Played around a bit with a GB badge, simple but just as idea...

oo00oo vampire the masquerade, i like it.

Frank, sweet looking badge! 

Greg, I'd be interested in joining the GB.  I'll start off by finishing an Ar 234 (1/72 dragon) that has been started already but has been sitting on the shelf for some time.  I have plenty of others in the stash too should time and energy allow.

Nice Frank, I like it!  As for the bat pic I found, that was just my first attempt, and I agree with the comments.  I appreciate (and need)  the help.

Doog, redneck engineering? mein gott!  Eric, your 262 and 190 are incredible.

Welcome aboard Mike and Dave!  The A-6E was used after dark a lot.  One of the USMC squadrons was known as the "Moonlighters" for that reason.  I am good with the Intruder, if it is one that was frequently used as a night attack.

John (helo), I used Gunze on a 3 color corsair, a -2 actually.  I will find out which paint numbers I used, and post it.

Well, the wife is glaring at me, so I better go.  I have to get in her good graces since I want to order some stuff from Owl in Czech Republic.  Thanks again guys, this is a great group!

Cheers,

Greg

Gregbbear

The A-6E was used after dark a lot.  One of the USMC squadrons was known as the "Moonlighters" for that reason.  I am good with the Intruder, if it is one that was frequently used as a night attack.

Hmmmm... I hadn't even thought of building an Intruder!  If it is OK with you, I would like to change my build to a 1/48 Revell A-6 Intruder from VMFA-242 (The Bats).  With their motto, it should be a perfect fit (Mors Ex Tenebris- Death from the Darkness).

This will be a very special build for me- I have been wearing a Vietnam POW/MIA bracelet for many years, for a Capt Edwin J. Fickler, a USMC A-6 pilot serving with VMFA-242 in 1969.  He was shot down on 17 Jan 1969 over SVN.  I have wanted to honor him with a model of his aircraft, and only a few months ago I procured all of the bits to do so.  Even had the markings for the plane he was flying custom made.

Frank, you've roused my curiosity.  What is the significance of the bracelet and why do you wear it?

(PS: other than the obvious of wanting to honor the fallen soldiers.)

Those markings on the A-6 Intruder are awesome Frank ;

I recently picked up some 1/72 Superscale decals for the VMFA-242 F/A-18D ...

I'm not sure if the F/A-18D would count as a Nightfighter but the markings are very cool .

                    John .

Dave- I bought mine at our local veterans museum, and thought the idea behind them was a good one.  I believe it was about 10-12 years ago, but do not remember for certain anymore.  It's hard to put into words, but I feel an enormous amount of respect for those who serve, and for those who did and never came home- even more.  I have worn it everyday since I bought it, and think of Capt Fickler every time I put it on in the morning. 

John- Great markings!  I have wanted to get the 1/48 Hasegawa D Hornet as it has those markings too, but haven't procured one yet.

I'm just not feeling it for the "wolverine/dracula" motiff either......I still like the idea of a bat--just a simpler, more stylized one...remember, when these badges get shrunk down a lot of the fin detail is lost in the pic and fancy script...

humm.. maybe one of the bats used on the P-61's  ?

Manstein's revenge

I'm just not feeling it for the "wolverine/dracula" motiff "either"...

You're implying that someone else stated they did not like the badge idea? I did not read any other posts to support your statement.  The first thing I did when I saw the badge was to shrink it to see what it would look like and it looks fine.  Maybe you should do the same before making comments to the contrary.

Multiple badges for people to choose from would probably be a good idea.

Great stuff all around guys, you're getting me pumped up for this!

Frank: Great story, can't 'God bless the vets' enough.

Manny: Beautiful builds.

Both badges look great though I'm more partial to the bat. I think it would look better with white letters instead of the black letters on a white box but that's just my two cents. I think a bat or owl would be pretty cool. Or maybe like the vampire but just a pair of eyes on a black field.

Anyway for someone still looking for an idea here's the nightfighters I found in my stash:

Allied:

Axis:

Going with the Widow myself, been forever since I built one of those great old Monogram classic kits and I'm excited!

razordws

Manstein's revenge:

I'm just not feeling it for the "wolverine/dracula" motiff "either"...

 

You're implying that someone else stated they did not like the badge idea? I did not read any other posts to support your statement.  The first thing I did when I saw the badge was to shrink it to see what it would look like and it looks fine.  Maybe you should do the same before making comments to the contrary.

Multiple badges for people to choose from would probably be a good idea.

No, you are mistaken, my friend...it meant that I didn't like the original bat badge, nor did I like the vampire badge...hence, "either"...As in, "I don't like either the bat badge or the vampire badge"...

Maybe you should take time to understand what you are reading before you make assumptions...don't overthink things...it doesn't work with you...

BTW, if I may let me toss in a few photos of the last nightfighter I built- Tamiya's 1/48th Gekko (Moonlight) - Allied Code IRVING. It's the same aircraft as the one in the photo above but this version didn't carry a radar and was instead directed to targets using search lights on the ground (didn't work all that well). It did carry machine guns fitted in a 'jazz music' design, that is firing up at a 45 degree angle so the pilot could 'park' his aircraft under a bomber and fire up into it's belly.

Frank,  that's cool that you've been wearing that thing all these years.  My hat's off to you sir for your dedication to our vets.  Can't wait to see what you do with his aircraft.  I  know it's going to be a good one.

Manny, Fair enough.  I misinterpreted your intent and took offense where none was given.

Gamera, love the Gekko.  A friend of mine built the same kit and had a heck of a time with it.  Yours looks like it came out beautifully.

Cool, well ill enter with a Tamiya 1:72 A-6E and ill try and find decals for the moonlighters.  It will eventually be in a diorama with the KA-6D refueling it. So itle be gears up.

Oops. Just realised the kit comes with them. lol. Now i need to find some for the tanker. Or some for a squadron that flew with the moonlighters and had tankers.

Took a stab at a badge. Nothing fancy - I'm solid with photoshop for retouching, but not for design work.

I like all the badges

Doog, I really like that a lot.  Good work.

Frank, I love the A-6E  idea.  Very good story behind it.  When I finish this post, I'll get you and Mike changed out on the list.

Gamera, great looking Gekko!  The snowy background is pretty cool too.

I am really enjoying the enthusiasm for this GB, and we haven't even officially started yet!

Eric, I have seen the diving eagle, and even the owl sitting on the moon.  Both are nice, my copies are just too small to do anything with.

As for me, I need to order some p.e. radar aerials from Owl for my P-70.  I'm thinking about getting some True Details wheels, and seat belts too.  That will probably be the extent of the AM I will be using.  If I hurry up and finish a few other builds, I will start with something in addition to the P-70.  So many choices, it will be hard to pick.

Cheers,

Greg

Some more night fighter pics to wet your whistles on:

I like the last badge entry the best...

Eric, another fantastic build!  I am really liking your Fw-190.  Although I have seen conversion kits for it, I have yet to see anybody build one.  Real nice.  What do you think of the Promodeller Ta-154? 

Cheers,

Greg

Gregbbear

Eric, another fantastic build!  I am really liking your Fw-190.  Although I have seen conversion kits for it, I have yet to see anybody build one.  Real nice.  What do you think of the Promodeller Ta-154? 

Cheers,

Greg

Never have owned the 154 kit although I looked for one a while back to buy--Dragon used to offer it in quarter scale but they seem to be hard to find...I'm guessing it is a decent kit...I wonder if the mould is the same?

Here's the old Monogram Black Widow---maybe the worst kit I've EVER built:

I built a P-61 once, unfortunately it was a victim of the sept 4th earthquake (one of the aftershocks anyway) Its first flight was its last. (Bit like the MAAM one lol) Love the aircraft, hated the model. Drove me insane.

Interesting... I didn't know Hase put one out.  Amazing that it is in 1/72!

The P-61 is great too!  My builds absolutely pale in comparison.  That gives me inspiration to learn and get better.  Thanks.  I am thinking about getting a Revell P-61, and giving it a try.  If I go into a kit knowing it will be less than stellar, I like it better than buying a high dollar kit, and it being a dog.  Plus, I tend to test fit more with a "cheapy" kit.

Cheers,

Greg

Gregbbear- Can I still join this GB?? If so I would like to add a 1/72 Bf-110 by Italeri. I will probably have some AM stuff added. Will keep you posted.

Travis

Hey greg, wee small corection, its a tamiya intruder, not italeri.

Scorpiomikey

Hey greg, wee small corection, its a tamiya intruder, not italeri.

Ooops! My bad.

Travis, welcome aboard.  I look forward to seeing your build.  I have had my eye on that kit, and wondering what was in the box.

Cheers,

Greg

I'm liking the bat/full moon badge! The only 2 nightfighters under my belt

so anybody know of a good 1/48 scale BF110 nightfighter out there?I want to stay with twin engine Luftwaffe type

The Eduard 110 series is the best game in town right now...