Hey John, those are looking really nice!

Hi Friends:

I've finally finished the Shooting Star ... being and staying sick is for the birds, sez me ... hopefully, no issues as I now finish the Bell 47 helo ...

This is a shot of the fuse after I'd glued in a few styrene splice plates to hold it all together ... I don't like these 4 part fuselages ... next time, I'm going to glue both right sides together, then both left sides ...

Lockheed F-80C 49-591 "Spirit of Hobo' Nose Art ... The nose art commemorates the flying of the 50,000th sortie of the Korean War ...

Flown by Lt. Warren Guibor of the 80 FBS/8FBG, Suwon, Korea, October 1952 

Lockheed F-80C 49-876 Nose Art ...

Straight on shot showing my normal '2 for 1' build ... note the Misawa tank on the left side with a standard tank on the right ... also, the left side is carrying an extra fuel tank with the right being 'bombed up' ...

Enjoy !! ...

pepper

Oooops !! ...

The F-80C (FT-876) was from the 36FBS/8FBG, Suwon, Korea, 1952 as well as the 'Spirit of HOBO' ...

pepper

Hey Pepper: Looks great!

I like the idea of the 2 in 1 though I'd probably just built two kits though.

Gamera

Hey Pepper: Looks great!

I like the idea of the 2 in 1 though I'd probably just built two kits though.

Hi Gamera, thanks for the compliment ... as you can see by the very first picture, this was the 'Kit from Hell' ... one was enough this time :...

Heya, stik - how 'bout using the first picture of 591 for the front page ? ... kit is a Revellogram, circa 'old' ... 1/48 scale, Aeromaster decals ...

Thanks,

pepper

Pepper, you know you really throw me for a loop with your builds and finishes. I catch myself looking twice at them to realize that you mark the same build differently on opposite sides. But I am more partial to the left side markings- I prefer bikini clad women to Hobos... I deal with too many hobos every day at work... and not enough bikini clad women... I need a beach assignment...  BTW the tank on the left wing station rack is napalm, not fuel. If you look at where the filler cap goes, you can see it has a raised fuse molded in, rather than a flat cap for a fuel tank... and I do love that fire (a little Col Kilgore in my soul)...

John, no worries about the back step and new approach on the Navy jets. I think in hind sight it would have been better to do mine that way as well. That AEW Fort is looking sweet! Very unusual to see a Fort not in OD or NMF. A suggestion for your Skyraider- use some old sprue of the appropriate thickness for your radar and searchlight pods. I know it 1/48 which kits I could suggest for robbing parts off of to get stuff like that, but not in 1/72 that you work in.

stikpusher

Pepper, you know you really throw me for a loop with your builds and finishes. I catch myself looking twice at them to realize that you mark the same build differently on opposite sides. But I am more partial to the left side markings- I prefer bikini clad women to Hobos... I deal with too many hobos every day at work... and not enough bikini clad women... I need a beach assignment...  BTW the tank on the left wing station rack is napalm, not fuel. If you look at where the filler cap goes, you can see it has a raised fuse molded in, rather than a flat cap for a fuel tank... and I do love that fire (a little Col Kilgore in my soul)...

Stik, I prefer the ladies to the gents any day of the week, although this one is not nearly as comely as those seen on WW II bombers - particularly the bomb group that flew B-24's in the Pacific (the Group that had 'The Dragon and his Tail') ...

Too bad the lady couldn't have been on the right side ... I do prefer the colors there as opposed to the very basic red on the tail of the left ... oh well, what's one to do ? ...

And you're absolutely right - I mis-called the big tank under the left wing ... napalm it is ... I forgot that F-80's (P-80) were used mostly in the ground support/attack role in Korea, hence the napalm ...

I took a look at the helo again this afternoon and have decided to put off building it until I do one more shiny airplane - I've the Tamiya (1/48) Mig-15bis (the clear version) that I'm going to build up next ...

One question for the group ... the Tamiya instructions call for the interior to be "Light Blue" ( Hellblau) ... pictures I've seen of Soviet made aircraft show interiors to be a greenish blue color ... does anyone have a handle on what color to paint the interior ? ... this is not only for just the cockpit, but everything that is considered to be 'interior' ...

Thanks,

pepper

Regarding the Mig-15 interior color, from what I have turned up while researching for a build I did a few years back, the interior color could vary from a light gray to light to medium blue gray, to a medium blue green. I think this has to do with the Mig-15s long production run and wide variety of factories building it in the Communist Bloc. The Hellbalu recommendation would fall in that color range.

There was some great female nose art in Korea as well. On B-26s and B-29s in particular. (And an F-86 with Marilyn's famous Playboy centerfold. Although USAF Brass was a bit more puritan about it than USAAFBrass during WWII for some reason. If you can ever get the Planes, Names, and Dames books from Squadron, Vol II covers the Korean War era.

Pepper-  Beautiful work you have done on your planes!  Love the colors of the decals.  So colorful!  You know I am not into planes but I really enjoyed watching many of plane WIPs here. 

Excellent P-80 build , Pepper

Great idea on the different wing tip tanks and the markings are very cool .

The 1/72 monogram (Mattel) AD-5 Skyraider is quite basic , so it may be a quick build ;

I airbrushed the fuselage halves and cockpit tub with some chromate and then glued the three pieces together ;

I have some spare drop tanks I can modify for the searchlight pod but for the radar pod I'm thinking of using a piece of woodern dowel . I have the RVHP resin conversion for the EA-1F Skyraider in my stash which comes with the radar pod , so taking measurements from that it's about 12mm diameter in the middle and 52mm long overall ; I'll have a go at sanding some dowel to shape .

Wings are on the AD-5N and she's ready for a little putty along the seams ;

The Tracks and Troops GMC No.7 Wrecker resin set just arrived ;

Pepper kindly sent me some nice HO metal chain which will be perfect for the hoist at the rear of the vehicle ;

I'm quite impressed with the resin pieces and there seems to be no excess flash on any of the parts and the instruction diagrams are very clear as well . I'm looking forward to getting this one together

I just gave the AEW Fortress a buff with the panty hose/stocking (best tip I've ever been given) and she's ready for decaling .

My builds are going along nicely .

                                  John .

Some thoughts on what you could scrounge for the radar pod/EW pod:  The underwing tanks for a B-26 might be round enough with a blunt enough nose.  I really can't think of ANY weapons that would work for that shape.  You could do what I've done in the past and use some two part expoxy (like miliput) and make a general shape and use putty to smooth and finish it.  Here in the states we have a product called JB Weld that comes in a clay like stick.  GREAT for making large one-off parts.  I used it for the upper radome and nose on my MC-130 that I built aeons ago.

And for the group:  I've finished my HUP-2, and it's looking nice, even after the cat took off two more rotors!  I'm going to finish up the Commando and bring it to work and have pics of those up for y'all later this week.  In other news, I took a look at my shelf at work and decided that I was sorely lacking in shiny stuff.  So I've started a four-at-a-time build:  Gran F-80, Hasegawa (Formerly AMT) T-33, Heller RT-33, and Heller F-94B.  I'm thinking of changing the a/c numbers on the Starfire just to keep it different from Doc Win's.  Otherwise, I'm using aftermarket decals on everything.  I may get into my LSU after that.  It'd be nice to have the last two of my haze grey floaty things done soon!

Hi Andy , here''s my first attempt at a An/APS-31 radar pod ;

I clamped the belt sander upside down to the bench and cut a piece of dowel to sand to shape ...

I compared it to the RVHP resin EA-1F pod ;

I think it's not too bad for a first try , I'll make another for the AD-4N Skyraider I'm putting together as well .

                      John .

Great work, John!

I have to say, you're a far braver man than me with that upside down belt sander.  Of course, I am a clumsy oaf with bad luck.  I just don't do that stuff anymore.

Anyway, I've noticed that this group has been sorely lacking in posts and wanted to bump it up a bit.  I've gotten absolutely NOWHERE on my Lockheeds or my Commando since Sunday.  Too many things going on at work and in my life.  I HAVE found something really cool but off topic.  Well, not ENTIRELY off topic.  Two of the birds featured are the Mustang and the Corsair, which fall under our purview... 

http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/retired-dentist-creates-functional-miniature-airplane-models.html

Just what the link says, a guy with extreme AMS is making functional aircraft models out of Aluminum. 

IMPRESSIVE! 

Awesome link Andy ;

IIRC , I think FSM may have done an article on the same guy just a few years ago .

The close up pics of the engine is truely amazing .

Speaking of all things metal , another kit arrived today , it was the BW Model white metal Scammell Explorer Heavy Recovery Vehicle ;

I must say the detail of this metal kit is really , really good . A lot better than the SHQ M15A1 halftrack .

There is a nice engine and transmission and even a fan at the back of the radiator ;

The rear section which is bagged seperatly is equally as nice particulary the storage boxes ;

The instruction sheet is very informative but so far I have only found the one pic on the net of a Scammell Recovery Truck being used in Korea .

BW Models also includes a clear plastic strip to use to make windows for the cab and there are lots of detail to add to the cab as well .

I'm quite impressed with what BW Models have provided to build this Heavy Recovery vehicle and sitting beside my Tracks and Troops No.7 Wrecker when both are built will take center position in the display cabinet for sure .

I was tidying the Korean War kit stash and found myself looking at the Falcon Vacu-form P2V-5 Neptune ;

As you can see on the same sheet is the TF-86F Sabre fuselage halves , which Falcon suggest using the Heller F-86F kit . Did the two seat Sabre operate in the Korean War ?

There is also the TBM-3W Avenger conversion but I think the AD-3W Skyraider may of replaced her by the time the Korean War started but I'm not 100% sure ???

             John .

Well , here's another finished Korean War aircraft build for the front page ;

Boeing PB-1W , AEW Fortress of VW-1 , K-3 Marine Air Base Korea 1953 .

VW-1 , 77234 was the sole PB-1W AEW Fortess with the top fuselage mounted radome ;

The build came okay in the end , a little tip for those wishing to build Academy's B-17 kits , remember to file the wing tab and fuselage slot to reduce the dhedrial of the wings ,

straight out of the box the wings just angle up too high !

I found out the hard way after glueing my wings on both (B-17) PB-1W builds and then realising it didn't look right , I ended up not only pulling the wings off after the glue had set  but watched in horror as the fuselage halves and the cockpit all came apart as well .........'What a mess'

Anyway I've finally finished one PB-1W , her sister ship with the belly mounted radome will hopfully follow along soon .

                       John .

Heya John,

I eant to post on this earlier, but I've got a bad case of the flu and wasn't really able to.  There was apparently only one twin seat Sabre ever built.  It flew as a prototype and then as a chase and test platform at Edwards for a few years.  Lotsa sources on line about it. 

The Avenger AEW wasn't used in Korea, but the fuselage (minus radome) is appropriate for the ASW version and for some air ambulances.  NOT ALL of them, though.  Most air ambulance Avengers were the original body style, only a few (can't find anything that says yes or no to Korea usage) were the thinner less tall rear body version.  What's GOOD about that vac form is that the upper fuselage, the cockpit area, is correct for the air ambulance, whichever version.  I'm going to use the canopy area for an already started Academy bird that I got off eBay for a buck.  It should work out just fine.  The Avenger ambulances were very active in the initial push north following the Inchon landings.  A large number of sorties were flown in and out of Hagaru-ri before the 'assault in a different direction' from the Chosin Reservoir.  The Avenger could carry a small amount of supplies in and a few wounded out.  From what I've read, they couldn't carry stretcher cases, but I don't know if that's true.  There's so little info about them on the web.

Hope that this helps!

I forgot to post these three reference pic's of the PB-1W with a roof mounted radome , I found on the net ;

                       John

Talk about, " ...and now for something completely different..."

That AEW Fort is different and a beauty. And added to your growing collection on page 1 Helo

Oh, John!

I forgot to mention, the Heller 1/72 F-86 kit is not only a dog of a kit but it's the same mold as the Frog/Novo and the Hasegawa F-86F kits.  If you could find one of those cheaper than the Heller, then go for it.  Also, Heller might be changing over to the Airfix F-86 now that Airfix has bought the company.  Hence the reason that Heller suddenly has so many 1/72-6 armour kits with identical box art to Airfix.

John: She looks terrific! As said you don't see many Navy blue 'forts so she's even more of a head turner.

Great work as always!

Thank's for the kind words Cliff and Stik on the PB-1W build and also for adding the finished build to page one .

I was going through some of my old posts and I remembered that Andy (Draken) wasn't able to see some of the WIP pic's I posted when I was using image shack to host my pic's .

So I uploaded a few WIP pic's of the 1/72 Mach 2 C-54 Skymaster build using photobucket this time ;

I set up the bench in the garage as there is lot's of sawing and grinding with the motor tool and sanding sticks to clean up all the parts ;

Ther were lot's and lot's of little lugs on the inside of just about every part so it took a while to clean up everything .

A quick dry fit of the wings and fuselage halves and the C-54 seems like it should go together without too much trouble

I didn't worry about making a rear floor for the cargo section , perhaps on the next C-54 build . So I just airbrushed the interior with some interior green ;

The instructions suggest 90 grams of weight for the front to prevent her sitting back on her tail but I'm concerned the front gear strut won't be able to support that much weight so I'll leave out all those fishing sinkers and make a support pole for the tail section . Here's a close up of the cockpit ;

Here she is all glued together ;

The left side fuselage top had lots of little hollows that needed filling but other than that the fuselage and wings glued on without any real issue's ;

Another cockpit close up ;

underside view ;

Today , I filed and dry fitted the canopy in place ;

next I'll glue the wheel halves together , clean up the engines and get ready to mask her ;

So my plan is to try and get some paint on her by the end of the week and hopfully include my two Mach 2 , C-123B Providers as well ; All three will be painted with Tamiya's AS-12 rattle can silver , it's great paint , all I uaually need is just three coats on each aircraft and they look great .

                                   John .

I have a question for the "Group"

I was looking on the net and found some info on the AF-2W Guardian on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_AF_Guardian

I also found a listing for the Airmodel 1/72 vacuform AF-2W Guardian , but I was wondering what injected molded kit would I need to buy to sorce the landing gear struts from or is there a metal landing gear set available ?

Also ( slightly off topic ) I saw a 1/72 Vacuform C-140 Jetstar as well and again the question of where or what to buy to use as the landing gear struts ??

Anyway according to wiki the AF-2W Guardian was used during the Korean War but was plauged with preformance issue's and was not generally liked by the pilots who flew them .

Still , would make an interesting addition .

                      John .

Ah, poo... 

Heya John! 

I don't remember who makes it, but there's a kit out of the AF-2W/S, it's from Russia and it's not a horrible looking little unit.  I've got one back in the states but can't remember the name of the outfit.  ISTR that it was a two-off run by that company.  They only did the two kits (S version and W version) and I didn't see anything else.  I could be wrong about that last bit, but I know it exists!

Way off topic...

Saw this on Stumbleupon, I have a friend who's into legos and I used to be into them as a kid.  Things have come a LONG way in the last twenty five years since I last messed with them.  And this is an incredible example of what can now be done with them.  a series of Lego RAF/RN jets!  I don't know which I like more, the Sea Harrier or the Vulcan, but I found this with the Vulcan shots.  INCREDIBLE!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/legomonster/3668133192/in/photostream/

Back on topic...  I actually got some more done on my Hasegawa T-33, I'll be getting to the nose anti glare panel soon and then it's on to the gear and the decals.  Maybe I'll get it done this weekend?

Helo H-34

I have a question for the "Group"

I was looking on the net and found some info on the AF-2W Guardian on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_AF_Guardian

I also found a listing for the Airmodel 1/72 vacuform AF-2W Guardian , but I was wondering what injected molded kit would I need to buy to sorce the landing gear struts from or is there a metal landing gear set available ?

                      John .

Heya John:

Check here for landing gears of all types ... I don't know if these folks have what you want, but they certainly might ... to save you some money, if you find them on this site, let me know and I'll buy them and mail to you ... the outfit is located in Dallas, less than 10 miles from my house ... being so close to me and being a good customer, they send them to me right away ... I get them within 2 days of ordering, so you wouldn't have to wait for your check to clear (maybe 10 - 15 days or more before they'd ship to you) ...

I've used these on several builds and they're great ...

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/homepage.cfm?sr=1

pepper

John- Catching up as I have been out of state for a week... wanted to say how much I like your last build.  Looking forward to more of this...

Hey all!

Finshed the building portion of the Hasegawa (old AMT/Frog) T-33 kit.  Not horrible, and not nearly as bad as I'd expected.  Now working on the Gran F-80.  It's going together in the appropriate manner.  The plastic is a daoft, nearly translucent white, and there's tons of flash.  I've built vac-forms with less plastic around some of the parts!  Seems as though nothing fits correctly and I'm using up sandpaper and white putty like there's no tomorrow.  Good side of the kit, though, it has separate flaps and detail in the gear bays.  The only thing good, though...

Next up will be the Heller RT-33 or F-94A/B...

Lets see some progress pics of these beasts Draken Thats half the fun of a GB...

Hi Guys:

Started the Mig 17 ... here's a  WIP shot of the beginning work on the cockpit ...

Had asked back a bit ago about the interior color and found in the MM acrylic line, the color 'Russian Interior Blue' ... solved that little problem quite neatly ...

pepper