Gamera: I'm pretty sure my mom has some circle cutters in her scrap-booking stuff. I'll see if I cant convince her to cut me some various sized discs when I visit home for fall break

the real red baron

imagine that take-off effect on the p-40? i love the way the p-40's landing gear retracts!

where is the dark shark Gamera??

i hope you havent forgotton about our little duel??

Well, she's coming along. I need to find the missing wheel and get the drop tanks done. Seems I keep getting distracted by other stuff.

Promise- soon you'll have a chance to shoot at me.

Owl: Actually I figure something thinner like that - maybe clear blister package plastic would work better, esp for 1/72nd. Cheap as it is you could always make several and only use the one that came out best.

CallSignOWL

A bit more work on the mustang as a brain break after writing a paper the night before (yay procrastination!). All the main assembly is finished, time for paint!

shazam! Paint!

(painted by hand, of course)

CallSignOwl what an awesome idea I am lovin this !!!!!!!!!!

Gamera

Owl: Oh, just wondering about your prop- Trey made this from a used CD jewel case (hope he doesn't mind me posting his photo here):

He shows how he did it about half way down the page here:

/forums/t/140295.aspx?PageIndex=22

Not that I'd ever tell you how to build your model but I think it looks really cool and now I'm hankering to try it myself.  

that is a nice little demo. Do you think, instead of using a CD case which is a bit thick, that clear acetate would be a more acceptable thickness? IN any case, Ill have to wait until I get a compass cutter. I dont think my hands are steady enough to get a perfect circle using a pair of scissors!

imagine that take-off effect on the p-40? i love the way the p-40's landing gear retracts!

where is the dark shark Gamera??

i hope you havent forgotton about our little duel??

Owl: Oh, just wondering about your prop- Trey made this from a used CD jewel case (hope he doesn't mind me posting his photo here):

He shows how he did it about half way down the page here:

/forums/t/140295.aspx?PageIndex=22

Not that I'd ever tell you how to build your model but I think it looks really cool and now I'm hankering to try it myself.  

oh noes, sorry to hear about the parts trouble you guys! I hope you can find the pieces you need soon!

gamera: I really like how the retracting wheels look too. Im glad I thought of that. I dont have any of those PE spinning propellers, or the ability to make a cealr disk, so the prop will be still. ITs spins though, I left that able to happen. Maybe I can get a pic of it spinning....

Owl: Really like how you've done the 'taking off' look on the Pony. I don't think I've seen anyone do the landing gear on an aircraft half-way though retraction so it's a real attention getter. Are you going to try to do the prop so it looks like it's spinning?

MM: I know what you mean, I hate having to pry a part off somehow. Good luck, looking forward to seeing the Tomcat.

Well, lost one of the wheels off the Shark. Somehow something goes missing on every model I do. Still searching for it or guess I'll have to hunt up another in the spare parts drawer the same size.

AArrrrrrggggg!!! Well I had a major set back on my Tomcat. I was having a lot of problems with the resin gun replacement. Well I discovered that the gun is the wrong one!! Now I gotta order the right one and try to get the old one off.

loving that "take-off" effect!

A bit more work on the mustang as a brain break after writing a paper the night before (yay procrastination!). All the main assembly is finished, time for paint!

shazam! Paint!

(painted by hand, of course)

CallSignOWL

I finally got a bit of time between classes to begin working on my next build: a little 1/72 scale P-51.  I decided to make this one be on a desk stand, with an in flight pose. Probably one that is shortly after takeoff, so the flaps will need to be removed. I added detail to the sidewalls, but not much will be seen once the canopy goes on. Oh well....

This Mustang will get an OD/NG scheme, with decals form the spares box. I got this kit second hand at a swap meet and the decals are yellowed and look like they're form the '70s!

I finally got a bit of time between classes to begin working on my next build: a little 1/72 scale P-51.  I decided to make this one be on a desk stand, with an in flight pose. Probably one that is shortly after takeoff, so the flaps will need to be removed. I added detail to the sidewalls, but not much will be seen once the canopy goes on. Oh well....

part of the wing had been broken off, I'll fill that with putty later

I added a bit of weight to the rear of the aircraft because the desk-stand mount had to attach in the rear fuselage, making the plane nose heavy. Here it is balancing on the stand

This Mustang will get an OD/NG scheme, with decals form the spares box. I got this kit second hand at a swap meet and the decals are yellowed and look like they're form the '70s!

68GT: Lookin' good! But then I've always been partial to blue planes

Howard: When I first looked at the top photo I thought maybe you'd wrapped your Bulldog up as a Christmas present- all she needs is a big red bow!

Love how you're doing the ribbing- lots of work but it'll look fantastic when you get it on.

Very cool build.

daddy1

CallSignOWL:

no, because the "kittyhawk" does not fit the requirements because it is a HAWK.

however, I'll bend the rules for a "Flying Tiger"

 

I believe the AVG birds were sometimes referred to as P-40 Tigersharks, because the tiger is a symbol of strength in China while the Japanese ( fishing being one of the main economic industries ) generally viewed the shark as a bad omen. 

Tedious placing all those strips of tape, but , I think it will be just right when all is said and done.

Howard

CallSignOWL

no, because the "kittyhawk" does not fit the requirements because it is a HAWK.

however, I'll bend the rules for a "Flying Tiger"

 With all the filling and sanding on the Bulldog some areas of ribs and stringers have been sanded away. 

To recreate , I'm masking all but the fabric covered areas , then placing strips of mask between the ribs and stringers. Next , I'll lay on a coat of the sanding primer , remove all the mask and lightly sand with an extra fine grit to soften the effect. After that , an overall base coat of flat white ,then color.

Tedious placing all those strips of tape, but , I think it will be just right when all is said and done.

Howard

Nice...

whoo, 68GT. Lookin' good! 

Looks like I'm starting to round the corner on this one.

Thankyou!

no, because the "kittyhawk" does not fit the requirements because it is a HAWK.

however, I'll bend the rules for a "Flying Tiger"

you can put me down for a Academy 1:72 p-40b KITTYhawk. (in flying tigers markings)

CallSignOWL

dont use the plastic glue for breaks like that. The plastic glue makes the plastic soft and bendy. I'd use super glue and just be very careful handling the plane.

dont use the plastic glue for breaks like that. The plastic glue makes the plastic soft and bendy. I'd use super glue and just be very careful handling the plane.

do not trust my opinion its extremely un-proffesional.

i just glue it back on with some styrene.

So I found the piece of strut that came off but I'm not sure how to fix it.  I was thinking drilling it out and then a rod, pin, paper clip but there is not much room and it is thin.  What do you think?

Thanks, OWL, Medic Man & Gamera.

I'll have to try a few of your techniques, Owl- i dont have a paint booth, but i plan on making one, just got to find a spot for it!

I will do a few coats, escpeccially of the white, since i pre-shaded the plane for the first time.

here is where i learn lots of tips and tricks from as well: http://www.modelairplanebuilding.com/

that book looks very helpful I'll probably get that one and another one.

Airbrushing, even just with water! is so much fun!

the real red baron

wheres that XF-85 Goblin, p38jl?

RRB: Excellent advice from Owl and MM. All I'd add is airbrushing is (at least to me) more of an art than a science. Take their advice to heart but you may have to adjust the thinner to paint ratio, spray pressure, etc slightly up or down to get best results. As they said- the best thing is practice, practice, and practice. And don't be shy to try something new, it's best to start with an old scrap model but still if you don't like what you've got on your good model you can always paint over it. I wish more stuff in life offered such an easy 'do-over'.

BTW: I use the blue windshield washer fluid for airbrushing acrylics. It's mostly water with a little alcohol to keep it from freezing. The blue dye doesn't seem to affect the shade of the paint - haven't tried the pink stuff. It's cheap and the water/alcohol mix does a great job on thinning the paint.

Thanks OWL, I knew somebody could give a better answer than me. I'm still learning the airbrush too. Since I just got back into the hobby last year. I've only completed one kit.