1944 Group Build

Nice work on the pit there.

Very excellent work on that cockpit...nice to see another big bomber in the mix!!

Jsmyth: your interior looks great, so far.

You have done a real slick job on your cockpit jsmyth. Excellent work.

Nice looking office, Smyth!

I know I'm late to the party (and to start building), but that was one sweet looking Lancaster.

And I really like the detail on the landing craft...not a subject I've seen a lot of.

I'm proud to say that I finally have a Mosquito coming to me, for my entry.  

G-J: Thanks!! The Lanc was fun...look forward to that Mosquito parked next to 'er!!

Thanks G-J!  I'm holding off on attaching the guns until I get the crew assembled and painted.  I'm using Trumpeter's LCM crew with some minor changes for variation.  Should be interesting since it's the first time I've painted figures since I was a kid.  After I get the guns on I'll weather her and wait to get my hands on some troops to run down the ramp and onto the beach.

Alright G-J, I'm looking forward to your Mossie. Glad to have you building.

silentbob, Looking forward to your figure painting. I, too, have yet to venture into the figure painting arena. But, I'm about ready to give it a shot and I'm confident that you are about to give me some confidence and inspiration.

Some great work here guys. Looking forward to seeing the Mossie G-J. And can't wait to see the finished dio bob. I am currently doing my first 35th figures in quite a few years, trying to re learn everything and then some.

Well I got the underside and the topside sprayed.  I started taping off the pattern and needed to re-adjust one of the masks, which lifted some paint.

Fortunately, it seemed to contain itself to the aileron only, so it shouldn't be too difficult to fix.  I am a bit miffed at the peeling though, as I washed, primed and all the other good stuff before painting.  I let the XF-82 sit for 2 days before taping it as well, so I don't know what's up.  I think instead of full blown taping, I'll cut out the template from the photocopies and stick in place (as in pic)  That should prevent peeling I hope.  I'm too new to the airbrush game to do free hand camouflage.  Maybe one day after much practice!

Allen

Yup, I`ve had that paint lifting happen many times too. I use low-tac painting tape and stick the adhesive side on my pant leg a few time to reduce the stickiness before I apply to the painted surface. I have a heck of a time keeping Model Master Acrylics sticking to plastic and having it being lifted by masking tape...but have always had good success with Tamiyacolor.

I tried airbrushing camo freehand on a P-47 a couple of months ago because for whatever reason I couldn't get my copier to enlarge the instructions.  I just decided to forgo the mask and paint it.  I took a white colored pencil and drew the pattern on the plane so I knew where the pattern was supposed to be, but a little bit smaller so that I could over lap it with the paint.  I don't think it turned out too badly.

Bob: nice job on that T-bolt.

That's one good looking jug indeed!

Allen, what masking tape did you use. Aside from that, its looking like a nice camo scheme.

Lovely work on that Jug Bob.

Thanks guys.  I'm pretty happy with how it came out, especially doing the camo free-hand.  I was really nervous when I started painting, but I'm really glad I marked out the pattern beforehand.

I'll echo jsmyth, Silly Putty is a God send. Oh man, Allen, your paint lifting is giving me flashbacks from my FW 190. But, if you recall from my escapade, you can indeed exact a nice repair on that.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the tips and advice, I'll certainly give them a try. 

Bish - I used Tamiya tape, although I didn't do anything prior to placing it (like Rob's method). 

Joe - I remember your 190 episode and the level of effort you expended to fix it!

Silentbob - that is a great looking Jug for sure.  I need to do a lot of practicing before attempting that.

Jsmyth - I tried to put Silly Putty down, but got a bit frustrated trying to get all of the sweeps and bends.  Maybe if I drew the pattern out like silentbob and then lay the Silly Putty over?

I'm away to Norfolk, Va to play in the Tattoo for the next week or so but will be keeping up with everyone's great progress while there!

Allen

So, I managed to get the bogie assemblies built and installed on the M4 this weekend.  I pre-painted the road wheels to make it easier.

Did I mention how I hate painting headlights?  Well, I do, so I drilled them out so I can install MV lenses later.

That's all for now....I'm off to paint the hull, barrel, sprockets, idlers......

The paint on the hull, etc. is drying, so here's the a few pics of the turret that was sanded and painted over the weekend.

The markings are next and then I'll install the gun & mantlet.  After that is the weathering phase and the adding of the accoutrements.

.

That texture looks excellent, very natural. Just perfect.

Bish, any chance I join with these two kits? I am not sure if they have 1944 marks as the info on the Squadron's website doesn't say so. But maybe somebody here could tell me. If they are good to go, then great .

This Jeep is by Tamiya, 1:35 scale

I know the jeep will be ok as long as the markings fit as you say. In regards to the Waffentrager, i believe only a couple of prototypes were built and were used in 1945, but i can't find any details of when they were actually built.

I'll see what i can dig up on those, hopefully someone will have some info.

Greg... Super detail! Lookin better and better! I've never done very well with armor so I really appreciate seeing what can be done by someone who can.

Doug

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, and I figured it was about time.  I've been trying to get the crew for the LCVP to look right, and I think I've gotten the clothing down, but I just can't seem to get the faces to look right.  Guess I'll just have to settle for the best I can do right now.  I still have to finish assembling the gunners, apply a wash for the shadows, and then give them a dull coat.  But here they are for what they're worth.

Bish

I'll see what i can dig up on those, hopefully someone will have some info.

Hey guys, did a bit of digging (cuz I'm a bit of nerd ). anyway, found an instruction sheet with a history of the Waffentrager on: 

http://www.model-making.eu/products/German-Ardelt-Waffentrager-mit-8-8-cm-PAK-43-auf-Praga-Wanne.html

It states that the decision to mass produce was taken in November 1944. With having to tool factories, I doubt if they rolled out any prototypes 'till well into '45. Now, who knows how accruate the reference is and the research conducted by that model manufacturer, but, I'm inclined to think 1945. BUT, good news is this would be great for the '45 GB that will undoubtedly be hosted here next .

Thanks for the info Rob. I hope the Waffentrager will be accepted in to Hunters II GB as i don't think it will last long enough in a box until next year for the 1945 GB

So now I just have to wait for the mailman to deliver the Jeep and hope that it has 1944 markings.

Cheers...

SilentBob...those figures are great.  When I used to paint Games Workshops miniatures, my faces always turned out "creepy."  Yours' look great.