Fleet Air Arm Group Build

I just finished my Me 262 for Frank's GB (It's his fault) so I can start plugging away on this one.  I put aside the Gladiator for now, might try to get to it in the new year.  For now though I picked this gem up at the LHS.  Figured I couldn't go too far wrong for 8 looneys (bucks to you Americans).

Anyway, it is some rebox of a very old kit (most likely matchbox/frog)and has one of the most bare interiors I have ever seen. The figures aren't really good enough to use and the seats without the figures aren't going to cut it either.  Looks like the floor board is the only thing I'll use.

I'm going to use Mac's build as a starting point to scratch a few things and see what I can pull out of the spares box as well.  The propeller had one blade that was badly warped too and when I tried to straighten it out by hand it snapped.  I guess I'll have to use Guy's trick and make some tea! 

lewbud wrote:

Just a thought, if it's always Dave's fault who does Dave blame?

  You just stumbled on my little secret Bud.  See when I was a younger teen/man my best friend and partner in crime was also named Dave.  So you see, when you all keep saying it's Dave's fault I just always assume it's the other Dave's fault just like I did when I was younger. 

Mac,

Yes, the Blues will be there this weekend.  If you can go Saturday because that will be the only day Fat Albert does his JATO takeoff.  Apparently, they've only got enough JATO bottles to do one day at each stop for the rest of the season, then there are no more.  If you've never seen Fat Albert do his JATO takeoff it is WAAAAAAYYY COOL!  Get there in time to see the C-17 guys do their routine as well.  To watch them manage that humongous chunk of metal is downright sick.  I watched them pull some tight enough banks that I thought he might roll it (was kind hoping he would, probably stress the airframe way beyond spec though.  Not a good thing careerwise probably.).  Am scanning the aerial stuff as I type while trying to figure out how to get a 150-500mm zoom.  That 75-300 just ain't good enough.

Dave,

You better post pics soon.  You really don't want to have to deal with Mac, do you?

Just a thought, if it's always Dave's fault who does Dave blame?

sfcmac wrote:

Dave! Where are the pics of the model only a Sean could love?

 Wow Buddy those are some great photos! I wonder if they will be at the Wings over Houston Airshow?  Lots of good pics and you can tell they are from a fellow who models!

Dave! Whereare the picsofemodel only a Sean could love? I'll look tomorrow!  Off to work for now! Somebody has to ring the bell and toot the whistle!

Good looking builds guys! 

I hope i can get an update in on my build later

Mac,

I do not recall the events of the night in question.  I will stick with Richie's version as I like his account better.

There's a lot of good work going on here, I really should get back to the bench and at least finish the A-7 from the NAVAIR build.  Speaking of NAVAIR, the Blue Angels were in town this weekend for the Alliance Air Show in Fort Worth.  I've got about 20 pics up on my fotki site of stuff that was on static display.  The aerial stuff is being developed right now and should be ready for pickup after 5.  Now to figure out this new scanner.

EDIT: I guess the link would help  http://public.fotki.com/lewbud/alliance-airshow-2009/

Roy - I am always happy to see pics of a P 40 varient.. I cant wait to see it after Alex paints it.

Jason -  Wow, that old radial engine looks like it should be poppin ,sputtering and smoking up the bench anytime now..

Roy, fantastic work on that Corsair.  Love the FAA colours on it.

Herc, WOW!!!  That cockpit and engine detail is top notch and has me drooling with envy. 

Aaron, how many times have I told you, you never, never, ever take a camera to the office party!!!  Good to have you back in tip top shape sailor!

sfcmac wrote:

....... lewbud and Ritchy woke up hugging each other!

We were not hugging each other!!!! We were simply trying to hold each other up and passed out at the same time. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!

Roy, that looks great mate!!! Really looking the part now!!! Alex's P-40 is looking better all the time too!!

Jason, WOW that looks great!!!! Nice engine and office!!!!!!!

Jason- That detail work is breathtaking, WOW!  Incredible stuff.  Who needs resin bits when you can do that to a model.  I love it!

Darren- Good to see you my friend!  We shall be eagerly awaiting those Hawk pics!

Aaron- AAAAACK!!!   I didn't realize someone with a camera was at that party.  Good thing they didn't see the new guy being greased up and shot out the forward carronade by Cap'n Bondo, lest the authorities get curious and crash the next party.  Party on swabbies, I've got the watch!  AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Feeling a bit better so I did some work on Alexander's P-40.  I had to smooth out the step on the nose, scoop and gun covers.  Still needs alittle work.  Remember, Alexander will do all the painting.  He wanted me to do this part ;D

 Now that is what I am talking about men!  We got Corsairs decaled with boogies! Looking fine btw! Fine paint work!  Pretty girls!  Herc the evil is scratching some fantastic looking stuff all round!  The CAG was busy on me B-day so I actually got to keep one of the girls for more than 3 minutes! The rum is flowing and  Roy finally got his pics up! Well done! 

 Well Darren since you missed me B-day Maybe you can take me along with your celebration! I think yours is very near! and the XO 's is on the 30th of OCT as well!  Man last time we had such an OCTBERBIRTHDAYFEST! 

 Bondo ended up stuck to the dancing girls pole!  Roy had a cold from walking around outside in his undies and lewbud and Ritchy woke up hugging each other!

Sean burnt of his Moustache and was mistaken for Betty Grabiel!

Spike and the other s  you had better hang on to yer hats and  just throw your money to the girls to save time!

 Remeber after the smoke clears and the puke dries the one thing to remember is that it is Dave's Fault!!!!!  You know things are rough whem the XO is offering to serve coffee!

sfcmac wrote:

Oh BTW  fellows! The weekend is here!!!!!

Absolutely! Sorry I missed your Mac! The next round is on me!

Hope everone is OK, I've been busy at the bench with my Hawk and other projects, my Arnhem dio is taking up a lot of my time, I hope you'll like the results when you see them!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend, I'll get some shots up of the Hawk when she's done.......yes! I'm nearly there!

I am going to try this again. After realizing my modeling skills where not going to be up to what I wabted to accomplish on the F-14 and since this turned into an FAA build while I was being slow, I went and purchased a 1/48 FAA Hellcat by Hasegawa. I have already gotten a ways into the build but I have taken Pics along the way.

I started with the pit and the rear wall needed some much needed attention.

and a pic of the throttles with a lil love.

I have thrown a lil paint and scratch built the belts.

Then following Roys Example I wired the motor. What a tedious process.

Thanks for putting up with me in this build. I will have the cockpit done soon and will post pics.

I cut out the aelerons and elavators. I found out later that these birds when on carrier had all there surfaces locked in the neutral position. I will try to get the aelerons back into neutral but i think i will position the elevors sagging a lil.

Kannichiwa & Arigato- Jason 

Roy -  You got your crosair looking really good. I keep forgetting this is 1/72 The prop decals would of driven me mad getting the spacing on all three.

Hope you get to feeling better Are using one of Guy's tricks and sneezing on the decals for a setting solution ?

20* outside here this morning.. brrrr

During my ongoing war with a cold I got the decals on:

Roy hope you finish up soon, really looking forward to seeing some pics . Sorry your not feeling to chipper, get some vitamin c down yer, maybe a curry and definitely a couple of scotches, sure to sort you out

Aaron, good to see your back up and about, look after yourself.

Frank, the Corsair is shaping up very nicely, always enjoy seeing your paint work (and your Denise collection ). I see you've been getting a little flack about your progress on these forums LOL.

Cheers...

I got all the decals on.  Will let them dry and coat them, then add some Promodeler wash.  I get some pictures up with the decals on.  I've been fighting a nasty cold for three days now and it's getting the best of me.  I'll try and get them later today.

I was going to use the markings that Darren has on his Corsair but went with the others.

Roy's

 Frank's

CAG's

 Frank I am digging the sweeping colors and demarkcation between the upper and lower surface!

I see you took the 10 inches off the wingtips as well?  Got some markings planned  fellows are are we just following in the CAG's shadow? Didn't somebody else do an FAA Corsair as well?

Thank's Buddy! Ritchie! Very glad to be up and around again!

back Aaron!!!!! Glad to hear everything is going ok and you are getting back to normal!!!!

Frank that looks awesome mate!!! Love those colors on a Corsair!!! Who is gonna finish first, you or Roy??!!

Mac- Oh boy... Can't believe I forgot to post them!   Well, here are a couple of how she looks now...

Glad to see you back to your old self again!

Mac,

Welcome back!  Glad the sawbones has seen fit to mark you fit for duty.  If your back starts to act up don't forget to see the nurse.

Roy,

It's officially Saturday now, where's the pics?

 Oh BTW  fellows! The weekend is here!!!!!

bondoman wrote:

Happy Birthday Big Guy!!!! Here's a dram of the old Torp Juice just to calm yer nerves and I really hope you feel better soon.

 Thanks to all!  I do feel much better Cpt Bondo sir!  My Docs say I am at 100% again actually. Seems that the alcohol finally numbed my brain to a point of sobriety!

 I actually will be returning to work tomorrow night so hopefully the McNeal house will get back into a normal routine whatever that is?

 Has to be better than me being a grouchy old bear in anycase.

Now what all have I missed ?

Spectacular  black finish on that bird Darren!

Sharp looking camo Roy!

Frank? Didn't you mention some Corsair pics with FAA camo as well?  I went back to look and only saw this one?

A really nice effect to say the least but I was looking for the swooping curves and feathered camo?

Ah yes the sweeping curves!

Between you , lewbud and Model Maniac 6.2 My back really would have to rise the the challenge eh?

Back to Cpt Bondo... UMMMM  It,s a masterpiece of homemade domino's I guess. They look like Whitney gear bay doors to me though. Is it legal to do that to cans in CA? Looks dangerous don't cut yerself! What happened to the contents?  I wish I had no soda cans in my house! Just found a brisk Iced tea in my computer table? Teenagers!