Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Well, here we are on day 1!

Here are a couple of photos of my first project, the Tamiya 1/48 F4U-1D Corsair.  As you may recall, I tried to build this one for the FAAGB last year but ran into difficulties with the paint job and ended up scrapping the project.  I mananged to save a few finished bits, like the cockpit, engine and prop so the this baby is half FAA half FAW.

Frank,  looks like you're off & running at the starting gun .

 I'd like to thank both Darren's for making the FAA GB the best I've participated in.  Didn't think it could top the BoB Gb from a couple of years back, but it did.  Great work lads .

I'd also like to apologize for not finishing the Wyvern on time.  I have it about 95% done, but I realized the kit portrayal of the wing cannons was wrong.  After some more research, I determined what was needed to be done, but not an easy task on a nearly finished model.  I set it aside while I mulled the pros & cons of making the corrections & got started on other projects, so there it sits glaring at me.  I've decided to go ahead with the corrections, so I'll still either finish it soon or totally muck it up & bin it.

For this new phase going into the USN Fleet Air Wing, I'm still undecided, but leaning toward the Trumpeter 1/72 Vigilante.  God knows when I'll get to it though.

Regards,  Rick

Frank,

you are off to a roaring start! I'm sure this one will be a real head-turner.

Everyone,

thanks for your kind words. Its great to know you feel the same way as I do.

'Nuff said.

Roy,

great news my friend! I cannot wait to see the new hobby room. Let me know when you are settled in.

Rick, 'Nam,

Fella's-don't rush those FAA builds, we would really like to see them completed, when you are good and ready.

I still have one or two FAA builds in the stash, so I'm sure the Royal Navy will be making quite a few appearences over the next twelve months.

Here's to another good year!

Thanks Darren!

TANGO 1 wrote:

...I'm sure the Royal Navy will be making quite a few appearences over the next twelve months. Here's to another good year!

Me too, I have a couple I plan to do as well.

Frankie! Nice work so far on the Corsair! Crisp, fabulous paint and accessories!!!! Nice! I'll have to research and learn about your difficulties with paint the first time around. I may learn something!

CAG! Thanks for the dispensation! Will be working hard at the SeaGlad. Today it hit 60 degrees F here.....but had to work and I'm exhausted after marathon building the past couple days.

On a brighter note: The good ol' Military pension hit the bank overnight! Much paint still to buy. Never imagined getting back into the hobby from scratch would take this long or cost so much!

Thanks Nam!  As for the difficulties I had, I first tried using Aeromasters warbird paint (should've figured it wouldn't work as I have had NO luck with their decals!) then tried to hurry the paint session and ended up with VERY thick paint.  Sanded it down, then painted again.  Still wasn't happy with it, so I tried to restrip it and managed to beak off the wings.  AAARRRGGGHHH!!!  SO, I  gave up and parted it out.

The trouble was going on in June/July, but not sure what page it was.  The date should help!

Well, I'm incredibly interested in a USN GB although I can't possibly start for awhile.  I have 2 modern USN jets waiting to be built. 

But, guys, ya gotta break this out of the remnants of FAA GB.  It's just too darn confusing to figure what the heck is going on!  Frankly, the name change makes it worse.  This really deserves it's own thread to do it justice.  The regulars may "get it" but outsiders and particularly noobs won't.  Just my

OK, I respect your point.

The thing is, we had a discussion about this already and all concerned expressed their wish for this thread to continue with its new name. This has been a great GB thread and its members want it to continue.

I hope that doesn't put you off joining as we'd really like to have you on board.

Hey lads-here is a quick heads up on a new FAA decal sheet. Check it out here:

http://www.hyperscale.com/2008/reviews/decals/fsd48004previewbg_1.htm 

Darren-

Thanks for the head's up on the decal sheet, may just have to go and order a sheet!

As for the name change on the GB, I have to be honest and say I was a little sad yesterday morning to open up the GB topics and not the now familiar, and strangely comforting sight of the "Fleet Air Arm GB".  Although I like the new look, I guess I feel a little bit of nostalgia for the old "look."

But, as I said before, if the group wants it, then I am OK with it.  Cheers!

Hey fellas, look what the US Navy brought us- NAVY RUM!!!

I feel the same way frank does.  yet the new name is cool.  maybe put FAA in there somewhere?  Just an idea.

As soon as the room is complete i will post picks.

To be honest I thought about adding FAA and USMC to the title but it just came out as an unintelligible mess.  At least with the new title it gives people a clear and concise view about the main focus for this years builds.

When the title was changed I also added a note to entry 1 on page 1 to direct people to the updated instructions Daz posted on page 184. 

Cheers

TANGO 1 wrote:

OK, I respect your point. The thing is, we had a discussion about this already and all concerned expressed their wish for this thread to continue with its new name. This has been a great GB thread and its members want it to continue. I hope that doesn't put you off joining as we'd really like to have you on board.

But "all concerned" is just the small (relatively speaking) group of FAA GB regulars.  With your explanation, this now comes off as if you've built this exclusive little club here and you can't let it go.  Worse yet, at the expense of turning off others who may not figure out that you literally have a GB buried (185 pages!) in the remnants of another group build.  That little blurb on the first post isn't doing much either.   

What do you have to lose vs what could you gain?  More exposure equaling new participation?  

You know, in writting this I've made up my own mind.  With the personal titles, the in jokes (cripes enough with the rum already, it's Kremps part II), and the reluctance to let go of the old GB thread, I'm getting that nagging feeling myself or anyone else new would always be an outsider.  I think I'll pass, in the nicest way possible.

I wish the best for the success of your GB.

Arkii, I've been around these forums now for quite some time, as have you, and every once and awhile a number of people in a group build just click and get along really well with each other.  I've had the good fortune to be around a couple of these group builds and though I rarely feel like part of the "CORE" group it is nice to see the comradery that comes of it.  After a 185 pages of chatter you get to know the other guys, even share personal ups and downs, and yes it is hard to let go. 

Yes it is hard for someone to jump in at this point and I get your point Arki.  However, it is by no means intended to be exclusionary and I hope that people don't feel that way.  The post is there for anyone and everyone to view and participate if they so wish and my sincerest hope is that they feel welcome to do so.  If you look at other builds that have been successful like the In the Stash GB or the Secret Santa GB, even though they started a new thread for the second incarnation and may have gained (or lost) a few members it is still the same core group in each of those builds that keeps the thread going.  I don't see that it makes all that much difference.  

I have to admit guys that having the information for the current build buried in the third post after the completed FAA post is very confusing.  In light of these comments gentlemen may I make a suggestion that we rename the build as an ongoing Navy Group Build which focuses on a different theme each year.  Last year was the FAA, this year the USN/USMC and next year could be the IJN, French, Russian or whatever.  The Original post (Darson's) could lay down the rules for the overall theme followed by an explanation of the rules/time frame/participants of the current theme.  Lists of finished builds and past participants for previous themes would be at the bottom of the post or could be put (or left in the case of the FAA) in the second post (Darren's).  That way there would be more continuity in what we are doing and it would be less confusng for someone new.  Just a thought.

Oh... and about the Rum thing.  Most of the succesfull threads that I've seen have had some kind of light hearted banter that helps to break the ice (King Kenny for example in the IMSGB).  The Kremps thing, though highly entertaining, was indeed way over the top for the purposes of these forums.

BTW... I have a confession to make.  I haven't had a single alcoholic drink in about 25 years.  I've been slipping all my rum rations to Frankie in exchange for extra leave priviledges.  Thanks Frankie!

Dave, I could not have put it better.  I like your idea of a Navy GB with yearly themes, well done sir.  having the info on the 1st page makes sense.  I would like to think that I speak for everyone in saying that everyone is welcome to the build.  The more the better. 

BTW Dave are you going to be joining the build?  I hope so.

A suggestion for how page one could look:

Welcome to the NAVY AIR WING GROUP BUILD!

This GB started out in 2007 as the Fleet Air Arm Group Build and it was a great success. We the original members of this GB wanted it to continue in the same "building for fun" format that has kept us together for such a long time.

However, we also wanted to make newcomers feel welcome so this post is to explain just what it is that we do around here.

This Group Build is about Naval Aviation. In our first year (2007-2008) our theme was Fleet Air Arm aircraft, so anything that flew in Royal Navy markings was allowed.  Some of us are still building models on this theme and if anyone else would like to do so, they are most welcome. As this thread is still going strong, we decided to change the build theme yearly.

April 2008-April 2009. This year's theme:  

This years theme is United States Navy/United States Marine Corps aircraft. The GB is open to all, but we do have some rules around here.........

1. You shall build a model of an aircraft that has served with the US Navy or    USMC.

2. It can be any scale, build out of the box or add as much extra detail as you like.

3. You have to have fun! This is not the place where the rivet counters hang out-we kid around with each other here and don't take ourselves too seriously. We build for enjoyment, for fun.

If you like it here-join in! Tell us a bit about yourself, what you are going to build and we would be glad to have you on board.

Here is a roll call of who's building what around here:

Meet the crew! 

Admiral  Rjkplasticmod....(The  zen  jedi  master  of  kitbuilding " border="0" /> and Grand  dragon  commander  of the secret  tamiya temple. " border="0" />)

Tango1-C.A.G.-(on sale or return from the R.N. ! " border="0" />)......One or two of the following: Hellcat/Tigercat/Avenger/Corsair F4U/Helldiver/Crusader/Tomcat/A-7 CorsairII...............

Cmdr. Daywalker (X.O./Champion drinker" border="0" />" border="0" />).F4U-1D Corsair/F6F-3 Hellcat" border="0" />

Lt. Ruddrat (The man with a twinkle in his eye and a drink in each hand! " border="0" />)..1/48 F-4B VF-84 " border="0" /> and 1/48 Tamiya F4F-4 with resin goodies!" border="0" />" border="0" />

Capt. Wyoroy (The cool soothing voice of reason" border="0" />, international playboy" border="0" /> and ships quatermaster." border="0" />)........................... He'll tell us what he's building when he's ready." border="0" />

Lt.BobBaily (On a beach somewhere sipping rum and coke " border="0" />........1/48 A/M SBD-3

Lt. Chester 101  ( Special Ops. " border="0" />)............................1/48 F9F Panther 

Lt.Namrednef. (One of the US Navy's finest" border="0" />)  Mono 1/48th TBD Devastator.

Lt.Darson.(Master Wii warrior & cooks the best BBQ in the pacific!" border="0" />" border="0" />)1/48 A/M TBF-1C Avenger.

Darren, I love the look.  Now put it on the first page and we should be good to go.  I love the idea suggested by Dave that we have a yearly theme.  Very cool.

Oxford English: Very good show old chap.  (did I get that correct )

Absolutely correct old bean!

Glad you like the new look. If the rest of the crew are happy with it, we'll get this onto page one.

OK with me .  I'm getting forgetful though, do we have a new GB Badge for the USN ?

Regards,  Rick

I like it, let's do it!

Yep, looks good Darren.  I say post it! ...and for Rick's sake don't forget to post the new badge along with it.  

Oh... and you can add my name to the list too but I don't know what I'm building yet as there is nothing in the stash that fits the theme

OK, the new "welcome post" is now on page one. I still have to put a GB badge in there, I'll cobble one together for now and I'm sure someone round here will be able to sharpen it up for us!

Darren, would you mind deleting the very first post on page one? That would give the new build rules post a jump up to the top of the page 1.

Now, lets get back to building!

New GB badge done.

Feel free to modify it.

Hi everyone!

I know that you just changed to US Navy, but I have a Martlet I like to join with, for starters. Then I perhaps can continue with a F-14 for this new theme.

Cheers,

Azgaron