Monogram Mafia Group Build

Ok, gotcha both...

Ok Hans I am in with the F-15 and the P-51D, both Monogram in 1/48 scale. I will post the box pictures tomorrow and if its ok I just finished an old 1/48 Monogram F-14A and will post a picture of that also. Its modeled after the one on display at the Ronald Regan Library.

OK, I started on my first build, the 'Vette. As I indicated before, it's Monogram's Corvette ZR-1 original release 1989, Made in U.S.A. Morton Grove, Il

Now before all those in the know hit the roof yelling "There were NO 1989 ZR-1s!!" Actually you are half right. There were no ZR-1s sold to the general public until the 1990 model year, but GM DID make 13 1989 models which remained corporate property.

Now, to the kit. This kit is rather unique, as it is patterned after the 1989 ZR-1 which carried the original interior design for the C-4 which was introduced in the 1984 model year.

The instrument panel had what was to be known as the typical '80s type digital vacuum fluorescent display which driving enthusiasts never really warmed up to, so almost like a fad, they disappeared rapidly in the '90s.

I started by removing the molded-in instruments leaving the 2 square holes and one rectangular one open. I then found a photo of a C-4 cluster all lit up during it's power-on self test, and scaled it down. After a few test prints, and adjustments, I set the printer to highest quality, and printed.

After giving the instrument panel a base of satin black, I laminated the photo paper printed cluster to the back of the panel. Now to detail the rest of the panel......

I also got started on the engine too. It has red wire included for the ignition wires, and black tubing for the heater hoses. I will wire that up as time for installation gets closer.

Thanks for looking, more later..........

Nice work on the Vette.

Here are my two kits.

Cheers

Tony

pppsst... is Monogram spelled wrong on purpose in the line header ??

You gotta fix it on your own post..

my own post ? ... humm..

It was misspelled initially by me, so everyone that used the reply buttons got it the same way...

I went back and, using the edit button, fixed mine... Now if you reply to my posts, it's right, but if you reply to anyone who hasn't fixed theirs, it'll be wrong..

ah.. I see that... ok,, wasnt sure if at first it was spelled wrong on purpose, like it was an attempt at some Mafiaoso type ennunciation.. lol

Like, "Mono-GRAM-a"?

stikpusher

OK, choice for my #2 subject, a 1/48 PCF Swift boat. The re issue by Revell. But its pedigree is stamped inside beneath the deck- Monogram Models, 1967.

 

Ya, that Logo is a dead give-away that it's OLD Monogram, and way befoe they were re-boxing anything, and the "Skill Level 2" stuff on the Revell box is a 1980/90s thing..

kbuzz01

Hans - does this one work?

 

Yepper, it was initially released pre-merger, around 1983.

Also, how about the 1:48 Monogram EA-6B?

Nope, it was a Post-merger kit, 1992..

MKelley

Put me down for the TBD-1 Devastator and P-51D. Photos to follow. When can I display the badge?

1: Done

2: As soon as you cut a part from its sprue and glue it to another one, or start painting a small part while it's still on it... That goes for the rest of you mugs, too... I'm feeling particularly generous on this one, since the response to this group build is so good... 

troublemaker66

Don Hammerleoni,

I would like to have your permission to build the 1973 boxing of the Hurricane and the dreaded F-80C Shooting Star with removeable tail...I know that you are a busy man so I will await your answer...

Make it so...

kg4kpg

Here is my Kingfisher and Stuka anyway.  And I may do a T-6 as well.  All in 1/48 of course.

Of course.. Go..

the Baron

Oh, and please count me in, with the SBD done as an A-24, Philipines, December 1941, and the TBF done as a FAA Tarpon.

Grazie!

Brad aka Al "Da Tooth" Dente

Good choices, both in kits and variants... Plenty of scratch-building to do in those cockpits.. I always like seeing the Grumman "Turkey" in FAA Feathers... Same with a Banshee vs yet another Dauntless..... (Don't forget to get rid of its tailhook...)

HvH,

I found the instructions and the decals for both of my Monogram kits.  I forgot that I keep old/finished instruction manuals and extra decals in an old 1/72 P-47 kit box.  Decals still look pretty good, no yellowing, etc.

Oh and I checked to make sure the F-15C was a legit Monogram kit.  Stamped on the upper half of the wing area is "Copyright - Monogram Models, Inc - Made in U S A"  Pretty sure that validates it as Monogram even after the Revell/Monogram merger, right?

Yeah, you're good to go then, Smitty...

Ok, People, listen up... Keep a bookmark (If you're still TBA on a kit) on Page 4 where the GO/ NO GO list is at the top..

Some Kits have been changed as Stik and I find out about some origins. What was a "GO" may now be a "NO-GO" and vice-versa...

Last nite while we were talking Back-Channel,  he discovered and informed me he came across the info that  the B-24D is a   "GO" ...   Doesn't matter if it's a ProModeler or Monogram, Monogram "Classic", or Revell boxing, it was first releaed in 1983, meaning pre-merger..

Here's the link to the page:

 /forums/t/135482.aspx?PageIndex=4

It's a "Living Document" until 31 March... Some other kits status has changed too, so check your builds..

Also, check the roster on Page One in the first post and make sure I have you listed and listed correctly...

Grazie..

HvH,

Just an FYI, I have both my kits selected:

1/48 F-15C Eagle & 1/48 Mi-24 Hind (Iron Curtain Series)

for update on page 1

Hans Von Hammer ,

My apologies Sir , some family health issue's have come up , so I respectfully withdraw from the Monogram Group Build .

                     John .

Thanks, Hans.  Put me in for the F-102 and I'll see if I can find another.

Ken

Hans von Hammer

 

kbuzz01:

 

Hans - does this one work?

 

 

 

Yepper, it was initially released pre-merger, around 1983.

 

Also, how about the 1:48 Monogram EA-6B?

 

 

 

Nope, it was a Post-merger kit, 1992..

Gentlemen,   Interesting Group build.  I haven't read enough to know the ground rules.  I think I understand the rules for the kits, but what about how they are built?  I assume scratch building is OK.  What about aftermarket?  Limitations or none at all?  Decals.  I'd hate to waste a lot of good time only to paint it up with old brittle decals. Sorry if this has already been established.  I just wanted to find out.  Rick.

Wabashwheels

Gentlemen,   Interesting Group build.  I haven't read enough to know the ground rules.  I think I understand the rules for the kits, but what about how they are built?  I assume scratch building is OK.  What about aftermarket?  Limitations or none at all?  Decals.  I'd hate to waste a lot of good time only to paint it up with old brittle decals. Sorry if this has already been established.  I just wanted to find out.  Rick.

If I may take the floor for a minute.... Hi Wabashwhels, if my reckoning of the group build is right it's this.....

Any kit ORIGINALLY tooled and released by Monogram Models, Inc. is welcome. Re-issues by Revell of these kits is welcome, as long as the kit is basically unchanged from the pre-merger days. All types are welcome, aircraft, ships, helos, autos, it's all good.

Your assumption of scratch building is great, as indeed that is the spirit of this GB, without resorting to lots of aftermarket resin and PE parts to make the kit a real winner, indeed the basic spirit from my point of view is scratch building shows the modeler's ability to make the finished model an attractive product to be proud of. Monogram's kits most of the time just need the few extra touches like this to make them shine.

I would say that aftermarket decals are fine indeed to use on your build, they are the finishing touch to the craftsmanship that REAL modelers add to Monogram's beauties.

And on a side note...... The old war of raised verses recessed panel lines...... to me, a life-long Chrysler auto technician (or Mopar guy).... is as immature as the "My Camaro is better than your Mustang" argument.

Thanks for listening

Wabashwheels

Gentlemen,   Interesting Group build.  I haven't read enough to know the ground rules.  I think I understand the rules for the kits, but what about how they are built?  I assume scratch building is OK.  What about aftermarket?  Limitations or none at all?  Decals.  I'd hate to waste a lot of good time only to paint it up with old brittle decals. Sorry if this has already been established.  I just wanted to find out.  Rick.

Hans will probably be along in a bit to verify, but my understanding is pretty much anything goes as long as it is a real Monogram kit. 

The main point is to show off the fact that inexpensive Monogram kits can stand side by side with high end "Tamigawa" kits whether that is done out of the box, with scratchbuilt enhancements, or the use of aftermarket bits. 

kustommodeler1

Wabashwheels:

Gentlemen,   Interesting Group build.  I haven't read enough to know the ground rules.  I think I understand the rules for the kits, but what about how they are built?  I assume scratch building is OK.  What about aftermarket?  Limitations or none at all?  Decals.  I'd hate to waste a lot of good time only to paint it up with old brittle decals. Sorry if this has already been established.  I just wanted to find out.  Rick.

 

 

If I may take the floor for a minute.... Hi Wabashwhels, if my reckoning of the group build is right it's this.....

 

Any kit ORIGINALLY tooled and released by Monogram Models, Inc. is welcome. Re-issues by Revell of these kits is welcome, as long as the kit is basically unchanged from the pre-merger days. All types are welcome, aircraft, ships, helos, autos, it's all good.

 

Your assumption of scratch building is great, as indeed that is the spirit of this GB, without resorting to lots of aftermarket resin and PE parts to make the kit a real winner, indeed the basic spirit from my point of view is scratch building shows the modeler's ability to make the finished model an attractive product to be proud of. Monogram's kits most of the time just need the few extra touches like this to make them shine.

 

I would say that aftermarket decals are fine indeed to use on your build, they are the finishing touch to the craftsmanship that REAL modelers add to Monogram's beauties.

 

And on a side note...... The old war of raised verses recessed panel lines...... to me, a life-long Chrysler auto technician (or Mopar guy).... is as immature as the "My Camaro is better than your Mustang" argument.

 

Thanks for listening

Helo H-34

Hans Von Hammer ,

My apologies Sir , some family health issue's have come up , so I respectfully withdraw from the Monogram Group Build .

                     John .

Sorry to hear about that... No apologies needed, and I hope the health issues are quickly and sucessfully resolved.. 

Wabashwheels

  I assume scratch building is OK.  What about aftermarket?  Limitations or none at all?  Decals.  I'd hate to waste a lot of good time only to paint it up with old brittle decals.  Rick.

Aftermarket parts, within reason, are ok too, as well decals... Seat-belts and the hardware, wheels/tires, vac-formed canopies, foil chrome strips, stuff like that... The main focus of the build is to show the folks who "poo-poo" Monogram kits what can be acheived with these classic babies, so "AM accordingly"....   Only thing about after-market parts is that major components, like wings, fuselages, car-bodies, tank hulls/turrets, ship hulls, etc., should be the original kit parts, and vacuform or resin upgrades should be kept to a minimum- ie:, no PB4Y-2 vac-form sets to turn the B-24 into a Privateer,  or turning the B-29 into a B-50...   Kit-bashing is ok though, provided both kits are Monogram, like adding the dual .50-cal turret from the Monogram M16 half-track to the M34 2 1/2 truck-bed for a Vietnam-era Gun-truck...

Personally, I'd prefer to see as much scratch-building, or "Creative Gizmology / Imagineering", as possible, but I realize that not everyone is inclined towards that type of detailing, being more comfortable with after-market stuff.. And that's perfectly fine, just don't go to the point where there are more AM parts than Monogram parts...  We wanna build with the cost in mind as well.. Turning a 12-16.00 kit into a 50-80.00 dollar kit defeats the purpose...  I'd say that, as a basic guide-line,  if the cost of your after-market part ideas equal or exceed the cost of the kit, you may want to re-think it... 

Decals are another story... I have no idea what the average cost of decal set are these days, so any amount is ok... However, if you elect to use kit decals, might I suggest that, on the older kits, you use a couple of squirts from a can of Testor's Decal Bonder... That stuff has saved many a set of old kit decals for me, and I swear by it... 

It's designed to be used on homemade ink-jet-printed decals, and works well on old kit ones too.. It has more "flex" than using any clear laquer or enamel or the like, works with some decal setting-solutions too, especially Testor's decal-set, as well as Solvaset, and my personal favorite, plain ol' white vinegar....

Just keep in mind that puts a clear film over the entire sheet, so you have to trim very close to the color...

The old war of raised verses recessed panel lines...... to me, a life-long Chrysler auto technician (or Mopar guy).... is as immature as the "My Camaro is better than your Mustang" argument.

If you have a kit with recessed lines in the majority (not counting control surfaces), it's pretty likely you even aren't building a Monogram kit..

Lot of discussion about rules here. I brought home the few kits I could with paper route money. Didn't much like Monogram kits back in '68 because Renwal, Hawk and Lindberg were cheaper. Even that cool 904 was a slot car body at $ 2.99.

I have been at this post for 3 hours, I keep redacting stuff that I feel all led to why Mono is/ was.

I think that another good thread, or a couple, might be the decade when Strombecker made car kits, Hawk the same with planes, Lindberg the same with ships and Athearn or Marx with railroads.

Oh, and Cox with stinky little engine powered things.

I guess the point is look up, not down. Start with the basis of Monogram. Oh hell where did this start?

Well, the easiest way to stay within the rules to pretend it's 1969 and the only "hobby shops" are the local Five & dime store, grocery store and hardware store, and the only after-market parts are what you can find in those places, lol...