Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Great progress Aaron!  Hmmm... another one in EDSG/DSG/Sky again!

I was able to travel up to Oshkosh today for the airshow, lots of cool planes to see!  Even had the opportunity to crawl aboard a Lancaster, that's me on the ladder/in the cockpit/hanging out of the top hatch.

Looking out the nose

Looking out over the Port wing

The RAF was all about, there was even an aircraft from the FAA there!  And a Corsair at that!

Hurricane

Spitfire Mk.XVI

A Lysander

B -17G "Aluminum Overcast" flying overhead.  There is no sound in the world like the low rumble of those four radials.  Bliss!

Predator- I didn't realize how large these actually are!  I have wanted to see one up close to see hom odd they look.  Very odd IMHO.

Man, that Airbus A380 is HUUUUUGE!

TWO Hellcats

The weather was absolutely PERFECT for an airshow.  Sunny, 78 degrees and a light breeze.  They say attendance was up from last year, though the Warbird area was pretty empty.  Aside from the usual gaggle of P-51s, AT-6s, T-28s, and other trainers, there were not many there.  Every year I have my photo taken next to the Super Corsair, but sadly this was the first year I can remember that she was not there.

 A HA! Take off with my Nurses and leave me in the dingy again!  Oh well....

Anyways just to bring you all up on the build sequence the 1/72 little fellow is painted futured and awaiting decals.  Then final seal and blast of dull coat and weathering will set it up.

Then the upper wing will be rigged before attached to the fuselage and all it will be is a small (very small matter ) of detailing it starting from front to back. Little by little.

  Nope Spike still feel like poo-doo!  Gotta keep the nurses a while longer!

But these models aren't gonna build themselves in spite of Guy's special powers! Have you all seen that Mustang of his? Didn't he just do a 205 like yesterday?  Jeeze I am slow!

 Believe it or not buddy I really don't have the late one in the stash. Well other than converting this mixed up 1/72 revell kit. Making it a Mk I.  The Box art is a MK I

 but the model is more like this one.

Fairey Swordfish Mk.III NR944
RCNAS Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
1946-47

Postwar the Swordfish survived in various capacities, that seen here is a radar-equipped Mk.III of the Royal Canadian Navy. Once again in overall aluminum with a black trimmed cowl. On radar equipped aircraft, the operator's cockpit was partially covered over to prevent glare on the scope screen.

It even has that odd anti glare cover for the radar screen over the  Navigators position and only 2 crew figs.  It actually looks like a MK II or 3 except for the lower wing being represented as fabric covered.

A lot of work to backdate it to be sure.  Here is a couple things I have worked on today.

1st the old progress pic.

Now the diff.

The Hobby Knife is on the PE cooling fins. You have to stack them atop each other to get the effect. Have to look close as they are diff sizes and have to be in the right order to get the right shape or you make a cone.  I used the clear parts cement let it dry and that gave enough flexibilty but held well enough to get them close as possible.

 Complicated by the set has spacers on the PE to create gaps larger and smaller just as the real thing but it is the larger oil cooler for the MK II or III not the MK I and I had to adjust accordingly ising a scale ruler (again) and filling the hole in the fuse which was larger than the PE.

The Camera zoom reveals it may not be perfect but much better than  the solid plastic rectangle that was there.

Added the engine and painted the prop!  The outter cowling metal exhaust channeler I made more the color of the picture of the Black one above. Just cuz The darkened copper  doesn't seem to be the case on a lot of the pics I have seen. As oppossed to Radial engined bombers of the time. Ran into that look with the Roc and Skua as well.  I put a lot of crediability to Capt Bondo's Dad when he says it looked like burn't metal. That was on Beaufighters if I recall correctly.

Also you may have noticed that since I couldn't figure out how to use the Frank- in - stand

3.x that I had white glued the gear in place  to sit it on.   This didn't look like Admiral Rick's fine build displayed on page 1.  So I cut off just a bit of the ends and tapered the forward one as I have seen in the pics. Pin vise drilled out holes in the fuse and strut and glued a small piece of stiff wire in the holes.  Used a Christmas ornament hook for the wire as it was plenty stiff enough to support the gear.

 Gotta blow of the dust  but I think it matches the look of the real thing better.

 A little lunch then back at it!

Thanks fellas for kind comments, glad you like it so far .

Aaron, hope your feeling better? It's the reason I picked this scheme as I thought it would be good practice and maybe improve my skills with the airbrush. I preshaded the panel lines with gunze flat black and then slowly built up the blue roughly moving from panel to panel but left it looking a little patchy and with the preshading still showing. Then I added some white to the blue and concentrated on the centre of the panels, finally I returned to the base blue which went on lightly but in a more uniform manner in order to bring it all together. I've post shaded some panel lines with Tamiya smoke and I need to do a wash on the wings when the decals are all finished (pro modeller Dark). I have to say that I've learnt all these tips from reading many posts on these forums and just hope I can achieve something close to all the wonderful builds that appear here so often.

Dave I'm glad you like it. It was flown by an Argentinean pilot named Oscar Lorenzo of No 808 Sqn from HMS Khedive, in the area of Sumatra and Malaysia. It's one of the options in the Eduard dual combo kit so I will also get to do the Mk1 sometime  

I've started putting the undercarriage together so hopefully not long to go now, Just odd bits to touch up.

Cheers...

Frank, I am so envious!!!

Cag, been reading about the Vulcan restoration in the Aeroplane mag.  Glad to see some pics of it in the air.

Spike, the Hellcat is looking awesome!!!  What are the markings again?  Been busy with holidays and everything so I've either missed your earlier postings or have forgotten.

Aaron, get better my friend.  Looks like the other lads have supplied the nurses to keep yur spirits UP!

sfcmac wrote:

Ah more nurses and me with my wiggle broke! Guess I will have to settle for the jiggle until the wiggle feels better!  Thanks Darren and Buddy! I appreciate the well wishes from everyone!  Spike that has to be one of the sharpest dark blue paint schemes I have seen , well since Frank the XO used to build Corsairs those many years ago. Really looks great! Do you have any special tricks or just play with the paint until you like the look?   Cropredy!   Glad to see The Taranto Swordfish has made it over here!  You won't regret it although you may be sorry!!! Just watch yer cup and accept no rum from Capt Bondo unless the safety seal is intact!  Be wary!  Here is a Nice link dealing with Swordfish Profile and colors. Even says the red nose was a trainer but doesn't site the ref for it. Still a nice Profile page for the stringbag, http://www.cbrnp.com/profiles/quarter2/swordfish.htm even has another MK II Blck Scheme  HMMMMMM  Al mine are MK I? Anyone know of someone on th list with a MK II

Uhhhh, let me see.  Looking, looking, looking.  Funny, my search reveals a guy that looks a whole lot like you with a Mk. II.

 Ah more nurses and me with my wiggle broke! Guess I will have to settle for the jiggle until the wiggle feels better!  Thanks Darren and Buddy! I appreciate the well wishes from everyone!

 Spike that has to be one of the sharpest dark blue paint schemes I have seen , well since Frank the XO used to build Corsairs those many years ago. Really looks great! Do you have any special tricks or just play with the paint until you like the look?

  Cropredy!   Glad to see The Taranto Swordfish has made it over here!  You won't regret it although you may be sorry!!! Just watch yer cup and accept no rum from Capt Bondo unless the safety seal is intact!  Be wary!

 Here is a Nice link dealing with Swordfish Profile and colors. Even says the red nose was a trainer but doesn't site the ref for it. Still a nice Profile page for the stringbag,

http://www.cbrnp.com/profiles/quarter2/swordfish.htm

even has another MK II Blck Scheme  HMMMMMM  Al mine are MK I? Anyone know of someone on th list with a MK II

sfcmac wrote:

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

Hmmm... I wonder who that was directed at. LOL

Thanks CAG!!  Is the RIAT open to the public?  Found out that the Tiger Meet has an observers day that seems to be open to the public as well.  Better start saving the pennys.

"Mr McNeal"  ?

"Its time for your sponge bath Sir............"

Hope you're feeling better mate.

For Buddy........

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.

 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.

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!

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.

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?

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

Likey Vulcan!

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!

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...

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!

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

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!!!!

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

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.

jeaton01 wrote:

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