Battle of Midway Aircraft Group Build

Haven't posted in a while so I'll give an update. I've fixed the lower wing/fuselage joint as best as I can (it's not perfect but if I keep monkeying with it at this point I'm just going to make things worse) and sprayed the underside of the Dauntless. Now getting ready to spray the upper surfaces. Just one technique question. Whats the best way to get a clean line where the two colors meet? Should I mask it or just freehand it with the airbrush? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Once I get the blue-grey on I'll post some photos. Pete

Welcome to ze build MrBee. You'll have fun with that build, I here the AM kit is a beaut.

MrBee - better late than never I say! I'll update the build page and put you on there!!! Welcome aboard!!!

Welcome aboard MrBee, you'll find a fine group of fellows here. For an "old" newbee they've been very good to me. I like your choice, we need TBF/TBM in the bunch. I think you have found "your excuse" right here!!

Phil

I know I'm getting in late but I'd love to have an excuse to make my 1/48 AM Avenger.

Sign me up!

ok... what a day! now that it is said... coming along nicely with my P-47 for the Latin American GB... that Tamiya kit (the bubbletop) is SWEET!!! In fact it is so nice I think I am going to order another Typhoon for the Aussie GB because now I see the best way to attach all those upper fuselage pieces and have them line up... so far everything is going together as well or better than the Martlet (Wildcat)... much much more detail in the cockpit... in fact I agree with several reviews that mentioned that it rivalled if not surpassed most resin cockpits for the P-47... (with the ultracast seats added of course IMHO)

Anyway enough about that... thnking of getting the Ultracast seats and tires for my B-26 if they have them and build that for the build... everyone is going Dauntless crazy so maybe it would be best to save that for a later (possible) Dauntless GB??? <hint hint>

I need to try to find a 1/48 B-26 kit.. this is the 1/72 one and I hate 1/72.. (because I am old and feeble and can't see the pieces haha) plus detail shows up so much better in it...

anyway I am just rambling but am looking forward to more in progress pics!!! <again... hint hint>

Sean-quick question regarding your weathering techinique on the pic above. Did you apply aluminium paint after the green or did you do aluminium first and then green? If the later, what method did you use to remove the green?

Thanks in advance.

I don't think it's the pics that make yours look darker mate. I did use Gunze paints, but I lightened my intermediate blue alot. Out of the bottle, it is very dark, and almost grey. So I added some light blue and white to brighten it up a bit. The Non-specular sea blue is about right out of the bottle, but I think I lightened it a bit too. Yours looks good though, nice paint job.

Those Hellcats with the mouth and eyes look great too. I'd like to do an overall blue one next time too. I've done enough tri-colour planes for now. I've got decals for McCampbells Minsi III and a few others, so I'll just have to pick up another hase kit.

Never get tired looking at Hellcats eh Pingy But i do have to do something with my pics, if i recall correctly we both used Gunze paints for our F6 kits and mine is basically the same colour as yours but it looks a lot darker in the pic.......
My next Hellcat (which i have) is gonna have an Eduard PE set tossed into it and if i can find them decals from the USS Princeton's group, you know the ones with the irate cats mouth and eyes on the cowl......
Tom Email sent.........

Thanks Tom for the tips. I prefer acrylics, but I don't have an airbrush, just a spray can & brush guy. It will be awhile before I break open the new kits. I'll check out those Color of Eagles brand, hope they have IJN colors. I had to take a tv break also - "24" that Jack is a natural born killer! One of my "not miss" shows. Thanks for the link, I checked out that "cross dressing" Wildcat & copied the pics for later reference. I try to save most all ya'lls build shots for reference material. Heck, last week I printed out the topic pages so that I could really catch up on things - got a small book now-ha! Time for bed here in the deep south, see ya'll later.
Phil

Phil - do you prefer enamel or acrylic? if you use acrylics or just don't mind them Color of Eagles acrylics are GREAT!!! they airbrush on like you wont believe and give an incredible flat surface when painted even after masking!!! Just noted that because you were looking to order your paints online and I believe it is Great Models that is stocking them now... Before the only place you could get them was the hobby shop... They are Vallejo paints repackaged..

You'll love that Tamiya F4F!! although a little simplistic on the inside (I recommend the Ultracast seat at the least.. the wheels if you want to do more) it turns out to be a good looking model and goes together like a charm! The only part you really have to pay attention is the landing gear... study the drawings and make sure when you put it together you have it facing you the same way as the drawing in the book and the slots are facing the same direction (up or down) the rest is cake!!

Here is my Wildcat crossdressed in British clothing... The F4F was the first US built aircraft to down an Axis plane im WWII.... a Ju88 over Scapa Flow somewhere... scroll down towards the bottom of the page... you'll see it...

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?page=76&TOPIC_ID=28171

Anyway, gonna go watch TV for a bit then off to bed.. I have a long day tomorrow.. :(

---edit---

when you get ready to build the SBD come back here and ask us if you have questions, I know Jeeves and I have built several so it might make some parts easier...

you might want to set aside some time on the cockpit as well...

Mike - thanks for the update on your Devastator kit. I plan on leaving my Kate's wings out for now.
Daniel - love that F6F of yours, I'll be checking out that gallery of yours, really like the cut away engine detail, nice touch.
I've really done it now! Course I blame it on you guys & Hobby Lobby-ha! Went wild after work today and stocked up!! Got the:
Academy P-51B in 1/72
In 1/48:
AM TBM-3D
Tamiya F4F-4
Tamiya Republic P-47D "Razorback" edition
Am SBD-2 "Midway" edition
Yeah call me crazy, but I bet I'll see somemore post like this before their sale is over this week-ha! Picked up some paints for my Kate, course they did'nt have any IJN colors in stock, so I'll get those on line probably thru GreatModels.com. This should do me for a long while, well at least till AM comes out with their Vindicator-Ha!

Phil

OK Jules, if you insist......Here it is (AGAIN), my F6F-3 Hellcat.



More pics here:
http://www.hsgalleries.com/gallery04/f6f3dk_1.htm

And, Tweets, that is a great looking build. I like the weathering.

Heya Phil....

Yeah-- the Monogram kit does allow for the TBD's wings to be folded....although when I try doing it on mine, the outer half pops out and falls off-- so I guess I have to leave mine down

I have heard about the PE flaps for the Hasegawa kit, but am no big fan of PE...I just have to make sure I have nothing planned on the day I drill out all those holes LOL

QUOTE: Originally posted by pingtang The Hellcat is one of my favourite aircraft, so I'm about due for another one. Who's for a Hellcat group build......

Daniel Don't tease meyou know i couldn't resist a Hellcat GB............
So lets see it againthe Hasegawa kit that is



Tweets I've said it before but thats one fine looking Zero

And i have to say on the AM instruction sheets, they do require some carefull reading
BTW Pingy I have one of your Hellcat pics in my Phtobucket and i'm tempted to post that one up as well but it's your model so lets see it again

Phil-yeah, my little sister had a Chatty Cathy doll back in the early60's...just another one of those things that reminds me that I'm starting to get old(er). Still haven't decided to grow up yet.....

Sean-thanks for re-posting the pics of your plane. Will be a good guide for me to work from.

QUOTE: Originally posted by bobbaily ...............The second is the 1/48th Zero, which has less interior detail than the bf109. That one will be used for the Pacific GB. Need to do some research on the plane represented and see to what level of weathering I can take it. I plan a strick OOB for this one, including the decals. Would like to do an extreme weathering scheme, similar to one I saw in the Warbirds edition from FSM a while back. I think Sean (Tweet) did one also...not sure. Enough rambling...here's the pics: btw-welcome aboard Phil-good group of folks here. Hope you enjoy the company. I have.

Congrats on your anniversary Bob!!!
And kudos on that c/p you have done, looks sensational to say the least

And yeah, it was one of mine that I weathered heavily, but the effect is a little wasted on such a dark colour as IJN green.



Took a bit of doing, but would look ALOT better on a lighter scheme, like an A6M2 naval craft.
One of those is on the cards, and hoping it wont be to far away depending on how long my current project takes to complete.

ooooh... so many messages but all I saw was "40% off at HL"

Phil - checked out your website from my parents house today... looks good and I will definitely go back to check out all of it... yeah my hats off to your generation of corpsman... we had more to work with than hare-traction splints and pressure bandages.. these kids now have almost a whole hospital in their surgical kits... but I wouldnt have complained if we had the same...

funny thing was the first ship I was on was a gator freighter... (USS Austin LPD-4) down in the lower hold we had to inventory some medical supplies... I came on row upon row stacked 6 high of cartons of maxi-pads... the HM1 told me it was for tiger cruises, in case someone had their period while out for that day... haha I believed him... finally he told me the truth... what is better at soaking up blood underneath a pressure bandage?? I dont think we had changed a WHOLE lot since your days at that time (1986) .. was seeing some of the stuff carried now and it's a lot different...

a lotta memories coming back now... glad you joined us!!!

That Hase kit looks nice.,. as long as they don't make the fuselage in 6 pieces like they did the Typhoon... it was kinda hard to mate them up right...

I agree on the AM kits... the first one is a learner as far as instructions... I found myself sitting back rubbing my chin saying "So THATS what they meant" on my second one... the pictures sometimes didn't match the words exactly and sometimes I tried to extrapolate what I knew into what they said and it wasnt always right... second time I followed it word for word... ESPECIALLY when I would read forward and see a "See... didnt this make sense now from what we said in #6?"

Bob, no man you wouldn't have any trouble with the 'hase' kit, not after seeing your fine SBD-2 interior! Thanks for reminding me on the Hobby Lobby Sale, I saw the post earlier but forgot about it. My Hobby Lobby is close by but their selection in A/C is sometimes lacking, but I'll check them out this week. Say there is going to be another Battle of Britian GB this fall ?
Speaking of the Battle of Britian, was that you with the "killer" Chatty Cathi reply comment to the 2K posts note!!

Daniel, yeah the PE set came w/the kit, they skimped on the interior but not those dive brake flaps! So thats the secret on those AM instructions - Ya gotta read em !

Phil

That interior doesn't look too bad, not as good as the AM kit, but what is? The AM kit is something special, most kits don't come close. Compared to alot of kits out there, that cockpit looks great. Did theat PE set come with the kit?

The Kate looks good too. Shame about having to cut the wings to fold them. If you want a good kit with folding wings, try the Tamiya Corsairs. They're some of the best kits I've ever built. And you'll have fun with that Hase F6F. They are very nice kits. The Hellcat is one of my favourite aircraft, so I'm about due for another one. Who's for a Hellcat group build......

BTW, the AM instruction sheets are very thorough, more so than most. Only problem is you have to read them, and the pics don't do a great job of explaining how things go together.

Hey Phil-thanks for the post on the 'Hase' kit. I haven't tackled one yet, but based on what you've shown, I wouldn't be afraid to try. As far as drilling the flaps on the AM SBD2, the flaps are dilled in the kit. However, I think the PE would/will look better. Guess it's a cost thing. And I have to say that the instructions on the 'Hase' kit is a bit more detailed-which is a good thing. Hobby Lobby is having their 40% off sale this week, so I'll keep the 'Hase' kits in mind. At 40% off, maybe I can stock up for the upcoming North Africian GB and this fall's Battle of Britian GB ( and who knows what else!).

Here are a few shots to answer some questions on the 'Hase' kits. Daniel as you can see their SBD interior doesn't even come close to the AM kit. But on the other hand, Mike you wouldn't have to worry about charging up the drill for the dive flap holes. The etched metal parts are pretty extensive and a lot of detail in assembly. Mike did your Monogram Devastator kit come w/folded wings? The Hase kit for my Kate was a little non truth in advertising. I guess its like Forest Gump says, Life is like a box of chocolates - never know what your gonna get. The wings on the Kate have to be cut - I was very disappointed - for the price of this kit they should have put in two different wings sets, in my opinion. The interior detail is much better in Kate than the SBD, & I've got their F6F & its skimpy too! As far as instructions, compared to what some of you are saying about the AM builds, the Hase instruc. sheets are pretty thorough. Ok, time to do a little bench work.






Phil

Thanks all. Still satisified with the interior and the PE belts(they were a bear though-my first experience with PE but after a little flat acrylic, I love the look). Doesn't look like I'll get started painting the engine components until tomorrow night. However, after the interior, I think the most involved part is done, other than maybe the post shading. Still trying to talk myself into pre-shading, but with chalk pastel post shading, I know I can always wash it off and start again.

Phil-the Lego stand is left over from the Battle of Britian GB-used it on the He111. I need to re-size it for a better fit, but it works for now.

Well tonight is the night, i'm just about to cut sprue on the AM Avenger and start the interior...........
Speakingof Interiors [bBob[/b] thats a mighty fine looking piece of work youv'e turnrd out there buddy
anyway getting back to the Avenger this Accurate minatures kit is gonna be one fun build, so much detail OOB all i'll have to add are some PE seat belts...I'll start by glueing all the main interior parts together and then i'll airbrush interior green in one hit......Man this is gonna be more fun than going to the Snooker Room with Kremps.....

Looks like some good progress Bob. I'm getting to that stage of my build too. I have the fuselage buttoned up, and I'm gonna clean up the joins on that before I glue the wings on (I think it will be easier that way.). Looking forward to seeing the rest of your build.

Tom you must not see the web link on my post's, probably got all that "happy crap" turned off-ha! I was wondering about that when you were surprised to find that I was a Corpsman, & I had put that info in my profile. Anyway its http://cva66.home.mindspring.com
Its still a work in progress but I think you & some of the guys would enjoy it.

Phil

Hey Bob, I like the "lego" stand (very useful i imagine for sizing & placement) and whats up with that salt shaker-Ha! Seriously, the big ole cockpit opening does help in not losing all that detail work. Are you going to have open or closed canopy? , never mind I just saw your earlier comment on the "open" canopy. Thanks for sharing your pics.
Phil

Phil - post the site or email to me!!! To be honest my dad was the reason I became a penis machinist... (haha only you would understand that one)

he was a Marine, went thru bootcamp circa 1957 so you understand which era he came from... when I was in High School I planned on joining the guys in green... but my dad talked me into becoming a corpsman... and for that I am grateful... the only one who gets more respect from the Marines, other than the Marines are corpsman... had my butt pulled out of a few situations by the Marines... even when it was with or against another Marine... (I was THEIR doc!!!)

would love to see your web site tho...

thanks for the pics... I was stalled on the latest SBD I have been working on but think after the P-47 I am doing I will finish it...


Bob - good going! I had a few slght gaps on my last build... dont think it was totally the kit... but a little putty had hee going good!!!

Thanks for the comments Tom. And thanks for posting the pics Phil.

Since my Mountaineers went down in OT, I had time to make a little progress. I think any gaps are due to my 'mis-fitting' of the cockpit components. Still happy with where I'm at. Also enough of a cockpit view to appriciate the detail within.



Now on to the engine!

I was looking thru the old hard drive & came across these shots. Some of the models weren't around for Midway, but you get the idea. Maybe a little more inspiration for those working on SBD's or SB2's.

I think somebody mentioned it and I know Tom you & Mike have seen it, but for those that haven't yet, check out "Dragonfly's" outstanding TBM build over in the Aircraft forum, topic: Pleasure Build Pics.







Yeah Tom who would have "thunk" it, a couple of "dick smiths" running around this little group. Small world. If you get the chance, check out my web site, you'll see what real corpsman used to do back in the old days!
Phil