Grumman Iron Works Group Build

John,

Let me praise you in public (something they stressed in a couple of my supervisor classes) for the absolutely fantastic job that you did in creating the .gif image for me.  As you can see, I loaded it a few minutes ago, and it started to work immediately.  Thanks again, and if there is any tip or technique that I can offer in return, please do not hesitate to ask.

Frederick,

That's very nice work you're doing there on that Wildcat.  Nice engine.  Looking forward to seeing more progress pics!

Hey Guys

This is my first installment to the group.  I got really busy last night and today, I got a lot accomplished. 

First, I know I was planning on using the Just Plane Stuff -3 conversion set.  Well I hate to say this but the set really isn't as good as I thought is would be.  The fit I found is downright bad.  Not to mention the level of detail on the casting of the main wing doesn't come close to detail on the rest of the kit.  I wound up filling seams on the kits wings, sanding down the cowl for the F4F I want to build; basically working the existing Tamiya kit from a -4 to a -3.  That was not as hard as I thought that was going to be. 

First I sanded down the carb air scoop as the version of F4F-3 I am building had the carb scoop inside of the cowl.  After I was done with the scoop, I hit the area with Mr. Surfacer to fill any small gaps and then re-scribed whatever detail that had been damaged.

Then I painted the engine ...

I then worked on the cockpit.  I went with the kit parts mostly.  The only part from the JPS kit I did use was the seat.  Even it is not the best but it did look slightly better than the kit's seat, plus it was correct in that it only had the lap belts.  I glued the fuselage together and installed the cockpit and front bulkhead for the landing gear.

The next thing I need to attack will be the wing details.  This will involve some filling of panel lines, replacement of lost detail, repositioning the pitot tube and filling in the existing gunports and redeilling the holes to accept the .50 gunbarrels I have from Qwickboost.

I think the project is moving along well.  Once I get this baby ready for painting I will start on that 1:32 TBF-1c "Avenger".

See ya's on the next post.

I've actually gotten started on this GB.  It's going to be slow going with all the other stuff I have going on, plus my wife suggested yesterday that I've been spending too much time at the modeling work bench. 

But I have managed to cut out a few internal pieces, including the instrument panel and the bulk head at the back side of the cockpit.  I drilled instrument holes in the IP and plan to glue pieces on the back side of the IP.  The main panel will be black but those back pieces will be white, so there should be an illusion of a bunch of instruments and perhaps there will even be depth there in the appearance of those instruments.

Once I get things to a good finishing point in the cockpit, I'll start taking and posting pictures.

Frederick,

I have you down for both the Avenger and the Wildcat.  Welcome aboard! 

Steven

jeaton01,

That was quick!    Just to play it safe, my work address is _ and my home address is _.  Even without having looked at the final product, I sincerely thank you for helping me out!

Hey Aggieman

I would lke to join in this group build.  I have a 1:48 Tamiya F4F-4 Wildcat that I will change into a -3 by using Wings and Things -3 conversion set.  I also had begun a 1:32 Trumpeter TBF Avenger.  I will send updates via email as progress continues.

Regards

Frederick Seitz

IPMS # 35450

Scott,

There's plenty of time for this one, so take as much time as you need.

I have actually already started.  I suppose I was ready to go on this scratch-building thing.  My only previous experiences with scratch-building was in putting a few strips of styrene in the wheel wells of a Monogram P-40B that I built many years ago, and I tried to super detail an AMT/ERTL Imperial Star Destroyer of Star Wars fame that had lights inside.  That effort didn't turn out too well.

For this Albatross I'm probably not going to be able to super-detail it given the scale, but I've been thinking of where I might have a few 1/72 crew seats.  An old Matchbox Do-17 that I never finished may have some seats like that, and who really cares if the seats are (a) German and (b) about 15 years or so older than what would have been in an Albatross?

So far I've managed to cut some molds out of cardboard for one of the bulkheads and a portion of the flooring.  I have also cut internal support pieces for one section of the flooring.

Nothing to show off just yet, and probably not for a while.

Scott, if you will send me a message with your e-mail address I will send you the gif, it's allready done.  The FSM e-mail seems to strip attachments.

Mine is jeaton(at) afes.com.

Aggieman,

Even though I am really excited about this build, I too will not be starting for a while, heck, I have yet to decide which Grumman plane to build (so many choices in my stash).  I have a refueling outage starting next Saturday, so I will essentially live at work until some time in November.  I will peek in from time to time, and as soon as I make a decision on my kit, I will let you know.  Fortunately, there is still plenty of time to work with.

jeanton01,

I would certainly appreciate the help with creating a gif for the badges.  I went into my photobucket account and placed the badges in a slideshow, but that does not work on my signature line.  Anyway, the badges on my signature line are for the Revell-Monogram group, the Farewell F-14 group, the Jolly Rogers group, the Yellow Wings group, and you can just see the top of the Knights of the Sky group.  Missing is the Aircraft Carrier group (that I started).  I do not know if it will help, but here is the slideshow address: http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n27/More-Power-Scotty/?action=view&current=5838de50.pbw

Thanks for your offer to help me with this.

I won't get to mine until 2008

Charles, that's perfectly fine.  This GB goes until the end of next August, which allows for plenty of time.  I may even put in multiple builds for this one, but for now I'm going with the SA-16 Albatross.  I have all of the Cats to build, but if I do add another kit to this GB, it'll probably be another somewhat unusual bird rather than what I expect most would want to build.  Perhaps the Duck that I have, the Classic Airframes kit in 1/48.

I'll probably get started in the next 2-3 weeks depending on how my P-38 finishes, and I am strongly leaning to building 4 P-40s, all different kits (Monogram, Hasegawa, Eduard, and either Trumpeter or Academy) for the P-40 GB.

Too many models, too little time.

Yeah, I won't get to mine until 2008, but don't count me out. I like the birds that Grumman has put out over the years.

I've got about 3 builds I want to hack out before that. One's 85% done (The F-84G), one shouldn't take too awfully long (my famous last words)(A P-36A) and one I HAVE to finish before X-mas as it's a present for my father (Bf.109E).

I'll do the Hellcat (or maybe a Wildcat) after those builds... 

Ok everyone, in one and a half hours this group build will officially be underway!  I suspect that it may get off to a slow start - I know it will for me, as I'm still working on my P-38 for the P-38 GB and will finish that before I start this one.

But please keep us updated on any progress and post as many pictures as you can.

Steven

Aggieman, mucker, jeaton01,

Could one of you possibly give me some guidance for creating a scrolling image for my group badges?  I have been playing around all morning to no avail in creating one, as my badges exceed the allowed size of the signature area.  Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

John,

Thanks so much for the diagrams on the Albatross' interior!  I had a couple of photos on a web site I found of a Hu-16 sitting in a field of some Greek museum that gave some indication of what the interior looks like, but these diagrams will give me something far more concrete to shoot for!

Greg,

did you mean this game where they play a roundless ball with hands ? LOL

As opposed to a game some people play with a round ball and no hands?

Hey Aggieman, here is all you need to go permanently nuts detailing the inside of your Albatross, from Ginter's Naval Fighters No. 11.  Also a photo of the Albatross from the McClellan Museum I took the other day, while it was being repainted by the Coast Guard. (Which state it is still in) 

Aggieman wrote:

\ Plus it's opening day for college football ......

did you mean this game where they play a roundless ball with hands ? LOL

I just got my Hasegawa Hellcat few days ago. I plan to build OOB, unless will come with some cool idea in the meantime. The kit looks really cool. 

Ok everyone, it's less than a week until the official start of this GB.

I have decided upon the Monogram 1/72 Hu-16 Albatross.  I am going to attempt a scratch-built interior based on some photos I've found on the net.  Essentially a floor, a couple of bulk heads, an instrument panel and two seats in the cockpit, shelving and bedding and seats for the rear compartment.

I probably won't begin this build on Opening Day (to borrow a phrase from the sporting world) as I am currently about 75% done with my P-38 for the P-38 GB.  I am also itching to get started on the P-40 for that GB, and this one has a year to complete.  Plus it's opening day for college football ......

Steven,

 I have been to M&M....they didnt have much in the way of Gunze.  Mostly Acryl and MM Enamals...Ill have to see about making a trip to Spring....I just dont want to have to drive that far...know what I mean...

I know what you mean...my wife gave me a tv for the garage 2 yrs ago for xmas...i love it!!  Talk about escape!! :) 

Do either of you, Steven or Dick know of somewhere in houston that sells gunze paints since hobby island closed???? 

John 

Aggieman wrote:

Football season starts and I have found a way to continue modeling during the season - install a TV in my garage where I do my modeling.  That way when the wife gets sick of the games, I can just go to the garage.

Now THAT's planning, Steven.

Howdy Dick!

Welcome aboard!  I don't know of any LHS's here in the Katy area.  I actually work in Sugar Land and the closest I know is across the street from my office, RC's.

I'm also looking forward to September.  Football season starts and I have found a way to continue modeling during the season - install a TV in my garage where I do my modeling.  That way when the wife gets sick of the games, I can just go to the garage.

Steven