Bish

Some great info being shared here guys. I know what you all mean about making everything neat and tidy. The same goes for German camo schemes. It can be hard to get your head round the idea that they might not always be nice and perfect, but sometimes were applied with anything to hand.

Interesting second pic there Stik.

Yes, that is from summer '44 at a forward airfield with the "under new management" Kubelwagen. Great diorama inspiration there. I know that I have posted some of these photos here on other threads before, but they bear repeating for this thread- no need for perfection on the stripes in 95% of the cases. Sure the Squadron or wing leaders bird may have had some extra care put into it, but the rest...

ok, this is too funny of a find not to share...

The last picture is definatley the best.   Was watching "Band of Brothers" again the other night and noticed the invasion stripes on the C-47s were just as sloppy as seen here.

Not a lightning, but here's another twin engine fighter (the P-61)  showing placement of invasion stripes:

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Final bits arrived to make the copula machine gun  for my Sherman.  Originally I had ordered just the RB set, but it did not include a resin stock for the .50 cal Browning.  So I had to turn to Hauler, but at least now I've got the ammo box as well.    Looks like I've got a mini build in front of me:

regards,

Jack

Stik, I guessed that was over in France, is that an OD scheme, as first I thought Pz Grey, but I wouldn't think so that late in the war.

Good news jack, should have this wrapped up soon.

Thanks for all your input Stik it was very helpful. I got the stripes on my P-38 moved.

even got the yellow on the nacelles. I am doing the plane flown by Col. Howard Rau. 79th FS, 20th FG.

Shiv, that looks great! I am glad to have helped!

Bish, seeing how the Schwimmwagen also has a white star added, I would venture that is indeed Olive Drab, but the Army Gound forces shade No. 9, not the Army Air Force Shade Dark Olive Drab 41 like on the P-38 behind it.

here are a few more photos of the same group of P-38s, apparently from the same session that I posted in another thread.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/155189.aspx

been looking through different sites and haven't seen any P-38's with rockets over Normandy. Did they use rockets than?

I dont think the 5" rockets came into use before late '44 on USAAF aircraft. In summer '44 the only rockets that I recals seeing in photos being used by USAAF fighters were the triple tube bazooka type.

Is that the HVAR type rockets?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_velocity_aircraft_rocket

http://shortfinals.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/hvar-high-velocity-aircraft-rocket/

Paraphrasing from those two links, testing was completed by D-Day, but actual use did not come until July 1944 during the breakout phase.

regards,

Jack

Yes, that is them, the 5" HVAR.

The P-38 is looking good. Unfortunately I still haven't been able to resume my P-47 'Bolt yet. Except I may have to adjust the width of where my whites need to be push back more on the fuselage. Test taped using 5 pieces of 3/8" wide strips of tape to make finalization for the black stripes. Found out I'm 1/8" too short. At least my wings are ready to go though.

stikpusher

Shiv, that looks great! I am glad to have helped!

Bish, seeing how the Schwimmwagen also has a white star added, I would venture that is indeed Olive Drab, but the Army Gound forces shade No. 9, not the Army Air Force Shade Dark Olive Drab 41 like on the P-38 behind it.

here are a few more photos of the same group of P-38s, apparently from the same session that I posted in another thread.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/155189.aspx

My original thought was Pz Grey, but then realised what the date would be and realised it couldn't be.

Would the AAF;s and other ground vehicles have been painted in the army OD or the AAF OD.

 In the past, I think I have painted then in the AAF's OD, but on thinking about it, if they are painted at the factory, they would simply be painted one colour of OD.

Shiv, nice work, I like it.

Here's another photo of the captured schwimwagen, this one looks to have red hues better balanced:

If it is an American repaint, they were pretty thorough as the interior looks to be the same colour as the exterior.

regards,

Jack

Painting done. Decals done. Coat of clear gloss and I can begin the weathering.

I do have 1 question.I am going to try using a filter and have never used them before. Is it better to do the filter than the washes or vice versa?

shiv - I like how she's coming to life, and nice intro of the yellow on the cowls to match the decal graphic.  As for your question, it shouldn't matter which you do first.   Unless you are doing one of those washes that requires wiping up afterwards, as that would probably lift some of the filter as well - though that might result in an interesting effect.

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Almost there with my build.  Tomorrow should be ready for the final photos.

The .50 cal Browning did require some further scratch building so it would have a post to sit on where it attaches to the turret/copula.  So a short length of brass rod, and a disc section cut from plastic rod to the rescue.  Can't say how accurate it is, (on the net found a huge array of gun cradles, never realized there were so many examples), but it works for me.

The white painted ammo box is copied from period photos, though the pic of this particular tank had the box attached length wise, running parallel with the gun.     The white must indicate it was a box from internal stowage?

regards,

Jack

Jack, nice PE work on the gun.

Officially calling this one done.   A burnt umber weathering powder was used to represent dirt on the lowers.  Probably not the best choice as it looks very close to a rust colour, something I wanted to avoid as this particular vehicle was around for only a couple days.

I already mentioned the history on this one during the build, but if you want to read a recap, I'll post that eventually in a separate thread in the armour section.  Hope you enjoy the pics, was happy to partake in this one, and look forward to what the rest of you will complete in the coming months.

regards,

Jack

shiv,that is coming along really nicely.

I have been reading up on washes and filters. Reading on the MiG site, he seems to suggest a filter first as that should be on a flat finish. Followed by the wash which should be on a gloss or semi gloss, and the filter leaves that. But jack makes a good point.

Personally, I have never done a filter on an aircraft, they seem more common on armour, so will be interested in your results.

jack, now that sir is a real stunner. I know its been an awkward build, but it was defiantly well worth it and the results speak for themselves. Thank you for sharing this with us, and I hope you will pop back from time to time.

And its not hard to figure out which pic to put on the front page.

Very cool, Jack.

Very nice work Jack.I really like the effect on the lower parts, it turned out great.

I am calling my P-38 done. I didn't get the effect that I was looking for with the filter. I used E-Z line for the antennas.

Shiv, sweet little build you have there, a fine example of this twin engined fighter.

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Bish, Shiv and bitbite, thanks for commenting, glad you like the Firefly.

regards,

Jack

Jack, your 1/48 Firefly is outstanding. I love the weathered finish. Congratulations on an excellent result.

Cheers

Tony

Jack & Shiv: Wow, both of those look fantastic!!! Kudos guys!!!!!

I agree with everyone Jack & Shiv. Wow, both are very good. Well Done!!!

shiv, great looking build and a great addition to the front page.

Ok guys, today is the half way point in the GB. We have some great completed builds so far, and looking forward to more to come. I know many of us are busy on other GB's, but theres also a couple of guys who haven't been on the forum for a while. So hopefully they will come back soon.

Has anyone heard from Helo 34 lately. I am sure most of you saw hi post the sad news of his mothers passing 4 months ago, and he hasn't posted on the forum since

Those are some great looking builds there Shiv and Jack. Excellent finish work on each one. Bish, I am one of those guys who will kick off my build with the new year. I have projects for three different GBs working right now and am not going to start any more before January.

stikpusher

Bish, I am one of those guys who will kick off my build with the new year. I have projects for three different GBs working right now and am not going to start any more before January.

except for the 48 hour GB i too have sworn off starting anything new before the first but have LCVP primed and may throw a camo'd 1/35 VOSPER into this one