Canadian GB -ALL SUBJECTS- (Sept 01 - to whenever finished)

OK, got me some engines for this blasted thing. I'll take some before + after pics. If anyone has built the airfix Beaufighter, you'll know what I mean by absolute garbage for engines. I guess thats what I get for being a cheap SOB. The kit cost me 8$ CDN.

I have the fuselage together and the wings and stabilzers on. It look pretty good, now I just gotta fill and sand (lots). The only serious comment besides the engines is the wings seem to have too much dihedral according to photos I have. I'll try to take some pics this weekend and post'em. Have a good weekend folks!

The resin and PE is nice but for me, it's not for every project. I put some interior PE on the He 111 that I did. It turned out great and it was a project that I had been wanting to do for a long time and is one of my favorite aircraft so I was willing to put the extra effort into it.

On the other hand I bought a PE set for a 1/700 scale Essex carrier that I am working on and I got so bogged down with the folding of all those little guns and railings that I put it away and I honestly don't know when I'll pull it out again.

Aaarrgh you said it! sometimes, everything!

I'm like you, I just recently got back into the hobby after about 10 years away and I am big on the FUN aspect. Right now all I want is a decent looking airplane that at least looks like the subject I intend it to represent. Whether it has raised lines or photo-etch, resin and all that stuff, I really don't care right now.

Having said that there is one thing that is a must on this kit, that is the engine nacelles have the engine detail molded in and looks absolutely horrid. I plan on getting some AM engines, drilling out the existing nacelles and installing the AM engines. It will make it look 100 times better.

You can see, after several models later since coming back, the anal micro detailer of this hobby is slowly manifesting itself in me! I am just resisting the urge to buy a resin or photo-etch detail set!... must...resist....

QUOTE: Originally posted by cdclukey ...what could go wrong?

Oh oh!! You went and said the magic words!

QUOTE: Originally posted by jboutin cdcluckey, no worries. But about airfix...most of the 'serious' modelers where I come from say don't bother. At least with the older kits, that may be a newer mold or a rebox of someone elses kit. Airfix is the manufacturer of my Beaufighter and while it at least has the look of a Beaufighter, the interior detail is totaly lacking, hence my completely scratched interior. Sadly, most of it will be covered by the clear parts. I also just put the fuselage together last night and the fit isn't good but is workable, nothing a little sanding and filling won't fix.

One of the things that worried me about Airfix was that even a lot of their new stuff (like the Concorde that FSM reviewed in March) is kludgy in the fit department, and fit tends to be the place where I lose my patience. (Right now I'm building a Glencoe ship...ask me how I know about fit problems!) But hey, patience is the name of the game in this hobby.

Whatever the kit looks like when I get it, I'm not going to sweat it. Don't get me wrong...I want to make an excellent model. I want to strive for excellence every time. But I've been out of the hobby for ten years and I had six or seven builds (all out of the box, all airplanes with small part counts) behind me when I quit, so I'm a beginner for most intents and purposes. So even if I had bought the best kit on the market, this puppy is going to be built at the four way intersection of simple, careful, accurate and fun, with simple and fun winning out if I can't get all four.

So maybe I shouldn't have said I'm going to build the heck out of it (that implies trying for the Nats!), but I'm definitely going to do everything short of drudgery.

And hey, I've got four months...what could go wrong?

cdcluckey, no worries. But about airfix...most of the 'serious' modelers where I come from say don't bother. At least with the older kits, that may be a newer mold or a rebox of someone elses kit. Airfix is the manufacturer of my Beaufighter and while it at least has the look of a Beaufighter, the interior detail is totaly lacking, hence my completely scratched interior. Sadly, most of it will be covered by the clear parts. I also just put the fuselage together last night and the fit isn't good but is workable, nothing a little sanding and filling won't fix.

I have seen some airfix kits done very nicely, with a little work, they can be good representations. Some people just don't want to put in the effort.
...psst ...don't tell the serious guys but I have three other airfix kits and I plan to build each one!

Jboutin, I have to give you a heads-up about a change. Also, now I'm scared.

I just ordered the 1/72 Airfix F-18A from Squadron, which includes markings for the CF-18. I have heard many bad comments about Airfix kits, but I was seduced by the 5 star customer rating, and my Scottish blood rose up in all its skinflint glory when I saw the kit price: only $6.99.

Got that and a beautiful galley area detail set for my KC-135......

But still...trading a Hasegawa "Shake the box and a jet falls out" for an Airfix...oh well, I guess this is the place where I suck it up and act like a modeller. I am going to build the heck out of that thing, even if it turns out to be a dog. With glowing hearts we'll see her rise!

Bump!

No I did that from cockpit photos. I was trying to get it simplified so I could scratch it more easily. I also need something so as to drill the properly sized holes and in the right spots for the IP too. I'm not sure yet if I really like 1:72, everything is so much smaller!

Looking good Jay. I suppose you are going to tell me Sid drew that diagram of the cockpit for you?

As promised, here are some progress pics of the Beaufighter. I removed all detail there was, which wasn't a whole lot to begin with then I totalll scratched the side walls, cockpit and radio operators station. I haven't put the seats and IP in yet as I haven't finished them. Maybe tonight I'll get the fuselage together. I'm not too concerned with how 'clean' it is or any shading with a wash as I've dry fitted the clear parts on and you can't see much anyway! It kind of gets covered up.

Absolutively!!!

Also saw while I was trolling this morning that Revell Germany is planning on releasing a 1/72 BV138. Don't have any details on when though.

Actually, that op was highlighted in the news here in Canada at the time and there are several photos of the downed BV-138 that Sid shot down. If I can get a hold of them, would you like some photos?

Sounds cool Jay, looking forward to those pics. Will also have to check out that book. Interesting that you mention the BV 138. I have an old rare supermodel 1/72 BV 138 model in my collection (already built but need to be redone). I might have to pick up a Beaufighter and do a dio of this.

Well I never bought the lottery ticket but I did get to meet some war heroes Last night!.

I attended a lecture highlighting the achievements of 404 sqdn RCAF during ww2. In particular the efforts on one man, SqdnLeadr Sidney Shulemson. The methods he developed in attacking ships with rocket firing Beaufighters lead the RAF to adopt his methods on all their other rocket firing squadrons. Sidney himself (DSO, DFC) also got lucky in that he destroyed 2 enemy aircraft and assisted in a third (all German scout/observation planes). This feat was rare as coastal commant rarely saw enemy planes other than defending bf-109s and other fast single engined planes. It was even more unique in that he destroyed a BV-138 and assisted in downing a second BV-138 on his very first operation!). He was also credited with at least 13 enemy ships sunk and he assisted in numerous others. It turns out he never actually finished the required amount of operations for a full tour. He became so valuable as an instructor of his attack methods, he was forbidden to fly any more operations after his 49th combat operation.

I got to meet the man and I now have is autograph in my copy of the book 'Aces Warroirs and Wingmen'. I also got to meet Wayne Ralph the author of the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Canadian WW2 avaiation.

It turns out the person giving the lecture is a Ph.D student in Military Aviation History and is himself a modeler. I think I will try to make my Beaufighter as Sidney's Aircraft from around the time of D-Day. Picture are coming soon, (I promise)

Jay

Wish I could be there for that lecture. Let us know how it turns out. Oh... I would defintiely go buy that lottery ticket if I were you.

Guys I feel lucky, maybe I should buy a lottery ticket or something.

My first love is ww2 aircraft (well really it is my wife but I don't want to bore you), secondly Canadian subjects. I recently bought a book on Canadian Fighter Pilots in ww2 (a VERY good book newly published this spring) and I was recently in contact with the author. It turns out this weekend he will be here in Calgary for a lecture/presentation about RCAF 404 sqdn. It just happens that RCAF 404 is the subject of my current pre-build Beaufighter TF.X. The icing on the cake is that Sydney Shulemson, a pilot from that squadron will be attending the lecture! Maybe I could build his aircraft. Hot Dam, wouldn't that be cool! First I get a call out of the blue from Harry Hardy the pilot of a Typhoon model I just built now this opportunity. I really feel lucky!

To check out the book go to:
http://aceswarriorsandwingmen.com/

Go for it! It doesn't start for another month but me and some others have been wearing them for a while.
I feel the badges are not only for those who have "finished" a build but also for those participating in a build at least you can show your participation. I know some people go out there and grab all the badges they can and don't finish but I''m not too anal about badges. Welcome aboard!

Thanks!SHould I grab the Badge?

Sure Nick, Welcome the CF-18 is always a nice choice.

Hi!

Can you put me fown for a maybe?Im thinking of doing an F-18 in Canadian Markings

Hi Jay,
by NMF do you mean Natural Metal Finish? If so, then sadly no. The CF-104 I have is for one of the 'Starfighters' display team. 'The fastest display team in the world.' They are painted in a blue/white scheme, as you can see at their website http://www.starfighters.net/ Lots of good info there and a 2005 display schedule if anyone is interested.

I'm back! Holiday way good except no time for modelling. Though I did get almost the entire interior of the pre-build Beaufighter scratched yesterday (Last day of holiday). Pics to be posted soon.

Paul_Toz, and Panzer67 Welcome, I'll put you on the front page asap. Great choice Paul! are you going to try NMF?

GA.modeler - no prob about starting early, I totaly understand, just keep us updated!

well i done a bad thing i have all ready started my cf-18 for this gb. its coming along very nice with no major fit problems so far will have a few pics later on this week. and next on the bench is the swedish f-18 and the nasa f-18 both at one time.

QUOTE: Originally posted by jboutin Bump Bump! I'll be on hollerdays for the next two weeks so I thought I'd bring this to the front again as I doubt I'll be on the internet much, Only 2 months and a bit! Hope you all have your kits or will be getting them soon!

Kits and decal sheets are ready and waiting. Instead of the either/or that I'm listed as, I'll try to do both subjects for this GB: 1/72 CF-18A TMOTA 2003 w/ Flightdecs decals and the 1/72 CT-133 414 SQN Black Knights w/ Leading Edge decals.

wish to join me with the tamiya quad gun tractor in north africa campaign

Hey Razordws, I was just outside Nelson, halfway between Nelson and Castlegar actually - got back last Sunday. Wish I was still there - but I am stuck in England for a while yet. That is where I will be moving to as well - next Spring hopefully.

I will send a few photos as I go along, but they will be edited to not show just how much I have to learn! It's many years since I did this so for me it is a steep learning curve. I read the Techniques forums a lot to pick up tips so hopefully I will get better as I go along!!

Hey Paul, I think I can speak for Jay and say welcome to the GB/Canada. Whicih part of BC were you in and is that where you are planning on moving to? Just moved to BC myself from Manitoba. The 104 is a great choice. Look forward to seeing it.

Saw this one and couldn't resist - especially as my wife is Canadian and I am moving there next year! I've just come back to the UK from 7 weeks in BC actually.

Anyways - I have a Hasegawa 1/48 CF-104 in my stash. I'll build that OOB for this GB.

GA.modler, the build goes to December so if you don't finish, you could always come back to it after. I'll be starting my Beaufighter from RACF 404 (aka Canadian GB pre-build! ) next week. I'll be posting pics as I go.