I was thinking of opening up one of the skycrane kits in my stash for a peek at one .

I like the idea of the pontoon bridge with your armour on them , that will look really great ;

How big is the carrier deck display piece , I have the squadron WWII cardboard deck , it's 430mm x 280mm ;

I wish they had bigger sizes so I could fit more than two Navy/Marine ,RN birds on !

                                                 John .