First Annual USAF Vietnam Group Build

Hi Everyone,

Today's "This Day in History" took place 47 years ago, April 21, 1967.  It was "Operation Union".  Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:

Operation Union was a military operation conducted by the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. It was a search and destroy mission in the Que Son Valley carried out by the 1st Marine Regiment. The object of the operation was the 2nd Division of the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN, often in US sources "North Vietnamese Army" or NVA). Launched on April 21, 1967 the operation ended May 16.

The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Union 

Ken

Hi Everyone,

On "This Day in History", April 23, 1975, "Operation New Life" started.  Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:

Operation New Life (23 April – 1 November 1975) was the care and processing on Guam of more than 111,000 Vietnamese refugees evacuated from Saigon by Operation Frequent Wind in the closing days of the Vietnam War. The great majority of the refugees were transported onward to be resettled in the United States. A few thousand were resettled in other countries or chose to return to Vietnam on the vessel Tuong Tin

The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_New_Life 

Ken

Hi Everyone,

On "This Day in History", "Operation Birmingham" began, April 24, 1966.  Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:

Operation Birmingham was a military operation of the Vietnam War in War Zone C, north of Saigon. The US 1st Infantry Division and the ARVN 5th Division conducted operations on the eastern flank of War Zone C. The goals were opening Route 13 from Saigon to the north and engaging the Viet Cong 9th Division. The Viet Cong successfully managed to withdraw beyond the Cambodian border, after having only 100 soldiers killed by US and South Vietnamese forces; along with that are 500 tons of weapons, ordnance, rice, salt and other foods seized by anti-communist forces.

Ken

Hi Everyone!

Exciting news!  Fellow modeler Russ (aka Striker8241) brought to my attention a new kit that has just become available.  It is the Roden C-123B in 1/72 scale.  Say goodbye to the poorly made Mach 2 kit.  This kit is a much needed improvement over the Mach 2 kit.  And I would not be at all surprised if Roden comes out with a C-123K version (with the jet pods) in the near future.

Here is a link to a review of the kit:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/rod/kit_rod_0056.shtml 

Thank you Russ for bringing this kit to my attention!   

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Time for some more "This Day in History".

59 years ago today, April 27, 1955, the Battle for Saigon began.  Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:

The Battle for Saigon was a month-long battle between the Vietnamese National Army of the State of Vietnam (later to become the Army of the Republic of Vietnam) and the private army of the Bình Xuyên organised crime syndicate. At the time, the Bình Xuyên was licensed with controlling the national police by Emperor Bảo Đại, and Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm issued an ultimatum for them to surrender and come under state control. The battle started on April 27, 1955 and the VNA had largely crushed the Bình Xuyên within a week. Fighting was mostly concentrated in the inner city Chinese business district of Cholon. The densely crowded area saw some 500-1000 deaths and up to 20,000 civilians made homeless in the cross-fire. In the end, the Bình Xuyên were decisively defeated, their army disbanded and their vice operations collapsed.

The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saigon_(1955)

Another event that happened on this day, April 27, 1964, was Operation Sure Win 202 began.  Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:

Operation Sure Win 202 (Vietnamese : Chiến dịch Quyết Thắng 202) was a 1964 Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) operation carried out with US support. ARVN commandos were transported by U.S. helicopters behind entrenched Viet Cong positions, attacking them with shoulder fired rockets and flame throwers. Sniper teams then tracked the fleeing rebels and engaged them.

And finally on this day, April 27, 1974, the Battle of Svay Rieng began.  Here is a description from Wikipedia:

The Battle of Svay Rieng was the last major operation of the Vietnam War to be mounted by the South Vietnamese army against the Communist VPA forces.

The operation began with a major thrust against the North Vietnamese 5th Division by the ARVN, the South Vietnamese Regional Force established blocking positions on the southwestern edge of the 5th Division as the South Vietnamese air force conducted strikes against base areas of the 5th Division. The ARVN 40th Infantry Regiment and the 7th Ranger Group, under the command of General Thuan, pushed around Duc Hue towards the Cambodian border. On April 28, the VPA 275th Regiment and the 25th Sapper Battalion launched a fierce attack on the Long Khot District Town as eleven South Vietnamese Battalions were preparing for a major assault. The VPA offensive did not deter the movement of ARVN forces. On the morning of the next day, ARVN armoured forces smashed across the Cambodian border west of Go Dau Hau directly towards the VPA 5th Division Headquarters.

The movement of the South Vietnamese forces was such a threat that the North Vietnamese were forced to defend their logistical installations with units from Long Khot. The 275th Regiment was threatened with isolation when the ARVN advanced into the Elephant's Foot. As part of the operation, the South Vietnamese army penetrated 16km into Cambodian territory with surprised attacks on Communist positions, with some ARVN units conducting sweep operations between Duc Hue and Go Dau Hau. By the time all South Vietnamese operations were seized, VPA communication lines and logistical installations were severely damaged. Due to the nature of secrecy, speed and accuracy of the operation, South Vietnamese casualties were kept to a minimum, while the North Vietnamese suffered heavy losses in terms of manpower and equipment.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone!

Exciting news!  Fellow modeler Russ (aka Striker8241) brought to my attention a new kit that has just become available.  It is the Roden C-123B in 1/72 scale.  Say goodbye to the poorly made Mach 2 kit.  This kit is a much needed improvement over the Mach 2 kit.  And I would not be at all surprised if Roden comes out with a C-123K version (with the jet pods) in the near future.

Here is a link to a review of the kit:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/rod/kit_rod_0056.shtml 

Thank you Russ for bringing this kit to my attention!   

Ken

You're very welcome, Ken!

Russ

Time for an update. It's been a while, but I've managed to put some time into the F-4. After finishing the cockpit, I went to work on the exhaust and afterburners. 

I used Gunzo's metalizers of the cans, but I painted the inside of the exhaust off-white, and then airbrushed a very subtle tint or thinned green.

Then came the main assembly. Everything went in okay, and taped up the wings to ensure a good fit, and used Revel's cement to seal the deal with the wings and the fuselage. The fit was really good. I also started to add additional details in behind the WSO's panel with copper wiring.

I also began painting the outer portions of the cockpit Testor's Interior Aircraft Black.  View of the jet exhaust after assembly.

Bit's and pieces of the landing gear doors.

The biggest problem with this kit were the intakes. It took forever to try and line them up, endless filling and sanding...and it still doesn't look good. I am not very happy with this part of the kit, and I didn't feel like investing in some weird convoluted replacement. Maybe I'll find some intake covers. Regardless, the fit is not good. I guess I need to work a little better on my building skills....

I also began some preshading, and painted the nose cone with its initial coat of black. I also painted the interior of the air brakes, Insignia Red. 

Filling complete. Tried a little experiment and hand painted some of the Gunzo metalizers....and see if there is a way I can use that...maybe...I don't think it's going to work, though! But, the sanding, filling, pre-shading and masking is complete.

Well, paintjob turned out okay. I started with the underside with light gray, waited 24 hours, then went to work topside. Starting with Brown, but I only painted were the paint was required, not over the whole things, and I did the same with the other two colors. I did the entire thing free-hand, no pattern masking. I used Mr. Color paints, with a 50/50 ratio of paint and Mr. Color thinner with a few drops of mild retarder. I used a very low PSI so I could get close with the airbrush, and a nice tightly feathered pattern. I angled the airbrush close to the surface and spayed inwards towards the pattern. When the job was complete, I went back to touch up a few spots, the gave it a few coats of Future.

I also completed the wheels and hobs. The wheels and hubs are separate so painting was a breeze.

(Note). I built and completed the tail section by itself...but tested the fit first before I did this, and it fit like a glove. I'll try to get a pic of that. Next up is the nose cone, small exterior details, attaching the tail to the fuselage then decals.

By the way, I failed to notice the instructions to drill holes in the wings for the weapons mounts and external wing tanks. Any suggestions on how I can remedy this?

Hello All,

Although not quite done with my other GB, I figured that it was time to start the process for this one. I will need to go back and see all of the great work you all are doing here.

At present, I'm very early in the build process, and have just started surgery for resin. I've also laid down the preshade and first coat on the cockpit and wheel well components. I have neither painted any details nor done a wash yet on the cockpit. There are some good shadows starting allready however.

This image is of the replacement AMS intake mated to the kit intake and the (oversanded, note the shims) Aires front wheel well, all glued in place. The Aires exhaust isn't fixed, and I made a major mistake by gluing the can to the tube before fixing it in place. the white ring is an attempt at making a mount that will hold the assembly.  Don't think this method will work, had a different idea the other day and need to see if that will be effective. 

The Starboard fuse from the outside, showing how the AMS nose fits. A bit of filler will be required, might have been my cutting technique. Also note the first steps in creating the discolored rear of the aircraft where engine heat burned the paint off. The entire process fills me with dread, but that is what modeling is I guess. 

Not much, but a start.  Next steps are to start the detail painting in the cockpit, and assembly of same.

Beckyhead

Time for an update. It's been a while, but I've managed to put some time into the F-4. After finishing the cockpit, I went to work on the exhaust and afterburners. 

I used Gunzo's metalizers of the cans, but I painted the inside of the exhaust off-white, and then airbrushed a very subtle tint or thinned green.

Then came the main assembly. Everything went in okay, and taped up the wings to ensure a good fit, and used Revel's cement to seal the deal with the wings and the fuselage. The fit was really good. I also started to add additional details in behind the WSO's panel with copper wiring.

I also began painting the outer portions of the cockpit Testor's Interior Aircraft Black.  View of the jet exhaust after assembly.

Bit's and pieces of the landing gear doors.

The biggest problem with this kit were the intakes. It took forever to try and line them up, endless filling and sanding...and it still doesn't look good. I am not very happy with this part of the kit, and I didn't feel like investing in some weird convoluted replacement. Maybe I'll find some intake covers. Regardless, the fit is not good. I guess I need to work a little better on my building skills....

I also began some preshading, and painted the nose cone with its initial coat of black. I also painted the interior of the air brakes, Insignia Red. 

Filling complete. Tried a little experiment and hand painted some of the Gunzo metalizers....and see if there is a way I can use that...maybe...I don't think it's going to work, though! But, the sanding, filling, pre-shading and masking is complete.

Well, paintjob turned out okay. I started with the underside with light gray, waited 24 hours, then went to work topside. Starting with Brown, but I only painted were the paint was required, not over the whole things, and I did the same with the other two colors. I did the entire thing free-hand, no pattern masking. I used Mr. Color paints, with a 50/50 ratio of paint and Mr. Color thinner with a few drops of mild retarder. I used a very low PSI so I could get close with the airbrush, and a nice tightly feathered pattern. I angled the airbrush close to the surface and spayed inwards towards the pattern. When the job was complete, I went back to touch up a few spots, the gave it a few coats of Future.

I also completed the wheels and hobs. The wheels and hubs are separate so painting was a breeze.

(Note). I built and completed the tail section by itself...but tested the fit first before I did this, and it fit like a glove. I'll try to get a pic of that. Next up is the nose cone, small exterior details, attaching the tail to the fuselage then decals.

By the way, I failed to notice the instructions to drill holes in the wings for the weapons mounts and external wing tanks. Any suggestions on how I can remedy this?

Hi Beckyhead,

Great work so far! 

MAgather

Hello All,

Although not quite done with my other GB, I figured that it was time to start the process for this one. I will need to go back and see all of the great work you all are doing here.

At present, I'm very early in the build process, and have just started surgery for resin. I've also laid down the preshade and first coat on the cockpit and wheel well components. I have neither painted any details nor done a wash yet on the cockpit. There are some good shadows starting allready however.

This image is of the replacement AMS intake mated to the kit intake and the (oversanded, note the shims) Aires front wheel well, all glued in place. The Aires exhaust isn't fixed, and I made a major mistake by gluing the can to the tube before fixing it in place. the white ring is an attempt at making a mount that will hold the assembly.  Don't think this method will work, had a different idea the other day and need to see if that will be effective. 

The Starboard fuse from the outside, showing how the AMS nose fits. A bit of filler will be required, might have been my cutting technique. Also note the first steps in creating the discolored rear of the aircraft where engine heat burned the paint off. The entire process fills me with dread, but that is what modeling is I guess. 

Not much, but a start.  Next steps are to start the detail painting in the cockpit, and assembly of same.

Thanks, Marty

Hi Marty,

Great start so far!      Yes, I think we are all gluttons for punishment when we start using the aftermarket resin to detail our models!  But that is the only way we will be satisfied when it is finished.  The pre-shading on the area around the exhaust looks really good!

Ken

Beckyhead

Time for an update. It's been a while, but I've managed to put some time into the F-4. After finishing the cockpit, I went to work on the exhaust and afterburners.

I used Gunzo's metalizers of the cans, but I painted the inside of the exhaust off-white, and then airbrushed a very subtle tint or thinned green.

Then came the main assembly. Everything went in okay, and taped up the wings to ensure a good fit, and used Revel's cement to seal the deal with the wings and the fuselage. The fit was really good. I also started to add additional details in behind the WSO's panel with copper wiring.

I also began painting the outer portions of the cockpit Testor's Interior Aircraft Black.  View of the jet exhaust after assembly.

Bit's and pieces of the landing gear doors.

The biggest problem with this kit were the intakes. It took forever to try and line them up, endless filling and sanding...and it still doesn't look good. I am not very happy with this part of the kit, and I didn't feel like investing in some weird convoluted replacement. Maybe I'll find some intake covers. Regardless, the fit is not good. I guess I need to work a little better on my building skills....

I also began some preshading, and painted the nose cone with its initial coat of black. I also painted the interior of the air brakes, Insignia Red.

Filling complete. Tried a little experiment and hand painted some of the Gunzo metalizers....and see if there is a way I can use that...maybe...I don't think it's going to work, though! But, the sanding, filling, pre-shading and masking is complete.

Well, paintjob turned out okay. I started with the underside with light gray, waited 24 hours, then went to work topside. Starting with Brown, but I only painted were the paint was required, not over the whole things, and I did the same with the other two colors. I did the entire thing free-hand, no pattern masking. I used Mr. Color paints, with a 50/50 ratio of paint and Mr. Color thinner with a few drops of mild retarder. I used a very low PSI so I could get close with the airbrush, and a nice tightly feathered pattern. I angled the airbrush close to the surface and spayed inwards towards the pattern. When the job was complete, I went back to touch up a few spots, the gave it a few coats of Future.

I also completed the wheels and hobs. The wheels and hubs are separate so painting was a breeze.

(Note). I built and completed the tail section by itself...but tested the fit first before I did this, and it fit like a glove. I'll try to get a pic of that. Next up is the nose cone, small exterior details, attaching the tail to the fuselage then decals.

By the way, I failed to notice the instructions to drill holes in the wings for the weapons mounts and external wing tanks. Any suggestions on how I can remedy this?

That's looking great, Beckyhead! Those cans look really nice - it's a shame only the insides will be visible.

Russ

MAgather

Hello All,

Although not quite done with my other GB, I figured that it was time to start the process for this one. I will need to go back and see all of the great work you all are doing here.

At present, I'm very early in the build process, and have just started surgery for resin. I've also laid down the preshade and first coat on the cockpit and wheel well components. I have neither painted any details nor done a wash yet on the cockpit. There are some good shadows starting allready however.

This image is of the replacement AMS intake mated to the kit intake and the (oversanded, note the shims) Aires front wheel well, all glued in place. The Aires exhaust isn't fixed, and I made a major mistake by gluing the can to the tube before fixing it in place. the white ring is an attempt at making a mount that will hold the assembly.  Don't think this method will work, had a different idea the other day and need to see if that will be effective.

The Starboard fuse from the outside, showing how the AMS nose fits. A bit of filler will be required, might have been my cutting technique. Also note the first steps in creating the discolored rear of the aircraft where engine heat burned the paint off. The entire process fills me with dread, but that is what modeling is I guess.

Not much, but a start.  Next steps are to start the detail painting in the cockpit, and assembly of same.

Thanks, Marty

 

Looking good, Marty!

Russ

Hi Everyone,

"On this Day in History", April 29, 1970, 44 years ago, the Cambodian Campaign began.  Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:

The Cambodian Campaign (also known as the Cambodian Incursion and the Cambodian Invasion) was a series of military operations conducted in eastern Cambodia during mid-1970 by the United States and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) during the Vietnam War. These invasions were a result of the policy of President Richard Nixon. A total of 13 major operations were conducted by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) between 29 April and 22 July and by US forces between 1 May and 30 June.

The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_Campaign 

Also on this day, April 29, 1975, many significant events occurred just as the Vietnam war was coming to a close.  One event was the Battle of Truong Sa began.  Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:

The Battle of Truong Sa was a naval battle that resulted in the capture of the South Vietnamese-held Truong Sa Islands by North Vietnamese forces on April 29, 1975. Following the reunification of Vietnam in 1976, Truong Sa became a part of Khanh Hoa Province.

April 29, 1975 was also the beginning of the end for Saigon.  Here is a list of events from Wikipedia:

Charles McMahon and Darwin Lee Judge were the last two U.S. servicemen killed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. They died during a rocket attack while serving with the Marine Security Guard Battalion at the US Embassy, Saigon and were providing security for the DAO Compound, adjacent to Tân Sơn Nhứt Airport, Saigon.

Hubert van Es was a Dutch photographer and photojournalist who took the well-known photo on 29 April 1975, which shows South Vietnamese civilians scrambling to board a CIA Air America helicopter during the U.S. evacuation of Saigon.

^{Operation Frequent Wind was the evacuation by helicopter of American civilians and 'at-risk' Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam, on 29–30 April 1975 during the last days of the Vietnam War.}

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Today is a very significant day in "This Day in History".  39 years ago today, April 30, 1975, was the Fall of Saigon, which basically marked the end of the Vietnam War.  Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:

The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (also known as the Viet Cong) on April 30, 1975. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a transition period leading to the formal reunification of Vietnam into a Socialist Republic governed by the Communist Party.

The full story can be read here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Saigon 

Ken

HI Everyone,

I have just uploaded a video onto YouTube.  This is a 8mm film that my Dad took while he was stationed in Vietnam.  Here is a link:

And here is a sparse narration:

It starts off with some site seeing around Saigon. Then to the Saigon Zoo.  After that, a pretty cool looking clock in the side of a mound.  If you look closely, you can see the date spelled out in the flowers.  Then more site seeing around Saigon.  Then back to the zoo.  Here you will see Boy Scouts visiting the zoo.  Then a street artist.

Finally we are in the C-123B flying over Saigon and beyond.  (You can see from the engines and wing that it is a C-123.)  Watch carefully, and you will see a FAC plane (I think a Bird Dog) flying below.

Then we are back on the ground at what I believe is either Da Nang Air Base or Nha Trang Air Base.  You will see a C-47 with Vietnam Air Force markings and service men with M-16 rifles.

Finally we are back at Tan Son Nhut Air Base and get to see several RF-101Cs as they head out toward the main runway.  Then we watch a pair of RF-101s as they take off!  Then the video finishes with a view of a line of RF-101Cs.

If you look carefully once the video is at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, you can see several different planes in the background.

Ken

Russ and Ken,

Thanks for the encouragement. I still need to show some heat effects coloration on the titanium, but I was shooting Alclad for another project, and I just hit the fuse because I had the lacquers loaded in the AB.

Time for some more "This Day in History" May 1, 1955.  Here is an short excerpt from Wikipedia:

Ngô Đình Diệm marches his army to Cao Đài political center in Tây Ninh under the shadow of the Black Virgin Mountain. He forced the Cao Đài pope, Pham Cong Tac, to flee to Cambodia and takes the political power of the Cao Dai sect for himself and absorbs their army into the fledging National Army.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

HI Everyone,

I have just uploaded a video onto YouTube.  This is a 8mm film that my Dad took while he was stationed in Vietnam.  Here is a link:

And here is a sparse narration:

 

It starts off with some site seeing around Saigon. Then to the Saigon Zoo.  After that, a pretty cool looking clock in the side of a mound.  If you look closely, you can see the date spelled out in the flowers.  Then more site seeing around Saigon.  Then back to the zoo.  Here you will see Boy Scouts visiting the zoo.  Then a street artist.

Finally we are in the C-123B flying over Saigon and beyond.  (You can see from the engines and wing that it is a C-123.)  Watch carefully, and you will see a FAC plane (I think a Bird Dog) flying below.

Then we are back on the ground at what I believe is either Da Nang Air Base or Nha Trang Air Base.  You will see a C-47 with Vietnam Air Force markings and service men with M-16 rifles.

Finally we are back at Tan Son Nhut Air Base and get to see several RF-101Cs as they head out toward the main runway.  Then we watch a pair of RF-101s as they take off!  Then the video finishes with a view of a line of RF-101Cs.

If you look carefully once the video is at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, you can see several different planes in the background.

Ken

Great film, Ken! Many thanks for sharing it with us!

Russ

Striker8241

Great film, Ken! Many thanks for sharing it with us!

Russ

You are most welcome Russ!

Here is another one.  It has an exciting part where a pilot of an RF-101C took my Dad's camera up with him and shot some footage.  The pilot does some incredible stunts, flying low to the surface, at one point flying straight toward the side of a cliff and pulling up at the last second, barrel rolls, flying straight up and then down (shown on the altimeter), and a few spins.  Then there are some footage of an "Open House" at Kadena AFB Okinawa.

Ken 

Kiwi

So this happened...

Slightly off topic again, but I'm doing a RAF Battle of Britain diorama and been collecting these for the last 6-8 months or so. I have a typhoon on the way and have every detail up kit for the lancaster you can get! Except for the flaps, which I don't know if I want yet...

[URL=http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/look695sr/media/AB44AE95-4169-4382-BF60-5A32CC7C2506_zps30rk81fq.jpg.html]

Nice collection there Tim!  Looks like it will be a lot of fun!

Ken

Hi Everyone!

Well I missed one yesterday for the "This Day in History".  It was 49 years ago yesterday, May 3, 1965, that the first U.S. Army troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade arrive in Vietnam.

Ken

Hi Everyone,

"This Day in History", May 5, 1968, communist units initiated PHASE II of the Tet Offensive.  Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:

During the early morning hours of 5 May, communist units initiated PHASE II of the Tet Offensive of 1968 (also known as the May Offensive, "Little Tet", and "Mini-Tet") by striking 119 targets throughout South Vietnam, including Saigon. This time, however, allied intelligence was better prepared, stripping away the element of surprise. Most of the communist forces were intercepted by allied screening elements before they reached their targets. 13 NLF battalions, however, managed to slip through the cordon and once again plunged the capital into chaos. Severe fighting occurred at Phu Lam, (where it took two days to root out the 267th NLF Local Force Battalion), around the Y-Bridge, and at Tan Son Nhut.^[1] By 12 May, however, it was all over. NLF forces withdrew from the area leaving behind over 3,000 dead^[2] and 7,500 wounded.

The full story can be read here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Offensive 

Ken

Kiwi

Yeowsa! You're going to have your hands full with that setup, Tim! What's the concept?

Russ

I have no idea, :)

I went to an airshow in Canada last year that had a show called 'Music of the Merlins'. I've always loved the Mosquito and Lancaster so started with picking those up. So naturally the Hurricane and Spitfire were next. I kind of went on a rampage picking up the Lancaster parts but figured for such a big and expensive kit I might as well go all out. Thinking of just a crowded RAF ground scene with a cheeky 109 flying over the treetops... any suggestions?

I'm making slow progress on my F102 for the actual build as well, fingers crossed to have that finished up in the next couple of weeks, yay! :)

Hmm... how about the back end of a hangar as a backdrop and the other aircraft positioned around in various states of repair and being worked on. Maybe you could have the 109 as a captured aircraft that British mechanics (and lots of brass of course) are looking over. At that scale, with all those aircraft, it's gonna be big. You may want to concentrate on just the fighters or just the bombers.

Russ

Battle of Britain??? Am I on the right thread???  LOL, just kidding!  Who's not up for anything Battle Of Britain? Sounds like a cool idea, but I'm not sure if the Typhoon was around during that time period, was it?  Love all the old RAF movies from the 60s.......

I may have to pare back my project list a bit for this GB.  Still haven't gotten back to that Skymaster, and debating how to recover it...  Will try and get back on track with the Skyraider...we'll see!

Dave

Kiwi

I have no idea, :)

I went to an airshow in Canada last year that had a show called 'Music of the Merlins'. I've always loved the Mosquito and Lancaster so started with picking those up. So naturally the Hurricane and Spitfire were next. I kind of went on a rampage picking up the Lancaster parts but figured for such a big and expensive kit I might as well go all out. Thinking of just a crowded RAF ground scene with a cheeky 109 flying over the treetops... any suggestions?

I'm making slow progress on my F102 for the actual build as well, fingers crossed to have that finished up in the next couple of weeks, yay! :)

Hi Tim,

No problems there, just post some pictures when you have any progress to show.   

Ken

You're right about the Typhoon... I guess that just made my diorama easier, :) It will be a while before I started, I had just laid out all the stuff I procured and knew that no one would understand except you guys!

This is great if you haven't already read it -

oppositelock.jalopnik.com/favorite-sr-71-story-1079127041