Guys, i would like to thank every who has taken part in this and all the other 70th anniversary GB's. We have had some great builds over the last few years and its been great shareing it with you all. And i lok forward to the last few builds coming together.

I'd also like to thank Sub Revoloution, where ever he may be. He started this whole thing with a 1942 GB in 2012. While he carried it on with a 43 build, he hasn't posted on the site since late 2013. I only took over the reigns in 2014.

I very much intend doing the whole thing again, only this time starting in 1939 and going through to 1946 with a series of 80th Anniversay GB's run in the same format as this. So, only 2 years to wait, and by then we should all be refreshed and hopefully be able to recruit some new members to join us.

But for now, thanks again, happy new year to all and see you around the forums.

Thanks Bish: Personal best this year on completing ten models. 2017 might get close to fifteen. Thanks again for those this 1946 build.

Thanks Matt: Yeah the I was getting close to the finishing line, and then the decals pealed up. Nice seat belts and cockpit work.

Thanks Gamera: I really like the yellow in the back, breaks up the bare metal.

Thanks Lostagain: Sorry to hear about the flooding from the storm. Nice work on the MB5.

Thanks Johnny.

Thanks Jgeratic.

Thanks 68GT: Looking forward to the final touches on the 229.

Hello everybody! All the finished builds look great, and the works in progress seem like they're coming along splendidly! 

By the way: I tend to guard my personal information pretty jealously online, but I feel I owe you guys an explanation as to why I've been missing most of the GB. I'm currently at the point in my life where I'm very busy preparing for college, so for the past six months I haven't been very available for modeling. Unfortunately, the next few years probably won't provide me with much time for scale modeling either  I'll still try to keep a presence on the FSM forums, or at least check back in every couple of months. I've really grown to love the FSM community (FSM is seriously the most polite forum out there) so I hope I'll be able to keep an eye on the goings-on. Thanks, and sorry again for being unable to finish the build! 

P.S. Did anything become of that Maus build? 

Hey Moff, much as we joke about it I suppose there are more important things than modeling 

It is good to hear from you again, good luck with your studies and I'd love to see more of the monster 128mm Waffentrager on the armour forum when you get around to her. 

There are more important things than modeling? Man, I need to reprioritize  

No explanation needed Moff, but thanks for popping in. I to would like to see that bhuild when you can.

Unfortnatly no, the maus didn't get done, i don't think it was started.

Hi Ho Everyone and a Happy New Year. The activities and distractions of the holiday season are finally winding down for me and the wife. Ours gets a bit extended as both of our mother's birthdays book end the holiday season. So, hopefully I can get my attention and motivation drawn back into my Corsair, participating on the forum and modeling in general. I've admittedly been in the midst of a bit of modeling lathargy the past couple of months but, I'm sure I can get revved back up again. Also, the back strain has subsided so physically I'm good to go. Mentally, well, that's always been in question.

First, let me thank Bish for yet another outstanding GB. You are truly a top notch moderator and excel at maintaining a well oiled group. As always, thanks for the willingness to let your GB's linger on for lackadaisacal sots such as myself. 

Now, to catch up on some of the activities that's been going on here.

Moff: The very best of luck on your endeavors in college. It's no doubt that studies are insanely demanding on one's time. Yet, I do hope you find some time to get to the bench and find some relief from the rigors of studying.Certainly, do not be a stranger here. Keep in touch. I could not agree more with your assessment that FSM is by far the friendliest of all forums. That is the very reason why this is the only forum I participate in. By the way, what are you studying for?

Dan: Absolutely stellar work on your P-51. Beautiful finish in the face of obstacles. You really did knock this one out of the park. Thank You so much for sharing your outstanding skills with us.

Matt: Impressive start on your 262. You've done some right nice work on the cockpit.

Lost: Man, so sorry to hear about the flooding issues. I hope the damage is not to bad and that any recovery goes smoothly. The work you have done on your fasteners is quite remarkable. Very nicely done. 

Ed: Your efforts have definitely produced a fine looking 229. I'm looking forward to seeing the finishing touches.

As far as the Corsair goes, I'm still waffling a bit on whether to continue with Montex Mask scheme for VMF-214 or just move along with the kit supplied VF-84 scheme and get it done. I'm also working out drilling on the engine to accomodate the wires. Either way, I hope to get some progress going and posted here in the very near future.

I'm always grateful for the encouragement and inspiration that each and everyone of you provide.

Cheers, Joe

Bish

No explanation needed Moff, but thanks for popping in. I to would like to see that bhuild when you can.

Unfortnatly no, the maus didn't get done, i don't think it was started.

 

That's too bad about the Maus...well, at least I wasn't alone in having to drop out. 

Quite a few didn't even get started Moff, so i wouldn't worry.I was looking forward to the Maus as well.

By the way, what's next in terms of group builds? I probably won't be able to participate, but I'd still like to check out the builds.

Are you doing another "year-themed" group build? 1917, or maybe 1967? 

Moff

By the way, what's next in terms of group builds? I probably won't be able to participate, but I'd still like to check out the builds.

Are you doing another "year-themed" group build? 1917, or maybe 1967? 

 

Me, no, my only real interest is WW2. I will be running a series of 80th anniversary GB's starting in 2019. As for me, apart from the Star wars and Halftrack GB's i am currently running, my next one will be an RAF GB in April. It would be nice to run some more armour GB's, but the recent ones have been a bit flat since many of the armour guys have left the site.

Moff: I noticed on my GB that about fifteen finished and fifteen didn't (including me!) so not getting done is no big deal. I had a couple of people who joined too and then vanished including one guy who wanted to know if a Japanese airliner was ok. I told him sure and he never responded, I don't think I've even seen him on the forum at all since then- wierd... 

I never did post these pictures of the 229 on the base.

Oh that's awesome! I love the angle you put her at, like she's soaring above the clouds.

Now thats nice 68. Really like the angle. I'll add that to the front tonight.

Bish

 ...many of the armour guys have left the site.

 

That's too bad...I wonder why? 

Gamera

I don't think I've even seen him on the forum at all since then- wierd... 

 

Those dead accounts are always interesting and mysterious...

That 229 on the base looks neat.    Those acrylic rods always make the display look pro.

-----------------------

The armour guys that left, I think they wanted a forum that allowed them to burp, fart and cuss at their leisure.

regards,

Jack

68, finally got my butt in gear and got your pic added. Thanks again for shareing that with us.

It does seem odd that of all the people who have left in the last couple of years, the armour section seems to have been hit hardest.

Your 229 on that base is really sharp. I very well may have to display one of my kits that way someday. I like it.

jgeratic

The armour guys that left, I think they wanted a forum that allowed them to burp, fart and cuss at their leisure.

 

Thanks, the acrylic rod and base make a big differance and I think I hit that sngle perfect.

Hey 68,

that is an excellent result there. A great scheme, and the pose on the acrylic rod gives it a great feeling of action. Really good.

Back from holidays, I have had a few days at the bench, managing to take a few steps forward on the MB5.

First up, the wings had their last access panels scribed before they were mounted on their fuselage halves. With no locating tabs, the dihedral was set with a balsa and board jig (thanks for the inspiration Dan)and the brass spars inserted earlier.

With the glue set and some epoxy inside to reinforce the spar attachment, the wing roots were cleaned, filled and sanded. Went through this several times, including repairing the trailling edge. Finished product passed the silver paint marker test.

Also did work on the spinner and prop. I had finally got a spinner shape and finish I was happy with. Next step was to drill the holes for the props. I carved a balsa cradle to firmly support the spinner against a jig whilst I used a dremel drill press to drill the holes.

Close up you can see the holes drilled for the front and rear props

and the finished product:

Next up was casting the props. The masters are in the mould ready to be filled with silicone.

Then filled with silicone to form the mould.

The master has been taken out of the mould, and I have cast a few blades, photos to follow.

But I did do a mock up of the model so far, it keeps me motivated...

Keeps going forward slowly...

Some great work there lost, and thanks for posting those pics of how you dilled out the spinner and the casting. Really useful.

Lost,

The MB5 is looing great! And I really love the use of the Legos for the casting!

Splendid work! And great idea on the jigs to keep everything straight. 

Lost,

looking good!  You've done some amazing work on that kit.  Thanks for sharing all the ingenious ways you are problem solving! Can't wait to see it with paint!

Hey Lost, Great to see you making some really tremendous progress. You work is very impressive indeed. Yet, I'd like to compliment you on your fantastic inginuity. You certainly have an excellent knack for developing brilliant solutions and executing them. It's just plain fun watching you at work.

Well Gents, I do have some good news. After a few months of life induced distractions and an overall "meh" sort of attitude towards working on models, I'm coming out of my funk. The Corsair has sat idle for too long and I've set back to it. Now, the advantage to this hiatus is that it has allowed me to take a fresh look at what I'd done so far and thus, see flaws that I need to work on. So, recently I have been rescribing some panel lines and rivets and generally dressing up some seams with putty and sanding. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get some paint on this bugger over the coming weekend. Also, I've opted for a different scheme and I'll get a pic of that soon. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Good to seeyou back Joe and looking forward to seeing that Corsair.