BomberGruppe GB - 2007 (Luftwaffe Bombers)

I've enjoyed everyone's comments and I have to agree with most of them.  I have known people who have fought on both sides of the war and the one thing that has been impressed upon me is that they were all ordinary people caught up in extrordinary events.  The other thing I have learned over the years is the amount of hatred created by war.  Somethings in life are not easily forgotten.  I don't take my models out of the house very often but when I do I try to be carefull about what I show and where.  I know that some models and images will bring back painful memories for some people.  Myself I am facinated by a time in history where over a five year span they went from flying biplanes to Jets (well sorta).  I have no problem building a Nazi Plane because as mentioned they are an instrument only.  The politicts and ideas behind why it was built is another story.  Makes me wonder however how anyone could produce and market an Adolph Hitler Doll (I saw it advertised on a mainstream online store).  Go figure!!!

carsanab wrote:

On a lighter note..... Has anybody eles built an MPM kit???are they all this bad with the fit?? nothing has alignment pins and the trailing edges are really thick.. Carlos

I built the MPM P-63A not long ago for the P-39 GB, and it had the same problems.  When it was done I liked it better, and it came out well.  Limited run is just like that, I guess.

Well, some good responses from the group on my question.  Let me make it clear that I am indeed having fun building these kits - building models has always been a fun activity.  To that end I don't take too much account of what ideologies particular aircraft may have represented, but I suppose in watching Downfall last night just drove home a point that these aircraft were indeed flying due to a hateful regime. 

I never intended to cast any Darth Vader-like characteristics on the men who flew them or maintained them.  For the most part they were soldiers doing their job, and they were caught up in circumstances that they neither had any control over nor had any responsibility for creating.

And I hope that no one thinks I'm sitting here in southeast Texas wondering if there might not be some closet neo-Nazis among our group, as that is not the case.  I think that we're all cut from a similar cloth - we like these old war birds and we enjoy putting lots of time, money and effort into building models of these aircraft.  No matter the political ideologies behind any particular aircraft.

I have also seen [i]Band of Brothers[/] and agree that it is an excellent work.  My favorite part is ... anyone care to guess?  ... of course the C-47 sequence in what was week 2's episode when the paratroopers were going in the night before the invasion.  But that movie was much more than that, and listening to the interviews with surviving Easy Company members was very gratifying.

Any way, back to happy times with our modeling!

jeaton01 wrote:

I've had the aviation affliction as long as you, Aggieman, and that has always been a point of thought to me.  I suppose I have resolved it by realizing that there are degrees of evil, and the Axis airmen were no more evil than Allied airmen, on balance.  I do doubt that I will ever build any airplane in Rudel's markings, and the Doolittle B-25's are ones I would defend to anyone, so there is an element of "it depends" to my decisions on what I build.

Hi all, im sitting here on the sidelines reading all this stuff and agree with the majority of it. The bit that made start rattling on the keyboard was Jeatons comments above. I only wonder why wouldnt you do a Stuka in Rudels markings, Jeaton?

Surely, to 99.9% of the modellers in this hobby, we are just making representations in a model, as close to the real thing as we can. And, i cant speak for everyone, but when someone sees one of the models that i have made, I take enormous pleasure in explaining the model, where its theatre of operations was, what i like about the model etc etc. I have absolutely no hesitation in adding swasticas to the fin, because that is what they had. I would hardly be making a good representation if i omitted something that was on the plane. I know history tells us of Rudels exploits, Hartmans, Barkhorns and to think of it 'Enola Gays' All of whome have been responsible for enormous destruction of men and machines. So lets all get a grip on this. These subjects are made even more interesting by thier exploits, wether we like them or not. So keep on modelling, and take pride in your abilities. Ensure that you explain the shortfalls and successes of subjects modelled and perhaps with more people modelling the likes of Rudel's Stuka, the more chance the youngsters, to whom WW2 was just a film, may just get an idea of the reality of War.

...Guy

PS, This is by no way shape or form, me having a go at anyone, its just the rambling of a 37 yr old englishman. I have seen your work Jeaton, and you like many others in the game are far better than I. I personally would like to see your representation of a late model JU57 in Rudels markings. By looking at the finished model, i would appreciate your talents as a modeller and thats it. It wouldnt mean to me, or anyone else that you were 'Pro' the Nazi regime.

just to add my 2 cents here.

like you guys said.we are modeling the equipment of ww2 germany.

the equipment where the.."tools"...of their army just like everybody else.

i once heard somebody say ...."a bullet has no conscience".

and in the case of war.... the "tools" have no conscience.

again,just my 2 cents. 

anyway, i have the band of brothers box set and i love it.

i probably watch it once a month.

Aggieman wrote:

I have also seen [i]Band of Brothers[/] and agree that it is an excellent work.  My favorite part is ... anyone care to guess?  ... of course the C-47 sequence in what was week 2's episode when the paratroopers were going in the night before the invasion.  But that movie was much more than that, and listening to the interviews with surviving Easy Company members was very gratifying.

Aggieman, I had to laugh when I read this. not only did I love that episode, but one of my favorite parts of the whole series was in the opening sequence of each one...wher eth two mustnags fly over and then make a sharp, staggered left. It gives me chills and makes me wish I could fly!

Hi All, sorry to butt in again but heres a fantastic shot of 111 that i found...AND ITS IN GOOD COLOUR.

Luftwoller wrote:

jeaton01 wrote: Hi all, im sitting here on the sidelines reading all this stuff and agree with the majority of it. The bit that made start rattling on the keyboard was Jeatons comments above. I only wonder why wouldnt you do a Stuka in Rudels markings, Jeaton? ...Guy

It's just how I would feel about it, Guy, and I take no offense.  Rudel was a firm Nazi until the day he died, long after the war, and that bothers me, personally.  There is not enough time to model as many airplanes as I dream of, and I prefer to do the ones I feel more positive about.  Certainly there are lessons to be learned from modelling Rudel's airplane and talking about the man, his flying record, and every other element that comes with what we do.  Airplanes flown by Hartmann, Galland, General Weaver, Hans-Joachim Marseille, and many other airplanes will be done first; for example the Ju 388 I'm doing for this build, just for the fact that I think it is the best developed version of a long line of very good airplanes of the Ju-88 family. 

Luftwoller wrote:

Hi All, sorry to butt in again but heres a fantastic shot of 111 that i found...AND ITS IN GOOD COLOUR.

That's a great picsture. The airplane looks brand spanking new.

Real nice He 111 photo.  While I was laid up with the bad knee. I buloit modles and wacthed Band of Brother... again. I am reading Dick Winetr's "Beyond The Band of Brothers."  Interesting to hear his personal side of what went on.

How's everyone else doing on their builds?

It looks like Carsanab has his hands full with the MPM kit. But fear not, he has more than enough ability to tackle that kit.

Keep the progress pics coming. 

progress has been kinda slow on the condor but its coming along. still doing the decals.

work and coaching my son's baseball team is kicking my butt.

with 3 games a week and practice in between its kinda hard to get any work done.

taking the rest of the week off from work,but my wife is going in for knee sugery

so i will be playing mr. mom this week,also my son has been progressing on his p-51 project.

so i've been helping him on that.

it's looking pretty snazzy!!!

Hi all.  I have been working on the 87 but progress is slow.  I am trying to remove paint that I have sprayed on since Testors masking tape bled through.  I have also been working on my F-15E for my senior project since I graduate in about 3 weeks.  The paint is causing me real problems though, I have went back to scraping to get the paint off.  I tried rubbing alcohol, thinner, nail polish remover, and had a little success with windex but it doesn't work.  Any ideas are greatly appreciated!!

Everyone elses builds are looking good

Chris 

ModelMan8 wrote:

Hi all.  I have been working on the 87 but progress is slow.  I am trying to remove paint that I have sprayed on since Testors masking tape bled through.  I have also been working on my F-15E for my senior project since I graduate in about 3 weeks.  The paint is causing me real problems though, I have went back to scraping to get the paint off.  I tried rubbing alcohol, thinner, nail polish remover, and had a little success with windex but it doesn't work.  Any ideas are greatly appreciated!! Everyone elses builds are looking good Chris

Chris:

I've had luck with a good soak in Windex (2 - 4 hours). Others have used either brake fluid or oven clear with success, but I haven't tried either of those. If it's acrylic paint, Windex will do the job nicely but you have to let is sit for a few hours.

Hey Thanks Mucker.  I had a feeling that it needed to soak because I just sprayed it on and wiped it off.  Do you have an idea of how I can soak it but not get it in the CP?

Chris 

Hey Chris I stripped a 109 using alcohol and thinner and brushing the areas painted...it took a while but i guess the combo really took the acylic off. it also left the plastic nice to receive the new paint. First alcohol with a swab and them i would dip the brush in thinner/brush cleaner the testors big bottle an dslowly worked it in.

I wouldnt scrape since yo can remove detail and also gouges are a very big problem if you slip.

Thanks for the support there Muck..... the 177 is coming along I am getting the wings together, they are not fitting that bad, i did dry fit the wings into the fuselage and was impressed, this model will have a 24" wingspan!!! i got a pic but cant find my usb cable to upload...oh well...but i am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope its not an oncoming train...............

 cs

ModelMan8 wrote:

Hey Thanks Mucker.  I had a feeling that it needed to soak because I just sprayed it on and wiped it off.  Do you have an idea of how I can soak it but not get it in the CP? Chris

Chris:

Carsanab's method looks good. I think the basic concept to keep it out of the cockpit is to keep the paint "moist" with Windex (or solution of choice) with a sponge. Let it try to soak underneath the paint.

Another late thought is "Goo Gone" I've heard that works well...it really penetrates into the paint.

The good news is that your problem can be easily solved with a little time and patience.

Thanks Mucker.  I will do that when I get home and then when I come back from work I will see the progress.  Let you know what happens.

Thanks again, Chris 

This week (despite starting a major new project at work that is taking a lot of my day's time) I have managed to put most of the finishing touches on both the Ju88 and the Do217.  I finished the weathering tonight although I noticed I still have to weather the tires.  I still have a few small pieces to attach that were candidates for breakage if I attached them when the instructions called for it.  And the antenna wiring is still left, as well as lifting the canopy masking.

I will post photos when I officially complete these builds.

here's a pic of the progress with the decals.

Looks Good invertman.  The decals look really good.

Mucker, I tried the windex last night on a small area of the wing and it works wonders!!  The only problem now is that my mom did not have enough of it to do the whole upper surface.I will try to post some pics once I get it repainted.

Chris 

Awesome looking Condor. GOD ITS A BIG PLANE!!!.

...Guy

ModelMan8 wrote:

Looks Good invertman.  The decals look really good. Mucker, I tried the windex last night on a small area of the wing and it works wonders!!  The only problem now is that my mom did not have enough of it to do the whole upper surface.I will try to post some pics once I get it repainted. Chris

What always worked for me was a couple days of doing the diishes, folding the laundry and even taking out the trash...all in exchange for buying another bottle of Windex (or other houselhold supply you need to hoard).

...or you can save yourself all the time and added effort and head of to a retail store of your liking (like Target) and buy the large size store-brand "window Cleaner" (make sure it has ammonia) for $2.50 that will last you a long time. Window cleaner is a great all purpsose cleaner [for acrylics]: I use it religeously to keep my airbrush clean, removes excess paint, clean stubborn brushes, etc.

Just make sure you label it as "Chirs's Window Cleaner...DO NOT USE", and if your mom ever need to use your stash, she'll owe you a nice blueberry pie, or something along those lines.

The Condor looks sharp, Jason.  The Fw-200 is one of the best looking German WW II aircraft, I agree.  I like the prewar airline schemes too.

I've got all the parts for the Ju-388 cleaned up.  Those little bitty aileron hinges are NOT my favorite Ju-88 parts!  Broke-em, tweezer-pulted the pieces, found 'em, tweezer-pulted 'em again, finally got them all super-glued back together again and stored. 

The interior parts are finished.  After the RLM 66 I did some detail painting in red, light tan, and black, using as a reference pictures I found on the web of the Ju-388 that is at Silver Hill.  I did some gauge faces using some I had printed before with a laser printer for another model on transparency film, white sprayed on the back, cut out with a Waldron punch set.  Used white glue to stick them in.  Next I dry-brushed some white, then a coat of Future followed by a wash with a mixture of burnt sienna and black oils in mineral spirits.  After the wash dryed I did another dry brushing, this time with silver.  Last was two coats of Testor's flat.  The seat belts are molded on the seats, with lots of relief.  I like the way they worked out.

invertman.... sharp looking Condor.  That is gonna be a beauty when done.

John... good start there, Nice work on the 'pit.

John:

All right...it's good to see the 388 started. I like having unique aircraft in this GB. Any decision on which camo scheme you're going with?

Keep the pics coing as you move along.