1944 Group Build

Jay, that mottling doesn't look to bad to me. Sounds to me like you got the basics about right, the only thing I can suggest is practice. I have only done 4 kits with mottling and its getting better every time.

Okay just got home from model club meeting, took the dog for a walk, put a couple of burgers on to cook. Now, I can sit and relax and eat, Then I'll get the camera out and take a few more pictures of the B 24 Strawberry B***h, I'm getting there.

Today is 1944 B 24 day, I will try not to get sidetracked and start on something else.

Here's the latest pic Yea, I know its blurry, but you won't see the lead sinkers this evening anyway

Hi

So I decided to repaint the fuselage between the red band and wings root, she is ready for decals at this point.

Like always suggestions are welcome and thanks for looking.

Jorge 

Jay Did you make that rig the plane is sitting on, or did you buy it?

greentracker98

Jay Did you make that rig the plane is sitting on, or did you buy it?

I bought it at the nats last year.

Hello Everyone! I am long overdue for any commenting, updating and oohing and aahing. You know the routine, life distractions, other commitments,.. blah, blah, blah. Time to get all caught up.

Jay: It appears to me that you have done a very admirable job on your mottling. It's really well done. Sorry that I was no help in suggesting methods for mottling. It's just that I have yet to step into that arena and so I did not feel qualified. Great work!

Ken: Very nice to see some work and updates on "Strawberry B". Appears to be coming along rather nicely. By the way, did you receive your new compressor? If so, how's it working out?

Now on to a sepa.rate post on my progress

Nice work there jay, I do like that rig as well.

When last we left my Hellcat I was working on the replacement wings from the Weekend Edition I ordered. The painting has gone well and I got the gloss coat on without mishap. Whew... Then it was on to the decals which was what I also needed from the new Weekend Edition kit. Decals went on just fine and then I noticed something quite out of the ordinary. The blue on the insignia for the upper wing was way out of register. WHAT THE #@$&!!!!! How? Common wisdom would have me believe that decals from essentially identical kits would be the same right? Nope. Not in this case. Here is a pic of a comparison. The wing at the top is the original that I am replacing. The one on the bottom is the new one with the out of register decal:

After a bouncing my head off the bench a few times it was time to invest in a solution. I was not about to give up on this now. Not after what I've been through with this build. I was not about about to purchase a second kit just to get one decal. So, I broke out the original decal sheet and began to examine some possible options. Two actually jumped out at me. First, was to use the '43 insignia which has the blue border on the bars and is slightly larger. Although technically incorrect, it would at least be in register and look good. The second option was to take the even older insignia with red border and trim the red border off. This would leave me with the correct insignia in size and configuration. But, htis would require a steady hand and sharp eyesight, both of which I lack. Here is a pic of my options:

Yet, I decided to give it a go since I had the '43 insignia in case I hacked the daylights out of it. I broke out my trusty scalpel, small beauty scissors and optivisor and set to it. All the while gripped in doubt and fear. Well, I didn't do a half bad job. It's a bit rough but it might pass. I was unable to lift the old decal off with tape so I had to lay the new cut out over the top of the old one. More fear and doubt ensued! But..

Glory Be and Hallalujah! It Worked!!!

It's a tad rough around the edges but, nothing I can't fix with a little weathering. So, now I'm moving forward. I've cleared the the hurdles. nothing can go wrong now. Right?

Joe, if nothing else, you have to get the forums award for perseverance. It is odd that the two decals are not the same, maybe an end of the print run, or a chance in the ink mix they were using. Great job cutting that decal out.

I'll say no more as don't want to jinx you now.

Well Bish, I do thank you for the kind thought and recognition. Yet, after this and my 1/72 FW 190 I would really REALLY not wish to be in contention for this award again.....ever.. In all seriousness, it's not only about being stubborn and refusing to give up. But, I also go to these lengths in hopes of encouraging others not to get discouraged and give up too easily. That with some time, patience and effort you can fix nearly any mistake, whether it be of your own doing or something else. Problem solving and creativity are hallmarks of our hobby and these kinds of incidents are prime for practicing said attributes. Also, making mistakes and other mishaps only make you that much more skilled at the art of model building. Now, with that said, I do not want to do it anymore.

It seems the "Hellcat" is well-named!  You're doing well with it, Joe!  Nice save.

Lol. thanks Checkmate.

B 24 in Mock up stage.

 I have lead sinkers in the front and it sits perfectly, until I put the tail sections on it. Its good thing I made a way to put more in.

Looks good there Ken. Are you planning on putting it on a base.

Bish

Looks good there Ken. Are you planning on putting it on a base.

I hadn't thought about that. So I'll think what  that I can do I am doing one for the jug and the

p-38 Were the hardstands bigger for the bombers ?

Thanks

That's looking great Ken. I agree that that would look fantastic on a base.

Just thinking out loud here The Strawberry B. served in North Africa. So its needs lots of sand. I can do that.

Thanks Guys

ken, as your doing a N African based aircraft, I don't think they would have had the large well developed bases that were in the UK. But to be honest, I have never really looked into the bases out there. In the UK, the bases were bult for a specific purpose, bomber or fighter for example. Bombers of course needed larger runways than fighters, and I would imagine that the hardstands would be bigger, but not sure.

When you say lots of sand, do you mean the paint scheme or the base.

Hey There Gents, I've been making good progress on the Hellcat lately but, unfortunately, I've encountered another obstacle that will slow things for a bit. Yesterday I tore the tendons in the middle knuckle of my left hand. Thus, I have a big splint on that proves cumbersome for handling my model. Not to mention a bit painful. I will see if I can rig a jig that might allow me to paint the details that I need to. I will get some pics up soon though.

Joe, this really isn't your year is it. I hope it heals soon, and we have waited this long, I know we can wait a bit longer.

Thanks Bish. You know, regardless of the set backs in my modeling, life is very good. Very good indeed.

Gee, Joe, that is too bad.  Hope you get better soon.

Bish - I mean the Base  I have to see what I can dig up. Maybe I can do just the hardstand for it. I don't have the space or the $$$ for a full blown air base.

Ken, I just did a search and found some pics. From the looks of it, the airfields in N Africa were sinply concrete strips with the aircraft parked on the desert floor. Check this pic.

www.armyaircorps-376bg.com/photo_gallery_usaaf_6.html

This one is being maintained on what looks like a concrete hardstand with sand all around.

www.armyaircorps-376bg.com/photo_gallery_usaaf_65.html

I think a simple sand base, and remember this isn't the soft sand of the Sahara but hard pack sand stone with no more than dust on top, with maybe concrete hard standing under the aircraft, or you could have it just on the sand.

Bish - Thanks Question: is there anything that says the wings can't hang out  over the edge of the base?

ok here's 2 pics of it on the base

Ken, no there's no hard rule on that. I don't do it for dio's, but for an aircraft just on a base I would.

checkmateking02

Gee, Joe, that is too bad.  Hope you get better soon.

Ken, I like your base. Certainly it comes down to what you think looks good. I don't think the smaller than wingspan base takes away from the build at all.

Looks good sitting there, Ken.  I think the smaller base even enhances the effect; makes the plane look large and looming.