Fleet Air Arm Group Build

Thanks for your kind words  about my Mitchell fella's. I have polished up the canopies as best as I can and it doesn't look too bad! Two of the fuselage windows popped out and I could'nt get my meat cleaver hands inside the model to fix them so I patched them with Klear. Seems to have done the trick.

The other problem I had was weight.........or lack of it, in the nose section! This thing really is a tail sitter! Even with the weight I added, it still wants to sit on its tail. One advantage of having a display base is being able to glue this sucker's nose wheel down!

I just need to add some antenne wire and the aircraft is done. The base won't be fully complete until some figures I ordered arrive, but I'll take some pics of the model without them so  you guys can see what I've done.

Daywalker wrote:

Darren- This may seem an odd question, but what better place to post such a querry?  How large in diameter are crumpets?  I am wondering if they are the same as "English muffins" here.

Mmmm........hang on.

(Five minutes later.)  

Yes, they are about 4 inches in diameter.

Guys,

if my count is correct we have a draw between two kits so far for my next FAA build.

Its a tie between......

1. Hobbycraft Sea Fury.

2. Haseagwa FG.1 Phantom.

I am looking forward to seeing how this turns out! 

Daywalker wrote:

Yes, I think I have had the Americaized version.  In fact, I had one yesterday at McDonald's with egg and sausage on it.

Aahhh........now  we have those over here in the English McDonalds, but as tasty as it is-its not a crumpet! It has a different taste and texture from the McMuffin. I will contact the American branch of the Tango1 clan to see if they they can locate crumpets on your side of the pond.

Once you have 'em-you'll love 'em!

most US supermarkets sell crumpets 

mostly 4 packs for 2 to 2.50 each

Darren, my vote goes to the Sea Fury.  If you go with it, I'd suggest the resin detail sets from Cutting Edge.  Really adds to the kit.

Regards,  Rick

TANGO 1 wrote:

Daywalker wrote: Yes, I think I have had the Americaized version.  In fact, I had one yesterday at McDonald's with egg and sausage on it. Aahhh........now  we have those over here in the English McDonalds, but as tasty as it is-its not a crumpet! It has a different taste and texture from the McMuffin. I will contact the American branch of the Tango1 clan to see if they they can locate crumpets on your side of the pond. Once you have 'em-you'll love 'em!

Thanks fellas, I'm on a mission to find some now!

rjkplasticmod wrote:

Darren, my vote goes to the Sea Fury.  If you go with it, I'd suggest the resin detail sets from Cutting Edge.  Really adds to the kit. Regards,  Rick

Funny you should mention that Rick-I'm picking up their exterior set at the UK 'Nats next weekend. I am going to use Airwaves P/E for the cockpit as its a little easier on my wallet.

Daywalker wrote:

TANGO 1 wrote:  Daywalker wrote: Yes, I think I have had the Americaized version.  In fact, I had one yesterday at McDonald's with egg and sausage on it. Aahhh........now  we have those over here in the English McDonalds, but as tasty as it is-its not a crumpet! It has a different taste and texture from the McMuffin. I will contact the American branch of the Tango1 clan to see if they they can locate crumpets on your side of the pond. Once you have 'em-you'll love 'em!   Thanks fellas, I'm on a mission to find some now!

THE QUEST FOR CRUMPET BEGINS!

I was able to convince my girlfriend to look for them at the local small supermarket, but nothing yet.

I WILL FIND CRUMPETS!!!

And when you do, you will toast them, butter them and devour them! Then, and only then will you  know the way of fine afternoon refreshment!!!

Gee...you guys are making me hungry....

btw-Darren-the B-25 is looking great.

Ok fella's I've been hawking on about this build for 3 months now......here she is!

An American aviation legend, the B-25 Mitchell. This one was based in the Philippines, known as "Mitch the Witch" this B-25 was with the USAAF, 17th RS (bomb), 71st TRG in Lasayen, 1945.

This is the Accurate Minitures kit reboxed by Italieri. 1/48 scale, built OOB with a home made display base. This one was built just for the fun of it-not for accuracy so forgive me if you spot any mistakes.

I really got back to "just building" with this one and really enjoyed the weathering process on it.-It was fun!

Hope you like it.........

What's really odd is that i swear i've seen that plane before! Do you know if the real thing is still in existance?

I have to say that the weathering really stands out, and it gives the Mitchell that really "beat to hell" look. And judging from all the kill flags on her, that looks about right! But what was it you did for the weathering and the residue around the engine nacelles there?

Roger,

there is a B-25D painted as "Mitch the Witch II" in a museum in the USA, chances are thats the one you've seen.

As for the weathering, the photo's don't show the effect as well as I would have liked, but the idea was to depict the colour distortion that occurred on those engine nacelles from the engines exhaust fumes......

I airbrushed grey/buff lines from the exhaust flarings and gradually built up the staining using reference pics as a guide. I added some rust/oil stains to the underside as they seemed to stand out on the medium grey undesides. Small spots of rust were added to the top side to bring it all together. I'm not sure if I got it "right" but it definately makes the model more interesting.

Frank,

you really are too kind! I'm glad you like the weathering and the base-it was a fun project to do!

Looking forward to your USMC/USN GB when it comes..........

Darren,

That GB is a ways off me thinks.  Still have to finish the Seafire, the Fokker, the P-38, the Christmas GB, and I just signed on for gzt's Hurricane GB!  Looks like I may have to quit my day job at my current building pace!

And, I still have to have time to find crumpets!!!

Darren, I love the B-25, "well done old chap".  "Calls for a spot of tea". (How's my English coming)  I think the base is great, then again you always have a great display base for your builds.

I'm very excited about the planned USN/USMC build next year.  I have 2 SBDs and a F-4 Vietnam Navy ace to pick from, all in 1/48.  Like Frank said I have my F4U, Albatros and a Spitfire to build first.  Speaking of building, let me run an idea past you guys.  What do you think of a makeshift spaybooth made from cardboard, furnice filter and a window exhaust fan?  The idea is to use this until I get a proper booth.  Do you think it will work for the time being?

Again Darren great looking bomber. 

Roy

Darren, I saw this on the Aircraft Forum, but well worth a second look.  Well done sir .

I think we should celebrate....How does Rum go with Crumpets ?

Regards,  Rick

Rum and Crumpets?

Mmmmmm...........!!

Many thanks for your kind words fella's-I see what you mean about the ammount of GB's we have around here!  I did'nt know there was a Hurricane GB going on......

TANGO 1 wrote:

I did'nt know there was a Hurricane GB going on......

Now that you know, I hope we will see you there.

Rum and crumpets?  Egads!  You guys ARE crazy!

Daywalker wrote:

TANGO 1 wrote: I did'nt know there was a Hurricane GB going on...... Now that you know, I hope we will see you there. Rum and crumpets?  Egads!  You guys ARE crazy!

Ok, maybe Buttered Rum & crumpets.....

bobbaily wrote:

Daywalker wrote:  TANGO 1 wrote: I did'nt know there was a Hurricane GB going on...... Now that you know, I hope we will see you there. Rum and crumpets?  Egads!  You guys ARE crazy! Ok, maybe Buttered Rum & crumpets.....

Buttered Rum.................and they call me crazy!!