Monogram Mafia III

DD,

You might not like it much, but I think you did a superb job of putting some nice lipstick on your 'pig!'  I've got a pair of these partially built somewhere; last seen about 20 years ago, and a couple more of the newer molds......I'll get to them one day.  If I do complete one, I hope it's half as good as yours!!

The original Skyhawk kit was a fun build if I remember correctly.  Looks like it keeps a lot of the same components.  Hope you  can find the decals for it; I've got one of these somewhere in my stash; it's location is known only by God!!  LOL..........it sucks being a kit collector (hoarder) with a bad memory!!

TAD

Dawg, for all the troubles and frustrations you had, would never know it by looking at your finished kit. It looks good!

Tal Afar Dave

DD,

You might not like it much, but I think you did a superb job of putting some nice lipstick on your 'pig!'  I've got a pair of these partially built somewhere; last seen about 20 years ago, and a couple more of the newer molds......I'll get to them one day.  If I do complete one, I hope it's half as good as yours!!

The original Skyhawk kit was a fun build if I remember correctly.  Looks like it keeps a lot of the same components.  Hope you  can find the decals for it; I've got one of these somewhere in my stash; it's location is known only by God!!  LOL..........it sucks being a kit collector (hoarder) with a bad memory!!

TAD

Hopefully you have the kits that are much older than the one I just built. According to Stik, the one I built was a reissue that used the older molds. If you have the older issues, then the molds probably weren't as worn as they were when used to make my kit, so hopefully you won't have the issues that I did. Hope that all made sense!

And thanks a bunch for the nice comments. Greatly appreciated!

Greg

Dawg, for all the troubles and frustrations you had, would never know it by looking at your finished kit. It looks good!

Thanks a bunch, Greg! Gotta admit, it does look ok when I'm standing about 10 feet away from it!

stikpusher

My roommate in the Army in '86 built this one. Once upon a time. I have the same kit in my stash. I will enjoy watching you build this one my friend. When I build mine I plan on putting a couple Zuni pods with the drop tanks and not much else for the loadout. After all, the OA-4M was supposed to be a fast FAC.

Hmmmmmm......Zunis......Might have to give those some consideration. I do remember seeing our H&MS/MALS birds loaded with those occasionally.

Found some aftermarket decals for it, too. Furball Aero-Design (https://www.furballaero-design.com/)  makes a set that includes the markings for MALS-32, my old squadron. I will soon be ordering that set.

Incidentally, the H&MS (Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron) changed to MALS (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron) sometime around 1987 or 1988. Same squadron & function, just a different designation.

Great looking Hun DD! Very sharp looking!

Really itching to get back at the bench. Hopefully next week. Too much going on...

cbaltrin

Great looking Hun DD! Very sharp looking!

Thanks a bunch, cbaltrin!!

Ok, more pictures of my OA-4M. Been working a little on it each night this past week. Got the cockpit components assembled & painted. Filled ejector pin holes in the MER-TER and some of the other pylons, plus the drop tanks. Hoping to get the fuselage together this weekend. Almost got the airbrush out to paint the cockpit stuff, but decided against it as it was a small area, and I just didn't feel like going through all the after-painting clean up to use the airbrush. So, it's all hand-painted (so far).

Hope to have her together and ready for camouflage very soon. I'm doing my best to NOT let this one go for a whole year before she's finished..........

Gary Mason

Went ahead and assembled the fuselage halves tonight. Not too bad, I guess. Had to remove some of the molded-on antennae, as they were almost broken off anyway. Hopefully, I'll remember to glue them back on before I finish this thing. Got some sanding to do, so I'm sure that I'll be removing some of the raised panel lines along with the sanding. This is looking to be one of my quicker builds...........

Heyyy guys! Builds are awesome as always! Hope to get one started but cant commit to anything atm! checking in with some GB's to say hey to old mates and hope to make new ones! I need a plastic injection HELP!! lol

Know exactly whatcha mean, simpilot. Been there myself quite a bit lately.

Sim, it's good to see you here again. This GB is winding down. But there are plenty more great ones going on or coming up soon.

Dawg, you are making great rapid progress. That is always a plus!

Okey, dokey... Got the wings glued on today (Sunday 28 June), along with the horizontal stabilizers. Had to put a thin sliver of plastic shim under the forward part of the wing to get the cannon holes on each side of the wing roots to line up properly. Tried using super glue to attach the wings, but, for some reason, it didn't want to work, so I used the trusty standby - Testor's non-toxic glue in the blue tube (has that nice citrusy smell). It might take a while to set, but that stuff ALWAYS works.

I'm trying my best to remove/sand away as few panel lines as possible, but that's really hard to do along the seams. I tried to rescribe using the raised panel lines as my guide, but that wasn't working as well as I thought (you'll probably notice my feeble attempts along the left fuselage half in the below photos). Next time, I will try to use some Dymo label tape to mark off the panel lines and use as a scribing guide. For now, I'll settle for the ones that survived the sanding, and won't worry about the lost ones. 

I also filled the gaps where the intakes joined to the fuselage using Squadron Green Putty. Squadron White Putty was used elsewhere.

You can see the gaps at the front and rear of where the wing assembly attaches to the bottom of the fuselage. Don't think I'll fill these, either - too much raised panel line detail to lose. Besides, it's on the bottom, and it ain't gonna be a contest model, so it won't be noticed.....much.

Let me know whatcha think, folks....

stikpusher

Sim, it's good to see you here again. This GB is winding down. But there are plenty more great ones going on or coming up soon.

Dawg, you are making great rapid progress. That is always a plus!

Thanks a bunch, Stik! I know I no longer qualify for the Group Build badge, but I'm determined to finish this obligation. Can hardly believe I took over a year to finish the Hun....... But, this Skyhawk seems to be a much better kit than the Super Sabre. The fit is much better. Still a lot of raised panel lines, but even those are better than what was on the Super Sabre. I'm glad you started this Group Build - got me out of my modeling rut.

I'm happy to have helped in some small way. I was in a bit of a rut myself earlier so I know how you feel.

Of course you could start and finish another kit within the 6 months of starting this one... ;)

Heeeyyyyyyyyyyy!! Now THAT"S an idea......... I might just do that. Thanks, Stik!

Can I still join?

Surely you can't be serious

Yes I am, but if it's not possible ok. I just thought...

"The end date for the GB depends upon the members. A good family allows for time to finish the job..."

My friend, you are always welcome to join. Pick your two Revellogram kits, let me know, and be on your way!

Heck yeah, the more the merrier! Lets keep this going.

I was wondering about the end date also.  I have a few 1/72 A1-Es and 1/48 F-106s in the queue.

There is no hard end date. I was going to wind this down because for awhile in the spring we had no new activity. But if more folks want to join and fulfill the family obligations, lets do it.

stikpusher

Surely you can't be serious

Of course he's serious. And stop calling him "Shirley". 

Sorry! I just couldn't resist!! "Airplane" is one of my favorite comedies..... 

I have cleaned out my stash, no not gotten rid of lol, just put NEARLY all in boxes and out in the shed. Might have to see if I can get my hands on one of them. The trick will be getting the right box, didn't label a thing lol. When I can commit stik, you will know hehehe.

LOL I was wondering how long it would take someone Dawg!

Simpilot, I'll keep you company on this build.....I signed up awhile ago, but have been slow in my start time.  Welcome to the GB!

TAD

Here's no. 1:

Going to dig around for no. 2.

I like the idea of another car. I haven't built cars in a while.