Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Hi all.

I'm new to the Forum, and recently returned to model building after a long term (15 years) away, but I saw this build and it just so happens that I've come back into the hobby with this great idea of building a whole bunch of US Navy aircraft from the mid 60's to present in 1/72 scale.

I pretty much have to build out of the box for financial reasons, but hey that's not always a bad thing is it?  :)   Anyways, I'm just finnishing off the last touches on a Fujimi A4B Skyhawk.

I saw this GB and thought ... hey wow, this would be fun.   So I guess what I'm asking is, can I join, please.  I know I'm a little late.

Not too sure what I'll build yet (assuming you kind folk will let me join) as I have a cupboard full of Fujimi A4s and A6s of various types (A4E, A4F, A4G - no good for this build but gotta love the camo scheme - , A6A, A6E, A6E TRAM, KA6D and an EA6A), as well as Hasegawa A1H Skyraider, all crying out for being built.  Of course if anyone knows where I could find a nice set of AM decals for a VF84 F14 and or F4, I could easily be convinced to go and purchase one of those (I took a look in the box of a new tool Hasegawa F14 at my LHS a few days back, very nice) instead and go down that path. 

So anyways, please let me join, my models won't be as absolutely stunning as some of the examples on here, but this is a fun hobby with a learning curve.  And if anyone happens to know where I can pick up VF84 markings in high-vis for a Tomcat, then that'll be my project, if not, it'll be something else from the stash listed above

Frank that kit of your is going absolute gang busters, great job so far on the engine and prop they both look great.  Tel me, when you wire up the engine do you connect the wires to the ignition ring first or to the silver cylinder things (yes I'm a mechanical genius ), enquiring minds want to know?  Also, did you use a semi gloss black for the prop colour as it looks very effective.

Kilo1-1 to the build and back to modeling.  As I'm sure the others will agree this build and modeling in general is about having fun first and foremost and the guys here are extremely friendly and supportive so don't be worried.  In terms of timing you are spot on this is an ongoing build and this year (starting April 1) we are focusing on USN & USMC birds, last year it was the Royal Nave Fleet Air Arm.

Check out Great Models or Squadron for your decals and by the way consider yourself joined .

Cheers

Well guys I have been playing around with the font, size & colour of the GB badge and have come up with the following. 

I couldn't resist the second one because I thought it was an awesome image and I'll be building a Hellcat for this GB later in the year.

OOOH, me likes the Hellcat Badge.  Nice one Darren .

Regards,  Rick

Thanks much Darren!  For the wires, I first measured out roughly how long each one needed to be.  There were four different lengths needed, so I cut nine of each.  Then I glued each one into the proper hole on the ignition loop thing (I'm a mechanical genius too ) and let it dry for a couple of hours.  Then, bent each one to the corrosponding spark plug and glued them in.  Tedious work I tell you!  For the prop color, I used my favorite black color- Tamiya Nato Black.  It has a grimey dirty look to it, perfect for tires and prop blades.

I like your new GB badge too! 

kilo1-1

to the GB, and to the forums!  There are a lot of friendly and talented modelers here.  Can't wait to see your stuff!  You say you're just getting back into the hobby and not sure about your stuff, but as long as you're having fun then you have succeeded!

First off, I would like to our two new GB members.  You will love this group. 

Frank, first rate work.

3 cheers for me, I now have the internet in the house which means I can chat with you guys more

newoldguy wrote:

Hey guys I know it has already started but could I join with a Hasegawa F-14A and if I feel motivated enough an F-18F would love to join and like rum.

Oops sorry about that Barry I completely skipped your post.   to the build, I'll be looking forward to checking out your Tomcat.

Roy congrats on having the Internet hooked up, frankly I don't know how you survived without it.

Frank muchos gracious for the explanation on the wiring I might have to give that a try (shudder).

Thanks Roy!

Darren- Give it a try!  All you need is some fine wire, small drill bit, a steady hand (no coffee while doing this!) and an optivisor!  Well, I need the optivisor to see what I'm doing...

Darren,

No biggie thats happens to me also, I will hopefully have some WIP pics up tomorrow.

Barry

Well, fun's over folks! Ole Leadbottom.....er, I mean Roy is back on line full-time! Who deserted and left him as Master-At-Arms?

J/K Roy.....happy to hear it!

Also to the new members!!!! You shall find that CAG (Tango 1) and Darren (the guy with the cricket bat) are most benevolent benefactors! (did I say that?!)

....and when they are away from the command.....well, some folks here have secret keys to the rum locker! Keep it under yer bustle mates!

Frankie!....motor is humming.....can't wait to see the overall paint/wash!!!!!

Thanks Nam.

Now if I can get every thing put away I could start on the basement hobby room

I (or should say we) have all felt the pain of relocationg. Be it across town or across the country! Glad another hurdle is out of the way! Annointed as the conscience of these GB's.....your counsel and rum key will be most welcome!

Sorry  Roy......Frankie has taught me to be bold in my comments!

It's great to be back

Now we need to get thios build going full force...."Kick the tires and light the fires".  I think it was Chuck Yeager that used that saying.

Good heavens!

There have been more posts here since I went out earlier this evening than there were all weekend! 

Roy- welcome back.  Would someone hand me their secret rum locker key?  Come on, I know you have one!  I think Roy's return warrants an extra ration. (Or, maybe two!

wyoroy wrote:

Frank, PM inbound.

 Hmmm... I don't see one.

Like your new avatar.

wyoroy wrote:

it's there, check now.

Hmmm...still nothing.

Can I not get up to use the head without senior officers trying to sneak a tot!??? XO your key is where you left it. Stand up and look at your chair! That's why it was so quiet all weekend.....between building and no key!

Lt(jg) Nam is heading back to bed. I have the day watch. Make a good example of yourselves ye denizens of other time-zones!

OOPS!!!

I accidentally glued it to my !  Never spill CA glue and then sit down in it.

Allrighty, rum all 'round!

Thanks for the help Nam!  Go to bed, we'll keep a weather eye on the helm.

Did some more work on the Corsair today, she's really coming along now!

Glued the office into the fuse, and started cleaning up the seams.  Back to work tomorrow, so not much more progress for a few days.

Thanks for the Welcome all.

And thanks for the leads on where to find the VF84 Decals.   I found plenty of F4 VF84 decal sets, nothing for the F14, however I did come accross a stash of Fujimi F14s with VF84 markings at an online store.  At this stage I may pick up one of those for the decals and mate them with a Hasegawa F14, or I may just build the Fujimi kit at the end of the day, I've just never seen on of their Kitty Cats in the flesh, so I dunno if the kits are any good or not.  As you can tell I'm really wanting to do a VF84 Tomcat for this build.  LOL  Those F4 Decals were looking mighty nice too, so I'm just debating doing both a VF84 F4 and F14, will update in a few days once I've given it some thought.  :)

Anyways, once again thanks for the warm welcome, I just completed my A4B last night, so I will try and get some sanps of it in the next couple of days and post em up here for a bit of motivation for all.

Daywalker wrote:

wyoroy wrote: it's there, check now. Hmmm...still nothing.

It should be there now I did a new one.

Roy,

Signal received and returned!

Some WIP pics sorry about the tint I can't seem toget my wifes camera figured out

Nice work on the pit.  Check the camera manual for setting White Balance BTW.

Regards,  Rick