Way Too Many Props GB April 18, 2011 - Extended to July 28, 2012

Problem I had was that the only place I could find the B 25 J masks (except for Hannants) was Squadron. Every other place I looked, they were out of stock. Lot of people building the B 25 J right now. I figured that it would take longer to get them from the UK than from Texas. Too hot and humid to paint anyway. Guess I''ll spend a few days on the Staggerwing.

I haven't had any problems with Squadron shipping, course I just get the cheapest shipping method, which usaully means USPS, so no problems there.  One time they sent it via Fedex and it went to Memphis before coming back to the DFW area to get delivered to me.  I don't think Squadron's website is navigation hell, but I do think Sprue Brothers' search method is kinda confusing and how they display results (got a 1/72 scale next to 1/32, followed by two 1/48, then back to 1/32....).  The only problem I have with Great Models is nothing is in stock (well the things I'm looking for anyways)

just my

Len: the sunshade is top notch.

jbrady

Len: I like your sunshade.

Anyone here have experience with Squadron shipping? They had the masks I needed for my B 25's in stock last Thursday. I paid for priority shipping... just got e-mail notice they will be delivered on Friday??? Hate this kind of hold-up.

That's been about my experience. 

Once, I placed an order from Squadron (three hours away) and Hannants (in the UK) on the same day. Received my Hannants order first.

Few weeks ago I placed an order from Squadron, and one from Airscale (in the UK) on the same day. Received my Airscale decals first.

I like Squadron well enough...and their customer service is first rate...but their website is navigation hell and their shipping urgency leaves a lot to be desired. Hence why I usually order through Sprue Brothers or Great Models.

Len: I like your sunshade.

Anyone here have experience with Squadron shipping? They had the masks I needed for my B 25's in stock last Thursday. I paid for priority shipping... just got e-mail notice they will be delivered on Friday??? Hate this kind of hold-up.

B17Pilot

Len - nice idea on the exhaust pipes!

I did some detail work inside the main canopy. I glued a "U" channel down the centerline in the top of the canopy and ran some wiring through it. I also made sunshades by spraying toilet paper with Tamiya light grey, cockpit green and desert yellow. The shade for the open hatch was rolled around a # 80 drill bit and tied with 36 guage beading wire.

Here`s a few pics...

...and I painted the details in the wheel wells...

Thanks for looking!

Len

Len - nice idea on the exhaust pipes!

Hi All,

A few more WIP pics. The wheel wells of my Betty had a pretty nasty seam. Since it would be nearly impossible...for me anyway... to sand it smooth,I covered it with some sheet styrene. Since I decided to do this I figured I may as well detail it up a little.

I used my trusty spool of 32 guage galvanized wire to represent piping and some srap sheet to make junction boxes...

I used the corners of a few sprues to simulate exhaust pipes in the top of the wells...

...and closed up the fuselage...

That`s it for tonight, thanks for looking!

Len

p38jl,Jeff thanks for the kind words

B17pilot nice progress ,interior looks great

Len great looking betty,nicely done office

B17Pilot

 

That's why I got a Eduard mask set for mine!

troublemaker66

How`d ya like to hand-mask all that glass?? Took me a while. I didn`t bother souping up the MG`s because they`ll be pretty hard to see once the fuse` is all closed up. Not sure if I`m doing the dorsal gun in the firing or stored position yet.

Len

That's why I got a Eduard mask set for mine!

Thanks Len, it looks like single pieces of tape in the photo.  Looks great.

Jeff

Lt. Zogg

Very nice work guys.  Trey, that is one sweet Italian birdie.  Len, that Betty is coming along nicely.  That masking looks great by the way, what did you use, tape, BMF? 

Jeff

Very nice work guys.  Trey, that is one sweet Italian birdie.  Len, that Betty is coming along nicely.  That masking looks great by the way, what did you use, tape, BMF? 

Jeff

...Forgot to post a couple...

How`d ya like to hand-mask all that glass?? Took me a while. I didn`t bother souping up the MG`s because they`ll be pretty hard to see once the fuse` is all closed up. Not sure if I`m doing the dorsal gun in the firing or stored position yet.

Len

Hey All,

Got the innards of my Betty pretty much done and ready to be closed up.

Here`s a few WIP`s...

I know...there dark photos...sorry...above is the bomb site and nose section.

Below..different view of same...

Office...

Tail section and cannon...

I used a PE set and if you look you can see the ammo rack and foot extension.

Thanks for looking,

Len

OK, OK! the cockpit is done.  Time to weather it just a bit and then I can close up the fuselodge

PE set added:

Painted and ready for some weathering:

Has I plan on beating this plane up, I will be beating the cockpit up pretty badly

Trey,, very sweet build !

Thanks Howard!

Bish

TREY, that is a real beauty. I don't think i have seen one of your builds before, i will try not to miss any more.

Looks sweet TREY!

Howard

Bish thank you!

TREY, that is a real beauty. I don't think i have seen one of your builds before, i will try not to miss any more.

Thanks so much for the kind words B17Pilot ,looking forward to doing another build here before it times out , in the mean time heres one more pic

TREYZX10R - that is one nice bird! Well done! Will have to keep my kit in the box that much longer after this.

For being the first one done, you get another Congrats!

Jbrady thanks, from the excellent builds I've seen you put out you've got nothing to worry about attempting a mottle

Bish thanks,as far as secret tips I do know some use silly putty to give a soft edge mottle cammo which would be excellent for 72 scale .

I finished it up in time for Memorial Day, I know its not an Allied aircraft  but thats not the point of the build. I enjoy doing off the beaten path builds regardless of what side the combatants fought on . By all accounts this Aircraft was well liked by its crews and served with the Lebanese Air Force until 1959 . I hope all had a great Holiday weekend and enjoyed following this build

some 'in flight' shots

thanks for taking the time to look any and all comments welcome,Trey

Its the Italeri 72nd H-6 kit. I would like to do a better job than i did last time. I know in 72nd scale the over spray will be less obvious than in 48th, but i think now i am confident enough with a airbrush to try it free hand. Just woundered if you had any secrets lol.

Trey: Great build so far... maybe I'll work up the courage to do some mottling one day.

Bish I did the green as the overall color first and freehanded the sand splotches. What scale is your He 111?

TREY, hope you don't mind me asking, but in whatr order did you do the camo, and did you mask or freehand. I have a He 111 to build which is going to be in a similar scheme, except green splotchs on sand. I did the same kit years ago, it got ruined so i am replacing it. I sprayed it green then applied small blobs of putty as a mask and painted the yellow on top. But it don't look half as good as yours does. Just trying to pick up some tips before i re do the kit.

B17Pilot thanks, it was'nt too time consuming compared to some of the Luftwaffe subjects I've done

Bish thanks appreciate the kind words

I'm almost there,got the decals done next a little weathering

TREY, lovely camo job, this is looking very nice indeed.