I don't actually have a 'field' per se. Working in British commercial archaeology you have to be prepared to tackle anything that comes your way, the last dig I was on last year (before a trapped sciatic nerve put me spectacularly out of action) was on the site of the British Museums new building where we found part the the 1640s civil war defences of Northern London. But I have over the years dug from Paleolithic right up to recording 19th century Victorian industrial structures! Not that much archaeology is taking place at the moment - we are so tied into the construction industry that when they went down the tubes so did we and its yet to recover. Our profession has lost about a third of its staff in the last couple of years and it doesn't look like getting better...  

Dr Win: Double ouch! Over a year, sorry to hear that! I'm a biologist but work as a lab tech in a water treatment plant. A massive number of water plant operators over here are retiring over the next decade so the field has a large demand for new people right now. Hopefully it will keep me employed. Cross your fingers.

As an archaeologist what's your field if I may ask? The Celts, Saxons, Normans, or some other group?

Sending you a private message when I finish here. Will photocopy the instructions and run by the post office to find out the postage on Monday and should be able to mail them the same day.   

That would be absolutely fantastic Gamera if you could? Send me a private message and I'll let you know my address.  Glad you like the Panther - there's a few flaws with her, the parafilm M didnt keep out all of the varnish so a couple of spots on the canopy have fogged. She goes quite well with the Corsair, Skyraider & Banshee.

Draken, Im also struggling on the work front. Things are so bad here in the UK that I haven't worked a full 12 months since the winter of 2008! Bad times for archaeologists over here...

Going back to the subject of markings and decals, does anyone also know of aftermarket sets for Korean war C-46/7 and Privateer.?

Andy

Draken: Ouch! I've been laid-off twice and it's not fun. Good luck and I'll cross my fingers that things work out for you.

Doc Win: The F9F looks fantastic! Yes I know the modern grey is much better camo but still I love the navy blue on those old warbirds. Very colourful aircraft with the red and white markings and rockets plus the aluminum leading edges. Great job on her!

BTW: Don't have a 1/72nd Korean War B-29 but I have one of the Aeromaster sheets for one. I'm building it for the Natural Metal GB. I won't be using the 'Our Gal' noseart (the one in the middle featuring the nice lady in her birthday suit) so if you want it let me know and I'll cut out the middle section of the sheet and mail it to you (no charge).

http://www.modelingmadness.com/scotts/decals/aero/am72129.htm

What age range to you teach Draken? You're very brave putting models in your classroom, the only place I ever found that was safe my kindy kids was on top of a very tall bookcase! And even then they tried to climb it...Good look with the big kits - I've on the lookout for one of Academys B-29s with Korean war markings for ages as well as a Williams bros C-46. The last one I saw on Ebay UK went for £46! Does anyone out there know of or have spare any  1/72nd aftermarket decal sheets for a Korean war F-94? I have the Heller kit but lack the correct markings. 

Finished the F9F today. Looks like from votes received that the LA-11 is next onto the desk. Though its going to have to go around my commission work. Here's a couple of phots...

Andy

Yep, you're right!  I made a mistake in my nomenclature and forgot which version was which.  Sorry about that folks!  The Airfix 1/72/HO/76 scale kit is a TLAR unit, and it turns out just dandy, I do have one of the LVT's with the turret, I'm remembering now that when I bought it I needed to change the gun.  *DURP!*

In other news, one of my students broke a blade off of the prop for my F4U-5(N).  I have no idea how to repair it since the kid threw away the part!  I need to probably get another kit and salvage one blade or maybe replace the whole prop.  This is not going to end well.  I've also found out that I MIGHT be out of a job for next year.  But they can't tell me until at least May, but probably July.  I renew my contract on Sept. 8...  Not a lot of time to scramble around for a job!  There's a few openings at one of the places near the post here,  the nice thing about htem is that I'd be a civilian employee of the DoD and would have access to the post and all facilities there.  Would be super sweet...  And the guys are getting up to $20.00(USD)/hr.  Downside is that I'd actually have to WORK 40 hours a week, and no free internet access at work.  We'll see what the future brings.

I'm currently deciding which kit to build next, I want a "big" kit to hang fom the ceiling in my classroom.  I'm kinda looking towards either the C-47, C-46, A/B-26 kits, or the B-29.  The Superfort actually looks fairly easy except for the finishing.  And I HATE building bombs!!!  But I may go with it anyway...

In case anyone's interested...  Just saw this on eBay, has about one day left.

Conversion for the Frog 1/72 meteor into an F.8 version as flown by the Aussies in the conflict. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/AIRMODEL-1-72-GLOSTER-METEOR-F-8-CONVERSION-KIT-/380304014726?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588be2bd86

Would be a heck of a lot cheaper and more fun (fun = work and skill building) than the CMK kit for the $30-40 that it runs.

Just trying to help!

Ideally yes, the Cobra will be off to one side or another. But I am sure on more than a few occasions their gun run flight paths have taken them directly over friendly forces.

On a side note,I went looking for info on Korean War LVTs this morning. Two types were used there: the LVT-3C, an up-armored/up-gunned variant of the LVT-3 that first saw combat at Okinawa; and the LVT(A)-5, an improved version (powered turret, stabilized gun) of the LVT(A)-4 with the 75mm howitzer turret.

stikpusher

 

On a mount like the M-16 the vibration from the .50s was probably not too bad. I fired single .50s off the pintle mount on 113s once upon a time and it was not bad at all... now the muzzle blast is another animal all together.. especially over your head...

I don't won't to sound completly naive and I don't always believe what I see on TV and the movies but once on a TV movie they showed Marines riding along in Humvee's and Cobra's flying directly overhead firing their 20mm cannons and the shell casing's falling all over the guy's manning the machine gun turret on top of the Humvee . Wouldn't the Cobra pilots fly just slightly to either side of the convoy .

If you do want the correct Korean war version of the Banshee, you'll have to try and find the old Airfix /MPC version - if you like raised panel lines and minimal detail...

Draken, I would not rely on the dioram for historical reference. LVT-1s were retired from assault lnadings after Tarawa by the Marines. After that it was the -2 and later the -4 that made the assault landings in the Pacific.  The -1A (37mm turret)  was also phased out after WWII. I will have to check my library for positive info. Once the Marines got the LVT-3 (Bushmaster) they made that their primary.

At the Korean War Memorial Museum in Seoul they have a giant multi-scale (for perspective) diorama of the Incheon landing.  It shows the same LVT-1's as were used in the Pacific Campaign, including some of the gun units with the 37mm turret and dual .50cal M-2's.  This is available in metal by SHQ in the UK and off of the web from smallmilitarymodelsandmore (http://stores.ebay.com/smallmilitarymodelsandmore).  I haven't built the gun version, but the LVT from airfix isn't bad, have done several of them over the years.  I also used the Jeep from that kit as a basis for my 75mm recoiless rifle truck.

Helo H-34

I actually had a bit of a look around on-line for 1/72 LVT's and Amtracs but so far I have only seen the 1/35 kits . There are a few pic's in my books of Marine LVt's and Amtracs 

hooting that Quad .50 must have shaken the hell out the chassie on the M-16 , I can only imagine how bad the vibration must have been .

On a mount like the M-16 the vibration from the .50s was probably not too bad. I fired single .50s off the pintle mount on 113s once upon a time and it was not bad at all... now the muzzle blast is another animal all together.. especially over your head...

By Korea the Marines had switched to LVT-3s as their primary Amtrack if you can find one of those...

Gregbbear

  I usually use poster putty to mask it, but my stash of it was out due to my daughters using FIVE packs of it

Cheers,

Greg

Hey Greg:

Try using Silly Putty ... it works even better than Blue Tack or any of the products like it ...

I like it because you can roll it down to a 1/16th of an inch diameter should you need to ... when I use it to mask, I usually roll strands of it to about  1/4th of an inch ...

I find if I shoot from behind  it, the paint edges will be 'soft' (this is for a camo paint scheme) ... if Ishoot towards it, the paint edges will be 'hard' ...

Just a thought ...

pepper

I actually had a bit of a look around on-line for 1/72 LVT's and Amtracs but so far I have only seen the 1/35 kits . There are a few pic's in my books of Marine LVt's and Amtracs , I remember you mentioned before Greg that you rode around in them for a while and I kept forgeting to ask if you had modeled any in 1/72 .

With the Yak-18 sitting beside the Texan it doesn't look as big as I first thought .

Shooting that Quad .50 must have shaken the hell out the chassie on the M-16 , I can only imagine how bad the vibration must have been .

Good luck with your new airbrush Greg , having poster putty stuck all over the walls is a lot better than pin holes from picture hooks . I'll be needing to buy a bag of spakle and about 8 litres of interior paint in the not too distant future .

Helo H-34

So did the F2H-3/4 Banshee operate in the Korean war ?

No the F2H-3/4 did not get into service until after the armistace in Korea.

The Mig is looking good, WW2Psycho!

Dr Win, awesome collection!  From what I can tell, the only current Meteor F.8 out there is of the limited run variety.  Heard they are a booger to build!

Cool stuff John, I really like the Quad .50!  That must of been a hoot to shoot!  I love the browning .50.  I shot box cars full of ammo through the regular M2 when I was in the Marines.  It was always impressive, so I imagine having three more would be even more fun!  Do any of your armor books show any USMC LVT's or Amtracs in Korea?  If so, I wonder if anybody makes those in 1/72???

Doesn't Eduard make an Il-10 in 1/72?  Or am I wrong, and it is an IL-2?

Anyways, I have been trying to learn my new airbrush with mixed results.  I like it, but I am going to have to play around with it to get the results I want.  Unfortunately, I thought I had it adjusted where I wanted it, and I was wrong.  I kind of botched putting exhaust stains on my F-82.  I usually use poster putty to mask it, but my stash of it was out due to my daughters using FIVE packs of it to decorate their room!  Once I get that fixed, it will be done.  Now I just have to decal the F-51, and it will be done too.  Maybe Sknight next?

Cheers,

Greg

I'm not sure if that particular variant did, I think they may have been a post war stretch to shoehorn in more fuel tanks to give it more legs. Mine is in the colours of one in 1956 flying from USS Coral Sea. But as I think that the kit is the only game in town for that design in 72 nd it will have to wait until a more appropriate model comes along. I've put a pic up of my Yak-18 next to my Texan, the Yak is more in size with a Chipmunk as Pepperkay points out. Really do need to get another Texan, mine is getting a bit battered after three moves and several years...maybe an ROKAF one next time.

So did the F2H-3/4 Banshee operate in the Korean war ?

I have Academy's 1/72 kit as well as the Hobbycraft offering but photo's in my reference books never mention the 3/4 version .

The Yak-18 looks like a stretched version of a T-6 Texan/Harvard ; With an overall black finish should make for a nice easy build [I hope]

Pepper , thank's for the offer to pick up supplies , the Micro Krystel Klear actually came from a LHS , Hannants , Squadron , Tower Hobbies etc won't ship solvents via airmail . That's why sometimes I have to wait several months for back orders on paints and other liquids from LHS .

I appreciate the offer

I was airbrushing Gunze acrylics last night and I noticed that their olive drab range of paints look a little to brown in color to me . I tried H-52 , H78 and H-304 and wasn't happy with the finish color . So I tried mixing 3:1 Gunze H-330 [Dark Green] with H-304 [olive drab] . I was much happier with the finish color , slightly more green in appearance but still has an olive drab look as well .

Today I'll start glueing parts together on the Revell Churchill bridge layer and M-16 along with italeri's M-20 .

Ah no, that is an Amodel Yak-18 'bedcheck charlie'...

It is indeed the Meteor, a corgi classic diecast. At the time there wasn't a good kit of the F.8 In Korean war markings. And there was one cheap and it was 'Halestorm' so extra bonus... 

Helo H-34

 Some Microscale Micro Kristal Klear I had on back order arrived yesterday , I'm hoping it will be suitable for the fuselage windows on the C-124 .                                      

Hey Guys:

I know that not all of you have a LHS and that you order various items from Hannats and other places, such as the Kristal Klear noted above ...

I'd be happy to pick up and send to you all the miscellaneous items, such as Kristal Klear for actual cost + actual postage ...

Sometmes the postage is more than the item cost, yes ? ... or the eBay cost ... for example, I just bid and won an F-8-F bearcat on eBay ... winning price was only $7.00 but the postage is $12.95 ... had to use eBay as I couldn't find the Bearcat anywhere in my area and I knew what the postage was before I made my bid ... same must hold true for some of you as well ...

Nonetheless, on the little items - not kits - not PE or resin or decals - I'd be happy to buy and send to you ...

pepper

Dr Win

spot the cheat in the photos...

Is it the black airplane in the 3rd photo that looks like a Chipmunk ? ...

pepper

I was looking around Hannants tonight and decided to order the Revell M-24,Italeri M-7,Amodel Yak-18, KP PO-2 and I saw that Airfix had a Churchill bridge layer , so I threw that into the shopping cart as well .

My Korean War GB finish date is looking more like July 2012

                                       John .

Dr Win

Its not the Banshee...guess again!

Gloster Meteor !

I originally suggested the Banshee as I thought it might of been a F2H-3/4 , my reference books only mention the F2H-2 version .

I guess the Meteor is a pre-assembled model .

Its not the Banshee...guess again!

Dr Win

spot the cheat in the photos...

Is it the Banshee ?

In any case , what an awesome collection of Korean War birds .

My favourite is the AD Skyraider ; but I like them all .

Great builds Andy .

Stik , hopfully I can get a lot of my incomplete Korean War builds finished during January and move onto the larger Korean transports . Some Microscale Micro Kristal Klear I had on back order arrived yesterday , I'm hoping it will be suitable for the fuselage windows on the C-124 .

There is a movie on TCM right now called "Men of the Fighting Lady" , I hope it's on again later in the week , I'll get my brother to record it for me , I see what I think are Banshee's .

                                       John .

And now the Panther....moved on a bit since the last pic, about half the decals are now on and waiting for the microsol to dry before finishing the rest tommow. I'll see tot up the votes on what to do next on sat then dig it out of the stash.

spot the cheat in the photos...

And now thanks to a wonderfully detailed guide by pepperkay hopefully there should be Photographs of some of my Korean war stuff!