Hunting After Dark, 2011-2012 Night Fighter Group Build

Mike, I know what you mean.  With so many cool GBs going on, it is hard not to commit to a few.  Start when you can.

JBrady, a night hellcat sounds great!  I'll put you down.  Thanks for joining.

Hello Night Fighter Nut, and welcome.  To join a GB, just post what your entry will be, and join in on the fun.  This one is going from January 1, 2011 to Jan 2012, so all you have to do is complete a model that falls into this genre during that time frame (or more than one if you want).  Seeing as what your screen name is, I don't think that will be a problem.  So, just let me know what you want to build, and I will add you to the roster.

As for night fighters in action, the latest Flight Journal magazine, has a good story of another yank flying a mosquito for the RCAF.  This time, a non-radar equiped night intruder Mosquito.  It has a couple of good cockpit shots for the NFII, and another Mosquito.  It seems like every couple of issues, they have a good story on night fighters.

Cheers,

Greg

I'm currently in a night fighter group build on another website.  I've already started it but may not finish until January 2011.  Can I post what I've already done?  I'm not sure how to post photos but on my bench currently is a P-61A Monogram/Revell kit with a lot of extras and scratch built mods.  The plane is the "Nocturnal Nemesis."   I don't care about competition but some of the work arounds might be of some help for someone else wanted to do this plane.   :)

Cleaning up my work area waiting for paint to dry and I found a Tamiya Beaufighter MK VI that would be great for this build... can I add one more?

Night Fighter Nut, your Black Widow would be a welcome addition.  The Group Build is more of a common interest, and camaraderie thing than a competition.  You aren't limited to just one build either. 

Cheers,

Greg

Jbrady, multiple builds are very welcome!  I've got you down.  I am thinking about buying a Tamiya beaufighter, so I will be real interested to hear your thoughts on it.

Cheers,

Greg

I cant beleive im doing this. But can you add a Tamiya F-117A 1:48 to my build? Not sure what im doing with it yet. But ill figure something out lol.

ummm, hello? did this get forgotten about?

Scorpiomikey

I cant beleive im doing this. But can you add a Tamiya F-117A 1:48 to my build? Not sure what im doing with it yet. But ill figure something out lol.

I suspect you'll be painting it black...

LOL very funny Vance, i mean i dont know if im gonna go AM overboard like i have been lately.

Dang Mike, sorry I missed that.  Weird, because I have been rather obsessive about Group Builds lately. 

Cheers,

Greg

 Count me in on this GB with the Tamiya 1/48 He219.

Welcome Mobious, I have got you down on the roster.  Thanks for joining.

Cheers,

Greg

Hello, I would like to join the group build.  I will be building Tamiya's 1/48 He 219 "Uhu" with a CMK engine.

Thank You, Ernest

Welcome aboard Ernest.  I'll get you down on the roster.

I just got my copy of "Night Fighters Over Korea".  It is about Skynights in action, so I imagine, I will be adding a Skynight to my roster too.

I am looking forward to the kick-off.  The roster is a tremendous selection of A/C.  Great stuff from both Axis and Allies, post-war, and modern!  Thanks to all who have joined.

Cheers,

Greg

Making it official. Mark me down for a Mossie NF.II. I just may get to this puppy soon, too. Got some pretty involved paint-ups coming up, and the prospect of an all-black scheme may be just the thing!

Greg,

Just did a quick inventory of my stash, and I have Tamiya's 1/72 Mosquito (Warbirds Collection No.47)  that has an option for an NF Mk II bird.  I'm with Doogs, really thinking the all-black scheme is going to look cool.  So please add me to the roster with that Mossie.  

all the research ive done on the mossies lead to the all black scheme not lasting long (2 or 3 months). The black underside with camo upper came in pretty quick. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Matt, I added you to the roster.  Thanks for joining!

Doogs, I have your official entry down too.

Mike, as for mosquito's paint, anyone????

I just picked up my first mossie the other day, so I will be looking forward to learning more about this bird, err insect?  It is a 1/72 Tamiya NF VII.

Cheers,

Greg

Scorpiomikey

all the research ive done on the mossies lead to the all black scheme not lasting long (2 or 3 months). The black underside with camo upper came in pretty quick. Can anyone elaborate on this?

This link was all I could find on the night fighter camo introduction on the Mosquito.  

http://www.cbrnp.com/profiles/quarter2/mosquitos.htm

Doesn't show a time period when they switched, but for the majority of 1942, the Mossies were still all black.  One thing I read on the all black Spitfires used in a NF role... the exhaust manifolds glowed so hot that maintenance crews painted them with a heavy coat of red lead paint to keep the glow to a minimum.  If you look at the side profiles on the Mossies, it looks as if they have had the same red lead treatment on their manifolds.

Just thought it would be interesting to read up on.

Hi Gregbear - Bf110C OK? 

Welcome Stumpjumper!  A Bf-110C sounds good.  What scale and manufacturer?  I was thinking about making a C model in Regia Aeronautica NF guise at some point myself.  Starting to ramble, sorry, just love them nightfighters!

Cheers,

Greg

BigSmitty

 

Scorpiomikey:

 

all the research ive done on the mossies lead to the all black scheme not lasting long (2 or 3 months). The black underside with camo upper came in pretty quick. Can anyone elaborate on this?

 

 

This link was all I could find on the night fighter camo introduction on the Mosquito.  

http://www.cbrnp.com/profiles/quarter2/mosquitos.htm

Doesn't show a time period when they switched, but for the majority of 1942, the Mossies were still all black.  One thing I read on the all black Spitfires used in a NF role... the exhaust manifolds glowed so hot that maintenance crews painted them with a heavy coat of red lead paint to keep the glow to a minimum.  If you look at the side profiles on the Mossies, it looks as if they have had the same red lead treatment on their manifolds.

Just thought it would be interesting to read up on.

Awesome, cheers for that. I also read the NF spits were scrapped due to too many landing accidents because of the long nose.

Also, i dont beleive the exhaust manifolds on the mossie were painted the lead red. from what i understand (not sure if its true or not) they had shields put over the manifolds to stop the glow and because they werent expected to last very long the red was a covering of surface corrosion.

Hi Greg. Great, put me down for the Dragon 1/32 C-7 then. I've seen some great reviews of that model plus a couple of iffy ones as well. It'll certainly be a challenge - hope I can do it justice!

Stumpjumper70

Hi Greg. Great, put me down for the Dragon 1/32 C-7 then. I've seen some great reviews of that model plus a couple of iffy ones as well. It'll certainly be a challenge - hope I can do it justice!

Outstanding!  I've heard good things about the Dragon kit.  It certainly looks impressive.  I look forward you bringing it to life. 

Cheers,

Greg

Forgive me Greg if I missed it...but did we ever decide on a badge?

Hercmech

Forgive me Greg if I missed it...but did we ever decide on a badge?

I thought we did.  Let me go back and check.  If not, I will get back to work on it, unless anybody has a better idea.  My try at puttting a bunch of squadron crests together didn't work out.  I am just not that savy at photo manipulation.  I just can't seem to shrink stuff, except my bank account, brain cells, and space for more kits.

Cheers,

Greg

Gregbbear

Hercmech:

Forgive me Greg if I missed it...but did we ever decide on a badge?

 

I thought we did.  Let me go back and check.  If not, I will get back to work on it, unless anybody has a better idea.  My try at puttting a bunch of squadron crests together didn't work out.  I am just not that savy at photo manipulation.  I just can't seem to shrink stuff, except my bank account, brain cells, and space for more kits.

Cheers,

Greg

No sweat...I have slept since then so I might have missed it, and I guess since I have not even started my build I should not worry about it. However my sig line feels lonely and since I have not been a part of a group build I can't help but be excited.

I have posted the badge on page one, post one.  Please feel free to grab one when you start your build.  Only 11 days to go!   To all who have joined, thanks, I hope you have fun with this GB.

Cheers,

Greg

Cool...talk about prompt service.  Thanks Greg

Greg - love the badge! How do I add it to my profile? Copying and pasting doesn't seem to work.