Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Frank,

I look forward to seeing those two being built! Are they going to carry the VF-84 livery?

Spike,

my camera is U/S at the moment, I will get some pics up when time allows.

Hello chaps- I am off duty for a few days and have finished my first build for ages. Check out the space forum to check it out!

WOW that is a stunning build mate!!! Love that visor!!!

Well done Darren, I love that piece!  Looks like you have been a very busy chap of late.

ATTENTION ON DECK!

Sorry, not much new to report.  I wanted to get this ship back on page 1.  Hope is well with everyone out there.  Any news?

Gar, XO...(hic) I do indeedy I do. I'm being partook to... oh heck. I am starting a scratchbuild of a Ruler Class escort carrier. These were originally C3 freighter hulls that were built to Bogue Class CVE escort carriers and then passed to the Royal Navy per Lend Lease. The only manufactured part is the hull of the "Hawaiian Pilot" the venerable old Revell kit of a C3 in 1/400. Everything else is scratchbuilt. So far I've collected the Squadron "Escort Carriers in action", a book called "Royal Navy escort carriers" and a full set of plans of CVE-36 USS Bolinas (HMS Nabob) from Floating Drydock. Although I do think mine may be HMS Speaker.

I have glued deck to hull. BTW the hull/deck were given to me by my good friend Fred "Onyxman".

A shopping list is in creation, twin 40mms, multiple 20mms and an Air wing of ten little PE/ resin Swordfish.

I'll post pics this weekend.

In salute and the men are cleaning their shirts, Sir. But where the Hell is that Sergeant-At-Arms?

Captain Bondoman RN from the Law.

Ahhhhh... that sounds like a very ambitious project!  And, with the 10 resin and PE Swordfish to boot.  Who makes those?  I am not familiar with 'em.

Speaking of the Sergeant-at-Arms, he spoke of some 1/350 Fulmars (I believe that's what they were) is resin and PE he got for one of his carriers, probably the same manufacturer.  I will watch for this one, as I don't see many carriers other than fleet carriers and the occasional Jap carrier. 

May I ask why you chose the HMS Speaker?  Just curious if there is an attachment to that ship.

Ooooooo, looking forward to seeing those pics Bill!!! 10 tiny Stringbags??? COOL!!!!!

Bit of news with me as well, I got my Jake I was building for the War in the Pacific GB finished.

Great job Ritchie! I like the weathering- just enough without being the so-often modeled worn-out look. I mean Japanese paint can't have been that bad! What did you rig her with?

Here's the little beast. No rigging here!

These are made by L'Arsenal. They've got Fulmars, Martlets, Corsairs, Avengers too. I think because both Airfix and Heller kitted 1/400 RN Carriers.

My primary source for ship stuff, although not my only one, is White Ensign Models.

Great job Richie, congrats on getting her finished

Bondo, I look forward to seeing the pictures this weekend, sounds like a really great project you've got going, those little swordfish are a bit scary small for me!!

Cheers...

Thanks Bill and Mike!!!! Bill i rigged the floats with the elastic thread stuff, can't remember what it's called there, EZ line??? Called knitting in elastic here. Great Stuff!!!! You can even split it and take the diameter down some. Wish I would have had this stuff when I rigged my Swordfish. You could literally put your thumb into it and just go oopsies and everything snaps back dead straight. Fairly strong stuff too!!!! The radio aerial is typical smoke colored nylon thread.

Those lil Stringbags are going to look great!!!! Looking forward to seeing them painted!!

Expertly done Richie, love that one!

Bill- Those lil' buggers will drive you nuts (more so than before).  Don't breathe while working on them, you might inhale one and get it caught in your nose hairs- YIKES!

Whaddya think men, should we post pics of what we are currently working on, even if it is not exactly related to the FAA/FAW?

Sir, I say that's capital! men a rum ration at 4 bells of the dog watch Friday for all who muster a kit-in-progress. Reckon the XO has a few!

Oh and btw I'm very excited- just scored a Heller Victory!

Roger that Captain!  That's 18:00 for you scalleywags...

Is that PDT?   Good score on the victory Bill!  I won a free kit from Tamiya today in their builder's showcase.  I entered my Tamiya M-26 Pershing (I know... a target!) and won a British Matilda Mk.III/IV.  I am very excited, have wanted to build one of these for a while now.

Just thought I would share a couple of pics from an airshow my brother and I saw over Memorial Day weekend.  I am not sure how we were lucky enough to host these fine men on Memorial Day, but I am not complaining!

USAF Thunderbirds

If you have ever been to see the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels, you know about a part of the show called "tactical surprise".  It is where you are watching the four-ship formation pass by in front of you, and while this is happening one of the solos screams by from behind at treetop level, scaring the S%$T out of you!  At this show, I was watching for it, and it came while the four-ship was performing their "Arrowhead into diamond roll" pass.  It was awesome!  A couple of minutes later, the other solo did a sneak pass from behind, scaring the crap out of me!  Wasn't expecting a second pass!  A few minutes after that, BOTH solos did a formation sneak pass.  With two jets that low and fast together, I nearly crapped my pants.  Man, I love seeing those guys perform. 

While watching the Super Hornet strut it's stuff, I felt this chill go down the back of my neck as I realized how lucky I am to be able to stand there as an American watching these men do their thing.  The pride I felt was indescribable.

One of a pair of F/A-18F Super Hornets

The display put on by the aircraft was one of the most impressive I have EVER seen.  The low, fast flyby and maneuverability demonstrated by it were awe-inspiring.

Also had some Canadian visitors (surprised to see both the Thunderbirds and the Snowbirds at the same show!)

Cool pictures Frank!

I'll be seeing the Thunderbirds next weekend at our local airshow. Never had the chance to see their show. Last year we got to see the Blues and the Snowbirds... plus the F-22 demonstration. That was awesome!!!

Daywalker

Bill- Those lil' buggers will drive you nuts (more so than before).  Don't breathe while working on them, you might inhale one and get it caught in your nose hairs- YIKES!

LMAO. Thanks for the kudos Frank and the awesome pics!!!! Didn't know the Canadians still used the CT-33!!! Awesome to see the last vestiges of fledgling jets still hangin' in there!!!! Yes, I am all for the kit in progress shots as I am currently working on an Academy 1/72 Me-262 for the last run on the days of the Reich Defender II GB. Here's a few pics, Enjoy!

and where I'm at now.

Great score Bill on the Victory!!!

Frank, thank for the great pics.

This is what I'm working on at the moment

It's the Tamiya 1/48 Mk1, lovely kit but I'm ashamed to say I've come close to totally ballsing it up, all seems to be under control again

Cheers...

Thanks fellas, glad you liked the photos and the video!  Man, that Super Hornet was LOUD!!!

Good to see some progress pics by everyone!  Here's what I am currently working on:

1/32 Tamiya F-16C Block 25 converted from Block 32

The markings she will be wearing

1/48 Tamiya F-16C Block 30 converted from Block 50

1/32 Hasegawa Ki-84 Frank

1/35 Tamiya M1A2

1/48 Tamiya FW-190F-8

A few firsts and and re-visited subjects right now.  Building my first 1/32 kit (actually, two of them at the moment) and an armor kit.

Projects are looking great guys!!!!!! Love the engine and office on the Frank, Frank!!!

Nice Frank!

Here's mine:

Revell 1/400 "Hawaiian Pilot" C3 freighter, on it's way to become a "Attacker" Class RN Escort Carrier. I'm cutting off the black part to get her down to waterline.

Trumpeter 1/350 SS. Jeremiah o'Brien

Three for a Six Day War build, all Heller 1/72:

Dassault Ouragan

Dassault Mystere IV

(someone made the dog's breakfast out of that one!)

Fouga Magister

And one I just finished;

Academy 1/72 P-38J Lightning "Scat II" Robin Olds 8/14/44

Looking great Bill!!!

bondoman

 

And one I just finished;

Academy 1/72 P-38J Lightning "Scat II" Robin Olds 8/14/44

Nice looking lineup there Captain!  What a coincidence seeing "Scat II", I am reading Robin Olds' memoirs at this very moment, and Scat II was in the chapter I was reading last night.

I'm glad you are reading that Frank. I finished it a couple of days ago, too. I liked it, probably shouldn't discuss it until you finish, but it's a good 'un.

That book is an excellent read, almost done now.  Just wrapped up the chapter on Operation Bolo, and now we're into Rolling Thunder.  Probably finish it sometime this week.

Hi chaps, just a little nudge up the charts for us.

Nice to see everyone so busy. I also have a P38 to build, hope to get to it asap, maybe before or straight after my A8. Love the cockpit on your Frank Frank.

Few pics of my most recent for you, hope you like and feel free to comment.

Cheers

She's a beauty Mike!!!! Well Done!!!! One thing that caught my eye is the right side tail wire doesn't look as taught as the other. Beautiful job!!!

Cheers Richie. Your completely correct about that wire, I pre-drilled some holes for them and super glued some fishing line in at the tail, passing it into the fuselage until tight...ish then a little super glue, heat of a match and job done. At least it was until I decided that one could be tighter and I snapped it , hence the slightly baggy one in the picture, I don't want to break it again

Cheers...

Holy crap Mike, that is AWESOME!!!  Nothing nicer than a well done Spit, and yours is freaking amazing.  Double rations for you mate!