75th Anniversary of 1941 Group Build (World at War)

Thanks guys.  Being both 1930's designs (Gloster Gladiator 1934, Polikarpov I-5 1930), it's not unusual to see common features in  both aircraft.

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So fuselage is now joined up and lower wing attached.  It did take several sessions of sanding and test fitting to get the lower wing to fit.

 Still a minor gap to fill in at the front, and some slight sanding required on the leading edge of the wing root section.  I also cut out the top and bottom sections of the engine intake and replaced with sheet plastic for a more streamlined finish.  Inset photo shows it all cleaned up and sanded.

 The tail unit was also problematic.  I suppose ICM took a different route to ensure both elevators are level by making them one unit, instead of the usual two separate pieces and having the rudder/tail already part of the fuselage.  Their method leaves a gap between the tail and top surface of the elevators, or at least my kit did.

 I believe most modelers would do the simple thing and just fill in with putty, but there is also another gap of missing plastic along the hinge of the rudder (indicated by the two red arrows),- the tail surface here should be continuous.   I decided to be a bit more adventurous and try and drop the tail down to fill that unwanted void.  I also extended the back end of the tail with some strips of sheet plastic.

Still a bit of a gap ... honestly, that was a lot of extra work to save on some putty. 

regards,

Jack

That's an interesting and not-so-often-seen aircraft, Jack.  Looking forward to watching it develop.

Starting this one off with a simpler build from Polikarpov family of aircraft, simpler in that I couldn't find a PE set for it:

Still from ICM, but this is the earlier I-5 version.  Will be doing the second marking option, as the aircraft appeared in the summer of 1941.  Many of these early design fighters were pushed into the front lines to make up for losses suffered in opening stages of Barbarossa.  Their use was mainly in the ground attack role.

Interior together and ready for paint, will add some home made tape belts  just before closing up.  It is pretty well detailed for the scale.  There are four ejector marks, but the rear ones are blocked from view by the seat, and the ones in front will be sitting in darkness.

Only real problem thus far was fitting of the four machine guns and making them point straight ahead.  The bottom pair was rectified by enlarging the hole they slip through.  The top pair required bit more work, as the breech at the rear had to be cut and beveled to conform to the interior of the fuselage. 

Did throw in a Quickboost control stick (available as a three pack for the I-53).  It's length was cut to just slightly longer than the original kit part.

 regards,

Jack

I oddly like the look of the Vindicator.

"Ugly" has a charm of its own! 

Some more progress on the Vindicator. Can't believe all the call out errors in the directions. Have to look twice at every step. 

Really good work here everybody! Sorry for my absence but between a bathroom reno over the winter and login problems here, I haven't had much time to check in.

With that said, I do have my entry for the GB. This will be my first foray into PE & Resin so we'll see how that goes I picked the kit up with everything included for about $8 at a show, so I won't feel too bad if a mess something up as i learn. Hopefully progress pics will follow soon!

checkmateking02

That was one of the Soviet's big tanks, wasn't it? Looks like it'll build up into an impressive model, aj.

 

Yes it certainly was. And you sure could say BIG! Here it is compared to a Panzer II I have been tinkering on, same scale:

Now I know the Panzer II wasn't large by any means, but you get the picture.

Some more progress. Got the turret structure together. Going to clean it up alittle before I put the extra armor on.

Some more progress. This thing really goes together fast. Fit isn't quite Tamiya quality, but it is still far more than adequate.

My Mig-3 sits patiently on the bench while I have been on a 1/48 armor kick. I received this today, and I couldn't wait to start on it.

This is actually a KV that has had applique armor added on to it. Here is the standard Hobbyboss KV hull.

And here are some of the extra armor bits. Hopefully more to come tonight before I hit the hay.

Here is the start of my Vindicator.   Great detail very finicky. 

Thanks Rob. H: Nice color modulation on your M/13.

Thanks Checkmate: This is my first Panzer IV that I've build, working on getting at least one of every Panzer variant. Panzer I through Panzer VIII. I'll pick the sixth one from the top for the front page.

Thanks Bish: I'm really happy now the DAK over the Panzer Gray turned out, got the idea to try that from the painting & markings guild of the kit.

Thanks Jgeratic: I use four lights in photography the Panzer IV, two near table level and two hanging from the sealing. By switching some on and others off I think it gives a dramatic look. Even a low sun at sunset.

Modelcrazy: Excellent finish to your P-40, looks great.

Terry: Looking forward to your half-track truck flak build.

Steve, a very fine example of the P-40.

I like how you have mirrored near identical colours from the aircraft to the ground, and nicely presented too.

regards,

Jack

Steve:  Front page is updated; worked like a charm.  Thanks for being part of the GB.  It was a pleasure to have you with us.

Thanks Hunter,

I have. There are four of mine that have made the reader's gallery, but none have made the magazine yet.

Steve - 

Your build turned out great....wonderful paint and detailing. It's about time for you to start submitting your builds to FSM! Don't you think? Maybe you have and I missed out.

I uploaded this from Photobucket. Try it now.

Hi, Terry.

I will add your kit to the front page.  It will be interesting to watch the construction coming along.

Steve:  I'm not able to copy the photo.  It doesn't seem to be a jpeg, and photobucket can't "find" it nor can I open it, after I do hit the save button.

Is there any way you can repost it as a jpeg?  Sorry for the problem.  My computer does not recognize the format.

Checkmate, i've decided on a vehicle for the build. 

Dragon 6525 a Sd.Kfz 7/1 2cm Flak 38 Selbstfahrlafette German half track truck in 1/35. Production started in 1940 and continued for 2 years. I'm finishing up a few things and should be on it in a couple weeks. 

Thanks, Terry 

Thanks Check, let's go with #2.