1944 Group Build

aj, I just checked on Hannnats, I think the squadron one you want is 9528. I am not aware of any company that makes open canopy's, but the vaform ones are easy to cut. Not sure if it applies to other scales, but in Squadron 72nd fighter canopy's you get 2, so some room for error.

waynec

i would use the rust powder for the streaking BUT BE CAREFUL. i think my rust powder is tamia and it looks really nice but stains the paint so you want to do a little at a time, just a couple of grains at a time.

i don't put a barrier clear between my acrylic paint and my powders or oil washes unless i have ALOT of decals i need to knock down the sheen on. my painting and chipping has decreased since i started doing modern vehicles. even exhaust systems on big trucks just don't rust. so it's mix my own dust with pastels or lots of washes.

Thanks Waynec for the tip.

Here are some updates photos of some weathering of the tracks and road wheels.

Nice-looking mud, Nomad.  Looks suitably gooey, sticky and wet.

It took a solid week of cleaning up the pieces for USS North Carolina.  It took at least two hours every night, and I think half that time was used picking up the little parts when I dropped them.

Fortunately, I only had one shoot out from the locking-tweezers and disappear into the Gamma Quadrant.  I think I can scratch-build a replacement.

Also broke both masts--they are very fragile.  But I think a little glue and sanding will fix them up.

Here are some photos of selected parts displayed on President Roosevelt's dime.  The flash wasn't working (battery dying), so they're a little dark.

Anchors, the bow flag staff and various things that I don't know what they are.

The quad 40mm antiaircraft guns

Couple of ladders and search lights

The 20mm aa guns

5 inch guns and turret

Next up is researching the paint scheme.  Since BB-55 was painted in three colors, I have to find out what fittings were painted in which color.

Nice progress CMK. It seems as though your patience has paid dividends as you did a remarkable job cleaning up those tiny parts. Like I mentioned early in the GB, I have the Tamiya 1/700 version. When I picked up that kit I also picked up the Technical Reference Book put out by the memorial and a set of ship plans from The Dry Dock.. My point is that I'm not sure what references you have on hand but, if there is anything I can look up for you to help you out I will be happy to.

Thanks, Joe.  I appreciate your generous offer.  Actually, I don't have any references at all, except what I can find on the internet, so I will very likely have questions.  

Hello everyone,

I'm back at it after a few months away (I think April was my last update).  I find it hard to get bench time in the summer.  As well I was out of commission for a good 6 weeks after slamming the car door on my thumb . 

Anywho, I've been poking away at my wee Tiffie here and there, so here is a progress report.

I repainted over the left aileron where the paint had lifted, masked and put down the XF-81 Dark Green.  Once again, I had a bit of paint lift when I removed the mask (circled)...frustrating.  However, it can be rectified when the decals go on as there is one bound for that area that can be shuffled back a bit to cover the boo boo.

On to the decals then hang the rockets:

More to follow

Weird...the last couple of pics were clipped from my above post, so I'll add in another I guess. (Is there a limit per post?)

I did up the prop and spinner. Hit it with my air hose in an effort to get the small yellow dot as round as possible.  I suppose I shouldn't drink coffee while doing this; I might be a bit steadier with the ol' brush.

I guess about all that is left is the gear, canopy and some washes.

Thanks for looking,

 Allen

Awesome job. Your painting is great. Looking forward to more photos.

WOW!!! I would drive my wife crazy having her looking for parts I've dropped. Great job on getting the parts cleaned. One of these days I might go after something smaller than 1/48 and 1/35.

Hey Allen, It's great to see you back. I was wondering what might have become of ya. Sorry to hear about the thumb but sure glad to hear you've healed up. See, If we all just remained at our benches working on our models we would avoid accidents and injuries such as yours. Well, maybe.

Enough of that nonsense, let's get to drooling all over your Typhoon. First let me tell you that you have upped the ante on your skills and abilities. Really, really beautiful work you have done so far. Very sharp paint work and camo. Excellent detail painting in the gear and gun bays. Seems to me that you've slipped a few steps past us. Either that or my short term memory truly is in the crapper. With that, Did you paint the invasion stripes or are they decals? How did you mask your Camo pattern? And lastly, How did you paint the yellow rings on your rockets? When I built my Typhoon, trying to paint those just about drove me nuts. Fortunately I had enough reference photos that showed them without so, I went that route.

Wow!  What great builds going on here!  I've finally gotten caught up with GB's and scheduling, so I started the V2 last night!  Not much to it really.  This is my first DML/Dragon kit, so I was pretty excited about it.  So far the only thing I found odd (and this is just me now), was the color call outs.  Not used to the brand paints they call out for, so it is just my ignorance in this.  So, all in all, it is a great kit!  No fit issues, instructions are good, and the detail is very nice!  I got almost half the steps done in about an hour last night!  Pretty much have all sub-assemblies done.  Here are a couple of pics for you.  Thanks for looking!

Eagle90

Nice start eagle. The paint call outs will be from the Gunze Sanyo range. I am not sure what the colours were for a camo V-2, but I would guess the same 3 colours as used in armour. Looking forwards to seeing more of this.

Allen, that's looking really nice. Love the detail on the rockets. I like the rig as well.

Note to self. Keep thumb out of car door. OUCH.

Thanks Bish!  It has been a fun kit so far and I don't foresee any issues......unlike the Nitto kits!  

Eagle90

Thanks folks!

Joe, thanks for the encouragement.  Sorry for the lack of details in my catch-up, I am not quite sure how much to add to my posts yet.  I think that a lot of what I have to say would be old news to most of you guys and I don't want to underwhelm anyone.

Some really nice looking detail here. Do you use a magnifier of any kind, I find it essential especially in this scale. I use some fine wire, 5amp for 72nd scale, to make the brake lines. Most PE sets have them but they are flat and not realistic at all.

Thanks Bish.  I do use a desk mounted magnifier. I should probably get a visor because I spend so much time looking through the magnifier...and it can be awkward at times for sure.  

Chanter

Sorry for the lack of details in my catch-up, I am not quite sure how much to add to my posts yet.  I think that a lot of what I have to say would be old news to most of you guys and I don't want to underwhelm anyone

Please do not feel as though what you do or how you do it is old news nor underwhelming. I personally love to hear what materials and techniques everyone uses. I know that my model building is dynamic and ever evolving and that is due in large part from hearing from everyone. Regardless of the skill level or seniority on the forums one can learn from anyone at any given moment. We all have certain skills and techniques that are seemingly unique and it is great to know the processes that each person uses to accomplish what they want to see in a model. You may very well share that one little tidbit of info that someone else was needing.

JOE RIX

Chanter

Sorry for the lack of details in my catch-up, I am not quite sure how much to add to my posts yet.  I think that a lot of what I have to say would be old news to most of you guys and I don't want to underwhelm anyone

Please do not feel as though what you do or how you do it is old news nor underwhelming. I personally love to hear what materials and techniques everyone uses. I know that my model building is dynamic and ever evolving and that is due in large part from hearing from everyone. Regardless of the skill level or seniority on the forums one can learn from anyone at any given moment. We all have certain skills and techniques that are seemingly unique and it is great to know the processes that each person uses to accomplish what they want to see in a model. You may very well share that one little tidbit of info that someone else was needing.

Well put Joe.

Chanter

Thanks Bish.  I do use a desk mounted magnifier. I should probably get a visor because I spend so much time looking through the magnifier...and it can be awkward at times for sure.  

I use to have a desk one put I could never get it in a good position and spent half my time trying to get the piece into focus. I find the headbands far easier to use.

Checkmate

Tomorrow I'm going to see the USS Massachusetts BB59. I will have to post some pice for you to enjoy. As for painting the North Carolina go to www.shipcamouflage.com you can find all the paint patterns used during WWII.

Unfortunately, I have to look for my own dropped parts.

But--she was in New Orleans visiting her parents for a week, so I just moved operations to the bed.  When I dropped parts, they landed right there on the sheets--no flying off into the nether regions!

Wonderful work on the Typhoon, Allen.  A great job!

Thanks, Js.  I'd appreciate that.  I have a kit of USS Massachusetts in the stockpile.  Plan to build her as her sister USS Indiana, but would love to see photos of BB-59.  

It's a somewhat small issue, but profiles show the Measure 32/18d camouflage port and starboard, but not fore and aft.  So that's what I'm looking into.

Jsmyth

Checkmate

Tomorrow I'm going to see the USS Massachusetts BB59. I will have to post some pice for you to enjoy. As for painting the North Carolina go to www.shipcamouflage.com you can find all the paint patterns used during WWII.

Jsmyth, Enjoy your visit to The Massachusetts. I visited BB59 when I was 14 yrs old and I just loved it. In fact I still have the print I purchased on that visit and it hangs in my man cave.

Allen, LOVE the Typhoon! Great build...

Yup, Allen, very fine work on that Typhoon!! I loved it when you took a pic of the prop spinning, very cool effect there!! 

This build is really going fast!  Of course it's just a rocket and there was only like 46 pieces to the whole kit, but fast non the less.  Got the body together and finished the stand.  The exhaust vanes are drying in the picture and I had sanded all the seams and she will be ready for some painting this weekend.  Only have about 2 hours time in it now!  The seams were minimal and the fit on the rest of the parts are great!  This is a really nice kit!

Eagle90

Darn straight your going fast. No sooner than I start to comment than your 2 steps further along: "Hey Eagle that's going to...oh wait....nice progre...uh, hold on, hold on....looking great and...Oh for the love of Pete! I'll just wait til your done."

All kidding aside Eagle, you are doing a sweet job there.

Thanks, Js.  I will certainly look into that link.  I appreciate it.

Looking good, Eagle.  You're flying along faster than the missile itself.

Looking really good Eagle.

Some really nice work going on here guys. I'm itching to get started on my 251, but have a couple of other builds to wrap up first.