80 Years of the Mighty 8th GB

I put in a resin cockpit, the Whirlybird tail correction, lengthened the tip tanks, stole the main wheels from an Aria/Lots AMT 707 kit which I have several of.  The fit of the replacement panels on mine was poor, as was the canopy.  But it will be nice when done.  I admit I have developed a bad attitude toward Italeri kits!

jeaton01

Yup.  As for the 1/72 Italeri kit, it would have been easier and maybe cheaper to build the ICM 1/48 kit.

 

I built that Italeri as a SOG Counter Invader a while back. I had to replace the tires with resin AC130 ones and a couple of other mods. But it makes a great display piece.

Yup.  As for the 1/72 Italeri kit, it would have been easier and maybe cheaper to build the ICM 1/48 kit.

Thanks John. Hey are you making the B26K as a Viet Nam Counter Invader?

Very sharp, Ernie!

I'm getting closer to starting on my Monogram B-24D.  I ordered some PE for it, for the bomb bay and seat belts.  The ProModeler kit came with a pe panel that goes over a decal so that's covered.  I hope that method works.  I'm at the finishing stages on an Eduard Yak 3, an Italieri B-26K, a Pegasus Martin Baker MB.5, and pretty far along on a Hobbycraft 1/48 CF-105.  I'm putting the siding on my new workshop, so I can spare some time for modeling now that rain is no threat.  I've been working on the 4 models above for so long it's sort of a grind but when modeling gets tough, a modeler just has to keep grinding!

Flaps are on and down, so are the gear doors and decals on the drop tanks. Getting closer to the finish line.

Thanks Gary!

PJ> That's a mighty fine looking Mustang!

TJ> Those Thrunderbolts are going to be great.  Can't wait to see the second one.

As for me, I'm finishing up the pit and working on assemblies now that I have a couple of other projects out of the way (and I've made some room).  Pictures when I have something to show.

Gary

fearlessfarless

Mary is looking FINE!

 

Thanks!

Mary is looking FINE!

That is one cool looking scheme TJ, love it.

Well Mary is shaping up and she got her legs and wing tips checker boarded. I toned down the Alclad reflectivity a tad since this was a combat aircraft subjected to operational wear. 

That's a cool camo pattern on the P-47. I dont think I've seen that combo before. It's gonna look great!

Color on the Thunderbolts 

This will come in handy as I progress on my Mustang. 

Gary

jeaton01

To add to PJ's exposition, here are some drawings that I have found helpful.  I recently bought a book about building the Mustang with many production photos and these drawings don't seem to argue with the photos.

The Jennings Helig photos show where the silver lacquer was applied but there is much more detail in the second two about primer and filler application.

The access doors in the leading edge ahead of the landing gear were not painted in the photos in the book, where Jennings indicates they were and the second drawings indicate they were not.  The primer and filler were applied during wing construction, not after final assembly..

 

 

 

 

This is what I used as reference.

To add to PJ's exposition, here are some drawings that I have found helpful.  I recently bought a book about building the Mustang with many production photos and these drawings don't seem to argue with the photos.

The Jennings Helig photos show where the silver lacquer was applied but there is much more detail in the second two about primer and filler application.

The access doors in the leading edge ahead of the landing gear were not painted in the photos in the book, where Jennings indicates they were and the second drawings indicate they were not.  The primer and filler were applied during wing construction, not after final assembly..

fotofrank

Plasticjunkie, you filled and sanded the wing, top and bottom? Except for the gun bay doors? I have a Tamiya F-51D that will be on the bench soon and I want to be sure I get that detail correct.

 

All panel lines on the top and bottom were puttied up to the middle of the wing chord wise direction. Gun panels left as is. Flaps, aelirons and the two large panels on the bottom wing near the radiator intake were NMF. The wing was sparayed with a lacquered metallic paint and will have a different color/tone than the fuselage, flaps and ailerons that were NMF. The rudder however was fabric and will have a duller color if painted silver.

Plasticjunkie, you filled and sanded the wing, top and bottom? Except for the gun bay doors? I have a Tamiya F-51D that will be on the bench soon and I want to be sure I get that detail correct.

I have most of the big decals on but still have to spray the wingtips white to add the checkerboards. The metallic shades are very subtle but different tones are visible. The puttied wings were sprayed with Floquil Old Silver for the lacquered silver look. Also used Flory Dark Dirt wash to pop skin details. Lots of tiny stencils are yet to be applied.

Great work Crown! Your B-17 looks awesome!

FotoFrank. Many thanks.

P.J. Thank you and great job on those decals..

Hasegawa B-17F in 1/72.

Paint. Vallejo airwar series#71.182 and masters touch oils.

The plane is a B-17F Hells Angels 303rd Bombardment grp 358th sqd.

The 1st plane to complete 25 missions.

After reading Hell's Angel's The true story of the 303rd bomb grp. in WW2 by Jay A Stout.  wow  a must read. thanks for watching and your comments. Another great GB Bish thankyou, your choice on pic I couldn't do any better than these pics .

Wow! All these birds are coming together nicely. Beautiful work y'all!

fotofrank

Plasticjunkie, a checkerboard cowling wins everytime.

 

Thanks Frank. The rudder is also checkered along with the wingtips which are next.

Crown, your Fortress looks great!

Plasticjunkie, a checkerboard cowling wins everytime.

Thanks Crown. Love how you Fortress turned out.

Very happy how well the nose checkerboard  decals came out being separated into 6 parts lining up very nicely. The decal film is very thin and of excellent quality. Lifelike Decals are fantastic. Lots of Solvaset helped to snuggle things down specially near the prop area.

Mary has 14 kill marks on the canopy frame so it's best not to *** her off lol!

FotoFrank. Very nice job on those stripes..

T.J. Nice P-47's 

Fearless. Great job on your U.S. spitfire.

P.J. 3rd time a charm on the canopy.. fine job there.

The B-17 is done I'm having some issues with the pics. I'll keep trying, but here is a few.

Sweet, PJ.

The Spitfire came out very well, Fearless.

Truly impressive work gents, great job guys. 

Got some painting done on the canopy, partial anti glare panel, prop spinner, windscreen and rudder. The checkered rudder decal had to be trimmed to make it fit properly. I shot the rudder white then red and tested tge trimmed decal that looks good to my eyes.

Will start on the checkered nose soon.

The Spitfire Mk Vb is finished!

Thanks for the group build Bish. Please use the first pic for the main page. Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming during my first participation in a group build. Y'all are doing some great work, and I can't wait to see all the projects completed!