mikeymize

Well, finally finished. After a few set backs I feel pretty good about the final result. Next up I'll be doing an Airfix 1/48 Hawker Fury. It's real basic; no PE or aftermarket stuff. Just a nice easy build which is what I'm in the mood for after the Gustav!

Here's a decent 3/4 view for the wall Ken. Post whenever you get a chance.

 

Jimbot, I had to look at the original roster to see which Huey you were building there.  I can't believe that it is 1/72nd scale.  Very nicely done, sir!

With summer finally winding down and our busy time slowing down a bit, I hope to get back to work on my projects.  Got a little discouraged by the Esci's brittle plastic and numerous sink holes, but am looking forward to getting back into the game!!

Love everyone's build's on the front page; very well done guys!!

TAD

Yeah, I hope everyone is doing ok out there. We've been getting hit with buckets of rain and some here are looking at flooding this weekend. Thankfully we live on high ground.

I think I'm going to have to see about taking some photos of the Hellcat inside, there just isn't any clear, sunny weather except when I'm at work it seems. The Wildcat is almost done, I'm fiddling with the darn canopy which the tape I used for masking leaked. I've been so irritated with it I against better judgement pulled out a Dragon 1/35th M1 Abrams I picked up recently for twenty bucks and started on it- yeah I need to start a new kit like I need another hole in the head... 

Here are some finished photos of the Hellcat I took a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't that happy with them but it looks like we're not having any sunny weather for awhile so anyway here they are:

Gamera

Here are some finished photos of the Hellcat I took a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't that happy with them but it looks like we're not having any sunny weather for awhile so anyway here they are:

 

 

Hi Cliff,

That Hellcat turned out great!!  Nice work my friend.      Let me know which picture you would like to use on the front wall and I will post it.

Ken

Hey Ken thanks! I was hoping to take some better photos but we've got rain, rain, and more rain in the forecast. Hopefully Joaquin will keep heading out to sea as we continue to get rain from another system in the area. Not complaining too much, we didn't get the kind of flooding S. Carolina got hit with.

Anyway to get back to subject I think this one is probably best and does show the most of the model:

PS: This is the aircraft of Alex Vraciu, I'd just watched an episode of the History Channel's old 'Dogfights' series before I started decaling the model.

Thanks for the kind words Dave, I appreciate that as well as all the nice comments for all my other GB buddies. I wish I could claim the "spiral schnauze" was a result of my great painting technique but alas, it's a decal! Still, it was a bit tricky so I'm still proud of it. 

This aircraft met my expectations and with a few minor curveballs it threw at me, I'm really happy with it. That said, every build for me is a learning experience and I'm that much more confident I could do even better on the next go round!

Glad to see more activity here than of late, I was beginning to wonder where everyone was. Good to see the updates posted thus far and with autumn fast approaching I'm sure there'll be much more to see.

Best Wishes All!

Cliff, just got done looking at the Hellcat, wow! Very impressive friend. I'm particualrly impressed with the shading and weathering; turned out great, very realistic.

BTW loved the photo of it posed against the Japanese plane (not sure the type) but it gives a good sense of the porportion of the two.

Hey Mike thanks!

The Japanese aircraft is a Kawanishi N1K1 Shiden or George, the IJN's 'Hellcat Killer'. It was pretty much equal to the F6F but thankfully the only pilots the Japanese had left were rookies and they had only low-octane aviation fuel so the plane never fulfilled her full capabilities.

PS: Frankly just getting those spiral decals to work is a feat in itself! I remember doing Luftwaffe aircraft years back and dreading the things. I could never get them straight, the cone shape of the spinner would throw me off everytime.

Gamera

Hey Ken thanks! I was hoping to take some better photos but we've got rain, rain, and more rain in the forecast. Hopefully Joaquin will keep heading out to sea as we continue to get rain from another system in the area. Not complaining too much, we didn't get the kind of flooding S. Carolina got hit with.

Anyway to get back to subject I think this one is probably best and does show the most of the model:

 

PS: This is the aircraft of Alex Vraciu, I'd just watched an episode of the History Channel's old 'Dogfights' series before I started decaling the model.

 

Hi Cliff,

The front page has been updated!

Very cool to know the exact plane you modeled.  I love watching the "Dogfight" series, I actually own the DVD set.  I wish they would make more!

Anyway, I agree with everyone else's comments.  Great job on the wash and weathering, looks very realistic indeed!  Not over done, just right!

Ken

mikeymize

Thanks for the kind words Dave, I appreciate that as well as all the nice comments for all my other GB buddies. I wish I could claim the "spiral schnauze" was a result of my great painting technique but alas, it's a decal! Still, it was a bit tricky so I'm still proud of it. 

This aircraft met my expectations and with a few minor curveballs it threw at me, I'm really happy with it. That said, every build for me is a learning experience and I'm that much more confident I could do even better on the next go round!

Glad to see more activity here than of late, I was beginning to wonder where everyone was. Good to see the updates posted thus far and with autumn fast approaching I'm sure there'll be much more to see.

Best Wishes All!

 

Hi Mike,

I agree with Cliff, still a very impressive job putting that spiral decal on there!  You did a great job on the entire model.

Ken

Gamera

Hey Mike thanks!

The Japanese aircraft is a Kawanishi N1K1 Shiden or George, the IJN's 'Hellcat Killer'. It was pretty much equal to the F6F but thankfully the only pilots the Japanese had left were rookies and they had only low-octane aviation fuel so the plane never fulfilled her full capabilities.

PS: Frankly just getting those spiral decals to work is a feat in itself! I remember doing Luftwaffe aircraft years back and dreading the things. I could never get them straight, the cone shape of the spinner would throw me off everytime.

 

Hi Cliff,

I did notice that the N1K1 had four blades on the propeller.  So it must have had a stronger engine in it than the Zero.

Ken

That ia a great looking Hellcat. Way to go! Seeing it nose-to-nose with a George just rocks!

I know it's been months since I posted anything, but I finally was able to pull out the F-35 that I'm doing for this and get something done. It ain't much but at least I'm back in this thing.

Here is the F-35 after I shot a basecoat of gunship grey on it:

Okay, I hope to get more done on this a little later. Thanks for looking in.

Hey Duke thanks! And good to hear from you again, I've been wondering where everyone went. Nice job there on the F-35, love to see how she looks all done up. 

Ken: Yeah, the Zero had a 14 cylinder engine developing 1,130 horses vs. the Shiden/George's 21 cylinder with 1,990hp. Which thankfully due to the low-octane gas the IJN was using around the end of the war it never got anywhere near it's full performance. 

The 'George' is about a third larger than the Zero with a fuselage about twice as thick. The Zero was sorta like the Bf-109- simply too small to fit a larger engine. Kinda like shoving a Corvette's V8 into a Volt- you just need a bigger machine to fit it in there!  

The Japanese were developing a replacement for the Zero, the A7M Reppu (Allied code 'Sam') which was about a third larger with actual cockpit armour for the pilot and self-sealing fuel tanks. Only eight prototypes were constucted and none ever saw combat use since we were bombing the snot outta Japan at the time. 

Duke Maddog

That ia a great looking Hellcat. Way to go! Seeing it nose-to-nose with a George just rocks!

 

I know it's been months since I posted anything, but I finally was able to pull out the F-35 that I'm doing for this and get something done. It ain't much but at least I'm back in this thing.

 

Here is the F-35 after I shot a basecoat of gunship grey on it:

 

Okay, I hope to get more done on this a little later. Thanks for looking in.

 

 

Hi Duke,

Good to hear from you again!  The F-35 is looking good!      

Ken

Thanks Ken!

Jim, looking forward to your pics!

Here are a couple to start:

Arrived on Friday and visited the GJ airport where they have a couple of retired planes on display:

Sorry about the sun glare on this one. Standing underneath the A-6, it's hard for a persons brain to grasp the idea of flinging this huge hunk of metal off the end of a ship.... and it flies!

Worse yet, is the idea of flying this thing onto the deck of an aircraft carrier in the middle of the oacean.... and it's moving! I really need to get down to the Wings Over The Rocky's Museum and check out the EA-6B Prowler they put on display here recently...

More soon!

Jim

Good to hear from you again Jim and those are great photos! 

Hey gang!

Working a bit here and there at the bench, mostly on the choppers:

And the interior of the Blackhawk:

And a teaser:

I took a tour of the inside of the B-17, but found it was very cramped. It was just not a place for a 57 year old, 6'1" 280# claustrophobic man to be. I took a few picks inside, but I had to get out.

More later

Gamera

Here are some finished photos of the Hellcat I took a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't that happy with them but it looks like we're not having any sunny weather for awhile so anyway here they are:

 

 

The Hellcat looks hella good to me! I think the photo at the top is my pick!

Jim

Thanks Jim! 

The two choppers are coming along great! 

And you're right about the B-17. I have to wonder sometimes about how many injuries were from enemy attacks and how many were from accidents of crewmen falling or banging into something inside the plane. 

jimbot58

Hey gang!

Working a bit here and there at the bench, mostly on the choppers:

And the interior of the Blackhawk:

And a teaser:

I took a tour of the inside of the B-17, but found it was very cramped. It was just not a place for a 57 year old, 6'1" 280# claustrophobic man to be. I took a few picks inside, but I had to get out.

More later

 

Hi Jim,

Very nice to hear from you!    

The Huey and the Black Hawk are looking great.  Nice work so far (as always!).

Very glad to hear you had a good time at the air show.  I wish we lived closer to each other.  I would have gone with you.  Nice pictures too by the way!

Ken

Thanks Ken. It's often a drag to do things by yourself, and I considered calling the trip off a couple of times just for that reason. Perhaps we can figure out something in the future, time and money permitting.

Jim

Busy, busy this weekend! Not only am I playing catch-up from being gone last weekend, and all the current chores! Plus I felt the need to go to the range and puch some holes in paper targets Saturday. I also ended up at Harbor Freight and picked up a few sale toys!

A 12V rotory tool set for 8 bucks: (the plastic box is mine)

And a cool digital caliper for $10! Mmmmm... What can I measure? Well, I had the range bag still out, so how about a .22 rimfire cartidge? Right on the specs!

I added another decal to the Huey - The rivets are overdone on this, so lots of decal solvent had to be used here. (Don't look at the mis-matched panel to the rear. The assemblies didn't quit match up. You really don't notice until you look head on like this.

Some assembly work on the 'Hawk. Only one side is cemented in - the other half held by bands for allignment purposes only.

And some rotor work. The Blackwawk rotor is only dry fitted for now as there is painting to be done. That baby's going on last as it's just begging to get broken! The Huey is below it, and the Xacto knife for size comparison. Both of these will be dull-coated eventually.

And how about an airshow picture?

The front office of the B-17:

More to follow!

Jim

Hey Jim, sounds like you had a great weekend. You can always use more tools right? And good to see the two choppers coming together there.

Not sure where my weekend even went, it was Friday and now it's Monday again- what happened?!?! 

jimbot58

Thanks Ken. It's often a drag to do things by yourself, and I considered calling the trip off a couple of times just for that reason. Perhaps we can figure out something in the future, time and money permitting.

Jim

 

I agree Jim!  I think that would be a great idea.  There is a show that I have never been to that someone referred me to that I would like to see.  The person who referred it goes to all of the shows in my area and rates this one as the best.  Here is a link:

http://yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/ 

Ken

jimbot58

Busy, busy this weekend! Not only am I playing catch-up from being gone last weekend, and all the current chores! Plus I felt the need to go to the range and puch some holes in paper targets Saturday. I also ended up at Harbor Freight and picked up a few sale toys!

A 12V rotory tool set for 8 bucks: (the plastic box is mine)

And a cool digital caliper for $10! Mmmmm... What can I measure? Well, I had the range bag still out, so how about a .22 rimfire cartidge? Right on the specs!

I added another decal to the Huey - The rivets are overdone on this, so lots of decal solvent had to be used here. (Don't look at the mis-matched panel to the rear. The assemblies didn't quit match up. You really don't notice until you look head on like this.

Some assembly work on the 'Hawk. Only one side is cemented in - the other half held by bands for allignment purposes only.

And some rotor work. The Blackwawk rotor is only dry fitted for now as there is painting to be done. That baby's going on last as it's just begging to get broken! The Huey is below it, and the Xacto knife for size comparison. Both of these will be dull-coated eventually.

And how about an airshow picture?

The front office of the B-17:

More to follow!

Jim

 

 

Hi Jim,

I know my Dremel tool set comes in very handy when modifying for aftermarket parts.  But of course I deal with larger scales than you so it is easier for me.

Great deal on that digital caliper!  I need to upgrade to one of those!  My eyesight is not that great anymore and trying to read mine is a pain.

Is that Huey you are building USAF?

Those rotors look pretty square.  Nice work on those!      

That B-17 cockpit is so clean!  It shows the amount of pride they have in maintaining it.

Ken

Gamera

Hey Jim, sounds like you had a great weekend. You can always use more tools right? And good to see the two choppers coming together there.

Not sure where my weekend even went, it was Friday and now it's Monday again- what happened?!?! 

 

Hi Cliff,

I know what you mean about the weekend flying by.  Then the Monday through Friday goes so slow.

Ken

Jim, thanks for the pics; the builds are coming along nicely, That B-17 interior looks great, more cramped than I would've imagined. The bomber crews had a rough go in those forts and what they accomplished in helping to win the war can't be overstated!

BTW, I have two pics of my recently completed Polikarpov I-16. It was an Eduard 1/48 kit. A decent build overall other than the landing gear which was difficult due to the lack of locating holes and a discrepancy with the instructions in that area. The other disappointment was all the work I did in the cockpit was realatively invisible once the fuselage halves were together.

Hey Mike, nice work! I know what you mean about detailing a cockpit and then you can't even see the detail inside the blasted thing!