Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Soooo much activity in the few hours between posting, sleeping and waking ... gotta be on your toes around here. 

Sim, great to hear you've found the markings for your A4, love that aircraft. Probably because it is one of the few Jet Fighter/Attack Aircraft I've ever actually seen in real life close up, as until a few years ago the Royal New Zealand Air Force flew them, so as a kid I'd see them at airshows and the like a lot.

Day, the Corsair is lookin good pard.  And to answer your question: My first name is Aaron, pleased to maje your aquantance sir. 

Thanks Nam! 

As for the stabs, I usually leave them off (though I do test fit them to make sure they will fit easily later) as I have found that airbrushing the area between the fuselage and the tailplanes with the tailplanes attached is difficult.  Excess paint tends to build up there due to the airflow swirling around.  It also happens between the wing and fuse, but there I really can't paint them separately so I try the best I can to spray at shallow angles so the buildup is minimal.  HTH!

I'll look for the inbound PM, and your watch is coming up soon!  

Yes Frankie......nice stuff so far!

But now you are forcing me to ask a building question.....why no horizontal stabes at this stage of paint? I realize it's a b1tch painting them when attached....is that the point? Do you shoot them seperately, then attach?

I feel like I have missed something that has been staring me in the face

PM you later on another subject, pal...........in the meantime.......when's me turn on deck?

Rick, sim- Thanks, much appreciated!

sim and kilo- May I ask your first names?  If you don't mind- I just like knowing people's names.

Day she's looking good! Very smooth finish on the gloss there.

Cheers

Looks better all the time Frank.

Regards,  Rick

simpilot34 wrote:

On a roll with the Blacksheep. Hmmm, future GB?

Hmmm... the man speaks MY language.   Glad I could help a little! 

Greg- Sounds good to me, just gotta get the OK from the CAG.

Greg-

I applied my decals last night, ended up using the kit ones (Tamiya) as the ones from my intended Superscale had an odd shade of blue on the circles.  I also discovered to my dismay that although the sheet is supposedly designed with the Tammy kit in mind, the numbers are WAY too large (look more like 1/32) and the checkerboards are not long enough to reach around the cowl.  GRRR!  So, plan B.  After drooling over photos of the FG-1D recently sold by Provenance Fighter Sales, I opted to add ONLY the stars and bars, a few stencils, and the bu. numbers /model designators.  The FG-1D has a very plain look, which I found quite appealing.  So, mine will have no squadron codes or numbers.  Chalk it up to artistic liscense, or perhaps the aircraft in question was flying with the squadron within a day or so of it's arrival and they had not yet applied any squadron markings.  Either way, I like it so here she is!

Daywalker wrote:

kilo- Outstanding!  She's really starting to look the part now!  simpilot34 wrote: Looking good kilo!!!!!!! I at last have found some 1/72 VMA-214 A-4 decals! Thanks to Superscale decals again. had to order them from Mister Kit hobby link. They are on the way! WOOOHOOO!!!! Part # is SS-72227 btw guys. Cheers I was just going to post this idea, then I read that you found what you needed!  Good news sim!  I was digging for decals for you and came up with this (well, it may work as a backup plan just in case!) The 1/72 Airfix Harrier GR7 comes with markings for VMA-214.  Not sure if they would be close, but thought you may be able to adapt them to work.  Just an idea... Click here! But alas, you found what you needed!  WOOHOO!!!

Thank you Day for that info! The decals that come with that kit wouldn't be colorful enough anyway. On the A-4 they were a lil flamboyant but not over the top. I now can represent the Blacksheep from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, Now that you told me about the Harrier GR.7(AV-8B) I can have one from Desert Storm. I have seen that kit, now I will get it next time. On a roll with the Blacksheep. Hmmm, future GB?

kilo- Outstanding!  She's really starting to look the part now!

simpilot34 wrote:

Looking good kilo!!!!!!! I at last have found some 1/72 VMA-214 A-4 decals! Thanks to Superscale decals again. had to order them from Mister Kit hobby link. They are on the way! WOOOHOOO!!!! Part # is SS-72227 btw guys. Cheers

I was just going to post this idea, then I read that you found what you needed!  Good news sim!  I was digging for decals for you and came up with this (well, it may work as a backup plan just in case!) The 1/72 Airfix Harrier GR7 comes with markings for VMA-214.  Not sure if they would be close, but thought you may be able to adapt them to work.  Just an idea...

Click here!

But alas, you found what you needed!  WOOHOO!!!

I cannot speak for the entire GB Greg......but considering the history of this GB.....you present a very interesting query! An 'American' fighter in FAA garb! Wow!

I'm sure something will work out! 

is this group for US Navy or my Hellcat Mk II in Royal Navy markings will fit here ??

Looking good kilo!!!!!!!

I at last have found some 1/72 VMA-214 A-4 decals! Thanks to Superscale decals again. had to order them from Mister Kit hobby link. They are on the way! WOOOHOOO!!!! Part # is SS-72227 btw guys.

Cheers

Here's this week's progress on the Tomcat.

There wasn't much until tonight, now all of a sudden I have something starting to resemble and Airplane.

Next mission is to fill gaps and sand down messy bits. It feels good to see some major progress, I think it is time for me to take a sip or two. 

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0135.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0131.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0132.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0133.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0134.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0136.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0137.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0138.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0139.jpg

Well.....I were headed to the foc'sle for a rest which the XO knows I be needin'! But I'll belly up and join in

I gots to work Monday somewhere, methinks. Other than that I'll be here with the  CAG and the XO.....waitin' for me term at the helm!

Keep a weather eye out ye swabs!

Still 8-4 Detroit

Well done CAG!  I like the "new" Seafire much better.  The darker markings and new flashes look the part, very nice!  Glad to see you're having fun in the shop-that's what it's all about!

Gents- I am done at work for the week, and am off for the next four days!  I am planning to get lots done on the Corsair (among other projects), but right now it's time for a drink!

kilo- Yes, lots of celebrating here my friend!  We really try to have fun, and not take ourselves too seriously.  Glad you're enjoying it here!

Bellies up to the bar lads, the XO's buying tonight!

Here's to all of you, wherever you are.  Cheers!

.....and I be askin'..................wots them photos on yer ceiling?

(pardon.........still trying to find the quarterdeck..............we do have one, no?) 

Hey!.........I am off this week and the Yanks are losing and it's too darned cold to paint!

But I have the deck and have found a key if need be!

I have seen the CAG! Now may I rest..........

But wot be the big black pastic thing?...........it look like a bird.....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Lads, I have been slaving away at the bench listening to fine music and drinking fine wine whilst I indulge in my hobby. Life is good!

Me slaving away.......

Here's some of what I did tonight, I've grafted some cannon barrels onto her and I've re-shaped the airscrew. I also painted on new tail flashes and replaced the fuselage decals for ones of a darker colour. I like where this one is going.........

'Nam you are as daft as a brush and as pie-eyed as a newt!! God bless you!  

CAG!....I forgot and took a week's leave while we wuz underweigh!

I am upright and available for duty should Ye need me! But in the meantime......since the bilge is particularly freezin' right now.....methinks I shall partake of a tot of thinner!

............thanks! off to the underparts. Wouldn't be so bad down there, but me ears get cold and  the paint won't flow and the Future curdles in the bottle!

Guess I won't be seein' much baseball this season!

HA-haaaaaaaaaaaa!

Good heavens! 4000 posts!

Gentlemen,

you all make this GB thread what it is, thank you!

X/O, pass me a bottle please.........this calls for a celebration!

CHEERS!

Thanks again Frankie.....wanted to add to the return PM. Got some great prices on paint from Tower................and got 2 PBY's reserved!

I must maintain that the site they have is very tough to navigate. Well, not now since I've been educated.

Gotten lazy, I guess

namrednef wrote:

Frankie........if your monitoring.........wherever you are.......inbound PM!

I'm ALWAYS watching...

Signal received and reply sent.

Frankie........if your monitoring.........wherever you are.......inbound PM!

Hi all

Well done guys! I'll have a tot ash well! *hic*

Cheers

LOL

It's *hick* hard to keep up with all the celebrating here. *hick*

I've been dutifully plugging away at the Tomcat, in between looong stints in the slave pits (work) and dealing with issues surroundng my other hobby (MilSim paintball), hoping to put at least one of these to bed over the weekend to get some more serious progress on the kit.  Will post the latest WiP pics in the next day or two.

Don't hit the sauce too much tonight lads while I'm on watch. 

Wow! Over 4.000 posts! That's great!

Cheers,

Azgaron

Woohooo!!!

Nice Work guys... that is something to celebrate.

Ta-DAAAAAH!

you threw me off for a minute there..................and I can't do all the banner stuff you guys do, but:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!