Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Bondo! So glad we have others to whip.......forgot about your upcoming trip.....well, more rum for us!

If you run into my EX......get my Class ring back!

Honestly, take care and have fun! 

So much to reply to!

That is a strange looking Goose......no disrespect to the Czechs..........but asymmetrical wings? I'm not buying that!

Great job for what you have there Aaron.....but even the hull looks skewed to oneside....yes and I am guilty of suggesting the yellow color. But you have done a fine job on what looks like a very tough kit! And you haven't sent it sailing.

_jacob_ your Wildcat is coming along....please tell us about all the Q-Tips?....your paint might be a bit thick....but it's getting there.

Have a safe trip and an even safer return Bondo!!!! Have FUNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

Aaron, I think just a lil bit of exhaust stain might do the trick. Looking great!!!!!

 Holy cow I totally missed the part about Italy! Rome and stuff. As for the question on the wing diff. It is the panels are diff. Doesnt show too well throughthe yellow wiyh my crappy camera.

I shall miss ye you scoundral be safe and let the time pass quickly unless you are enjoying yerself. Don't volunteer for the coliseum! Stay in the catacombs! Most of all when in Rome do as the Romans do! Heck now I gotta watch Gladiator! Thanks a bunch! Be safe have fun and will look forward to your return!

 Ah not asleep still pounding away. Here I thought this was going to be a quick build. Done about all I can for now out of fear of touching the wet paint. Going to cover her up again and dry for a while. I need to get a good cure so I can gloss coat her one last time and seal the decals in. They are from Aero master and laid down well on the gloss paint. I did have to use a bit of setting solution on some of the longer thin yellow lines. Just too many contours and curves for them not to bulge and bubble.

Well now I'm jibbered Bondo? I redid the yellow in chrom yellow. The Tamiya reacted badly to the Mr Surfacer primer and totally orange peeled. Had to redo it all and was glad as the new Chrome Yellow is an exact match for the decal color and the Tamiya was not.

After the final gloss coat all that is really left is to scratch a round directional antenna and paint a few of the resin details like the exhaust and intakes. I don't care what they tell ya it isn't a shake and bake that is for sure!

 Any suggestions on weathering? Wash?  Semigloss or just leave it be.

sfcmac wrote:

Hey Raider 83! Sounds like you are your own worst critic.  Can't await to see it! Jacob has put on the Future! That is always a fun step! Well  Since I did all that gabbing I want to show you what I have been piddling with.  This 1/48 Grumman Goose by Czech Models is by far the most colorful scheme I have ever attempted. It represents a Utility Aircraft in Hawaii during the Pearl Harbor attack. One of the few still in Neutrality colors.  Guess they needed it to be visable. Had some camera issues trying to get close. ( for Nam) As his one good eye is very nearsighted) Getting this close kinda warps the picture. Some things look twisted and one tail stabilizer higher than the other. Horrified I checked the model but it isn't the case. Everything  is even and straight. Whew. Must be the lens effect or something. Whew Again!  The Canopy? Glass part is a total pain. I had to basically re carve the side windows to make them get even close. It is a two piece job split down the center but my two halfs didn't line up well at all.  So after much toiling This is what I came up with. The rough edges will level out and dry smooth as I gradually filled them with clear parts cement and once touch up painted it should be passable. Now the last pic I wanted to share is another oddity I found. Noticed this while decaling. The left and right sides of the wing are different. The top was all one single piece so a build error isn't the culprit. They are molded diff? Maybe they were? Had to measure the spots for the insignia carefully as the panels are not a reference. Well there it is so far. Fire away! Need the sunglasses to look at this thing!  Hey Ritchie almost missed it. I am like almost positive the F-5 was destroyed. Probably the only reason it was intact at the photo time was because since it was at the Airport they didn't blow it in place to minimize damage to the airport infrastructure. So many trophey vehicles were brought to the USA after the 1st Gulf War not many are coming back now as they are just more of the same.

Prop planes in general and often have different wings, in order to counteract the airscrew.

But I don't see the diff- please inform.

Usually it's a larger aileron.

Great a/c model my friend.

In' af' th' lot' o' ye' be asleep wit' the young' uns' it's a pity tha' ye' weren't on deck just now.

I'm a tired and true but may not be a part o' th' company for much more, as I'm off te' Rome fer a month.

I'll be a sconsing the LHS in that fair city an we'll see what we get!

Yer faithful correspondent in Itay-Bondovius the IV.

Aaron and Jacob, Your birds are coming along very nicely!!!!

Hate to know that most of the planes found over there are being destroyed!!!

A little progress on the Corsair I will call the Cockpit finished. Am know working on the engine. Wrapping a plastic strip around my X-acto handle and then sand it to the right thickness, attach and drill for wires. Will get a couple pics up soon of the office.

To what's left of the weekend Mates!!!!

 Hey Raider 83! Sounds like you are your own worst critic.  Can't await to see it! Jacob has put on the Future! That is always a fun step! Well  Since I did all that gabbing I want to show you what I have been piddling with.  This 1/48 Grumman Goose by Czech Models is by far the most colorful scheme I have ever attempted. It represents a Utility Aircraft in Hawaii during the Pearl Harbor attack. One of the few still in Neutrality colors.  Guess they needed it to be visable.

Had some camera issues trying to get close. ( for Nam) As his one good eye is very nearsighted) Getting this close kinda warps the picture. Some things look twisted and one tail stabilizer higher than the other. Horrified I checked the model but it isn't the case. Everything  is even and straight. Whew. Must be the lens effect or something. Whew Again!

 The Canopy? Glass part is a total pain. I had to basically re carve the side windows to make them get even close. It is a two piece job split down the center but my two halfs didn't line up well at all.  So after much toiling This is what I came up with.

The rough edges will level out and dry smooth as I gradually filled them with clear parts cement and once touch up painted it should be passable.

Now the last pic I wanted to share is another oddity I found. Noticed this while decaling. The left and right sides of the wing are different. The top was all one single piece so a build error isn't the culprit. They are molded diff? Maybe they were? Had to measure the spots for the insignia carefully as the panels are not a reference.

Well there it is so far. Fire away! Need the sunglasses to look at this thing!

 Hey Ritchie almost missed it. I am like almost positive the F-5 was destroyed. Probably the only reason it was intact at the photo time was because since it was at the Airport they didn't blow it in place to minimize damage to the airport infrastructure. So many trophey vehicles were brought to the USA after the 1st Gulf War not many are coming back now as they are just more of the same.

Looks good jacob.

I finally got some time to work today. the camo is done and its all blue and beautiful. Unfortunately, I have some not so beautiful orange peels. I seem to have a small problem with these as they have happened on other builds of mine. I did put a coat of primer, but it may not have been thick enough. I actually have a spot or two that are in the middle of one color that will be easy to fix, but the tricky ones are the ones right on a line. Ughh. Also, the peeling seemed to be worst on the flat white. Is that a coincidence? Besides that though, I'm happy with how it came out.

thanks sfcmac!

I'll probably touch it up with a brush, but i'll try some of those techniques on my next model(a shinden)

it's an atlantic scheme.  I'm trying to build it like the Wildcat in Paul Boyer's book "building and displaying scale model aircraft"

_jacob_ wrote:

just finished painting my wildcat.  sorry about the bad lighting, ill get another pics soon now I just have to decal, put on the canopy and gear and its done!

 That's a 1/72 scale cat right jacob? A couple things are sticking out at me which can be easy fixes.  I'm looking at  a couple odd spots or lumpyness in the paint. Just behind the cowling and along the spine. Also a pretty thick line where the masking was. Looks like a little bleeding occurred under the mask as well. 

What I do is get a cup of water after it is dry and a cheap two sided emory board or fingernail file. Wet the spots that are rough and sand lightly in a circular motion with the fine side.  This wet sanding will smooth out the glue / paint spots. The lines look recessed so as long as it is a light less is more approach shouldn't be an issue.  A couple spurts of color from your brush and there gone.

Using the regular tape is fine but it does tend to bleed under easy.

To get a softer looking line I would use a note card or regular note book paper and cut out the curves and tape just above it leving about an 1/8 inch or so of paper just laying.

A down ward spray and it should cover and soften the edge and cover the bleed through.

Frank ( Day Walker gets an awesome effect by rolling a putty or blue tak into little snakes and useing that as an edge  for masking. Lots of methods.

I haven't seen a Hellcat In those colors is that an Atlantic scheme or British?

Pretty cool progress and it's going to be a great addition to this GB! If you knew what I was doing to my Goose now you'd be laughing and pointing at me.

namrednef wrote:

bondoman wrote:   Ted Nugent? No sir, no way.  AARRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHH!!   Respectin' yer religions! I not be a huge NUGE fan....but 'e eats what 'e kills.....and has his politics right! No disrespect intended!

There was a good episode on one of my favorite shows: "No reservations" on the Travel Channel, with Anthony Bourdain. Come to think of it, Nam he looks a lot like you!

Anyways he went down to Texas? where El Nugent lives, shot all kinds of guns including the M60, and then had a big barbeque, plus went roadhousing and had a mans breakfast the next day. Nugent seemed like a decent enough fellow, in that context.

just finished painting my wildcat.  sorry about the bad lighting, ill get another pics soon

now I just have to decal, put on the canopy and gear and its done!

bondoman wrote:

Ted Nugent? No sir, no way.  AARRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHH!!

Respectin' yer religions! I not be a huge NUGE fan....but 'e eats what 'e kills.....and has his politics right!

No disrespect intended! 

 That's funny Bondo! Ted Nudgent was a sarcastic statement to get ya to come too an be alert! But then everyone has God given talents. That man may well be the next Secretary of Defense. I will shy away from politics but just wanted to get a dig in just to see the expression on yer face!!

On the bright side I have 1/2 the decals done on the goose. Should be finished today if all goes well!

Aye mates yer a sad but fine lot. I had the 1 to 2 am slot for First Friday Vigil this mornin', (yes I'm a Papist) an no sense in bein' in the direct presence of the Lord wit' a snoot full, so I'm uncharacteristicly bright and bushy tailed this Saturday a.m. Be beware of sudden squalls, reef yer sails an' keep away from a lee shore as I'll be out in force soonest.

Ted Nugent? No sir, no way. That's as scurvy an individual as ye'll ever meet on the docks in Marseilles, I reckon. I'll stoop as low as Sammy Hagar, but thats as low as she goes.

 AARRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHH!!

Aaaarrrrrrggghhhhhhhh!....but witches morn? I awakes to fine carcass alayin' in the bilge a fine lookin' WIP on me chest, no rum and naught but paintin' fumes to comforts me!

Ship be rollin' abelly to the troughs.....no wonders I woke! Methinks.....(sniffffffffffff) we be nearin' the Cape of North Carolina.....mebbe on the skirts of the Hannah.....I shall get the canvas up and down as need be.....but needs someone to mind the wheel!

Ye new LT's wit yer new ranks and finery.....gets yer backsides on deck and wake the crew!

I be headed to the topsa'l to takes 'em down afore the wind does.....we needs another foresheet to catch the wind to help turn us! Must get away from this shoal waters!

Rum locker is open for thems who pitch in, ye scurvy dogs!

AAARRRRG! The Canonade be ready an the rum locker booby trapped for all ye mutanous treachous hive of scum an villanery! We must be cautious.  Been workin on the Landing gear of the Goose. Very challenging to be in a nice an proper contex! None so fair as they can compare with the powder and ball of a good gun. I did not know Bondo was a Ted Nugent fan?  EE'r since the XO been awarded the Blue Max the rum been slower than it's molasses growing in a January winter.

An Nam be the unwary victim of Barney and a work load. Will pull into shore and find some fresh fruits and spirits only to find empty bottles? Down to wine. Something called Two Hands from Austrailia and proud of it they are as it goes for near a C note per bottle.  Did a fine job with the ladies but the final product yielded is still what you can Pee ! To The morn we sail!

 A likely excuse I expect to hear but expect no mercy! Caught him trying to make off with the rum key! Claimed he was the XO's dentist. But no more I say dead men tell no tales!

Cannon Hmmmm.

I second and third the motion for more drink!!!!! I'm empty!!!!!

If unavailable , I will settle for Bacardi or Ron Rico. 'Tis the weekend mates!!!!!!!! Drink and be merry!!! Hang on!!!!!!!! Where is Mary!!!!?????

methinks it be time ta' snek roun' the occifers an' get THE KEY. SSSHHH!!!

Gluggg! Nam go trick their Offalnesses XO, CAG and what's is' name ta be on the poop deck fer libations, and join em' for the group shot, an'sfmac get that carronade primed, trained and set for same!

There's mutiny abord' if ye' aint so lily liver'd as cain't hold a pistol ta' an occifer, an dam yer eyes!

We want drink!!

Surfeit o' lutnants I'd say but that's the CAG's call and we'll treat em' well, won't we! Surly I've been called and mean, but it's a RUM ship and it be Friday soonest and there's a need for RUM.

Where's Roger?

Aaron, I think I would have had to do it Apocalypse style with 'Ride of the Valkyrie' !!! The goose is warming up mate! Almost cooked! That missing wire is like one of the levers in my pit! It just vanished!!! Subsequently I found it later on the bench. I looked at it, and just put it away as the replacement I scrounged looked better anyway. Hope you find your pre-formed wire, otherwise its refitting after installation!

I have been very busy and am looking forward to some quality hours at the bench!!! I have had the DC-6 on the back burner and want to progress but, I really want to get my bent-wing bird built. Will do what I can with both as the latest might be later this month with the PE for the 'bag. I swear I prolly will go on a binge build when I get those bits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Razor, thats a fine looking bench shaping up there!!!!!!!!!! Dedicated space that some envy is to be savoured no matter the material its made from!!!!!!!

Aaron, the Goose is looking really er... bright!!!  Seriously, it is looking awesome!  keep up the good work.

On my front, I made some progress towards getting back to the bench...  I actually have a bench now.  Just a cheap walmartish type particle board thingy but it was the perfect size.  I still have to put the backing on and the keyboard tray which I plan to convert to a paint bottle holder.

Display case has been set up for a few weeks now but this is the first picture I've taken.

Just a few odds and ends to finish up with the reno's and then I hope to get some quality time with the new bench.

Yes Aaron, The 'Thing' is shaping nicely! Great job with the float wires! Thanks for the close-ups!

The SBD......my scratchbuilt LG leg fell apart on me twice while trying to glue in place....finally gave that one up and got lucky stretching a sprue today and managed to make a piece of proper length with all 3 diameters I was seeking.......I should have the morphodite leg on the fuse w/ wheel tonight........

Canopy is painted and then I can go to town!.....and resurrect the SBD build thread! 

In spite of the trials & tribulations, it's looking good Aaron.  Keep on truckin.

Regards,  Rick

All right Nam! Lets get closer and I'll show you some of the tricky areas and issues.  Here is one close enough to see the dust and lint setling on it. Don't worry it is dry enough to just blow off.

 This is the tail part that gave me the trouble. The entire thing formed bubbles and looked like a wedge of cheese.  I actually had to polish it out the same way you would polish a scratch out of a clear canopy. The fit to the fuselage is also very tricky. Being a limited run kit with no positioning guides you must exercise extreme caution in all fitting of parts. Way too easy to get something off set or crooked.  Pluse there are these counter weights and lower braces that have to be test fitted in the process.  On of those events where you just don't have enough hands.

 The wing floats are also most annoying. Again no positioning guides or holes. Even drilling my own they remain very flexible which is an issue for the stay wires which must be added. I was going to use fine wire but found it near impossible to keep it from bending in the process.  Even when I'd get them right one little bump or flex to the float would bend them and wreck the effect.  So I ate crow and drilled holes into the floats. Measured the stays from the diagram and simple slide the stretched sprue  through the hole.  Not the best but at least it is sturdy.

 The leading and trailing wing edges are a night mare. They were way thick and had to be thinned. Again the lack of positioning guides and mis matched parts caused for some laborious filling and  sanding at the join seams. Think you got them all and a coat of paint reveals otherwise. Also seems like a lost a wire to one of my pistons? Hmmm gotta fix that.

 Now these are pics with your nose right on the plane. It actually is looking pretty sharp just holding and looking at it. Even the  apparent thickness of the sprue on the wing floats is not as bad as the photo's make it seem. Over all I am getting there bit by bit.

Ok Nam your turn wheres the SBD?

sfcmac wrote:

Congrats to ya then Thuds! Ye will have to fergive the scurvy Nam. He has not been hisself since engaging in mortal battle with the said Monogram SBD! However needing little reason to celebrate I'm all for it! Congrats for not having a baby! Now to the more morbod matters. I think I have defeated the Yellow paint monster. It has been an epic battle such has not been seen since Beowulf and Grendal! David and Goliath! Nam and Bondo over the last backwash o' rum ( you get the point) Here are a few pics to show what she be looking like as I impatiently await a proper drying and cure before attempting a some what complex decaling. OOOOOOOOOOOOOO SHINEY! I am afraid to show you wait I be doing to the poor Ventura! Looks like Modeling Jack the Ripper style. Lots of scratch building which makes for a slow progress but I am hoping to make a 1/48 scale aircraft worthy of this forums fine crew!

Oh Heck! It looks great! You stood far enough back on your pics!

Seriously, it looks fine! Happy the yellow came out okay!

Congrats to ya then Thuds! Ye will have to fergive the scurvy Nam. He has not been hisself since engaging in mortal battle with the said Monogram SBD! However needing little reason to celebrate I'm all for it! Congrats for not having a baby!

Now to the more morbid matters. I think I have defeated the Yellow paint monster. It has been an epic battle such has not been seen since Beowulf and Grendal! David and Goliath! Nam and Bondo over the last backwash o' rum ( you get the point) Here are a few pics to show what she be looking like as I impatiently await a proper drying and cure before attempting a some what complex decaling. OOOOOOOOOOOOOO SHINEY! This is the 1/48  Czech Model Grumman JRF Goose in at Wheeler Field, 1941. 

I am afraid to show you wait I be doing to the poor Ventura! Looks like Modeling Jack the Ripper style. Lots of scratch building which makes for a slow progress but I am hoping to make a 1/48 scale aircraft worthy of this forums fine crew!

 Lt Com. Nam,

 Thanks for the congrats, But for what?  Well it's the 1st day of school which means no wife,

 no kid   so I can do plane building with no interferance !!

 Frank C

 PS 33 hours till GIANT season !!!!! BEER & WINGS here I come !!