AIRCRAFT - "Prototypes and Paper Projects" Group Build - Still Open.

Aahh.. The Helldiver I think is the old Matchbox... Not sooo nice...

Anyway, here's a recent pix of the Floh, still awaiting rigging..



I think the 'face' is quite evident on this shot. Goofy, huh..!? Can you imagine a high ranking Prussian officer looking at it and crossing the name out of the list of aircraft to produce next..? I can.

And here's a starting pix of the Arsenal VG 33 kit. Typical short run. Well, in fact, higher range of the short run...

I don't know if there's a difference, but the kits coming out of Revell nowadays are Revell of Germany, a very good branch of the Revell corp. (I think). As I said, the fit is excellent, and detail crisp and, well, detailed. And the price cannot be beat. I got two Revell Germany kits (one a new mold Hellcat, the other a re-released Helldiver) both for under six dollars. The Revell Germany kit was a gem, while the re-release was a nightmare. For the same price!!! If you see that Ju 290 again, matrixone, I say get it. It's worth every penny. (More!)

Ah. Classic case of brand loyalty. I'm cursed. But I don't care!

Revell have come a long way in the last few years, and kits like their He177 and Ar555, are truly stunning, combining not just excellent fit, but an interesting subject as well. Oh, and they are way cheaper than Tamigawa, which leaves more money to buy PE and other AM stuff.

As for me, the the tiny Ta has received its gloss coat and decals. The decals are a combination of Fw190 & Me109 from several manufacturers.

I haven't taken any pictures yet, but am hoping to get a second gloss coat on tonight to allow me to apply a sludge wash.

Karl

Hope your move goes just right, Traveller!

Mike, those re good looking engines! Revell kits have become very easy to put together... There was a time, back in the 80s when I could not think of Revell and be sick.. Nowadays, they provide some of the best kits around...

Sorry guys, I have been out of the loop for too long. I have finally settled on my new place, and will move on Oct 16, providing my unhired help show up!!! I will then start my annual leave, so I will be able to build again. With the weather here really nice, the pool will be my second home!!!!

Lucien,
Your engines are looking good so far, and its nice to hear the fit of that model is good. I almost bought one of those kits the other day while I was in a hobby shop.

My Ta 183 Amtech kit has been a total bummer so far, first the left wing parts had a big warp in them, today while working on that kit I found the control stick was snapped cleanly in half and part #16 the retraction strut for the left main gear bent and nearly broken.
And I thought this was going to be a quick build! Bah!

Matrixone

As promised, here are a few pics of the painted engine (the only painted part on the whole project, in fact!)-

First, one of the exposed engine-
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/LHprs/000_0484.jpg[/image]

and then one with a few of the cowling parts and prop dry-fitted.
[image]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/LHprs/000_0482.jpg[/image]

The front cowling is definitely going to have to be airbrushed. The cooling fan just fits, and I can't risk paintbuildup as a result of hand brushing binding it up. The parts just fit too well! (The fit on this kit is amazing.) You can see the unpainted version in the rear of the lower picture. (The one more in focus! ) Like I said, once all the parts are glued together, not much can be seen.

I apologize about the quality. My cam really can't take close up pics well at all.

I was actually able to get some paint down on one of the parts. Using some gloss black and silver I had lying around, I was able to get one of the engines painted. It's overall gloss black (to simulate oil-covered cylinder heads, I guess) with silver to highlight details. (I guess you could call it a method of preshading; whatever. It works!) The overall effect is certianly acceptable. All I need to do is paint the molded-on exhause pipes a sutable shade of rust.

I'm not too worried about how the engines look. Because of the cooling fan and gearbox the actual engine is set back about a half inch, almost invisible from the front. In fact, the only way to see it is to open up one of the seperatly molded panels. (But more on those later.)

The way the engines go together, half of the length of the hole the propeller shaft goes through is made up of the gearbox on the front face of the engine, a part I can't glue together until the engine is painted. Now that I can, I can more easily asses how well the engine assembly will line up the shaft when I eventually hook it up to the DC motors. (The longer the hole, the easier it will line up the shaft. Of course.)

Give me a few days, and I'll get pics for all.

DJ that is certainly a very different build. I'd heard of the VG33 , but never seen a picture of one.

It looks not unlike a combination of a Veltro and a D.520.

I look forward to following your progress.

Mike keep plugging away at the Junkers, I know difficult it is making do without basic equipment.

As for me the Ta183 received its gloss coat this afternoon, so should see decals tomorrow. I'll try and post some pictures when the decals are on.

Karl

Yes, Mike, it's a slightly more 'conventional' design.. For those who would not be very 'in the know' (and I can't really blame you 'cause it is a rather little known aircraft), here's what it looks like:



As a matter of fact, it's not really a prototype and even less a paper project... The French Air Force was scheduled to get plenty of them but the German invasion in May 1940 prevented the introduction of this fighter to the front line squadrons. About 10 were being tested by the French Air Force at the time of the invasion, and many more being built. Many ended up sabotaged by their builders and a few ended up being tested by the Germans and the Italians.

It is said that at the time France went to war, the Arsenal VG.33 was the best fighter in the world. Its performances were certainly superior to any current aircraft, even better than those of the Dewoitine D.520, itself highly spoken of. But war in the West was not lost in the air, but on the ground...

Anyway, I've started this kit now, with the usual detailling of the cockpit. The parts are finely engraved, and the fit appears to be OK, not any worse than the fit on the much more recent Special Hobby kits (the fit on their Pucara is something!).

My problems lie not in the fact this kit is too large (in fact, these kits are a breeze. I recommend them highly). On the contrary, I'm working with a lack of basic materials, i.e. paint, regulator, etc. I'm really starting from scratch on this one. I do, in fact, have a small project- the Me 328! But that's stalled for similar reasons.

DJ- I just checked out the VG.33- good choice! I like the looks of it. A little more normal than the Floh!

a few hours later, and a little research in the loft, where I had bits for the half-built Macchi MC.202 that's waiting by my desk, I've cghanged my mind and will soon be starting another prototype, the Arsenal VG.33. It's a 1/72 kit, short run, by a manufacturer called Pegasus. It looks quite sweet! Watch this space!

Mike, I think Karl is right. Another easy little project would do you good! I does to me, except that I have over 15 little projects like that..!

In any case, I can report a touch of progress on the Floh, with the struts and landing gear painted. I have a few tiny little bits to add on next before the weathering with oils and pastels, before doing the rigging, adding the prop and retiring the model to my display cabinet...

My next prototype or paper project is not known as yet... I still have the 1/48 Heller kit of the Rafale A somewhere though...

Talk about long builds I have not made it to the bench in three days, maybe I can find some time this weekend

Thad

Lucien, that is the downside of only working on one project at a time.

Maybe you should yourself something small and quick to worl on as well, I find this helps overcome the frustrations of long term builds.

As for me, the Ta183 will get a gloss coat and decals this weekend, and maybe a sludge wash.

Karl

I got a little work done on the 290 yesterday. I'm trying to find parts I can glue together that won't affect painting at a later date. Right now that's just been limited to the horizontal and vertical tail surface halves. I'm working right now on something I need to improve upon - getting rid of seams. But still, the tails are almost all glued together. Hey, at least it's progress

Cool Matrix. Looking forward to seeing you there too (though I'm not often there I admit!).

The Floh got its struts and landing gear yesterday. Got to do quite a bit of fiddling with the u/c before it fit the way I wanted but it's on now.

Thad,
That Do 335 is the old 1/48 scale Monogram kit, an oldie but goodie! Not very good detail by todays standards but still fun to build anyway!

DJ,
I was approved by the L.E.M. admin to join the League! Thanks for your help.

Matrixone

Thad, I think it will mean getting rid of a few models, I'm afraid... Sad, sad world! I knew I should have gone for the 1/72 vacuform kit...

DJ, are you going to have room for that bird when your done

Maxtrixone, Is the Do 335 a 1/48 scale

Thad

frosty,
Thank you very much for comment about my pictures!
That broken rear prop was the worst part of building that Monogram Do 335, I was VERY lucky the spinner was not crushed as well.
There is no spiral on that rear spinner on the Do 335, here is another pic...


DJ,
Your Flea is looking good, it is far more interesting looking with camouflage than with the overall gray scheme that the prototype had.

Lucien,
Really those spinner spirals are not that bad to paint, my best advice to give you would be to practice on a couple spinners from an old model first, and NO coffee before hand!

Matrixone

Frosty- Don't feel so bad about a stalled project. The 290 isn't doing diddly right now. I need some paint (mostly interior colors) so I can get back on track.

Matrixone- I really hate to say it. I really do. But I have to.
-
-
How did you make the spirals?
I'm sorry. Those really are some nice builds. I hope the Zwilling ends up that good.

DJ- The Flea has wings! Geeze, that is one goofy looking airplane! Perhaps I'll put it up for consideration in 1:72.... (It'd be the first WWI aircraft I've attempted, though that's not saying much. (Current completed model count- one.)) Good work.

To make up for lack of action on the Zwilling I've shifted to (yet more) research. I've focused on the -B conversion aspect, as it could be the most difficult. The rear turret might be cause for trouble, as the whole rear fuselage from the tailwheel back is different. (Check the comparison pics again. It's there.) This I could attempt to match on the model, or just ignore it and say close enough. Only time will tell. (Absolutly no measured drawings of the B versons doesn't help either.)

All in good time, Frosty, all in good time!

I, on the other hand, have been able to work someon the Flea, as those prove:





With the major sub-assemblies put together, I now have to add the struts and the landing gear. Some weathering is still required too. The struts provided in the kit are not very convincing and very thickly attached to the sprues. I may have to replace all that...

matrixone:
sweet job on the Dora & the Pfiel, i'm happy 2 see u were able 2 put the
prop back together on the back end of the Do335...
does the rear spinner have a spiral pattern also ?

i didn't manage 2 work on the Ho229 at all over the weekend,
i'm afraid 2 say...still plugging away at a couple of projects w/
upcoming deadlines, but i'm eager 2 get back 2 work on my
flying wing !

frosty

Thanks for the comments DJ, Karl, and Lucien!

My next couple models for the group build will be two Ta 183s.

Another pic of the Do 335...


Matrixone

Matrixone- Very, very nice. The Fw 190 looks especially good. Once again, another great build! (I hesitate to ask- do you have anythine else lined up?)

GLEN S- Welcome to the GB! I'll have to do a little research about the Seamaster to see if it qualifies, because I honestly know nothing about it. I did a quick Google search of it this morning, but only got a chance to skim one article. It's probably going to be okay, though. A very interesing looking aircraft....

Absolutley nothing on the Zwilling. I'm trying to print out the side veiw of the Ju 290B, so I can get the correct sizes of the turrets and gondola. Progress is slow.....

How about a martin P6m-2 Seamaster . the only problem is it is a vac. kit and it is in another groub build can i do it for this build also.
Glen S.

Matrixone, they look great!

You did an exceelent job on that 190, which I know is not the easiest of kits to build, and the 335 looks great too.

Lucien, I've said it before, so I'll say it again, you really are a glutton for punishment!

Wooverstone welcome to the GB.

DJ that Floh is coming on nicely.

As for I achieved absolutely nothing on the Ta183 over the weekend, as I spent most of my time painting my Me109G10, and scribing panel lines on the Do217K. Currently the Ta183 requires a few touch ups before I gloss coat and decal it. Hopefully I'll get this done this week.

Karl

Very good stuff, Matrix..

They are done at last!

Here are the pics of the finished Fw 190D and Do 335...



Matrixone