OFFICAL NO AFTERMARKET Group Build

Railfan, if you need a photoshop program may I suggest downloading GIMP from their website. Its free and features basically the same functionality as photoshop. I use it - though I'm not that savvy at it yet and the manual is as this as a dictionary. Did I mention it is free? Yeah, I think I did....

Heh vetteman42!

Being a excellent host of GB's I humbly ask to join if crossovers are allowed. I signed up for the 38(t) GB with a 1/72 scale Italeri Hetzer, had planned on building it OOB... who am I kidding? I can't and will scratch build something IE skirt armor, possibly a aluminum barrel?  Hopefully just those items to allow for a speedy build to my standards. Already thinking of a suitable base to depict the unit captured during the Warsaw uprising.

Oh one more, I haven't forgot about the NMF GB, just waiting for inspiration to hack away & get the foil out. Maybe it will qualify for the longest carry over in GB history? ECD (expected completion date...) 2011???

The Hetzer is in the mail! (Squadron just sent the notice) !!! This will be a first for me as I have never built one of their kits before. (Italeri)

Thanks, Cem.

That's the wierd thing,though. it was pulling up both .jpeg and .gif immages a few weeks ago. Now, it's nothing. just the Error message (I'll try to get a copy of what it says) It normally says there was some loading error or something like that.

  Thanks for the tip, though. I've been wanting to get a photoshop program, I guess I can use this as an excuse

Railfan 233

My personal lap-top has been acting up, and it won't pull up any pictures unless they are in a .pdf or a.doc or .docx document format. I can bring them up on this computer, but I just get an "Error" message on the lap-top.

I wonder if photos up on the internet would work on it? (Then again mabe not. Those free paper models I got wouldn't come up eather)

Railfan hi,

What is the error message? I think your laptop needs a graphics software, something like Photoshop or an open source equavalent would do the job. Most (almost all) pictures you see on the net are either in .gif or .jpg format, the most widely used formats in the world, so you shouldn't have a problem opening them.

Cem.

 Well, that's one thing I miss about having a PC for the photos, I can't do more than tack them up on the cork board, along with the fact that I can't spend an arm and a leg on models because I'm already spending my other arm and leg on printer stuff.

Then again, it may not work. My personal lap-top has been acting up, and it won't pull up any pictures unless they are in a .pdf or a.doc or .docx document format. I can bring them up on this computer, but I just get an "Error" message on the lap-top.

I wonder if photos up on the internet would work on it? (Then again mabe not. Those free paper models I got wouldn't come up eather)

I used to print out pictures too, but that always took time and as you've already stated, they aren't very dynamic. Using a computer, you can open up pictures on multiple tabs and shift from one to another with a click of a mouse. If you realize you need more pictures, just type in the key words, run a search, and voila! Instant reference. Since I got the lap top, its been an invaluable tool for my modeling, especially scratch building.

 Iwish I had the money (and space) to put an extra flat monitor on my workbench...  printing is a pain, and you dont get the resolution/colors that you would get on hidef pics.

Railfan 233

I tried building with a lap-top once, but I super-glued my fingers to the keys, and quickly decided not to do it again.

Just a thing for me. That's why I sometimes build in front of my pc; I can always buy a new keyboard

Jon, you're right about problem solving issue.

Cem.

The wheel wells look good, Oddman.

I tried building with a lap-top once, but I super-glued my fingers to the keys, and quickly decided not to do it again. Now, I just print out photos, and tack them to a cork board next to my bench. The downside is I can't zoom in on details, and it's costin me an arm for the ink and a leg for the paper

Mabe I out to scratch-build more details for that cocpit in the F-4 Phantom...

Cem, another thing about scratch building - it promotes problem solving. Simple modeling, or as Hans would say, assembling , isn't a thinking man's game. Everything is essentially spelled out in the directions. But once you add scratch building, modeling takes on an entirely different process. Now a modeler needs to solve a problem. How do I make my model look like that? I need reference pictures. (I actually model in front of my lap top) What should I use to make that part? Once that is decided, then one has to take on different techniques...stretching sprue, shaping wire, cutting styrene rod, etc. And put all these together to make a convincing addition to a model. It seems to me that it is a good blend of wit, artistry, research, and what's in the spares box.

Any how, here is where I'm at. I've scratch built the wheel wells for the P-47. I didn't box it all in because of fit issues between the wing halves and the landing gear itself. Fortunately, the wings had some ribs already molded on so I used a reference pic (from another model on Hyperscale) to draw out the outline of the box. Then I used the handy dandy gift cards for the surrounding walls. A few other bits a pieces, and wire, round out the look.....

Time to get back to work!

oddmanrush

I've got a sickness....and the only cure....is MORE SCRATCH BUILDING!

I just finished up the wheel wells. Sorry no pics, but hopefully you're excited to see how they turned out! I took photos of 'em, just need to upload them, which takes some time, and its late here so I"m gonna hit the sack...and probably dream about scratch building.

In all seriousness though, I"ve discovered there is a flaw in scratch building. What is that you say? Yes, a flaw. And the flaw is that once you've incorporated scratch building into your repertoire of modeling capabilities there is no turning back. Now, every model I do is going to need scratch built details. Otherwise, I may feel like it'll be missing something. Its addictive. Like Pringles. Once you pop, you can't stop. I've scratch built before, but this is probably the most extensive amount I've accomplished. High five guys, high five!

Night!

Same here, Oddman. Same here.

I can't wait to see the photos of the wheel wells. Scratch-building is adictive. Ever since I finished that Duce-and-a-half fire engine, I can't stop scratch-building something (or thinking about it)

Mabe scratch-building is the reason I'm loosing sleep at night (eather that, or waiting for that AMT/Eartl 1/25 scale ladder truck to come, so I can scratch-build tools and SCBA packs for it)

But, scratch-building is very adictive, mabe too much so.

*If you need sheet styrene, check with the hardware store. those For Sale and For Rent signs are great sources. Ace Hardware has thicker signs (about .030-.040) which is good for building large pieces needing strength, while the signs from Home Depot and Lowes are .010, great for detail work.

oddmanrush

I've got a sickness....and the only cure....is MORE SCRATCH BUILDING!

In all seriousness though, I"ve discovered there is a flaw in scratch building. What is that you say? Yes, a flaw. And the flaw is that once you've incorporated scratch building into your repertoire of modeling capabilities there is no turning back.

Jon hi,

You just couldn't be more right. And let me tell you this: the more you do, the better you get, the better you get you tend to add much more finer details to your model; there simply is no end to it. I just started a 15 cm. Howitzer over the weekend; the kit itself is about 200 pieces, the PE set on the other hand is about 6 - 700 pcs. I'm about 1/3 finished. The best part of such challenging work: a) you get many new ideas about how to make and apply those details, b) you get a much better idea about your limits (i.e. where to stop in terms of small parts).

Anyway, I feel like scratchbuilding is a hobby within a hobby.

Have fun.

Cem.

jmabx

Cem - That's some nice work! I'm giving you the master scratchbuilder title!

Hi jmabx,

I'm honoured. Now I need to work much harder to live up to the title. Cheers!

Cem.

I've got a sickness....and the only cure....is MORE SCRATCH BUILDING!

I just finished up the wheel wells. Sorry no pics, but hopefully you're excited to see how they turned out! I took photos of 'em, just need to upload them, which takes some time, and its late here so I"m gonna hit the sack...and probably dream about scratch building.

In all seriousness though, I"ve discovered there is a flaw in scratch building. What is that you say? Yes, a flaw. And the flaw is that once you've incorporated scratch building into your repertoire of modeling capabilities there is no turning back. Now, every model I do is going to need scratch built details. Otherwise, I may feel like it'll be missing something. Its addictive. Like Pringles. Once you pop, you can't stop. I've scratch built before, but this is probably the most extensive amount I've accomplished. High five guys, high five!

Night!

vetteman42

Oddmanrush your plug wires look very convincing from here, well done. Personally I have a very hard time doing plug wires and having them come out looking like they belong there. Oh I haffta ask are you building a razor back or a bubble top.

Oddmanrush and Railfan guys I have been using gift cards, expired credit cards, and even old AAA cards, they work great. I figure every little bit of savings helps buy that next model kit or bottle of paint. Oh and hey the seal on the top of the plastic Folgers coffee can is very useful too, makes great jet engine intake ducting, and I use the can as a paint stand.

Thanks Vetteman, the plug wires look acceptable. It was actually easier than I thought it was going to be. Essentially I just drilled the necessary holes with a pin vise than used copper wire. Believe it or not, I only used one continuous wire for the whole engine. I just threaded it along like I was doing some sewing.

As for your question, I have the bubble top, in French markings, in mind. Why French? i don't really have an answer. I hate NMF so that precludes the box art markings. I also think the bubble top has a sleeker, meaner look than the razor back, just my opinion.

Preaching to the choir about those seal tops! I use the tops off of baby formula cans. Oh, I also snagged some bobby pins my wife was trashing....not sure why. I may be able to use them, never know....

Railfan – great idea and some great pics, look forward to your build!

jmabx – good work on the cockpit; talk about a blank canvas to start SB!

oddmanrush – great idea on making oxygen mask; shyhawk is looking good! P-47, ditto, much better looking pit.  

Trabi – Yes, thanks fort the link. That is what I meant they don’t make the “Calypso” anyomore. Nasty copyright fight some years ago made Revell delete all references to the Cousteau name.

Theuns – Looks good from my end, look forward to the rest!

vetteman42 – I will add a wet thingie to all the flying and land stuff being built ;)

1:700 scale ARII Modern sub series, and will scratchbuild some sort of pier scene. First time I do such a thing, but hey, you gotta start somewhere! Probably an Alpha class soviet sub rusting away….  By the way, anyone interested in building 1:700 modern subs, SKIP the old ARII offerings (and bad ill-fitting molds and out-of-scale thickness) and get the HobbyBoss series.  Have to finish some stuff before I start, should have no problem finishing on time though ;)

vetteman42

Oddmanrush and Railfan guys I have been using gift cards, expired credit cards, and even old AAA cards, they work great. I figure every little bit of savings helps buy that next model kit or bottle of paint. Oh and hey the seal on the top of the plastic Folgers coffee can is very useful too, makes great jet engine intake ducting, and I use the can as a paint stand.

Darn, I just used my last coffee can for a change jar. Now I know to keep it when the next coffee can runs out.

Also, with the Duct tape reapirs, Did anyone here see that one episode of the Jay Leno Tonight Show, where they did a segment on a plane wrecked by a bear, and they couldn't fly out, and they just wrapped the whole plane in duct tape? The story was that they had an order of 100 rolls flown in, and they just wrapped the plane up, and flew it home.

(1,000,000,000,002 uses for duct tape and counting.....)

vetteman42

 

I have been working on ICM's MiG-3 and that truss gave me nightmares, so small and delicate. Now you go and make one with brass and solder it all up then add all the other details to it ?? This is just over the top man, beautiful stunning work you have done there. Sorry about gushing over it like a school girl but I am very impressed indeed. Hey and thanks for the Trumpeter build link too, it will come in handy as I have a second ICM kit in the stash.

Vetteman hi,

Thanks, and sorry for replying late; I was away from the office with no internet connection!

In fact I'm used to soldering work from model railroading; we do a lot of decoder fitting and it is just as delicate. Luckily all dimensions were given so putting the frame together went quite fast. I've been waiting for the Eduard PE set for my other Mig3, and it arrived today. I will get colour details of the instrument panel from the PE set ... I know what I'll be doing next weekend.

Cem.

Oddmanrush your plug wires look very convincing from here, well done. Personally I have a very hard time doing plug wires and having them come out looking like they belong there. Oh I haffta ask are you building a razor back or a bubble top.

Oddmanrush and Railfan guys I have been using gift cards, expired credit cards, and even old AAA cards, they work great. I figure every little bit of savings helps buy that next model kit or bottle of paint. Oh and hey the seal on the top of the plastic Folgers coffee can is very useful too, makes great jet engine intake ducting, and I use the can as a paint stand.

Kermit yes I am looking forward to this build for sure, a very good choice there buddy. The oil lines look great with the detail molded into that engine Are you going to drill out the exhaust stacks too ? Oh and your build on the front page is no longer TBA

Railfan yup Mythbusters did in fact prove that it really is 100mph tape, I also know it will hold over a 100mph as I have seen sprint cars going 140mph down the back straight with duct tape holding the front cowling on the car. I have even seen it used as a temporary  rag wing repair on a Cessna 140 and a Skybolt.  I also used my share of the stuff when I was racing motorcycles. I did think about using it for seat belts on a model once, thought better of it when I figured if I didnt like them a herd of wild horses wouldnt be able to pull them off the seat.

oddmanrush

Railfan 233:

Now your using gift-cards, Oddman? Boy, when you said you are cheep, you really mean it I'm going to take your advice.

 

Hey man, do what you gotta do! Plus, I like to call it 'resourceful'.

Well, I'll give you that, Oddman. After all, it ain't the only way I've seen people save money. Every year, after January 1, or July 4th, I scavenge my neghborhood for those rockets that have the wooden guide stick. I salvage about 10-20 each "fire-works season" and I use them for what is needed (like supports for the fire truck's water-tank)

At least we don't have to perminantly hold a car together with duct tape (Hey, the Mythbusters did it, now we don't have to)

Also, Kermit, your Spitfire looks great. I like the engine detail

Hey guys,

Made a start on my old spitfire kit today. Already showed the boxart so i'll limit it to the intended finish and the decalsheet to get stuff going...:

Looking at the engine i got the idea of doing some wiring and tubes on it. Used copper electrical wiring and some silver garbage bag wire:

Have to absolutely admit i had great fun fiddling with the wire Considering this is my very first scratching ever i'm pretty happy with it although i won't win prizes with it

Richard

Railfan 233

Now your using gift-cards, Oddman? Boy, when you said you are cheep, you really mean it I'm going to take your advice.

Hey man, do what you gotta do! Plus, I like to call it 'resourceful'.

Now your using gift-cards, Oddman? Boy, when you said you are cheep, you really mean it I'm going to take your advice.

Great, more people joining the build! Should be good!

Made some progress last night on the P47. Jmabx, rough is an understatement for this kit. I had a heck of a time with the seams after joining the fuselage halves. About two inches in length of the underbelly is misaligned as the right have some what over hangs the left. That's always been a problem I've never been a hundred percent sure how to deal with.

Well, I wired the engine last night. Not bad I guess. I'm happy with it. This is it unpainted....

Here I've applied paint and weathered it. Not easily seen in this picture. Also, as you can see, only the front row of cylinder heads are present, the kit omitted the back row. Just one more downside of the kit....

And this is the engine mated to the cowling....

I'm going to attempt to scratch build the wheel wells. That'll be a big first for me. But I found some new material that may help me in this matter. To augment my supply of playing cards that I use for styrene, I am putting depleted gift cards to good use. They have the appropriate thickness and can be easily cut with a knife. So remember, once you use one up, ask for it back and the cashier will oblige. I have three of them for now, and that'll be more than enough for a while.

I'll get back to work and post some more tomorrow or whenever I can.

Carry on!

Hans von Hammer

Oh yeah... Noticed Railfans M*A*SH build... Should read: "Triage"

That's how "Triage" is suppose to be spelled?  I never knew it before now.

  It's sort of interesting, how a build can change. The M-35 in the kit was originaly suppose to be a regular M-35 loaded with supplies. As time went on, I just did it into an off-road woodland fire truck, pump, hose, tank, and all (I just need more tools and some decals, and I'll call it "Ofitialy" done)

   I'm still waiting on some white paint for my Dodge Monaco police car, and after that, I'll begin final assembly. In the mean time, I'm chipping away at that Airfix F-4 Phantom (I'm almost done with the pilot figures, will post photos soon) and that's about it for an update from me.

Cem - That's some nice work! I'm giving you the master scratchbuilder title!

Theuns - Your cockpit looks nice. What did you use to make the seat belts and the safety pin straps?

Jon - I built that P-47 kit many years ago and it was rough and no detail! Looks like your bringing it up to snuff!

Welcome Hans and Kermit!!! Two fine additions to the group build!

Hey guys,

Reading through all the new posts i cannot say anything other than "WOW". Very very impressive work indeed. Always great and interesting to see how people make stuff from scrap metal and styrene.

Just been to my LHS myself and picked up some styrene strips that looked useful for scratching basic things and i believe i am ready for my first ventures into scratching As i am a complete beginner in this i hope you guys will be gentle to me

Anyways...

Had a few days to decide on a build for the GB and initially i wanted to do that F16N by revell. Being more familiar with the aircraft type however i would like to announce wanting to build the recently introduced revell "classics" kit of the Spitfire MkI in 1:32 scale.

http://store.spruebrothers.com/132-revell-germany-classics-supermarine-spitfire-mk-i-00021-p23589.aspx

It is supposed to be dating back from the 60's or 70's and it shows in the detail department too so i shouldn't have a hard time finding things to replace/ scratch...

Is that ok with you guys?

Richard

oddmanrush

Well Hans, it ain't up to me but you're more than welcome as far as I'm concerned! Fujimi kit eh? I'm about ready to paint an old Fujimi A-4 Skyhawk myself!

Cool... I kinda like these kits.. Never built them back in the day as they just weren't arounf my neck of the woods, where the LHS was a spinning rack at Kirschbaum's Grocery Store or a back shelf at Van Norman Drug...  They're as simple as the old school Monogram kits with a bit nicer exterior detail, and I can officially say that I've built Japanese aircraft kits other than Tamiya now...

I scored a hit on Ebay a few weeks ago, picking a lot of 6 Fujimi kits, ie, this Val, two Fw 190 Doras (motorized, no less... 'Cept the motors don't work (*sniff*) ), an Fw 190A-7, a Zeke and a Hellcat... All were opened and started, decals are iffy,  but none had any really "bad" work done to them.. It was just a cockpit started here, a wing half there, etc...  All the parts were there, so that was the major thing.  Got whole herd for 35.00 bucks shipped...

 Vetteman, thanks fer the props, and thanks again for letting me particulate in this endevourment...  Oh yeah... Noticed Railfans M*A*SH build... Should read: "Triage"

 Oddman, my Harbor Freaght compressor and dual-action airbrush are both great buys. They are essentially the same thing as the expensive name-brand stuff, only, it's cheeper (good for you)

I acually get most of the stuff I need from Harbor Freaght (except for specialty tools and kits) and so far, no problems.

I highly reccomend Harbor Freaght

vetteman42

Never had any trouble with that here in sunny socal.

Ah ha! The answer to all my modeling woes is to move to a new state! I'm down with that. Could use a change in scenery...

[yells over shoulder, HON! WE'RE MOVING TO CALIFORNIA!]