French a/c group build 2012-13

OFFICIAL START DATE TOMORROW!

Nice 520 Doogs :D

DoogsATX

VanceCrozier

DoogsATX - yeah, the problem with that pipeline is that it originates in Alberta - the only things they can load it up with are oil and beef. (Actuall, there are rumours that if the friction keeps up on your side of the border, the pipeline could run east to my hometown, for processing at the refinery facilities here & then shipped overseas!)

You know. I think a beef pipeline would be pretty amazing. 

Yes - yes it would!!!! The .520 is shaping up nicely, dropped flaps & everything.

So it rained yesterday. Like...real, honest-to-goodness Texas summer thunderstorm style. It's been glorious, temps in the low 90s during the day, but the rain = no airbrush. As a result, I'm stuck on the P-51 and B-25, since both need some interior work.

In other words - Dewoitine time!

I think it might have actually put itself together, now that I think back on it.

VanceCrozier

DoogsATX - yeah, the problem with that pipeline is that it originates in Alberta - the only things they can load it up with are oil and beef. (Actuall, there are rumours that if the friction keeps up on your side of the border, the pipeline could run east to my hometown, for processing at the refinery facilities here & then shipped overseas!)

DoogsATX - yeah, the problem with that pipeline is that it originates in Alberta - the only things they can load it up with are oil and beef. (Actuall, there are rumours that if the friction keeps up on your side of the border, the pipeline could run east to my hometown, for processing at the refinery facilities here & then shipped overseas!)

stikpusher - shameless bumps welcomed!  Nice job on that Mirage, just enough colour on those French AF machines.

ruddratt - Arizona Iced Tea does indeed increase bat speed, I tried it out on Friday. Needed that little boost too, even during my 9-midnight game slots the temp was a respectable 22C / 72F, with 90% humidity. Darn near had to swim the basepaths….

DoogsATX

I got a portable a/c unit in the garage. 'nuff said...

Got almost the same thing Doogs, but up here we just call 'em windows  . That cool Canadian air is glorious stuff.

VanceCrozier

Nice looking office Doogs! Ruddratt - I think he's been sipping some of fermis's Arizona Iced Speedy Tea....

May have to try and get my hands on some of that stuff. Wonder if it'll also help increase my bat speed.

DoogsATX

VanceCrozier

I'm still trying to figure out a way of shipping some cool Canadian air down your way...

There's that pipeline they keep trying to build...

Well the weather here is just too nice for model building.  My Rafale will be on hold until the official start date here at least. Besides I still have another Mirage that I am building to finish up as soon as those Aztec Decals that I ordered arrive...

Doogs, that is a sweet little kit, isn't it? Very nice work on that pit

But here is my last completed French aircraft build for another shameless bump, the old 1/48 Monogram Mirage 2000 w/Exocets.

VanceCrozier

I'm still trying to figure out a way of shipping some cool Canadian air down your way...

I'm still trying to figure out a way of shipping some cool Canadian air down your way...

I got a portable a/c unit in the garage. 'nuff said...

Nice looking office Doogs! Ruddratt - I think he's been sipping some of fermis's Arizona Iced Speedy Tea....

Heck yeah! The 'pit master strikes again! You are a machine, Doogs! This, and the P-51 and the B-25, are all quality stuff, but where do you find the time? I've been plugging away at that 1/48 Tamiya jug for a while now (and you were right - it's a doozy of a kit!), but just got the 'pit done and buttoned up. I don't know how you do it.

I really like the pit on this and your P-51B Doogs. They look 'right' to me.

Cheers

Tony

EDIT - apologies for the second post. #**%#(! use rich formatting thing... 

Well, I'm calling a wrap on the D.520's pit. Could have done a lot of extra detailing, but I'm intending this one as a light and fun build, and the cockpit's nowhere near as open as even the P-51B this thing's sharing the bench with. So instead of going crazy with wiring and stuff, I added a bit of wiring to the control stick (invisible once it's closed...) and focused most of my attention on the seat. Had a random French belts PE set sitting around that finally got some use. For the seat cushion thing, I used Vallejo khaki, airbrushed with some thinned Tamiya Deck Tan for variation, then hit with raw umber artist oil. The IP decals came with the kit, and I should have used my Airscale gauge decals instead. Oh well.

Well, I'm calling a wrap on the D.520's pit. Could have done a lot of extra detailing, but I'm intending this one as a light and fun build, and the cockpit's nowhere near as open as even the P-51B this thing's sharing the bench with. So instead of going crazy with wiring and stuff, I added a bit of wiring to the control stick (invisible once it's closed...) and focused most of my attention on the seat. Had a random French belts PE set sitting around that finally got some use. For the seat cushion thing, I used Vallejo khaki, airbrushed with some thinned Tamiya Deck Tan for variation, then hit with raw umber artist oil. The IP decals came with the kit, and I should have used my Airscale gauge decals instead. Oh well.

I like that Mirage, Vance! Very cool stuff!

Those bulldog clips are starring again John. Good to see you're into another one.

I've been thinking about a Sepecat Jaguar A - does that version equate to a British GR1 ?

Cheers

Tony

I also like the Fouga Magister build Vance , nicely done . I have three of the Heller boxings in the IDF stash and IsraDecal have a really great decal sheet for some nice israeli versions .

I had mixed up some medium gray paint to do the interior of a Argentine S-58 helicopter and with some left over I decided I may as well airbrush the interior pieces of the Hobby Boss H-34A for my French Naval  HSS-1

I'll glue the fuselage cabin windows in place next along with the seating .

It is okay that we're allowed to start isn't it ....

John

Oh that mirage F-1 does look good - especially in those colours! ;-)

I am hoping to get started on my Mirage 3 c within the next week or so. It will be the first time I am using Alclad, so stay tuned....

Theuns

taxtp

Hey Vance,

Can you tell me some more about your Magister please. I did a Belgian 'Red Devils' Hunter a little while back and have been wanting to stand a good looking Magister beside it.

Cheers

Tony

That little Airfix Magister is a great little kit. Raised panel lines of course, but great details. The canopy glass is a little on the (typical Airfix) thick side of course, and the cockpit details & buttons look a little generic to me, although I'm by no means a Fouga expert. I was even able to use the original kit decals, which was a bonus. Recommended, and I'd buy another if I spotted one.

Hey Vance,

Can you tell me some more about your Magister please. I did a Belgian 'Red Devils' Hunter a little while back and have been wanting to stand a good looking Magister beside it.

Cheers

Tony

~shameless thread bump~

Approaching the official start day, just coming to the realization that I already have 2 French designs under my belt in the past year or so!

1/72 Fouga Magister in Belgian markings (Airfix kit):

1/72 Mirage F1c, SAAF markings (Airfix kit):

DoogsATX

Got started on the cockpit last night. I'm sticking with my "spray it all black" approach. Tamiya XF-24 Dark Gray was sprayed haphazardly on top of this.

Hmmmm, got me thinking now. On a 1/72 cockpit with basic structure details, I could paint a basecoat of black& follow it up with a "heavy drybrushing" with a wide brush & possibly accomplish the same thing. Wide brush will catch all raised details & drop into any larger open areas , leaving the shadows running close to structure bits...

Separate decal? Perfect! I've got stencilling + rudder stripes all on one piece for most of these old Heller kits I have. I may paint the stripes then add some "incorrect but too small to read anyway" stencilling from the spares box...

The stenciling is a separate decal...

No rudder decal for you?!? ;)  What about the stenciling that goes across there?

VanceCrozier

DoogsATX

Say Vance - any early starting allowed? I'm awaiting some goodies for my P-51 and B-25, and so have an opening to play with the D.520.

If justification's needed, tomorrow is July 4th, which, while an American holiday, would have gone all of nowhere without French assistance...

As much as we all like to have target dates, I refuse to discourage someone from building anything! As Benevolent Dictator of this group build, I hereby accept your flimsy July4 reasoning and approve the D520 for building. Tributes to the Dictator may be sent via courier to...   Looking forward to it. That 520 must have been a bugger to move around in on the ground.

Excellent! Also of mild interest - I'm listening to the Count of Monte Cristo at the bench. Read it years ago and it's one of my absolute favorite books, but yeah, France for miles...

Anyway, it's off to the races!

First up - test-fit of the major airframe components:

The wing assembly's interesting in that it actually slots up and under a chin piece on the lower fuselage. Very tight, solid fit. And as seems to be the norm for Tamiya kits of this late-90s vintage, zero wingroot issues.

Got started on the cockpit last night. I'm sticking with my "spray it all black" approach. Tamiya XF-24 Dark Gray was sprayed haphazardly on top of this.

Detail painting's up next, then some drybrushing and filter washes. Also need to order me some paint - found a build log of a 1/72 D.520 where the author worked out Gunze mixes for the French camo and markings (because yeah, no way in hell I'm using a decal for the rudder).

bsyamato

good work PaperPanzer .

GB was not starting 14 of this month?

Officially the 14th, yes bsyamato - but I just can't make myself stop somebody from building! (I know I am really streaky, I'll go weeks without touching anything, then finally sit down & spend every evening in a week working on models.) PaperPanzer is also building multiple kits for this one - he may need the head start!!