AIRCRAFT - USMC Group Build (ends 7/30/04)

Gary you need to fix the listing. You still have the F/A-18C model As a Chippy Ho release. That is from a Navy squadron. I have to figure out were to get my hands on a set of Marine Corps decals I LIKE for the C model. I have only seen one set i really like but I want some more experience before I use that set. I wish I had the set from P26 from Hasegawa but I don't.

The kit is the Chippy Ho release but I am not able to paint it like that. As this is a USMC not a USN group build. Sorry for the confusion.

jimz,
Just keep at it & don't get discouraged. Before you know it, they're done. Good Luck!

I am only working on my first five models right now so I am not getting too picky. I will in time, when money is no longer this much of a problem. I just want to get something done. That is my current motto.

Did some more work on the cockpit today and sealed the top and bottom of the fueselage. Now the next step is to sand and do the final assemblies before painting. Then i will do some more touch up work on the C model and paint them at the same time. Hope to paint the aluminum finish by next Sunday and no later. Course I have said that one before.

jimz,
Good Luck!! I hope that everything goes well for you. By the way, what do you do to get rid of the seams in your intakes? I've thought about maybe buying the Seamless Suckers parts, but I don't want to spend too much money on any one kit. BUUUUUT, my fingers are always way too big to get in an intake to sand away a seam.

kik36,
Again, thanks for the kind words. It's ALWAYS great to be a Marine!! I was a sergeant when I got out in July of 1995, after spending 11.5 years in. I was a 6482 Deceptive Electronic Countermeasures tech, and was also a CDI & shop supervisor. At one time, I was the NCOIC of Work Center 640 (a GYSGT billet), but that was during Desert Shield when just about everyone else in the shop was sent overseas (I eventually went over there). I didn't initially go because I was in a school at NAS Oceana, and missed out on the all the fun. Just bad timing I guess. Not that I was wanting a war to happen.....
And I whole-heartedly agree with you on the Marines - I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the Corps. I credit the Corps with everything I know about my job, and, in some aspects, my life. Shoot, I'm starting to sound like a recruiter now. Anyway, I hope everything goes well for you at the dentist. Get 'em all pulled and get dentures!!

Gary I too would like to thank you for starting this GB. While I was unable to serve due to health reasons. I have always wanted too. But by starting this GB you have inspired me to get my projects rolling.

I worked on the F/A-18A yesterday. I airbrushed and started painting the cockpit panels. The night before I assemble the engine intakes hope to finish the cockpit today and have the A assembled by next weekend. Gary I go for my DL this thursday. Cant wait. Wish me luck.

6323 Avionics Technician on the CH-53E for four years....got out as a corporal, CDI (Collateral Duty Inspector...I inspected everyone's work, and signed off the birds for flight), and a shop supervisor for night crew!!! Now I am an avionics tech on General Aviation birds such as Cessna, Beechcraft, Piper, and Mooney....and of course the occasional P-51, helicopter, and other various warbirds!!! To say the Corps did not play an important part in my life would be silly, as they trained me for my career, and I'll never be able to repay them!!! Other than showing my pride!!! Semper FI!!!

kik36,

You are VERY MUCH Welcome!! I really appreciate the kind comments. What was your MOS while you were in the Corps? Hope you get to feeling better. Semper Fi!!

Hey Gary, I just wanted to personally thank you for starting this Group Build!!! I was a part of Marine Corps Aviation, and I have learned more about it participating in this build, than I ever did whilst I was in the Marines!!! Thank you, and I look forward to seeing everyone's pics July 30!!!!! I sure hope you all participate in my group build when I think of one!!! You all are a very wonderful group!!!! Cheers!!! (And NO, I haven't had THAT much Vodka!!!!)

kik36,
I hope everything gets better for you. I know how you feel, though. I've had similar experiences with my teeth. My solution to teeth is to just have them all pulled, and then get false teeth. Seems to me that dentures would be a lot less trouble than real teeth, but my dentist thinks that I'm crazy for even thinking something like that.............. Something about taking food from his family's mouths.

Looking forward to seeing that patch, by the way. VMF-532 is now VMA-532, if they haven't been disbanded. I don't think the USMC has any fighter-only squadrons anymore. All the gun-squadrons are based on either attack or fighter-attack aircraft, so the designations are gonna be either VMA (V=fixed wing, M=Marine, A=Attack), or VMFA (F=Fighter). Of course, this excludes the helo squadrons, and anything else that doesn't fly a Hornet or Harrier (does this sound right, Sergeant Major?).

Lufberry,
I am looking forward to seeing your Phantom II. I had the chance today to get a Tamiya 1/32 F-4J with USMC markings for $60, but had to pass on it, as I already have the Revell 1/32 F-4E, and haven't even started on it yet. Oh well. Maybe if I wait a little longer, I can find one a little cheaper.

wibhi2,
I am SO looking forward to building the Harrier!! As a matter of fact, as soon as I get off of this computer tonight, I'm gonna start doing some test-fitting. I hope that you're having great luck with your four Harriers. You've almost got enough for a squadron!!

Good luck to everyone!! Semper Fi!!

Amoxicillin, and I was on Vicodin for the pain, but they stopped working a long time ago, now I'm on Vodka Chasers!!!! LOL It's partially my fault, my dentist is out of town until Mon, and I didn't want the other hack working on my teeth yesterday....I kinda regret not doing it yesterday, but the other guy really is a hack, and pretty jerky....I hope he prescribed the right meds....unless he was a jerk about that too!!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by kik36 I haven't lost interest Gary, just no progress.....I've had two infected teeth since Wednesday.....the dentist determined that they were too infected to do emergency Root Canals until Monday....Even though I'm on pain medication, It has been throbbing nonstop.....so I haven't been able to do much in the modeling area if you know what I mean. I tell you what though, I'm looking forward to those Root Canals, and my Wisdom Tooth is getting yanked at the same time....I gotta believe that it will hurt a heck of a lot less than I'm hurting now!!!!

Heath,

I told my dentist about your condition yesterday and he said it is possible to do a root canal in your condition. Come on up here to the Bay area and go see him, I think your dentist has been spending too much time playing with the NOS.

I assume you are on Penicillin V also correct?

Mike

It will kik36, it will. depending on your dentist - you should be feeling like your old self within a day after the work.

No progress as of late. Work. I should be able to spend some time sanding on the morrow.

Bored? Not bloody likely. I've got 3 great kits going and a fourth on the way. Gary, you should have alot of fun with that harrier kit.

Haven't lost interest either.

Tonight I got the Sidewinders installed on their rails, and the rails installed on their pylons.

Congrats, Gary, on finishing the kit so quickly -- especially after being out of town for a while. My builds tend to take a while because I only take (or only get) two to three hours a week to model. Still, I'm pretty pleased with the result.

Regards,

Forgot to mention, that while I'm pretty much bed ridden, I've been researching like crazy the squadron I'd like to model the F4U-2 Squadron after....VMF(N)-532....And it has been extremely hard coming up with paint schemes, and photos....but I have found a very exciting item in my search....a squadron patch!!!! So, I will be sharing that with the group as well, as I'll be getting it this week!!!! Score one for me!!!!

I haven't lost interest Gary, just no progress.....I've had two infected teeth since Wednesday.....the dentist determined that they were too infected to do emergency Root Canals until Monday....Even though I'm on pain medication, It has been throbbing nonstop.....so I haven't been able to do much in the modeling area if you know what I mean. I tell you what though, I'm looking forward to those Root Canals, and my Wisdom Tooth is getting yanked at the same time....I gotta believe that it will hurt a heck of a lot less than I'm hurting now!!!!

Well, guys, I finally finished my F7F-3N, and, to say the least, I'm not particularly proud of it. It wound up being a tail-sitter, even after all of the weight that I added to the nose. Plus, I attempted to add exhaust stains to the engine nacelles (my feeble first attempt at weathering), and you can tell that I ATTEMPTED to add the stains. It looked awful. But, a photo of it will still be posted on 30 July.

Based on the above comments, I've decided to build another model for the Group Build. I finally got my hands on the new Hasegawa AV-8B Harrier II Plus today (6 March 2004), and I plan on having it ready for 30 July as well. The cost is very reasonable ($25), and, judging from the parts in the box, it looks great!! I'm excited about building it. The decals look great as well. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Speaking of which, I've noticed that no one has posted to the Group Build since 4 March (except for this one). I hope no one has become bored with this. Look forward to seeing everyone's pride and joy here soon!!

Thier newest BII+, I saw recently that they have another one -a BII - plus a little known and very cute (did I just say cute?) egg shaped harrier, which I saw on ebay.

wibhi2,

Which of your Harriers is the Hasegawa kit?

Regards,

I got mine the other day and have started it. It's a beautiful looking kit. The fuselage is an
8 piece affair with lots of room on the inside to apply glue in a little trough - I happen to like gluing from the inside when possible. Like the RM kits the front wheel bay doors are moulded closed, but unlike the RM kits, there is no front wheel bay.

I question if the ejection seat really needs to be 7pieces - and no harnesses are supplied (I have no idea how I am gonning to make those as of yet). The cockpit is a bit sparse in comparrison to the black box set (Okay, I was spoiled here) and decals are provided for the instrument and switch panels which could be integrated into your painting techniques. Also like the RM kit the side walls are rudimentry. From what I've seen of the clear parts, be prepared to polish out the seems. The nozzles also look like they are going to be problematic with seams, but the seams in the interior vanes may be hidden by the small (scale) opening apperatures.

Other than that at this point, I am very happy with this kit with hasegawa's finely engraved panel lines and wonderful tight joints. I think that it will build itself into a beautiful replica as far as I can tell.

Folks,

You can now peruse the first posting in this group build for the project listing. Great idea, jimz66. I shoulda thought of that. Oh well. It's my first group build......I'm learning.

My IPMS modeling club (IPMS/Roscoe Turner Indianapolis) is having our annual contest/show this coming weekend ( 6 March 2004), so, if you're in or near the area, please stop by. It's at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel on the east side of Indy at I-465 and Pendleton Pike. All day long. Lots of VENDORS!!!!!!! Hopefully, I'll be able to get the new Hasegawa 1/48 AV-8B Harrier II this weekend. I've got four of the Revell-Monogram versions. Gotta get the Hasegawa kit now.

My F7F-3N hasn't made any progress since my last posting. BUT, it'll be ready by 30 July..................

I finally got my glue today so I can get started either this or next weekend and keep going on this group build. I have been working on the NMF stuff this week. So I have been doing something. Hope all is well in the world of the USMC GB. Good Luck everyone.

Hi all,

I managed to do a little more work last night. I sanded the seams off the centerline fuel tank. I hope I'll be able to prime parts tonight.

Regards,

All parts recieved. Cover me, I'm goin' in.

Hi all,

It looks like things are going really well for most of you.

I managed to steal about an hour this weekend to glue together the centerline fuel tank, wipe down my model to get rid of excess decal setting solvent, and put one more coat of Future floor wax on the Phantom.

I'm undecided as to whether I'll try to put a dull, or semi-dull coat on the plane as a final coat. I like the look of the clean/glossy plane, and I can even justify it based on the history I know ofthe plane I'm modeling.

More to the point, I don't think I'm ready to take my first crack at weathering on this plane. I want to wrap up the build, make the base, and paint the figures. Then I'll be done.

Regards,

lookin' cool . can't wait to see it completely painted and weathered (?).

"I've decided on the AMT 1/48th Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat nightfighter. Has anyone else built this kit? So far, my experience with it isn't so great, BUT, I have tackled tougher kits. What's your opinion of it?"

I am currently building this kit. It goes together well, but do yourself a few favors.

1. Dump the plastic-eating "rubber" tires in the kit. Get the cast resin set.

2. Eduard makes a great photo etch set for the engines as well.

3. Look for detail sets for the interior as well (seat belts,etc)

4. Try try try, to find a different set of decals fo rthis kit. The kit supplied set are about as thick as pancakes!

That's about it from me.

--Jon

Here's some progress pics of my F4U cockpit....I've been adding the PE this weekend. I'm not going to paint it just yet...my younger brother comes by once a month, and last time he was here, he expressed his curiosity about the resin and PE pieces. I figured it would be easier for him to see the pieces....as well as some people here as well....so for those who wonder...I painted everything zinc chromate, so that when I sand things off, I can see where I need to add the PE....and it also acts as a primer as well. So the zinc chromate, and the gray are the original kit pieces, the silver pieces are the PE pieces, the white is some styrene I had to add, and the only thing resin is the seat.


Here's the full cockpit set, notice the cat hair...even taking pics I have to deal with it!!! See what I have to put up with!!



The white piece in the upper right portion is a piece of styrene I used to replace an original that I accidentally sanded off...oops



Here's that awesome resin seat by Ultracast...but I still added a PE lever on the side.

On to Phase 2....engine and fuselage PE!!!

I've have used some Superscale decals before and so far, so good. But in the the shop they had some that were pretty old and yellow, and some looked brand new. But thanks for the warning, I will be carefull.

And so far I'm pretty happy with what I've bought and I won't get beaten up by the wife as well! I'm still young and happily unmarried

stoomfluit,
Caution on the Superscale decals! I use them alot. I don't know about anybody else but I have found some are old and dry. They sometimes come apart when you try to apply them. A good idea to have some Microsol decal film on hand just in case.
No need to feel guilty. I can't remember ever leaving a hobby shop with out more stuff than I came for...neither can my wife.
"are you sure you need all that stuff?" "Sure honey. I can't finish my next project without it!" Well...I ain't lyin' to her am I?

Did some shopping this weekend, and came back with more then I had in mind. I've bought myself for my Wildcat (1/72): Eduard detailset and Superscale decals. A Hasegawa SBD Dauntless (1/72) including PE divebrakes and a piece of carrier deck, and Superscale decals. A Fuijmi OA-4m Skyhawk (1/72). An Academy OV-10d Bronco (1/72). A Hasegawa F-4j (1/48) with the Aires cockpit set, some Eduard PE and Aeromaster decals.

I guess I'm lucky that I have to drive half across the country (well, Holland ain't that big, but still...) to get these things. Otherwise I would be doing this kind of shopping every week, and I haven't that much room or money.