Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Ok I think everyone chimed in,  I believe that Admiral Jeaton is right on the money.  When I paqinted mine I was thinking more of a non penetrating coat applied from the inside and not a bleed thru from the opposite side.  Blame it on lack of sleep and probably brains.

 Capt Bondo is correct about his thoughts of the camo bleeding thru but I think that may be an earlier thing before the primers and clear coating process.  Maybe manufacturer specific.

Let me set it on the bed and see if I can get a better perpective shot.

Thought the 3 fuselage halfs side by side were kinda neato.

 Ok so I think I am just gonna leave it as is. I played around and it really looks pink if your not careful so Looking at it  even with one half the fuselage detached you can see it is dern near invisable. I kinda like the darker heavy look as it can be seen just a little at least. Doing it too finely detailed with all those crew figs is kinda a waste.

So I think I will leave it alone and move on.  Until the next time!

You fellows always start talking when I gotta go to work! I do appreciate the input and really try to give it a go!

I think they are neato too. I'm not forgetting being called a nitpicker, and what the  hell is a nit anyways? I guess NH knows.

Great project LtCmr. The XO put it properly, it's in the eye of the beholder. Now, we know him; when he builds a Stringbag later this century he'll be cutting out between the ribs and using silkspan.

Where the hell is that Ukrainian?

AAron looking good....the scale difference can be seen well in thaat pic.

I hate this Southern Pacific weather here in Okinawa for painting models... windy and humidity is over 90% . I live in a japenese sized apartment & with a 20 month old child, no painting is allowed in the house. So here i sit, waiting on a improvement in weather so I can try out my new airbrush to preshade.

Anyone know anything about this airbrush???

I purchased this airbrush a while back because it is the only thing the LHS carry. It looks like a Iwata double action. After a lil bit of work, it was adapted to fit a U.S. air compressor. I am now chomping at the bit to use it.

Ltrs from The Land of the Rising Sun,

Jason

Aaron, I agree with you, leave it as is!!!!!! I looked at the 'bag in that model article and he went about the same heaviness as you did and he won the class!!!! Anyways, the parts are on the way!!!! So should be there early next week maybe!!!

Bill, here in Oz a nit is a lice egg.

Jason, your AB looks a lot like the one I got off ebay. Mine looks like an Iwata knock-off!!! It works great!!! Has a micro air control up front really helps in getting in close and fine with the .2mm tip!! Practice, practice, practice!!! Such a small tip requires the paint to be thinner than normal and be patient, the thinner paint means you have to build the color. Looks like a lil gem!!!

bondoman wrote:

I think they are neato too. I'm not forgetting being called a nitpicker, and what the  hell is a nit anyways? I guess NH knows.

You know whats funny?  The first link I found to describe nitpicking was on Wikipedia and is thus:

"Nitpicking is the act of removing nits (the eggs of lice, generally head lice) from the host's hair. As the nits are cemented to individual hairs, they cannot be removed with most lice combs and, before modern chemical methods were invented, the only options were to shave all the host's hair or to pick them free one by one.

This is a slow and laborious process, as the root of each individual hair must be examined for infestation. It was largely abandoned as modern chemical methods became available; however, as lice populations can and do develop resistance, manual nitpicking is still often necessary."

I wonder if "nits" make a good base for Rum....errr, never mind.  Don't think I want to explore that option! 

Brian

Brian I coulda gone all day without knowing that! iTCH iTCH!  SCRATCH!  Just the thought of it fraks me out.  Man I hate bugs. Fireants lice , crabs whatever. I have been fortunate by some miracle over the years never to have suffered from any except maybe a tick but I have seen guys in the field just get infested by them. Nasty buggers!

 Well I think I may take a short break on the Swordfish. Not long maybe a week. I just wasn't happy with the  Tamiya kit just yet. I just had the kit and not the extra  PE fret they made figuring that I could do the rigging and such in a more traditional way.

 The more I look at it the more it seems that you almost have to have it. The way the kit is designed there are no other options for engine parts and the rigging has holes to drill out. It is set up more like use the Tamiya set or nothing though.  Not wanting touse nothing I ordered the Tamiya se from Sprue Bros. Actually finally found one.  Just don't want to half bake itsince they hae come this far alongad the Trupeter kit is leaving the Tamiya behind detail wise without the little extrastojazz it up.

In the mean time hile awaiting the pot man and set up the needed diversionary tactics I may try something wihout a radial engine.

Aaron- I like the comparison photo, showing all three side by side.  Really gives you an idea on the size difference between the three scales.   I know what you mean about the Tamiya kit- even though they say the Tamiya PE is optional, one really should use it if possible as it looks to make quite a difference on the finished model.

bondoman wrote:

Now, we know him; when he builds a Stringbag later this century he'll be cutting out between the ribs and using silkspan.

Now THAT is a great idea!  Thanks Cap'n for the assist, gotta remember that one.

Daywalker wrote:

Aaron- I like the comparison photo, showing all three side by side.  Really gives you an idea on the size difference between the three scales.   I know what you mean about the Tamiya kit- even though they say the Tamiya PE is optional, one really should use it if possible as it looks to make quite a difference on the finished model.  bondoman wrote: Now, we know him; when he builds a Stringbag later this century he'll be cutting out between the ribs and using silkspan. Now THAT is a great idea!  Thanks Cap'n for the assist, gotta remember that one.

Surely you can't be serious!!!!!

Daywalker wrote:

bondoman wrote: Now, we know him; when he builds a Stringbag later this century he'll be cutting out between the ribs and using silkspan. Now THAT is a great idea!  Thanks Cap'n for the assist, gotta remember that one.

I can't believe these ladies are going to give up the silk for the stringbag!!

Ooooohhhh the all mighty powers of the XO.

Konbanwa, Jason

 Hey Jason those even seem to be the right color. Maybe lighten up the fabric a bit. I know just where to cut out the squares too!

 Actually have a serious question for  you all regarding the Hamilton flaps on the wings.  I am guessing it is similiar to the 109 as it was free rolling but I am having a hard time finding pics of them extended. The reviews I have read bash both Tamiya and Trumpeter for molding them into the wing and not making them positionable. I have looked at builds with them shown as extended and it looks really nice but how often did they appear extended? Was it only in flight during near stall speed  and even then would both be extended evenly?

Just thinking if it is worth the effort to extend them or is it just one of those modeling fancies that really wasn't seen in the real aircraft that often.

Also finding out that Trumpeter included a really nice torpedo site.  Although not the fixed reference pegs which are easy enough to make.

Just wondering if any of you may be familiar with those aspects of this aircraft?

Maybe a really good nit picker has some ideas on this?

That was a joke Cpt Bondo! OUCH!  Hey if those you know whats arrive please let me know as I am trying to figure out how long the mail takes. Thanks!

Just to pick a few nits- the a/c doesn't have flaps. It uses it's ailerons as flaps, though it's hard to see how that would work, and they probably would be neutral on the ground. It does have leading edge slats, and I'd say it's a matter of choice whether those were extended.

 I am going to check out Ritchie's refs.  He has a real good cut away exploded view included.

 I am thinking hard about giving the open look a go though as it really seems to add to the look.  Maybe I could open one and leave the others be? Oh I hate these decisions!  One lump or two?

Jason- Now THAT is what I am talking about!  If those ladies are willing to give up their knickers for the silk, then I feel it's my sworn duty to accept them graciously.  The things I do for this GB!

sfcmac wrote:

I am thinking hard about giving the open look a go though as it really seems to add to the look.  Maybe I could open one and leave the others be? Oh I hate these decisions!  One lump or two?

YIKES!!!  You are crazy Sarge, to even consider such major surgery!

Aaron, the L/E slats were spring loaded and popped out at  low airspeeds, and as the Capt. mentioned it uses it's 4 ailerons as flaps. There is a little wheel in th ecenter of the trailing edge of the top wing just above the windscreen that th pilot turns to droop the ailerons to the desired angle. Very early use of 'flaperons'!!!! So on the ground, the slats would be out definately, but as you said haven't seen to many pics at all of the flaps being used. There are some good videos on youtube of the Swordfish as well you might want to check out!!!! One they show the FAA memorial flights 'bag being started by the handcranked inertia starter!!!

Yeah, automatic slats if you will lol. I read a story once about a spit and a 109 in a scrap, and the 109 had automatic slats as well. The spit was being chased by the 109 and was in a tight sustained turn. The 109 pilot thought he had enough lead and sqeezed the trigger, thus dropping his airspeed to slow just enough from the recoil for the slats to deploy causing him to enter a high speed stall and spin in. Talkin' about Murphy's law!!!!!

Anyways, had a bit of progress on the Buc, well enough to take pics of at least. Got the office chairs almost ready to start putting the PE belts on. Still a couple little minor paint touch ups to do, but wanted to get some pics up!!! So here they are! Enjoy!

Dry brushed some silver on the rails, also here and there. Really made the the detail pop out!!! Put a wash on the cushions so they didn't look so new, and picked out a few bits in black on the side of the buckets according to a couple refs and the kit instructions. So these are basically out of the box at the moment, minus the horrid overscale thickness I'm outta here handles, which will be replaced with PE ones.

Damn Richie, those seats look AWESOME!  Looking GREAT so far!

Brian

Very Impressive Ritchie! I am loving those seats!  They are the ones with so many parts they are like mini kits in themselves!

Well sadly today I found out my 1/48 PE and stuff for the Swordfish is delayed. Won't even be shipped until tommorrow. Which means they will probably arrive right with Ritchies gift and completely drive me over the edge! 

 Now in the mean time I have too many kits to build so I started another to keep me in the swing of it. This is a most wonderful Gift from the XO!  and right on with what I was looking for!

 I added the Fuel tanks (again largely unseen when fuse halves are joined but what the hey. I have gone as far as I dare with the Stringbags until all the goodies arrive if I plan on using them!

On the Sea Hurricane I have completed the pit and done the tricky needed surgery to replace the bottom with the resin one that has the arrester hook detail. Lotsa fine sanding but I have a good mate which is crucial as the detail would easily be sanded away doing the seams.

Probably one of the best OOB pits I have seen detail wise. Odd there is no open canopy option. Alas no pilot fig either. How is one supposed to Varoom them around the back yard without a pilot?

Thanks Frank your the bestest FAA XO in the forume!

Excellent work on those bang seats Richie, can't wait to see them with the PE bits attached!

Aaron- So glad to hear you are enjoying that Hurricane.  Certainly fits in with your "every FAA bird to serve in WWII" theme!  I will certainly watch you build all of them with a sense of joy.  You really are doing a bang up job on that office, well done!  Your surgery looks like a great fit as well, were a brain surgeon in a past life? 

My letter from Texas apparently cleared customs into CA and arrived today. The TSB looks carefully at that stuff, after the little incident with the red BBQ sauce and Senator Boxer's white suede coat.

Anyhow, thank you very much Aaron for your generosity, and I trust there's not a Stranraer out there missing a set of decals. Your storage system worked well.

Yer aces, chap!

Thanks Aaron!!!! As you see the seats in the pic, there are only 4 parts to each one!!! just detail painted and washed!! Another one started!!!!!!!!!! Mate you are a machine!!!!!!!! Looking mighty good already!!!! I see what you mean about the OOB office, that IP is awesome!!!!!!! Looks like you surgery went well too!!!! Great rapid progress!!!!!!!

Frank, thank you as well!!!!!!!! Really going to like this kit me thinks, even with the typical Airfix issues!!!!!

 Ha FRank only you know the secret of the surgery!  I have been told I would make a great lobotomy candidate does that count? That got nixed cuz I enjoy the shock treatment to much!  Ever see Young Frankinstein? Oh sweet mystery of life at last I've found you..

Bondo... great that it finally made it through the customs and EPA. Thought the inks may not pass as it could effect the breeding habits of certain roaches. I know. Not funny.

Alas the kit they went to was a casualty in a move back in 1989 when the nearly complete build and an accompaning Corsair ( don't tell Frank) Were left in a car windows closed  during the July heat. Both builds warped and curled beyond recognition. I still grieve their loss.

Glad I could help really.

Ritchie! just cuz!

Well he little package tracker shows the Swordfish parts not arriving until next Weds.

Then My camera battery needs charging so my pic update will have to wait until tommorrow.  I did get the Fuse Halfs joined and glued.  What a joy as this kit fits nearly perfectly on even the complex assemblies.  Lots of little surface details to remove but clean up is very minimal and standard. Should be a quick build that looks grand if I pull off a good paint job.

Quiet here tonight. JUst as well woke up at 6:30 PM and time to go back to work and do it again!

sfcmac wrote:

Alas the kit they went to was a casualty in a move back in 1989 when the nearly complete build and an accompaning Corsair ( don't tell Frank) Were left in a car windows closed  during the July heat. Both builds warped and curled beyond recognition. I still grieve their loss.

Poor little Corsair.   It seems the fatality rate of those bent wing terrors is rather high right now.

Don't want to put a damper in anyone's parade here, but I just read an article that kinda pertains to this GB right now...

LONDON – Only death could silence Henry Allingham.  He went to war as a teenager, helped keep flimsy aircraft flying, survived his wounds and came home from World War I to a long — very long — and fruitful life....He was the last surviving original member of the Royal Air Force, which was formed in 1918. He made it a personal crusade to talk about a conflict that wiped out much of a generation. Though nearly blind, he would take the outstretched hands of visitors in both of his, gaze into the eyes of children, veterans and journalists and deliver a message he wanted them all to remember about those left on the battlefield.

Full Article at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090718/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_obit_oldest_man

I know it's RAF and not FAA, but damn..

How about raising a glass in honor of Henry..

He would have appreciated that one..

Mike

 To Henry! May he be flying high once again! The world has lost a true treasure with his passing.

 Well have worked 2 12 hour days in a row so am really beat and this kills my bench time but I managed to eek out a little progress.

 I really liked the resin fuse replacement part with the arrester hook on the 1/48 Hasegawa Sea Hurricane. So much so I made a mold of it in two part putty. You can see the resin drying in it.

So now I have that part able to be reproduced and stashed for future builds if needed.

 Got the fit as close as my meger skills allow but a quick run over the seam with an emory board and some Mr Surfacer and it looks like one solid part again.

Got the Fuse halfs together and ready to tackle the wings again. What a great project to do while the Swordfish are stalled.  I am really having a ball with it.

Aaron, thats great work mate!!!! Want to try casting some things later on. Still looking for a homemade something to make molds and casting stuff. Just something I have on the back burner to think about.

To Henry!!!!!!!!