The RCAF Group Build Birthday Party

Drew Looking forward to seeing the Corsair if it's anything like the last one of yours I saw it's going to be great.  A 1/48 Boston sounds pretty big, how big is it?

Poppie your IP looks ok to me as well as your side panels.  I'm not a big weathering fan.  I like my planes relatively clean

Cheers

Bear

Poppie, try as I might, I can not find a 1/48 Lysander to save my bloody life. 1/72 is just too small for my interest, so saddly, I believe I am going to have to just to the PBY -5A.

Brent

Hey guys! Life has finally calmed down some. Work had me dissapear for a spell and now it's back to normal for a few months.

I started (and decided on ) my build. I have pulled out Italeri's 1/48 Boston III from 418 Sqn 'City of Edmonton'  late '42 early '43. I have not decided which plane I will be doing. I have a decal sheet from the Northern Wings contest two years ago in Edmonton. It has three a/c on it, two in night fighter black and one in day camo (rare).

Not to be bogged down on one project, I have two on the go at all times. I am just finishing one and will be starting a RN Corsair (Tamiya 1/48 converted -1D to a Corsair Mk II) and marked as one flown by a Canadian pilot. It's for another GB too, but I will post here just because

Cheers
Drew

Thanks for the tips Brent. I always thought Michaels was more in line for amateur Flower arrangers, with ribbons and lace and such. At least, thats what my wife always goes there for. I didn''t know they carried artists supplies. I'll check them out this evening while doing the weekly shopping. I saw the 'weathering brushes' in Michaels but was hesitant to put out the money on something new and untried until I had got an endorsement. I'm gathering that thats what your doing - endorsing the product. Either way, $24 bucks for a set of 4 brushes is a little steep  - I'll look out for the red handled brushes at Michaels, and while I'm at it I can buy a good quality silver pencil and give it a try - I'd forgotten that I'd heard it was silver pencils that gave the best outline and not the while.

I just love getting my hands on those catalogues from Micro-Mart and other places. Reminds me of reading the ads in comic books for x-rays goggles and submarines that really work (actually they really did) _ I used to sit by the hour and browse through the Eatons and Simpsons catalogue tool and art sections - not the toy or clothes mind you, just the Sears tools and Artists supplies.  Its amazing how our basic incliniations come out at an early age.  My favorite mag for many, many years was Popular Mechanics until they changed the layout and somehow it lost its appeal. You guys enjoyed the old catalogues when you were younger(er)?

I'm going to get a couple of those brushes from Michaels, as long as I can get them both for under $10. I really went overboard today. I'm now so broke I couldn't finance spats for a humming bird - and thats not a big layout!! I tried posting my pictures today and my camera. as you can see,  is for the birds. It's a real old job- 1.2 meg and it's Ok for wallet size pictures but for pics of my work I have to  crop the area I want, blow it way up, then lighten and sharpen the image Iwant. As you can see, I was really disappointed in my pics - it didn't show the work I had done at all. This isn't a cop out, but my work was a heck of a lot better that showed on the pics. So, I checked Future Shop and Black's on the internet and went shopping with the idea of spending June and July's allowance and ended up spending Aug to Nov as well. I bought a Cybershop DSC-S750 - I don't know why but some of the higher end cameras they make now  will take a  goood close up shot while others keep you back about 1.5'. This camera lets me get in about 1.5" and produces a really clear, crisp shot at the full 7.2 Mega Pixels. Then of course I had to get a new disc - my old one was only 256 meg and this time, I got a full 8.0 megapixels at photoshop for $69. Course, my new camera needed a protective case, even if it was only $20 but in the end it added up to a whopping bill. I will definitely be doing 1/72 and probably 1/144 kits for the next 6 months but at least the pics of what I ain't doing will come out great!  I don't know dick about digital camera's - I did my teething on 35 mm and had some good developing equipment and such that I just got lazy and sold when digital came in.  Hope I'm not sorry about this when I got to buy that super model that's going to be released next month - don't know what it is yet but boy, will I want it. I guess that will be after I buy the spare battery for the CyberSpot Digital. God am I weak, weak, weak.

From what I can see Poppie, it looks decent form here. I have always had a problem with white colored pencils, that is why I always use silver as in the IP pic I posted on the previous page. I find the bare metal foil idea very interesting......might have to try that at some time. I believe Poppie that once you get the right dry brushes, you will notice a massive relief to your frusterations. Check out this site, every modeling tool you could ever imagine,

www.micromark.com/

and they have a set of specific dry brushes as well, although the price seems to have gone up.

 www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81082

 All I use for my dry brushes is I go to Michaels craft stores, and go to the painting area. They have packets of red handled brushes for under $5 and they have worked well for me. Look at the brushes on the micro mark site, and then go and try to find them at Michales. Also, great find on the pastels........now if you need a certain other color, just go to Michaels again and buy the idividual color, grind it on 150 grit sand paper, and there ya have it.

Brent

Poppies Pics: Ok guys, here's what I'm asking right off the top; a)Remembering that I've only been modeling for about 8 months now ( I did a few when I was 11 - 13, then stopped for over 50 years!!!) I'd really appreciate it if you guys took on the roles of teachers. I will not be at all offended when you say "You blew it Poppie" or "You screwed up!" just as long as you tell me how I could have done it better. I have so darn much to learn, I'm spending all my allowance on 'how to' books' DVD's etc, but what better place than from you chaps given the total years of experience you all have. So, with that being said, here are a few pics of my work on my pit before I go much further. I will say though that I'm still getting used to having the use of my hand back and the where the stitches were itches like CRAZY: Remember, constructive criticism is very, very much appreciated:

Forgive this shot, it's not actually part of this build as I set the rule to discourage aftermarket parts. But, someone gave this to me as it had a hole in the bottom that I filled with CA and did the best I could.

These next two are pics of the side panels.

This is the IP I had so much trouble with. I finally used coloured pencils on it but I got too much white mixed in with the black so nothing stands out like it should. After four attempts I guess I got a bit discouraged. (a lot)

Thanks for taking the time to examine these guys and remember, I do take your suggestions to heart. I think by the time I've finished this build, I might just know what I'm talking about.

Poppie

GETTING A BARGAIN: I was in my local art supply store yesterday and they had a sale on pastels ($3.50 a pack), and a similar sale on those little plastic cups ($2.25 for 12) so I bought both, came home and went at the pastels with a #11 blade and scraped them down to a fine powder (actually - it could be finer) and made myself a handy-dandy little weathering kit for under $6 bucks. I tried it out today and it seems to work Ok - Pics coming later this evening.

www.modelingmadness.com is another good kit review site

Unfortunatly there is no one manufacturer that produces great kits through out.  Tamiya usualy is a good bet, Revell & Italari can be hit or miss depending on the kit.  Hasagawa I've also had some good kits and hit some bad ones i.e their F-105D Thunderchief was quite a Dog.  Here is a link to a site I sometimes use, the reviews are pretty good http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/72nd.htm

There are other review sites out there does any one else have some sites they'd like to share?   However I've come to the point if it's a subject I'd like to build I'll pick up a kit and give it a shot and if it turns out to be a dog then I'll do my best and with a bit of luck my skills will be the better for it.

Cheers

Bear

Poppie, I build almost exclusively in 1/72 (the odd exception being 1/700 ships which are definitely more fidely than 1/72 aircraft) and as you would expect the Tamiya and Hasegawa kits are usually top of the line and also cost the most.  Some of the Hasegawa kits are pretty sparse in the office though. 

However Companies like Academy and Revell of Germany are giving the other guys a run for their money.  The newest Academy kits have awesome detailing but their prices are getting up there with the Tamiya and Hasegawa kits.  They have some older kits that also give great detailing for bargain prices but some of their older kits are also not so good so you have to do your homework and find out which ones are the good ones.  Their are only a few that I would not recommend (like the Avenger).  Thick decals that do not conform to curves even with buckets of solvent have been their only downside.

Revell of Germany also has some really nice new kits and in my mind offer the best bang for the buck.  I believe you said you had bought the new Lancaster kit and if so you have already discovered this.  The new offerings from Revell Germany have great detail and are at a price that is hard to beat.  The only thing is you need to be aware of is that they also rebox a lot of older kits (ex-matchbox) that are real dogs so again you have to do some homework and read the reviews.

I just wondered. I didn't recognize it at all, and of course I never stopped to think that it might be a 1/72.  There are an awful lot of kits out there in 1/72 that I'd like to take a crack at, especially with my g/kids moving on up, but I find I just can't work that small anymore with this darned tremor.  Although, I guess that's kind of a lame excuse as there are a lot more 'small parts' to handle in a 1/48 aren't there. I guess the truth is, I just got to enjoy working with 1/48 and maybe I should get back to some 1/71 stuff.   Who do you find is doing the best job on manufacturing the 1/72 kits now.  I've found lately that I've been getting Hasegawa kits with nary a touch of flash and fits that didn't need need, well, hardly needed, glue.

It's the Revell 1/72 Spitfire Mk Vb.

Cheers

Bear

Yep I'm still here however my ears are still ringing

I have started work on my spit.  After looking over the kit I decided to do this one OOB so no pe bits for this build only a new set of decals for the Sqn code & SN.

 I started out with the usual bubble bath for the kit. Then proceeded to parts triming and painting.

Now I assembled the wings and did some dry fitting of the fuselage to the wings as well as the cockpit bits to the fuse.  So far I must admit I'm quite pleased with the fit of the parts.  If this keeps up I should have minimal filling and sanding to do and there will be much rejoycing.

Here is a pic of where I'm landed so far.

Cheers

Bear

I served 12 years with the Air Force trained as an Instrument Electrical Tech qualified on CH-135 twin Huey & CH-136 Kiowa so I spent most of my time assigned to Tac Hel Sqn, I guess that makes me an Air Grunt.  I've also worked transient servicing and as an Instructor before moving on to civil aviation (Airline) where I've worked the last 20 years and still going in various positions.  I started my service with 401 & 438 sqns and finished with 401 so I have quite an interest in both Sqns. Cheers Bear

NOW HEAR THIS, NOW HEAR THIS, THE BEAR HAS SERVED WITH 401 SQN AND HAS 'QUITE AN INTEREST IN THE SQUADRON'.  you still here bear, bear, you listening....bear........

DRY BRUSHING: Hey guys, I took a really close look at the IP last night before I started anything and even used my scope. I wasn't imagining things, the impression on the IP are not as clear as on other parts. I opened a couple of my other Spit kits (I have 7) and compared two others to this one. Sure enough, the impression is not as deep. I have no idea why as I have no inkling at all as to how these things work - plastic extrusion I mean, and I gather thats how these are made. I followed your advice and fell back on a trick I had used when I first started doing IP's and that was to use quality, very sharp, coloured pencils. They were a lot better, but I still had trouble getting a really solid white line. I put some CA in this morning and it looks a wee bit better.  I have to go out to Wal-mart and get some re-chargables as mine wont,  and I'll get a pic off to you and I think you'll see what I mean.

BB's In Paint: While I'm at Wal-Mart I'm going to pick up a couple packages of BB's. I was reading Mike Ashley's book last night and he had a little tip worth passing on. He suggests that once you've got your paint stirred the first time ( as when it's sludge at the bottom) put a few copper BB's into the jar before you tighten it back it up. Then when you go to use the paint, give the bottle a bit of a shake and the rolling BB's will mix the paint for you.  Sure sounds better than stirring with a toothpick each time I want to use a bit of colour - It's a tip a thought was worth sharing with you guys so, get out your old Red Ryder Pump Action's and see if you've left any copper BB's in it. Oh  yeah, he mentions copper BB's. Don't use metal as they will rust and discolour your paint.

Poppie wrote:

Hey Bear, I'm really intrigued. Your using 401 Sqn.'s Crest as your Avatar. That would normally signifiy a close relationship.  For instance, as I've served in all 3 services before and after unification and as I have a 100% Veterans Disability Pension plus a Superannuation Long Service Pension, I use the Canadian Armed Forces Insignia (the Cornflake) as my Avatar to show people that I have a very close, strong, relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces. What is your story Bear? Why do you use the 401 Crest? There's a story there that I'm sure the rest of the Group would like to hear.  You also mentioned that you were on duty for some of the 401 and 63 (?) Sqn reunions. I knew a few serving fellows who made a few extra shekels as bar-keeps and waiters and what-nots in the Officers Mess for special functions. Were you active Air Force? In what capacity? Share the wealth Bear, we're all interested. BTW - post a picture if you have one. We're building a close-knit group here and pics help.

Hi Poppie got your pm sorry I've not been around much work has taken up alot of my time of late (I just love those technical calls at 04:00) plus the requirement of the missus.  Also I have'nt forgotten your request above here is a short Bear story.

  I served 12 years with the Air Force trained as an Instrument Electrical Tech qualified on CH-135 twin Huey & CH-136 Kiowa so I spent most of my time assigned to Tac Hel Sqn, I guess that makes me an Air Grunt.  I've also worked transient servicing and as an Instructor before moving on to civil aviation (Airline) where I've worked the last 20 years and still going in various positions.  I started my service with 401 & 438 sqns and finished with 401 so I have quite an interest in both Sqns.

As for mug shot it took a while to find a pic that I dont look to stupid.  Here is a pic of My wife Kay & myself taken a couple of years ago.

Thas it for now.

Cheers

Bear

Poppie, just a thought here.  I have several "drybrushing" paint brushes of varying widths.  One thing they all have in common is that the bristles are soft but only about 1/4 long.  That shorter length keeps the bristles standing tall during the drybrush montion.  Good luck, I'm sure it will work out. 

Also check your Private Messages reference a Hasagawa Spit Mark V.

Poppie wrote:

DRY BRUSHING:  This is the third, repeat third time I've had to put my IP in a Windex bath and scrub it clean because I loused up on the dry brushing. I know how to do this!!!!  What's happening?  I put on a base coat of flat black (acrylic), let it dry overnight, then I use a dedicated make-up brush (real soft and fine, cost $20) just 'touch' it in flat white, brush it off on paper towel until there is barely anything there and then 'very lightly' dust the IP.  Things look Ok until everything has dried and then I see that the white is 'outside' the rings for the instruments, or is on too heavy - as in it STANDS WAY OUT. I'm getting ready to do this thing for the fourth time and I'm getting just a little bit frustrated - I've done em before and they turned out not to be disasters.  I have noticed that in this Hasegawa Spit kit the IP impressions are really quite faint compared to some other mfg's.  If that's the case, ie, I don't have enough of a 'ridge' to 'grab' the colour, is there a 'work around' (other than giving everything a good smack with a Waldron punch!)

Poppie, I have never used a soft makeup brush before. I always use an old, med bristled flat brush for my dry brushing. ( the scruffier it looks, the better it works) I dap a little paint, and scrub it off on paper until it does not show, than lightly dust the object. Works very well. Another trick I are quality artisits colored pencils. I sharpen to a very fine point and can pick out details that way. Here is a pic of my Hawker Hurricane IP I am doing for the Hurricane GB, I used the pencil methos here with very slight dry brushing to the edges. THis is a Hasagawa kit as well and I am marking this Hurricane as one of the 12 Hurries sent to the Rumanian Air Force.

Since this is an RCAF GB, here are some pics of a rather well know Canuck's MKIX I did a few yrs back. It is the Ocidental kit, and trust me, it took almost 2 years between me swearing and giving up on it. It is "THE" worst fitting kit I have ever built.....but I managed.

Brent

Bullet21 wrote:

last night my "Better half" piped up about how nice it would look if I built one of every aircraft they flew and put them all on a scale runway together. I really don't think she fully understands the scope of that project.

• Defiant
• Beaufighter
• Mosquito ( x 4 Marks)
• Vampire
• Sabre
• CF-100 Canuck
• CF-101 Voodoo
• CF - 18 Hornet ( A + B)

and then just to be on the safe side we should throw in the planes those guys trained in like a Tiger Moth or two, a Harvard, ............  Isn't it lovely when a spouse brings up these new and novel ideas guys?  My girl had me replace both the toilet seats in the house this evening - they didn't match!  So, don't complain Bullet, just send her out to buy the planes and tell her that you'll 'get to them all' for her just as soon as you can.  This could turn out to be a LOooong Build for you guy.

DaveCS wrote:

"all work and no play makes Dave a dull boy"

hmmmmm.....that is a great song......

Hi all!!  Thanks for the reminder Poppie, I was getting distracted with other projects. I am currently finishing a 1/32 Hurricane Mk.IIC in desert colors, and I am elbows deep in a diorama project as well building a 25 pdr. field gun with a Quad Gun Tractor, ammunition limber and a recce vehicle and all the related personel to go with them. THEN I can start on this one.

Since I started doing some research for this one I found myself constantly looking for any details on 410 Sqdr. and last night my "Better half" piped up about how nice it would look if I built one of every aircraft they flew and put them all on a scale runway together. I really don't think she fully understands the scope of that project. But it did get the wheels turnin' and me thinks she may have started something.

I am still researching the fine details for correct markings for my aircraft, but it will be a 1/72 Mosquito Night Fighter from 410 Sqdr.

Guys,

I've been so busy - processing wedding photos and being on-call for work hasn't given me much time to continue my kits or even take photos - thank goodness this build is a long one

I hope to be somewhat "back to normal" (whatever that is) sometime late this weekend... 

Cheers,
Dave

P.S. Poppie.. thanks for sending out that email/message.. it reminded me that "all work and no play makes Dave a dull boy"

Reload,

Here's a little blurp from Veterans Affairs on Canada's Victoria Cross that I think you might find interesting. We're doing up two of them in this build, Hammy Hampton, and your man - both are naval airmen:

Victoria Cross (VC)

Canadian VC Recipients

Click on picture for larger image (170K).

Terms

For most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

Bar

A bar is awarded for additional acts of bravery. Only 3 have been awarded, none to a Canadian.

Description

A cross pattee, 1.375 inches across, with a dark brown finish. Made from cannons captured from the Russians during the Crimean War.

Obverse

The obverse displays the Royal Crown surmounted by a lion guardant. Below the crown, a scroll bearing the inscription: FOR VALOUR.

Reverse

Raised edges with the date of the act engraved within a raised circle.

Mounting

A straight bar (ornamented with laurels), slotted for the ribbon, has a V-lug below. A small link joins the V-lug to a semi-circular lug on the top of the cross.

Ribbon

The crimson ribbon is 1.5 inches wide and a miniature cross is worn on the ribbon in undress. The ribbon was dark blue for naval recipients until 1918 with Able Seaman William HALL, RN, being the only Canadian VC winner to wear the blue ribbon.

Naming

The recipient's rank, name and regiment are engraved on the reverse of the mounting bar.

Dates

The medal was instituted on 05 February 1856 with awards retroactive to 1854. The first award to a Canadian was in February 1857, to Lt. Alexander DUNN (Charge of the Light Brigade).

Issued

There have been 1,351 Victoria Crosses and 3 Bars awarded worldwide, 94 to Canadians (Canadian-born or serving in the Canadian Army or with a close connection to Canada).

Here's a personal note on my grandfather who, legend has it, single-handedly man-handled his 18 lb gun field piece into close action against the German machine gun corps, and, under a hail of bullets and firing over 'open sights' - that means a range of 50 yards - knocked out four guns and kept up a hail of cannon fire sufficient to  force the enemy to retreat, thus forcing a hole in the line. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Vaughan_Gorle Crazy old koot wasn't he.

In response to Poppie's email as to where we are on the build. I am still trying to find a Lysander, and am going to be aquiring a Catalina model soon. I have 2 other builds on right now, the Hurricane GB, and the plane for my co-worker. That's why I liked the time frame on this build.

As of lately, I am tiling the front enterance, putting up bamboo blinds in the seasonal porch, painting the bathroom, and landscaping the yard. Good grief.....I still have to fit in flying, fishing, archery, family vacation, and my other hobbies on top of work............I think I need to re-group.....LOL

Brent