Fleet Air Arm Group Build

"Have a drink on me"-AC/DC Cheers big ears!

bondoman-

Seeing as how the rest o' the crew is off duty, and I'm stuck on deck manning the bridge, feel free to help yourself to my rum rations.  I'm on duty through tomorrow eve, and then off for a day to drink and be merry!

cheers!

Hey Sim.

Yeah agreed the pull rings are waaaaay too thick, but I'm a bit restricted to working with what comes in the box (yeah I know wire is really cheap ... bit it's a good excuse for lazyness - LOL). Also am aware that they are yelow and black striped, haven't finished painting them yet, waiting til I get the crew's bone domes nice and yellow, before I bust out the black paint to do those bits.  Buts cheers for the looksie at the pics and the critique.

Nam sorry to hear that you're getting time off at the expense of income, kia kaha (stand strong) fulla.

Well, stand by for heavy rolls Mate! 'Tis Friday and CAG is off duty! Mind his heavy hand when he pours your rum!

As for yours truly, I am off the next 9 days! (But without pay) I'll be getting some painting and building done, Though!

Thanks darson, tango, and kilo! Yes darson, that is the 1/72 kit. I actually have combined the Airfix and Revell kits. Mainly Airfix, but the top wing, engine and cowl and the tail feathers are Revell. As old as the Airfix kit is, it actually had a decent pit compared to the Revell kit. I also found a PE kit from Hannants speciffically for the Airfix kit, and have used some of it. The bits on the engine mated perfectly onto the Revell one. I was NOT about to make up the 25 piece oil cooler from the PE kit in 1/72, I don't care how much it might look good. I'm happy with washing the relief detail thats there, still looks convincing and less painful.

Nice looking pit Kilo! One thing that jumped out at me are the chunkiness of the pull rings at the top of the seats. I would try and thin those down, or replace them with wire loops that have a more scale appearance, looks like mold marks on the inside of them. I think they might be black and yellow striped as well. If its an SOB, kindly disregard last transmision. You're doing great mate! Sorry, bit pissed and waffling, lol. American translation: Drunk and rambling. I am american btw lol

Cheers guys!

Sim, nice looking Swordfish you got goin on there brother!

Speaking of WiP pics, here's some of the Tomcat.  There's nothing that looks very F-14ish yet, but I figured I'd get into the practice of documenting the progress of my entry/entries for this project early on. 

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0115.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0116.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0117.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0118.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0119.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0120.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0121.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/azzamat/000_0122.jpg

I hope all are well, I had an early start this AM to head off to the Dawn ANZAC ceremony with my partner, so now the looong weekend can begin in earnest. Hoping to get a bit more work done on the kitty cat before work starts again on Monday.

Take care all.

Hi Sim,

Your Stringbag looks great! I love that aircraft, looking forward tom seeing more of that one.

Thanks Bondo! Got the legs on now, awaiting the Dullcote, and proceeding further.

Cheers

simpilot34 wrote:

Thanks Day!!! I will keep looking as well of course, might have to get the custom thing happening. I have blank decal sheets, but if they can be had and are good quality, I won't bother. I know its off theme but, I wanna share a few pics of my Swordfish WIP. Cheers

Man I'm down. Lockheed in waiting (guilt).

I was going to build a Sea Vixen, but that's not USN.

Where's Roger?

I intend to be rationed spirits tomorrow while the rest of them here watch "Juno"!!!

Bill (no rating)

Thanks guys for the compliments! Thanks for the tip day, will look into that. I will also try Hannants. They have got alot of off the wall stuff. Found some white-metal LG legs for my Hasegawa 1/72 F-102 there.

Cheers

sim-

Outstanding work there!  I love Swordfishes, thanks for the photos!

I did some more looking for A-4 VMF/A-214 1/72 decals for you, but still no luck.  I checked Two Bobs, Sprue Bros, Squadron, and a couple of others.  You might want to give Flightdecs a call, as I have heard others have had good luck finding what they need from them.  Good luck, and let us know if you find what you need!

In fact, I have one to build soon too.

Thanks Day!!! I will keep looking as well of course, might have to get the custom thing happening. I have blank decal sheets, but if they can be had and are good quality, I won't bother. I know its off theme but, I wanna share a few pics of my Swordfish WIP.

Cheers

Thanks Mike!  I will add that Roden kit for you, can't wait to see how it goes, especially with all of that rigging!   As for the Lockheed GB, haven't forgot!  Just trying to finish up a couple of others first.

simpilot34- I did some checking, but haven't found any in 1/72 for you yet.  If I do come across some, I'll point them out to you.  Good luck!

Daywalker wrote:

Mike- Good haul!  Sounds like you got some really cool stuff, can't wait to see WIP photos here AND K.O.T.S. I received a box of goodies today as well!  Besides the paint, thinner, airbrush parts, and such- I wanted a set of VMF-214 "Black Sheep" A-4 Skyhawk markings, and guess what?  They came with a 1/48 Hasegawa A-4M kit!  OK, OK... I bought an A-4M Skyhawk for this GB.  CAG- Could you add that one to my list?

BLACKSHEEP A-4 DECALS!!!!!!!????????? Could anyone tell me if they are made in 1/72 as well????????

Cheers

Daywalker wrote:

Mike- Good haul!  Sounds like you got some really cool stuff, can't wait to see WIP photos here AND K.O.T.S. I bought an A-4M Skyhawk for this GB.  CAG- Could you add that one to my list?

Don't forget the Lockheed GB.

Sounds like you made out pretty good yourself, buddy! Always liked the lines of the A-4. Can't wait to see how you do with it.

Oh, and BTW, could you add the 1/48 Roden S.E.5a to my list over on K.O.T.S.?

Mike-

Good haul!  Sounds like you got some really cool stuff, can't wait to see WIP photos here AND K.O.T.S.

I received a box of goodies today as well!  Besides the paint, thinner, airbrush parts, and such- I wanted a set of VMF-214 "Black Sheep" A-4 Skyhawk markings, and guess what?  They came with a 1/48 Hasegawa A-4M kit! 

OK, OK...

I bought an A-4M Skyhawk for this GB.  CAG- Could you add that one to my list?

Welcome back Darren!! Nice to see our fearless leader back onboard! Been getting a bit of work done on my Wildcat, and a bunch of goodies arrived just the other day, including some nice F4F markings for 'Butch' O'Hare's bird. Now it's just become a choice of 'what to do', as included in the package was my long-awaited 2 Bobs F-16C sheet for the 'Hill Vipers', all in a neat 2-tone Hill camo, an Academy Me-262 in 1/72 with cockpit and wheel well detail that just blew me out of the water for that (or any) scale, and my 1/48 Roden S.E.5a, which is one I've been severly aching to build. Decisions, decisions.......is this a great hobby or what?!

Hey guys! I know you are doing a US Navy GB now and have seen that this started with FAA. I am about 75-80% finished with my 1/72 Swordfish. May I join in with this, or should I wait and keep monitoring for the next theme? Nam has seen my pics. S'ok if I have to wait. Builds look great guys!!!!!

Cheers

namrednef wrote:

Corsair-ish...............That's great! Might not seem funny, but imagine "B-17-ish"......or "Tomcat-ish"

Pretty funny, isn't it?  I came up with it all by myself.

Corsair-ish...............That's great!

Might not seem funny, but imagine "B-17-ish"......or "Tomcat-ish"

Kind words for me just doin' me duty.....but we were in good hands from every angle.....it's just that most seemed to be on liberty this weekend! And I had to swab the decks.....I be the bloke what soiled 'em!

At any rate, let's hold off on any promotions until WIP's get up......soon! 

CAG-

Great to have you stop by for an inspection!  The lads have done a spectacular job keeping things tidy.   I look forward to your return, and some WIP shots to boot!

Might I also mention, that Lt. Namrednef has gone above and beyond in his duties.  I would like to make a formal recomendation that he recieve a promotion!  Thank you Nam, for making us all look good!  Not an easy job with some of us!   Sorry to hear business is slow, and it is having such an impact on your livelyhood.  I know how much you were looking forward to your show this weekend!  Chin up mate, it WILL be better soon!

My Corsair is progressing nicely, and (hopefully) I can start spraying some dark blue tomorrow or Thursday!  I just have to address a few seams, and a little more masking but I hope to finish that tonight.  I don't have a camera this week, so WIP shots will have to wait until next week.  Not much to look at right now anyway, just a Corsair-ish looking blob of gray styrene.  Cheers everyone!

Welcome back Darren & thanks for the kind words.

Regards,  Rick

Thanks 'Nam.

Glad to hear you have conducting yourself properly during my forced absence. 

Sorry to hear that business is slow, hopefully things will pick up again soon. In the meantime, get cracking on the bench so tthat we can see some WIP reports soon.

I'll buy you a drink at the bar on Friday.

Welcome home CAG!!!

Yup! The XO's turn at the helm, he was obviously promoted because of his abilities!

I did my fair share of imbibing and debauchery, but I have relinquished the rum locker key! I do not wish to abuse the weekend privledge!

Glad you are getting some time off. I am off all next week and promise WIP results! Problem is.....it is not vacation.....business is that slow! Fortunately I receive a Military pension. As it is, I've decided to skip next weekends Noreastcon , and hang onto the $300-$400 I may have spent!

Hello Lads,

yes, reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!! I've been working some long hours and I've been nowhere near my bench for weeks!
 

First off, I want  to thank our gallant X/O for keeping the rum rations flowing-well done that man!

So, I'll leap right in and say WOW! 

Rick,
that Wyvern looks AMAZING! I have to say one of the finest builds I've seen. Superb!  Excuse me? Eight awards at the show? Well done sir-and well deserved. 'Nuff said.

Frank,
I say old bean the new waitress in the Officers Club is rather lovely!  I'll have to disembark more often!

Now what have you done with that locker key?
And just why is 'Nam smiling like that......................?

I'm on leave after Thursday-so hopefully I'll be around here more often.

Thanks Barry.  Looking forward to seeing your Tomcat.

Regards,  Rick

Rick,

congrats on the show results.  I will hopefully have some WIP on my Tomcat up this week, I tell you what those intakes are fighting me every step of the way, but I think I have the battle just about won.

Barry