Monogram Mafia III

Been just playing around with lining things up while I contemplate how to tackle the rigging.

MV, thanks for the heads up!!  Don't know what it is about those intakes on Phantoms.....no one's broken the code yet on that from the manufacturing side.....weird about the canopy rail decals.  How'd that happen, I wonder????

Matt, your F105 is coming along great....I didn't realize that you weren't using an airbrush!  Good job on the panel lines and getting all those landing gear covers tucked in so nicely.....You have my undying respect for making that happen!!!!

Great work gang!!  Hoping to get back into the build this weekend.  (It's raining outside so I REALLY can't do much in the yard!!!  

TAD

The 105 looks sweet Matt!

I can personally attest that the propellant cans are NOT cost efficient. If your good, you can get two two-toned schemes out of a can. Just have to make it to Christmas, and hopefully I can con a compressor out of the wife. Fingers crossed...

There have to be regualtors for a good price online. Sounds like you can get all you need for an affordable price and be on your way up the airbrush learning curve.

I have several shop compressors; I work on cars. I just need a regulator.

I'm looking at a Paasche D500 compressor for $39.99, free shipping, right now. It's missing the hose and doesn't have a pressure adjustment or filter, but I went without an adjustment and filter for years.

MV, your F-4 is looking great. I always liked how the Phantom looked in those wraparound Euro I schemes. A dark machine for destruction!

MJ, your F-105 is progressing very nicely! If there is a Hobby Lobby near you, they carry a basic Paasche Airbrush for around $35 that when you couple it with the 40% off coupon can get you started into airbrushing for pretty cheap. Your only major outlay of money would be for a compressor or other air source. Personally I would stay away from the propellant cans as those are not cost effective and have other issues as well.

I wish I had an airbrush UGH

Thanks modelcrazy that means a lot coming from you thanks man!!!!!

Looking really good Matt.

My second build is nearly complete! The f-105 only has a few more details I.E. canopy, and rear stabilizers.

Front view, no canopy. The seat is void of details because I intended to place a pilot in there.

Bottom view. The panel lines turned out ok.

The exhaust with the air brake in the downward position.

I finally got my two P-47s started last night by cleaning up some flash on various parts and gluing the wings and drop tanks together!  Had airbrush and paint out to do some interior work but got interrupted. I will have to replace the blast tubes on both sets of wings.  Not sure what I will use yet.  

Also wanted to produce WIP pics but the switch on my camera failed so I'll have to use my iphone tonight.

TAD, the biggest issue is with the intakes (though it's not unique to just one manufacturer). I can get the seam to look ok on the vertical, but the horizontal seam along the bottom needs a lot of care (and putty). The stabilizers will need some care, too, as the stubs fit loosely. One other area is the seam along the underside of the nose in front of the nose gear well. I had to put a plastic shim in to close the gap.

Hey MissVol,

Your Phantom is looking pretty cool; like the paint scheme.  Can't wait to see it completed.  Any issues with the build??  Just curious, I"ve got a couple in the stash as well.....

TAD

I have to admit that I haven't used it. Between time constraints at home and being in retail during the next 90 days, I decided to save it for another time. It does look good on the box top build, though it's not all that comprehensive.

mississippivol,

I have the same kit and was wondering if the included PE was worth the effort if you used it.

Speakin' of decals, while I love their kits, I've always hated the decals. Good news is that these decals aren't the usual 80s-mid 90s decals that they're known for. Bad news is that the port side canopy rail decals have the white outline on the wrong side of the decal. The white stripe is supposed to run along the bottom of the red stripe along the canopy rails, but on the port side, they're on top. Cut, trim, and reapply 25 year old decals...fun!

It's coming together well, MC. Seeing that color reminds me of the Danish Air Force Huns that had a solid green scheme.

Here's my F100 update.

Still need to install several more parts, but here the new pics (the color is supposed to dark olive green)

AJD, your P-47 Bubbletop is added to the roster

CC, I see that I missed your first completions of the P-39 here earlier. That has now been corrected, You are now a "Made Man" in the Familia...

I guess I picked the wrong week to quit drinking...

If I recall, from my P-61, the worst part was the seam on the top of the crew nacelle.  It also doesn't line up with the front canopy.  The other tricky part I remember was the ammo belts for the outer cannons.  I had to heat them up in boiling water and bend them in for them to fit.

  O GOD WOODY! I haven't seen the dreaded 1/48 black widow since i got frustrated and threw mine  back in it's stash box. lol I LOVE that plane but just dry fitting it was giving me nightmares. I want to build it so bad. Yours is looking amazing. Can you give me some tips to get over some of it's major obstacles? (and there are many!!)  Keep up the great work!

Nice work Colin!

Thanks, ajd, I appreciate the compliment.  I think your tubing would look fine.  The only thing I had to refer to was a 1/16" drill bit, which would be just under twice the diameter of your tubing.  

Oh and Stik, I've decided my 2nd build will be the bubble top Jug... Now question ya'll: for the .50's on the cowling of my P-39, I used 3/64 inch brass tubing. Now I know that doesn't scale out correctly, but my eye can't tell. How do they look to you guys, honestly? I'm thinking about doing the same thung for the .50 blast tubes on the P-47.

Colin, I've never been impressed with the Monogram F6F, but you've made that old gal look awesome!! And nice job on the Airacibra too, she'd look good sharing a ramp with the one I just completed.

I'm going to call my Hellcat done to the best of my ability!

Since the photos were taken, I've touched up the grey ring around the cowling.

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, because of work I've had to slow down just a bit, but planning on a serious jam session this weekend.