Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Jason, to answer your question, XF-22 is the Tamiya equivalent. This is the chart I use, it's great!!! You can click as many different brands and compare them all if you wanted too!!

http://www.paint4models.com/paintchart/paintconversionchart.html

Have fun with it! I do!

Capt. Bondo sir!!! Your ship is looking very nice, very nice indeed!!!! Love the patchwork NMF!

Ah Great looking finish Capt Bondo!  Pity about the camera battery, Your videos are always very informative. Just like watching Blue's Clues! I see you are using the DayWalker 1.0 and I am guessing you didn't hear about the recall.  Apparently it is defective due to the contracted manufacturer using regular styrofoam which is structurally damaged by paint and glue thinners and solvents.  Actually the 1.0 has been banned in the State of California because of aeresol emmissions but if you purchased yours beforw 1996 it has been grandfathered so is ok.

 The paint finish is spiffy? What sort of paint is it? Alcad?

Oh and you are very welcome!

sfcmac wrote:

The paint finish is spiffy? What sort of paint is it? Alcad?

  Cpt Bondo, I dunno? I kinda like the look of it. Maybe they just touched up the entire panel eh?  On the Hull bottom I think you got a great look. Try to squeeze in a quick update before physical theropy today.

 Been taking a lot of pics as I go to try to show what I am doing here.

 Last thing I did before joing the fuse together was to draw and cut out the missing windows on both sides. These were used so the pilot could judge altitude during a torpedo run.

Touch up the edges with liquid cement and they look square. They are small enough to use windows window maker clear cement on when I finish as one of the last steps.

 Ok Ritchie here is my attempt on the gun that isn't there. Marked it off and cut a groove first off.

Had to add the strut pieces on top as they are attached to the side panels I needed to modify.

I then annealed(heated) the PE Barrel part. Cut the wick off the candle to get a small flame. A lighter or large flame will be to hot and warp or destroy the tiny thin part.

Left enough of the fret on so I could not only hold the part but test the metal to see if it had enough to be pliable. ( bend easy)

I then fund an old tiny broken drill bit.( Good and hard but brittle those drill bits) and thinly ca glued it to the top edge  of the part. This helped to hold it straight.

I was able to start the curve by claming it down tightly and wrapped rolled it as tight as I could. To really get ot tight though I used my sprue cutters to squeeze not cut along the entire part. In the above pic I am about 1/3 the way so you can see the diff.

Carefully cut off the excess drill bit and glue in the slot. To replicate the blister I used another one of my resin drops that had dried an odd shape and made a spot on gun blister to nmatch the other kits.

Man these things are a lotta work!  I have noticed and think you all work in 1/72 to save money on paint!  Holy cow this is small.

I din't even see the name on the stand at first, that'll teach me not to scroll all of the way down.   Glad to see the ol' Mk.1.0 stand is still out there doing it's job.

Aaron- PE barrel jackets?  In 1/72?  have you gone mad?   Excellent work there, can't even imagine how you guys do it.  Dave, Richie, Aaron- my hat is off to you gentlemen.

Tango1

At the request of bondoman, simpilot34, and sfcmac - and with some trepidation at following in the footsteps of giants - I'd like to participate in the Group Build.

Project:

I'm building a 1/72 Fairey Swordfish Mk I of the plane crewed by observer Tony Wray during the British attack on Taranto on November 11, 1940.  Sub Lt. Wray was my mother-in-law's wartime boyfriend (unfortunately he didn't survive the Stuka attack on the HMS Illustrious in January 1941).  So, as a small memento to my family, I thought this would be a nice subject.

Background:

The project arose because my uncle-in-law, now a shut-in, was/is a very mechanically-minded Englishman who worked in the Gloster aircraft factory during WWII. He made tools used in the manufacture of Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles and Gloster Meteors.  Since he has many car models about his home, I thought an Albemarle model would be something he'd like.  So, though I hadn't built a model since I was 15 (back in the days when I was too young to care about good ventilation), I bought the Valom 1/72 Albemarle and started doing research.  The FSM and IPMS sites (plus the detail in the Valom kit) made it obvious to me that model building was a craft requiring considerable skill, specialized tools and patience.  

So, I decided I would 'practice' on a cheaper model - the Swordfish.  I said, hey, I can get a Revell Swordfish for ~ $10 - this would be my practice model.  Well, many Swordfish books, the Airfix, Frog, Eastern Express, and Cooperativa kits, PE sets, Vector resin engine, Aeromaster decals, and weekly orders to Micro-Mark, I am now thoroughly immersed in the Swordfish project with five(5) variants to practice on.  Not to mention $$$ no longer in my wallet.   

I am thoroughly impressed with the skill levels shown in the posts/pictures which I will strive to achieve.  

6 bells on the second dog watch, and the crew is apparently sleeping it off. Having finished the SAC GB (please go look), Captain's now free to chock the shorelines and begin the Whitley whilst the Stranraer dries in the paint shop.

Have a good weekend; I've been served notice by the Chief of my quarters that tasks await and too much ARRGGGHHHIIINGGG will lead to a disassociation, so I'm off for a while.

Why does a little window on the upside of the lower wing allow one to see the water? Piss port, thinks me.

Cropredy don't confuse giant footsteps with multiple craters of past builds, you only get better if you build and build often. Welcome aboard, shoes are not required on deck, but as a new powder monkey you'll be required to stop smoking. For the rest of you, smoke em if you've got em and good winds off the stern!

Priss sez cheers!

Is that Greggers???

Cropredy, so glad you could make it over!!!! I think you will like it here!!! Looking forward to seeing your practice shots!! As long as it remains fun that is what matters!!!

Gentelman thanks for all your help and answers to my questions.

I recieved my F-14d & started putting it together. I started with the cockpit, & the seats are Horrible I am wondering where to purchase the Aires cockpit detail set. I looked online & could not find a US sight that sold em.

I started to put the rest of the aircraft together. I needed to adjust the wheel wells for the open spots.

thanks,

Jason

While the rest of the crew sleeps the night away, spent time here in the mech shop searching the internet. I found Spruebrothers.com, they had my cockpit set and found decals for the Jolly Rogers.

I would like to thank this group for there patience and understanding of a new modeler (I haven't built models since i was a teen 20yrs ago) I log on daily to keep up with the builds & have learned lots of techniques from you. Learning from the XO & Aaron I have 2 models on the bench now. I purchased a Fine molds Sky Crawler aircraft & am suprised on how well this kit is produced. this kit goes together beautifully. I still have to make runs to the LHS to get paints but my stock is growing.

I am currently putting the Fuselage together & hope to have pics up soon. Question with the use of oils for weathering, do i need to place future over the acrylics before I use the oils??

Thanks again,

Jason

jeaton01 wrote:

You will never outgrow your need to "Go To The Hobby Shop To Get More Paint", Grasshopper.

Well I owe a quick update before work. Been really busy again, so a little more each day. Slow progress.

I Am up to taking on some seem work but pics of the actual aircraft show the ones in the wings to be quite visable.

Look it's a later mark version that isn't gray. Hint hint...

 I took Ritchies comment to heart and reworked the mg again. Summot (Seasn had suggested to take it and roll it between a pop sickle stick and a cutting matt which shrank it and rounded it more. Also I measured it against the other scales and it was way too long.  Snip snip. Also deepened the groove where the gun sits and all this in combination has shrunk it down to a more realistic scale.

After I touch up the seams. ( The tail section being the most troublesome) I will be read to prelimanary paint and start adding the miniscule external details that I have waited on as not to break and lose them. Well off to work.

Excellent work there Aaron!  I bet it's great to be modelling one with a different camo scheme after all of those EDSG/DSG/Sky birds.  BTW, I'm trying to decide how you are going to mount those Stringbags onto a foam stand.  Any ideas?

I posted this over in AC, but thought I would share it here as well.  I went for a flight on a real B-17 today, "Aluminum Overcast" from the EAA Foundation was in town so I signed myself up for a flight.  Originally, I had balked at the $400 price tag for a 45 minute ride but after doing it, I can honestly say it was worth every penny.  If you ever get the chance, by all means do it!  You will not regret it.

They even put me to work clearing the props!

Getting ready to board (Yes, I have a new shirt! )

Taxiing out

A few air to air photos

I like this one as I was able to capture our shadow on the ground in the photo

I did a little photo editing to give it a period feel

Deboarding

Daywalker wrote:

Excellent work there Aaron!  I bet it's great to be modelling one with a different camo scheme after all of those EDSG/DSG/Sky birds.  BTW, I'm trying to decide how you are going to mount those Stringbags onto a foam stand.  Any ideas? I posted this over in AC, but thought I would share it here as well.  I went for a flight on a real B-17 today, "Aluminum Overcast" from the EAA Foundation was in town so I signed myself up for a flight.  Originally, I had balked at the $400 price tag for a 45 minute ride but after doing it, I can honestly say it was worth every penny.  If you ever get the chance, by all means do it!  You will not regret it. They even put me to work clearing the props! Getting ready to board (Yes, I have a new shirt! ) Taxiing out A few air to air photos I like this one as I was able to capture our shadow on the ground in the photo I did a little photo editing to give it a period feel Deboarding

A once in a lifetime ride I must say!!!! The view from the nose is spectacular!!!!!! Albeit very scary during wartime!!!!

Aaron looking good....a black stringbag in divine scale in the future??

Daywalker, wish i could have been there on the flight.B-17 ride is every boys dream if they are into aviation. Just wondering if you took pics of the interior?? How bad was the walk through the bomb bay?

The Divine scale F-14 is coming together. I have ordered my cockpit so that means the front fuselage is on hold. I am amazed how many pieces are required to make up the fuselage. 12 pieces are together & I haven't even started the intake trunks, nor the exhaust. 

Thanks,

Jason

I'll second that Frank. I did the Collings B-24 three years ago, once-in-a lifetime experience. Because I cleared the engines too, I got to sit in the RO seat for takeoff.

Way to go, guy!

Hi everyone, hope your all well.

 to the group build Cropredy, I'm sure you will enjoy it and I look forward to seeing your posts.

Frank that looks like a fantastic experience you had you lucky spud, Great photo's, I dont even know if they do that kinda thing over here.

Aaron my eyes hurt just looking at that tiny PE, well done on a good job.

Nice paint job so far Cap'n Bondo, cant wait to see more of this one.

Well I've got the wing etc attached so here are some pics for you fellows. let me know what you think, I thought I'd overdone and lost a little heart with it for a few days.

Decals and flat coat next then building up the undercarriage.

When I spray Tamiya smoke it often comes out glossy, is this usual or am I putting it on to heavy? It does seem to spray differently to everything else I use

Cheers...

Hello Crew!

I see you have been busy! Between being on duty and looking after Tango Jnr I have had to fight foir any spare time at all. I have been lucky enough to get some leave and continue work on my 1/1 scale workshop re-furb. It is now nearing completion which means I should be back at the bench soon.

I will eventually update the front page roll and gallery as more computer time becomes availiable, until then keep up the excellent work!

Here are a few pics fro the Royal International Air Tattoo that I attended a week ago. It featured a 100 years tribute to the Fleet Air Arm.

Hope all is well wherever you may be-take care and fly safely.

CHEERS!

CAG  Sir good to have you aboard. The XO is off on a brief jaunt in a Fortress!

Likey Vulcan!

CAG, XO and Bondo,

Thanks for sharing the pics.  I haven't seen a Vulcan fly in many years.  Perhaps the most beautiful  bomber ever built.  CAG, you wouldn't happen to have any pics of that tiger tailed beastie behind the Sea King would you?  XO and Bondo, I say this with love but I hate you both.  Will definitely add that to the ever growing bucket list.

Aaron and Mike,

Looking good guys.  Aaron, you mending ok?

Richie- You can say that again!   Sitting there in the bombardier's seat made me a little nervous, as it makes you feel precariously perched looking straight down at the ground!

Bill- The B-24 is the next one on my list! I hope one comes here someday so I can take the flight.  The only B-24 we have had around here is Ol' 929, and I don't think they offer flights on that one.  Turning those props was a bit of a workout, no?

Mike- Your Hellcat is coming along beautifully, looks like you are on the home stretch now.

lewbud wrote:

XO and Bondo, I say this with love but I hate you both.

LOL!   Hope you get a chance to fly in one someday.

My dad picked it, and paid for it. I don't want to jack your thread, so let me just say you must have loved the preflight, the climb to altitude and circle back over the field, standing in the open waist positions and climbing into the various fore/aft blisters! If I know you Frank, you were the guy that they warned not to cross front/rear on the keel spar thru the bombay when an older guy was coming the other way!

Mazoltof!

 Actually not doing too well today Buddy.. Going back to the Doc again tomorrow.  Seems my mind is willing but the body is being slow to listen, didn't even work a the bench a all today. Guess I will know more tomorrow.

Spectacular views Frank! and Bondo'sB-24view is just a perfect compliment to a very cool event! 

Then the CAG is out frolicking with the jet set again!  Seems everyone is having a good time which is excellent!

 Think I will break down and take something to help me sleep tonight and hopefully improve my outlook tomorrow.   Thanks for all the kind comments on the Stringbag! See if I can get back at it tomorrow after the doc visit.

Aaron,

Sorry to hear that.  Put your feet up and have a couple a swigs o' rum.  As soon as I find her, I'll send the nurse round.

Frank,

The Collings Foundation has a B-24 that barnstorms the country offering rides.  I think that's where Capn Bondo got his ride.  You can ride in the CAF -24, but you got to join to do so.  One of the perks of membership is that you get a ride in one of that squadron's AC.  I was thinking about joining the one down in Lancaster, TX but they wouldn't let me take the Corsair out for a spin.  I'm over the weight limit for the little trainers they've got and that left the R4D.  May join the Bomber Squadron if Fifi ever gets back in the air.

Found her.

For Buddy........