Revell Monogram Group Build!!!

Dave, looking great!  I have two  48 B-17Gs to build, well one actually and another that suffered an 8ft fall but is totally reparable.  I am planning on redoing the busted on in an OD green scheme and the other new on in a NMF, I've got a P-51 and P-38 to practice on first though.  So what marking are you going to do?  You've probably said but I have a horrible memory.

Looking forward to more pics!

Thanks for the comments, guys. 

jboutin - Your in for a handful doing two of these, lol.  I don't have that much patience.  This one is putting a strain on my modelling skills, but I guess that's not saying much cuz I'm not that great a modeller.  I like a challenge every once in a while, but dang, this is one hard model to make look decent.  I think it's saving grace is that it's so big most people overlook the details.  I'm definately going to have to do a nice, easy, fall together Tamiya or Hasegawa after this. 

I'm just using the kit's decals for Chow Hound.  I thought about getting some after-market decals and I still might, but I've built this model straight out-of-the-box and I'm not sure if it's going to turn out good enough to be worth spending the extra bucks on good decals.  I'll look and see what I can find, but it will have to be decals that match the same paint scheme as Chow Hound.

tryintomodel

outstanding b17g you got!  what the name of that bomber?  I have see that red tail somewhere in the book and couldnt remember the name of the bomber.  Keep it up! 

Great looking F-15 Mists, nice job. Really liking the looks of that B-17 also. Keep up the good work guy's

Steve

Silentmodeler - It's "Chow Hound".  The decals come with the Revell/Monogram 1/48 Kit.  But there are many with the red tail color scheme. 

Well, I figured "What the heck!".  I've never built a B-17 before, so what's wrong with using the kit's decals.  I found a reference photo of "Chow Hound" and it's definately got the de-icing boots that I was asking about in the main aircraft forum.  Therefore, I went ahead and masked and painted the de-icing boots.  I think she is just about ready for decals after a good future coat.

I am definately looking forward to seeing this baby finished.

Darwin, O.F.

Well, here's a few shots of my (second) first model.  It's been probably 20 years since I last completed a model, and when it was done back in those days, it meant it was time for some battle damage!!!

 Anyways, all OOB.  Open to comments, criticism, tips, advice, etc, and so on and on n on.

dave- never worry about too much pics! lovely progress on the fort. Ill be looking forward to the final product.

blunce- excellent P-51! that must've been quite a masking task for the OD and NMF seperation! for some reason, I like your dirty version better than the other moderately weathered Mustangs

Nice greasy, grimy mustang, there!  Good job on the build.

I hit a snag on the fort.  As I'm sure most of you saw on the aircraft forum, I'm trying to get ahold of another clear dome part that goes on the top of the nose section.  It appears I have several options to get another one other than buying a new kit.  Perhaps someone will have one they don't care to part with, but if not, I'll see if I can get one from R/M.  There part ordering section of their website is kinda strange, so I'm hoping I won't have to go that route.  If nothing else, someone pointed out that I can get a vacume formed one off of squadron for $3.

It's not bothering my progress yet.  I'm currently getting a good coat of future on before I start the decalling.  Hopefully, I'll get to the decals tonight or tomorrow. 

Blunce,

 Nice job on the mustang, and I must admit that I do not recall seeing such a paint scheme before, but I definitely like it!   As someone else commented, I also do not weather my kits nearly to the level that you have, but once again, it looks great.

TryintoModel,

I also noticed that revell-monogram changed their way of doing business on replacement parts a few years ago.  The one time that I had a problem, I simply called an 800 number, told them what was missing, and the replacement parts arrived in less than a week.  I think that now there is a charge for shipping, at a minimum, and I do not know how fast your parts will arrive.  All change is supposed to be good right?  Anyway, I would probably suggest going the Squadron route, as you may like their thin windows better than the stock parts from the box, and if you are ordering stuff from them anyway, the shipping cost will be part of your order already.

jin if you will allow it i would like to submit two entries into your group build.  the first is the revell/monogram p-51d, the markings will be one of the two out of the box.  not sure how much of the build will be detailed but we shall see.  the second will be the 1/48 b-17g, but i will be backdating the "g" into a "c" or "e" version.  it will have markings from the flight that arrived in hawaii durring the attack dec 7 1941. 

joe 

Scott, Blunce's P-51D is done in the kit markings which are for a 55th FG Mustang flown by Robert E Welch, according to the Kit Instructions.  BTW Blunce, I didn't mention it before, your 'stang is too weathered for my taste but a nice build none the less.  Welch was an ace with the 343rd FS with 6 EA shot down and 1 on the ground.  I have the same Monogram kit in my stash and I plan on using these markings but not building it for this GB.

The 55th FG markings were my favourite, especially with the fuselage done half in green.  In the last months of the war the green was omitted and just the yellow/green checkered nose band and unit tail colour was applied.  For those interested, you can get some great info on this FG and others at:

http://www.web-birds.com/8th/55/55th.htm

http://www.8thafhs.org/fighter/55fg.htm

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/

Well, I went ahead and tried the route of ordering the clear dome part for my B-17G from Revell.  I know I could have gotten a better part from squadron for probably the same price, but I have already prepared all of the other clear parts and many are already installed such as the cockpit windshield.  I guess the one piece I need doesn't need to be anything fancy.  Since this build is straight OOB and it's my first R/M B-17, it's not going to be that great.  Just tryin to put together something that will look good at first glance and that I'll be decently proud of. 

I got all of the decals on tonight.  I'm starting to wonder whether I should have used them all though.  Many of the smaller decals seem to stick out way too much and I don't see others using many of them on their builds.  Again, another learning experience and another reason I think I'll just have to put this kit in perspective for me.  I'll post some pictures after I get another coat of future on to seal in the decals.  Then it will be time for some weathering, exhaust and other stuff.  

Here she is after the decals.  Still need a coat of future before doing the weathering.

Well, I hit another snag.    For some reason, some cloudy rings appeared around some of the decals, namely the large star and bar on the top wing and the triangle A on the top of the other wing.  I assume it came from something on the Revell decals.  I have never had this problem before, but I haven't built to many old Revell models.  I coated the plane with nice coat of future.  After giving it a day to dry, I applied Microset to the area, placed the decal on and then snugged it down with Microsol.  These decals did not respond to the Microsol like most decals do, but I thought they went on ok.  When I was putting on another coat of future, I noticed the rings.  You only really see them from certain angles.  I decided I needed to try and fix it because it was too noticable.  After giving the future another day to dry, I masked off the decals and lightly painted over the rings.  It seemed to hide them ok.  However, when I took the masks off, the star and bar decal broke apart and most of it peeled off.  I thought that the mask wouldn't effect it since it was sealed in future, but I was wrong.  I had to order a replacement decal sheet from Revell.  There is not point mixing a good decal from a good aftermarket sheet in with these crappy ones, so I just order the same ole crappy Revell ones.  I definately should have bought a good aftermarket decal sheet in the first place.  I think it was a huge mistake using the kits decals.

I'm learning a lot of lessons from this build... the hard way...

Dave, the cloudy rings are the Microsol reacting with the Future. It is a strong chermical that has ammonia in it, and that breaks down Future. Usually, a second coat of Future will remove the rings, I'm not sure why it didn't, as it worked before with me.

When you get the second set of decals, try re-applying the Future again, this time a little thicker (a few extra coats) Once you have a glassy smooth finish, the decals should lay right down and -sol shouldn't be necessary.

Good luck Dave.  

Jay,

Thanks for the comments as well as the web links.  The two-tone pattern is pretty neat, and I may attempt something similar in the future on one of the P-51's in my stash.  I am surprised that I have not seen that scheme used at any of the model contests that I have attended, maybe I need to get out more.

first off let me say it is good to see so many folks taking the time to build these kits.  revell gets bashed so much but i like them.  

i am going to do a step by step type of build log that others do (and i enjoy looking at). 

step one is the construction of the pit minus the sidewalls.  this is about six hours of work all told with very little added on the side. 

added items.
-springs on either side of the seat.
-tinsil for seatbelts (minus buckles).
-spring base for antenna wire.
-added third box for radio equipment.
-stretched sprue for antenna wire.
-plastic rod for radio cables.
-side bars for seat.
-bars on either side of ip.










the second step is the sidewalls for the pit.  they are molded to the fuse halves.   i wont be adding many of the smaller wires to the radios.  not sure much of it will be seen but if i try there is a good chance i will mess up what work i have done already.





joe

Nice work, Joe.  I am anxious to see more.

Darwin, O.F. 

fightnJoe looking good keep the posts coming.

thanks for the kind words. 

ok step two.  

this is the installation of the pit as well as the mating of the fuse halves.  for me it started with the fixing of the antenna tension spring on the back of the seat and then the new antenna wire.  when i looked at ref pics i saw something interesting.  the antenna wire seemed to be a bit loose.  the black and white photos and then the pics of the restored bird show a wire that is not taut.  to that end i removed the sprue antenna and replaced it with a strand of copper wire.



the spring seems much better to me and the wire is a much better profile.  

next up is to paint the interior sides.




notice the antenna wire on the interior.  yes it will connect to the radio.



then the mating of the fuse halves.




now there is one piece that is not attached yet.  the scoop underneath.  i have to get the seam taken care of and then it will go on.  the canopy had to be put in place so that i could fasten the other end of the antenna.  

step three will be the wings.




joe

Joe,

The P-51 is coming along nicely.  In your previous posting, you mention the sometimes bad rep that Revell-Monogram has received.  I think that their motive has been to make the hobby accessible, thereby giving up a little in the detail arena in order to keep prices lower.  I must admit that since the Pro Modeler series came out in the 1990's, they have been doing a better job, especially with their new kits.  I picked up the new F/A-18E when it came out, and although it may be a little less detailed than the Hasegawa version, you can not beat the price.

F-106 update

I have the top and bottom fuselage together and the seams-chasms filled. the canopy is masked and the missiles are painted (I had to oil paint for the white portion, any idea how long it will take to dry?) I broke off the missile bay studs and may have a problem getting them back properly. All the panel lines have been rescribed. Would the Dart be better off glossy because I have never seen a photo of a dirty one. The weathering will be very light . I ordered decals from Eagle-Strike and they have arrived. I hope to be ready to post photos next week. I still have 2 days left to work for Richard and Henry Block. Then I will have about 20hrs free time a week. Everyones' builds are looking great. I hope this kit brings me up a notch on road to being a modeler rather than a kit builder.