The unOFFICIAL 2011/20012 Veteran's Group Build

We'll all keep him in our prayers Rob! 

Shellback

Stik , i see what you meant in the above post . I looked at the kit parts and like you said there is no mattock in there . I stole the the M168 from it and never looked at the rest of the kit .

This is where the Vulcan 20 mm ended up at , a Dragon 1/35th "Defender 500 " . It was a fun" what if" .

 

 

Crazy, Shell.

Well, Stik, I bit the bullet (maybe several) and ordered my TF-102 C & H conversion kit.  Scares me to death but I guess I'm committed now.  Hopefully I can get it completed successfully for your GB, so put me on the list, please. 

Ken

Ok Ken, your choie is added to the roster. What is the base kit of the F-102 you are using, scale and maker?

The F-102 is an old Monogram 1:48.

Ken

Thanks Ken. All set on the front page.

Hi Stik, 

Would you mind if I join this group build? Technically I'm not a veteran, and technically I haven't even served any active duty time yet. I just enlisted on Sept 14th in the New Jersey Air National Guard and am a member of the 177th Fighter Wing. I've participated in 4 drills as a Student Flight member and I should be leaving in February for basic military training down in Lackland AFB, San Antonio Texas. After that, I'll go to tech school at Shepperd AFB to learn Aircraft Armament systems to become a weapons loader for the F-16s here in Jersey. 

I recently purchased Academy's boxing of the F-16A/C and I should be able to complete it by the time I leave for BMT. This is the kit and I can gladly start it if you'll have me....

Thanks!

Well, ive made some progress on the venerable dak.

NZ3551 was the VIP aircraft and had a VIP toilet and a kitchenette in the rear of the aircraft. (Further back was a can toilet for the crew) Heres my progress so far.

Next question, how do i make it look like wood? Its a varnished natural pine i think.

Like this

.

Any advice?

Not much progress during this past week, stowage basket is about 80% done in wire, thats all.  still need to finish the mesh on the bottom and trim the side along the top.

My big breakthough was calling in a favor and getting some interior access to a local M60A3 gate guard.  Rear grill doors were not welded shut, just bolted, 1/2" breakerbar and a 1-1/8 socket and I was in.  Took over 60 pictures.  The only downside is I now realize I've got a lot of detail to add to this wide open backend now.

More turret work after mid week, hope to post more before the weekend.

Gary

Nice work on the bustle rack 60 pics of the engine compartment?! You dont leave anything out do you?

Rob Gronovius

My stepson, Matthew (I became his dad when he was a year and a half old and am the only dad he's known), heads downrange to Afghanistan this week. He is (was) stationed in Grafenwöhr and is a supply clerk for an infantry company in the 172nd Brigade. I told him to be safe, not do anything stupid and to listen to his NCOs because they know more than he does.

He's always been a bit of a knucklehead. It's like the old Army saying that you spend 90% of your time on 10% of your soldiers; I spent 90% of my time on one of my six children (this one). But I worry for him because he is still my son, and see the previous sentence.

Wishin' him a "Good Luck and Stay Safe", Rob... And we'll keep you in our prayers as well.. I know exactly what it's like to have a kid downrange too.... And Household Six here can tell ya what it's like to have a kid AND a husband down-range at the same time, so we'll keep your HH Six in mind when we contact Sky Six Actual too..

My first kit will be the USS Intrepid, Revells 1/720 kit in honor of my dad.  I'm about to start winter break so I have 3 weeks of down time.  I need to finish the Munsters living room then I'll start on the Intrepid.  If I finish that with enough time, I'll do one of the F-14 kits I have, since that was the main airplane when I served and we had plenty on board when we went to sea and the ordnance I helped put together went off the catapult on these planes.  I also clearly remember having to walk through the hanger bay with F-14's tied down everywhere and trying to manuever through them and ducking under wings and misjudging and standing back up and smacking my head on the bottom of the wings.

I've collected all that we need for now. Dad is looking for more photos from his time in the service, and he's got some 8mm film mom took from the stands during maneuvers.

If time permits I may add a second build to my list for this GB thanks to Squadron’s sale on AAVs this month.  The tractor shared ramp space with the vehicle I am modeling.  It was what can best be described as a hybrid-P7.  The hull, most of her anyway was an LVTP7 but had the RAM/RS suspension, bowplane, UGWS and EAAK.  It proved too costly to rebuild her, in-house or at the rebuild depot to 7A1 configuration, so she landed the next best fate.  We trucked her up to Edson Range to replace an LVTPX12, the precursor/experimental variant of the P7 that was made floatable and shipped to FL.  The PX12 was used in some air-to-surface missile test and was destroyed but, not before I got the data plate off of her.  The P7 is still used by recruits to learn and practice embark/debark on AAVs during boot camp.

Marked down to $23.99 from $69.99 I could not pass on Hobby Boss’ 1/35 LVTP7, kit HY82409.  Also marked down to $24.99 from $69.99 was Hobby Boss’ 1/35 AAVP7A1 RAM/RS with EAAK, kit HY82416.  Armed with the couple pictures I took of her while on the ramp and two new kits that did not cost an arm and leg I should be able to cobble my own 1/35 hybrid-P7.  I may call in couple favors to go take some new pictures of her too.

Update. I got some woodgrain down. looks good.

Still got a bit more work on the interior to do before i button it up, but were making progress.

So I got a lot done on the F-16. I'm trying to finish it up by Christmas. I also tried to get a decal sheet from Afterburner Decals that had markings for the 177th Fighter Wing but they were apparently out of stock. Hopefully some one replies to my email soon about when they'll be restocked. Any way, this is how she sits now...

The kit doesn't have the best fit, but not the worst either. You can see some seam work that I had to do. I'll try to get a better shot of the 'pit as well. Not much to it...the instrument panel is a decal, which I don't like. I'd prefer the IP to be detailed in the plastic, but that's just me. Pretty much all that is left in construction is wheels and armament, then let the painting begin.

Update...some more action on the F-16 and still haven't heard from Afterburner Decals. Been a little over 2 days so far since I emailed them my inquiry...its a one or two man show over there from what I can see so I'm not losing patience yet. Hopefully they come through for me!

Any how, the meat and potatoes...

The wheel wells. There is some detail but not much and would benefit from some AM parts or scratch building. For the sake of time, I will be doing neither! The pic also shows you a bit of a step I had to correct where the intake connects to the lower fuselage. Fun!

The landing gear struts are attached. These were an interesting conglomeration of tiny parts that the instructions were less than helpful in pointing out their proper placement.

And there it is with the pylons attached for the wingtip and outboard AIM 9's. I also attached the inboard pylons for the drop tanks. The middle pylons will be left off as the instructions call for Mavericks to be attached. However, in my time so far at the base, I've only ever seen the F-16s carrying Sidewiders...practice missiles though they may be....either way, I prefer the look this way.

A couple more fiddly bits and a correction here or there and she's ready to be painted with lots of different shades of gray. Stay tuned.

Oddman, I built the Thunderbirds release of this kit for Weekend Madness II a few years back. (did not finish it in the weekend due to improper planning on my part, but it was done in a week!) It is not a bad kit at all and a simple quick build overall. A great deal for the money. I think that I paid around $14 each for the two (Thunderbird and line bird)  I have. As far as ordinance goes, most pics that I have seen of Mavericks being carried on F-16s are on single rails and not the triple rail racks that thekit comes with. No worries though. 4 AIM-9s with fuel taks sounds like a good load out to me. I filled those pylon holes on mine using plugs made from stretched sprue and sanded flush.

Rob, apologies for my delayed response to your son's deployment overseas. My best wishes for your family's piece of mind and for his safe return after a successful tour.

Stik, I bought this kit from a LHS for $20 which was surprising considering most of their kits are overpriced, IMO. The fit could be a bit better but like you said, its a simple build and has gone together quickly without much of a fuss...and that is the sort of build I appreciate! Nothing like getting frustrated by a hobby that is suppose to be relaxing....

Any how, as far as the Mavericks go, that's why I was leaving them off. One of the Sergeants at the weapons shop on base told me that they find it nearly impossible to mount three bombs on the triple ejector rails any way and so they often only load two bombs a piece. I'll take his word for it. 

Plugging the holes with sprue is a good idea. I've noticed on this kit that all the locator holes are a bit over sized and still a bit visible after you've placed the part. Makes for a little extra work in filling gaps. 

Should be able to paint tomorrow I would guess...we'll see.

See, now you're getting the "insider" info about load outs. $20 for a 1/48 single seat/single engine jet fighter, with full ordinance, (Hasegawa???) is pretty reasonable. Of course I prefer my late 1990s prices of under $15 a pop...

Yes, I'm curious to see how my upcoming military experience will influence my modeling. I agree that $20 for a 48 scale air plane is not bad. Its the Academy kit, and I believe its the first Academy I've experienced. Likewise, I prefer the cheaper models, which is why most of my meager stash is made up of Revell/Monogram kits and older Hasegawa's, Fujimi's, etc, purchased for mere dollars at various shows. On the other hand, you get what you pay for, which means a little bit more work in the end (ie fixing seems, gaps, poor fit, etc) but I'll take it for the price.

Decal update:

Just got off the phone with Scott from Afterburner Decals. He said they sold out almost immediately of both separate sheets of Viper ANG markings! But he may have located a sheet from a distributor that he may be able to track down for me. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Fit the canopy on. Had to do some rearranging in the pit. If you glue the seat in the way it fits naturally, the canopy will not close as the seat will sit too high to allow it to close. I had to lean the seat back in order to get the canopy down. It may be declined at slightly more than a realistic angle but not terribly noticeable. I also had to move the HUD up further on the IP than what the instructions called for. However, the HUD looks nothing like what it looks like in real life. Had I attempted to create a more realistic HUD, it would have sat to high to allow the canopy to close again. You ask why I had to close the canopy? I didn't, I guess. Some builds I prefer to do so, especially ones that I have not spent a great deal of effort detailing the interior. Hence, close the lid...nothing to see here......

Sorry if the pics aren't very clear or detailed. I take my WIP photos with my cell phone as uploading them is quicker as I just email them straight to my Photobucket account. When she's finished, I'll use an actual camera.

Thanks,

Keep up the good work, Jon.  I've barely got my start out of the box.  Good luck with your Basic Training.  Are you going full time with the ANG afterwards?  I did that years ago (many yrs ago) after USAF time and it was a great experience.  BTW, I like your avatar.

Ken

Thanks Ken! This is the steadiest I've worked on a model all year. I guess the fact that its going to be a gift is motivating me a bit more. I forgot how much fun modeling was for a while! 

I would love to be full time in the ANG as soon as a spot opens up that I can take. I'd love to get out of this cubicle if  I can. What did you do in the USAF/ANG? 

Radio/Nav systems technician, AFSC 30170 - primarily fighter aircraft.

Ken

Stik,  looks like my TF-102 C&H conversion kit is a little slow shipping, so I'd like to add another build for now.  Please add a 1/48 Hasagawa P-51D to my list.  I've got her out of the box and just getting started.  Also, unless we get some really nice weather, I probably won't get either completed and painted until it warms up here next spring, but I'll post progress in the meantime.  Thanks,

Ken

Ok Ken, you are updated.

No progress reports from me here. I have been under the weather for the past few days and have not felt up to any bench time.

stikpusher

No progress reports from me here. I have been under the weather for the past few days and have not felt up to any bench time.

That makes two of us....get well soon Stik!

I got a stomach bug... What hit you Oddman?