Still Too Many Props GB - 2013

B17Pilot its the same one,plus the bombadier. I hate to hear the fit is so bad not looking forward to that at all. I also got the Verlinden exterior set as well any experience with that one? thanks Trey

While I have that set, I might have used one or two resin pieces in the nose section. I didn't really use all of it at the time. I was basically taking all the available updates for a B-17 and used the best ones in the actual model, so the completed model as a mix match of different sets. One note to look for on the true details cockpit set, mine didn't have the other pilot's set in it, modified the kits seats to go in it, so I would double check that you got two pilot's seats.

Well,

I've made some pretty good progress, and I took some progress photos, but Murphy struck and the files were corrupted. I will retake some new shots of the current state. However, some notes about my build:

The 1/72 Hasegawa "Dambusters" kit has very poor cockpit and gear bay detail. Screams for aftermarket, but I'm using this build to improve my overall building (sanding/filling) and airbrushing techniques. I heard the Revell 1/72 kit has great cockpit detail.

The plastic is great to work with and responds well so sanding and filling.

Instructions are very poor is some areas, especicially with the rear machine gun turret and other smaller builds.

The wings have the these odd square thingees on the leading edge. Another site says they are wire cutters so I left them in place. This made sanding the seams on the front edge very challening. I should have checked my resources a little better for the  Mk III "Dambusters" variant (I'm doing Gibson's aircraft, the former commander of 617 sqdrn.)

(Don't use the classic movie as a reference. The "Upkeep" system was still classified when the film was made, so the film makers used a spherical bomb with no backspin device...plus I'm sure the name of the dog, the  617 Sqdrn mascot, would leave quite a few people very uncomfortable.)

Speaking of resources: Had a heckuva time tring to find out color schemes for the "Upkeep" bomb and its modified bomb bay. Stuck with the instructions, in this case.

More to follow and pics when I get this stupid camera to work properly!

I'm surprised to hear that the kit has poor detail in those areas. I can only imagine thisis an old mold.Looking forward to the pics.

There is a new Dambsuters movie out this year, and they decided to change the name of the dog. A shame that the world has come to this.

Technology ain't it great!

Okay, I finaly got some pic of the Lanc in progress:

Completed the camo colors then sealed it with Future. After a couple of coats, I gently sanded the finish with sanding pads after it had cured. I used a tack cloth to remove sanding material, the did a rinse under cool water.

The one good thing about this kit was that I can do the wings apart from the fuselage. Here is the starboard wing, decaled and weathering complete. Matt finish will be applied after the wings are attached to the fuselage.

Rear turret before a little cleanup. Once again, Hasegawa does not give clear instructions on this component, and I think the masking could have been a little better.

After masking, I prepped for painting by using Testors Model Master Acryl Gloss Black with about 25% Testors thinner. I did multiple passes to ensure good coverage than sealed it with a few coats of Future. I also did the landing gear infrastructure with the same paint session.

More to follow!

Nice looking work there. Are those gun barrels PE.

Nope, they are made of "genuine" plastic. I have not used any AM products on this kit.

I have completed painting the lower half the Gloss Black and put a couple coats of Future to protect the finish.

Next up: Landing gear, retouch the gear and wheels, final decals, panel lines, some weathering and small additional details, such as the aerials.

Nice looking Lanc!

Lanc is coming along nicely!

B17pilot thanks for the tip about the seats,much appreciated. I've got a lot of issues to sort on this one for sure.

The Lanc is 98% complete, there are some little things I need to finish. Those seem to be the toughest parts to get through!

I finished up the fuselage with some panel work, then attached the wings to the fuselage. Hasegawa did a great job with part of the kit, so the wings that I did apart from the rest of the aircraft was a success. After the weathering, Future time, then Vallejo Matt Varnish dilluted with distiled water for a a final finish.

Decals...OMG the decals were a nightmare. Lots of silvering in the letters. Next time, cut close to the letters,a dip in Future before after it's released in water, then application.

Landing gear. I couldn't find a decent on-line reference on the Mk. III dambusters to save my life, so I painted them semi-gloss black, with Alclad for the "oleo" portion. Wheels were painted Tamiya silver, and a wash of brown oil (burnt umber). Gear was drybrushed with silver.

My issues: I like the masking with Bare-Metal foil! Anytime I do a cockpit like this again (B-29s, etc.) I will use this method again. Removal was a little tricky for me, and the toothpick liked to go a little far a remove some paint from the frams. Anybody have a better technique? I cleaned the canopy with mineral spirits to remove a adhesive residue, the painted each panel with Future to bring out the shine. I did the same thing for the bubble canopy on the nose.

I got some overspray INSIDE the aircraft and it hazed the interior of the bombardeer's bubble. I hade to remove it with an X-Acto, clean it out with alchohol and mineral spirits, then re-attach. Turned out okay, but I no longer have the nice seal with the fuselage I hade before. Next time...MASK THE BLOODY WINDOWS!!

WEll, besides a few little bits I have left, what do you think? I'd like to build some antenna/ariels but I don't know where the attachment points are. I could use a little help there.

Mini review of the kit:

Bad: Cockpit detail was terrible, no engines, gear bay detail was minimal, gun mounts were sparse. This is a kit that screams for AM products, to include updating the flaps, if you wish. Instruction were poor. It would've been nice to know I had to drill holes for the "Upkeep" mount BEFORE assembly and painting. Paining instructions could have been better, and the decals were rather poor. In fact,m the RAF rounderals (sp.) were a little to big. Wheels were poor in details and the assembly of the gear was a little convoluted.

Good: Canopy parts were very nice, fuselage and wing details were good, and the fit of the tail plance, rudder and wings were great.

Overall the kit met my goals of practicing my build, sanding, filling and painting skills. Considering what I paid for the kit, the value was about right.

Thanks

MAJ Paul Woods, US Army

Thats looking nice. Wish i had known you were looking for referance on the undercarrage. I have a couple of pics of the wheels bays on the BBMF Lanc. Your right though, its mostly black. As for the ariels, unfortunatly i got a lot of pics of the inside but only a couple of the outside, so not sure on that. I am assuming you been the wire antenna's.

Good looking Lanc!

Awesome looking Lanc Major Woods,you really did it justice!

well finally got to work on the  F-82G, started with the wings tonight looks like some small fit issues but nothing some filler cant fix :) should have some pics up tomorrow :)

Try the 1/48 scale version of the F-82, then you'll know about fit issues, or lack of fit I should say

Thanks for all the compliments on the lancs. Looking forward to seeing other builds on this GB.

Hi please count me in with a 1/144 minicraft B-26 I got in a raffle yesterday.

Theuns

Welcome to our little group! You're on the flight line!

Thanx.

Nothing special about this build, I have not done any 1/144 yet so I am learning to work so small.

The only add-on was a cockpit floor, rear bulkhead, instrument pannel and seats to make the gaping big hole in that area look less "wrong"  LOL!

Theuns

Hi B17 Pilot ;

I was looking to build a 1/72 Hobbycraft DHC Caribou finished in the colour scheme for the 38 Sqn RAAF 1990 .

I see that cross-over builds are allowed , as the Caribou is part of the ANZAC GB as well .

There is a little bit of preliminary work done by cutting the rear ramp open and a while back I came across an article on an amazing 1/48 build by a gentlemen named David Charles over at www.internetmodeler.com , where the builder did an awesome job on the front cockpit . So I printed out the article and WIP pic's to use as reference for my build , although my skill levels don't match Mr Charles , I think I can make some basic modifications to the Hobbycraft cockpit .

I'll be using the Aussie Decal sheet No. A72027 and finishing my Caribou in the Desert Red / Tan (flat earth) / Black scheme

So if its okay , I would like to join in with everyone else .

John .

John really dig that cammo scheme,looking forward to seeing you tackle that one!

B17Pilot I'm just getting started on the resin bits and found your missing seat,mine came with 3!

This is all I've braved so far

This is going to be a project to remember. I can't even raise the willpower to build a 1/72 one. I'll look forward to both of these huge models.

Cheers

Tony

Gentlemen,

I am recent returner to the forums (time ran away with me!!).

I would also like to join this GB.  I started in a Beaufighter / Torbeau over the weekend - the Tamiya 1/48 MkX kit.  Only after markets will be some Coastal Command decals I picked up a while ago, as I aim to build the equipment flown either by the RNZAF or the NZ RAF squadrons of WWII.  So it is going to be done up as a 489 squadron aircraft.

Helo - like to watch how you go on the Caribou.  I am a volunteer at HARS (www.hars.org.au), so if you need any detail photos, let me know ... "Beauty" and "Beast" are both in our care down at Albion Park, and so I cna climb all over them to get photos for you.  Sorry, though - they are not in your camo scheme :)

Paul

Put me down for an Itaeri/ Testors Lockheed C-130 Hercules. It's been about 50% percent since the mid 90s.

Helo, Cossack, and Dogfish - I have you guys listed on the front page, Welcome to the group!

Dogfish - is that Herc a 1/72 or did you go with the big 1/48 one?

TREYZX10R

B17Pilot I'm just getting started on the resin bits and found your missing seat,mine came with 3!

 

I knew that seat went some where!

These pieces aren't glued yet are they? If so I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the front bulkhead needs to go under the cockpit floor, as its the tunnel to the nose section. So the front bulkhead, cockpit floor and rear bulkhead should form a 'S' shape.

No. It's the 1:72 version. That's plenty big enough for this bird. Was able to fly on one back in '68.

B17Pilot yes they are glued! Before I saw you're warning I went even further according to the directions this is correct.

If this is'nt right I'm truly up a creek