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Latin American Aircraft Group Build

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 9:55 AM

roger_wilco

VanceCrozier

1,300 miles between the air compressor and airbrush? You'll need a long hose & several moisture traps to make that work...

Ha! I checked my local hobby shop and they only have hose in the 1,000 mile length,so I'm out of luck!

Stick out tongue

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 11:07 PM

I hit that point with the 'Tune on an airframe about the size of a B-17 where you just get so tired of filling, sanding and filling nacelles, 4" long wing joints, etc. that I needed a diversion.

OK so I opened a bottle of whine.

I had lost the little piece of decals for P-112 that El Jere gave me, and I apologize for that amigo, but I do have the instructions that came with them. So I ordered up the excellent (did everyone copy: excellent) set of decals from Aztek- Malvinas/ Falklands Part 1. Part 2 of course will be the one when it comes out that has Neptune P-112, but it's in the future.

Part 1 has the Canberra, which is a similar patrol craft and had the basics I needed, plus as it turns out a full numeral/ alphabet of all of the buzz numbers and letters ever needed for the big multi-engined aircraft in the Armada. As I'm sure I will never build an Argentine Canberra, and you can't find a B.2 in 1/72 scale anyhow, that seemed to satisfy the need for this GB.

Caramba, there's Daggers, there's Skyhawks, Mirages, Aeromacchis, and so much other stuff for $ 15.00 that I can't stop my mind from racing.

To jump to the conclusion, I picked up two of the new Airfix A-4B kits. One I'll build as an A-4P Fuerza Aero, in Dark Earth and Green, and the other as an Armada A-4Q in that attractive light gray overall with blue tail fin.

But wait, my friends and let me save the best for last like a fine Pisco or Tequila:

In the stash, which at my age resembles a wine cave; there was a Revell Mirage 3EA. $ 29.00 on eBay you say, I say yes but mine is original.

At the planning stages of the war, the British Admiralty feared, lo knew, that the Mirage would win in aerial combat against the Harrier. But, at 400 miles from Rio Gallegos, the Mirages had maybe two minutes in theater and could not be refueled by air.

After the first three days of the war they were not deployed again.

So, a Mirage and two Skyhawks added to my build list.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 11:45 PM

Sounds great my friend. I used Aztec's 1/48 set of those decals on my Mirage III EA build in 2012. I still have plenty of that sheet left (is that a double entendre?) Too bad the 1/48 Airfix Canberra in my stash is the wrong mark... And actually the Mirages did fly a few combat sorties at the end of the war, escorting Canberras, but they made no aerial contact. For most of the war the stayed on defensive alert in case the Brits had decided to have a go at any of the Argentine mainland airfields.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 12:27 AM

Thanks for the info. That makes good sense.

I had a friend who's father was a big chief at DARPA at the time. He basically focused grouped a couple of us: the scenario was that (I will PM you).

CanberraB-108 was the last aircraft lost in the war.

Osprey No. 28 Combat Aircraft in the Falklands War

Interesting info:

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a202551.pdf

Here's the latest on the 'Tune:

"And the Beat Goes On".

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 1:26 AM

I have that book. And an issue of "Wings of Fame" (or one of those gorgeous periodicals by the same publisher) that has a full debrief on Argentine Mirage operations during the war. Good stuff.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 1:29 AM

Oh yes, the P2V is coming along nicely there. I would love to see it done by Revell in 1:48... Why Revell? Because then I could afford it.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 1:54 AM

OK so as the expert, what was the load on the Mirage at the beginning of the war?

Matra Magic R530. And if so how many and where?

Centerline pylon had what?

What sized tanks?

Your help could be truly appreciated as I don't have those books and really don't focus much on Mirage jets.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 2:06 AM

Only a few of the Mirage III EAs were wired to carry the Magic. Those that were carried them on the outboard pylons. They also carried the R530 ( radar guided) on the centerline pylon. They carried the largest drop tanks (I will have to look up volume) for escort/offensive sorties. For defensive mainland alert, the had the slimmer supersonic tanks fitted. I can check my reference tomorrow and get you the serial numbers of which ones were wired for the Magic IR AAM.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 2:50 AM

Thank you very much. The Revell kit has Sidewinders as it represents , well, French birds that flew with them.

I well remember your 1/48 bird it is a well done model and reminded me of what mine should look like when I dug the kit out.

I started it this evening. It's a flash monster for sure.

Drat the canopy is huge so there'll be a bunch of work in the office.

Thanks for the props on the Neptune. Next stage is the wings, then a lot more filling and sanding.

It's curious. I have always had a high regard for the Hasegawa kits from the 1970's, but building one now is a real chore. The detail is wonderful, but the fit is pretty poor and I have had to fill and sand a lot of detail away that cannot be replaced.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 7:54 AM

Ohhhhhhhh, looking good there GM!

Well, I did the canopy last night- haven't peeling the masking off- hope they look okay.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 1:11 PM

Ok, the Mirages carried 375 gallon/1700 litre drop tanks for offensive/escort missions and the slim "supersonic" tanks for mainland defense missions. They carried the R.530E on the centerline pylon, and Mirages from the second batch (I-013 thru I-019) were wired to carry the R.550 Magic. Mirage III EAs from the first batch (I-002 thru I-012) did not have Magic capability initially but some were worked on during the war to provide this capability. I-009 was lost pre war and as such did not fly in combat there. I-015 and I-019 were lost in combat and "friendly fire" on May 1st.

Sorry to hear about the lost detail on the Neptune. It's funny how time make those old builds seem better than they were.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Saturday, January 25, 2014 1:14 AM

The Neptune is coming along finally. The major airframe components are assembled and shes ready for the Dark Ghost Gray bottom/ Intermediate Blue topside, to be followed by Medium Green camouflage.

Meanwhile I have the Air force A-4P in hand, the Navy A-4Q in hand and the Air force Mirage IIIEA under construction.

The P is a straightforward repaint of the Airfix B. Nice little model.

The Q requires the Freightdog conversion kit nose and spine avionics hump.

That set also gives me the 1000 lb bomb, long range tanks and 350 lb tri-mount bombs I need.

The Matra 530 missiles are on the way for the Mirage from Hi Planes.

I'm looking into a C-130H refueler. Jeaton gave me an Airfix Herc last time we met for lunch.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Saturday, January 25, 2014 3:51 PM

That Neptune is shaping up nicely G!!

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Saturday, January 25, 2014 5:04 PM

GM: The Neptune is shaping up nicely. So is Captain Nemo there- nice nautical theme going on!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, January 26, 2014 1:13 AM

Looking good there GM.  It sounds like you have a good Argentine air arm in the wings there. I have no progress worth posting photos of myself. Just some airbrushing of internal parts and almost ready for major external painting.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • From: West Chester,Ohio
Posted by roger_wilco on Sunday, January 26, 2014 7:30 PM

Looking forward to seeing the Neptune finished,as I've always liked the looks of that aircraft.Nice builds everyone!

"Build what YOU want, the way YOU want, and above all have fun!" - RIP Modeler Al. 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 6:33 PM

GMorrison

The Neptune is coming along finally. The major airframe components are assembled and shes ready for the Dark Ghost Gray bottom/ Intermediate Blue topside, to be followed by Medium Green camouflage.

Meanwhile I have the Air force A-4P in hand, the Navy A-4Q in hand and the Air force Mirage IIIEA under construction.

The P is a straightforward repaint of the Airfix B. Nice little model.

The Q requires the Freightdog conversion kit nose and spine avionics hump.

That set also gives me the 1000 lb bomb, long range tanks and 350 lb tri-mount bombs I need.

The Matra 530 missiles are on the way for the Mirage from Hi Planes.

I'm looking into a C-130H refueler. Jeaton gave me an Airfix Herc last time we met for lunch.

Sounds like you're rebuilding the Argentine Air Force... they'd look good next to a Falklands-era Pucara! Whistling Wink

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, January 30, 2014 7:33 PM

Oh this will not do... almost 2 days since any postings in here!Surprise

Well today I finally began slinging some paint. on teh exterior of my Tigershark. Actually I had done a little bit, but had not yet taken any photos. I masked off the intakes and wheel wells, plyons and blade antenas are glued in place, canopy and windscreen are masked and glued and tacked in place respectively. I had painted the base color of the rudder white for the Mexican tri color rudder flash and masked off the appropriate area as well....

so I used Humbrol 30 RAF Dark Green for Radome Green

and Testors square bottle Flat Beret Green for the Green rudder Tricolor stripe. It was the closest color in my inventory to the MAF National Insignia

and some shots of where I am now

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, January 31, 2014 11:19 AM

She looks good SP! Afraid I haven't gotten too much done since Wednesday was my turn to be involved in a car accident. Just a little bruised and battered but haven't been in a mood to work on anything lately.  

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, January 31, 2014 11:56 AM

I know the feeling. I am only now getting back into the modeling groove here. Did you get the airbag left jab to the nose and chin Gamera? At least you're able to post here, so that is a good sign. I am very sorry to hear about your collision.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, January 31, 2014 1:31 PM

Hey thanks SP, actually it wasn't anywhere near as bad as your accident. We've got this thing called snow and ice which I don't think you have in sunny CA Big Smile- normally we don't get much down here in VA either but this has been the coldest winter in decades. I hit a patch of ice, well no biggie, just let the car drift forward till she gets traction again. Well, I drifted, had to be 100-150 feet without any grip till the car turned friggin' broadside in the road and slid out to slam into a fence. I was only going maybe 25 mph or so but it smashed the driver's side door all to hell, bent the side frame, and I felt like someone had whaled on the left side of my rib cage with a baseball bat. 

Over most of the pain now just kinda ticked off to see my 2002 Trans Am ruined. I babied that car for the last ten years, she had all the original equipment and looked other than a few dings and pings the same as I'd driven her off the showroom floor. But now since she's 12 years old the Kelley Blue Book value is about $5000 and it will probably cost more than that to fix her. Plus the side frame is bent so I doubt it will ever be the same again. Looked at a few Camaros with the same options and the dealers want about 60 thousand which is frankly more than I'm willing to pay. So I'm just sitting here in a blue funk. 

Sorry, just feel like venting... Bang Head

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, January 31, 2014 4:12 PM

Yup... I feel your pain... about he car that is ;-) No shots to the ribs for me, although my parachuting and boxing days gave me a few of those before. Not pleasant. We actually do have snow and ice here in southern California, but it's inland in the mountains, not down low here near that big blue body of water that's down the street... almost ready to do some more airbrushing here shortly...

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, January 31, 2014 11:42 PM

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • From: West Chester,Ohio
Posted by roger_wilco on Saturday, February 1, 2014 7:07 AM

Hey SP,

She's looking mighty fine! Can't wait to see her when she's done.Gamera,sorry to hear about your accident but glad you're okay.It bites having a treasured vehicle wrecked like that.I remember when the Trans Am was so popular in the 70s due to the movie, Smokey and the Bandit.

"Build what YOU want, the way YOU want, and above all have fun!" - RIP Modeler Al. 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Saturday, February 1, 2014 6:32 PM

Looks great SP, the Mexican colours on the tail came out great!

RW: Thanks, funny though about ten years newer my Trans Am looks a bit like KITT from Knight Rider- one of the guys in our modeling club used to want me to put a big swooshing light on the front!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, February 1, 2014 7:24 PM

So far so good today. I got the rudder masked off and then began the camo in tandem with the F-104C that I am working on in the same colors. Tan 30219 followed by Green 34102

Again apologies for the blurry photos. I swear I am ready to drop kick half of my high tech electronics here until they end up in the surf down the street...

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • From: West Chester,Ohio
Posted by roger_wilco on Sunday, February 2, 2014 7:20 AM

She's almost ready to fly off the bench SP!

"Build what YOU want, the way YOU want, and above all have fun!" - RIP Modeler Al. 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, February 2, 2014 11:15 AM

Almost ;-)

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, February 2, 2014 9:29 PM

Hey SP, the camo looks great!

Was hoping to be finished my Corsair today but had some issues with getting the gunsight straight before cementing the canopy on so I just let 'er go a little longer.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, February 2, 2014 10:19 PM

Just wait until I get the 34079 green on. Then it will be looking sharp! Depending upon weather here I will get that color on in a day or two. It's raining pretty good here now and supposed to continue thru the morning. Lord knows that we need the rain here big time! Anyways, I am looking forward to more progress photos of your Corsair in the near future here. Take your time to get it just right...

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

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