Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Thanks for the welcome everyone. It's good to be back.

 Haven't been able to find a build yet. But, how hard would it be to convert a Spitfire to a SeaFire? Is there huge differences between the two? There'd be a tailhook to add, but what else.

 BTW, Darson, do you know what happened to that round the world GB? I remember doing the cockpit for it but never heard anything else after that...

 Cheers

Welcome to our GB, the more the merrier!  This is my first Gb as well, and from the way it's been going so far this looks to be a TON of fun!

pingtang wrote:

Thanks for the welcome everyone. It's good to be back.  Haven't been able to find a build yet. But, how hard would it be to convert a Spitfire to a SeaFire? Is there huge differences between the two? There'd be a tailhook to add, but what else.  BTW, Darson, do you know what happened to that round the world GB? I remember doing the cockpit for it but never heard anything else after that...  Cheers

Daniel,

It depends on how accuarate you want to be. If you want to convert a Mk.Vb to a Seafire L.III then some sugury is needed. You would need a conversion for sure. If you want something less complicated, try one of the Airfix kits. The early marks are not great kits but they can be made to look half way decent with a little TLC. The later Giffon engine kits are new toolings and very nice to work with.

Hope this helps. 

Wyoroy,

It's never too late to join us mad bunch of bar...........er nice model making all round good guys.

Its great to have you on board! Feel free to pop in anytime and join in the fun.

Now when you are ready, do let us know what model you will be building so I can add your details to our roll of honour on P.1

Also, pay very close attention to rule two of this Group Build.

Hey folks,

how's everyone doing? Happy and well I hope.

To my great surprise, I found myself with a day to myself so I hid away in the workshop and got  building.

Here's the state of play with my Hellcat. It has a few fit problems,but its nothing I can't handle.

I got the engine and cockpit installed and put the wings on. Here's some pics....

As well as that I did a bit more to the troublesome Lynx. Put all the small fiddly bits on with the landing gear and painted a few of the smaller parts,everything now sealed in with some gloss.

I hope all the masks have held, I'll be taking them off soon. Here's a look at the WIP.

Pretty fast work there Darren.  Is this a re-box of the Otaki/Arii kit?

Regards,  Rick

Darren-

Wow, you work fast!  That Hellcat is really coming along, and that Lynx is really shaping up!  Keep the pics coming.

And there's more.................

I got the undercarridge on my Spitfire today as well as a wash. I'm going for a subtle look so I will check it over again tomorrow before I seal it all in. I want it make sure I have'nt misse any bits before its too late. Also, I got the display base finished too. Not a great pic, but its shows what's going on.

rjkplasticmod wrote:

Pretty fast work there Darren.  Is this a re-box of the Otaki/Arii kit? Regards,  Rick

Thanks Rick, yes I think it is a re-box. I've had untold trouble trying to shoe-horn that cockpit in there! Still, the surface detail is really nice and it has the right "shape".

I hope I can make something nice out of it.

Daywalker wrote:

Darren- Wow, you work fast!  That Hellcat is really coming along, and that Lynx is really shaping up!  Keep the pics coming.

Cheers Frank! As you can see, I've been at it all day!

This may seem like a dumb question , but would a SBD of New Zealand be considered part of FAA group Build?  I have a Hasegawa kit of a SBD 1/48 with New Zealand markings.

Roy-

I'm not positive, but I am pretty sure that counts.

pingtang wrote:

Thanks for the welcome everyone. It's good to be back.  Haven't been able to find a build yet. But, how hard would it be to convert a Spitfire to a SeaFire? Is there huge differences between the two? There'd be a tailhook to add, but what else.  BTW, Darson, do you know what happened to that round the world GB? I remember doing the cockpit for it but never heard anything else after that...  Cheers

Daniel, to be honest I don't actually recall what happened to the round the world GB.  It was a while ago and I'm stretching the old grey cells but I remember there was a lot of backwards and forwards at the start and I recall doing the wheel wells but what happened to the build after that I have no idea. 

Oh yeah I have checked my stash just in case and I don't have the kit, sorry.

As to the differences between a Spitfire and a Seafire well depending on the model of Seafire you are wanting to build if you wanted to convert a Hase or Tam Spitfire Mk.Vb into a Seafire II or III then you’ll need: A C wing, tail hook & fuselage insert, blanking points, fuselage strengthening plates 6-stack exhaust slinging attachment points, spools and a 4-blade prop.

Alternately you could go for the Airfix offerings which as Darren said can be either rough and ready of excellent depending on the model.

Cheers

Ok even though I have already carved the wings of my Spitfire in preparation of the build starting I thought I'd post a shot of the bits and pieces that are all going to "fall together" to make a Seafire, I hope.

Also, this is a pic of the bird that I will be modeling although it will have the roundels over painted with a white star which was done as a means of identification over the beachhead during Operation Torch.

Darren the lynx is really starting shape up very nicely, great work.  The progress on the Hellcat is looking really good as well.  Tell me, what exactly is wrong with the fit of the cockpit to long or to wide or both???

Roy to the build, I'll be looking forward to seeing some of your work.

Cheers

Woah Mucker!!!  It's amazing what you were able to accomplish with one day off.  Wish I could get a day all to myself!    I know, I know... be careful what you wish for.

Darren and Daniel, as part of that Round the world group build I too do not know what became of it.  I still have the decals I bought secifically for that build so I know it didn't reach me.  I can't even remember who was all in the build to track it down.  Oh well, it was a great idea and would be worth trying again sometime. 

Darson-

That's quite an impressive collection of bits you have there!  Hmmm...I see Tamiya, MDC, Ultracast and Aeromaster- truly top shelf stuff!  Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Yes Darren I agree, your bits are most impressive!

To answer your question, I had to shave off a bit of plastic from the sides of the cockpit floor in order to get it into the fuselage correctly.

BTW ,Thanks to everyone for your kind  words about myWIP so far. 

I have decided on my group build subject.  I will be doing the Hasegawa 1/72 Corsair.  I found some FAA theme decals from Techmode.  I will also try Eduard's PE parts and mask.  Has anyone ever used Techmode decals?  What is the quality of them?

 Roy

Don't know if I mentioned it before but...........

There's 27 of us now!  

I think thats a good reason to celebrate.

Cheers!

How do you attach pics?

Roy-

Yes, the first thing to do is upload them to a hosting site such as Photobucket.com, then you can copy the URL address and paste it into the image url above.  Hope this helps!

Darren-

I got my roudels in the mail today, thanks buddy!  If I can ever return the favor, just ask!

I wanted to try uploading a pic.  This is just the test fit of my Corsair.