South Pacific Group Build 7 August 2006 to 7 August 2007

It's your call on the panel lines, but my two cents are this:

If you're going with an all black scheme, the shadows on the raised panel lines provide decent highlighting. Also. there was a technique in Finescale last year about pre-painting the airplane silver (your choice of shade) before painting it black, and then lightly rubbing the top coat (black) off of the raised panel lines. The way the author performed this it looked really nice.

Either way, I'm looking forward to your build.

Thanks for the info mucker.Call me chicken but I just don't think I'm ready to try rescribing a whole plane yet. I'm planning on doing the black scheme and a similar weathering technique that I've tried before. Thanks for your help.

I'm with you. I've "re-scribed" my errors when I sand too much, but never attempted the whole plane. I look forward to your build. I've always liked the Black Widow. By the way, are you going with AM decals?

I'm holding out for the annual anticipated AM Tech release of the "new" P-61...with engraved panel lines.

Most likely I'll use AM decals. Not to fond of the ones in the monogram kit, I would also like to find a P&R 2800 engine and try the Edwards photo etch sets. I think True Details has a wheel set for this plane too. Although this would be a large investment altogether for a $5 kit. But if I can get the money then why not?

Did not know that AM Tech was releasing a new kit. It's about time someone did, I think the P-61 is a nice looking plane. Will it be 1/48 scale or 1/72?

First apologies, I thought  I had the last post on that page so I did not see legends and your posts. Did not mean to ignore what you both said.

I myself don't mind raised panel lines, but one day I'm going to try rescribing just to see if I can. Zipmeister if you can find a cheap kit I recommend picking one up. This will be my second time building it (first time I was just beginning) Hope to do a better job this time around. Your tip will be very useful as I will most likely kill quite a few panel lines during the build. Thanks again for the info.

NucMedTech: Have you seen the Pyn-Up line of decals? I'm partial to "Cooper's Snooper", but there some other cool ones there too.

I'd like to "learn" how to re-scribe, too. Swanny's site is pretty good, but practice makes perfect I suppose. If I ever got good, I'd love to re-scribe a B-24 of B-29 and do it up nicely with AM parts.

No I have not seen this line of decals. I am unable to find anything for the P-61 or the unit I'm looking for, the 419th NFS. If they have a web site or you know where it is that I can look at them I would appreciate your help. Right now the best that I can find for AM parts is Squadron, but their shipping is high plus I would have to pay taxes.

I'll take a look at Swanny's sight for re-scribing. BTW I've got the B-29 sitting on my shelf waiting to be built. It is a huge model, I need to get a little better at my natural metal finishes before I decide to take that one on.

You can buy Pyn-Up at various sites (Greatmodels, etc.), but www.meteorprod.com usually has the best range. I haven't checked out which squadrons the P-61 sheets are for, but I hope they have what you're looking for.

I envy you...a B-29 done in metal foil or a nice BMF finish looks awesome on display.

If Squadron shipping is high, my guess is you live outside of the States...where are you located?

Mucker, looked at the site you provided and it has alot of good decals. So far I only found one for the P-61 so I'll keep looking.

No, I'm here in Texas.Which means I have to pay sales tax and then S&H from squadron. Don't you think shipping is high if all your buying is a photo-etch set or two? I shop at plastic-models.com mostly and they have shipping prices at 3.99 on alot of their items. Of course they don't carry special items like resin  kits or pe stuff but for basic kits and supplies they have a good selection.

P.S. I'm kind of new to the forum, How do I look at the pm you sent?

NucMedTech wrote:

Mucker, looked at the site you provided and it has alot of good decals. So far I only found one for the P-61 so I'll keep looking. No, I'm here in Texas.Which means I have to pay sales tax and then S&H from squadron. Don't you think shipping is high if all your buying is a photo-etch set or two? I shop at plastic-models.com mostly and they have shipping prices at 3.99 on alot of their items. Of course they don't carry special items like resin  kits or pe stuff but for basic kits and supplies they have a good selection. P.S. I'm kind of new to the forum, How do I look at the pm you sent?

Definately...I try to bundle a few things together to justofy the S&H charges. $7 to ship PE and Decals is expensive. For decals only, there is a site with free shipping: www.twobobs.net ("Bobs" with only 1 "o") They have more jet aircraft, and I am a WWII junkie, but every once in a while they have what I need.

For the PM, click on the link "Modelling Subjects" directly above the forums. From there I believe you can access Private Messages.

JoeRugby wrote:

How is the progress on everyone's build?  I have hit a bit of a block...just the fiddly bits to finish now....I will hold off until I complete some of the other builds I have going...please post your progress though!

I am in the middle of a B-25 Air Apache. I'd like to join. It's an Accurate Min. 1:48 "Red Wrath".

Thanks,

Andy

Wulf

Welcome!

To all other participants...do not worry on changing builds, just remember to stay within the confines of the build requirements.

The Jug is done...all fiddly bits attached etc.  Now one problem...I have misplaced my camera.  I was out spotting deer for the coming hunting season and can not find it.  I do know I did not leave it in the woods, so I have to tear into my jeep and look through the mess...

My next build will be the Dinah recon plane.  I have the old LS kit, not a bad little deal that one...

Howdy Everyone.  I have a little progress to report. I've spent a fair amount of time on my plane, but just seem to accomplish little.  I re-did the silver pencil and future 'dots' on the instrument panel about 4 times and finally got a sort- of acceptable panel and after installation, the gauges hardly show up.

The cockpit is in place and I am happy with it, considering it is my first one.  I made seatbelts out of masking tape, a techinque that was discussed in these forums.

The wing assy is installed, but I have a large gap in the lower-front to deal with..so will be sanding and puttying for awhile.

A question for you guys............There is a rather large gap at the front of the wing root (The rear area is fine). Any ideas how to fix this??  I believe it should be a panel line. I think in hindsight, I should have built up the area with some thin styrene strip and sand it down to reduce the gap prior to installation. Anyway, I may just leave it, but....any ideas how to correct it??

Here is a progess pic.....the interior green enamel was in my airbrush when I was looking at my seam filling job and I decided to shoot the top areas as an undercoat for the Tamiya acrylic brown to come later.

I'm really enjoying this group build...........is much fun to be building with others.

Here's a little tip for fixing those pesky gaps that I picked up from another modeler. You can also check it out at the Aircraft Resource Center under "Tools and Tips". You will find an article under the tab for "Filling" by Steve Bamford for filling gaps without sanding. It is very simple and easy to get good results. It is copyrighted, so there is no direct link.

I tried to find the "link", but they have it protected. What I am referring to is the technique with squadron putty, nail polish remover and Q-tips. If you tape off the area around the seam, you shouldn't have any issues.

Another thing I've found is that in larger gaps, such as a wing-root, usually 2 - 3 application of putty are needed to offset any shrinkage from prior applications. The nice things is no sanding is required so you don't screw up existing lines.

Oh yeah, and great looking airplane so far. I look forward to more pictures of the progress.

Jerry,

the P40 is coming along nicely!

NucMed

If finger is your only glitch then I wish you joy on the build and all the better to get those glitches out early.

NucMed:

I remember putting my P-61 a few years ago. If Revell could have offered the same kit in light grey plastic, it would have saved hours of time and excessive paint usage. Nonetheless it's a fun kit. I hope the finger heals soon.

I figure to post some pics his coming weekend, I have misplaced my camera and am still searching for it.

All in all I am happy with my results.  There were some fit issues that I could not completely correct but such is life and it was my first attempt at something like this.