JOE RIX

Wouldn't you know it. Postimage started cooperating. so here is some pics of the primer stripping. Just brush it on, let it sit for a while and then wipe or brush off. This stuff has saved a couple of paint jobs for me by just fixing problem areas.

The paint has been removed from the stern with a toothbrush and small rag.

 

That's interesting. Never used the stuff. Wish Testor's after buying out Polly S had rebottled it under the Model Master name. 

Hmm... I was thinking it was to keep aviators from trying to back off the carrier in reverse... 

Optical Landing System. That's a French ship.

Bill

While trying to figure out what that arrow is for I came across something interesting. This device below that sticks off the port side of the ship by catapult 4 is used for guiding the pilots while landing. Believe it or not this device is referred to as "the meatball". I think we should refer to the arrow as sphagettie noodle.

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Where's Rex when we need him?

Bill

Another theory... tells the bridge which direction to go.

Here is my best guess. Maybe it is meant to remind the pilots that they need to exit the runway towards the bow after landing. Sounds stupid but common sense isn't very common nowadays.  - wise words from PatW

TheMongoose

4. That funky white arrow

I don't have a clue what it's for either.

6, 8, 3, 2, 7 or 4, 1

At all costs don't mask over the decals. That particular proiduct is really fragile.

I could use some help deciding what order to paint things on this carrier. having never done one before I'm unsure of how to proceed. I've taken the picture from the Starfighter Deck Decals i bought and modified it slightly to show my version. The carrier has this large white arrow going from the "Ready 5" catapault (my best TopGun reference) up toward the middle of the main catapault launch area. The other mod is I'm adding the red/white foul lines along the stbd side of runway and not just up on the bow flight deck area(just relalized those 2 aren't shown on the drawing). 

My current plan is to paint "everything"...although I may end up using the foul lines as these could prove tough to mask back over but let's assume I am going to paint them as that's what I love to do! Here's what I think everything is so correct anything I'm missing and put it in the order you think works best based on your experience:

MC hosted a sub GB a couple years ago.  IIRC, PJ did one in 1/144, and the PE was awesome.

That's why I'm hanging on, as she is to represent USS Wahoo as it left Pearl on the last patrol.

Almost forgot about you Goose.  There is just something oddly attractive about a black carrier deck. What color will you paint it?

Can't wait to see the lights on with your planes in the hanger bay. Should look pretty sick.

Bill, Buddy, Steve: thanks for your thoughts, I really do appreciate them.

Joe: Quite wierd to see a model that came pre-primed. Good choice to strip it so that you won't make a mess glueing parts. Nice to see that post image is working for you, I am still having issues with it.

GH: Don't give up on the PE, I think you will really enjoy the extra detail the gato will have once it is finished.

Whatever's in it, sure looks like it truly is a paint stripper. Almost looks like new bare plastic out in the flat areas.

I think Polly S is mostly ammonia so go from there.

Joe-  won't give up on the PE just yet.  Adds too much over the kit pieces.

Have never see the stripper before, before my time getting back into building.  That stuff looks like it works wonders

Wouldn't you know it. Postimage started cooperating. so here is some pics of the primer stripping. Just brush it on, let it sit for a while and then wipe or brush off. This stuff has saved a couple of paint jobs for me by just fixing problem areas.

The paint has been removed from the stern with a toothbrush and small rag.

Scott: Your Kansas is gorgeous. Hopefully if you attempt a rerig it al goes smoothly and it comes out more to your liking. 

Ben: Man, that kit Kingfisher is all askew. Your choice to get the Trumpeter replacement was definitely in order. I'm sure your painting efforts will prove effective.

John: Your airwings and flight deck are looking really good. Keep up the effort as it is producing excellent effects and appearance. Well done.

Mongoose: The hangar is looking all outstanding and such. Fantastic progress.

GH: Hang in there with the Gato. Have confidence my friend because you got this.

Update on the Oakland. As I reported earlier, the new kit came pre-painted with a primer coat. This is all good and such but, it makes gluing the parts together a major hassle. All the gluing surfaces have to be sanded or scraped. Even though I'm only using the hull and forward bridge structure from the new kit, quite a bit needed to be scraped for gluing. Once I got to scraping along I realized what a time comsuming effort it was. As such, it was time to just break out the trusty Polly S Easy Lift Off paint remover and just strip it all down. If you have never used thid stuff, it is an amazingly handy product to have to strip paint. You can do spot areas or large areas. I works wonders. Although no longer available, it appers that Testor's reproduced and it can be found on ebay. I'll post some pics of the process when postimage decides to cooperate.

lewbud

Keyserj and Mongoose, Your carriers are amazing.

You're looking good guys. I with with Bill on the tiedowns.

Keyserj and Mongoose,

Your carriers are amazing.

Scottrc,

The Kansas is beautiful, good luck with your rerigging.

Steve,

Saying you've got a little photoetch work to do is a bit of an understatement.

I really need to get my 109 out of the stash and get it done.

Keyserj that's sick man!! Flight deck looks perfect. Dang I hope mine comes out that nice. 
im falling in right behind you. Finished up the hangar bay today. I used canopy glue to hold them down. Update time! All painted and flat coated. A/C in hangar bay have black canopies, yellow warning arrows on A-7’s, satin clear (since lighting will be low) and just black basing for weathering. 

GMorrison

The ones on the starboard (island) side are weathered, to port they are not?

I think the ones on the island side look fine.

 

The ones on the starboard (island) side are weathered, to port they are not?

I think the ones on the island side look fine.

Things are really starting to look good! Got the deck getting close to being finished and the kitty hawk is starting to look like a real ship now.

For the weathering, I used the Tamiya weathering masters set b. the snow and grime really work well for skid marks and scuffs from the planes.

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I was hoping that I would be able to fit all the planes on deck and I did but t is quite crowded. Probably going to have to leave off a few to make space for planes that will be landing and taking off as part of the scene. " alt="" width="500" height="350" />

Tell me what you think of the tie downs. They were doused with grime to tone them down and it made a significant difference as shown in the pic below.

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goldhammer

You may see a commission PE job headed into your mailbox

Bring it on, it may take a little while though. I got a little bit of PE to do myself. 

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GH, I hope that works. I'd like to see that thing.

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You may see a commission PE job headed into your mailbox

Scott, I sent you a PM.

GH, I hope that works. I'd like to see that thing.

Some great work being done by you guys.

Kind of gave up on the big Gato, and just ordered a new set of the scope shears to give it another try.  PE is NOT my friend, so will see what happens the second time around.

Thanks everyone.

Steve, I have been trying to get Uschi line, but its been backordered for several months from several suppliers. The stuff I got from Amazon was a poor knock-off.  Its seems the story of my life with this hobby as of late. Everthing I am interested in is either discontinued or out of stock.  I guess I should have built up a stash.