Wow Joe, that looks amazing. Sounds like a great group.

Justin, I think it's awesome that people like yourself are motivated to spend time with kids at the cost of your own precious time. I worked for many years as a youthworker and for the State Government as a Child Protection Worker. The work that people like yourself do is so often unseen and overlooked, but so vital. Good on ya cobber.

Joe. motor looks good.  Cool group you're working with.  

Thanks guys! 

Ferg: Good luck with her! 

Justin: Sounds good! Looking forward to seeing her. 

Joe: Sharp work on the engine and good to hear you've got some leads on getting your son's truck repaired. 

Cliff: Progress on your Corsair is moving right along. Your fit issues remind me of my Arado 234 build that went on for three frickin' years. Man that thing kicked me in the freekin' nads over and over trying to get it together without any visible seam issues when finished. All I can say is to hang with it and if you have to ...build a filler model for a sense of accomplishment. Been there and done that pal and hope you get the issues sorted out.

Rob: Yeah it's been a trying month that's for damn sure. Should be hearing something back from the insurance company either today or tomorrow. They've already told me it's going to be a total loss but after looking at the truck closer they're trying to give me a little more money to work with. #1 I've got to see if the frame is repairable. #2 if it is then I'll have the frame pulled back into specs and start on getting the transmission rebuilt. #3......I've got a truck bed located and priced out. Once I find out if the truck is repairable I'll just need to have it delivered to the body shop to have it painted and then I'll install it onto the truck after the cab has been repaired. #4 is all the bolt on stuff like bumpers, tail lights and the like. I'm just hoping they give me enough $$ to make all of this happen without it coming out of MY pocket.

Justin: Looking forward to progress pics on your Corsair as well.

I've got a bit of a side project going on as well. Been building a Boss 302 engine for a Boss Mustang community project elsewhere. Different people get different parts of the car, build those sections up and then mail them to the head forum administrator where he assembles everything and sells the completed model on ebay for $ to fund monthly model winners Hobby Lobby gift cards. Cool thing to be a part of.

Progress on the Boss 302 engine:

Started with the Revell Boss 302 which aint all that bad really. Carburetor actually resembles a carburetor and theres plenty of detail parts. The only thing I DON'T like is the molded in oil pan halves. Getting rid of those seams sux.....bad. 

Basic engine block/ tranny build up after black basing and shooting MM Dark Blue acrylic on to engine and MM Steel enamel on the tranny and weathering that a bit. I used MM Aluminum enamel on the intake after black basing and then went over the intake with a dry brushing of ground up black pastel.

Didn't have any decals for the engine and I'm glad I didn't because the only thing I would've gotten were the Boss 302 decals for the rocker covers. I contacted Thomas at Speedway decals and sent him pictures of the real Boss 302 to have ALL of the decals that were SUPPOSED to be on this engine cut. The results are going to pay off on the completed engine.

I used Molotow Chrome for the air cleaner lid and Alclad Polished Aluminum for the rocker covers.

Hey guys!  I haven't had much bench time the past few weeks, as it's Cubscout season, and my time is filled with camping trips, Fall Fest, Scouting for Food, and just generally trying to be the best Cubmaster I can be.....

my Corsair is just about finished.  I notices while taking it out of the dehydration chamber, that my windscreen is attached too far forward, so I will need to loosen that and reposition it.  Overall, aircraft construction is complete, and I need to work on the display base....but I've been distracted with a new build, a group build hosted by The Model Geeks Podcast (on Facebook), the A4 Skyhawks group build....I am building that in conjunction with the close air support group build here, so keep your eyes open for my first post!

Sounds like you are having the same problem I'm having with my Otaki Spit Gam. Looks like it's on its way though.

Hey Mustang, I was about to PM you as we hadn't heard from you and I was starting to worry. I hope you can get everything resolved to you and your son's satisfaction.

I haven't started my Corsair yet so have not had anything to add. Will probably make a start in the next fortnight.

OUCH! Hope you get the whole mess straightened out with your son's truck. 

I swear it's always something... shhhhheeeeeeeeessssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh..........

Anyway I got a little more done on the Corsair. Not sure what's going on here, I had to putty and sand the fuselage seam line a half dozen times. There's still some more work I need to do on the underside, the seam where the wing attaches to the fuselage is still there. Not sure if it's the kit or I didn't assemble it correctly. 

Haven't seen any activity on here in a bit but thought I'd help things along by at least making a post. Been caught up in a hit and run case involving my sons truck from a couple of weeks ago but managed to find the car that hit it overnight while it was parked in front of our house. What a mess. Hopefully it all wraps up nicely as far as a settlement is concerned and we get the opportunity to fix her back up. Ton of work went into the truck. 

Slowly making my way back to this build but have another couple of modeling side projects that I'm working on as well. Looking forward to more updates from everyone else.

Thanks for all the kind words, gents!  I have since completed the Corsair, and have begun the "pacific island base, complete with psp Marston matting and coconut palms....and then on to a figure or two...

I will add some new photos soon, but first, I have some Cubscout stuff to do first!

in the interim, I kinda/sorta started the Hasegawa A4M Skyhawks for The Model Geeks podcast A4 Skyhawks group build....

John: That F-16 looks good!!!!

I've had good luck with Testor's Decal Bonder- it's pretty good stuff.

Steve: Thanks for the advice mate, job done.

Fox: Ta for the info and advice mate, I'll go and have a hunt on the Internet.

GH: Thanks to you too mate.

No bad, at least you found some.  Testors no longer shows it on their website/products.

Thanks GH, I just updated my post without looking if there were any more posts below it. Sorry. My Bad.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

Testors had a decal top coat to hold them together like you described.  Might try a HL if one close by.

Edit... Just looked on Amazon.  Micro has a decal coater, looks like a brush on bottle like microsol and microset.  About $7-8.

Dodgy, thanks for following my build. 

They've always had no problems with fit and they still don't. The parts fit perfectly (as usual) but the sharp edges were rounded just enough to need some filling and sanding after gluing them together. I was planning on priming over the weekend but "best laid plans of mice and men". 

The "Decal Bonder" however is a problem. My 81 year old memory can't remember what brand it was. It was a small spray can of a clear gloss, I think, that you sprayed on the older decals and it kept them from breaking up when used. There was a slight problem with it. If you used it, you turned the sheet into 1 decal. You had to cut each one out completely separate as close as possible. I remember using it quite a few times. Looks like I used it all up. Can't find it anywhere. I think it was a white can with either blue or black lettering. Might have been Model Master. I'll keep looking for it on line as I can sure use it now.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

 I just found it. It's Testors Decal Bonder available at Hobby Lobby @ $8.95ea. and in stock. I'm going to order a couple of cans.

Thank you guys for the good word. I guess I'm gonna have to take those keys out of the ignition to keep 'er from that "joy ride" you all keep talking about.

John: Progress is looking good on that F-16. I would've only been finished with the cockpit at this point but heck.....it looks like you're almost ready for paint!!!!

Dodgy.

The first one will be fine.

All you have to do is copy my picture onto your computer. The nice thing about imageshack is you just double click on my picture and it will enlarge so you can copy it. Then you upload it to your hosting site (I have a folder called "member's models) and upload that onto the forum as usual. 

You're doing fine mate.

Beaut work mates.

Steve: That Puma is awesome fella. The masking of the clear parts and the decals would have terrified me. Your mate Buddy would be stoked. So now I believe I have to ask you which pic do you want to go into the finished builds section annnnd, how do I do that???? Sorry mate, but I haven't done this before.

Joe: Perry had the right of it mate, that thing is going to be able to be driven and lookout, cos Perry and I are going to take it for a spin! (Incidentally, if anything goes wrong, it's Perry's fault.)

Jim: That Corsair is coming right along. Although, after all that I've heard about Tamiya 1/48th aircraft models, I'm a bit suprised at the fit challenges and the filling you've had to do. BTW, what is decal bonder? I have not heard of this before.

John: Your F16 is looking great. Can't wait to see the Tiger stripes.

Gamera: I know what you're saying about sanding/filling/sanding.... I'm having that same issue with my Otaki Spit build for the RAAF GB.

Justin: Love the weathering on the underside!

Mustang: Neat idea using the push pin as your shifter! Really going all out on that interior!

Steve: Spectacular job on the puma, Buddy would be proud!

Spent a few afternoons working on the f16 and it came together great except the end of the nose broke off. The cockpit really isn't anything special. with it being so small, it is hard to make out the molded detail. Right now, it is still missing some items like the seat and control instruments, but those will be added after I lay down a coat of primer with a rattle can.

Each and every one of you are doing work that just absolutely blows my mind. I can guarantee that my build will look nothing like those on here. Had a problem with some of the joints. Instead of being flat they were rounded. Looks like the plastic was either too cold going into the mold to get down into the edges or the pressure was too low to force it in. So, I had to do a little filling and sanding on the fuselage and wings. They are ready for primer now.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/e5MvQGQ72eXDgWB86

Got the landing gear done and added hydralic brake lines with wire.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BwPxedF1iSWt1uo67

The canopy masked and interior color followed by first coat of blue put on.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SJYQJzSz7d344Pw68

Prop finished with paint. Manufacturers decals for prop disintegrated one after the other. The old grey matter let me down and I forgot to put a coat or two of decal bonder on them as they were old. Will be digging through spares for some more. Should have at least a dozen from old kits. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DqWAJEhkgXYJ4YkR8

That's it for now. Will be shooting primer this evening if all goes well. 

Jim 

Stay Safe.

That looks so good Joe, she's going to be a winner for sure!

If I may ask what brand are those aftermarket floor mats? I've got injection pin marks on a bunch of car kits and was hoping they didn't really show. Covering them up with mats would be a big improvement.

BTW: The Corsair is together. Filling seams and sanding, filling more seams and sanding, rinse and repeat. Will get some photos up when there's something worth showing. 

John: I have a strong liking to F-16's and especially when they're decked out with ordinance. Looking forward to this one very much.

Justin: What can I say? That is one fine looking Corsair. To tell you the truth I really like the dark panel lines on the bottom as it really brings out the details and has a great overall look to it. Can't wait to see her all finished up.

Steve: Steve.....Steve!!! You just blow me away with some of these teeny builds of yours man. You're such a talented and versatile modeler. Looks great buddy.

I've had some set backs this week in personal life as far as vehicles go. Will tell you all about it in a bit. 

Progress is still ongoing. Finished the center console and shifter finally. This shifter is meant to replicate the Hurst shifter that was in my Car #2 and #3. It was a great short throw shifter.

I replicated it using a push pin and started by smoothing out the mold lines in the white plastic ball and then etching out the shift pattern with my X-Acto knife and then going over the etching with a dark wash to bring out the gear pattern. Don't worry about those nasty ejector pin marks in the front corners of the flooring. They'll be covered up by the AM floor mats I'll be using. 

Thanks guys. I'll start on Hunter and his dad's build in a little while. I need to clear a few things (namely the SS gift) off the bench first.

Wow, Steve. That Puma is incredible. Well done.

BK

Oh wow that's spectacular Steve!!! I'm sure Buddy is up there looking down with a big grin!!!

Bravo my friend!!! That is one stunning Puma. You have done a miraculous job. That is indeed a very fitting tribute.

Ok, I completed the Puma.

There you go Buddy, I hope it does you proud my friend.

Justin that Corsair looks awesome. If I can get mine half as good as that I will be one very happy bunny!

keyserj I'm anxious to see how that builds up. Haven't seen the Tamiya in the international scale yet.

Justin the corsair looks awesome! Chipping looking really good. I see what you mean about the darker panel lines on the underside. i had to go back and check tho after reading that as they didn't stand out on 1st look if that means anything