Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Daywalker wrote:

Thanks fellas!   I appreciate that.  Nothing like a good mug o' grog before work. CAG- No worries mate!  I have notified my crack anti-infiltration team that there is a potential threat to TSWSIE.  They have been dispatched with strict orders to protect it's secret location at all costs.

Ahhh, I see Frank! You have your girls, well I have mine. Meet Joanna Dark:

She will find TSWIE! That is unless you pay me.....

One Million Dollars!

Quick update on the Devastator - Other then filling in gaps and valleys which is not worth showing, worked on the engine assembly.

I made a shim to go across the back of the prop shaft to keep it in place. (so it does not fall out backwords) It worked out real nice.

Nice Roger  I go for the more "Wild Feline " myself

Summit wrote:

Quick update on the Devastator - Other then filling in gaps and valleys which is not worth showing, worked on the engine assembly. I made a shim to go across the back of the prop shaft to keep it in place. (so it does not fall out backwords) It worked out real nice.

With no searching fingers running rampant.....I just glue the shaft in.

If Frankie came around to blow on my props, he'd pass out trying to get them to spin!

But great work going on, Sean!

Whose gonna help me build my corsair??

I am signin up for the next build ok??

gotta get new bifocal I betya..

Dee

DeeYankeeinTexas wrote:

Whose gonna help me build my corsair?? I am signin up for the next build ok?? gotta get new bifocal I betya.. Dee

FeldMarschalless von Seckt! Mein Madammen!

Ein feldwebel Franz Daywalken ist oberfuhrer dur Corzair gebuilden!

AYE! I gets to have a tot and no one's about!

I shall drink to roasting yer trousers an' haulin' the rags from a yardarm!

Aye.........the Quartermaster seems to 'ave missed reville! If some mate will untie me from this wheel I might reach my rum locker key!

Get UP ye lubbers!

I love the smell of Tenax in the morning!

Well I completely failed in my various attempts in the FAA build, so I'd like to try and redeem myself by building a US Navy HUP-1.

I've acquired a 1/72 kit of the HUP from AModel. No need to bring out the cat o nine tails, this looks like it is a short run kit which should be punishment enough.  

For any of you unfamiliar with the HUP family it is an early twin rotor helicopter built by Piasecki, so its kind of like the CH-46's grandfather. It was also used by the US Army as the H-25 Army Mule.

namrednef wrote:

DeeYankeeinTexas wrote: Whose gonna help me build my corsair?? I am signin up for the next build ok?? gotta get new bifocal I betya.. Dee FeldMarschalless von Seckt! Mein Madammen! Ein feldwebel Franz Daywalken ist oberfuhrer dur Corzair gebuilden!

Did someone say CORSAIR???

Yeah....he's drooling for number 113!

LOL, she said the magic word!

113?  LOL, at my build pace that would take 15 years if I forsake all other kits!

I'll be glad to get number 4 and 5 in the case.

Did someone say Corsair?

Hey Frank-how's it goin' with the present two builds?

TANGO 1 wrote:

Did someone say Corsair? Hey Frank-how's it goin' with the present two builds?

Two builds? He must mean the Corsairs!

There is a pool on the actual numbers of builds Frank has going. Bad part is he has been drawn into the mania as well! Oh the torture!

I better help Dee with her's she is beating on me with it!  Thanks lewbud!

Ahhhhh... modeling bliss!  All this talk of Corsairs has me in a chipper mood.

I have been working on them slowly, taking my time with them.  The airframes are mostly done, just have to add the radome and the stall strip on the nightfighter and mask the canopy parts.  I ordered some express masks from Squadron, they should arrive by the end of the week.  I also added the ignition wires to the harnesses (all 72 of them! ).  18 short ones for the front cylinders, 36 medium for the rear of the front row and front of the back row, and 18 longs for the back of the rear cylinders (did that make sense?)  Here's how it looks- kinda like a Sentinel from The Matrix!

The landing gear is done, and painted in an aluminum lacquer finish.  Nopics of that, but I shall get some this weekend.

As for the number of builds I have going- four on the bench at the moment, with four others waiting for room!  All of my tweezers, clamps and holders are in use so I cannot start others till tools free up.

Prolific Frankie! Simply prolific! Sure you're not retired?

I saw this earlier in your Corsair GB update! Remarkable as always!

I also saw Roy had ask a question in your FW 190 build thread about the foam core! This would be a fine example of how Frank creates diabolical devices from scratch! I could swear I saw a similar item for sale in an adult store located in Copenhagen Denmark a few years back.

Any further questions on the foam core stuff Roy?

wyoroy wrote:

I was thinking it was something that one used to fill in wheel wells and such.  I feel dumb

 Your not dumb Roy you spell great! Besides it is much better than you'd feel with those thingies used on ya! Whatever they were for?

sfcmac wrote:

I could swear I saw a similar item for sale in an adult store located in Copenhagen Denmark a few years back.

Aaron- You make Frankie scared!

LOL Nam, nope, but think how much modeling I would get done if I were!  In fact, work has been crazy lately.  This will be my first week in months with no OT. 

Well, some more progress on the Hellcat. Here it is with a decals on and a light dusting of flat over the Gloss Sea Blue finish to give the weathering that I'm about to start something to hold on to.

This Academy Hellcat is an interesting kit. It's got some shortcomings, but was/is probably the best 1/72 Hellcat available. I've used aftermarket in the pit and for the engine, but you could definitely do something with the kit items if you want to. Unfortunately, they didn't show the same diligence with the wheel wells, which have all the detail of an Airfix or Frog circa 1960 kit. I've bothered to close in the wheel wells, and add some detail, which is not completely accurate, but better than what it was. The trailing edges are clunky too, but that is remedied with a bit of sanding. Amazingly Aires have a detail set for this kit that does over the pit, gun bays and engine but does nothing for the wheel wells, it's major shortcoming. It retails at USD $66+, there is a review here if you're interested : http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/details/aires/detail_aires_7035.shtml

The Hasegawa 1/72 Hellcat is an old kit. It does come with some very interesting markings if you get the right boxing. It has some wheel well detail, and once again a little detail in the engine and pit that is at least a starter. The big downer is that it has raised panel lines, so  I prefer the Academy one. I've built a couple of these over the years, I used to love this kit before the Academy one was released.

I've had a recent look at the Hobby Boss easy build kit. The wheel wells are better, similar to the Hasegawa kit, the trailing edges are nice and fine. Excellent, sharp engraved panel lines. The cockpit will need to be replaced, or enhanced, which is do-able, but I disliked the simplified molded in engine in the cowling. In my view, a must for replacement. Unfortunately neither the Academy nor Hasegawa cowlings are compatible. I think I have an Italeri bird somewhere in the garage, I must try that. Don't have a Frog, Airfix or Matchbox one anymore. If I can get over the cowling, this might be the best option as a base for another 1/72 Hellcat.

Anyway, without further ado and commotion, here is where it's at tonight, hopefully some more progress tomorrow after I pack the Christmas tree down.

Tony

Tony,

Your Hellcat is looking very good indeed!  I can see what you mena about the wheelwells, the photos do not show typical 1990's or 2000 era detail.  Looks like you have done the best you can with what they gave you.