Gamera, Piers & Gary-thank you for the kind words.  The cowling is not the kit decal-although the kit decal is a good choice, it just doesn't capture the look of the machined metal of the real thing.  I had read that a builder had used Bare Metal Foil and then sanded down a pencil eraser to the scale size and added machining by twisting the eraser on the BMF and it worked for him.  I didn't want to take the time to go that route so I used some Tamiya smoke applied with a micro brush-next time it will be a smaller diameter vehicle for application....or I'll test BMF & an eraser.

Gary-love the DC-3.  It was fun not building a military subject for a change.

Cheers

The "Spirit of St. Louis" turned out well!  Even the mottling around the engine cowling.    Well done!

Piers, I didn't mean for you to post the DC-3, but since you did, here's some better images of it in all its tiny glory. 

Thanks for looking, and a great GB!

Gary

Really good work there Bob, it is a good kit isn't it.

Did you end up using the kit decals for the cowling?

Gary, the DC3 seems to have come out looking good.

You are both up on the front page

She looks damn good in the photos Bob! 

Nice work!!! 

Gary-the DC-3 looks good from here.  Nice job!

The Spirit of St. Louis is done. Several little things I'd like to correct and one big one-the gap on the lower wing-I'll either work on that 'one of these days' or probably pickup another kit on the cheap and have a do-over.  Overall, it is a great kit.

It was fun to hang out here and enjoy everyone's builds-all quality work and great subjects.

Piers-thank you for hosting another great themed GB and Viva la France!

Cheers

Thought I would post this as a follow up, since this was my original build for this GB.

After a disasterous foul-up of the paint, I set this Roden DC-3 aside.  After removing the old paint, I decided to finish it up to the best of my ability.  She's not quite done, but close enough for government work.  

Gary

So let's see what you have for the Vive la France Build then Greg.

General idea for Vive la France will be any French built subject or any subject in French service. So a Peugeot rally car in Mongolia, an Australian Mirage, a French Bearcat, a Tirailleur, a Char 1bis, The Jean Bart, a French Chaffee, a bust of Napoleon, etc, etc - you get the picture....

So I will post it soon, start in September or October...

Dang! After finding this GB I am finding all kind of kits that would drop nicely into the 'Between' theme. Planes, cars, armor, military vehicles and ships. Many lasted into WW2, but they started in the 20's and 30's. I wish I had not missed this build. 

 Greg OB

Piers-I'm in for the Vive La France GB-will figure out what to build once the ground rules are established.

Have a great vacation!

Bob

lostagain

 

Gregoblv, I was going to run a Vive La France GB sometime soon. Just about to go vacation, then start a new job, so there may be a wait.

 

NP. I just thought this was a great build with a lot of things I could build in it.

What were you thinking for the Vive La France GB? French items?

Have a great time on vacation and get your new job going and come back to toment us.

Greg OB

That looks good Bob! I was worried that being an older kit it would be a bit of a bear to build. Looks like you've got it under control. 

Not sure about the cowling. Other than the decals I'm not sure how you'd get the weird scalloped chrome look. 

Piers: If you still allow ground stuff I've got a few cool French tanks I'd love to enter in something! Have a great holiday and see you on the flip side. 

Cbaltrin: Thanks!!!! 

Thanks, Piers!  You probably give me more credit than I deserve.

John, I didn't worry too much about the corrugated metal skin.  I figured by the time I was finished with it, that would be the least of my worries!

Meanwhile, I'm trying to correct some of the mistakes (mostly poor paint job) on the Trimotor.  Wish me luck!

Gary

Gary, I think you gave that kit the love it deserves.  It's really hard for me to get a warm and fuzzy feeling for models of corrugated aluminum airplanes, I've done the Revell Junkers F.13 and G.38.  But I've seen several Trimotor Fords up close and I don't think they were pretty the day they left the factory.  Bash fit and don't bother to paint!  Polishing one must be a nightmare.

Very nice work Gamera. Great weathering work as well. A nice display base is always a plus. A+ all around IMO.

Hi Gary,

Very nice work on a 70 year old kit there Gary! You have handled the fit issues well. I like the decals and the finish , you have nailed the NMF too

I had not heard of Maddux airline before now, good to see a different look there.

And good work on the rigging and the motors, they both look good.

Bob, the Spirit is off to a good start. I do remember the seams, but I was using Tamiya putty which seemed to grab on well and not come loose.

Gregoblv, I was going to run a Vive La France GB sometime soon. Just about to go vacation, then start a new job, so there may be a wait.

gregoblv

Hi,

Are you going to start a new GB now that this one is reached it's end? 

You have some nice models in here and I think this is what I need to get me moving on the many models I have on the shelf. 

Gregob

 

Oh the demands of my Public....

Cliff and Bob,

Thanks!  I did a 'so-so' job.  If it had not been a Group Build entry, I probably would have shelved it.

The "Spirit of St. Louis" is coming along, and I'm sure you can handle any imperfections that come your way.  Can't wait to see it finished.

Gary

Gary-love the tri-motor-you did a great job. 

Gamera-couldn't agree with you more-Piers has had some of the best GB's-great subjects and a lot of participation.

Did some work on the Spirit this weekend-fuselage is buttoned up and the wing is together.  Have/had some seam issues-the fuselage was not even close on top/bottom-debated on what to do-looked at the instruction sheet and it showed a rib where the seams were-found some .020" rod and filled the seam-should have been sanded thinner but I'll remember for next time.  Instructions show ribs on both sides-maybe next time.

The wing has a fit/seam on the underside that surprised me-tried some Perfect Plastic putty and primered but it wasn't a good job-did some regluing and sanding-will prime again tonight or tomorrow.

Any suggestions on how to get the machined aluminium finish on the engine cowling?  Kit decals will work but I've painted the cowling with Vallejo aluminium and would like a more realistic finish?

Here are some pics-hope to have it finished by Mon/Tue.

Here's a mockup before seam repair started-had painted the major components figuring there wouldn't need to be any seam repairs....lesson learned:

Bob

I hope Piers comes up with something, he has some of the coolest ideas for GBs... 

Hi,

Are you going to start a new GB now that this one is reached it's end? 

You have some nice models in here and I think this is what I need to get me moving on the many models I have on the shelf. 

Gregob

She looks great Gary! Really nice work on the NM finish and the rigging looks just right! 

"Happy days are here again!

The skies above are clear again!

Let us sing a song of cheer again!

Happy days are here again!"

And the Ford Trimotor is done.  I won't say "finished", but it is complete.

The Ford Trimotor (also called the "Tri-Motor", and nicknamed the "Tin Goose") is an American three-engined transport aircraft. Production started in 1925 by the companies of Henry Ford and ended on June 7, 1933, after 199 had been made. It was designed for the civil aviation market, but also saw service with military units.

About the Kit:  For such an old kit (1956), I was surprised at how well it went together. Except for the windscreen, which needed trimming and sanding to bring it into shape, it was well engineered.  The engines really could use an upgrade, and I did what little I could for the exhausts, but since the engines changed from the AT-4 to AT-5, I had to guess what was correct.  As for the rigging, I had to figure out how to do it, as that was something I was not expecting.  Wires on the outside of an aircraft?  Who knew? 

I went with the "TAT Maddux" decals as they later became TWA.

Anyway, I've done the best I could with her.  I hope you'll forgive my poor photography.

Thank you to Piers for the GB!

Gary

Thanks, guys!  I'm looking forward to seeing her myself.  You become blind to a subject after you've worked on it for so long. 

Bob, thanks, and good luck with "Lucky Lindy's" plane!

The Ford Trimotor is finished, except for an overall coating.  Once that dries, I'll get some pictures up.  Probably tomorrow when the light is better.

Gary

John-thanks for the pic-this one has been fun to research-plenty of photos available.  Son & daughter-in-law just moved to San Diego so a visit will be in order....

Gamera-I remember watching the Jimmy Stewart movie as a kid-I really need to do some reading on Lindberg's life-aware of the high/low points but need to learn more.

Piers-thank you-it looks like a fun/simple build but with a lot of detail.  Looking forward to getting the interior completed within the next day or two-after that, the rest should be quick assembly. 

Gary that Trimotor is looking good, looking forward to seeing it finished!

Bob, that is a nice kit you wil enjoy putting it together.

Cliff, I have you on the front page

Waikong: Yeah using leaves you get for free is a LOT cheaper than buying a pile of PE leaves. And personally I think they look better too! 

Gary: She looks friggin' awesome! As I've said before I hate the a corrogated surface like that. It's a pain to sand seams without removing the detail and a pain to put it back. Yours looks perfect! 

Bob: That's so cool! I was a bit of a Lindberg nut (the pilot not the model company!) when I was a kid. 

We don't see that one built very often Pat.  There's this replica hanging in the San Diego Airport

Gary-nice work on a very old kit.

Been following and you guys are producing some great work-sorry I haven't been posting in a timely manner.  Great to see subjects that are unique.

Got started on my Spirit of St. Louis yesterday-primed and did some airbrushing today-I'll have to do some touch-up after assembly but shouldn't be too much of a hassle.

Bob

https://imgur.com/HzHHZ2F

https://imgur.com/HzHHZ2F

Where I'm at on the Trimotor.  Rigging is done, which is a combination of piano wire and flexible wiring.  At the last minute, I added some exhaust rings around the two outboard engines.  Still some touch-up work to do.  She's not pretty, but at least she's about done!

I should have her finished by this weekend.

Gary