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

Talking aftermarket, does anyone know where I can lay my hands on some decent BoB Spit Mk I/IIa decals in 1:48?

The Monogram ones are stuffed

cheers

MikeJ

How true it is guys!!!
I was going fine, till my LHS dealer made me aware of a nice and non addictive (Yeah RIGHT) addition called After Market.
It looked cleand enough, and the guy selling it wore a shirt and tie, and was clean shaven, so I figured, 'Why not!!'

Now, 2 years on, I can't get off the horse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes, late at night, when I know there should be a specific item somewhere, when an itty bitty bit of detail is missing, I'll scrounge through the off cuts box, searching for the fix!!

No joke guys, it really is getting bad
I was not happy with my 109 for this build cause the PE never showed up, and wasn't till Jules (my saviour!!) sent me some seat belts that I could handle how it looked.
Pathetic isn't it

Well, work slowed (read-stuffed) things up for me this week.
Had alot of evenings planned to finish the 109 by Jan end, but NOOOOOOOOOOOO, making them money was heaps more important between 8am and 9pm.
No wonder I like the 109 so much, I work for the same Regime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah well, will bang on some primer tonight, and hopefully finish the splinter scheme Sunday.
If so I'll post some pics Sunday night.

QUOTE: Originally posted by jboutin Whytwolf, good luck with the masking of the codes. I thought of it, very breifly. I thought I would go strictly OOTB but after seing some of the easy stuff I can correct in the cockpit, I ...just ... can't... stop.. myself! But that's it, I swear!

it always starts like that Jay, then you can't help but wonder what adding a resin engine would do for your model.. then of course you have to cut out the panels so everyone can see the engine. Next thing you know you're hanging out in dark alleys harrassing the locals for change to get "one more set of PE" <::shaking head::> next thing you know you're going to the free clinic twice a week for your maintenance dose of Tenax.... where did we go wrong??? I ask you!

::straightening tie:: sorry got carried away...

for fuselage markings (AC numbers etc..) Decals Carpena has a complete line of RAF codes and numbers/letters for 1/72 and 1/48 (and in many colors) the address is decalco.com good luck to you both! I am a fringe builder and know how hard it is to find some of the more obscure (from the mainstream stuff) things sometimes!

Tom, I know that decal set and it is a very good set for Willie Mcknight of RAF 242 sqdn. I actually had it in my hands today and the crazy thing is I looked at another manufacturer's set with Willie Mcknights markings that had the fuselage codes a different colour, slightly larger and in a thicker font.

Whytwolf, good luck with the masking of the codes. I thought of it, very breifly.
I thought I would go strictly OOTB but after seing some of the easy stuff I can correct in the cockpit, I ...just ... can't... stop.. myself! But that's it, I swear!

I found this sheet of decals on squadron, not sure if it would have what ya wanted but thought I would post it anyway...

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=IP48001

Aurora-7 and Whytwolf

When I bought my kit, the guy at the hobby shop was helping me find some decals. He was looking through some of his sources and we found a list of aircraft codes and serial numbers that were used by RCAF 1 sqdrn during the BOB. The note in the article pointed out that the list was not complete as it was compiled from damage reports and action reports. I wrote down some of them down. The reference was some photocopied sheets from some magazine, I should talk to him and see if I could get the rest of it to send to you.

The hobby shop is at this web site:
http://members.shaw.ca/unclebills/

Jay, I'm planning on testing my skills at actually masking off the code letters on mu Hurricane and painting them that way. Am I insane? Only my shrinks really know . I hear the Hase Hurricane kit is really sharp--I'm looking forward to seeing your build.

Sean: Sounds like one fiesty little guy you got there. I hope he's on the mend. It's rough when they're sick

Dave: Thanks for the info on GreatModels. I'll now have ample reason to go with the Post Office (I don't trust anyone who wears brown shorts in winter anyways ) And thanks for the good wishes for the lil tomatoe--Rhane's on the mend and playing with her Dad's Yak-141 once more!

Sean

JAYB,

My web searches are showing lots about the 401 squadron but too much on No. 1 other than it became the 401. I found some images of art work and some text but I think it's going to have to be a custom job. I think I've seen RAF code decal assortments to make your own squadron/group codes but forget about accurate serial numbers. I'll let you know if I find anything out about decals

Aurora-7;

I too have been searching for decals for a 1:48 Canadian Hurricane for the last couple of weeks, the best I've come up with is Willie Mcknights from 242 sqdrn. But since I want to do one from 1squdron, later renamed to 401, I have to get a decal sheet with RAF codes for Hurricanes and use the YO_* codes from it.

for roundel dimensions check out this website link (I also posted the main page for this site on page 39)
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/hurricane/markings.jpg

lol and if you find a decal set for a RCAF 1 sqdrn hurricane, let me know!

oh yeah, I finally got the Hase Mk1 kit and i am so excited, I'm now ready to rock!

Thanks Tom. Good luck on the camo. Go easy on the coffee before you start .

Regards, Rick

QUOTE: Originally posted by tweety1 Jules Thanks mate, but this time he may take a while to get better. Got a nasty chest thing going on. But he's a tough lil bugger. The other day at child care some kid bit him, so, before he cried, he made the pudgiest little fist, and popped him in the eye. Then promptly had a hissy fit and acted like his arm had been bitten off. Sorry to ramble, proud dad thing here

haha a chip off the ol block eh, Sean? That's classic!!! I can imagine the little one curling up that little fist and having a go at the other kid... (remembering dear ol Dad telling me at the age of five, if a bigger boy comes up and picks on me, pick up a stick or something hard and poke him in the nether region as hard as I can..) Ya gotta raise kids up so they can take care of themselves!

Thanks for the comments all... I forgot to add to my comment Rick that the cockpit is looking GREAT! Love the small detail on it.. (as you can tell cockpits are also one of my favorite parts to do, next to masking canopies ::nervous twitch::)

Looking forward to seeing more of everyones builds! I got off work early with all intentions of modeling but I feel a nap tugging at me at the present... it's been a busy week.

Also thank you all for helping me get excited about this GB... I had kinda got in a rut with my modeling and lost some of the love of it for a bit. The build up to this one helped me get my imagination going again.

With that said, I think my bed is the best place I can think of to be right now... Tonight I get the dreaded masking of the camo scheme going!

VERSION!!??

Heck I don't know yet. I was going to some searching for decals to make a Canadian bird. I'll ask again when I know for sure what I'm going to do.

Which version Roundel ? Type A, AI, & B were all used. In general, the red center spot was kept at 2/5 th's the diameter of the Blue diameter.

Regards, Rick

Rick,

The 109 cockpit work looks great. I just started mine bit I'm having the canopy enclosed for an in-flight pose.

I have a round base to mount the Hurricane on and I want to paint it like an RAF roundel. Does anyone know what the proportions the rings are supposed to be based on RAF standards?

Thanks everyone for the comments on the 109 pit. Build is moving along now & should be ready for the paint shop this weekend. Hope all of your builds are going well.

Regards, Rick

Rick the cock pit looks great

Tom your bird looks fine from here

Thad

Jules Thanks mate, but this time he may take a while to get better. Got a nasty chest thing going on.
But he's a tough lil bugger.
The other day at child care some kid bit him, so, before he cried, he made the pudgiest little fist, and popped him in the eye.
Then promptly had a hissy fit and acted like his arm had been bitten off.
Sorry to ramble, proud dad thing here

Rick Great work on the pit mate
Doesn't look it in the photo, but the instrument panel is really small, you did well on it.

Tom Liking the look of the Martlet so far

Sean, I ordered stuff from Great Models recently for the first time and made the mistake of using UPS because I thought it was cheaper and faster than the mail. It would have been if they hadn't dinged me $30 to clear Canadian customs. I've been told the post office charges $5. Must have missed the small print somewhere!!!!! Anyway, they shipped my order out the next day, after that it depends on the mailman. Hope the little one is feeling better soon.

Rick nice looking piti especially like the instrument panel

Tom your Martlett is coming along nicelywe should be seeing the finished product soon eh

Tweets sorry to hear your little fella is crook, i've noticed little kids get sick more often than adults, i guess thats how they get thier immune system up to speed......

OMG Rick, that 109 cockpit blows my mind! Thank God I'm not competing against you

Jay, thanks for the links, as my daughter's been sick this past day or so, I've been home not doing any modeling--acting like a recliner for the lil tomatoe to sleep on So having some research too look into has helped keep me focused.

Tom, that Martlett is looking pretty sweet too. I'm hoping to sand down my Hurricane's panel lines tomorrow on the fuselage and throw some primer at it before attacking the re-scribe-a-thon on the wings. And this weekend, I order my after-market details!

Anyone know how long GreatModels takes to ship stuff out?

Sean

Tom and Rick your builds are both looking great. I look forward to seeing more pics.

Looking good Tom. Nice progress on the Martlett.

Regards, Rick

thats why I like taking pics of my entire build Rick... things I never saw pop out at me... I try (now) not to be so perfectionist... but it helps negate the obvious... I think for awhile trying to get it perfect actually got in my way...

anyway, here's my pic of my Martlet starting to take shape... the slate grey is done... the egg shell I had on the cown is gone now thanks to Mr. Sandpaper. gonna let it dry till Sat and not risk peeling paint off with my mask..



I am really excited about this build... mainly because it IS something different... and two the kit went together nicely. Problem is, I have been reasearching the H^II out of the Martlet colors lately and can't come up with was the undercarriage black or sea blue? All the color war photos and current model photos aren't clear.. I've even posted to several research sites with no reply... I think I will do them black on Sun or so if no reply by then.... just a hunch...

anyway may I reiterate how nice this kit is.. Tamiya really did well with it and it was not expensive! If anyone decides to do a Martlet, same deal... I'll mail ya some decals gratis! Can't see me building four of them! (Even though I am on my 3rd SBD and growing!)

OK, finally got the progress pics. This is the Tamiya Bf-109E-4 cockpit. I bought the Eduard PE detail set, but was very disappointed in it. The seat belts provided on the fret are correct for an F or early G, but totally wrong for the E model. I ended up using the Instrument panel & a few odd bits, but most of it will go in the spares box. Fortunately, I had an Ultracast resin seat in my stash so i used that for the build. Anyway here is the progress so far.






The pics revealed a couple of small boo boo's that I have corrected, but not worth reshooting for. After the pics were taken this morning, the fuselage halves have been joined & the wings assembled. Should move rapidly to the painting stage.

Regards, Rick

Hurricane builders!

I've been doing some extensive research into Canadain hurricanes on the net and I found some good websites along the way! Check them out.

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/hurricane/index.htm
http://www3.mistral.co.uk/k5083/main2.htm

I also found a Canadian Museum website with links to a photo database of numerous Canadian hurricane photos.

http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/collections/image_bank/search.shtml

click on the link and type in a hurricane search.

I haven't had much luck on finding good images of BOB hurricanes in Canadian units (mainly RCAF 1) that show aircraft numebr and unit codes. Some of the pics are fuzzy and some show mk2s. I'm going to get my Kit tomorrow!

Darson - can I come jump in your pool! I woke up this morning and the temp outside was -(minus)33C ! I suppose you folks down under haven't experienced that much cold have you? Like I said, Calgary is in a deep freeze this week!

Darren-thanks for the info. On the black paint suggestion, I may try that mix with some acrylic, thin a bit & brush. I still haven't broken down and purchased an airbrush...yet.

Hey all, hows things?
Well, haven't had a chance to do squat on the 109 for a couple of days now, lil' boy is crook AGAIN!!!
I tells ya, this town is a bio hazard!!!!!!!

Hopefully, I can bang on some filler and get it ready for painting on Saturday.
In the mean time I'm trying to find a decent priced Defiant, I would normally order from Squadron.com, but they totally stuffed my last 2 orders, and are on the verge of losing a customer.(Sif they care)

Prices here for the Defiant are RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd allow for the Aussie dollar, but I am no fool, our dollar aint THAT worthless.
Keep looking I guess.

Darson i know what you mean mate i'm constantly doing it myselfi'm even thinking about doing the 109 E4/7 i have planned for this GB in the colours of JG 27 North Africa useing the masking method Tweets used on his 109
It all depends on how long this Stuka will take to build

Tom, you actually like masking [:0][:0][:0]
OK, no problems walking away slowly avoiding eye contact

Jules, I have made up my mind for the Nth African GB and then changed it again about twenty times already. I am sill undecided about what I'm going to build, but I think I'm looking forward to that GB than any other this year (except for BoB or course )

Bob, boy those are some good questions.
1. Taking a bit of an educated guess I think it would be safe to assume that the black was sprayed on and not brushed given the large area involved. As to gloss or matt, IMHO I would go either matt or satin, but that is just my preference. You might like to think about painting with a 50:50 mix of Flat Black and Red Brown. This mix actually looks like black, but permits additional shading and weathering in black. Also, it is not as unrealistically stark as 100% black can appear when applied to a large area.
2. Yes
3. No idea sorry.
4. Light grey with a touch of tan.

Osher, been there done that too I'm afraid

edit
Thad and Bob, I'll check out what I can find for you when I get home tonight.