1944 Group Build

Yeah Bish, Those were indeed some dark and unfortunate times around here. And unfortunately there were some really good folk who took it too personally and packed it in. Yet, for those of us that stuck it out, I believe we are experiencing the funnest and happiest times I've ever had on here.  

Ye, its a shame DoogsATX left, it was at the time we had our little issue's, but no idea why he went, he build some great models.

Mike, I am looking forward to the 163, I've got the same kit and have heard its a nice one.

Mike, I hate to see you pull your Mustang from here when you're so close to finishing. But I'll certainly drop in on the Longest Day GB to see your finished product. My Hellcat is my first crossover as well and it is indeed challenging to say the least. I simply have trouble keeping track of who's who and where. I'm sticking this one out at least but, I believe I'll just stick to one GB at a time myself. But, on the other hand, it is easier for me than doing 2 completely different builds at the same time. My schedule just does not accomodate that kind of activity.

My Mustang was originally entered into this GB as a crossover with the Longest Day GB.  Well, I have had a change of heart about crossovers, and would rather enter a separate build in each GB.

I asked permission from Bish to do this and he consented.  So if anyone is interested in watching my Mustang through to completion, I will be posting only in the Longest Day GB from now on.  A big thanks to everyone in this GB who has given me advice and encouragement!  There are a lot of good guys and gals all over FSM!

For the 1944 GB, I will be doing the Academy 1:72 Me163B/S Komet.  But I won't be starting it for a while as I need to finish my Mustang.  And after that I believe I will be working on my Hobby Craft 1:72 U-1A Otter for the Vietnam Air War GB.

That is too bad he's not around.  He has some really outstanding work on his website.  

Of course "our" Doog does great work as well.  Must be in the name, huh?

Hey Mike, Concerning your question about Doogs. No, that is not the same Doog that frequents the FSM forum. Although, the doogsmodels doog used to be an active participant here, known as doogsatx. He unfortunately has moved on to other forums, I believe. For what exact reason he departed here I am not completely sure of. It is unfortunate though, as he is an excellent modeler and was really an excellent member that shared some great skills and techniques.

Bish

No, one of those will be just perfect. I think Spartan is slacking a bit , we will give him a nudge to get your completed build on the first page.

Spartan, can you do that buddy, the completed pics are on page 23.

jibber

Bish do you need a better photo of the UHU for the gallery, my skills as a photographer is suspect. I've been testing some different lighting.

No, one of those will be just perfect. I think Spartan is slacking a bit , we will give him a nudge to get your completed build on the first page.

Spartan, can you do that buddy, the completed pics are on page 23.

Silentbob, the LCVP is looking good, any thoughts on how you'll finish it. I built one for the Longest Day GB and had thoughts of adding a Jeep and troops entering the beach?

Bish do you need a better photo of the UHU for the gallery, my skills as a photographer is suspect. I've been testing some different lighting.

Blue the Thunderbolt is very impressive, your attention to detail and build speaks for itself, thanks for posting.

greentracker98

Gary, Thanks for the balancers. I'm sorry it took me so long to let you know I got them. They came in the mail tuesday then I went to the hospital for a couple of days. I'm feeling better know. I had my blood pressure drop just about out of sight It was 89/59.

I'll have pictures in a day or two. The P-38 is almost finished

Ken,

Glad they got there okay, and sorry to hear about the hospital visit.  Hope things are under control now.

The P-38 looks good! (It's in a different thread, guys).

Blue> That is one serious Thunderbolt.  The detail you're putting on it is inspiring.

Joe Rix>  Yeah, go for it!  "Eight Nifties" has been sitting in the closet too long.

Bish

Mike, I have always struggled with taking pics. have a read through this, it really helped me. I found decent lighting and getting to know how to use the camera were the key.

doogsmodels.com/.../5-tips-to-improving-your-model-photography

Thanks for the link Bish.  I will have to use that advice and see if i can improve my pics.  Is the author the Doog that is a member on FSM?

Thank You for the vote of confidence Clemens. I must admit that after my paint repair adventures with my FW 190 that I'm a bit more motivated to tackle the P-47.

Joe, I'm absolutely positive that if anyone can repair something like that paint damage, it's you. Go for it!

Blue: Ho, Now that is some very impressive work you have done on your Jug. Just excellent. I really like your landing gear. Very nicely done there. 

 Now you have got me itching to maybe pull out my unfinished Tamiya P-47D and see what I can do about repairing the Alclad paint job on it. On the left side of the fuselage the Alclad developed a blemish that I just cannot get covered or fixed. I finally needed to set her aside and come back to it later. She is pretty much at the same stage as you are at. I'm afraid that in order to get a decent repair job that I may have to fully strip the plane and do it over.

Guys ... Thank you one and all! Several of you  and I have shared GBs in the past and I look forward to seeing how you apply your talents to these and every build you do, Others I am seeing for the first time and MAN... What a great bunch! I'm in awe of the work going on here! This is proving to be a top notch build, and I know it will just keep getting better! Thanks again!

Doug

Blue: Man she's looking beautiful! Great work! At this rate you'll finish her before I get done on my Jug.

Ken, well good to hear you have some. I hadn't even noticed the P-38 wasn't in this GB.

Thanks Joe, every piece requires scraping, filing and sanding...this build is a test of endurance ;)

Bish

Doug, looking good, look forward to seeing this done.

Mike, I have always struggled with taking pics. have a read through this, it really helped me. I found decent lighting and getting to know how to use the camera were the key.

doogsmodels.com/.../5-tips-to-improving-your-model-photography

Ken, which balances did you get in the end, I take it you were able to get some AM ones.

Bish I got this posted this here by mistake, It should be in the Longest Day thread. The balancers were fior the P 38 GAF sent me a set

Blue, great work there, that's looking really nice.

Doug, looking good, look forward to seeing this done.

Mike, I have always struggled with taking pics. have a read through this, it really helped me. I found decent lighting and getting to know how to use the camera were the key.

doogsmodels.com/.../5-tips-to-improving-your-model-photography

Ken, which balances did you get in the end, I take it you were able to get some AM ones.

Boy this GB has come alive with a bunch of very inspiring work!

Eric: thanks for sharing those 2 builds, they are both very impressive.  

Rob: it looks like you have made a great start on the Lancaster... always liked that aircraft.

Viejo: the V2 is coming along nicely... looks like you will be on the home stretch soon.

Rider: that Corsair looks like it has been through hell and back.  Some impressive weathering there.  Looks great.

Silent Bob & Mike: I'm looking forward to seeing your builds come along.  Both of you are off to a great start so far.

I apologize if I have missed anyone; no offense was meant as I have enjoyed all the work shown so far.

Well, its been a while since I posted any progress, but I have been plugging away.  I have hit a period where lots of work results in small amounts of photo-worthy updates.  Here is a quick summary:

So... I have finished the stencils on the fuselage and wings, etc., and given it another coat or two of Aqua gloss to try to hide the carrier film a bit.  Its not terrible at the moment, but at certain angles I can still see the edges of the clear film.  I am hoping that the matte coat will help with that a bit. 

Almost everything is painted at this point (or at least partially so... for example, the prop & wheels still need  Alclad, the door actuators need chromate green, one of the bombs has been primed but not painted, etc.)  Unless I'm forgetting something, the only decals that remain to be done are on the prop & bombs.

Speaking of decals, my reference shot shows a marking that did not come with the Barracuda set, the letter "W" on the cowl lip, so I created one using my laser printer and decal sheets:

Looks a bit narrow from that angle...

I sanded down various spots on the belly drop tank to dent it a bit, and dirtied it up with pigments and an oil wash.  I also dry brushed the edges and dings with silver.  It does not look as dark as it does in that picture.

The canopy and windshield are painted (Eduard masks made it pretty easy), and the main landing gear has been detailed using p/e scissors and placards, wire for the brake lines, and foil to give the oleo struts a more metallic look than the painted components.  Sadly this is hard to capture in an iPhone photo:

I am going to give the gloss a day or two to cure, then I'll start working on weathering the aircraft.  All kinds of opportunities to mess something up there!

Thanks again to all who have contributed to this group build.  It has been fun and educational.

silentbob: For all of the clean up you've described it appears that you have done one heck of a job getting your LCVP looking sharp.

Doug: Oh Yeah, You've got that Corsair looking excellent. The weathering is really coming together very nicely.

Mike: It is indeed well to learn from those shortcomings in our builds but, don't forget to take pride in those things that you did well. Give yourself a pat on the back when something you've tried turns out just as you had hoped. We tend to be harder on ourselves when we make mistakes in our modeling rather than celebrate the small victories.

Marvellous work, buddy! She's looking simply amazing!

Gary, Thanks for the balancers. I'm sorry it took me so long to let you know I got them. They came in the mail tuesday then I went to the hospital for a couple of days. I'm feeling better know. I had my blood pressure drop just about out of sight It was 89/59.

I'll have pictures in a day or two. The P-38 is almost finished

Doug, you are really doing some great work.  And you're almost done!   I am very much looking forward to the finished product!

Bish, Joe and Rob:  Thanks guys.  I hope to show a pre-decal, "finished" pic later this evening.

This being my first build in decades, I am really excited to finish it; even though there are a few things I am not happy with.  But, I just want to get one finished build under my belt.  The flaws on this one will serve as both a learning experience and as a visual reminder of  things I need to do better on in the future.

edit: I also am coming to realize that I am a terrible picture taker!  I will try and improve.

Well lets try this again, I've attempted three times to post pictures and Photo %@#&et has been its usual fine site and was being a PITA.

Any way... The decals are all but done and I have most of the fading to the rub ons and water slides done.

Well , thats about all for now, not too much more to do... maybe this weekend she'll be done.

Thanks for looking...

Doug