Robert,

Nice job on your tracks.  Your M-40 is looking good!

A bit of an update.  Since the Starfighter Decals set doesn't have the bureau numbers for Brown's and Hudner's aircraft, I exercised my googlefu and found a site that had the numbers for both.  I ordered some white letter decals to fix the problem with the K on the tail (compared to period pics, it's too short).  I hoped that there would be letters and numbers small enough on the sheets to do the bureau numbers, but I found out that those were four inch letters and the smallest on the sheet are six inches.  Honestly, even if the decal sheet came with four inch letters, I don't know if I could see well enough to pull it off.  I had a couple of problems painting the model.  I've always had problems painting Glossy Dark Sea Blue, turns out I wasn't thinning it enough.  The second problem came from an improperly set up compressor.  I had basically restricted the airflow to almost nothing and the airbrush could barely shoot  paint (I've always used cans of air, so this is my first attempt at setting up a compressor).  I talked with a friend who gave me some idea on things to check and I was able to get it up and running properly.  I didn't dial the air pressure back (was set at 30psi), and it was basically like using a water hose in a water gun fight.  I holding the airbrush too close to the model and it went on way too heavy.  I didn't get any runs, but it was thick enough in some spots to fill in the lightly engraved panel lines.  In getting her ready for a dunk in the purple lake, I broke the canopy when I removed it.  Fortunately, there's a second canopy included in the kit and I found a mask for it on evilbay.  As soon as it and the decals get here, I'll pull it out of the purple lake and finish her.  Pics eventually.

Good work, Glamdring! 

Put in work on the tracks over the weekend, they are rubber bands which always gives me heartburn, but with these, completely unwarranted.  As with everything else on this kit, they were a treat:

Took the paint without issue, sealed them with flat coat, and slipped on without problems:

Everything is workable with the running gear, so I can even run it through the grass in the backyard if I wanted. 

Justin, I’ll get the pic and title up on the first page. If you want me to swap the pic for the other one you were liking, pls let me know. Good finish, and I’m all for historical accuracy!! That only makes models more special! Please forgive my late reply. :)

lewbud- Congrats on getting the canopy masked; your plane’s comin’ along fast. I’ll keep an eye out for your next pics! :)

Nick,

Nice job on the Sabre!

Justin,

That is a cool display! Nice job!

Started on the first of my builds just before the July 4 weekend.  It's a Hobby Boss kit, so there's not much to it.  Fuselage is one piece with a basic cockpit molded in. Wings are a single piece, and the engine is molded in the cowling.  You have a choice between a nicely engraved but ill fitting two piece canopy, or a one piece canopy that fits well but has no engraving for the framing.  Spent about 30 minutes trying to do a decent job on masking the canopy (I hate masking canopies).  The tip of the tail has been painted white, and she's ready for some glossy dark sea blue.  Markings will be the plane flown by Ens. Jesse Brown when he was shot down over the Chosin Reservoir.

John 3:16 KJV

Good job! (But you shoulda had the Sabre behind the Mig... )

Which photo would you like me to place on the front page? Also, would you like me to use “Over MiG Alley” as the diorama title in the GB? 

 

 

Thanks!  I actually put the MiG chasing the Sabre for two reasons (originally, I was going to have the Sabre on the tail of the MiG...)

1. There was a story I found on Wikipedia when doing a little research on MiG Alley and John Glenn's Korean War experience as well as pilot uniforms, That told of John Glenn getting chased and shot at by MiGs several times, and 2. I wanted to show the MiGs chasing the Americans from that crucial area during the war.

For the front page, Naybe the first photo of the overall display?  Although, I am kind of liking the dynamic view in the "3/4" shot (the one with the sabre in the foreground, with the MiG high on his 5:00, almost head on into the camera...)

"Over MiG Alley" works for the title as well, althoughI'm not sure 'OVER' is the right term...lol

Good job! (But you shoulda had the Sabre behind the Mig... )

Which photo would you like me to place on the front page? Also, would you like me to use “Over MiG Alley” as the diorama title in the GB? 

 very cool !!! i like the display some fine work. And thank you for your comments.

Gamera, Thanks!

Nick, your Sabre looks fantastic!

I am calling my Korean war build(s) finished!  Once the aircraft were completed, I only had to assemble a base, which was simply a few pieces of EPS Foam insulation from my local home improvement center (the blue one...), sliced on the bandsaw to the proper dimensions to fit a 13x19 inch print of 'MiG Alley', hot glued together, coated with a mixture of black craft paint and ModPodge, and an even dusting of Krylon satin black.  I grabbed a photo of "MiG Alley from Google earth, adjusted it to suit my vision in Snapseed, and printed it on my Canon printer, and then affixed it to the base using gloss Mod Podge.

I then heated and bent some 3/16" acrylic rod to shape and hot glued it into the exhaust of each aircraft and then into corresponding holes made in the foam base.

Here is the final display:

The only thing I would like to add is some lettering, or a placard of some sort with the title "Over MiG Alley" or something along those lines.  but for all intents and purposes, I am calling it complete.

Robert. Many thanks waiting on final pics.

I really like the m40 with all down in the firing position !

Took a quick update shot last night, M40 was resprayed with Tamiya OD, running gear installed, and dozer blade and crew platform mocked in place.  Still debating on affixing them in the down or in travel position.  

Your Sabre looks good, Crown!

Gamera. Thank you. I like this paint (Vallejo metal) now that I know how it behaves.

next time I'll paint the yellow bands instead of kit decals . latest pic finial pics to follow.

Justin & Nick: Sorry, somehow I missed your last posts. Great job there on the F-86s. The yellow stripes look perfect!!! 

John 3:16 KJV. Thanks, landing gear and speed brakes on.. I gave a light wash and Tamiya clear flat coat ,still some same stuff to do but now getting close....

Congrats on the progress, guys! Your Sabre’s look close to the finish line! :)

Did anyone watch the Wash. DC flyovers on TV? Would’ve been a nice show to see in-person. 

looking sharp those decals are a lot better than hasegawa ones that I'm dealing with they need a lot of setting solutions. lol still chugging along

My morning Solitude:

Worked on getting the decals on before the wife and kids woke up this morning.  This bird is in the livery of Major John Glenn's mount during the Forgotten war:

crown r n7

My latest pics.. the painting was the easy part!! kit decals ... 

another gloss coat then weathering yea...

 

crown r n7

My latest pics.. the painting was the easy part!! kit decals ... 

another gloss coat then weathering yea...

 

Looks great, Nick!  It wouls appear as though I am about a week behind you on our twin 86's builds!   I was able to add some panel tone variation and a gloss clear coat to my 1/72nd offering:

Hopefully I will be up for decals over coffee tomorrow morning.....

She looks good to me Nick. 

I started the Academy 1/48th F-86 a couple years ago. The yellow stripes for the wings and fusilage made a mess, so I tried masking and painting them. That didn't work out well either. She's currently sitting in a box where I just gave up. I need to pull her out, repaint, and try again. 

My latest pics.. the painting was the easy part!! kit decals ... 

another gloss coat then weathering yea...

Thanks, guys. :)

John3:16 KJV. great start.

Gamera. thank you its been an experience.

Nick: That NM finish looks flawless! 

John: Great job there- really like the bent and battered fenders. 

Good work, y’all!

As for me, here’s Installment 3:

I’ve started on the tank assembly. In keeping with the tank I’m attempting to replicate, I had some modifications to do.

In the photo above, front right fender is partially gone and the front left fender is all gone; also, the side shown is rather beaten up. So, I replicated these features on my model with a saw and tin foil. Analyzing other pictures, I additionally removed the rear left fender.

Also, before implementing the above modifications, I’d already placed on the “extremely sooty” exhaust pipes...

I'm adding a couple of drops of tamiya thinner it seem to fix that , it's a learning process for me.

updated pics.

I love that Justin, it looks soooo good! 

I'm going to have to try the Vallejo metal line. I prefer acrylic paint but I've already got so much invested in Alclad. 

I am using the Vallejo Metal Air line too.  So far, my dificulties have been with getting the surface right before spraying the metal....

Looks good . I'm still testing these vallejo metal paints they sure act funny.. we see down the road. what paint are you using?

Gamera

Nick & Justin: Wow, those look fantastic guys! 

 

Thanks, Gamera!

I was able to get some benchtime in today, plus, did a lot of prep sanding for the Duraluminum finish while watching Midway with my little guy...

Here's my progress so far:

had a he'll of a time getting a nice smooth glossy finish for the aluminum paint.  Everything I did ended up pebbly.  I ended up sanding the final gloss coat with 1000, 1500 then finally 3000 grit sandpaper.  it was smooth as a baby's butt, but not glossy.  I think the finish looks just fine!

I will let it sit overnight, then I may mask off different panels and hit them with some dark aluminum and regulare aluminum as well, for a bit of variation...