Secret Santa GB back for 2015-16

Steve, wow, you are flying on this build. It's so cold here I haven't been able to paint. I'm gonna try to get the garage warm enough to get some pits painted, but as you know, it's been COLD. I'm so diggin' the sub/wave look.

As far as my entry, here it is, thank you Santa. It is a F-84G PM 1/48. The kit looks very nice and as long as I don't have Alclad issues I should be fine. This is gonna build into one really nice model. Thanks again.

BK

Almost there. The kit has been impressive. The only issue was flashing on the railings, but if that is the only problem, I'll give the kit an A.
I just need to paint, rig and install it into the base.

Steve

Mopar Madness

Well, my Secret Santa gift arrived this afternoon!  This one is actually version 2.0. The original gift got lost within the USPS system and is still MIA.  My Santa most generously purchased a second kit with expedited shipping!  A top notch gentlemen for sure!  Thank you friend, the Fw 190 is my absolute favorite aircraft and I've never had a chance to model the final version named appropriately after the 190's creator, Kurt Tank.  I'll roll straight into it when my current project is wrapped up!  

 

 

I'm looking forward to this one for sure. I have this exact kit in my stash and I love how it looks. This is gonna be cool.

BK

Well, my Secret Santa gift arrived this afternoon!  This one is actually version 2.0. The original gift got lost within the USPS system and is still MIA.  My Santa most generously purchased a second kit with expedited shipping!  A top notch gentlemen for sure!  Thank you friend, the Fw 190 is my absolute favorite aircraft and I've never had a chance to model the final version named appropriately after the 190's creator, Kurt Tank.  I'll roll straight into it when my current project is wrapped up!  

Some progress pics of the Merc.

These are the decals that come with the kit, I like the look of them but don't know much (yet) about the car and race that this livery was from:

Started assembly with the engine:

Some pretty big seam lines so out came the filler and after a bit of sanding, priming, checking and repeating managed to remove them quite effectively. 

There was a pretty bad fit with the top of the engine (not sure what it is called) which required some serious filling which took quite a few attempts to get right:

Painted and decalled the heads and added a wash, not sure if I have overdone the wash but quite like the look:

Next up is my first attempt at using the detailing set. These are the instructions for replacing part of the rear arms:

And the pieces:

Any advice or tips on cutting the original piece and building this would be most appreciated. It's quite daunting :)

Thanks

Dave

That is too cool Mike!  Are you going to crossover with the Floats and Boats GB with that?

PS, totaly love your ornaments!

THANK YOU SECRET SANTA!   This kit is perfect; right up my alley. An excellent kit of a fantastic subject.  Just look at that box art  "drools"

I hear that!  I adore the Kingfisher. I started re-scribing Airfixs 1/72offering, but got side tract andnever went back -- yet      As for Monograms offering, I have yet to buy Lone Stars cockpit set. And unfortunalty my Kitty Hawk Kingfisher will have to wait as a few kits are infront of her. So as much as I love them, I don't actually have any built ones LOL  

SubarooMike

 

 

BrandonK

I'm diggin' how you do this cuz I just ordered a Kittyhawk 1/32 Kingfisher and that kit is just screamin' for a water takeoff. Thanks for posting this, it really helps.

BK

 

 

 

 

OH, BrnadonK.  You mean this bad-boy??   

 

 

 

Yup, that bad boy. I just couldn't take it any longer and bought it. I love the Kingfisher so much I have two 1/48 and now a 1/32, all being worked on this year. 

BK

I'm going to try something different for the Rufe, but this method would work well for anything water related. 

BrandonK

I'm diggin' how you do this cuz I just ordered a Kittyhawk 1/32 Kingfisher and that kit is just screamin' for a water takeoff. Thanks for posting this, it really helps.

BK

 

OH, BrnadonK.  You mean this bad-boy??   

Ha!  I was thinking the same thing for my Arado for the Floats and Boats GB!

I'm diggin' how you do this cuz I just ordered a Kittyhawk 1/32 Kingfisher and that kit is just screamin' for a water takeoff. Thanks for posting this, it really helps.

BK

Oh man, I can't wait to see how this one turns out.  I have a 1/700 Dragon Tirpitz that's begging for a water dio!

Here is my step by step of the water base.

I purchased a foam board from Walmart and traced the boat on it.

I hollowed out the outline enough to sink the boat up to the deck and marked where I wanted to cut out the troughs.

I then cut out and sanded the troughs. After the boat is complete I'll set it in the base, add to the crests and cover the "water" with paper strips and acrylic medium.

Steve

The fabulous Eduard Spitfire has been de-bagged and all the parts were given a good soak overnight.  I rummaged through the spares box and found some left-over PE from a Royal Class boxing of the same kit.  I also ordered some Steel Beach camo-masks from Sprue Bros (I'll admit I cheat when it comes to masking Camo) . Most of the cockpit pieces have been primed with Mr. Surfacer 1500 and pre-shaded.   I'll begin work on sub assemblies this evening.  Thanks again Santa!

kg4kpg

Cool, I'll start mine in the next week or so. I actually got two. My Santa ordered from Squadron and the sprue bag was but short and attempted to seal by the machine so the kit was damaged. Squadron sent another out the next day. So I'm going to do one nice and shiny and the other parked in a bone yard.

 

That sounds cool, will be watching with interest.

I started on boxing day, not much progress at the moment what with the festivities and all but will have some pics soon.

kg4kpg

Cool, I'll start mine in the next week or so. I actually got two. My Santa ordered from Squadron and the sprue bag was but short and attempted to seal by the machine so the kit was damaged. Squadron sent another out the next day. So I'm going to do one nice and shiny and the other parked in a bone yard.

 

Cool, I'll start mine in the next week or so. I actually got two. My Santa ordered from Squadron and the sprue bag was but short and attempted to seal by the machine so the kit was damaged. Squadron sent another out the next day. So I'm going to do one nice and shiny and the other parked in a bone yard.

This is certainly gonna be fun. 

My thoughts on the time frame are have it end by Thanksgiving. That way newbies can sign up and shopping can begin in time for the next round to start. Have the signups begin around Halloween, deadline by Thanksgiving eve. Or something like that.

I am totally Jones'n to get my kit started, but I have 3 kits in front of it already underway. I should begin, or I WILL BEGIN, no later than lat January. It should take 3-6 weeks to get it done. I hope. It's gonna be cool.!!

Steve, I am watching as always. You need to to a full on tutorial on the whole water thingy. It may come in handy for the Floats and Boats GB. Hint Hint 

BK

Looking forward to watching your build Steve! After seeing your Indy, I can only imagine how awesome this one is going to be, especially if you are going for something similar to that painting.

I've started the U-Boat. I'm not going to do much to the lower hull because it will be in the water. 

Steve

Agreed, I was going to start mine last night but de-Christmasing the house took priority. We like getting the house back to normal as soon as possible.
I am starting the U-Boat today.

Steve

Sounds great to me.  There sure were a bundle of nice kits delivered!  Mine is stuck somewhere in the black abyss of the USPS.  But, I have been in constant contact with my "Santa", and he's on the hunt for the missing kit!  In the meantime, Im going to enjoy wathcing the progress of all your builds!

kg4kpg

I didn't see in the first post, what is the time-frame for the build? I'm assuming we can start but is there a finish by date?

 

I was actually still debating that. I was thinking somewhere in the 6-8 month range, because if someone is nice enough to buy and send us a hit in their dime, we should be nice enough to put it up near the top of our modeling priority list. But then on the flip side, I know spring/summer is crazy busy for some people, and a 6 month time frame may be pushing it. And yes, you can start as soon as you like.

What do you guys think?

I didn't see in the first post, what is the time-frame for the build? I'm assuming we can start but is there a finish by date?

Should be a fun build for sure. It comes with two different livery options, the wife thinks I should do the one on the box art. I may do that; however, the red and black flames are hand-done, no decals, I'll have to hand make the mask for those, I think I'll accept the challenge!

Had to upload this from the office since my home computer is still out of commission. Thank you Santa for the wonderful gift! I cant wait to get this one started!