Secret Santa- WWII Aviation GB

Coming along nicely Scott

I still say those clips look like some futuristic plastic eating thingy that the carpet monster made to feed itself

espins1 wrote:

I finally found some time to work on the P-38.  The I finished the seamwork on the booms and have attached them to the wing assemblies.  There will be lots of seamwork to be done where the booms attach to the wings, but it shouldn't be too difficult.

Love those clips espins1! you talk of lots of seamwork at the booms, how did the two bodies come together up front?  I have dry-fit two P-38s that I am working on, and that looks to be some future headache for me.

I finally found some time to work on the P-38.  The I finished the seamwork on the booms and have attached them to the wing assemblies. 

There will be lots of seamwork to be done where the booms attach to the wings, but it shouldn't be too difficult.

No....thank you. :)

 On the subject for next year, I am against the idea for wish lists for the reasons you mentioned.   I want to be surprised, and also I dont want to be limited in what I buy for somebody else.  I want to try and come up with something unique.

Second of all as far as subjects go I think a broader subject is better than a more limited one for the same reasons.  More variety and less repetition.

Early Us jets is cool, but depends on what you classify as 'early' or well end up with a dozen P-80's.  :)

Heres a few of my ideas:

 Desert Air...jets or props but fought in the desert somewhere.

Artic Air....same idea jets or props in snow cammo.

Ground Attack......Close air support fighters

All Bare metal finish.......LOL just kidding...dont want to give everybody a heart attack

Very nice work cj95! That's a great looking P-40.

Thanks for the kind words on the GB- I am so happy you've enjoyed it. 

Excellent job CJ! It sure looks the part.

No worries, my wife is no good with technical terms like "Corsair" either. It's more: "You know, the big blue one I like."

Miracle of Miracles!!!

After more than 6 months Im done with my 'Chop Chop' Plane!

For those that forgot, the P-40 Warhawk in FLying Tiger motif is my wife's favorite plane, although she only refers to it as the Chop Chop plane due to its teeth.

(P-40 is too technical to remember.)

At any rate enjoy, and tanks for this coolest of group builds!!

I took these pics early in the morning, which might explain the slighly foggy look to them.

I kinda like it.

brain44 wrote:

jwb wrote: Well, the date to get into it is passed..... the people who are in won't have an end date on their builds. But when SSGB2 rolls around- I'll let you know!   Count me in, Jon!  This has been a great group! Brian

How many more days till Christmas!   If it matters, we are getting snow up in the mountains about 45 miles from home.  What about the "Christmas in July" thing; it works for several Retail stores!

jwb wrote:

Well, the date to get into it is passed..... the people who are in won't have an end date on their builds. But when SSGB2 rolls around- I'll let you know!

Count me in, Jon!  This has been a great group!

Brian 

P-38J update - I'm just about done with the seam work on the twin booms and wings.  There will be some more seam work to do once I join the booms to the wings which shouldn't prove to be too difficult to handle.  I'll post some update pics once the booms have been attached. 

wing_nut wrote:

I agree.  The model I got was one that I would not have bought in a million years and I just love the thing.  It really stands out on the shelf and I find myself checking it out up there quite often.

Same goes for me: I didn't even know of the existance of such an aircraft; the only tank hunter I knew of was the Stuka.
Thanks for broadening my knowledge.

wing_nut wrote:

And speaking of kits that were picked out for someone else... Avus... that 129 is looking mighty fine.

Thanks, Marc!
Just like James (Mist086) I applied some new (for me) techniques like preshading and paneling and I must say i'm satisfied with the result.

Regarding the next SSGB as I said i'm definitively in.
I agree that there shouldn't be a whish-list but something like a limitation list. I myself asked not to be sent a bomber due to space problems (next year this won't be an issue, since I'm moving!)
I'm afraid there's nothing to be done about people dropping out; we might think of a way to "replace" their gifts somehow. Something like creating a fund, just an idea.

If you share your passion - you can not go wrong :). This is why I wish to participate in this group this Xmas :)

Greg 

DrewH wrote:

I had more fun picking something that my recipient (in my mind) didn't have and would likely not buy.

I agree.  The model I got was one that I would not have bought in a million years and I just love the thing.  It really stands out on the shelf and I find myself checking it out up there quite often.

And speaking of kits that were picked out for someone else... Avus... that 129 is looking mighty fine.

Jon and all, I liked the way things went this year. I agree with Jon on all the fun things, and the things that went not-so-fun. I made 3-4 great friends that I likely would not have. And built a great kit that I likely would not have even bought myself! That is what this was about. I sent a kit someone that they would not have bought either. Sheer surprize was better than having someone pick something off a list.

I can understand if someone with a good reason does not want to build a axis subject, or an allied one for that matter. But let's not go to "here's what I want," two or three aircraft that are that persons favorite. A theme would be fine. I liked the idea of everyone building the same scale too. That kept everything and everyone on an even field with similar details and size all around (Notice I didn't say fit). I know it excluded the dedicated 72 or 32 builder, but if this was a 72nd GB, I likely would not have joined and said "oh well." I build what I build and would not ask someone to change the rules to suit me.

I had more fun picking something that my recipient (in my mind) didn't have and would likely not buy. A kind of evil I suppose, but fun!! Than it's getting that "Mystery" kit - one or four engines, allied, axis (could be more than one - Japan and Italy were axis remember) or something civilian. So it's not in your genre - is it that big a deal.

mph34 wrote:

jwb wrote: (And by the way..... times a flyin'..... SSGB2 might just be around the corner.... )  Is it too early to put our towards the subject matter?  This past year was WWII.  Do we want to stick with that?  Or do we want to try something different?  My neice the other day (who is 16) was signing Christmas carols and was already making gift ideas.....

PM me if you have ideas. I'm trying to cook up some ideas to make it a little different, to really focus on the giving aspect of it, make it a bit more fun and open, and to try and avoid some of the (minor) issues that cropped up last year.

Some of the fun stuff:

• Quite a few folks suggested wish lists, etc. My thought was wish lists could cause two things- one, no one would be surprised (what fun is that?) and two, wish lists could put some folks under financial stress (A Tamiya wish list is much different than a Revell wish list). Still, I think a general list might be a decent option. Say time period and "side" preference? (Sides meaning something like "WWII Axis" or "Early US jets")
• Allowance for scale preference- somewhat tied to the above..... makes sense I believe
  
• More emphasis on the friendship aspect of it- pictures, cards, etc. A few folks really went all out on that, and their recipients appreciated it.

Some of the not-so-fun stuff:

• A few people dropped out without letting me know, which resulted in a last minute scramble to find pinch hitters. Thankfully many stepped up to fill the gap (you now who y'all are and THANK YOU again!), but it meant a few folks got their gifts late. I know "life comes at you fast", but it's important to keep commitments.... even little ones.
  
• I worried I started sounding more like a nag than someone in on the fun. In a few instances, it was really hard to get someone to just say "Yeah I'm in" or "No, I over-committed" or "Yes, it's in the mail- leave me a lone." I hated playing the "bad guy" role.

The fun results:

• Some really cool models were built and are still being built
• I think the GB really started some new friendships and strengthened existing ones, and drew many of the GB members together. (Group hug!)
• It was a lot of fun, I think, for everyone
  

So all of that is going into my planning for SSGB2. Let me know what you think, and what you liked and what you didn't like.

Again- thanks to everyone who has made this GB a success. It's done exactly what I wanted- brought people together to have fun. the fact that some plastic got glued together is just a bonus in my thinking.  

gzt wrote:

jwb wrote: Hey all- I'm so amazed to see this GB still going along strong. Someone emailed me about the end date.... and it made me realize there's no need for one! Rule change- no end date! No reason to have one. (And by the way..... times a flyin'..... SSGB2 might just be around the corner.... )  OK, so I am signing up ! Please take my name into the list :) It is a great idea and I am sure we will have fuin this year :) PM with address is OK ? Greg

Well, the date to get into it is passed..... the people who are in won't have an end date on their builds.

But when SSGB2 rolls around- I'll let you know!  

jwb wrote:

(And by the way..... times a flyin'..... SSGB2 might just be around the corner.... )

Is it too early to put our towards the subject matter?  This past year was WWII.  Do we want to stick with that?  Or do we want to try something different?  My neice the other day (who is 16) was signing Christmas carols and was already making gift ideas.....

jwb wrote:

Rule change- no end date!

GREAT NEWS! I'm close to completing but due to other things I'm busy with (moving!) I was afraid I wouldn't do it.

jwb wrote:

(And by the way..... times a flyin'..... SSGB2 might just be around the corner.... )

You can already count me in!

And now ... new progress pics! Finished paneling and worked ont the gun and bombs (no pics of that):

jwb wrote:

Hey all- I'm so amazed to see this GB still going along strong. Someone emailed me about the end date.... and it made me realize there's no need for one! Rule change- no end date! No reason to have one. (And by the way..... times a flyin'..... SSGB2 might just be around the corner.... )

OK, so I am signing up ! Please take my name into the list :)

It is a great idea and I am sure we will have fuin this year :)

PM with address is OK ?

Greg 

There's going to be lot's of seamwork to do on this baby.  I test fitted the booms to the wings, the fit is good, but the seams will need some work.  I can do that stuff in front of the TV this week. 

Hey all-

I'm so amazed to see this GB still going along strong. Someone emailed me about the end date.... and it made me realize there's no need for one! Rule change- no end date! No reason to have one.

(And by the way..... times a flyin'..... SSGB2 might just be around the corner.... ) 

The tail booms have been glued together and are clamped waiting for the glue to set.  Next up, the fun part..... attaching the booms and tail section, hopefully I can get the alignment right! 

A thought just occured to me, I think I should to the seam work on the booms and wings before I attach them.

espins1 wrote:

I have a box of miscellaneous fishing weights that my wife picked up for me last year, which hopefully will do the trick.  I haven't done a kit with a nose wheel since I was a kid, so I want to make sure I'm not going to have any problems.

Don't use Epoxy as it will melt the plastic some (I learned this the hard way).  5 min. CA glue I have found to work best.  And those fishing weights can be "hammered & pressed into submission" to fit the space.

As a skill building exercise, I'm going to do my best to take care of the seam work without damaging any of the raised rivets and panel lines.  I've seen several tricks lately, so this is as good a time as any to try them. 

I have a box of miscellaneous fishing weights that my wife picked up for me last year, which hopefully will do the trick.  I haven't done a kit with a nose wheel since I was a kid, so I want to make sure I'm not going to have any problems.

brain44 wrote:

espins1 wrote: Has anyone build the 1/48 Revell/Monogram P-38J before?  It has a plastic support molded to the tail of one of the booms which I'd like to remove, but obviously would need to stuff some weights in the nose.  My only concern is would I be able to stuff enough weight in the nose to keep it off it's tail?  Enquiring minds wanna know.  Scott,  I did that one last year - I used the little folding ladder in the rear of the fuselage as a prop stand.  Just made a little "dirt mound" under it, works like a champ!  I figured it would take a serious amount of weight in the nose and wasn't sure that I could get that much into it..... Brian

I have THREE of those in some state of build right now.  I intend to build the "J" model, the "M" model (2 man night fighter), and the F-5 (photo recon).  I was thinking of using the metal weights that RC airplane builders use to weight their wing tips with.  But that would mean that I can't have the gun bays (or camera bays) open.  One time I saw a diorama done with a wire (hidden) coming out of the nose wheel and into the wood base.

Don't get too wrapped up with the rivits and raised panels on this kit.  I am taking the route of sanding them all off, and then dealing with the detailing if the mood hits me.

All this progress makes my heart feel good. Great work, everyone!

I've been working on my Bf 109E. It's a nice little kit. I'll try to take some pictures soon!

Scott, try buying lead fishing weights in a couple sizes and cram them into the nacelles and every bit of nose you can. have pliers and a hammer ready! 

espins1 wrote:

Has anyone build the 1/48 Revell/Monogram P-38J before?  It has a plastic support molded to the tail of one of the booms which I'd like to remove, but obviously would need to stuff some weights in the nose.  My only concern is would I be able to stuff enough weight in the nose to keep it off it's tail?  Enquiring minds wanna know.

Scott,  I did that one last year - I used the little folding ladder in the rear of the fuselage as a prop stand.  Just made a little "dirt mound" under it, works like a champ!  I figured it would take a serious amount of weight in the nose and wasn't sure that I could get that much into it.....

Brian