AIRCRAFT - Battle of Britain Group Build (Jan 1st 2005 - May 31st 2005)

ok you guys went and did it... after seeing how clean this thing *looks* like it will go together I guess I will be the guinea pig and go first.. I was trying to wait and get the decals for the SBD first but I can't... the kit keeps calling me! I just washed her down completely and as soon as she dries I'll tell ya what the interior goes together like! I'm building OOB as this is just a warm up for the real thing...

Darren your in luck mate i found it buried deep in the bowels of my spares box, just send me an email with your postal address and i'll post it the next day........

Speaking of canopies i opened the the Stuka's last night and the framing lines are neither raised or rescessed, they appear to be in the middle of the plastic because both the outer surface and inner surface of the canopy is perfectly smooth.......
This is going to complicate painting cause i won't be able to use BMF because i have no guide to cut it withlooks like i'll have to use tamiya tape and do section by section...

QUOTE: Originally posted by j.s.harrison Darren your in luck mate i found it buried deep in the bowels of my spares box, just send me an email with your postal address and i'll post it the next day........ Speaking of canopies i opened the the Stuka's last night and the framing lines are neither raised or rescessed, they appear to be in the middle of the plastic because both the outer surface and inner surface of the canopy is perfectly smooth....... This is going to complicate painting cause i won't be able to use BMF because i have no guide to cut it withlooks like i'll have to use tamiya tape and do section by section...

Jules, you are a legend, I cannot thank you enough and also a big thanks to Tom and Sean, I really appreciate the offers and advice guys.

With your Stuka, have you thought about using commercial pre-cut masks to help you out with your canopy?

Tom Thanks for the preview pics, I can't wait to see that baby painted up.

I can't believe it only three days to go!!

Cheers
Darren

QUOTE: Originally posted by darson With your Stuka, have you thought about using commercial pre-cut masks to help you out with your canopy? ...... Cheers Darren

Darren,

Having used EZ-Masks before, (and also suffering from big fingers like Tom I suspect!!), I found them a lot easier to position against raised lines ... a hard edge to butt them up against when placing!!

Not saying it won't work - of course it will!! ... but it will not be an easy job toplace them JUST SO

Darren no problems mateIt's just sitting here doin nothin.........Hmmmmm whats the bet when i make my 109 I'll break it too and i'll think no problem I'll just grab the spareNah that won't happen i'm gonna fill the canopy up with blue tac so i won't break it
The pre cut mask idea has got me thinking that it might be easier to place them instead of cutting 4 tiny pieces of tape per frame and another in the centre to cover the middle, considering the amount of framing on a stuka canopy the tape method would take a very long time..........
Question is where do i get them from

Tom, that seals the deal!!!!
Thanks for the pics.
Going to order that kit and the PE set for my birthday next month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love that canopy, will be an easy masking project.
ALOT easier than the A6M5 I'm doing for the Pacific GB ATM.

Darren, good to see Jules doesn't throw anything out

Here i am wondering where to get these masks from and Tweets left the web address in his last post
Thanks Tweety although i didn't see any masks for the Revell 1/48 Stuka only the Hasegawa version...........
But they do have the Masks for the Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster which i've been sitting on for the last 10 years

QUOTE: Originally posted by j.s.harrison Darren no problems mateIt's just sitting here doin nothin.........Hmmmmm whats the bet when i make my 109 I'll break it too and i'll think no problem I'll just grab the spareNah that won't happen i'm gonna fill the canopy up with blue tac so i won't break it

I actually had the front and middle sections of the canopy Blu Tack'd and they masked up a treat. What I was doing to the end piece was masking the internal ribs and tamping the making down with a toothpick when captain fumblebutt pressed to hard and the rear canopy piece gave way. I tell you, there is no way I could repeat here the language that flowed for the next couple of minutes when the whole model almost suffered from severe deceleration trauma after being launched into the wall

As for pre-cut masks, I usually get mine from either Greatmodels or from Meteor
www.greatmodels.com & www.meteorprod.com

Cheers
Darren

Quick question for the group-does anyone know if the current release of the Monogram He-111 (1/48) come with BoB decaling? It's getting close to decision time...

Thanks

QUOTE: Originally posted by bobbaily Quick question for the group-does anyone know if the current release of the Monogram He-111 (1/48) come with BoB decaling? It's getting close to decision time... Thanks

hmm can't say for sure Bob.. I looked on Monograms website and it LOOKS like it is intended as a BoB aircraft. In fact I would almost bet on it, this is their description of the kit:

Heinkel's He 111 was one of the most numerous and successful medium bombers used during World War II. The He 111H was used extensively in the Battle of Britain in the standard bomber form, but other He 111Hs were used as torpedo bombers to perform the anti-shipping mission

if not for about 10 dollars you can pick them up on greatmodels.com look for a set named: 1/48 fcmhb4801 Battle of Britain Set, the code is the part number you could cut and paste it in there and it would find them for you in a sec! If that's too expensive (I know I would have trouble paying 10 dollars for decals) There are other sets on there, just do a little research on JG's involved in the BoB and you should find one listed on greatmodels!

Good luck! The set I listed also has decals for a lot of other BoB aircraft so those would be keepers for later builds!

QUOTE: Originally posted by j.s.harrison Speaking of canopies i opened the the Stuka's last night and the framing lines are neither raised or rescessed, they appear to be in the middle of the plastic because both the outer surface and inner surface of the canopy is perfectly smooth.......

now that IS odd.. can't say I've seen a kit with that.... maybe what the other guys suggested with the masks would be good? You could at least approximate it on the canopy and go back afterward and realign any wayward pieces.... would at least give you the right curves and what not...

I looked and cutting edge has a nice set for about $2 US they have a seperate set for each of the B through G versions...

Tom,

Thanks for the reply. I have to agree with you-on the surface it looks like a good fit. If not, nothing that some decals won't fix. I'm torn between the He-111 or a Tamiya Bf109. My local hobby shop had 2 of the He-111's in stock the last time I was thru though. Might have to tell the wife that I'll be a little late for dinner this evening.....

Hasegawa also has an He111 out that is done in BoB markings... a very good model as well, nice detail without being a pain to put together...

Starting date is getting closer. Took the shrink wrap off the Tamiya 109E, sniffed the plastic. Looked it over for molding defects, didn't find any. I've built this kit 4 times in the past, so don't expect any surprizes. Anxious to start, but I'll observe the GB rules. For today anyway .

Regards, Rick

QUOTE: Originally posted by rjkplasticmod Starting date is getting closer. Took the shrink wrap off the Tamiya 109E, sniffed the plastic. Looked it over for molding defects, didn't find any. I've built this kit 4 times in the past, so don't expect any surprizes. Anxious to start, but I'll observe the GB rules. For today anyway . Regards, Rick

well Rick.. I went as far as snipping the fuselage from the sprue for my Bf110.. the cockpit floor as well... then I felt guilty haha ... I'm chomping at the bit on this one... I really think I should wait for the PE I haven't ordered yet.. (the cockpit area is a bit sparse but it is closed so who would see??? <ME!!! thats who!!!>) After taping that fuselage together and seeing how well it fit I am raring to go.. first time for a 110... so I am excited... but at the same time I already ordered the AM decals for it so I guess I should wait...

hmmm... tomorrow IS the day before the day before the day before the start date!!! haha...

Good luck to ya! I don't know if I can wait!

Come on guys!!! Give others of us a chance!!! Mine is only on order - and not expected until mid January. So if you guys start salivating THIS early, I am left wondering what will be .

Happy New Year to all (even if it is a couple of days away)

Yeah i'm getting a little anxious to start as well, can't wait to get some of that PE in the Pit of the Stuka, only thing is i planned my builds around the original FEB start date so i'm gonna have to wait until then
I still have a Mustang 80% finished a Hellcat 40% and a Matilda11 70% to get done in January, after all that i'll start the Stuka but of course the Aussie GB 05 Starts on the 26th of Jan so i'm gonna want to start the next Spit too.............
OH WELL looks like 2005 is going to be a busy year

You fellas arn't gonna belive this, i finally got off my ...... and decided to do some modelling, so i grab the Mustang which is up to the final painting stage and guess what the canopy has been crushed by a fallen book
so now it's my turn to ask where can i get a replacement canopy for the Hasegawa P-51 D/K Mustang
If i can't find one it's not going to be a real problem i guess because the windsheild section is intact It's just both the bubble tops that are crushed so if i buy the kit again i'll get 2 more bubble tops which means i can build both kits.......

DARSON YOU JINXED ME

Tom-thx for the tips. Unfortunatly, I have already committed to the Monogram version-after opening and reading the instructions (actually, it was on the outside of the box, but....), the decals provided are for planes in other locals. One of the versions did fly in the BoB-bomber 6./KOG26 before being moved to Sicily in 1941. I just need to research and see if the paint scheme & markings are accurate for the BoB timeframe. Or order decals. And thanks for the link to GreatModels. Definatly need a mask for this one. And maybe decals.....

Darren-I would like to join this group build-Monogram 1/48th He-111 4. Not sure of the markings yet. Having followed this link from early on, it looks like a fun and knowledgeable bunch.

thx

Jules - Sorry about that. Ok, the Tamiya P-51D kit (which I have a few of) comes with both the Dallas and standard canopies so I have several that you can have. The only problem is that in the Tamiya kit has the rear canopy section in 2 pieces one top (the bubble) and the other bottom (the rail). I think you only get one rail part but I will check through the stash tomorrow morning and let you know.

bobbaily - Welcome to the GB Bob, glad you could join us. I have added you to the front page.

Darren

Bob, you would be safe with the splinter camo I think it is RLM 70/71 over 65, I haven't had coffee yet so someone correct me if I am wrong..

click on the link here, then the pic of the He111 for an example, you can compare it to what you have...

http://www.classicaeromodels.co.uk/33701.htm

I think earlier ones would be Shwarzgrun uppers over Hellblau lowers, have seen some pics of this in some digging up BoB stuff...

QUOTE: Originally posted by tho9900 Bob, you would be safe with the splinter camo I think it is RLM 70/71 over 65, I haven't had coffee yet so someone correct me if I am wrong..

Tom,

That's kinda what I'm thinking. Based on the Monogram paint instructions for 6.KG26, I would need not add the white fusealge stripe to be 'somewhat accurate' . That's probably the route I'll go, but I found decals/paint scheme for a night bomber that has my interest @ Great Models.....

Thanks again and go have some coffee.

Welcome Bob and can I just say it is great that someone else is doing a bomber besides me!!!!!!!! I was beginning to wonder if I had strayed into the wrong GB for a while there. I'm doing a Hasegawa 1/72 He 111 so I hope to share notes with you.

Tom, Which Hasegawa kit has the Battle of Britain decals? Mine (the H-6) only has the russian front schemes. Are you refering to the P variant or is there a 1/48 kit out there that I don't know about? I think I am going to attempt printing my own decals for the Battle of Britain as the schemes were pretty simple and the Hasegawa kit already cost me a bundle.

Dave, I was mistaken... I went back and looked and I have the same kit you do... I must have been thinking of the Bf 110 I just picked up... yeah the only set for sure to have decals from BoB is an FCM set specifically for the BoB and it is in 1/48, I believe it is in 1/72 as well... but as it is 10 dollars I imagine I will do the same and try to go somewhat generic or print my own.

Tom. Yes, the FCM set is available in 1/72 as well as 1/48. Eduard has also released a decal set along with all their PE sets for the Hasegawa He 111 kit and it includes a BofB scheme. I think it was $6 or $7.

QUOTE: Originally posted by razordws Tom. Yes, the FCM set is available in 1/72 as well as 1/48. Eduard has also released a decal set along with all their PE sets for the Hasegawa He 111 kit and it includes a BofB scheme. I think it was $6 or $7.

ooooh, now THAT has me interested!!!

I decided to go ahead with the Bf110 as a non BoB GB kit.... got tired of waiting for the decals to come in for the SBD and since I am off all week I decided I needed something to do before I drove my wife to drink...



here's the cockpit for the Fujimi kit pre fitted, goes in well, and as you can see there is very little detail. I may add some conduit or such with music wire or I may not... wanna stay pretty much OOB on this one so I don't get too involved and get bogged down once the GB starts... although spartan, the little detail there is does help a bit... rivits on the fuselage braces etc would make this a very fine cockpit with some PE added.

I got the cockpit in with no probs at all, no fussing with it to get the fuselage halves to close... I think those who were interested in this would like it, especially with some extra PE and maybe a resin rear MG, the box one isn't bad but I think that woud really set off the cockpit.


--edit--

that gap at the nose closes easily, I just didn't put any tape there... didn't wanna worry anyone who buys this kit... I've had a few I almost had to put in a vise to close em!

OOOOOOOOOOOOhhhh, I don't know what to do!!!

My b'day is on the 5th, so I'm trying to decide whether to get the Fujimi with PE, which will work out to the price of the Boulton without any a/m bits.

Decisions decisions................

Tom, how long is the fuse, and how wide is the wingspan on that puppy?????

about 9 1/2 inches L by 13 inches W Tweets... so about 23cm L by 32cm W, whichever you prefer! Definitely bigger than the average fighter...

I've heard that Boulton is sweet, but it's around $40.00 US, the Fujimi was nicer at around $16ish US. I probably will build another Fujimi with the PE but this one I plan on doing some experimenting... (music wire for conduit and piping inside the cockpit etc...) if I have time that is..

QUOTE: Originally posted by j.s.harrison Thanks Tweety although i didn't see any masks for the Revell 1/48 Stuka only the Hasegawa version...........

Jules these kits are one and the same, so the hase masks will fit perfectly.

I couldn't resist taking my Hurricane out of the box, and trial fitting the main components together. It is a truly lovely kit, and I can't see me using much in the way of filler on this one.

Anyone not starting this GB on the 1st will not be alone, as I still haven't ordered the replacement wheel bay and seat from Canada yet, still skint from Xmas!!! Therefore this one is unlikely to start until at least the middle of January, and more likely February at this rate!

Can't wait to see that Fujimi 110, should be an impressive build.

Karl