South Pacific Group Build 7 August 2006 to 7 August 2007

Scott-you're welcome.  And I look forward to your write-up as I've already painted the interior of my P-40 for this build(and broke the seat frame while trying to sand an attachment point.  Fortunatly, I had a resin seat left over from the CBI build).

 Joe-thanks. 

And thanks to all for running a great build.  This is one theater that I would like to see repeated in '08-I still have a couple of kits in the stash that I need to complete..

Okay, here are my pics prior to weathering. Hopefully I will start that this weekend, depends on the house chores(aka honey-do list).

and here is a shot of the True Details tire. It has good detail I just think they make their tires to flat.

Comments?

Espins, I was thinking about hooking my air compressor up to the tire, but I can't find the right attachment. LOL. Seriously though, they are in need of air, I think TD puts too much bulge in all their tires.

Bob, thanks for the compliments! Hopefully I'll be finished with this soon, kind of anxious to get other projects started.

Great looking work Stephen, the engine with the cowl removed really sets the build off nicely.

I agree with you on the True Details wheels, they are really nice to work with but they appear just too flat IMHO.  I always sand down the sides of the tyres before painting to remove some of the deflated look.

Cheers

Wow!! Have I been off the forum that long.  Unfortunately I have no new progress to report. I've been trying to figure out what kind of weathering to do on the P-61. Kind of hesitant as I don't want to mess up as I'm prone to do at this stage. I'll try and get into gear this week and see what happens.

Darson- I appreciate the comments, sorry it took so long to reply. I like your tip on sanding down the tire sides, may have to try that next time. True Details tires are too cost effective to give up on. Thanks again.

Hi guys, I'm a bit tentative about joining this GB because I'm just getting back into modelling and have committed to the Spitfire and FAA GBs already.  However, I have been inspired by your work so far and would like to lump in with a 1/48 Monogram B-25J hard nose (to be done as a Bats Outta Hell Air Apaches scheme).  However, I'm unsure whether I can get it done by August so I think it best just to be a fringe member of this GB!

If I decide on something else (smaller, like a 1/72 P-40), I'm in!

My fave theatre of the war because of its proximity to Australia.

Andy I've got to admit to a bit of a soft spot for both the PTO and the Nth African theatre as they had such a strong Aussie involvement and the fact that they are often neglected when compared with the ETO.

Cheers

The only thing that the PTO "lacks" is a jet fighter like the 262.  The Kikka notwithstanding or for that the Ohka either.  It is a wonderfully diverse subject.  I have a second submission for the build...

Hasegawa's old 1/72 KI43 Hayabusa.  I rescribed the panel lines and did my own masks for a field applied camoflague.  Hopefully I will be able post some time this week.

Andy in West Oz wrote:

Hi guys, I'm a bit tentative about joining this GB because I'm just getting back into modelling and have committed to the Spitfire and FAA GBs already.  However, I have been inspired by your work so far and would like to lump in with a 1/48 Monogram B-25J hard nose (to be done as a Bats Outta Hell Air Apaches scheme).  However, I'm unsure whether I can get it done by August so I think it best just to be a fringe member of this GB!

Andy-if you don't jump in with the B-25, maybe we could get an Allied Bomber (or such) GB going sometime in '08-I've got the Accurate Miniatures B-25C/D "Dirty Dora" kit sitting in the stash waiting for a reason (and the time)to be build.

Darren, I'm also keen on the North African scene because of the Aussie involvement but also because of the sheer scale of what was going on with Malta etc.  CBI gets me going too, maybe it's the relative obscurity or the extensive use of Beaufighters!

Bob, I just discovered the AM B25C/D in two LHS' in the past week and have fallen in love with it.  Got a soft spot for medium twins, especially the low-level gear.  Any GB I can be involved in with that, or my stashed B-26, I'm keen on.  Might limit myself to twins for the time being but I've got a Spit and an FAA Helldiver to build first!

Andy! I'd like to see you join the GB, but I understand about over commitment. I'm having a hard time with the three GBs I've joined. Thankfully they all have long finish dates.

Bob I like your Bomber GB idea, something opposite of the german one they have going now. I also have the Dirty Dora, love those AM kits. Lots of parts that i just like to look at every so often and go wow.

As for the P-61 still trudging along with the weathering, nothing to post pics of.

bobbaily wrote:

Stephen-If I don't commit to any more (well, many more) GB's and all goes well, I should be open for some projects for early/mid '08, depending on what opens up between now & then..  If so, I might try to get a "Allied Bomber" GB off the ground.  It sounds like we might be able to get a specialized B-25 GB going, if we tried.  I'll definatly keep it in mind.  I do the same as you-open the box, look at it & sigh, then put it back.....

I'd be up for that sometime next year as I have an Accurate Miniatures B-25 in the stash begging to be built. 

espins1 wrote:

bobbaily wrote: Stephen-If I don't commit to any more (well, many more) GB's and all goes well, I should be open for some projects for early/mid '08, depending on what opens up between now & then..  If so, I might try to get a "Allied Bomber" GB off the ground.  It sounds like we might be able to get a specialized B-25 GB going, if we tried.  I'll definatly keep it in mind.  I do the same as you-open the box, look at it & sigh, then put it back..... I'd be up for that sometime next year as I have an Accurate Miniatures B-25 in the stash begging to be built.

Thanks Stephen.  To heck with it, I'm in on this GB as well!  My love for low-level mediums in the Pacific in particular is just too strong!  The Spit GB is open-ended so that takes the pressure off a little but still building the Spit first!

Put me down for a Monogram 1/48 B-25J Mitchell.  You'll all no doubt be familiar with the Bats Outta Hell scheme (reckon most of you have modelled it!).  Am looking for some colour plates but came across this:

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/allies/us/cleaver25j.htm

Even though it is sort of late, could I join. I have an 1/72 airfix P-38 set aside and would like to get started.

David

ww2modeler wrote:

Even though it is sort of late, could I join. I have an 1/72 airfix P-38 set aside and would like to get started. David

You bet David!  aboard! 

I'll be starting up work again on my P-38 for this GB this week!  The cockpit is all finished, just need to get the fuselage and wing assemblies going. 

Howdy fellas!

David Welcome to our happy bunch!  Looking forward to your Lightning!

I have another submission for the build.  This is the "old" Hasegawa 1/72 Scale Ki-43 Hayabusa.  It has been sitting in my stash for quite some time so I just grabbed it and went to work.  It represents no specific aircraft at all, sorry for the departure, but just a generic Ki-43.  I rescribed the panel lines and made masks for the mottle from index cards.

PLEASE remember to post your completed workso I can add them to the first page.

Joe, at your request, I'm re-posting the pictures from my submission: