US CARRIER AVIATION GROUP BUILD 2013

Greg

CMK, thanks for that! I buy that stuff by the gallon, great to know!

And the cotton ball idea. I couldn't get past a paper towel and that just didn't seem right. Cotton balls would be the ticket. It amazes me how un-creative I can be sometimes. Thanks again for the tips!!!!

 

I probably should have noted to be careful with the cotton ball around any masking, as in around cockpits, etc.  Fibers like to stick to them, and Murphy will tell you:  they will stick and be invisible until after you've painted them permanently into the finish.

I just started painting on a Devastator, and used a small paintbrush around the greenhouse--then the cotton ball on the rest.  Didn't see any stuck fibers, but at this point, they might just not be showing themselves.

Good looking Skyhawk, Stu.

This Dauntless is looking very good, Eagle.  I'm feeling motivated to start one--but those holes!!!  My fingers feel tired just looking at what you accomplished.

By the way, can you tell me what size drill you used?

checkmateking02

I probably should have noted to be careful with the cotton ball around any masking, as in around cockpits, etc.  Fibers like to stick to them, and Murphy will tell you:  they will stick and be invisible until after you've painted them permanently into the finish.

I just started painting on a Devastator, and used a small paintbrush around the greenhouse--then the cotton ball on the rest.  Didn't see any stuck fibers, but at this point, they might just not be showing themselves.

Thanks for that tip, CMK. Will try to remember that, makes a lot of sense.

Greg

Eagle, Stu....

Enjoyed the update pics. Looking good!

Clemens, hope you get your rivets squared away. Way over my head. :)

Thank you sir!

checkmateking02

This Dauntless is looking very good, Eagle.  I'm feeling motivated to start one--but those holes!!!  My fingers feel tired just looking at what you accomplished.

By the way, can you tell me what size drill you used?

Hey Checkmate,

Thank you.  She is really looking good so far.  It's a fun little kit.

Size?  Uh......here is a picture of the drill set I have and I measured the bit, and it is 1mm wide.  I bought that many years ago and have no idea what the sizes are.  The third one from the left (the one sticking up) is the one I used for the holes.  My advice, set aside some time, turn on your favorite tunes, and grab a drink! 

Eagle90

A splendid suggestion, Eagle!!    Although my wife found the local Walmart had no Guinness last week . . .and I do use the bottle caps as a handle to stick things on while painting them.  That's my story.

You have the same problem I have then.  Bought some drills years ago, lost track of the sizes, and now I have no idea what I've got.

However, this link might help both of us.  What you used might be a #60 or 61, seems like.

bobmay.astronomy.net/.../drillchart.htm

checkmateking02

A splendid suggestion, Eagle!!    Although my wife found the local Walmart had no Guinness last week . . .and I do use the bottle caps as a handle to stick things on while painting them.  That's my story.

You have the same problem I have then.  Bought some drills years ago, lost track of the sizes, and now I have no idea what I've got.

However, this link might help both of us.  What you used might be a #60 or 61, seems like.

bobmay.astronomy.net/.../drillchart.htm

Great site!  I do believe that is the correct size too.  Basically there were small indentations where the air brakes are, and I just matched up the bit with the hole.  I'm not sure about the accuracy of the hole size on the kit, but it looks good to me.  Thanks again for the site!

Eagle90

You're welcome!  Drill, baby, drill.

I managed to get the most of the remaining PE finished on the plane's interior today.  Your advice regarding the tape was really handy Checkmate.  It is a lot less nerve wracking maneuvering tiny PE bits stuck to a piece of tape than it is trying to manipulate them with tweezers and wondering when (not if) they will launch themselves into oblivion.

This is view of the starboard cockpit interior with the bits added.

Respect, Rob. Respect...

You must be insane to build something with so many tiny PE parts involved.

I am too BTW, because I have a whole lot more PE parts to add to my 1/32 Thunderbolt when I finally start working on it (a whole Big-Ed set...) - that will happen very soon (late August - early September)

SchattenSpartan

You must be insane to build something with so many tiny PE parts involved.

Hmm, an amusing assertion from someone who decribes himself as an "Austrian gone mad"

I am not sure if the effort will be worth it, as I have no idea how visible these little bits will be once the thing is assembled.  On the armour kit I built these sorts of details are on the outside, and so I could see the value of adding tiny little latches, hinges, and tie-downs.

Hopefully you will find the 1/32 PE a little easier to handle than the 1/48... I can't imagine what this would be like if I was doing it on a 1/72!

You might not be able to see all of the Pe you added, but WE know it's there thanks to your pics!

The 1/32 stuff is not much bigger... I think Eduard just decided to add even more tiny bits because of the bigger scale...

Nice clean- looking work on the PE, Rob. I like the way Clemens put it, in case none of it is visible, because you took the time to post pics, we all know. :)

You are welcome, Rob.  They look good!

Rob.H

I managed to get the most of the remaining PE finished on the plane's interior today.  Your advice regarding the tape was really handy Checkmate.  It is a lot less nerve wracking maneuvering tiny PE bits stuck to a piece of tape than it is trying to manipulate them with tweezers and wondering when (not if) they will launch themselves into oblivion.

This is view of the starboard cockpit interior with the bits added.

Oh I do like!!!! Is that the Eduard PE set for the Monogram kit?

stikpusher

Oh I do like!!!! Is that the Eduard PE set for the Monogram kit?

Yes it is Stikpusher.

Hi all, I have an update that doesn't involve a disaster.

Got the exterior paint job as repaired as it's going to get. Considering the mess I had made, I am quite pleased with it, being my first attempt at a multi-color exterior and all.

To my delight, when it was finally time to remove the masking tape from the cowl ring, came off clean. This afternoon, finally worked up the courage to do a decal or two, decided to start with the ones I was most afraid of, the "307's" at the cowl. To my further delight, my measurements and masking for the cut-in at the cowl ring yellow worked out.

After taking this pic, noticed that I somehow managed to bend the vertical stabilizer antenna. And I have been SO careful with that. No worries, if it breaks off, I can make one out of brass rod, probly stronger anyway.

I'll know tomorrow if I will end up with a sandpaper finish decal job. (long story, my paint job wasn't very smooth but I think I know the error of my ways for next time) That's why I put the big star on the left wing next. Maybe should have brushed on some Future, thick. But didn't want to lose the neat-o seam lines.

Thanks for looking.

Hey Clemens, did you get the new glasses yet?

Awesome work, mate! That yellow trim looks gorgeous! I'm glad you finally got the whole model painted up without paint peeling off again!

Yep, I got my glasses today! There won't be an update very soon, as I need to make myself at least 30 rivets and attach them to my wildcat. That will be a tedious thing to do, but I'm sure It'll pay off... I won't tackle this untill my 2 Thunderbolts have their wings glued in place....

Thanks, Clemens!

Glad you got your glasses! I hope you are able to take a close-up or two of your rivet adventure. I am most curious, just can't imagine working with individual rivets. I still think certain PE parts are sub miniature. A rivet must surely be much smaller.

While I'm thinking about it, everyone see the small hole, rear fuselage just above and right (aft) of the flare chute exit? There is one on both sides, and I have no idea what they are. Can't recall if they go all the way through or not? For antenna wire leads, perhaps?

TIA.

Can I throw my hat into this GB? I'll be building a 1/32 Trumpy SBD dauntless. Mostly oob with some pe on the engine.

Of course you can! I'll add you to the roster!

I see the hole, mate, but I have no clue what it resembles either... The Wildcat has these holes as well.

Nice work and nice save, Greg.  You'd never know that it gave you any headaches!

Clemens, good to know I'm not the only one in the dark about holes in the fuselage. Thinking maybe crew relief ports? (Kidding ......I think)

CMK, thanks for taking the time to comment!

Aren't those holes locations for lift attachments?  P-51s have them too.  Wouldn't that be a place to run a bar through the fuselage to lift the rear either to crane it on to the carrier or for maintenance?  Shot in the dark but the logic seems to fit.

That could be possible, Stu! Never thought of that...

Stu, that sure makes more sense than my idea tonight. Was thinking static ports, but they'd be the biggest darned static ports I ever saw.

Thanks for the thought! Based on your idea, and since I decaled over one tonight, must remember to core it out or the crew won't be able to lift it!

those holes are also on the SB2C

this was posted today www.network54.com/.../Had+enough+F4U2+yet-

look at the third photo down the page,,,,,,,,but, instead of a crane, I thought I remembered seeing a stand that went under there,,,,,sort of like the Skyhawk and Sabre rear fuselage dolly that carried the back end around when doing engine changes,,,,,,,I know that in Mustang gun sighting there was a stand underneath

I also don't think the holes go all the way through, using a "pipe or rod",,maybe they did on WW II aircraft, but, later on they were reinforced fittings on each side as separate items,,,,,see Phantom "hook points" for an idea of what I mean

edit,,,,,,,,fourth photo down, sorry,,,,,,,,,,,,and it is indeed a pipe or rod on that Corsair,,,,,,but, later on with more modern aircraft, they sure weren't

and just now in the middle of the night I realized that those holes could also be the mounting points for the suspension gear used to hang WWII and earlier aircraft from the ceiling on the hangar deck

Rex