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

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 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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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:

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... 

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

Cool story Jim!  Thank you for sharing!

Ken

Towed with a fueling boom?!?! Heck yeah Jim, that's some story! Thanks for sharing with us.

Hey all!

Incredible story here:

Tanker saves a jet

Jim

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.

 

She looks great Mike!!      The front page has been updated.

Ken

Gamera

She looks great to me Mike, love the camo.

 

She looks great to me Mike, love the camo.

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.

Yeah Mike, she looks perfect to me! 

mikeymize

 

 

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Mike,

Sounds like you are rounding the bend.  We are looking forward to seeing it!

Ken

 

 

 

 

Well, I'm almost done; here's a pic of what I have thus far. I still have a few bits and bobs to add but she's darn near ready for a Luftwaffe Jagdflieger to strap in and go!

 

 

Hi Mike,

She is looking great!      The paint job, the wash, everything looks fantastic!  It looks like it could take off and fly!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Mike,

Sounds like you are rounding the bend.  We are looking forward to seeing it!

Ken

 

Hi Mike,

Sounds like you are rounding the bend.  We are looking forward to seeing it!

Ken

Almost finished with decals and stencils. Had to repaint an area of the fuselage where the Balkan cross lies and ended up having to redo the cross and 87 octane stencil as well. Fourtunately I had some extras in my spares as the kit only supplied enough for one application. I'll be painting the canopy this weekend along with applying a pinwash and random weathering/ exhaust staining.

mikeymize

As I indicated here's some updates on my "Gustav". 

I ran into another snag after putting on the gloss cote and starting the decals. The kit comes with tiny decals to put on the outside diameter of the "beule" or bulges on either side of the engine cowling, (where the "eyes" are). Unfortunately, none fit correctly so now I'm forced to paint them if posssible. They're extremely narrow so it's going to be a challenge. Also, I still must contend with the broken antenna point on top of the vertical stab. I've drilled a hole where it was and am canning one from another "G" that was already damaged. 

So far, I like the kit overall in spite of a couple curveballs its thrown at me.

 

TAD

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Mike,

I can't find a way to reply directly to your post.  The 109 is looking great!  You did a great job painting the "eyes".  Good work so far! 

Ken

 

Hey Ken, thanks! 

And if you click on the 'Add Quote to your Post' button after clicking on 'Reply' on the post you're looking at it will add the whole thing to your reply.

Hi Cliff,

Looking forward to seeing your "Cats".

Ken

Hi Mike,

I can't find a way to reply directly to your post.  The 109 is looking great!  You did a great job painting the "eyes".  Good work so far! 

Ken

Mike: Despite your problems she's coming along great so far.

BTW: Sorry but I still don't have any Hellcat photos, overcast yesterday and very windy today. I didn't want to risk having the model blow off somewhere. I really need to set up some sort of photo booth. On a brighter note the Wildcat is close to done now, I masked and sprayed the canopies (my most hated part) yesterday and am trying to make a replacement pitot tube out of wire and epoxy.

As I indicated here's some updates on my "Gustav". 

I ran into another snag after putting on the gloss cote and starting the decals. The kit comes with tiny decals to put on the outside diameter of the "beule" or bulges on either side of the engine cowling, (where the "eyes" are). Unfortunately, none fit correctly so now I'm forced to paint them if posssible. They're extremely narrow so it's going to be a challenge. Also, I still must contend with the broken antenna point on top of the vertical stab. I've drilled a hole where it was and am canning one from another "G" that was already damaged. 

So far, I like the kit overall in spite of a couple curveballs its thrown at me.