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

Adam,

I just started on my Tamiya P-47 Bubbletop last night (8 Feb 2004), and I can't beleive how well it all fits. It's probably the best-fitting kit I've ever built. I can hardly wait to start on my Tamiya Razorback now!!

How's your group build coming along? You can read about my horrors, I mean, progress in the subject "1/48th AMT F7F-3N Tigercat". I'll never build another one.

Hi all,

This group build was a good idea. Thanks Gary. It's helping to motivate me to put an hour or so in each night. Right now I'm putting decals on the plane. It sure didn't look like there'd be so many when they were on the sheet! Overall it's going pretty well, but I've already placed two major decals slightly off from where they should be.

Part of the problem may be that I'm building a Monogram kit while the decals are really meant for a Hasegawa kit. The differences are minor, but noticable when I'm trying to align a decal with a particular panel line. The other part of the problem is that I'm simply not that good at applying decals yet.

Regards,

Patiance Drew it will come in due time. Hey how often are we supposed to update our progress?

I used to be a big Hasagawa fan but am deffinetly trending towards Tamiya these days. For the money you can't beat the overall quality. My last two complete (the optimum word) WWII builds were the 1/48 Bf-109E and the Spit MKI by Tamiya. Both were a joy to work on. Seems to me that Hasagawa stopped including ordinance with their kits about the time they came out with their ordinance sets. I first noticed it with the 1/48 A-7E. Marketting ploy no doubt. I cannot, however, pass on a Skyhawk kit. I love the Scooter! As the patch used to say, "A-4 Skyhawk, the Professionals Preference."

QUOTE: Originally posted by jimz66 Patience Drew it will come in due time. Hey how often are we supposed to update our progress?

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll tell you, some of those decals are really tiny in 1/72 scale.

I don't think there's any expectation regarding how often one should post progress updates. It seems to me, however, that if we're doing a group build, then we should talk about our builds and maybe post photos.

I know I'm very interested in knowing what others are working on and how it's going.

Regards,

I know there is a post on how to upload photos somewhere in this forum. Can somebody point me in that direction?

Dazed and confused...

Sergent Major must be a Jimmy Buffet fan. Nothing wrong with that.

I painted my exhaust cones and inside today. Futurized the cockpit prior to finish painting and weahtering. Hope to finish cockpit by tomorrow or the day after. Figure it needs some time to dry. No photos yet. I havent been brave enough. I will assemble the cones tonight and weather them tomorrow.

Then I will seal the top and bottom of the fueslage together then start filling, sanding and painting. Post again tomorrow or the day after.

Good luck to all keep us posted.

Sorry all, not much for me to report yet. I did get the sprue trees out and washed in Dawn water, but unfortunately that's about as far as it's gone. I need some paint and such and just haven't had the time as of late.

Folks,

There is no mandatory progress posting. Just whenever you feel like it, if at all, you can post your model's progress. It's entirely up to you. I will reiterate - this group build is for fun. Along the way, you learn a little history. But, the main emphasis is fun. Although, I have to admit, the kit I picked to build AIN'T!! I picked it because I've never built an F7F before, and the AMT kit looked ok.........in the box.

Lufbery,

Thanks for the kind comment. That one line, "The group build was a good idea", made my day. Thank You!!

Sergeant Major,

I love those Scooters, too. I think that, right now, Hasegawa has the best Scooter kits you can buy. I've got a few in my stach. Can't wait to get 'em built. Hey, what do you think of R. Lee Ermey and his show "Mail Call"? My favorite show, with my second favorite Marine hosting it (my FAVORITE Marine is my oldest son ).

How bout now?

Hey Ray, there's something kind of funny about your post.....wherever you post a pic, it asks for my MSN password....the thing just pops up when I come to this page. Same with your profile page....and I'm only getting the red X...no pics???!!!!

The same just happened to me...

Started my SBD-1 last night....have most of the interior fuselage detailing done.... I am trying to figure out what I want to use for the aluminum on the outside. Alclad is kind of tough to work with.....and I am not sure ModelMaster aluminum will hold up to all the masking I'll have to do..... decisions, decisions, decisions.

I am moving right along. i like this group build thing it is making me actually work. I do not usually work at this speed. It's like I have a school assignment or something. Sealed the top and bottom of the fueslage last night. Need to do a little more gluing then filling and sanding. Hope to do all that today.

Hope my models go smoother that my picture process!!

Ray,

Some internet service providers aren't too happy with image-hosting. That's probably what's tripping you up. If you only have a couple of photos, I could put them up for you.

Regards,

Thanks Drew,
These were just a couple test pics so no big deal. I might have to take you up on it later when things get serious though. Until then I'll try a few more times!

Just let me know.

Regards,

Hey Heath,
Are you going to build your F4U out of the box or are you going to get any of those detail kits? I'm wondering if they are worth the added expense or to just go out of the box this first time around.
Anyway, just wondering and if anyone else has any input on the detail kits that would be great. Thanks

Hey James, keeping busy with the family?! LOL I did order some aftermarket parts. I ordered the Eduard Photo-etch kit, an engine kit (though I don't think I'll use it on this kit), and a resin seat and tires.....the only problem is that they are taking forever to get here!!! LOL Oh, and I ordered 2 reference books as well. Hopefully, I'll receive all of those parts soon!!! I did lay down some Zinc Chromate, but other than that not much has moved on the kit. As far as the aftermarket stuff for your kit is concerned, it's up to you. Personally, I jump in over my head sometimes, and head straight for the bells and whistles. I think that it would be a good opportunity to learn how to use those aftermarket parts if you get them. So, I would say it's up to your budget, and if you want to try some new stuff out. I would at least pick up a cheap Photo-etch set, if nothing else to see how it is, and see if I liked it or not. Did you try out that airbrush??!!! huh.....come on man, shoot it already!!! LOL I've been pushing paint through mine almost daily (I'm doing two car builds for the Tamiya Con in April). Good Luck, and let us all know!!

James,
When I first got into the after markett game I started out with cockpit stuff. I agree with Heath. Photo-etch is not really that expensive. Maybe start with a resin seat and/or making the belts, harness using photo etched buckels etc... thats how I got into it. It's also easy because if you bone it up you can still use the kit seat at crunch time, but I'm warning you, once you start going down that detail path you are hooked!

Not that there is anything wrong with the AM SBD-1 interior detail-- but out of curiousity- is there any Dauntless detail sets for the Dash 1??

Also-- what would people suggest for the exterior aluminum??? There is a lot of masking involved here-- can any of the regular or Metalizer Modelmaster paints hold up to this??

OK-- I know Verlinden makes an engine detail set and a Dauntless set that includes loads of stuff for any of the variants-- has anyone used the Dauntless set with all the stuff?? If so- what's included??

Jeeves,
Hey, I just moved out here to Yuma from Malta! I used to live in Luther Forrest down by Parade Ground Village.
Gary,
I love mail Call. Making a living as a Drill Instrucror after retirement would be some rackett. What's your son's MOS?
Should be starting the A-4 this weekend if all goes well. Gotta knock out a philosophy paper first. Also waiting for some parts in the mail.
Looking for detail sets I went to Skyway models site. They listed a 1/48 set by Victory Productions for the "A-4 Skyraider"!?!?! Isn't that like Catdog? Anybody know if this is an A-4 set and if so what it contains?

Finally got the Hasegawa 1/72 EA-6B painted and a coat of Future on it, will start applying the Cutting Edge decals for VMAQ-3 to it today. But I'm getting the urge to start on the 1/48th EA-6B or, maybe the SBD-1. Still need to wrap up on the 2 F-18's. GOD there's not enough hrs in the day for model building!

LOL small world!

I'm originally from Plattsburgh-- but when I moved down here in '97 I lived in Malta near the My Way Cafe....moved to my house here near Saratoga Lake a few years later......

My sister-in-law lived in Luther Forest for a while as well....on Larkspur Drive.

is there a limit on how many planes you can build?

for this group build, I mean...

Yeah One.

I always start two and as one goes smoother of faster than the other the slowest drops out. Hence I have several models in various stages of completion hanging around all over the area, not to mention some I started that are back in the box due to one move or another throughout the years. Drives the wife nuts! I love it! So while I honestly intend to do the A-4, ya never know whats gonna come out...
Jeeves,
I lived on Wineberry Ln. Miss the My Way and the Olde Bryan Inn. Gooooooooood chow!