Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Well, maybe this should be the next contest, eh?  I took some photos last night as well, Aaron.  In my backyard about midnight, and I live in town.  Don't know where these thieves came from.  Silly cats just sat there and watched while they stole their food.  The crunching was louder than usual, so I went out to look and there were 5 of them.  They all ran up the tree when they saw me.  Later they relaxed and came down one at a time and exited stage left.  I think there were 5 of them.

 

 

 

Thanks for your kind comments fellas, sure helps alot .

Aaron thanks for the paint info, I can see your work has achieved a lovely metallic sheen, really good in my eyes. I used some Gunze mr metal on mine, not sure if I will use it again though, absolute doddle to use and can be buffed but needs to be sealed and before it's sealed it comes off real easy and with me having big fat hands it seems to have got everywhere .

Frank I wish I could tell you of some amazing skill but alas that front cowl ring is a seperate part so I sprayed first and then glued from the inside, lucky that the white ends at that panel line. Looks nice and neat for me! I'll try not to balls up these cowl decals!!

Got the fuselage together today and also primed, just need to sort a few seems and then onto paint. Apparently the wings will just slot in so Im gonna do this one in big units and then pop it together at the end, thats the idea anyway

Cheers everyone...

Aren't you supposed to be driving? How can you take pictures and drive??

 

 Wow thanks fellows. I really had no idea they used that color on the Fabric!  A new technique to play with. The Pic gives me and excellent visualization of what it looks like in my mind now and add that to the Admiral's fine description it gives me an idea on how to proceed.  May not be the most visual detail but that never stops me!

You all keep shouting out stuff you think could be done like that!  Or I am messing up on and I will only be to glad to correct it!  I am not really a rivit counter that freaks out if something is wrong but I really like the team effort in the research!  And as Goofy says! Good advice is only good when used!

 I'll get a bit of coffee and have at it!

As far as te PE we shall cross that bridge when we come to it!

 Took those last night . Day time makes better pics but man it is too hot!

True story. My Father-in-laws Squadron had a ground crewman named... "Dopey" and he was a simple guy. His job was to patch over the gun ports on the Beaufighters after a mission.

The first coats are clear, no pigment added to the dope at all.  Little of the dope got on to the inside surface, just in to the weave, so the inside of clear doped fabric is pretty much the color of the fabric.  The clear dope is translucent, so the red added later just adds a cast to the color, though a bit uneven.  The red or silver is a pigment was added to the subsequent coats.  The clear coats penetrate in to the weave of the fabric for better adhesion.  Pigments prevent that and are not added until later.  Red was the color the British used, silver was used in the US.  Silver was also used by the British, but not if red had already been used.  One or the other.

Aaron, here is a scan i did of one of the interior paintings. Hope it clears it up a bit!!! Just make the reddish bit patchy, like the streaked camo on a Fok Dr.I just horizontal. HTH!

Mike your mill and cowl look very very nice my friend!!!!!!!! Excellent work!!!!! I will get pics of the Buc office chairs when I can, still working on them. I painted the grey last night and will be doing the gloss black and flat black then the two tone green cushions. Frank will be proud, I drilled a hole in the bottom and am using the toothpicks in foam part holder!!!!!!! Then will start putting the PE belts and 'I'm outta here' handles on. Pics when painted and then with PE coming forthwith.

 Spike  I base coated the whole works with Tamiya Metallic gray and then simply applied  Washes of Model Master Testers Aluminium, Titanium, steel, jet exhaust and gun metel for the cylinders. Giveds the metal a more natural look to me and you can add variety to the colors without really getting to crazy.  Your engine looks purdy sharply done as well!

 Ok fellows I am half asleep but on the interior color. I am perplexed a bit.  Are we saying just apply like a wash of burnt sienna or primer red? Is the dope silver dope with the mildew looking primer color? and would it only be on the fabric? Would the frame still be interior green?  When you say dope I think silver color.

 If you get a chance spell it out for me in too tired to think talk and when I awake I'll give it a go!  Thanks as I hate to be wrong!

Mike- That is stunning!  How do you get such a sharp demarcartion line between the white and the other colors?  Well done.  The Corsair has been very naughty, so I put her in a box until she decides to cooperate again.

Jason- back!  Would love to see that F-14 here again.  Looking forward to those pics!

Cdr Daywalker & Capt. Bondo,

Respectfully request permission to come back aboard to finish the 1/72 Hasagawa F-14, I left below decks.

I was commandered by a Marine fixed wing squadron (<<--My real world job) to get them prepared for war. They have not been deployed to war since Vietnam. New aircraft, new crews & as always FNG's needing training.

An ageing Jarhead wanting to complete the mission he started a few months ago. Here I stand on deck waiting to get to an old rack & beautiful nurses & Grog.

Jason

Aaron thats a very busy looking work top you got there, good to see it all coming together. those engines look really nice what paints did you use?

Frank any update on your corsair? I saw the underside and it was looking great.

Richie thats a heck of a lot of parts but I bet its gonna be worth it, Pics please?

Here is my finished engine, hope you think it looks ok. I used a sharpie on the wires.

 

I've done the cowling to coz I got excited and couldnt wait, actually preshaded this but I managed to put to much Navy blue on so I've done a little post work which doesnt show up to well on the pics. I actually went for this all over blue scheme because I thought it would test my shading skills..... and it has!

Hope you like,

Cheers...

sfcmac wrote:

Ritchie says he is passing on a bit of that pit love with some PE parts so I am beggin off until  I get that help from down under. May hate him for it as it sounds like there are some really tiny parts!

Yes Aaron there are some rather tiny bits to contend with. Inside and out. Like I said, there were some things I wouldn't even attempt!!!! Will get them off soon.

Daywalker wrote:

Looking good Aaron! One thing- You may want to double-check your references on the colors for the fuselage interior.  From what I have read, the fabric sides were given a redish primer coat, then the dope over the top.  IIRC, gave it a weird mottled color.  At any rate, if you decide to go with the interior color you have, it looks like you may have missed a bit on the rearward side of some of the details.  Have fun at work, and don't wreck any trains!!! (sure do hope I don't have any of those psychic powers! )

 

4 or more clear coats go on before the UV protective British dull red coat, so it will only show a little on the inside.  That is why the mottled look.  Almost like mildew in appearance.

Looking good Aaron!

One thing-

You may want to double-check your references on the colors for the fuselage interior.  From what I have read, the fabric sides were given a redish primer coat, then the dope over the top.  IIRC, gave it a weird mottled color.  At any rate, if you decide to go with the interior color you have, it looks like you may have missed a bit on the rearward side of some of the details.  Have fun at work, and don't wreck any trains!!! (sure do hope I don't have any of those psychic powers! )

Daywalker wrote:

simpilot34 wrote: there will be 120+ pieces in the cockpit area alone!!!!!!! Are you crazy?   Wait a tic, you must be- after all, you ARE hanging out here with us. Aaron- I forgot to comment on your figures, well done!  Do they have names?  Do they talk to you?

Big time!  I think that the 1/32 Ju-88 has a lot less than that.  120 parts and PE stuff wowzers.

 Stayed up really late last night working on the trio of stringbags.  Got some more swordfish ref articles in the mail there Ritchie! Right on time!  Staying up late made me lazy and tired today and I have work tonight so blah!  I have completely painted and prepped the internal stuff for both the 1/48 and 1/32 version. The parts are begining to differ  a bit now.  The Forward MG is much more detailed on the Trumpeter kit and it is very nice to boot but  I can't knock Tamiya as I don't think it really shows that much.

 There are extra bracing cages in the Trump kit as well behind the crew area and up to the tail. Tamiya doesn't have em but again not a part that is seen anyways.

 All I really have to do is glue the halfs together  and the fuselage's are pretty much done.

Hey Buddy  on the 1/72 divine scale?  Oh You and Dave need help I say!  All I really have done thus far is cut off the added cover where the Navagator sits. Only two crew are given and they put a cover over the third part as in later versions a long range fuel tank was added there but not in the kit marking options.

Ritchie says he is passing on a bit of that pit love with some PE parts so I am beggin off until  I get that help from down under. May hate him for it as it sounds like there are some really tiny parts!

 Capt Bondo the check is in the mail!  Er at least your decals are!  I do hope they help you and maybe even motivate you to post a pic or two! ( of the model not your laundry!)

 Now as fer naming the crew? I know one has to be named Wing Comander Bondo  what about the other 2? Thanks fellows off to work!

Daywalker wrote:

simpilot34 wrote: there will be 120+ pieces in the cockpit area alone!!!!!!! Are you crazy?   Wait a tic, you must be- after all, you ARE hanging out here with us.

And I keep coming back for more!!!! But I wouldn't have it any other way mate!!!!

 

simpilot34 wrote:

there will be 120+ pieces in the cockpit area alone!!!!!!!

Are you crazy?  

Wait a tic, you must be- after all, you ARE hanging out here with us.

Aaron- I forgot to comment on your figures, well done!  Do they have names?  Do they talk to you?  

simpilot34 wrote:

Thanks Mike!!!!! Well it has already started even with the ejection seats!!! The seats come in 4 pieces. The bucket halves, cushion bit and then the 'I'm outta here handles'. There were prominent ejector marks on the join for the bucket halves so just trimmed them and the allignment nibs, flat sanded and glued. The join is going to be hidden behind the cushion piece so not a problem and the handle bit covers most of the join on top. The seats started with 4 pieces, but wth the PE going on ends up being 16 pieces total. If I counted right, all up with plastic and PE bits, there will be 120+ pieces in the cockpit area alone!!!!!!! A little at a time, a little at a time!!!

Richie,

I could pull 4-5 kits out of my stash and still be short of the parts count in your pit!  Pics soon please.

Aaron,

You pay 80.00 and don't get a crew, but you pay 8.00 and get one.  The 8.00 was the better deal.  Stick the figs in there and no one will notice there's no pit.  However, it's not like you don't have a pattern to scratch one should you be so inclined.  You're really knocking them out.

Neu,

I have that kit in the stash.  Looking forward to watching your build unfold.

Capn Bondo,

Any pics of your progress?

I feel like I'm back in school at the moment with my modelling.  I know the paper's due in a month but have no motivation to get started. 

Thanks Mike!!!!! Well it has already started even with the ejection seats!!! The seats come in 4 pieces. The bucket halves, cushion bit and then the 'I'm outta here handles'. There were prominent ejector marks on the join for the bucket halves so just trimmed them and the allignment nibs, flat sanded and glued. The join is going to be hidden behind the cushion piece so not a problem and the handle bit covers most of the join on top. The seats started with 4 pieces, but wth the PE going on ends up being 16 pieces total. If I counted right, all up with plastic and PE bits, there will be 120+ pieces in the cockpit area alone!!!!!!! A little at a time, a little at a time!!!

Hi folks,

Aaron your Swordfish are really looking good and well done on the figures, I'm sticking with the OOB till my courage allows me to take a plunge into... making things myself.

Richie I cant wait to see you get to grips with the Bucc, I've seen another build thread on it and I believe it's a bit of a git! I'm sure you can tame it tho .

Cap'n Bondo your Stranrear looks like it's gonna be a beauty, makes me want to try and build something a little different myself.

Neu, good to see you up and running, more pics asap please.

Well Mrs Spike is at this very moment on her way to China which means I've got five days of not eating properly and lots of Hellcat bench time .

Hope to get plenty done, pics to follow.

Cheers... 

Welcome aboard Neu and great job so far!!!!

Brian

Neu that Sea Hawk is looking great quickly!!!!! THANK YOU FOR POSTING THAT LITTLE LINK!!!!!!! I clicked it and saw the sea hawk stuff then saw 'Buccaneer' at the top!!! Need I say more?! Looking forward to more pics!!!!!!!

Oh man snuck in there Neu!  Looks grand from what I can make out and I can see a lot cuz my pictures are shakey as well.  Sometimes I find that if you take it further back where it can focus then simple edit the image by cropping the part you want before  sending it to the server it can clear them up and zoom in better than the camera can.  JUst what works for me.

Hey Capt Bondo sent ya one of those PM thingies. May be able to help. My matchbox model is long gone but oddly I still have the decals!

Hey all... thanks for the encouraging words. I'm away this weekend playing the barbarian's game with other gentlemen (though with my lot it might just be barbarians through and through). So if I go missing, don't worry its because I'm either incapacitated from my sport of choice or its aftermath.

Nevertheless, I did find an hour this evening to work on the cockpit. The Special hobby is one of those models that I feel are great in theory, but terrible in practice. There is glorious amounts of extra resin parts, but its fit leaves much to desire. As a result I had to trim some of the nice side panels they give (on the upper half of the fuselage) to make it fit with the cockpit tub that sits along the bottom half. You can't see it well because of my crappy phone camera... but trust me its there.


For painting I've been using this site as reference, which is great. I've got the basic metal and black parts painted, so the next time will be all the fine details, like switches and weathering. If it goes well I'll break out the fancy camera and take some picts.

-neu-

jeaton01 wrote:

New Hampshire wrote: Argh I be pardin'n ye forgivness Aaron, I was stuck in the engine room swabbing the remains of last nights mid rats off the deck after the boys got a wee too much torp juice in em and the seas got a wee bit too rough.  I tell ye, that stuff may have been good goin' in, but it sure ain't pretty comin' out! Good news be the Admiral owed me a favor (I whittled him a new peg leg!) and sent along a few bottles of his finest Cognac!  I know its not up ter the standards of our bilge pump oil....errr, rum......but I be sharin' anyways mateys!   Enjoy! Brian Peg Leg? This Admiral got no peg leg, just standard equipment here, always been fast enough of foot to keep both.   Raiding the Admiral's Cabin whilst me is out Saving The World?  Egad!!   Blast!!  First the comely wench disappears, then me best likker is fed to the swamp rats.  Grrrrrrr!!

And wa' zacly the issha wit' pins o' pine? Rather fancy mine, spesh since she's hollow!

ARRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Jeaton I'll have you know that the Supermarine Stranraer is in to the booth for the first of many coats. Everything seen from upside down is aluminium dope, two coats so far. Next the dark sea grey on the uppers o' the lower. it's a rum thing for a bipe, the lower wing has a spar what you'd duck under and the upper wing, well she just keeps formation up there. Lucky no gun position up there this time around.

Still waiting for that damn Ukrainian to sell me those brassy little Lewis guns.

What's next for you? The Fort is/was a Beau(t).

But On Topic, the Whit is off her sprues and I'm marking the surgery required for the Falcon vacs. Pics tomorrow night.

I kinda missed that you fobbed off, and yes you did Sir; your duty for a competition on that mongrelly little flea trap. Not favorable, Sir. I'm inclined to pose another Captainsd challenge soon. Stay alert boys. This Neu fella never showed up for 'is ration, may need a turn on the gratings, we'll see.

Rumours of Nam are welcome, although the LtCmr chose not to share 'is wearabuuts. Neverland, I reckon.

New Hampshire wrote:

Argh I be pardin'n ye forgivness Aaron, I was stuck in the engine room swabbing the remains of last nights mid rats off the deck after the boys got a wee too much torp juice in em and the seas got a wee bit too rough.  I tell ye, that stuff may have been good goin' in, but it sure ain't pretty comin' out! Good news be the Admiral owed me a favor (I whittled him a new peg leg!) and sent along a few bottles of his finest Cognac!  I know its not up ter the standards of our bilge pump oil....errr, rum......but I be sharin' anyways mateys!   Enjoy! Brian

Peg Leg? This Admiral got no peg leg, just standard equipment here, always been fast enough of foot to keep both.   Raiding the Admiral's Cabin whilst me is out Saving The World?  Egad!!   Blast!!  First the comely wench disappears, then me best likker is fed to the swamp rats.  Grrrrrrr!!

Why does Trumpeter do that? Why? I built one Trump kit, the 1/32 Mustang, and I do not, do not no Sam I am, I do not like... it makes zero sense. I put on my Bondo thinking cap and tryed to figger it.. do you flood the face with black, then wipe off the dials? Its a really stewpid thing. Now I am not an IP kinda guy, sheesh at 1/72 but of what the flock it makes NO sense to me, kind of like green eggs and ham.

All in one night, no. It's a challenge. The wing has a center and outer third sections above, and cannot be pre assembled or else all the struts won't never fit. So build first, then putty and paint. I'm gonna paint the fusey first, then the lower wings and stick em on. Then struts, top wing then paint the top of that.

Ain't got no decals neither, but I'm going to paint them on. More chore.

Cheers, men it's a great evening here. Lavender clouds, a nice night sky.

Billy Bondo and he's Admirable to the ladies!

Bondo you mean your gonna do that whole Seaplane in one night? Geeze thats bold!

 Maybe I should make a drink!

 Here is what I mean't about the IP's there isn't one in the 1/72 version..... yet! 

 The first real diff in the parts other than size.  I must say the Trump is actually a grand improvement.

Now The idea of decals is a cool one. But the very VERY uneven surfaces and flat decal are hard to match up. The Tamiya decals were just dials and really bad. Didn't lay well or ract to setting solution good at all for me. Would do them 1 dial at a time if I could do it over. Lucky for me I had two sets with this edition so I managed.

The Trumpeter decals are more colorful and fit like a puzzle over even worse surfaces but lay down with setting solution. The Clear part does make it hard to see.

Moving along! One step at a time!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the mail box..... comes  KARATE DEE DEE!