PACIFIC CARRIER AVIATION GROUP BUILD

Here is the link of the A/M TBF/TBM, Turret Install.

web.archive.org/.../avengerturret.shtml

Say  Freddie...thanks for the tips.  I dont know if I will attempt this on this go around.  I will try it if I have time to spare.  Trying to make the deadline and this is a whole new learning curve I am not prepared for.  

Thanks!

Steve

Thanks for the input gang.  Not sure when I'll start it.  Is there another PCA GB in the future?

Craig

Clemens alluded to starting a similar Carrier GB. If memory serves me right, I believe he was considering opening it up to all carrier aircraft. Have not heard when he was planning on getting that started. With that said..Hey Clemens, What's up?

Sorry guys, I haven't had much time for the Forum lately. I'll get the intro post updated ASAP.

That being said, all of you are doing a really great job on their builds!

Also, I do indeed plan on hosting another Carrier GB. It won't kick off untill this Summer though. As Joe mentioned, it's going to be open to all nations and eras.

Ok, the color coat is on.  I sprayed it yesterday. Today I took the model out of the drying container to help speed up the curing.  A little sunlight should help that as well.  

As expected I did get some splattering during paint.  I get that no matter what mixture or air-pressure I use.  I DO lay on the paint heavy to bring out the gloss, so maybe that is just the way it is. Or maybe I need to change the needle.  I am using a repaired needle that had a burr on the end.  Anyway, once the paint cures, I will wet sand the model and follow-up with a polish.  If needs be, shoot another coat of paint.. Most of the splatter wouldn't really be noticeable but I know its there.

I am still testing and researching the idea of painting on some of the major markings.  I have had some success making stencils, but I am not there yet.  I will be futzing with that today.  If I can't do it convincingly, I will just apply decals.

That's all from here.  

Bakster.

Excellent finish Steve. Looks fabulous. Not sure if you are in any rush or not but, should you wish to expedite the drying/curing process a blow dryer works wonders. I have one handy next to my paint booth for just such occasions.

This gorgeous weather we're having is just killing me as far as getting much in the way of bench time. Really hard for me to justify sitting inside. But, I am making some progress. The QB resin gun barrels arrived as well as the Master Model metal P-47 gun barrels. I'm cutting the metal gun barrels to length in order to fit into the QB insert. These will look much better than the resin barrels as well as being able to glue these in place and be able to handle the wings without fear of breaking a barrel off.

Joe...64 degrees in your area.  What the heck.  Single digits here and it was snowing not long ago. I don't blame you.  If it was that warm here I wouldn't be doing much on my build either.  That's why I am on a mission to get this build done.  Once the weather turns...forget about it.

It sounds like you have have some cool stuff for your build.  Nice!

Thanks for the tip about the blow dryer. I don't have one of those, unfortunately.  I have a heat gun but I'd probably melt the darn plane if I used it.

I do feel for you all back east. So much so that I forced myself to put on shorts and a t-shirt and plant peas while getting a sunburn.. Seriously though, as nice as it has been, if we don't start getting some moisture soon it's going to be a rough go in these parts.

Looking good Steve.  Looks like the paint went on nicely.

I haven't worked on my models much lately.  The weather has been too nice to not get work done outside.  The other day I was working out in my vineyard and got sunburn.  I was out there again today, but it was nice and overcast.  Gonna be in the 70's this week.  Haven't had much of a Winter so far.  Damn global warming!

My Avenger is sittin' at the local PO.  Looking forward to picking it up on Tuesday.  I hope to build it for the next carrier build.  Or maybe my Wildcat.  Or maybe my F-18.  I have so many Navy planes to choose from.

Anyways...  Keep on truckin' along with the builds.

Craig

Craig...thanks.  Overall I am happy with how it came out.

Looking forward to what you build next.

Steve

I picked up my AM TBM-3 kit from the PO yesterday.  I looked through the contents and it looks like a very detailed kit.  With that said, the instructions suck compared to Tamiya or Eduard.  So Steve, I may need your guidance when I get started.

Clem- Any idea when the next carrier GB will kick off?

Craig

Say Craig...congrats on the kit.   It has some beautiful detail indeed. 

You are so right about the instructions.  They are really bad.  It's been mentioned in this GB that a person needs both the Accurate as well as the Academy instruction sheets. Between the two of them a person can kind of make sense of things.  Let me know if you don't have access to the Academy sheets.  I can send them to you.  I believe links were posted in this GB as well.  

By all means I will help you as much as I can.  If I can't answer a question, I know a few people that can.

BTW.  I am curious how well the plastic was molded.  My Academy kit had some serious sink marks throughout the assemblies.  Take a look at the rear underside areas of the main wings.  My kit had a series of them all along that trailing edge.  I am just curious if Accurate did a better job than with mine.

Steve 

I look forward to seeing your work on the Avenger Craig. Clemens posted that the next Carrier GB will start this summer sometime.

Bakster

Say Craig...congrats on the kit.   It has some beautiful detail indeed. 

You are so right about the instructions.  They are really bad.  It's been mentioned in this GB that a person needs both the Accurate as well as the Academy instruction sheets. Between the two of them a person can kind of make sense of things.  Let me know if you don't have access to the Academy sheets.  I can send them to you.  I believe links were posted in this GB as well.  

By all means I will help you as much as I can.  If I can't answer a question, I know a few people that can.

BTW.  I am curious how well the plastic was molded.  My Academy kit had some serious sink marks throughout the assemblies.  Take a look at the rear underside areas of the main wings.  My kit had a series of them all along that trailing edge.  I am just curious if Accurate did a better job than with mine.

Steve 

My kit seems to be like yours.  The trailing edge looks like rippled metal.  It don't look too bad though.  The wing surface is pretty scratched up do to the way the kit was packaged.  Do you have a link for the Academy instructions?  Thanks.

Craig

Craig--  thanks for checking that. Now I know its not just with the Academy process. You might be interested to know that there are aftermarket flaps you can get that would eliminate most of that.  They look really cool installed, and you would be cutting away much of that section that has the defects.  I didn't take the time to do that but Greg did.  It REALLY dresses up the plane nice.  BTW... I had a tough time filling those dimples because they are so close to panel lines and rivet details.  Sadly--I didn't do that great a job with it.  After paint you can still see them, just not as bad as they would have been.   

When I get home tonight I will find the Academy instructions for you.

Will be in touch.

Steve

Hey There Everyone. Well, Now that spring has given way to winter here in Utah today I've managed a smidgen of bench time. I got the P-47 metal gun barrels cut down to fit in the QB inserts.

I need to do a bit of sanding in order to get the inserts to fit properly in the wings. Hopefully no big deal. Sure hope to get the wings glued together today.

How's everyone else coming along?

Those gun barrel inserts are looking really nice, buddy!

I have to find me some metal barrels for my 1/48 Hellcat. I plan on building that one as a nightfighter though, so I need two 20mm barrels with flash hiders. Does anyone here know if there are some of those available in metal somewhere? The Quickbost resin ones are way too brittle for my taste...

Hey Joe...  Those look great..  Those should really look good once installed.

I thought I would tackle the glass as I continue wait for the color coat to cure on the fuselage.  

This is a do-over from my last go of things.  This time I tried to keep the paint layers thinner.  Also--I removed the masks before the paint fully cured. The end result is sharper lines. There was a downside though.  Since I misted the paint on this time, I ended up with a somewhat grainy finish. Not too happy about that but it's better than a lot of jagged edges.  The graininess is something I will have to work on with future builds.

For this time, I think I can live with it.

It looks great Steve.  Looks very clean from here.

I couldn't agree more. Those are some really nice sharp lines you've achieved Steve.

Thanks Craig and Joe.

That masking job looks about as perfect as they get! Fantastic work, Steve!

Hey Clemence....thanks for the shot in the arm.  That really encouraged me at just the right time. This build has been starting to weigh on me.  I appreciate it from all of you.

Steve

Steve, I'm glad to hear that you got a boost of encouragement as I need you hanging in there to help bouy me along. Seeing the absolutely marvelous results your producing sure keeps me motivated. I'm pushing right along with you old pal. Now, if I could just find that cannister of "Free Time"  that seems to be alluding me...

Hey Joe...back at you buddy.  Seeing your awesome work encourages me too and keeps me pushing through this.  

JOE RIX

Hey There Everyone. Well, Now that spring has given way to winter here in Utah today I've managed a smidgen of bench time. I got the P-47 metal gun barrels cut down to fit in the QB inserts.

I need to do a bit of sanding in order to get the inserts to fit properly in the wings. Hopefully no big deal. Sure hope to get the wings glued together today.

How's everyone else coming along?

Bakster

I thought I would tackle the glass as I continue wait for the color coat to cure on the fuselage.  

For this time, I think I can live with it.

Thanks Joe. Much appreciated.