Viet Nam War Aircraft Group Build

Gloss coat on and the bigger decals applied. There's a bunch of tiny stencils that will come next. Thank God for Solvaset taming those shark mouth decals that would not settle down.

Solvaset did a great job at melting down the carrier film making it look painted on.

Looking good, PJ.

Thanks John. I wanted to dress up the missiles with all the VERY nice Trumpeter decals included but there is one BIG problem with this...........no diagrams or location sheet included and there are tons of small decals on the sheet. Even the pyons and fuel tanks have decals but no placement instructions! This really sucks and thought only Dragon did this BS.

Looking good on the A-7 Stik. What part of Az? Phoenix here.

JacknewbIII

Looking good on the A-7 Stik. What part of Az? Phoenix here.

 

Thank you. I can tell that I haven’t been painting in awhile.

I’m in Goodyear... right up the road from you.

Anyways, here is yesterday’s work update. Actually Friday afternoon/ evenings work. Not much to show, just a wash in the cockpit tub and some clear glue for instrument lenses after the raised detail was highlighted with colored pencils. Due to weather conditions, cool and rainy on Friday, the clear glue was very slow to dry on the larger scope faces...

So today I had some alone time at the bench this afternoon and did a bit of work for major progress.

I glued the IP in place onto the cockpit tub and then submitted it to Klaus for inspection

and I actually had glued the jet exhaust nozzle in place the other day but had not taken a photo until now

and I also glued the intake and cockpit tub into place

and finally, some real progress.... the fuselage halves glued together...

 I can already see that I have some serious filling and seam clean up ahead

Stik, did you have a little visitor on the workbench today? 

Mopar Madness

Stik, did you have a little visitor on the workbench today? 

 

Chad, he’s always there keeping me company as I sit at the bench.

Seam clean up done!!!!

We are certainly moving right along, Stik.

stikpusher

 

 

How's the F-8 coming along, Bill?

Um.  Er..

John, this kit is pretty simple. The biggest speed bumps are the fit and seam clean up.

Bill, the SLUF was a great aircraft. More capable in the attack role (longer range and more endurance) than its Navy replacemen, the Hornet. And it gave excellent combat service in Vietnam, all those “hot spot” incidents around the globe in the 80’s (Grenada, Lebanon, Libya, Persian Gulf), and a final two squadron performance in Desert Storm, losing only one more to enemy air defenses. Not a bad record at all. 

Did you mention something about an F-8?

Stik, if you need a bigger helping hand with your SLUFF, may I recommend:

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10583257

Real G

Stik, if you need a bigger helping hand with your SLUFF, may I recommend:

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10583257

 

LOL! Thanks G! But Klaus is always nearby ready to lend a helping eye or pincher...

Today’s update.... keeping it simple

I glues the wings together... test fitting shows they’re gonna need a bit of seam clean up at the root mating surfaces to fit the fuselage with minimal seams

Then the stabilators were one part each... no gluing, but I had to sand off some ejector marks, and that removed some panel lines, so I rescribed them all...

Then I built up the kit bombs that I’m going to add... six Mk.82 500lb LDGP bombs... I’ll also add other weapons from a couple of Hasegawa sets to complete the load out, but they will come later...

so then Klaus had to inspect them for quality assurance...

Haven't seen one of these old Monogram Corsairs for quite some time. Lots of work done there stik to get things in order. I don't remember building this Monogram but do recall building the old Esci one that was quite a lot of work too.

I have been trying to clear my head by dealing with my builds but the distraction is quite shortlived and my worries return. This is something that only happens in Sci Fi movies but we are living it right now. I wish all all you to stay healthy and safe.

Got some pictures up of my Thud that is almost done. Mounting the canopies in next and adding a few tiny parts along with some oil and grime streaks.

Wow that F105 looks awesome!  How did you do the canopies?  The yellow bit

Thanks keav. What I did while the canopies were masked, I took a 10/0 brush and used yellow craft paint to carefully painte the yellow area. The craft paint is easily cleaned up using a thin brush and water to get staight lines along the frame.

 Once the masking is removed you have a straight line on the clear side and if any yellow paint bleeds under the tape a toothpick can be used to gently crape if off leaving a straight line.

Thanks PJ. Yes, the Monogram A-7 does need a bit of elbow grease and TLC to make it shine, but nothing too extreme. As does the AMT/ERTL/ESCI kit. But that’s half the fun of building I think.

Your Weasel Thud is looking very sharp now! And almost across the finish line to boot! I like the idea of using craft paint for the canopy frame edging. I may have to try that! 

And yes these are strange days indeed... almost reminds me of the Clancy novel Executive Orders... 

PJ, Thud is looking Great.   Just recently discovered another nickname for the Thud, "Triple Threat" for "Bomb you, strafe you, fall on you" LOL. That kills me (no pun).

Ok, now I know I said i was not gona post any more pics until the hun was dun, but all you guys builds are catching fire and I'm feel'n kinda left out, so I fig-urrd I would post my work from yesterday.  Yep I was on ordnance detail...

 Oh, I don't know how that Monogram F-16 tailhook got in there. Or the 67 Impala bumper; honest, never seen them before in my life guys...

Stik, I think you should mount Klaus on one of the wing stations in place of one of the Mk 82's 

CB, it’s amazing how those things turn up on our work benches... the M117s are looking good too! 

But no, Klaus will not be mounted on my SLUF. He has many more projects to supervise.

So after doing my bit of responsible citizenship yesterday, I did get in a couple of hours at the bench. I sanded the wing seams (and trailing edge thickness), rescribed lost detail on the fuselage seams... and then the big step... gluing on the wings

then a test fit of the stabilators.... those wont be glued on until after painting, just the ease on that a bit.

Starting to look like a SLUF now...

CB, bombs look great specially the rings.

Stik, the A7 is shaping up and looks like the parts fit pretty good. Your build just reminded me I have a Hasegawa A7 and F8 in the other closet so those may be next.

My Weasel is done. I puched out some small discs from a chip bag for the landing light reflectors and were glued in place. A drop of Testors Clear Parts Cement was added on each for the glass.

and attached

Flory Dark Grime Wash was used to darken the recessed details and artists oils were used for streaks and stains.

The blue formation lights on the rear and up front were made using several applications of Tamiya clear blue paint. Once dry several applications of Testors Clear Parts Cement were added with a toothpick for the lenses. The kit included clear lights but were WAY too tiny to handle. 

I used tiny pieces of the PE fret frame to mount the canopies and are removable.

 John if you would use the 5th picture from the top for the completed section. Thanks!

Stik welcome to Az I think you will like it here. Kits hold up well in storage!

Everyone's progress is looking really good!

Jack it’s good to be here. I’m loving it here so far. I think that we got out of CA just in time. The nanny state is putting everyone on time out for a month.

jmoran426

PJ, Separating and drooping the thrust nozzle panel was a really nice effect. Let's you know the plane has been sitting on the line for a while and the hydraulics have pressured down. Beautiful job altogether.

 

Thanks jm. 

Well done, PJ, that's a great looking Thud.  You are stuck to the Wall of Honor.

jmoran426

PJ, Separating and drooping the thrust nozzle panel was a really nice effect. Let's you know the plane has been sitting on the line for a while and the hydraulics have pressured down. Beautiful job altogether.

 

Actually those are the aerodynamic speed brakes on the F-105. The four petals open up primarily for that purpose. They only open slightly when the afterburner is engaged. The afterburner nozzle for the J75 is concealed inside by them.