Floats and Boats 2017- EXTENDED TO MID 2018

I've made some progress on the Kingfisher of late. I have the cowling and engine installed as well as the wings. I will make a bit more progress this weekend and post up some new pics.

BK

Looks like they already moulded the kit in RLM colors for you. No need for paint on this one. Just a bit of glue and decals and you're done. Seriously though this looks like a pretty decent little kit that still has some size to it. I'm looking forward to seeing come together.

BK

Yea I was able to remove the protective cover paper by heating it with a hair dryer and gently pulling the paper little by little. I might be able to use some of the letters but the crosses I will Have to get aftermarket.

jason

going to give the parts a bath then its go time.

here she is. should be a fun build. the decals are pretty much trash,so i will have to source them aftermarket or see if i can make stencils and paint them on.

jason.

I will be getting some pics up of the kit I’m going to build Tonight. If I can figure out how to post pics again.

jason

RiK and Invertman, I'll get the roster changed. This will be cool.

Jack, looks really good. It's funny that those old kits came in dark blue plastic from different makers. They must have been trying to let us build them without paint back in the day.

BK

Here are a few progress pics of my 1/72 MPC Kingfisher. I made a critical error in following the instructions for the unfiform color so my pilot and gunner are in the trash. To punish myself I will now build it with the cannopy closed which I can tell you is going to be a fitting task! I have the interior painted and the glass has been futured and masked. There was very little interior detail so it might be better this way...

Sounds good.well put me down for a 1/72 matchbox dornier do g-1

Are we still posting pics through photobucket or has that changed?

Going to have to learn this stuff all over again lol!

Sure, I can accept new entries. Given the fact that my pace on the Kingfisher is painfully slow I would be happy to keep this going.

BK

Is this group build still accepting new entries?

Getting back into aircraft modeling after a long hiatus as you can see

From my badges. really used to enjoy these group builds.

I'll add you to the list. And welcome!

BK

Wow there's some great builds here!  I am elated to see this extended because I did not even start my AR-196 in 2016 because of a move to another town. If it's ok put me down for the 1/48 MPM Arado Ar-196 and I will do my levelheadded best to get it done.

Welcome Jack, yes you may join in. I look forward to watching this one. I didn't even know this kit existed. 

BK

I have been inspired by the work in this GB and drawn to this kit from my stack of 1/72 prop planes. Since this build appears to have been extended to mid 2018 may I join in with a 1/72 MPC Kingfisher? Here are the photos I took tonight prior to opening the plastic bag and digging in. I picked this old kit up for $5 at an antique shop. Not a whole lot to it but looks like a fun little challenge!

I think its 3/16 but I dont have the package anymore. I also use a round file to thin the wall, which I still need to do some more of. By the time I get it put together it will be fairly thin. Thanks for the kind words.

BK

Brandon, that is tremendously great work on the engine and cowling.  What diameter brass tube were those exhausts?

regards,

Jack

Ive been working so much I've had little time to even respond to the GB's. I did make some time the last few weekends to get a bit of work done on the Kingfisher.

Aside from all the sanding and filling around the float attachment points I also completed the engine and it is now ready to be placed in the cowling. I also took some time to open up the exhaust outlets which the kit does nothing for and I made some piping to replicate the exhaust exits. '

I did this by bending some tubing and them filing off the end at an angle to match how they look in the photos. Once I had this done I also drilled out he openings and enlarged them with my Dremel and a round file. Now with the engine sitting in the cowling and the exhaust tubes sitting in place the cowling is beginning to look the part.

I am nearly done with the float attachment work which has taken many hours of work. I will then attach the cowling followed by the engine and outer ring. I will then be in a place where I can attach the wings and I should move quickly from there. This has really taken quite a bit of work to get this far and I can see why you don't see many of these pimped out. 

Well, that's all for now.

BK

Tony, the kitbashing idea for this kit is amazing. This is certainly a subject that just doesn't get enough love. The engine will be a nice touch. I have my popcorn out watching this one come together.

BK

Some progress on the Wildcatfish.

I've primed the floats, the seams on them look ok.

I've also joined the wing halves and tidied them up.

I've made the decision to use an Airfix Wildcat as a base for better detailed parts. Here is a comparison of the engines from the two kits. Surprisingly, the Airfix one fits into the Amodel fuselage with a minimum of work.

I'm working on the engine detail now, then I'll look at the cockpit. I'm hoping I can build and paint the aircraft and the float assembly seperately, then join them at a final stage.

Cheers

Tony

Tony,

That is one wild subject! I can hardly wait to see the finished model.

Doc

Tony, I don't know what it is about these unusual float planes but I simply love them and I am so glad you chose to add the Wildcat-fish to the lot. Looks like this one may give you a bit of greif but you will tackle it just fine.

BK

Made a small start on the Wildcatfish. Check out the warpage on those floats ! I glued the middle, let it set and I've gradually glued the entire length, step by step. There's some tidy up to be done, but it's not too bad. 

The detail is a bit limited run-ish so I'm considering sacrificing a recent Airfix F4F-4 to pinch the detail parts. Seems like the best way to upgrade this thing a bit.

Cheers

Tony

BrandonK

Steve, no worries. I too have not had time to complete my build either. I will be extending this build until mid year. That should give most of us enough time to get something done. I am still trying to make progress on the Kingfishers, but work has me pretty tied up. I will push on however. I look forward to seeing your PBY.

BK

 

Cool! Now I can get started as soon as the boys are back in school next week! Thanks for extending this.

Steve

Tony, the wildcatfish is one of those kits I totally want to do so I am SUPER excited you will be building it here. So looking forward to that.

RiK, I would love to see more of your outstanding work. This will be a great late winter and spring build up.

BK

Love your work Brandon. Since I don't have to wait for the 2018 GB now, I can enter a model I planned for early 2018. It's the Amodel 1/72 Wildcatfish. I started the floats a few years ago but otherwise it's unstarted. Should get to it later in January I think. It's a dreadful little kit, should be fun :)

Cheers

Tony 

Steve, no worries. I too have not had time to complete my build either. I will be extending this build until mid year. That should give most of us enough time to get something done. I am still trying to make progress on the Kingfishers, but work has me pretty tied up. I will push on however. I look forward to seeing your PBY.

BK

Brandon,

Sorry I wasn’t able to get the PBY finished, let alone started. But please count me in for the hopefully upcoming 2018 GB!

Steve