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Fleet Air Arm Group Build

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  • Member since
    August 2016
  • From: Eufaula, Alabama
Posted by WannabeFarmboy on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 4:56 PM

tonka

Farmboy, excellent work on using the engines as gappers for clothes pins! Very good initiative!Big Smile

Seriously great start, all models begin with 2 pieces and some glue!!

 

I'm glad someone got what I was really going for there.

Plenty of work to do to clean up the edges on those. I'm out of town for a day or two, so I'll be getting on that when I get home. 

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Michigan
Posted by tonka on Monday, February 20, 2017 2:05 PM

First coats on the Little Chipmunk Trainer. Decided to do it in yellow from Royal FLying School.

]

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Michigan
Posted by tonka on Monday, February 20, 2017 2:09 PM

Digging through my stash to organize it, I didn't realize I had so dang many old RAF kits. Since these are pretty simple kits and help in modelling skills. Decided to throw them in here .

First is a REALLY old Hawk kit of a Supermarine Swift K-4. This has no cockpit just a closed area and pilot's head. It also has the engraved decal locations. I was tempted to put a cocpit in, but decided against it. Its just a shelf model. But I did fill in the engraved decal locations.

 

Next is an old Frog Hurrican IIC Night fighter. I'm doing this one in a black scheme.

]

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Monday, February 20, 2017 4:28 PM

Tonka, seeing that Hawk Supermarine Swift sure brings back some memories. I built quite a few of those many years ago. Yes

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 12:33 AM

Well, Tonka, you may yet escape having to swab the decks!  I'll get these new projects on to the roster thread. Paint the interior of the Swift canopy with a layer of Tamiya Smoke and no one will be the wiser.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 12:35 AM

Well, it's been a little quiet in Lancasterville, mostly because I don't like to write about sanding, filling, and masking.  Although I have also assembled all the turrets, it's mostly been the former.
It would be nice to say the the fuselage halves went together easily, but that was not the case as it was not possible to get them together without steps in several locations.  Before assembling the halves, the mating edges were chamfered so that after the initial gluing thin CA could be flowed in along the seam to strengthen it.  However, after gluing with Tamiya Extra Thin cement but before the CA was applied the seams were inspected and the stepped areas were located.  A long section of the top was sawed along the seam line with a JLC saw and reset.  After that the seam was reglued and the CA was applied, followed by taping off the seams and filling the remaining chamfer with Tamiya grey putty.  Next came several sessions of sanding.  Montex masks were used, although they were incomplete in a few spots, and in other spots I was not happy with the fit and substituted Tamiya tape.  The turret  internal parts were painted flat black and gun metal as appropriate.  The nose turret required a little grinding to clear the gun mount.  On the early kits Tamiya reversed the orientation of the tail gun mounts, so they were re-reversed which required removal of a gusset like part which wasn't in any pictures I could find anyway.
 
 

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 5:12 AM
John that has got to be a beast. You're doing it wonderful justice.

 

  • Member since
    August 2016
  • From: Eufaula, Alabama
Posted by WannabeFarmboy on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 11:43 AM

Progress on the Lancaster is looking great! 

I should have an update on the Beaufighter soon. Been doin the tedious work of cleaning up the seams on the engines. Have to go slow and steady on them so I don't rush and screw them up. 

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Michigan
Posted by tonka on Saturday, February 25, 2017 7:28 PM

Great job on Lancaster!! Really nice detail!

 

Yes STIK that is an olast d Hawk of mine.

When we cleaned out my father's attic last year we came across several boxes of old models I had not built as a kit and put in attic when I joined the Marine Corps,,many many many years ago. Figure I may as well build them now. Most are from 60's , ear;y 70s.

]

  • Member since
    December 2016
Posted by dwsrazor on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 4:13 PM

Tonka, those are some pretty ancient kits there.  Looking forward to seeing you build them and the chipmunk os coming along nicely. 

Farmboy, looking forward to some progress pics.

John, The Lanc is looking great too.  I know what you mean about filling and sanding.  I've been working on Special Hobbies Piaggio P.108 and I have had my fill of it.  Looking forward to taking a break and starting the build for this.  I plan to start on my Swordfish tomorrow to coincide with a group build on another site.

  • Member since
    August 2016
  • From: Eufaula, Alabama
Posted by WannabeFarmboy on Thursday, March 2, 2017 12:39 AM

Well, slow and steady has been the name of the game for me thus far. 

As you can see, the seams on the engines were absolutely horrible. The clean up process was on the tedious side. When I bump up against something like that, I have to do a little at a time to avoid accidentally destroying something in frustration. 

Eventually I was able to get things evened out. Idk what happened to the picture after I recut the tiny little gaps between the fins on the cylinders, but that happened and took way longer than expected. I also drilled the small holes back in the tops of the cylinders because by the time I got everything evened out there, they were all but gone. 

Today I got a first coat on the engines. Will be doing touch ups and getting the bolt heads painted steel once everything is dry. I know that it's still kinda rough lookin, but I'm satisfied given the tools I have to work with right now (and the fact that I'll be keeping the cowling closed up on this one). 

Mess like this is what I'll be working on as paint dries, etc. 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Thursday, March 2, 2017 1:00 AM

Captain Bondo poured a glass of port and settled back on his cot.

Whats the current theme, he asked.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, March 2, 2017 1:31 AM

GMorrison

Captain Bondo poured a glass of port and settled back on his cot.

Whats the current theme, he asked.

 

The lads here said something about the RAF old boy.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:49 PM

Well, given that gettin' all the lads going again is much akin to herding cats, RAF and Fleet Air Arm are both OK to my bleary eye.  And them "boats" what are related.

Next step on the Lancaster is the Dark green, Dark Earth is well dry.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:50 PM

Farm Boy, it's lookin good.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Sunday, March 5, 2017 10:28 PM

The Lancaster is has been in the stage where all the pictures are just of paint drying, but I post a few just to show some progress.  Insignias underway.  I hope the blue is dark enough, it's Tamiya flat blue, XF-8, I think, and Tamiya flat red for the centers.
 
 
 

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Monday, March 6, 2017 11:30 AM
The blue looks good John

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Monday, March 6, 2017 9:49 PM

John, I reshot the blue with about 10% flat black added, I think it looks better, although if you consider fading it was probably OK before.  This particular airplane only lived about 6 months, but that was long enough for the control surfaces to fade in comparison to the wings, and it even has two different fuselage roundel types in different photos.

I also finished up the fuselage roundels and codes, and the wing walkway lines.  Tamiya tape and Oramask masking material dying by the thousands so far. Surprise

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Michigan
Posted by tonka on Monday, March 6, 2017 10:11 PM

Thats looking great John! The roundels really turned out nice.

]

  • Member since
    December 2016
Posted by dwsrazor on Monday, March 6, 2017 11:25 PM

Looking great John!Cool

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 12:00 AM

Much improved, Admiral.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    December 2016
Posted by dwsrazor on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 5:37 PM

I've been a little sluggish off the start on this one but figured I better get some photos up soon before I find myself swabbing the decks.  I had the day off today and was hoping to close up the fuse but unfortunately I had a tussle with the carpet monster after tweezerpulting one of the itty bitty side windows into its domain.  Took me nearly an hour of hunting to make him cough it up.  I'm pretty stingy and usually only feed him sprue scrapings so he was pretty reluctant to give up such a prime piece. 

Anyway, just have to do a wash and install said side windows and then I can close it up.  This cockpit is so nice I have to keep checking the box to remind myself that it is indeed an airfix kit.





  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Northeast WA State
Posted by armornut on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 1:12 PM

So, this GB has been running for a bit, I just signed up for the 100 yrs of RAF GB, and wanted to do up an S-4 Wyvern after my Tempest for that build. I was informed of this one and well, is it to late to join in?  The kit is the 1/48th Trumpeter Wyvern S-4, and I know squat about British aircraft.

we're modelers it's what we do

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 7:28 PM

Dave, me boy, that's the new Airfix.  Pretty nice stuff, though it seems like there is some minor gaffe in each kit I've done so far.  Not at all the olde Airfix.  I got rid of the carpet, all I have is a cement monster.

Nice interior work, but that's expected of a veteran.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 7:32 PM

It ain't ne'er too late long as you bring the rum by my cabin on Friday, mate.  Yer mop and swabbin bucket has yer name on it.  Armornut?  What kinda sea farin' name is that, anyway.  That's the kind a stuff we gen'ly find on the bottom!  Yer on the Roster thread, take a look.  And bring the cat, we got some real rats on board and some only got two legs an no real tail ta speak of!

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Northeast WA State
Posted by armornut on Thursday, March 9, 2017 8:18 AM

Arrgh, me thinks me days o'skallywagin are afar on thee tides me mate. Aye Aye cap'tn rum itis, never a bos'n though needs to show me the bitter end o'yee swab. Glad to be here, I'll get a mug shot of the box art and get cranking.

we're modelers it's what we do

  • Member since
    December 2016
Posted by dwsrazor on Saturday, March 11, 2017 3:33 PM

Welcome aboard amornut!

Bill, come on ya old Sea Dog.  Jump on in.

Construction is proceeding along.  Just have the tail feathers and landing gear to attach and then I can shoot some primer.  I am finding that I will have to paint the main wings separately before attaching.  Even the main supports for the lower wings will have to painted first.  They are shown on the fuselage in the pictures but are not glued yet.  The logistics of paint and assembly for a biplane of this size has been a challenge. 

Also, have broken 4 pieces either trying to get them off the thick sprue gates or while trying to clean them up.  And... I managed to glue one of the struts on upside down so I have been having much fun. 



 

Question on the paint call out for this.  The instructions are calling for Humbrol 64 light grey for the undersides which seems to me to be rather dark.  I've only seen white or Sky for the undersides.  What say ye?

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, March 11, 2017 4:03 PM

What is the upper surface scheme? I know that FAA used more than one scheme, but off the top of my head I can't say what colors in some of them.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Saturday, March 11, 2017 5:55 PM

Dave, according to the old Harleyford book, Sky Type S is the normal color for an FAA Swordfish lower surface, with Dark Slate Grey and Extra Dark Sea Grey on top.  Bill told me (AFTER I painted my Sea Gladiator, the Bugger!) that the upper surface of the lower wings should be counter shaded with lighter versions of the upper wing colors.  Should we break him a rank if'n he don't pop in here sooner!!?

edit:  The countershading colors are perhaps Dark Sea Grey / Light Slate Grey.

One has to be sure that it is an FAA airplane, Coastal Command would be different.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    August 2016
  • From: Eufaula, Alabama
Posted by WannabeFarmboy on Sunday, March 12, 2017 1:27 AM

Welcome aboard, armornut. Admiral...dwsrazor... y'all's kits are lookin great. I hope mine is up to snuff when it's completed (if I'm ever able to get all the ejector pin marks cleaned up). I haven't been on for a while, but I'm glad to see other people making progress on their projects. I was finally able to finish the engines for my Beaufighter. Well, still have to do the props, but the engines themselves are done. 

It was surprisingly difficult to get between all the fins and reach the nooks and crannies. 

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