French a/c group build 2012-13

VanceCrozier

Is everybody looking for a later finish date than February? If you're all in the same boat for timelines I can push it along a little bit. I just didn't want to extend it out too long & have it too drawn out for a small group.

February sounds good to me for a finish date. Something around the time of Carnivale?

Anyways I am gonna go ultramodern. I have had this kit in my stash for many years tempting me and it looks so damn sweet in the box... the molding detail has to be seen to be believed.

Modern jet, or modern kit?

(Not that I need it, but I keep walking past a 1/48 Rafale in that 2nd hand shop...)

Hey, Vance, I started the kit today, where's the thread for this GB's pics?

VanceCrozier

Modern jet, or modern kit?

(Not that I need it, but I keep walking past a 1/48 Rafale in that 2nd hand shop...)

Well it certainly is a modern jet and the kit is new generation tooling, although I bought the kit at a LHS that closed roughly 10 years ago... it's not exactly a modern addition to my stash

stikpusher

 

VanceCrozier:

 

Modern jet, or modern kit?

(Not that I need it, but I keep walking past a 1/48 Rafale in that 2nd hand shop...)

 

 

Well it certainly is a modern jet and the kit is new generation tooling, although I bought the kit at a LHS that closed roughly 10 years ago... it's not exactly a modern addition to my stash

See - always good to keep a stash, never know when you'll need something! PaperPanzer - pics thread?? In-progress pics I assume?? Keeping all the goodies in here. (Unless I'm not understanding what you are asking about... it is Friday after all  )

Ah, never mind, got a bit muddled there, thought you meant earlier that we were to talk in this thread and post progress pics sepereatly, sorry for the confusion!

I'll post my pics later, when the start date comes, unless you want me to post them now?

Heck yeah you know I'm in on this one!!

In fact, look what I JUST HAPPENED to find in the LHS bargain bin...

So put me down for one or both of those.

Oh, and sorry it took so long to get in on this. My internet abilities at the moment are bad at best, as you can see by the fact that the above photo was done in a restaraunt....

BTW I vote for later date too.... I could make it if I had to, but would probably be pushing it.

thanks, -Budd

sub revolution

Heck yeah you know I'm in on this one!!

In fact, look what I JUST HAPPENED to find in the LHS bargain bin...

So put me down for one or both of those.

Oh, and sorry it took so long to get in on this. My internet abilities at the moment are bad at best, as you can see by the fact that the above photo was done in a restaraunt....

BTW I vote for later date too.... I could make it if I had to, but would probably be pushing it.

thanks, -Budd

Nice! 

Bargain bin?
Those MACH kits have an expensive MSRP.

 Great find !

Nice pieces Sub

Updating the front page for you Budd. Nice looking machines, you bargain bin raider!!!

PaperPanzer - you just couldn't wait could you!!!! Post up your start pics for now, just to get the gang interested.

Mon Dieu !

Alive....

ze forum iz alive............!

Just lurking for now, will know better towards the end of the year if I will have time to join.  Have a Bleriot XI-2 and several Nieuports  in the stash.

Great looking badge btw.

regards,

Jack

Jack - would be great to have you on board. Happy to see some pre-WW2 subjects already on the "build list", would love to see the Bleriot as well.

I suppose I should clarify... The "bargain bin" I refer too is mostly pre-owned kits, sometimes never even taken out of the packaging! I have found a lot of good stuff that way. These were still $20 a piece, which I thought seemed rather steep until I found a couple of regularly priced Mach 2 kits. Holy **** batman! Those French imports are pricey!

Speaking of which, they aren't Heller kits, but they are made in France. So can I get bonus points too? ;)

Oh yeah, and I also picked up an Italian seaplane by some random Italian company. All around a great day! Too bad I can't make it into the Italian GB in time....

Thanks,  -Budd

Ahhh, I've met some of those French models where I live, love the accent but they can be pricey. (Oh wait, you're probably talking about model airplane kits aren't you?!?!?   I have quite a little pile of 1/72 Heller kits now, haven't laid eye son a Mach2 kit though. How do they look "in the box"?

VanceCrozier

Updating the front page for you Budd. Nice looking machines, you bargain bin raider!!!

PaperPanzer - you just couldn't wait could you!!!! Post up your start pics for now, just to get the gang interested.

So far I'm onto basic assembly, so I have made some progress already, but due to my enjoyment of the subject and the simplicity of the kit, It didn't take long, though some additions were needed!

Now of course, the cat had to make her inspection...-

But in the end she decided I would be better at building it, "Now rub my tummy human!"-

Anyway... the cockpit detail is sparse, so some extra details from the spares bin and a figure should hide the areas devoid of details.-

While the paint on the interior walls dried, I tackled the lower vent. This and the fixed landing gear will be the hardest parts to build.-

All the major bits ready for assembly.-

Initial construction and then filler.-

Prop and hub added.-

That is the stage I am at so far. Decent kit overall, I added a spare instrument panel decal as well to the interior, and the figure required leg amputation in order to fit properly. (Ouch!)

I have been looking at a third possible entry to this GB, a Smer (essentially Heller rebox with better decals) 1/72 Caudron C.714C.1. 

More to come!

I've built a few Mach 2 kits Vance and they are all quite challanging ;

Super Frelon and SeaBee

AJ-1 Savage :

PBM-5 Mariner

RB-45C Tornado

Other on-going Mach 2 builds

Stash

The plastic can be a little rough in places and the are lots of lugs on the inside of a lot of the pieces , so there can be a lot of sanding with course sandpaper just to clean up all the parts first . Also the sprue frames are quite thick and often blend into the pieces as well , so you reall have to saw the parts from the sprue frame as not to damage the wing edges of planes and the like .

Fun builds but awefully time consuming .

John . (Mach 2 Madman)

Wow John, you really do have a lot of those! You don't happen to live in France, do you??

Anyway, yeah, from what I can see it looks like your description is pretty accurate for these kits. I also thought the detail looked a little sparse, but I haven't looked really closely yet. That being said, you have done an excellent job with yours!

Not sure when I will get started. I was going to do the Draken for the Saab GB next, but it isn't here yet! The other contender is my IL-4 for the NMF GB, but that lasts until next summer, so I may postpone that build.

Thanks,  Budd

Nice piece PaperPanzer, this kit is in my sight!! wishing one 

Helo!!! you have no weak points 

PaperPanzer

Ahhhh - feline agents keep an eye on your work as well I see!  That Dewoitine is on my "watch list", neat looking machine.  Some of these early Heller / Airfix kits kind of force me to get better at pilot figures because you have to put SOMETHING in that big void.

Helo H34 - so you are also a Mach2 specialist! I had no idea. They may be challenging, but they seem to have turned out quite well. Maybe I should keep my eyes open for one of these.

lol. Agents are everywhere... !! and I love your Mariner and want to cuddle it !

in the void could be put even a song 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7NqaU6E_yU

Hey Vance! Look at this!

I may join in after all. It's gonna be a while though. Gotta finish the ones I have on the bench. 

Medicman!!! Build-ez vous français?!?!?  So level with me, what does the HobbyBoss kit look like?

VanceCrozier

Medicman!!! Build-ez vous français?!?!?  So level with me, what does the HobbyBoss kit look like?

I've been looking it up on the other forums. It's supposed to be a good kit. Wolfpack makes a resin update to make it a current naval version. I'll have to do more research on it before I start so I can figure out what i'll need.

Thanks for the comments guys!

Yeah, she seems very interested in what I am doing at the bench, I think the box smelled funny to her, so she sauntered off after the second picture.

Vance- I brought that point up on one of the feedback threads, and have not gotten a response to it yet. Not sure why, since people who posted after me have been responded to by site mods....

sub revolution

Vance- I brought that point up on one of the feedback threads, and have not gotten a response to it yet. Not sure why, since people who posted after me have been responded to by site mods....

I posted up on that thread too last night. I expect they are dealing with the quickest fixes first, or maybe the angriest people first! I'll check to see if there was any response.

Hi Vance,

Here is some further definition around the Mirage I've committed to. It's an Aussie one, in 1/72.

Cheers

Tony