Monogram Mafia IV Group Build

68gt, 

I really like that scheme on the Thunderbolt II.  Looking forward to the F-106's.

Now for the Bearcat.  I got home from work, sat down in my chair in the living area and promptly fell asleep. I did attempt to apply some Testors Gloss over the blue, but it did basically nothing. It's possible I thinned it too much, but you couldn't tell I'd ever shot some gloss on it.  I waited for that to dry then moved on to the decals.  The decals I used are from Draw Decals. I've never used them before, but if you've used ALPS printed decals, then you're familiar with these.  The sheet is one big decal, so you have to trim as close to the decal as possible to minimize the amount of carrier film that will be seen.  The Draw decals are pretty tough and can be moved about with little or no problem. Just follow the instructions and everything will be fine.  The Blues used the Bearcat for two seasons, mine is done as a 1st season Bearcat. The second season is more colorful with aluminum painted leading edges on the wings and horizontal stabilizer, along with some more decals. While I'm not real happy with the final outcome, she's done and on the shelf.  Here are pics of the finished bird, I like the last pic best.

Going to build a couple F-106As next.

No. 3 is done.

Congrats on completing the phantom 68GT! Nice work.

Well done 68GT! Love the birds from VF-84.

Well, got home last night and sanded her smooth.  At roughly 25 hours into the build, she was ready for paint.

A couple hours later, she's all blue.

All the ancillaries are painted as well. Not real happy with the color.  More of a sea blue than dark sea blue, plus it came out matte like the rest of the AS line.  Will shoot some gloss when I get home. All that's left after that is to get her on the mains and decals.

Number 2 done.  Not bad for a kit from the 60s!

Merry Christmas!

Don Stik and members of La Familia,

I have begun construction of Monogram's classic F8F Bearcat. Pics for your approval.  Since she is part of the Weekend GB, her proof of life pic. For those of you who have not participated in the Weekend GB, Rule #1 is that the kit cannot be started.

The pit.  Hope the pilot has long, lanky arms.

A little over four hours into the build and she is starting to look like an airplane. I puttied her up before leaving for work this morning.  When I get home, I hope to have her sanded, primed and painted by bedtime.

Fortunately for this bird (and the Hellcat) the overall color for the Blue Angels was the same as the fleet, overall Glossy Sea Blue.  The change started with the Jet Age with the mix being either three parts Insignia Blue to one part White or two parts Insignia Blue to one part White for the early jets. The Phantom gets even more complex. According to one article the A-4 changed colors six times in 12 years. Even the F/A-18's appear to have changed subtly over the years.

Those kit wheels just werent happening.

Just got caught up and as usual, there's a lot of good work going on here!

Don Stik,

I will be starting the first of my builds either today after I get some sleep, or tomorrow evening after work.  The first will be Monogram's classic Bearcat in Blue Angels markings. The second, providing the decals hold up (if not Glosscote to the rescue), will be Revell's F-4 from the Blue Angels Diamond kit.  I've been carting that thing since 1978, it's time I built something from it.

That Phantom and the AV-8 really remin d me of how much I love building jets. Nice work guys.

Your freehand camo on the Harrier looks pretty good too. I've spent the best part of thirty years teaching myself to thin the pain more and use less pressure lol. 

Keep up the great work guys !

Cheers

Tony

Nice work on the F4 68GT!

Great looking F4U  & AV8 Jacknewb! 

Nice job on the Harrier, I remember building that one when it first came out.

That Phantom is looking good 68! Here is my completed 1/48 AV-8B Harrier. I really enjoyed this kit in more than the Corsair. I tried something new and only allowed myself tape for the glass. Everything else was by hand with my new Iwata Neo. The Iwata is capable of doing better work if I could only learn to mix paint thinner. This was done using all MM enamels and I did my best to follow the scheme provided by Monogram. I had some silvering issues with the decals wich was my fault being they were 30 years old and I didn't trim them etc..Thanks for letting me participate in the GB!

Nice work on the Corsair.

I have the canopy, wheels and exhaust left and that should be it for the Phantom.  P-47 just needs the canopy completed.

Great job, Jack. The Corsair is one of my favorite planes. I think everbody has problems with that right wing. The one I built years ago is in the "hangar deck" position also.

Very Nice finish on the Corsair Jack. Much better looking than the one that I built with my dad 45 years ago...

It turned out great Jacknewbill 

I finished the Corsair and have to say while it was fun I am glad to be done. The wings were just not a great fit for me. Here she is..

JacknewbIII

Wow I can't believe what you have done with that P-38 without even using any putty. That thing is going to look sweet. Can you tell me what you mean with the hot water? I assume you soak the parts to make them more bendable? Either way nice work so far.

 

DasBeav

I forgot how bad the nose sections fit together. Hot water, a file, and plenty of glue got them to "fit". Still alot of PSR in the near future. While removing the "copyright stamp" on the tail saw the kit is older than I am. Might explain the kit issues.

 

 

 

 

JacknewbIII

Wow I can't believe what you have done with that P-38 without even using any putty. That thing is going to look sweet. Can you tell me what you mean with the hot water? I assume you soak the parts to make them more bendable? Either way nice work so far.

 

DasBeav

I forgot how bad the nose sections fit together. Hot water, a file, and plenty of glue got them to "fit". Still alot of PSR in the near future. While removing the "copyright stamp" on the tail saw the kit is older than I am. Might explain the kit issues.

 

 

 

 

Thank you Stick. If all goes well I'll be up and running in no time.

Steve, considering your situation, you get a special dispensation. Your clock is stopped and will resume when youre all healthy again. 

And aside from the amorous skills of Mac, I do hope that your surgeon has no other skills in common with the namesake of the song. 

Stick,

I'm packing up the hobby room and was frantically trying to finish the 57 but messed up the paint again. I'm putting it aside and leaving it here for now. I'll get back to it some day.

I'll check what I'm taking with me and see if anything fits for the second build. I may have to pick something up in Dallas to complete the requirements of the family or have Mac the Knife come looking for me.

Steve

Wow I can't believe what you have done with that P-38 without even using any putty. That thing is going to look sweet. Can you tell me what you mean with the hot water? I assume you soak the parts to make them more bendable? Either way nice work so far.

DasBeav

I forgot how bad the nose sections fit together. Hot water, a file, and plenty of glue got them to "fit". Still alot of PSR in the near future. While removing the "copyright stamp" on the tail saw the kit is older than I am. Might explain the kit issues.

 

I forgot how bad the nose sections fit together. Hot water, a file, and plenty of glue got them to "fit". Still alot of PSR in the near future. While removing the "copyright stamp" on the tail saw the kit is older than I am. Might explain the kit issues.

I’ve been keeping up here and am impressed by the work I’ve seen. 

I have made some progress. Unfortunately no photos other than where it sits now. This has been a very pleasant kit so far. Fit has been very good.  A small bit of putty was needed on one point on the bottom of the fuselage, and a little on the wheel pants.

At this point it’s ready for paint. Just waiting for a bit warmer weather. Or as warm as it’s going to get anyway. 

 

Lots of great work here!! Ive been gone for awhile ,,,had to set up the new modelling room and dang work keeps getting in way. But got some done on the F7F.

Here are a few pics:

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