I've always been amazed at just what a honkin' big aircraft the Lightning was. Great work as usual so far Casper!

Well, I did start work on the P-47. Filled in the corrigated bottom of the cockpit that Hasegawa supplies. My aircraft is a P-47D28 and Republic started using a plain flat floorboard with the D27. The rest of the cockpit is slowly coming along.

Welp, sad news. Had a meeting with the builder at the new house today, and it looks like they're planning to be done by the end of October...in addition to moving up the packing/repairs/etc timetable, I did some quick calculations and figured that'd catch me midway through the Stang Bang. So it looks like I'll be holding off on that until after the move.

On the good news front, it'll probably mean another entry here - probably P-47, either a Razorback or Academy's "N".

And...the Mustang's still stalled out waiting on its nose masks.

This almost used as much black paint as my Blackbird!

Next I'll spray some various shades of gray on different panels to get some variation before the Alclad is set down.

Cheers

Casper that thing is HUGE !!!! Let me ask, did you have to use a wide angle lens for those pictures ??

Seriously, lookin good there guy

Casper - WOW! And I thought 1/32 Jugs were hefty beasts!

Casper,

Wow, that's mighty BIG! You'll need a display case just for that

It's been a really busy week. No time to do anything on the Lightning. Finally got the tail fin and the wings together.

Tried to get a comparison shot of how big this thing is in my hand but could not stretch my arm further enough away to get it all in the shot.

...but I bet you get the idea.

Cheers

Vetteman: Thanks, they're at least 50% - maybe more. They're all assembled but I fumbled on the NM. I sanded the P-35 down and repainted it with what I've picked up here. I'm very happy with the results and hopefully will post her over on the aircraft forum this weekend.

Well, If you would please put me down with a 1/48th Hasegawa P-47D. I checked the box last night and I have everything I need to start. Progress may be slow at first as I try to finish off some old stuff. If you don't mind I can post the photos of the old stuff as I finish them but if I finish the P-47 that will meet the rules right?

Doogs LOL catchy title you have come up with for your twin Mustang build, its a build I will be wanting to follow closely

Gamera your hanger queens are 50% finished huh ? Well I just dont feel good saying you cant join us with them. What I have done in the past to allow builds like yours was create another category for them, maybe one called " False Starts or Hanger Queens sumpthin like that. So if no one objects a new category being added and you wish to join us we will make it happen.

Redraider56 lookin forward to seeing your build with NMF on it

Had a little setback.  Humidity prevented from painting today, but the forecast for tomorrow looks much better

Model Geek: Wow the B-47 looks tremendous! To me white and NM seem like the most difficult paint to get a good nice coat on and you did a flawless job on both.

Doogs: Love what you've done with the P-51 so far. Would love to see your Twinstang build if you decide to go though with it. Though I am scared it will tempt me to run out and pick up one of those new 1/32nd P-51s myself.

Vetteman and folks: I had been thinking about jumping in here at some point but I've pulled out a couple of NM builds I'd screwed up several years ago before I joined this forum. They're too far along (over 50%) done to drop in here but I've been applying what I've learned here to finishing them. I'm almost done with a Hobbycraft P-35 and when finished will restart a Tamiya P-51 and Academy B-17. Will be posting them over on the aircraft forum when they're done.

Thanks for the help folks!!!

Doogs, thanks and by the way very nice blog you have there! I took a few minutes to peruse while at the office. I definitely check it out from home. I could use the photogarphy tips for sure.

FInally got the gloss black down on the Mustang today.  I'll buff it out with some Micro-mesh pads tonight and then shoot the Alclad tomorrow!

Canopy is still giving me a bunch of fits but it shouldnt hamper the painting

vetteman42

Doogs I didnt know youy were planning a double large Mustang build and side by side no less Are you gonna do them for the group ? 

As to your querry " What am I thinking"  It seems some have a strange idea of what is fun and entertaining, we modelers border on the bizzare at times I would say. The good side is when our fun turns out well it can be eye popping.

Kermit I think your use of semigloss was spot on buddy, makes it look inbetween a beat up used 17 and a fully restored polished one. To be honest its the look I  prefur to see in a B-17.  Just my humble opinion for what its worth.

Don't know if I'm going to do them for the group yet, or if I'm going to do them as a standalone WIP. Those have been pretty fun in the past, and I figure the new Tamiya 'Stang is significant enough that it might warrant it.

That...and then I could come up with some pseudo-inappropriate thread title like "Stang Bang"

Also have to agree with the beat-upedness look, particularly with WWII birds. I'm honestly probably going to gloss my P-51 for decals, and then semi-matte it for the finish. If you look at historic pics of Petie 2nd, well, it sure wasn't a showroom shiny aircraft and actually looked very flat (just compare to the drop tanks)

Also have to figure out how I want to mask the NMF vents on the blue nose. I'm thinking about making a rubbing with a pencil, then turning that into a tape mask.

Doogs I didnt know youy were planning a double large Mustang build and side by side no less Are you gonna do them for the group ? 

As to your querry " What am I thinking"  It seems some have a strange idea of what is fun and entertaining, we modelers border on the bizzare at times I would say. The good side is when our fun turns out well it can be eye popping.

Kermit I think your use of semigloss was spot on buddy, makes it look inbetween a beat up used 17 and a fully restored polished one. To be honest its the look I  prefur to see in a B-17.  Just my humble opinion for what its worth.

Guys,

Thank you all for your comments. I am very pleased with my model and happy that y'all folks over yonder seem to like it too (i loved the DANG comment especially LOL). It was such a delight to build... If i were to do one again i would change the paint sequence though.... During the entire build i was terrified my masking would tear off the Talon, which thank god never happened.

It might have been wiser to spray it grey/ od first....

Also due to this painting sequence i was forced to use a semi gloss coat on top of the NMF (most revell paints i use are matte in nature) wich took away some of the shinyness...

Anyways... she sits on the shelf now being pretty and once i get my HE111 for my own GB underway i will start thinking about the trumpy Wildcat

Doogs,

I am absolutely sure you will pull off a few gorgeous stangs, regardless of brand. I have seen experienced modelers do magic on monogram oldies and less experienced modelers scr*wing up high dollar kits stuffed with PE and resin To be honest i would count you towards the former group....

Just my words of encouragement there They tell me i am positive and uplifting LOL

Richard

vetteman42

Doogs I really really like the effect you have created on those panel lines and rivets. This is gonna be a sweet build man. Keep up the great work. Oh and I too can not wait to see what you do with the BIG P-51 when you build it.

You've read that it's going to be double trouble, right? I'm planning a double-WIP of the Tamiya 'Stang and the old Hasegawa/Minicraft kit. Both to marvel in the amazingness of the Tamiya, and to prove that the old Hasegawa that I scored for something like $20 can still be made pretty. 

Dear god what am I thinking?

Doogs I really really like the effect you have created on those panel lines and rivets. This is gonna be a sweet build man. Keep up the great work. Oh and I too can not wait to see what you do with the BIG P-51 when you build it.

CallSignOwl your second offering is now listed on the front page and I am sure we all welcome you back tot he shiney side.

Kermit and Model Geek the front page has been updated with your completed builds, very well done gentleman.

Doogs - That NMF is awesome!

Kermit - Great looking B-17!

Model Geek - Fantastic B-47!

Must finish other projects before starting P-47, must finish other projects before starting P-47, must finish.....

Hey vetteman, I found another kit to enter!

I will build Hagegawa/Minicraft's P-51D in 1/72 scale. This is one I plan to build in the dorms, so It wont pop up for a while. Just letting you know, It will also be a crossover with my Odd Animals Group Build.

OWL

model geek - that B-47 looks fantastic! I swear if you shot that on a flatter background (i.e. no ridges in the cloth, etc), you could easily pass that sucker off for 1/72nd!

Vetteman,

Thanks. The 1/144 isn't as difficult on this aircraft/kit as you might imagine. There are really not any fiddly parts to deal with and as I said the fit is really good. I definitely recommend this kit if you're looking for a B-47 that doesn't take up too much display space.

I did omit the painting details. I started with a primer coat. This was following by Model Master Insigna White. The areas to remain white were masked and I sprayed Alcald II Aluminum over the entire plane. I then masked and painted selected areas with Alclad II dull aluminum and Model Master brunt metal metalizer.

vetteman42

Doogs you have succeeded in turning an utter tragedy into a startling success  I couldn't have pulled off a save like yours on a bet. Well done sir.

Thank you sir!

Masked and sprayed the magnesium tonight, so the NMF is DONE! Gotta say, I can't wait to apply this stuff to Tamiya's new XL 'Stang (arrives Wednesday!)

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! you all have been very busy I see

Doogs you have succeeded in turning an utter tragedy into a startling success  I couldn't have pulled off a save like yours on a bet. Well done sir.

Casper ahhhhh the trials and tribulations of modeling, aint they a blast ? And we must over come them one and all to create a cool finished build. One must consider all those little evil gremlins we modelers have to contend with after careful dry fitting and sanding and filing and fitting again. That's when the little devils strike, bondlines, paint thickness, ambient temperatures and humidity, the way one holds their mouth when glue is applied, the list goes on and on. However sir, it appears you have them caged up and in the closet for now, lookin good so far. and big too geeze.

Kermit what can I say man, sweet B-17 man !!! Nice smooth paint, love the markings you have chosen, and all the detail even that that cant be seen. And attention to said detail adds up to a fantastic build. You have done both the B-17 and the kit justice my friend.

Model Geek the Stratojet has always been my favorite among the large jets. You sir have built a stunning example, very smooth paint job too BTW. Now I have to admit when I saw your finished pictures I thought it was a 1/72 scale or maybe (GULP) 1/48, but then I remembered its in 1/144 and all I can say is wow. I mean  OMG howd you do such a fine job of it in that small a scale man ? I am truely impressed.

Guys I will update the front page in the morning with the finished builds.

Doogs - Great recovery! The NMF looks awesome.

Kermit - Wow! Now I really want that kit.

Casper - Ligthning is coming along. Looking forward to seeing her all painted up.

As for me the B-47 is finished. As a said a couple of days ago the camera was out of commission after my initial WIP photos. But honestly there's not alot to the kit. All that was left to do was paint it. It's a nice kit, especially for the $13 price tag. Great kit, nice detail. The only down side are the decals which are so so. Anyway here's some pics.

Casper: As usual great job on the cockpit, love how she's turning out so far.

Kermit: DANG!!! Fantastic looking B-17. Love everything about it esp the patched together mixture of NM and OD/neutral grey scheme. I have to pick up one of these new kits. Still have a half finished Academy B-17 I really need to finish though.

Doogs: Hate it when paint does krap like that. I never could get an even base coat till I used Testor's Model Master acrylic gloss black. Think you've solved the problem though- what you've got so far looks great.

Still have to mask and spray Magnesium for the darker panels near the exhaust stacks, but other than that, the metal finish is done!

The fuselage is Alclad II Airframe Aluminum, with Aluminum and Duraluminum used on top, sprayed in the center of the panels. Since the AA is semi-transparent and over black, this basically acts like shading. I'd read about the technique, but have never been able to try it. So far, so good!

Richard - lovely Fort! If I built 1/72nd I'd be all about that kit, especially seeing the job you've done on it!

kermit

Doogs,

Lovely wings. I like how the underlying krylon shines through all "streaky" like that. You used different shades during the preshading? Must try that out... (*note to self*)

Well, I stripped the Krylon and went with Alclad primer, then Tamiya gloss black. I used the same mix I used for the port wing on my P-47 - 3 parts X-1, 1 part X-22 (gloss clear), thinned with Mr. Leveling Thinner. 

I think the streaks came both from my polishing with the micro-mesh pads and the way I airbrushed the aluminum. I sprayed in the direction of airflow, and took a light touch, and when I noticed the streaking I just kind of went with it. Will save me a lot of time later on, that's for sure!

lovey fortress kermit!!! 

Doogs,

Lovely wings. I like how the underlying krylon shines through all "streaky" like that. You used different shades during the preshading? Must try that out... (*note to self*)

Well ladies and gentlemen. Little Miss Mischief is ready to go bomb some german factories Took me far longer than suspected but that was not the kits fault in any way. This is currently and with conviction the best B17 in 1/72 scale and might i add very gently priced as well.

Some pics:

Closer in:

And one for added athmosphere in sepia tone:

This is without any doubt one of those kits where you decide on doing another one someday after you just finished it. Thank each and everyone of you for your comments and support during my build. It was every bit the painting/ masking challenge i expected it to be but BOY was it fun

Richard