OFFICAL NO AFTERMARKET Group Build

The skyhawk is looking good oddman. I think I out to try one one of these days.

I've made a little more progress (the camera is still out of comission. I'll re-charge the batteries tomorrow) but I found something interesting on-line. It's an Elkhart Sidewinder monitor, for grass and woodland fire fighting use. I may try one, but I might hold off on it so I can get rolling with another build.

Here are some links I found on the Elkheart monitor:

http://www.mulvaneemergencyservices.org/Tank%20406.htm    - The page on Tanker 406 of the Mulvane, KS Emergency services. This truck (also an ex military 2.5 ton truck) has an "aftermarket" monitor from the Elkheart company. It was retrofitted after being aquired by the department, so some photos on the page have it mounted on the front page, while others don't.

http://www.elkhartbrass.com/files/aa/downloads/brochures/Sidewinder.pdf  -A .pdf copy of an Elkheart brocure for the monitor. It shows it up close on page 1.

I may try to make one. I'm not sure, though since it's a toss-up if I'm going to go to the hobby shop any time soon (Then again, I may do like the prototype fire department in the first link did, and add it on after the model is completed, when I have the necisary Evergreen styrene pieces)

I still say, the Skyhawk has to be my favorite in this build

Jeremy great work so far! Thats some quality scratch building!

I've got a small update myself. I finished the pilot, but I'm going about this a lot slower than I'd like. On some nights, I only have about an hour or so to model, which isn't a whole lot of time. Any way, lets cut to the chase.

This here is the pilot, scrounged from my spares box and I believe he used to be associated with the Revel F-86 though I could be mistaken. This is the first pilot I've done since I've become a 'serious' modeler. Normally I don't do them. As you can see, the dimensions of the cockpit seem a little...off. He looks very large in his seat. So much so that I had to sand down his back side a large degree so that he'd fit under the ejection handle.

The entire oxygen mask is scratch built...well for the most part. I cut away much of the face mask portion and molded the rest around his cheeks using CA glue. Then I removed the hose and made one of my own out of coiled copper wire as shown here:

I stabbed myself in the finger doing this so be careful. The next picture shows the textured sides of the A-4 interior. From pictures it looked almost quilted so I used toilet paper.....

And here it is with the fuselage halves together....

Now, for all that scratching I did, you can't see a lick of it!! Oh well, at least I (and I suppose you all) know its there. There won't be much left to scratch at this point. But I intend on modifying the flaps to be extended, which will take some scratch work and I intend on repositioning the nose wheel.

Thats all for the night.

Man, that cocpit is comming along good, jmabx.  I doubt I'll ever scratchbuild anything like a cocpit like this. It looks fairly complex

(Then again, I'm taking a stock M-35 and scratch-building almost everything for it to make it into a woodland fire truck, even the maze of pipes in the bed).

Keep up the good work.

Alright Railfan... get those batteries charged up! We want to see how she looks with that new tank!

I decided to finish the major parts of the cockpit. Started by drilling holes for the control sticks and glueing them in place. Then I fashioned boots for the sticks with poster tack. Came out well enough for me.

Next I had to remake the back seat. I wanted to make it a little longer and move it back in the cockpit compared to where it originally sat. I started by cutting out the original kit seat and cutting off the back of it. I then mad a new back rest from styrene sheet.

I also added mounting tabs for the backrest. Since I was going to be placing the seat all the way back in the cockpit, I wanted to make it look like the back could be folded down for storage in the fuselage. I drilled four holes, bent some wire and glued it all together.

Rear seat finished! I added some scratch map pockets to the fuselage sides next to the pilot and co-pilot seats and a canopy release handle on the port side.

Spray it a nice neutral color like grey, some black and silver highlights and glue it all together!

I'll go over everything with a drybrushing of a lighter color before I call it finished. Next and final step will be to make a simple instrument panel and some doo-dads for that general area.  

Alright, I'm back for another up-date.

First, I finished the up-dated step on my quick how-to on making the lightbars (with my finished product for the final photo)

Here's the truck as it stands: I got the truck as per the instructions built, so now is the time for me to start scratchbuilding. I finished with the water tank today, and I have began scraping up tools from other kits and scratch-building.( The last photo will show all the tools I have so far)

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Here's the water tank during construction. I  scratchbuilt it using a .020 thick For Sale sign (a good, cheep source of sheet styrene) and some stripwood for re-enforcement.

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Here's the water tank before I placed it into the truck, after painting

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Here's the (kit complete) truck with theThe water tank in place.

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Here's the last photo for this update. The tools shown here are as follows (from left to right): a pick, a flat-nose shovel, a sledge-hammer, and a round-nose shovel from a Tamiya german half-track kit ( I removed them from the fenders and have began rehabilitating them to look more like American fire fighting tools) And the last tool to the left is called a Council Rake, which is used to chop through grass and brush, as well as to dig in order to make a fire line. It is also great for use as a make-shift shovel.

Well, the kit is done, but the work to making it a woodland fire engine is far from complete. The kit itself was frightening, because it almost literaly put itself together, dispite it's age. The only problem was with the roof, because it seemed that the roof supports may have warped just enough to make it not want to seat properly (I corrected this by holding it down untill the glue dried)

 The base model is completed, now for the real fun: trying to find (with my limited budget) raw material that will replicate 3"-4" piping, a water pump, and woodland fire hose and a hose reel. The  hose shouldn't be a problem, since I may be able to find some sewing elastic that would look O.K. enough to fit the bill. Mabe I can modify a model railroad car's brake components for the pump. I'll figure it out soon enough.

EDIT  Sorry about the blurry pictures. My camera's batteries are starting to die, and my camera shows it's displeasure to that by giving me a hard time with taking clear photos. I'll re-charge them before my next up-date

Railfan - Great idea with the light bar! I never would have thought of a plastic knife.

Well, I pulled out the Flamingo today to see what had to be done and I ended up doing a little work to it even though I had no intention to.   I knew the cockpit would need a little scratch work but after taking a look, I really didn't like it.

The seats were small and kinda... blah, and the floor ended under the IP so that there was a large void in front of it. I decided to toss the kit cockpit and make my own.

I started by tracing the shape of the kit 'pit onto some thick sheet styrene and cutting it out, leaving extra at the front to take care of the void.

I then glued two tabs to the forward underside of the new floor and made a small firewall to attach to the tabs.

Now, I had to think about some seats. I'm currently building an Italeri Tornado which I used resin ejection seats for so I snagged the center section of the original kit seats (fair game ) and cut off the headrests. The molded on seat belts were horrible so I shaved them off and ran some liquid cement over the seats to smooth them and give them somewhat of a texture to simulate fabric. I then glued thin styrene sheet to the back and side to close them up.

Now we have some better looking seats. Next, I cut out the center console from the kit and attached it to the new floor.

Drill a couple holes in it and add some short pieces rod and it almost looks important.

I couldn't find any pics of the interior of this honey so I'm going for a busy look instead of an accurate look. With that said, a few snips and cuts of the scrap material from what I did earlier and I have some cute little rudder pedals. No need to be perfect because they will hardly be seen.

I glued them in just a little ***-eyed in case I decide to cut and reposition the rudder.

Sorry for the long post but I was on a role! I'm working on a few other projects now so I'm gonna tuck this one off to the side for now. Maybe the next time I go for a look more progress will happen.

I can't explain why, oddman. Mabe it's my pure bad luck that's caused me troubble  with photobucket

The photos are up now, and it's easier to see the light-bar making process.

I think this is the first time I have been so gun-ho on a group build that I didn't work on any other models (shocking but true. I normally have 2 or 3 models going on scimultaniously (sp?) and this is the first "one build" on my bench in a long time)

Well, I'm making progress. I finished running wires from the tail lights to the engine compartment, and I added the last piece of detail to the lightbar. Now, I just got to scratch-build radio aentennas and the fire-fighting equipment (pumps, hoses, tools, etc.) and then decal, and I'll call it done.

Vetteman the pilot is from the older Revell F-86 kit, so not AM. I wasn't going to include the pilot originally but there is no option to model the canopy open, so I was going to pose the A-4 as if it was taxiing. We'll see what happens.

Railfan I like the progress you've shown. Too bad about the pics. I use Photobucket for free as well and I don't think there is a numeric limit for photos, as long as you don't use up the available space they provide, which if I'm not mistaken are quite a few MB's! I've been posting pics for about a year now and I've not had to remove any yet - though i may soon just to de-clutter my albums.

Hopefully I'll get some progress pics up soon!

Yes, my re up-load worked! I hope the photos help and clarify the process.-Railfan 233

[I would have done this as an edit to the post, but I'm starting to get sick and tired of editing the same post over and over]

Well, vetteman, don't worry. I'm re up-loading the photos as I type.

I'm using a free acount with Photobucket, and that may be where the prolem came up (I remember something about only being alowed to have 1 album, with a limit on photos in the fine print) I'm trying again right now.

I'm not real sure, but I may have to delete some of my earlier photos of this truck (I hope not)

When the up-load is finished, I'll go back and edit my last post. I hope everyone enjoys the (complete) how-to on making emergency vehicle light-bars. I don't have any chance at getting paint in the forseable future, so I'll modify the light-bar to another style I have seen a few times (No photos right now, but I'll post one in my next up-date)

Raptordriver no problem your build is changed.

Oddmanrush a spares box figure would be fine, as long as it came from another kit. If it came from an AM kit or manufacturer tis a no no.

Railfan thats a bummer I would like to see those pictures, hopefully you can get them up today sometime.

Question for Vetteman.

The kit pilot for my Scooter is useless...lots of seams and sink holes, and not much detail. So I dug a pilot out of my spares box. I'm scratching his O2 face mask to fit over his face.

Are you OK with me using a spare pilot? Just making sure I don't over step the bounds of this GB.

My good friend Vetteman,

I have found a 1/48 Monogram SBD with many missing parts. I thought maybe you could change my entry. I will add a scratch built arresting hook, seat, seat belts, and joystick.

I am starting on it now, and more pics to come.

Thanks.

I didn't make a lot of progress today (July 6, 2010) but I did make the hal-mark of any emergency vehicle: the light bar.

Here's my methood for scratch-building emergency vehicle light-bars, with some clear plastic knifes.

Before beginning, find photos and/or blue-print drawings of your chosen lightbar, to ensure accuracy.

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Step1: take 2 knives and glue them together blade-to-blade, using regular plastic cement (I use Testors. I tried this once before with white glue, and the glue didn't hold, and it remained tacky for weeks)

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Step 2: scribe the general out-line of the lightbar into the knife assembly, and cut it out, leaving some excess around the edge. You can use a Dremmel tool with a cut-off disc (and have it be reasonably safe, since you can hold it by the handle while cutting) but I couldn't find my safety glasses, so I used a hack-saw.  Definately use the Dremmel tool if you can, as it will make this step go easier and faster

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Step 3: Once you finish cutting out the rough shape of the lightbar, sand it down to it's final size and shape, using  corse sand paper (I used #80 grit, which seemed to work out great. You could go to #120 grit, but it would be a little slower, but easier to control. Anything less than #120 grit would be more effort than it's worth)

I sort of goofed while cutting out the light bar (as shown in the photo) and it left a huge notch in the bar. This can be fixed, if it's minor, should you do the same. Start sanding the goofed-side down with the sand paper before shaping the bar, and it should work.

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Step 4: Once you ginish shaping the light bar, dunk it in water to get rid of the sanding dust and residue, and dry it off with a paper towel. Once dry, paint it with transparent paint (Check your refrences for color) I don't have any on hand right now, but I'll get some Tamiya transparent red, since this will be mounted on a fire engine.

It's important to check sources on your light bars before building/painting, since there are neumerous types and styles (especially since LED bars came out) and the color is determined by state law. For example: here in Florida, amber is for tow-trucks and general construction, solid blue and blue/white is for police units, and solid red is for fire apparatus and ambulances.

This can be done in any scale, with any style of lightbar. There are some nice aftermarket ones out there, but they are not allowed in this GB, not to mention, they are not worth it unless you buy them in bulk, since Shipping often out-costs the acuall lightbar. Try it. It's fun.

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Step 5/ Up-date: I found another lightbar style that would work, if you can't find any transparent paint. Drill out locations along the bottom of the lightbar with a #61 drill bit in a pin vise, about 1/2 way through the bar. Then paint these holes with reguklar artist's acryllic paint you can find at Wal-Mart, according to refrences.

Thanks. I knew the M-35 fire truck would be a fairly unusual idea. It's common here in Florida ( especially here in my part) due to the thick forrest. When you get a drout going, the woods becomes a big tenderbox.

Since the adverage fire engine can't go off road, the fire departments (especially my local department) buys up a lot of surplus M-35s. I'm sort of lucky with this build. My mom is a retired fire fighter, and when we would go and visit her when she was on-call on a fairly quiet day, my sister and I had a virtually free pass to explore all the trucks at the station.

I can't remember specifics, but I remember the layout of the piping,hoses, and the water tank enough to warrent a scratchbuilt fire-fighting platform, insted of crates of supplies. I'm looking fairly good on time, so I may try it.

On the other hand, decals may be a problem. I could salvage some of the original kit decals, and I have a Revell snap-tight MACK fire truck with extra decals. Mabe I could piece together a convincing department scheme.

As always, I'll post photos as I make good progress (It still creaps me out, how well this kit is going together, dispite it's age)

Theuns your build is in and listed on the roster, welcome to our little group. I have the Revell F-15E and will be interested in seeing the difference between them.

Railfan 223 oh man I really like that idea, an M-35 fire truck There are a few wildfire crews that use them here in southern California, and I cant say I have seen one modeled. She is looking good too

Alright, here's the next round of photos from me. As mentioned earlier, the cammo paint (as much as I like it) can't happen due to lack of paint, so I went for the next best thing: civilian paint schemes.

I'm still debating, but I'll eather make this truck into a surplus M-35 turned fire truck (common here in North Florida, since their off-road capabilities make them exelent for wild-fire fighting) Or I may do it as some sort of ranch truck. Who knows, but the good news is, that K-98 won't need modifications

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I thought I would start out with my refrence truck: an accual M-35 that is for sale at a local military museum (I'm considering saving up for this monster)

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All parts after painting (I did 5 coats just to get it to look right. 2 for the "hunter green" paint flop, and 3 coats to fix it)

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The chassis. Now painted flat black, with a yellow front bumper for visibility. The wheels have already been assembled andmounted to the axels.

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The dashboard and windshield unit (after instalation)

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The back wall and the seats (Oh, man. that gun rack is starting to blend in) I know, the seats are not U.S. Olive Drab, but it's the closest I can get. I'll make it darker when I start wethering.

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And the final photo: a shot of the cab exterior. I painted the headlights flat white (per the instructions) and I did a test-fit to see if the cab roof would line-up properly. It does.

Well, that's it from me. I'm still going to add a load of boxes and crates for the bed, and after that, I'll just call it done, unless I get the stuff for a diorama. (I doubt it, I may be able to get a trip to Michaels tomorrow, but they don't have a lot for scenery that would look right with this truck)

 Well, I can't wait to get this finished. Not only is it killing me to see what I have been viewing in my mind, but I may have a seccond truck in the works. (I got the Monogram Ford F-250 Super Duty in my stash, and I figure I can build it into a fire department's Quick Responce unit) But, first things first, got to finish up the Duce-and-a-half.

I'm picking back up on my M-35, since I found some paint. I hate to break the news, but I'm now painting it up into a surplus vehicle now in civilian transport service. I'll try to get photos up later on tonight or tomorrow.

Not a lot of building progress happening while I wait for the paint to dry.

Hi gents.

I would like to take part in this GB with a 1/48 Academy F-15E

I am also not a big fan of aftermarket stuff ( to pricy here) except maybe for custom decals now and then.

Theuns 

Aaronw I think homemade decals would be fine, they are after all homemade hence scratch built so to speak. But now that you mention it you got me to thinking, I build a lot of old kits where the decals are no good at all and cant be used. So in that respect you do raise a good question. I think in those cases I would have to allow ( cough) aftermarket decals if one cant print his or her own. So with that said, your Siemens-Schuckert DIII is in. Cant wait to see it either.

Ok, I've looked at my kits, and I'm going to go with a Pegasus 1/72 Siemens-Schuckert DIII which was a late WW1 German fighter.

I have found a possible snag though, they don't include decals with the kits. If I print my own decals would that count as scratchbuilt or aftermarket?  If the decals are an issue then I'll pick out something else.

Aaronw you are in and listed on the front page as TBA.  Just let me know what you will be building when you decide.

Guys thanks to Oddmanrush I think we have our group badge its posted on the front page.

Jmabx your build is in and welcome. I like the aircraft my self, it kind of reminds me of the Grumman Tiger, used to fly one and loved the bubble top canopy on it and she wasn't a bad flying plane either. The only other one I flew with the bubble top was the Piper Tomahawk, I hated that one, was a flying junkyard.

vetteman42

Railfan 223 got ya covered your build is listed

Aaronw after doing some rigging on a few golden age racers I think personally  that  would qualify as scratch building, as long as it is not PE rigging  I do find it much harder to do than say building an ejection seat for an F-104.

Nope not PE, I use guitar string cut to length. I have some Pegasus kits which are limited run plastic kits and they require some simple fabrication of parts (templates provided). This GB seems like it was made to give me an excuse to build one of these kits.

I'll join in, but will need a few days to go through the kits and select one.

raptordriver

...but gosh that plane is ugly.

No sir!

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, 'cause I find it to be a rather attractive little plane.

That would be cool to see something new, but gosh that plane is ugly.

Seems like I buy one of those kits everytime I place a Squadron order, Andrew. I've got quite a few sitting around... time to build one! I think I'm going to do a civilian version in German registration. Maybe paint her up with a nice natural metal and two color striping.  

*EDIT*

Check out this beauty!

Hey Jeremy,

I had to buy that very same kit after seeing it in the squadron catalogue for four dollars. What version are you building?

Don't worry, Oddman. I'm O.K. with modifying the K-98K into am M-14 or an M-21.

I don't do a lot with figures (I only build them if they come in kits, and I'm pritty bad with painting them) so the loss of a rifle isn't that big a deal.

The soldier who will be missing it would enjoy his upgrade to an MP-40

Hey Randy! I would like to join up if you don't mind. I've got a kit that could use a little scratch building here and there.

PM Model 1/48 SIAT 223 Flamingo. The little beauty you always see in the Squadron flyer for four dollars!

I know I'm already up to my neck with my project for your NMF group build but this little thing should be quick and fun. What do ya say?