The unOFFICIAL 2011/20012 Veteran's Group Build

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..

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

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

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?

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!

Thanks Ken. All set on the front page.

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

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?

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

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.

We'll all keep him in our prayers Rob! 

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.

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" .

First off, a very big public Thank You to Rob and 1sgt. Between what you two sent me in pics and the load plan scans I am set.  Great Stuff! 

Shell, that last diagram also is most appreciated. I have the Italeri kit and that diagram is not from there. It does not even invlude a mattock head in the kit. looks like I will be buying another Academy accesory set for the pioneer tools... LOL! The Italeri ones are incomplete and just too anemic. No progress to report today on my track. What little bench time I put in was spent on another project  that I intend to finish by Saturday morning at the absolute latest so I can take it to AMPS Chapter meeting in the afternoon.

 I think yours is the AFV kit ? Here's the layout from the Italeri kit .

Yes, and that looks like the tankers bar behind the drivers hatch... That helps. Thank you Shell.

I've been on so many sites i cant find which one now ..................but i did save it .My mistake , the shovel is on the glacis .

Can you link me to what you found? Yes, the shovel is on the glacis just over the engine hatch. The mattock dis-assembles for stowage with the handle and head beaing stowed and strapped down seperately. Somewhere on the rear deck. I just found a drawing showing the sledge and mattock head/handle, but pics are the hard evidence I want.

Mattock is on the rear deck isnt it ? I found a 3/4 view diagram of the front deck with the shovel up there .

Ys I found one additional photo a few minutes ago that partially shows the mattock handle, but its not a good angle to show proper location...

Stik , Rob gave you the info you needed then , good . I've been looking on the net but with not much success on the deck stowage .

That is exactly what I need!!! Aside from the axe and shovel, I have no photo reference for placement.

Duh, I had a BFO and just remembered I have the Verlinden Warmachines #9 that covers the Vulcan. On page 5 it has a couple of photos showing the pioneer tools strapped in place.

That would be awsome if it was there. Thank you sir. Very much appreciated.

I might have a CD ROM collection that has M113 FOV maintenance manuals. I do not know if it would include the M163 since it went out of service around the mid 90s, but I can check.

I loooooooooove the Vulcan!  It makes an awesome anti-personnel weapon!  Just ask the Iranians how well the worked when the Iraqis used them again their "human wave" attacks.  Depress the gun 5 degrees and let 'er rip!! 

Well YouTube was a strike out. Nothing useful to me there. I am ccurious how acurate that Academy Vulcan Tracktop deck is. Based on the one pic I have found I know the Axe stowage is not right, and the mattock head and handle stowage appear to get in the way of the hatch operation. Oh I wish I had a time machine to take my digital camera back 25 years...

Thanks for the suggestions Shell

Try this from armorama

http://armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=181598&page=1

I looked there and saw some good video's but i'm not sure what you need .