Fleet Air Arm Group Build

OK, I respect your point.

The thing is, we had a discussion about this already and all concerned expressed their wish for this thread to continue with its new name. This has been a great GB thread and its members want it to continue.

I hope that doesn't put you off joining as we'd really like to have you on board.

Well, I'm incredibly interested in a USN GB although I can't possibly start for awhile.  I have 2 modern USN jets waiting to be built. 

But, guys, ya gotta break this out of the remnants of FAA GB.  It's just too darn confusing to figure what the heck is going on!  Frankly, the name change makes it worse.  This really deserves it's own thread to do it justice.  The regulars may "get it" but outsiders and particularly noobs won't.  Just my

Thanks Nam!  As for the difficulties I had, I first tried using Aeromasters warbird paint (should've figured it wouldn't work as I have had NO luck with their decals!) then tried to hurry the paint session and ended up with VERY thick paint.  Sanded it down, then painted again.  Still wasn't happy with it, so I tried to restrip it and managed to beak off the wings.  AAARRRGGGHHH!!!  SO, I  gave up and parted it out.

The trouble was going on in June/July, but not sure what page it was.  The date should help!

Frankie! Nice work so far on the Corsair! Crisp, fabulous paint and accessories!!!! Nice! I'll have to research and learn about your difficulties with paint the first time around. I may learn something!

CAG! Thanks for the dispensation! Will be working hard at the SeaGlad. Today it hit 60 degrees F here.....but had to work and I'm exhausted after marathon building the past couple days.

On a brighter note: The good ol' Military pension hit the bank overnight! Much paint still to buy. Never imagined getting back into the hobby from scratch would take this long or cost so much!

Thanks Darren!

TANGO 1 wrote:

...I'm sure the Royal Navy will be making quite a few appearences over the next twelve months. Here's to another good year!

Me too, I have a couple I plan to do as well.

Rick, 'Nam,

Fella's-don't rush those FAA builds, we would really like to see them completed, when you are good and ready.

I still have one or two FAA builds in the stash, so I'm sure the Royal Navy will be making quite a few appearences over the next twelve months.

Here's to another good year!

Roy,

great news my friend! I cannot wait to see the new hobby room. Let me know when you are settled in.

Everyone,

thanks for your kind words. Its great to know you feel the same way as I do.

'Nuff said.

Frank,

you are off to a roaring start! I'm sure this one will be a real head-turner.

Frank,  looks like you're off & running at the starting gun .

 I'd like to thank both Darren's for making the FAA GB the best I've participated in.  Didn't think it could top the BoB Gb from a couple of years back, but it did.  Great work lads .

I'd also like to apologize for not finishing the Wyvern on time.  I have it about 95% done, but I realized the kit portrayal of the wing cannons was wrong.  After some more research, I determined what was needed to be done, but not an easy task on a nearly finished model.  I set it aside while I mulled the pros & cons of making the corrections & got started on other projects, so there it sits glaring at me.  I've decided to go ahead with the corrections, so I'll still either finish it soon or totally muck it up & bin it.

For this new phase going into the USN Fleet Air Wing, I'm still undecided, but leaning toward the Trumpeter 1/72 Vigilante.  God knows when I'll get to it though.

Regards,  Rick

Well, here we are on day 1!

Here are a couple of photos of my first project, the Tamiya 1/48 F4U-1D Corsair.  As you may recall, I tried to build this one for the FAAGB last year but ran into difficulties with the paint job and ended up scrapping the project.  I mananged to save a few finished bits, like the cockpit, engine and prop so the this baby is half FAA half FAW.

Hey lads.  Well you may have noticed that we have had a name change which I think is appropriate given our new direction this year.

I just taken a guess on the dates but unless the boss has an issue I'll leave them as is.

Cheers

ruddratt wrote:

Daywalker wrote: Darren, Thank YOU for the opportunity to serve here.  You are correct sir, this GB has been an OVERWHELMING success!  The friends I have made here, the things I have learned and the times I have shared, are priceless to me.  It will definately be a tough, if not impossible, act for anyone to follow.  I wonder how many people browse the GB here just to see what all of the fuss is about.  I am so glad to have had the privelege to be a part of this. Gentlemen, to all of you- I say cheers!  It has been a pleasure. I couldn't have expressed my gratitude or summed up my experience here any better, buddy! Well said! If anyone ever needs to know what a group build is, the best answer would be a link to this thread. Cheers to a great bunch of lads!

Yup!  That about sums it up! Cheers all!

Roy, great news on the house and I look forward to seeing your finished hobby room.  

Good news from you Roy!....and Hail! to all in this GB!

....as for me .....trying to finish a SeaGlad in time for FAAGB is just not happening.....so tired my eyes are crossed......and now I have to work tomorrow! I feel very ashamed.

To echo Frankie, I immensely enjoy this GB site!

I'll have the SeaGlad done soon (?).....but you cannot paint in a refrigerator..........

ruddratt wrote:

Daywalker wrote: Darren, Thank YOU for the opportunity to serve here.  You are correct sir, this GB has been an OVERWHELMING success!  The friends I have made here, the things I have learned and the times I have shared, are priceless to me.  It will definately be a tough, if not impossible, act for anyone to follow.  I wonder how many people browse the GB here just to see what all of the fuss is about.  I am so glad to have had the privelege to be a part of this. Gentlemen, to all of you- I say cheers!  It has been a pleasure. I couldn't have expressed my gratitude or summed up my experience here any better, buddy! Well said! If anyone ever needs to know what a group build is, the best answer would be a link to this thread. Cheers to a great bunch of lads!

This was my first GB.  1/72 Corsair in FAA markings.

Now for some more good news, we closed on the house today, have already started to move stuff in.  The basement plans have been made and in a few months should have a outstanding hobby room.

As for the FAW GB I will let you know what I'm doing in a week.  I will have the home PC up and running (highspeed cable).

Daywalker wrote:

Darren, Thank YOU for the opportunity to serve here.  You are correct sir, this GB has been an OVERWHELMING success!  The friends I have made here, the things I have learned and the times I have shared, are priceless to me.  It will definately be a tough, if not impossible, act for anyone to follow.  I wonder how many people browse the GB here just to see what all of the fuss is about.  I am so glad to have had the privelege to be a part of this. Gentlemen, to all of you- I say cheers!  It has been a pleasure.

I couldn't have expressed my gratitude or summed up my experience here any better, buddy! Well said! If anyone ever needs to know what a group build is, the best answer would be a link to this thread. Cheers to a great bunch of lads!

Thanks Rick,

I can't wait to make a start on it, it does look like a lovely kit. I am already thinking about a display base for it............

It's a very nice kit Darren & should make a great model in your capable hands.

Regards,  Rick

All right then my salty saviours of plastic perfection.....................

Here is my first entry to the USN/USMC FAW GB:

1/48 Hasegwa F-8 Crusader!!

Five minutes into the next build and he wants a drink already....................

We wouldn't have it any other way!

CHEERS!

Darren,

Thank YOU for the opportunity to serve here.  You are correct sir, this GB has been an OVERWHELMING success!  The friends I have made here, the things I have learned and the times I have shared, are priceless to me.  It will definately be a tough, if not impossible, act for anyone to follow.  I wonder how many people browse the GB here just to see what all of the fuss is about.  I am so glad to have had the privelege to be a part of this.

Gentlemen, to all of you- I say cheers!  It has been a pleasure.

Now, where's that bottle o' rum?  We're gonna show the US Navy how to REALLY party!

Daywalker ready for launch...

Somewhere in the Alantic Ocean, position classified........

"So who are they?" 

"They are those Fleet Air Arm guys from FSM!-They are going to serve  on an American carrier this year........we gotta get this deck ship shape!!"

"OK! The new CAG wants to know if we're ready!"

"Tango 1 ready for launch.................."

"Yeah! We're ready!"

TANGO 1 wrote:

Right! Here we go again! As of April 2008 we the crew of the original Fleet Air Arm Group Build will embark on a new mission: THE USN FLEET AIR WING GROUP BUILD.  (USNFAWGB) The rules:  1.Those named below will build a model of an aircraft which has been in service at any time with The United States Navy or The United States Marine Corps before December 2009. 2.The model may be any kit in any scale. 3.The model can be OOB or loaded with aftermarket goodies.  4.Those taking part in this GB must have a sense of humour! 5.You better have fun-or the CAG will kick your ***! 6. You better like drinking...........   Meet the crew!  Admiral  Rjkplasticmod....(The  zen  jedi  master  of  kitbuilding and Grand  dragon  commander  of the secret  tamiya temple. ) Tango1-C.A.G.-(on sale or return from the R.N. ! )......One or two of the following: Hellcat/Tigercat/Avenger/Corsair F4U/Helldiver/Crusader/Tomcat/A-7 CorsairII............... Cmdr. Daywalker (X.O./Champion drinker).F4U-1D Corsair/SBD-3 Dauntless/F6F-3 Hellcat Lt. Ruddrat (The man with a twinkle in his eye and a drink in each hand! )..1/48 F-4B VF-84 and 1/48 Tamiya F4F-4 with resin goodies! Capt. Wyoroy (The cool soothing voice of reason, international playboy and ships quatermaster.)........................... He'll tell us what he's building when he's ready. Lt.BobBaily (On a beach somewhere sipping rum and coke ........1/48 A/M SBD-3 Lt. Chester 101  ( Special Ops. )............................1/48 F9F Panther  Lt.Namrednef. (One of the US Navy's finest)  Mono 1/48th TBD Devastator. Lt.Darson.(Master Wii warrior & cooks the best BBQ in the pacific!)1/48 A/M TBF-1C Avenger.

Gentlemen,

the Fleet Air Arm Group Build has reached its end of year deadline and I feel that a few words should be written in this far flung corner of the world wide web to commemerate the occasion.

This all started about fourteen months ago when two guys on the Aircraft forum wondered if anyone else would like to have a go at building some FAA aircraft. The rest, as they say is history.........

As I write this, the FAA GB has had 59,098 hits, we are the most widely viewed GB in this website's history! 

One of  the first things I feel compelled to say is thanks. Yes, thanks.

Thanks for your friendship.

Thanks for making me laugh out loud after a really bad day, thanks for the donations of those spare parts and decals, thanks for sharing your time, thanks for sharing those incredible builds and showing us how it was all done. Thanks for all your kind words.

Thank you.

To my mind, this is what a group build should be. A bunch of fella's having fun building the same type of models and sharing their experiences, both good and bad. I have had the best time sharing this with you and I have to say I consider you all as my friends. I never thought a group build could ever forge friendships like the ones found here, I feel honoured to know all of you. One day, I don't know when-I'd like to buy you a drink. Lord knows you've earned it putting up with me!

So, the highlights? Out of twenty-five signed up model builders we had fifthteen fantastic finished builds. One got published in FSM magazine another one won a competition. Others, ended up on a shelf, some were displayed on Hyperscale and won many adoring critiques.

We had an international Secret Santa gift exchange and everyone was blessed with a Christmas gift....eventually!

In our "Officers Mess" we consumed over 20,000 bottles of Navy Rum and we didn't need to see the M/O!

In short.....we did good. 

Its been a year of model making that I shall never forget. Thanks for making it happen.

Wherever you may be, raise a glass tonight and say "To the men of the Fleet Air Arm Group Build! CHEERS!"