Grumman Iron Works Group Build

your cockpit looks great. I do not think you need any IP additionas. The highlighted instruments look really good !!

I need to put some wash into my cockpit to look darker and more realistic  

Greg and Steven,

 Those cockpits look fantastic!

So, I paint the entire plane gloss sea blue, carfully mask around the metal areas (wing leading edges and walkways), paint and seal those areas with Testors Metalizer and Sealer, then proceed to destroy much of the paint under the tape when I remove it.   Frustrating to say the least.  Anyway, I used liquid mask (an experiment) over some areas of the Metalizer, and post-it notes to cover some other, larger areas, and I repainted the chipped up areas this morning.  I will let you know my reults with the liquid mask.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Fingers crossed.

There are full photos of the build with comments here on my web site.  Too lazy to write it all over again.  It is the 1/32 kit with Verlinden and Eduard add ons and a fair amount of plastic card and rod.  Decals are ALPS in Alex Vraciu's markings.  Had dinner next to him at a meeting once and he was such a nice chap I have always wanted to build his airplane.

Rob,

Sure, you can still join.  Better late than never, huh?  But it is a good thing you've already started seeing how the end date is August 31.  (I'm actually beginning to wonder if I'll finish my second build for the GB, a Tigercat, that I'm currently about 1/3 done on).

Welcome aboard!

Thanks, Aggie.   I actually just finished an FM-1 Wildcat a couple weks ago.  I had started it back in April.  Unfortunately....FM-1's are built by Eastern Aircraft, not Grumman.  Otherwise I would have entered it in the GB. I shouldn't have much trouble finishing in time.  I work nights, and with two nights off a week, all I do all night is model.  Not much else to do.  So thats about 1 hours of pure modeling time per week. 

Well, I've made enough progress on my "Resincat" to post some pics. These are a few days old.  Since then, the fuselage was buttoned up, and the resin wingfold parts were put in.  They will be the last wingfold I EVER do!!!   Here are some pics I took of the cockpit.  This is part Tamiya, part True Details Resin, and part Reheat PE set [the seat and belts].  I really like the Reheat seat.  I think it is far superior to the resin seat and the belts look much better than eduard. As this is an F4F-4 from Grumman, the interior color IS bronze green, and not interior green.

PS- these pics were taken with my phone.  Yeah, you read that right, a PHONE!

Looking good,Rob.

Yeah, I hear the resin wing-folds can be tricky. They've got to be heavy, too!

Looking good,Rob.

Yeah, I hear the resin wing-folds can be tricky. They've got to be heavy, too!

Keep up the progress pics

I apologize for not checking in for a while, but between work, home, and trying to get back into shape for cycling season, I have not logged in for a while.  For all who crossed their fingers with me, the liquid mask and post-it notes worked!  Since then, I have added the decals and sealed them with Testor's Metalizer Sealer.  I still need to paint the tires and finish installing the underside items (landing gear struts, doors, etc.), but I am getting dangerously close to wrapping this one up.  I still have another busy week to come starting Monday, but I am taking some time off at the end of the month, and worst case, will finish it then.

 Rob,

That is a very nice looking cockpit!   I am looking forward to seeing the end product.

John,

That is one fine looking Hellcat!   I saw Mr. Vraciu on the History Channel recently, and I certainly have tremendous respect for him as a Naval Aviator.

Well guys, I told you I could get it done in time.  In fact....I managed to build TWO Wildcats in the time frame, however the second is an Eastern Aircraft FM2, so it doesnt count.  So here is my GB entry.  This is the Tamiya F4F-4 Wildcat.  I've added a Reheat PE set [only used the seat, belts, and gear doors], an Aries Wingfold set, and an Aries resin cockpit.  I enjoyed building it, however it will probably be the only wingfold cat in my collection.  Never again!!!  So, I give you..."The Resincat" [the second resincat is coming...]

 Pics of the cockpit are a few posts above.

Finally....some progress on my big scale Tomcat!

And also....I have a new entry....

This is an Academy 48th scale F-14A. I just finished air brushing it (my first TPS....personally, I can't tell the difference between dark and light ghost grey...looks the same to me)

It will be wearing the colors of the VF-14 Tophatters from Desert Storm.

Awesome work btp and Viper! 

I'm just now back from a 10+ day vacation through the US southeast and have barely had time to relax.  I'll get back to updating this GB post with the pictures of Viper's completed build and hopefully updates of my own Tigercat work.

Hi guys, I started on the my monogram Wildcat Will post pics later.

Viper great Wildcat good job with the interior too.

BTP, Great job with the tomcat also.

Ok here it is maybe boring but oh well.

Getting closer to that finish line!!!!

Here is some shots of the 32nd scale Tomcat.....post decals

And a little side by side comparison for scale...

And finally a glamour shot of the office

Also....here is some shots of my nearly finished third entry....

I am waiting to get the big scale Cat ready so I can just mix up one batch of wash. Also needed to do on both....weapons and fuel tanks, finish the gear on the 48th Academy kit

Aggieman, can I get this third one added to the list? It's a 1/48th Academy F-14A Tomcat

Thanks!

Andrew: Keep the pics coming.

btp2k2: Very nice Tomecat. That has to be HUGE in 1/32!

mucker wrote:

btp2k2: Very nice Tomecat. That has to be HUGE in 1/32!

Yeah....she's a monster!

The completed one in the comparison shot is a 48th scale if that gives you any indication.....I figure it's close to 2 feet from nose to tail

Substantial progress on my Tigercat.  I've put together all of the major components and have put down an initial base coat.  I used Insignia Blue but this will not be the appearance of this aircraft.  I've read that some of the Tigercats used during Korea were Marines birds that they got from the Navy, and often for use as a night fighter, black was hastily painted over the dark blue that these Cats sported during their Navy days.  So I plan to put down a bunch of very lightly-misted flat black coats in the hope that I will be able to do some weathering that will reveal the underlying insignia blue.

Thanks!

2 months to go so if you're going to make it and haven't started yet, you'll need to get started asap.  But for those who don't make it please feel free to keep working and post when you do finish.

Greetings All!

I just finished looking through the last couple of weeks worth of entries, and I am duly impressed with everyone's progress!  Being a bit of a Tomcat fanatic, I really am enjoying those progress photos.

Good news, I actually put the finishing touches on my Panther last night (June 30) just before midnight.  I had not finished a kit since March, so I wanted to get this one completed before another month slipped by.  I am taking a few extra days off with the Fourth of July holiday, so I will see about getting a photo or two of the finished product posted soon.  For the problems that I had early on, I think that it turned out looking alright, but I will let all of you be the judges.