Fleet Air Arm Group Build

A little Boulton Paul turret research is in order, Flt Cmr, in which I will join you. The Whitley has a four gun tail turret; seems we British gents are all being chased from the rear by cheeky Germans. Interiors of turrets tend to be a good scratch item, plenty of piccies available don't you know.

Reckon there's a half ring on a pivot, a sight and the trundles for the guns.

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His shamelessness suggests looking in on the Aircraft thread for your captains PBY build.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/markansell/bpa/turrets/rafmtyped.jpg&imgrefurl=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/markansell/bpa/preserved/preserved.html&usg=__0OaM__2nhlhpXs_b2cxF4vJW2XM=&h=480&w=640&sz=63&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=eXOA3qDgphL-XM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dboulton%2Bpaul%2Bturret%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Summit wrote:

Aaron - Great news about the appointment for the CM. I never even thought about how thos figure skaters keep from being dizzy. I thought some people were just lucky that way - like sea sickness some get it some dont... Weekend wildlife pic while out Mtn Biking...

Just great.  I leave the door open to go out and get the mail and my rug gets up and walks off.  Cool pic though.

I don't like bears. Shared a tent with one once. Evil animals. Put food up a tree; they get it. Put food on a cable between two trees, they have aluminum extension ladders. Put food in your ex-girlfriends car, her lawyer calls you. Don't like bears, never have, never will. I've slept out under the stars a lot, like a collective year or so. Don't like bears. Don't understand why anyone would. Don't like bears, camped a lot in the cheap seats just outside the National Parks, only to see thats where they parole the...bears.

Bears are a bad animal. There is nothing good about bears. My wife and daughter make fun of me because I don't like...

BEARS

bondoman wrote:

I don't like bears. Shared a tent with one once. Evil animals. Put food up a tree; they get it. Put food on a cable between two trees, they have aluminum extension ladders. Put food in your ex-girlfriends car, her lawyer calls you. Don't like bears, never have, never will. I've slept out under the stars a lot, like a collective year or so. Don't like bears. Don't understand why anyone would. Don't like bears, camped a lot in the cheap seats just outside the National Parks, only to see thats where they parole the...bears. Bears are a bad animal. There is nothing good about bears. My wife and daughter make fun of me because I don't like... BEARS

So just what exactly are you trying to say here Bondo?  Was going to ask what you were doing up so late, but it's only 0100 in your neck of the woods.

We have to stay up to watch out for.... bears. I had a nalgene quart bottle full of "twang", which was Tang (you are too young) and Vodka, in a tent. Bear came in put a paw on my chest, ate the candy that my "friend" Reza had in his gillie bag, took my Twang and went off to his rock. Found the bottle later witha 12" dia mouth print.

Don't like bears.

Walked up to the falls in Yosemite one time, heard voices from atop a boulder, scrambled up to find a bunch of silly girls. Bear at the bottom.

Watched a bear tear the trunk lid of a Datsun B210.

Never want to see the movie "Grizzly man" because the guy didn't get it. Don't like bears.

Bears suck.

Bill- Miss Bondo looks absolutely stunning!  How to find time to model when you surely spend most of the day keeping the boys at bay? 

Aaron- My goodness, you are a modelling machine!  Looking very good, you'll be painting by the weekend, yes?

Sean- AAAAACK!!!  I hope you had a sooper dooper telephoto lens to get that shot!

bondoman wrote:

We have to stay up to watch out for.... bears. I had a nalgene quart bottle full of "twang", which was Tang (you are too young) and Vodka, in a tent. Bear came in put a paw on my chest, ate the candy that my "friend" Reza had in his gillie bag, took my Twang and went off to his rock. Found the bottle later witha 12" dia mouth print. Don't like bears. Walked up to the falls in Yosemite one time, heard voices from atop a boulder, scrambled up to find a bunch of silly girls. Bear at the bottom. Watched a bear tear the trunk lid of a Datsun B210. Never want to see the movie "Grizzly man" because the guy didn't get it. Don't like bears. Bears suck.

Bondo,

Went to bed before your reply.  Not that young, do remember Tang, but never heard of Twang until now.  Did the vodka make it taste any better, or did it matter after a couple?  Sounds like the angels were with you that night.  Never met a bear in person (outside of a zoo or circus that is), but did hear stories from when my folks lived in the mountains above Denver.  They said basically the same thing, don't mess with bears.  As to Grizzly Man, if it's the same idiot I'm thinking of he did get it in the end.  Can't remember if they ever found his body though.

I used to drink Tang, and I am only 29!

But whats this Tang and Vodka stuff....break out the Rum and have some Trum!

Brian

I take it that the 2009/2010 FAA build is still taking recruits? If so, I am lining up with a Tamiya 1/48 Sea Harrier FRS 1....

aboard Carlos!

The CAG (Tango 1) should be along in a bit to officially welcome you, and add you to the roster.  In the meantime, feel free to jump in with both feet and have some fun building!

simpilot34 wrote:

Yes, Carlos!!!!!!!!! Glad you could join in!!!! Rinse out your cup and grab a crate and get ta buildin'!!!!

This is a friendly ship, and the best GB, but the standards dictate progress over promise, results over resolution, and it's to the gratings for slackers.

Post a pic lad when you have your kit. I am going to recommend you to the XO as seargent-at-arms of the brig, seconded to LtCmr. Sfmac who's in charge of the carronade detachment and the swine unit forward. He's a rum fellow.

Meanwhile pipers assemble for the CAG as he's about to land, rum call tomorrow at 4 bells of the second dog watch, Mister Jeaton please treat us to a chantey, and sail into the weekend men.

XO the ship is shaped, this new man Stik is known as a pusher, and beware of friends from behind. They'll toss us all over the rail.

simpilot34 wrote:

Yes, Carlos!!!!!!!!! Glad you could join in!!!! Rinse out your cup and grab a crate and get ta buildin'!!!!

  Why do they call them Harriers if they have no hair?

Well  I guess  our Nam has jumped ship. Although there is a rumor about him fishing on Black Lake during the full moon!  Seems he may have been captured! The Legend of Old Greg is available to see on You Tube and is from the BBC 3? Oh those English and their sense of humor!

So while Nam is trapped in Old Greg's place a substitute is needed!  After much searching I have found a suitable fill in!

Got the twins back on the same level again. That was a lot of work!  The Wings and Fuselage are actually completely different from each other even though they look the same.  The Skua has upward slanted wing tips where the Roc is Straight and more conventional looking.

Spent a lot of time researching these birds today and checked out your link Bondo! Thank you!

 The Turrent on the Roc is indeed one and the same as what was installed on the Defiant.

 Got it all together but had to re design a lot of it and reshape the area where it mounts to the aircraft.  It would only fit with guns directly pointed to the rear. Would not turn or even fit at another direction. That wouldn't do.

 Also the Kit Gun barrels are pretty ick. I am not one to go all out with resin ot PE replacement parts but in this case where I have redone a pretty nice turret I think the Quick Boost guns are in order as opposed to the plastic chopsticks provided in the kit. Especially since I think the turret will be a focal point for details. I shall get some better pics of it tomorrow as I am still toying with it.

 Guessed right on the Control Panel Installation! Would have been nice if the instructions had included a similar drawing to show the parts fit.

Guessed wrong on the Intake things that look like solid plastic air horns on my Locomotives. I had to remove them and replace them with brass tubing bent to that shape. Glad I only white glued them in place!  I am learning!

Have some gaps to fill. Ledges to smooth and details to sand off and rescribe. Tomorrow I am going to go shopping for some paints. Get some fresh colors as I do plan on painting by the weekend as the XO ordered!

Here you can see that the wings on the Roc are also a lot larger!

See y"all tomorrow!

sfcmac wrote:

simpilot34 wrote: Yes, Carlos!!!!!!!!! Glad you could join in!!!! Rinse out your cup and grab a crate and get ta buildin'!!!!

Lord, I must have hit my head upon landing again, because I can only understand two out of every three words said here... Reminds of a time I was in Group and had to deliver some FRBs to the USS Ogden I think it was....

Anyways... I have my Tamiya Sea Harrier which was purchased many years back out of my stash and in my "on deck" for build pile. I also have a set of Sky Models declas form which I have a large assortment of markings. I have narrowed down my choices to FRS.1 XZ497 off HMS Hermes, or FRS.1 XZ498 off HMS Invincible, both from the Falklands War, 1982. I am awaiting an Eduard set for the cockpit that I ordered to arrive at a LHS before I commence to building. Pics will be forthcoming.

 Hey Chester! Nice looking pit in 1/72? Looks bigger!  Hope you find your other pics!

 Stikpusher! You didn't hit your head it is the rum fumes! Really!  You should only worry when you begin to understand ....

 Well cleaned up my work today. Thought I would show a little about how I like to do it.  Problem is it is a lot of pics so I made them smaller. I don't want to overtax anyones internet so let me know If I am getting carried away.

 Well Got the Special Hobby 1/48 Roc and Skua twin build on an even keel once again.

 I know everyone is tired of my complaining about the fit issues so Here is how I fixed them.

This is a dremel tool bit (well used) for sharpening blades extc. Grinding steel. I like to use it on my models as I can turn it on a slower speed and grind super glue and Plastic pretty efficentially and with practice actually have almost learned to sculpt with it.

A couple before pics of the Skua showing the misfit after I put it together as best I could.

Oooo-wee nasty! Time to hit it with the lawn mower sharpener! Takes a bit of finess!

Grind and bur and let er rip! Not too fast as it will melt and tear clean through all to easy!  A good light touch is needed and you eventually can get pretty smooth results even with the rough bit!

 There are some real advantages to this method ( besides time and sanded fingers) You can really contol where you want to hit pretty pecisely and save a lot of that finely scribed and raised detail minimizing the colateral damage!

 Here is a look at the Roc which was even worse after getting the works. I do finish it with an emory board fine side and you can go as far to repolish it if you like.

Doesn't fill the gaps though. For that I use a couple different methods depending on the size and location of the gap.

 I start out by putting as much of the dust in the crack as I can. Sometimes I use thin liquid cement to make a mushy plastic filler and sand smooth.  Didin't opt for that this time as sanding would really wipe out the details.

 I used Testers Window Maker cement which is also a fav of mine when positioning PE parts.

 It is a white glue but bridges gaps well and levels out to make a clear window over the hole or gap in this case. Doesn't run out and make a mess like school glue.  Takes a while to dry but when it is you can cut it and shape it to your needs. I have even used thin CA over it with some accelerator to add strength to the larger filed areas.

Once dry and smoothed to my liking I then used Mr Surfacer 1000 to seal, hide scratches and prime my work for inspection.  Mr Surfacer doesn't work miracles unfortunately.  It acts like fast drying thick gooey paint to me.  Got to get it pretty smooth and close as you can before paintng on.  Also I always paint the entire panel or really feather it out as it will look like runs in the final paint job.  If you have to sand it don't be fooled by it's fast drying time.  Let it sit overnight to really set up otherwise it can come off in clots! Of course I have never had a mishap like that.....

 Looks a whole lot better!

 Now for the last step I used this stuff. Stuffed the pit and engine holes with ripped up paint paper towels.

 A Spray of the Excellent Tamiya primer and Presto they look like Tamigawa kits!  .. almost!

 In between all the work and breaks I had Little Nammy dip the clear parts in future!  He is pleased with his results!

Hope I didn't over burden or bore anyone! Thanks for reading it all!

Aaron, Thanks for sharing your techniques on major fit issues!!!!! Didn't bore me one bit!!!!! Always ready to read and learn something more!!!! Great Stuff!!!! Twins are looking good btw!!!!!!!

Chester, that is a nice looking office!!!! Hope you find your pics and the other gear!!!!!

ITS BORING TO MOI

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 Thanks Ritchie! Tis the weekend and is still very very quiet? Where is the crew? All fallen victim to the most siduous of beast? The Cookie Monster No doubt!

No not that one! This one!

DeeYankeeinTexas wrote:

ITS BORING TO MOI     " border="0" />

And her demeaner is not like the loveable fuzzy beast from Sesime Street!

Not this!

More like this!

Oh where is the Crew? Worse yet where is the rum?!?

simpilot34 wrote:

CONGRATULATIONS CHESTER!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!

 Wow at that rate you'll be caught up with the XO in no time!

LtCmr Mac I've assigned the worthy Carlos to your crew as master gunners mate. Nam is nowhere to be found. Bosun Guy is therefore appointed to open the Rum locker and dole out the mugs, it's been a rough week. Layed off a fine fellow this afternoon, ponytail and all. Still fel shippy abt it.

I have that feeling where you want to break something.

Break out the Rum, I need to get down and dirty.

I was going to work on the Cant Z tonite but I'm just not in the mood. Here's a charmer:

Little Miss Bondo, she of the mermaid figure, and stop that right now; got "Actress of the Year" award at her prep school, which mind me is a very good one. She played Mrs. Van Dam in "Anne Frank". Where's Anne? Only thing that brightens my day, Ms. Bondo told me this am that I'm hitting her while I'm sleeping. I'm not feeling too well right now.

I'd lay into piraticalness now but I'm just not up to it. Rum, rum,...

Aye Aye sir as soon as I figure out what kinda stick he be pushin on!

 Sorry to hear that bad bit of news. That could put anyone in an unfit mood to be sure. I certainly don't miss the being in charge thing.  Having to ignore ones on humanity for the sake of success for all is not as easy nor bountifull as it seems at first blush. No not an easy thing to have to live with even when there really is no choice involved.

 On the brighter side that is some great news and congrats are in order for Miss Bondo Jr.  I am sure it is not something that is awarded lightly especially in a state where acting is big business.  She must be purdy darn good!  Have to stop and think of how she uses that talent on ol Pa Pa !   Funny my daughter has to play some deralict man in a school play. Not only is it odd she is playing a man but whats worse is she took one of my work shirts to uuse as a costume.  Trying to tell me something is she?

 Gonna call tonight a wrap meself.  For the record I have dove deep into painting, I really like the painting part as it seems to bring the model into being for me.

Camera is acting up with the flash it really has a hard time picking up the different grays.  May need to use a different camera. All the external colors are Tamiya paints thinned generously with 90% rubbing alcohol and sprayed thru both double and single action airbrushes depending on the task to cover.

The alcohol and Tamiya paints really seems to fade it. I like the effect and it worked out well. Got a good smooth coverage on all colors.

Again makes it hard for the camera to pick up with the shop lights.

 Without flash and under the glos coat it sees the colors a bi better. Probably need some daylight or a diff setting.

 I really depend on pics like this as a ref for things. Trust them much more than kit painting guides. Here is an example of a Skua being puled from the sea.  These birds had watertight compartments built in to ensure floatation when ditched in the water.

 Anyways the call outs say to paint the wheel wells the Interior green gray.  Probably will on the Roc but the Skua shown in the picture clearly shows a black and white wheels from a previous paint scheme like the one I am doing.  Seems like as in US Navy birds the wheel wells more often than not got the underside color sprayed on.  Maybe not when new but This pic shows it so......

Anyways time for some rest. Tomorrow is another day! Scarlet!

Bondo, hope it will ease with time!!! Nothing like that is EVER easy, to do or take! Congrats to Ms. Bondo Jr.!!!!!!!! Have some extra rations of rum ol' chum!!!

Aaron, I was so looking forward to this weekend and seeing the paint.....er personalities being applied to the twins!!!!!!!!!!Great stuff!!!!!!!!!! Now they will really develop personalities when the decals go on giving them individuality!!!! Awesome work!!!!!!

Lemme scroll back I need some 'cookies'!!!

Bit of progress happening on the 'bag, lord knows there better be some!!!!! Only a week to go!!!! Anyways I pretty much have the cradle constructed now. Will be adding one more lil bit going on top of the block in the middle to fill the gap between it and fuse. Quite happy with it actually!!! Next pics it sould be hung!! Then come the fnal touches and PE bits which I am really looking forward to knocking out!!! Well here are a couple pics, thanks for looking!!!

Thats a fine bit of work, Mr. Ritchie. Looking forward to more and don't sweat the deadlines.

Aaron, how does the tamiya hold for you? I've had bad luck with the acrylic coming loose from blue tape, even Tamiya tape. For instance on the Super Cat I wanted the leading edges chipped up, and just tapping at the flat black made it chip off. Any hints? I like the color and finish alot, so I keep trying.

 That is fantastic Ritchie! REally something to scratch in 1/72!  And looks  better than what is in the 1/48 kits I have.

Hmmmm My guess on the paint lifting would be caused by only a couple things. I have had it only happen rarely and never with Tamiya paint. When I did the Grumman goose it was pretty bad. I think it was because I thinned the Humbrol paint with lighter fluid  and had used Mr Surfacer as a primer.  The Gloss paint didn't really get a good bite into the primer as a result so it had to be redone.  So thinner /paint combo can cause it. I use only water or Rubbing alcohol to thin the Tamiya paints.  They bonded well with the Tamiya primer and I don't think I could pull it off if I tried. I also remove the tape as soon as the paint is dry to the touch and never leave it on to long.

 If it still gives you headaches dry giving it a quick coat of flat over the top.  Dull coat or what not and let it dry a bit before attempting to add tape. Sometimes the flat can help tie it all down but watch as Dull coat laquer can actually deepen the colors of the Tamiya paint and give it a more semi gloss finish which can be used to your advantage if you know it will do that!

 The Bottom of the Roc is plain light sky gray but the Skua has an interesting 3 color scheme. Also no markings on the bottom. I guess they figured the Black and white look was a sufficient identifier when viewed from below.  A lot of BOB Spits and Hurricanes lacked any lower roundral insignia as well in the early years of the war.  Guess they didn't want it or figure it to be needed.  Better have good Aircraft recognition for the AAA gunners!

Dee snapped a pic of me painting and decaling to show you what a mess I make my work bench into during this process.  I just dig and pull out colors and such until it is a full table of whatever! Just trying different colors and mixes until I get an effect I like. All part of the fun making a mess like a child with finger paints!

 Apparently the CAG and XO have run off together again!  Here is hoping they bring freshly aged rum and perhaps some fresh native girls to do me wash!