Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Daywalker wrote:

Aaron- You have been quite busy from the looks of it!  Love that Albacore, and your "fish" looks spot on to me.  Nicely done, and the combo of rigging + canopy masking must have made it a bit more of a chore.  Usually, you have one or the other- not often both!  Well done my friend.

That is a masterpiece Aaron!!! Stunning build mate!!!!!!!! Guys come on now, that fish is just a disguise, it's really a rum tank!!!!

Whoah ~ Aaron - Now I really like the looks of the Albacore. The rigging is Top Notch.. Did you use the 'Magic Thread" you had got from Guy ? Nice work on the canopy masking also, Tamiya Tape I presume... I would of Never believed the Torpedo was not part of the kit unless you had said some thing, Very Nice   

The pictures are looking way better

Looks great sfcmac! I'm exited to see your next build!

Nice job!

Excellent job Aaron, the rigging looks spot on. What did you use for the rigging. Looks like great stuff. I always thought that the Albacore was post WW2. Just shows what I know. Great info on the subject.

Permission to come aboard C.A.G? Bondo has made me a Bosun in your absene, whatever the hell that is? Does it mean i get to drink lots of Rum? I do hope so.

...Guy

Thanks fellows!

This is what I used for the rigging and antenna wire.  It is a clear elastic knitting and sewing thread. Very stretchy and can be split up to make even thinner and smaller strands.

Guy who is just ACE and I wish I were his son , send me some when I was having trouble getting my sprue to stretch thin enough to look realistic.

 As far as my next project I left a hint in my last pic. You see the Ugly looking bird trailing the Albacore as an escort?

 Now The CAG has been very stiff lipped and stern faced with our progress. Undoubtedly concerned that we are just over two weeks into this build and I have only completed 2 aircraft for it.  I promised to double my efforts and here is my plan!

 I shall attemp to do a twin side by side build of two similar aircraft.  The Blackburn Skua Mk II and the Blackburn Roc Mk. I, both 1/48 Special hobby kits again. Limited run, Ill fitting overpriced beasie kits of some questionably successful aircraft used by the FAA in some dark desparate days early in WW II . Right up my alley! These kits feel like Tamiya engineered

Masterpieces after that Fonderie Minature Ventura!  So with a shot O rum! and fuse ash in me eye I shall once again foray into the sinister world of limited run beasties!  If the CAG still be unmoved by me efforts then I'll see fit to mate with the gunner's daughter... who is the gunner anyways? Was his daughter a cheerleader at least?

 Raise your glasses in one hand and hobby blades in another!  If we are not victorious!  Then I guess we will have to drink that swill Bondo has been passing off to Guy as rum!

 To the bench BatMan!

 NO MODELS .................

DeeYankeeinTexas wrote:

NO MODELS .................

Oh my that's Bondo's Plane!!!!!  Bail out Bill Bail out!   Oh Ok  it's all good he just ate too many re-fried beans again!

sfcmac wrote:

The 1/48 Special Hobby Fairey Albacore Mark I.  The  incredible inside details were not matched externally. Many highly visable items were omitted such as foot holds, Ordinace, ( I scratched the torpedo.. how'd I do?) and a very complex and complicated rigging with hardware on the Bi-plane wing. All added to try to give a good representation of this gooney bird!  Trying to work on my photo skills as well as my modeling skill. My thanks to Sean and Frank for their help in getting me started to create better pics. Thanks for looking and comments critics and rum is all most welcome!  Gotta fly but I'll be back building real soon!  Gotta impress the CAG eventually.

Aaron! I am impressed!

Thats a beautiful build you have there fella, sorry I did not see it sooner. I have not read back all the pages that I have missed. You have done a cracking job and it will be a welcome adition to our gallery on page one. Well done sir!

lewbud wrote:

Aaron, Nice build. Considering your choice of kits for the last couple of builds, I think you've earned the right to a Tamiya kit, or at the very least an old Monogram kit. Darren, Welcome back.  Looks like you had one heck of a trip.  Thanks for the pics, I hope to make it across the pond one day to see those sights myself.  You wouldn't happen to know where I could get those decals would you?  Perhaps you or someone else can tell me what color greys are on the bird I'm building.  Here's a link to a pic www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Navy/EHI-EH-101-Merlin/1171227/L/

Hi Buddy,

I have the same kit with those decals in the box, its a fantastic scheme. Off hand I don't know of any aftermarket sheets for this particlar airframe, but if I come across some I'll let you know.

As for the paint, I'd go with Humbrol 126, its US equivilent being FS26270. Hope this helps.

TANGO 1 wrote:

Aaron! I am impressed! Thats a beautiful build you have there fella, sorry I did not see it sooner. I have not read back all the pages that I have missed. You have done a cracking job and it will be a welcome adition to our gallery on page one. Well done sir!

Ha! I am not falling for that Old trick Bondo!  Your pretendending to be the CAG! AGAIN!  Fool me once shame on you! ool me twice shame on me!  That's my motto!  Everyone here knows fully well that the real true CAG would simply belch at me and run off with my Nurses again!

Thanks Darren!  I was just joshing ya!  Except about me nurses!

Luftwoller wrote:

Permission to come aboard C.A.G? Bondo has made me a Bosun in your absene, whatever the hell that is? Does it mean i get to drink lots of Rum? I do hope so. ...Guy

Guy!

Permission granted! Hope you are familiar with our rules and regs around here!

What are you building?

Aaron, another two builds? OK-you get the medal for "balls out builder" around here!

Seriously though, I can't wait to see what you do with those Blackburn birds!

Quick update from me:

I'm unable to build at the moment due to my workshop being out of action. Its had a very bad leak in the roof and I still have kits and models drying out on the floor. Half my shop is soaked and my new roof doesn't arrive until next weekend. So needless to say, it'll be a while before I'm back at the bench.

In the meantime, I'm back on duty.........so steel yourselves, build your planes, drink your rum rations and have a great weekend.

CHEERS!

 Ha!  I am through page one and now need to start detail painting!  Bending this PE is a pain and the fuse halfs are terriblby warped but I shall prevail!

Guess what this one is CAG!?!

SSSH no telling Guy!

TANGO 1 wrote:

Quick update from me: I'm unable to build at the moment due to my workshop being out of action. Its had a very bad leak in the roof and I still have kits and models drying out on the floor. Half my shop is soaked and my new roof doesn't arrive until next weekend. So needless to say, it'll be a while before I'm back at the bench. In the meantime, I'm back on duty.........so steel yourselves, build your planes, drink your rum rations and have a great weekend. CHEERS!

AH! what awful news!  I hope most of your stash survived allright! Not to mention the great work on the shelfs!  I shall build enough for us both in the meantime!!!! Charge!!!!!

Have you seen this boy?!?!?

TANGO 1 wrote:

lewbud wrote: Aaron, Nice build. Considering your choice of kits for the last couple of builds, I think you've earned the right to a Tamiya kit, or at the very least an old Monogram kit. Darren, Welcome back.  Looks like you had one heck of a trip.  Thanks for the pics, I hope to make it across the pond one day to see those sights myself.  You wouldn't happen to know where I could get those decals would you?  Perhaps you or someone else can tell me what color greys are on the bird I'm building.  Here's a link to a pic www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Navy/EHI-EH-101-Merlin/1171227/L/ Hi Buddy, I have the same kit with those decals in the box, its a fantastic scheme. Off hand I don't know of any aftermarket sheets for this particlar airframe, but if I come across some I'll let you know. As for the paint, I'd go with Humbrol 126, its US equivilent being FS26270. Hope this helps.

Darren,

Sorry to hear about the roof disaster, hope everything was salvageable.  Thanks for help with the paint.  I was asking about the decals for the Hawk (in divine scale of course!).  The only reason I got this kit was for the paint scheme.

sfcmac wrote:

Have you seen this boy?!?!?

Love it!

Aaron- Two builds at once, are you nuts?   Great to see so much activity here today.  A Skua and a Roc- This ought to be good!

Darren, hope all goes well with the shop and you are back at the bench REAL soon!!!!!! All the best!!!!

MESSAGE FROM FLIGHT OPS:

SCRAMBLE THE RECC BIRD AND BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ROOFERS HEADING TO A REMOTE LOCATION. SHADOW THEM IF FOUND AND TRACK. UPON REACHING THEIR DESTINATION MARK LOCATION AND RETURN TO DECK. THIS WILL BE THE LOCATION OF THE SECRET WORKSHOP. THAT IS ALL.

Aaron you are a building machine mate!!!! Can't wait to see these beauties built!!!!

Buddy, I have FSM's spaecial issue, How to Paint and Weather Scale Models, and there is an article inside on a 1/72 Merlin. He used Gunze Sangyo Medium Sea Grey (H335) for the base coat and then used the kit decals as masks and airbrushed the stripes with a lil black added to match the color to the H335. I looked at a conversion chart and Tamiya XF-20, Humbrol 126, and Gunze 335 are all just about the same, then again if you have access to Model Master just get the FS 36270. HTH some!

 Ah thank ya Ritchie! I think?  You know it's bad when the instructions refer to these birds as ugly. I like to think of them as different!

Well just like the CAG I am having to go start another wonderful work shift I will keep plugging away bit by bit trying to get at least something done on them each day.  I have completed page one on both and there are differences in parts and shape. The Roc on the left and Sku on the right. Lots more PE with the Roc including some really nice bomb rack holder thingies!  No bombs though.

Have to get some things painted to really make them pop out now so this is where I shall leave it tonight!  You all have a great weekend and some fun building!

simpilot34 wrote:

Darren, hope all goes well with the shop and you are back at the bench REAL soon!!!!!! All the best!!!! MESSAGE FROM FLIGHT OPS: SCRAMBLE THE RECC BIRD AND BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ROOFERS HEADING TO A REMOTE LOCATION. SHADOW THEM IF FOUND AND TRACK. UPON REACHING THEIR DESTINATION MARK LOCATION AND RETURN TO DECK. THIS WILL BE THE LOCATION OF THE SECRET WORKSHOP. THAT IS ALL. Aaron you are a building machine mate!!!! Can't wait to see these beauties built!!!! Buddy, I have FSM's spaecial issue, How to Paint and Weather Scale Models, and there is an article inside on a 1/72 Merlin. He used Gunze Sangyo Medium Sea Grey (H335) for the base coat and then used the kit decals as masks and airbrushed the stripes with a lil black added to match the color to the H335. I looked at a conversion chart and Tamiya XF-20, Humbrol 126, and Gunze 335 are all just about the same, then again if you have access to Model Master just get the FS 36270. HTH some!

Richie,

Thanks, I have that issue as well, it's what put me on the trail of this kit (found it on a vendor table at last year's Scalefest here in Dallas).  I dug it out before I started, I thought the gray he used was too dark.  I'll go with Model Master equivalent, it looks correct to my eye.  Speaking of Scalefest (30 May Grapevine Tx),  Aaron, the delivery guys in your area think you should come.  Squadron's open to the public that weekend and they think you should get your own stuff.  Rumor has it Dee won't shoot you if you bring your own stuff home.  I'm not quite so sure myself.  Invite open to everyone, not just Mac.

Well, I have to say that im mildly dissapointed! You havent got those things finished yet Aaron? Whats wrong with you man. Youve had, like 2 days at it and your not done. Definately slacking big boy .

Darren, thx for the kind welcome. Im afraid im not very good at reading the rules and stuff. I hope youll all just kick me if i get out of line. As for what im building, A fairey Swordfish with squillions of extras. I will post a pic of where im at, shortly.

Where abouts is your secret workshop. If its anywhere near Bournemouth, im there to give you a handski.

...Guy

simpilot34 wrote:

Buddy, can't wait to see your rendition of that kit!!!!!!

Richie,

Unfortunately, it may be a little while.  I'm in my silly season of building right now.  I'm trying to finish a 251 for that group build, a P-26 for the Army Air Corps build, as well as 2 cruisers, a SU-100 and a Ferrari F2001 to go to the IPMS Nationals in August for some local builds (not to mention the A-7 for the NAVAIR build).  To top it all off, it's Warbirds over Addison this weekend and the boys and girls over at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum are outside playing with their toys.  I'm at work and I can hear them, but I can't see them.  Very frustrated right now.  Might be leaving work a little early today.

lewbud wrote:

simpilot34 wrote: Buddy, can't wait to see your rendition of that kit!!!!!! Richie, Unfortunately, it may be a little while.  I'm in my silly season of building right now.  I'm trying to finish a 251 for that group build, a P-26 for the Army Air Corps build, as well as 2 cruisers, a SU-100 and a Ferrari F2001 to go to the IPMS Nationals in August for some local builds (not to mention the A-7 for the NAVAIR build).  To top it all off, it's Warbirds over Addison this weekend and the boys and girls over at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum are outside playing with their toys.  I'm at work and I can hear them, but I can't see them.  Very frustrated right now.  Might be leaving work a little early today.

I know exactlly what you mean Buddy, believe me!!!!!! P-26? Is that the Hobby Craft 1/48 per chance? I snagged one off ebay and it had an eduard pe set in it which was a very pleasant surprise!!!

Aaron, beautiful work on the Albacore.    That is a plane I was not familiar with at all until your build.  Well done!!!  Looking forward to the next builds.

Darren so sd to hear about your workshop.  Hope you have extra security on during the repairs as no doubt some shameless sailors are likely to try to take advantage of your situation to learn it's location.

simpilot34 wrote:

I know exactlly what you mean Buddy, believe me!!!!!! P-26? Is that the Hobby Craft 1/48 per chance? I snagged one off ebay and it had an eduard pe set in it which was a very pleasant surprise!!!

Nope, old Revell 1/72.

lewbud wrote:

simpilot34 wrote: I know exactlly what you mean Buddy, believe me!!!!!! P-26? Is that the Hobby Craft 1/48 per chance? I snagged one off ebay and it had an eduard pe set in it which was a very pleasant surprise!!! Nope, old Revell 1/72.

OMG I still have one of those in a box in my closet at mum and dads!!!!! I remember the box having a blue trim headlinestyle that said 'advent' across it several times. I picked it up at GEMCO in Sacramento,CA  in the '80s for 89 cents. Got a Revell 1/72 Stearman for the same price same place. Still have them both, back at home. Wow brought back memories!