PACIFIC CARRIER AVIATION GROUP BUILD

Joe...too funny.  Well said.  I am guilty of all of those.

Oh Boy! do I ever remember that episode. A classic indeed.

Yes indeed, the Gremlins often seem to run rampant in my bench area. Unfortunately, they often appear in the guise of impatience, inattentiveness, distraction, over confidence, laziness and an overall lack of concentration.

Looking forward to some of them there progress pics of the Avenger.

Hey Joe...I am smiling over here. Not at your misfortune but that no matter how careful we are, the model gremlins rear their ugly heads.  Do you remember the Twilight Zone episode when William Shatner is on an airplane and he sees a gremlin tearing at the engine?   Well...that's them.  Sometimes all you can do is laugh at them and press on.  Its better not to freak out like Shatner did. . 

Good recovey on that.  That is truly something to smile about.  Thanks for sharing that!

I hope to have a small update soon on my Avenger. Progress is being made.  Hallelujah!  That is, as long as I can keep the gremlins away. . Mumbling..

Thank You CMK, Steve and Bruce. I appreciate the validation of my efforts.

Umm, Steve, My canopy was not exactly issue free. You see, I did not ensure that the pre cut mask that covers the very top of the canopy was burnished down enough. This resulted in a very slight over spray to get on the canopy. I simply took an xacto blade and very lightly scrapped away as much of the paint as I dared. I then broke out the polishing sandpaper and buffed it up nice and slick. All fixed!

Joe, looking good!

I have faith you'll have this looking fantastic in no time!

That's the spirit Joe.  Looking good.  Fiddly bits look good too.  Nice paint work.  Canopy looks good.  No issues like I had.  That's a good thing.  

Good work, Joe.  You'll beat this thing yet!

Speaking of Hellcats, I've got some progress pics to share. Although it's not much, I am making headway and I am going to whip this sucker by gum.

Progress on the paint removal:

Finished up on some of the fiddly bits:

Well Freddie, I certainly cannot speak for Clemens as he will have to make the call on your entry but, i for one, would love to see your Hellcats. Coming from a family of naval aviators, I too love carrier aircraft.

Hello,

Would I be able to join this group build?  Ok literally just finished build a 1:48 scale Eduardo F6F_3 "Hellcat", and I am about to get a "-5", ready to paint this, weekend.  I can send pictures of the first one, and post pics of the second as well.  I love carrier fighters!!

Regards

Freddie from LI

Thanks, mustang!

And on another subject under discussion, if you can't access Testors clear glue, plain old Elmers works just fine.  I usually thin it out and apply it with a small paint brush.  Any excess can be wiped out with a damp q-tip or cotton bud.

And Merry Christmas!!

Thanks, Joe!

Bakster, thank you! 

Bruce...I forgot to mention that your cockpit and engine looks awesome.  Nice detailing.  Those cylinder heads look like real metal too.  Nice job sir.

@Rob, I shot the cockpit with MM flat black, then MM Green Zinc Chromate. After coating with Future, I did a wash with "The Detailer" Black/Brown combination I mixed.

Also, as other have said, use the Testors clear parts cement. But, I'm going to try Gator glue for this build. I've had great luck with it on another build.

@Mustang, Thanks for the kind words! It means a lot!

Hey Rob, Craig's got it covered. The Testor's clear part cement is what I use.

Rob - Testors makes a glue for clear parts.  I works well and can be found at most places that sell hobby supplies.

https://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Paint_and_Construction/clear-parts-cement-and-window-maker/TES00003515/product.php?s=4&t=2&u=0

Craig

Bruce: That is a really nice looking cockpit and engine. What is the base colour you used for the cockpit?

Clemens: Glad to hear you will host another carrier air build, I already have a subject picked out. Hopefully it doesn't take so long as this one.

Anyone: Here is a rather odd question. Last time I built an airplane it was 30+ years ago and I used Testors styrene cement to glue the canopy on. Yes it horribly fogged the clear parts, so I know that isn't the best way. Any recommendations on a good technique for fixing canopies to the airframe? White glue?

All: Merry Christmas!

CMK: Great work on that Wildcat dude! Really nice!

Bruce: That cockpit looks the part.

Joe Rix: The tape on your hand works or the tape on a set of broken in blue jeans has been know to work somewhat  better. An old Fermis trick for those of us around here that know that guy.

Merry Christmas to  you too Joe and to all here that celebrate it.

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you. May you experience nothing but Joy and Peace.

Steve: Very glad to see you have found a tape and technique that you are comfortable with. Thank You for sharing photos of what you're doing.Something that may help out with Tamiya tape leaving a gooey residue is to stick it to your bare skin i.e. your hand, a couple of times.This will take some of the tackiness out of the tape while not reducing it's effectiveness.

I'll note here that I tend to tape up my canopies early in the build and then save it until I'm painting the the whole plane so I can it at the same time. This means that I often leave the tape on for months at a time with no ill effect to the clear part.

CMK: That is indeed a sweet Wildcat. You pulled of a gorgeous of work there.

Bruce: Absolutely fabulous work on your cockpit. It looks great

Thanks! I think I actually have a bottle of that stuff around here somewhere. I used Alclad's Magnesium on my P-47 radial, but that one turned out rather dark after I was done with the weathering. Gotta try out some lighter shades...

@ Clemens, I used Alclad II Duraluminum for the cylinder heads and MM Neutral Grey on the hub. Then gave it a wash with "The Detailer" Black Brown combination I mixed.

Also, A Carrier GB next year will be awesome. You can count me in now! 

@ CMK, SB, and flyerduke,  thanks for the nice comments! 

Merry Christmas!

Good stuff Bruce.  Looks real nice.

There won't be a next Pacific Carrier GB...

I will be hosting a Carrier GB including every era and nation though!

Thanks, SS.  I've got another one for the next Pacific Carrier Aviation GB.  

(hint, hint).

Think I'll do Jimmy Thach's.

Checkmate: That's one good-looking wildcat you got there!

Bruce: Some very nice detailing work! I really like the color of the engine. What paint did you use?

Also, Merry Christmas to all of you!

Looks great Bruce!

Thanks, Bruce.  You are tooooo kind!  I'm pretty sure that what works in 1/72 would work in 1/48.

And what a great job on the SB2U assemblies.  I really like how all the detail pops on them.  Exceptional!