PACIFIC CARRIER AVIATION GROUP BUILD

Why, thank you, SS! 

I kind of forgot that this was the Navy carrier GB, so I should have posted accordingly.

"Butch" O'Hare's F4F-3 Wildcat, built for the 9/11 Fallen Angels GB from the Admiral offering.  The rear canopy is vacu-formed from Squadron (I think).

I don't usually have open canopies but the PE and details in the cockpit were too good to hide with it closed. 

CMK--  Nice looking Wildcat!    I posted images below for you with regard to the curved blade.

Greg--  Too funny.   It looks like you are destined to relive the same problems through me. I think you are right about not leaving the masks on too long.  I certainly did leave them on too long.  In error, I thought that if I scored the paint I could eliminate any potential problems. (Live and learn.)  I think the MM paint was a big problem too. Interesting too about possible reuse of the masks...  That didn't occur to me.

Below:  This is the curved blade I was talking about.  I stumbled on this revelation in my last go of modeling.  I found that I was able to have far better control of the cut with the curved blade.  I think that with the slight curve, it helps keep the blade going in a straight line.  For a straight line I have it at a slight angle as shown.  For doing curved cuts, the blade works best at a full right angle.  In the example below, the blade would be straight on and not slightly down as shown.  It works really well for curves too.  I just don't experience the blade walking as much as I do with a regular hobby blade. The regular blade seems to bite in more causing it to walk.   I can't explain it I guess.  It just seems to work best for me.

Below:  This scrap canopy is one that I am using to experiment with. This is an example of what I was talking about earlier on backlighting.  If you have lighting from behind the canopy, you can clearly see the molding that you need to cut next to.  In fact, I just let the blade ride along that molding as a guide.  In testing I was able to cut these fairly quickly.

We all have our ways of doing things and this is just another one.  

Bakster

Greg--  Too funny.   It looks like you are destined to relive the same problems through me.

Ha! Yes, it is getting very deja-vu like. I only wish my memory was better so I could tip you off in advance.

Gentleman, sorry to hear about your masking issues. Granted I did this 20 years ago, but I used to use regular old scotch tape to mask my canopies. And I plan to do the same with my current build. Never had any issues with paint lifting, but, I didn't use any acrylics at the time. 

@CMK, those are some outstanding builds you have there! What's really impressive is they look larger than 1/72 scale. Thanks for showing your technique with canopies, I'm looking at my 1/48 build and thinking, "I can do this". But with 1/72 scale, all I have to say is you are a great modeler! You have earned my respect!

@Bakster, that is a great technique, which I may end up using. And, the quality of your canopy shows this is a good technique. Thanks for the picture of the blade! I just was not registering in my mind the type of curve you were talking about! Sometimes I am really dense! LOL!

@Greg, Thanks for the great tips! Since I'm going to be using more acrylics in the future, This will help!

@ Joe Rix, hope the paint strip is going well, looking forward to seeing that Hellcat complete! 

I managed to make a little progress on the SB2U. The front and rear cockpits are complete, and the engine is complete. 

Thanks for the canopy tutorial, Steve.  I'll give it some practice on scrap canopies, until I "master" the technique.

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!

Looks great Bruce!

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!

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

(hint, hint).

Think I'll do Jimmy Thach's.

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

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

Good stuff Bruce.  Looks real nice.

@ 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!

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...

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

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

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.

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!

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

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

@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!

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.

Bakster, thank you! 

Thanks, Joe!

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!!

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

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.

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:

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