P-39 Airacobra Group Build

Jeff, Mucker... nice looking cockpits going there. I will update the website shortly.

Bud... MosquoitoCon is the contest/show my club chapter puts on each year. Decent venders and about 500 models lastyear.  Its in early April and about an hour north of me in Wayne but wrth the trip if oyu can make it. A bunch of guys from the FSM forum made it... I some people from here

Dave... glad you will get back to it.  Hope everything is ok.  It's like when the kids were small and they would scream for us... I would shout back..."Are you bleeding?"  ... "No"  ... "OK, just work it out in that case!"

Yeah Dave... I think I ahd to clip a tiny bit off the sides to get it in there... not much though.

BTW... excellent activiy on the thread today

Hey Guys all the builds are looking great, can't wait to seee them all finished.Marc I got a look at your website all I can say is wow.  I have searched but I can't seem to find how to add the group build badge maybe it is just my feeble 40+ year old mind.

Barry

Glad you like the site Barry.   To use the badge...go to the 1st page of the this thread and choose the size badge you want to use, right click it to save it somewhere on your PC.   Upload it to Photobucket, or whatever you use, just like any other photo file.  Click Update Profile near the top of the forum page and copy the IMG tag into the Signature box just like you're posting a pic in a thread.  Scroll down to save the changes and you should be good to go.

You should also note that I corrected the caption under your progress pic on the website.   I called you oldnewguy.  The difference is as plain as the nose on your face...sorry.   Along that line, my screen name should be...

Stilloldguygettingolderandfatterandmorebaldbutwhatcanidogettingoldjuststinks

mucker wrote:

davew6003 wrote:  davew6003 wrote: As a founding member of the "Progress Dogs" I can tell you that while I got off to a great start ,do to cicumstances beyond my control Progress was officialy halted wednsday at 6:00 pm central standard time. I will be holding a press conference later this week so I can relay any additional information on the situation. Untill then I would like to ask everyone to remain calm and double check your emergency supplies. As additional information becomes availible I will be compileing a report to be released after the press conference. I ask that any further questions be refered to our west coast office (hippy Ed). Thank you for your time. Official Progress Dog Press Release Wednesday at 6:00pm central standard time progress on Davew6003 P 39Q in 1/48 for the group build was halted. After an officail review of the situation and the facts contained in the investigation we have decided the following: The reason progress was halted is and shall remain Classified till further notice. Progress will resume on Saturday at 6:00 pm central standard time. Any questions regarding the situation should be addressed to the West coast office (Ed) Thank you for your time and patience regarding this matter. Oh no, Dave. I just saw the headlines scroll on CNN, and Geraldo goes on Fox News tonight with a ground breaking story on the "Davew6003 P-49Q". There's a mole in this GB...someone leaked the story. Not to mention any names, Hippy-Ed, but just how tight is the West Coast Office security? Hmmmm? I thought I heard waves in the background when the "anonymous source" was on tape telling the story...

Hmmm, I've got it being looked into. My Bat & I Luv to play "Mole-in-the-Hole"  Let 'im show his head I'll splat 'im good!!

OK, a wee bit more progress as I trudge my way through the seatbelt making progress (s "trudge" even a word?). I saw a picture of another P-39Q build and liked the idea of running wires to the radio. I maybe accused of heresy by some model-goers, as this idea was based on another person's build, not a picture. Oh well, I liked the idea.

 This is my first time to ever use wire, which I found quite easy if you can drill a hole to run it through, and will definately NOT be my last attempt. It's amazing how such a small addition can make an impact. If I have fine enough wire, I will maybe play around with brake lines.

Once I have the seat belts to where I like them, the fuselage and wings should move quickly.

Charles, that really looks nice.  Heresy?  Not to me.  Radios have wires. I will look at what other modelers do all the time and if it looks good, has a good shot at being correct and within my ability... I do it.  Since you were kind enough to send me that Helldiver canopy to try and copy, which I have boxed ready to send back, I would like to repay that kindness by offering you the extra seat of PE seat belts since I am using the resin seat below.

Now that the Boeing is done I can move to the Cobra.  I have the Cutting Edge resin pit for the Eduard kit.  Most of it is pretty nice... good detail.  The IP is not very cleanly molded so I am going to use the PE from the kit.  The floor and seat have nice detail... better than the kit.  Floor is about 1/8" short.  The nicest parts are the sidewalls that fit between the front edge of the door and the IP.  And the radio is just full of stuff.  The rear bulkhead has lightening holes with a more correct appearance.  Deep but not all the way through.  I drilled the holes through on my 1^st P-39 and it turned out to be wrong.  The holes are on the front of a square hollow tube.

Sure Dave, after the game. 

And Bud.... It's only half time.... there's A LOT of football left

wing_nut wrote:

And Bud.... It's only half time.... there's A LOT of football left

What did I say ????????????

Bud

wing_nut wrote:

Charles, that really looks nice.  Heresy?  Not to me.  Radios have wires. I will look at what other modelers do all the time and if it looks good, has a good shot at being correct and within my ability... I do it.  Since you were kind enough to send me that Helldiver canopy to try and copy, which I have boxed ready to send back, I would like to repay that kindness by offering you the extra seat of PE seat belts since I am using the resin seat below. Now that the Boeing is done I can move to the Cobra.  I have the Cutting Edge resin pit for the Eduard kit.  Most of it is pretty nice... good detail.  The IP is not very cleanly molded so I am going to use the PE from the kit.  The floor and seat have nice detail... better than the kit.  Floor is about 1/8" short.  The nicest parts are the sidewalls that fit between the front edge of the door and the IP.  And the radio is just full of stuff.  The rear bulkhead has lightening holes with a more correct appearance.  Deep but not all the way through.  I drilled the holes through on my 1st P-39 and it turned out to be wrong.  The holes are on the front of a square hollow tube.

Actually, Marc, that would be very kind of you, and I would happily accept your offer. Let me shoot you and e-mail, perhaps I can help you out a bit, too. Thank you. My Masking tape belts look like masking paint with tape and pencil marks on them. I call it "short, fat finger disease", of which I suffer.

I hear good revies on CE products and your pictures seem to support that. Are you satisfied with CE? How do they comapr to a True Details or Aires resin set? I think I am about ready to try resin. I have a Legend cockpit set for the La-7 that I hope to get to some time this year.

Dubau wrote:

wing_nut wrote: And Bud.... It's only half time.... there's A LOT of football left What did I say ???????????? Bud

That was preemptive since you were up at the half  Unless you are a Giants fan

davew6003 wrote:

Wing Nut can you post a closer or larger picture of the radio behind the seat? I might try and scratch build something like that. Once I saw yours the kit radio looks like @*#$. Thanks.

Yeah, it's kind of a wimpy rectangle...

Sorry to say this, I did not see the game

Bud

Dubau wrote:

Sorry to say this, I did not see the game Bud

Sorry to say this, I DID see the game  Lucky me, I actually got to see both local teams lose.

Here are some close ups of the radio rack.  I read somehting somewhere that said the radio configurations varied greatly and changed in the field as well so unless you have pics showing otherwise for the A/C you are building... go for it.

wing_nut wrote:

Jaypack, I alomost forgot.  Sorry but I ca't help onthe gun chargetrs.  Besides the PE that comes with the kit, I have a resin pit and I thought there was somne PE with that but there wasn't.  Do you still have at least omne so you can see what they look like to make new ones?  If not I can scan my fret and send you that.

It's OK. My AM dauntless told me that I can use his charging handles, since they weren't that visible anyway. They'll need a little modification, but they'll work. or, I have an extra PE set for the other kit, I could use those ones as templates.

My build progress is as follows:

The cockpit is 90% assempled and painted, except for the charging handles, throttle and IP, which I'll probably finish tonight.  The Prepainted PE sets are amazing! the Instrument faes are actually readable under a magnifying glass.

I'll try to get some progress pics up sometime this week.

Jaypack... if you want the handles they are yours.  I was looking at some cockpit photos and one of the pointed the fact the cowl guns had been removed... so no handles.  I realized the a/c I am building does not have any cowls guns... so no need for the charging handles.  Email me your address.

As far as the harness goes, it seems they were standard with the Y configuration.  But since they attached behind the seat and draped over a bar above the backrest, the Y part wouldn't be seen and will look like 2 straps hanging down separately.

Gentlemen:

For your reading pleasure...a side by side by side by side comparison:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/special/airacobra.shtml

mucker wrote:

Gentlemen: For your reading pleasure...a side by side by side by side comparison: http://www.cybermodeler.com/special/airacobra.shtml

How did I miss that one?  Thanks Charles.  The interesting bit I picked up form that is the IP on the Eduard kit being to far forward.  Now I see why the Cutting Edge panel has the instruments housings on the back.  Too bad the front is not that great.  I may sand it flat and use the PE and resin together and run some wires form the instruments.

The CE pit is after market made for the Edaurd kit... and the AccMin kit IS the Eduard tooling so it wil fit but it is an extra $18

And DING, You've got mail

wing_nut wrote:

mucker wrote: Gentlemen: For your reading pleasure...a side by side by side by side comparison: http://www.cybermodeler.com/special/airacobra.shtml   How did I miss that one?  Thanks Charles.  The interesting bit I picked up form that is the IP on the Eduard kit being to far forward.  Now I see why the Cutting Edge panel has the instruments housings on the back.  Too bad the front is not that great.  I may sand it flat and use the PE and resin together and run some wires form the instruments.

I love these forums because of all the information we can share. Also this is the first group build I have ever been in so Im having alot of fun with it. However the more you guys share the more complex my model gets and the more scratch building I must do and the longer its goin to take to finish. Ohh well it will be worth it. I think.

davew6003 wrote:

wing_nut wrote:  mucker wrote: Gentlemen: For your reading pleasure...a side by side by side by side comparison: http://www.cybermodeler.com/special/airacobra.shtml   How did I miss that one?  Thanks Charles.  The interesting bit I picked up form that is the IP on the Eduard kit being to far forward.  Now I see why the Cutting Edge panel has the instruments housings on the back.  Too bad the front is not that great.  I may sand it flat and use the PE and resin together and run some wires form the instruments. I love these forums because of all the information we can share. Also this is the first group build I have ever been in so Im having alot of fun with it. However the more you guys share the more complex my model gets and the more scratch building I must do and the longer its goin to take to finish. Ohh well it will be worth it. I think.

Well then, Git 'Er Done!!! Git busy then!!!

Hippy-Ed wrote:

Well then, Git 'Er Done!!! Git busy then!!!

Ahhhh mathmatics and Hippy-Ed... the 2 true constants in the universe.

You are right Dave... when the GB is about 1 specifc a/c you learn a lot about it.  Since this is your 1st... go nuts on the build... but don't let it ge to the point where you fell pressured to do all the stuff that flies arounf in here... no pun intended.  I let tha happen to me last year an I ended up pulling out of some of the GB's I was in.  I never want it to have feel like I have to build something... always should be want to. 

wing_nut wrote:

Jaypack... if you want the handles they are yours.  I was looking at some cockpit photos and one of the pointed the fact the cowl guns had been removed... so no handles.  I realized the a/c I am building does not have any cowls guns... so no need for the charging handles.  Email me your address.   As far as the harness goes, it seems they were standard with the Y configuration.  But since they attached behind the seat and draped over a bar above the backrest, the Y part wouldn't be seen and will look like 2 straps hanging down separately.

Well, I already added some replacement handles from styrene, but I know that they aren't all that accurate, so it'd be nice to have the PE ones. The email has been sent. Thank you SOOO much in advance, both for the handles, and the P-51 parts you sent me awhile back. Thanks for that bit on the harness, too. I looked at some pictures today, and now I know what you're talking about. Hopefully today I can get some pics posted.