Battle of Britain GB 2008 - 21 June to 31 Oct 08

Thanks Aaron and Frank for the encouragement. I plan on making some headway tonight. That is some nice work there Aaron I have that kit in my stash. I am also building a Classic Airframes kit for this build. They usally need a bit more work than the Tamagawa kits but in the end they are well woth the effort. Looks like you have it well under control there. Nice Spitfire there Frank! I am so jelious. She looks great. Well off to the workbench!

                                                                                Soulcrusher

luftwaffle I look forward to seeing your 1/72 Do-17 as it is an old kit from my memories and sure to be nostalgic to me. Frank your SPit just keeps getting better and better and my bomber is getting nervous. You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned that FM Hakifax I made. I don't think any kit can compare to that experience. No luck on any decals Mark all I could find was some old mediteranian theatre  ones and I mean old ones that had turned yellow.

 Got some more done then it's naptime for work tonight.

Filling in the gaps and stuff. Nothing too exciting but my molds are dry and I thought I would share some results. The stuff feels just like a rubber latex ball. Tough but stretchy and you can pull out all the parts without it ripping from the smallest of holes.

The resin mix is just a 50/50 mix of part A and part B. Unlike the mold making rubber that takes 2 days to set this stuff takes 5 minutes. Best to mix a little at a time or it will harden on you as your pouring it. Also this stuff is worse than superglue if it gets on you or clothing. One drop on your cloths and you have a permenant plastic drop on your clothing forever. I have washed some old jeans that I spilled some drops on and the jeans are falling apart but the drops look good as new. No solvent to undo it as far as I know so be careful if you use it. It probably would make an awesome filler if you could control where your pour it. It sands and cuts just like plastic when dry.

Here it is poured and it is already hardening as I take the picture.

5 Minutes later just pull them out of the mold. You can see the results and the smallest detail is replicated. The painted pilot is a resin replica of the original to his right. Over pouring gives you flash as on the armless middle fellow and I think on my next engine I will glue a metal rod in the center to make a molded hole for a prop shaft.  For more complex figures I use a plastic hypodermic like baby medicine  squirter thing that the pharmacist gives me for free. I can pour the resin into it and squirt it right into those holes in the mold under pressure to ensure it goes throughout the whole mold. Careful though cuz it squirts back and doesn't go away.

 Well nap time! Good hunting all.

WOW! I can't beleive how much great progress everyone has made in only a week!

Haven't started on the Airfix Hurricane, but hopefully next week......

Aaron, that Dornier looks stunning, really looking forward to seeing that one done.

I've heard good things about the Pegasus kits, as they do a Hurricane, Me109G-6, Me262 and a V2.

The decals are supposed to be AM quality!

The quote about the Polish pilot being mistaken reminds me of a similar story of a Scottish pilot, whose thick Glaswegian accent was mistaken for German!

Karl

Frank I looked this morning and I still have the decals you wanted. I will shot-em out to ya Monday.

Thad

OK Sherman, Mr. Peabody says set the Wayback machine for 1969... (First round's on me if you get that reference).  Slight change in my plans, I'm going to do the old Monogram 1/72 Do 17Z first.  The copyright on the instructions says 1969, I was a wee lad of 5 years old when this baby hit the streets.  This was probably a top of the line kit at the time, especially when you look at some of the Airfix and FROG contemporaries, generally accurate shape, good fit and nicely restrained raised details.

This is kind of what it will look like, 3Z+GS of 8./KG 77 operating out of Asch-Nord, Belgium in September of 1940.  The Superscale sheet I have has the "G" in red rather than green, which I believe is correct since green would be reserved for Stab aircraft.

This is the look I'm going for, a well used warrior.  The paint has faded, prominent exhaust staining, paint patched, etc.

I did some real minor re-work of the interior.  The dominating feature of the cockpit were some huge pegs molded in to mount the seats to, these had to go.  They were replaced with some smaller plastic stock.  I also added a bombardier's deck and jump seat with some parts from the spares box, some PE radio boxes, added Mike Grant instrument decals to some of the molded in detail, Eduard pre-painted belts, and yes that's the original instrument panel decal!  This is by no means an accurate interior, I was just looking to busy it up a little and add some interest.

Fuselage together, I've dropped the rear elevators for some visual interest.  Fit has been real good, keep in mind this is a 40 year old kit!

Mike, stunning job on the deadly Dornier.

Nice to see the Dorniers getting some attention, as they're an oft overlooked type.

BTW the schematic under the Dornier in that last pic is an He111, you're not using that as your reference are you?

Karl

luftwaffle wrote:

OK Sherman, Mr. Peabody says set the Wayback machine for 1969... (First round's one me if you get that reference).  Slight change in my plans, I'm going to do the old Monogram 1/72 Do-17Z first.  The copyright on the instructions say 1969, I was a wee lad of 5 years old when this baby hit the streets.  This was probably a top of the line kit at the time, especially when you look at some of the Airfix and FROG comtemporaries, generally accurate shape, good fit and nicely restrained raised details.

Hmmmmm I'm Mr Peabody and this is my boy, Sherman. Right up there with Marine boy, Spiderman, wild kingdom and Underdog. OOps forgot Jonnu Socko and his Flying Robot and Lost in Space.  Man luftwaffle you is an old dude! I was only 4 and 1/2 Remembering Walter Cronkite and my father explaining to me why there were men on the moon. ( Told Ya I get Nostalgic)  I was gonna say that cockpit wasn't how I remembered it. You have done a wicked job on it. That is going to look pretty nifty!

Karl can't wait to see the Hurricane. The RAF is outnumbered just like the real event for the moment. We don't even have an escort just like history. Oops I'm sorry Frank has a seat and a propeller. Very good ones at that. Frank? Did you finish the movie ?I am still hung up about that quote. Is anyone else forced to watch this as they work? I suppose it is proper hazing for my first group build. I think there is another where they drink lotsa rum.

Looking good Mike!  I agree, just busying up the office makes a HUUUUGE difference- well done!

Thad- Thanks for digging those out for me, MUCH appreciated!  You must have quite the pile of stuff, you always seem to have what I am looking for!

sfcmac wrote:

Karl can't wait to see the Hurricane. The RAF is outnumbered just like the real event for the moment. We don't even have an escort just like history. Oops I'm sorry Frank has a seat and a propeller. Very good ones at that. Frank? Did you finish the movie ?I am still hung up about that quote. Is anyone else forced to watch this as they work? I suppose it is proper hazing for my first group build. I think there is another where they drink lotsa rum.

Not to worry Aaron!  Now we have a wing too!

I didn't finish the movie, but I am going to restart it here in a few minutes while I do some more work.  As for another GB with rum, I wouldn't know anything about that!

KJ200 wrote:

Mike, stunning job on the deadly Dornier. Nice to see the Dorniers getting some attention, as they're an oft overlooked type. BTW the schematic under the Dornier in that last pic is an He111, you're not using that as your reference are you? Karl

Well that would explain all the problems I've had getting it together!!!   The 111 is actually the next project in line, just starting some preliminary stuff right now.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Aaron- Looks like we tuned into the same stuff as kids!

Some great work going on here guys.  Love that DO 17!   I remember doing a couple of those in the mid seventies when I was a kid.  Yes I am talking about the 1970's.  Looking forward to seeing what you do with that one.

As soon as I get my current build off the bench (week or two?) I hope to turn my attention to the Fiat Br 20 that is half done.

Most of the major assembly is done, the engine nacelles took a little work to smooth out but not too bad.  I've got to finish up the dreaded chore of masking all the clear stuff now...ugh.  Actually the only thing I have left is the nose glazing and then she's ready to paint, probably won't get done today though, got tickets to the Padres game!

looks good mike. you should be on your way to paint soon.

I've got an update, cockpit in and major assembly done. it masked off and ready for paint. tamiya kits are so much easier than dragon/trimaster stuff.

Stan- What can I say but WOW!  Looks like the bombers guys will have an escort very soon!

Now, if I can just find my wing I can get back to work.

Hey I forgot I have a question for the exspurts. Does anyone have a good picture or details of the Engines on my version of the Dornier 17 Z. I am working on the cowlings and such. I found this pic but believe it is for the M/P version. Then there is the cowling bracings. Supposed to be pretty prominent but I can't see them in the photo's. I have seen others represent them as almost a sea urgent in pattern, some have a 5 point star pattern and others just leave it without. Anybody have any pics or idea's this will be appreciated greatly. My so actually found an old Finnish war clip on you-tube that shows the bomb doors in operation. I think the kit has it wrong as they hang under like an American B-25. May have to do something about that. I have really been looking over Mike's pics and they have been very useful!

phoenix7187 wrote:

looks good mike. you should be on your way to paint soon. I've got an update, cockpit in and major assembly done. it masked off and ready for paint. tamiya kits are so much easier than dragon/trimaster stuff.

That is the undestatement of the year Stan! Building a Dragon/Trimaster kit is often as enjoyable as having your gums scraped. While building a Tamiya kit is enjoyable as a fine meal.

                                                                            Soulcrusher

Hey Frank I would be glad to give you a hand in finding your wing. I'll be over as soon as I can remember what I did with my head! My mom always said i would lose it if it was'nt attached permanetly!                                                             Soulcrusher

Aaron, the Dornier 24 series flying boats also used the BMW Bramo 323 in the same cowling installation, see link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dornier_Do_24_on_Display.jpg

Mike, great progress on the Dornier, that is proving to be some fast build.

Glad we sorted out that confusion with the He111!

Stan, that Emil is coming along really well.

Karl

I'll pass on the FM kits thanks!

I keep looking at their Dewoitine 501, an aircraft I have loved since I was a kid, but just can't bring myself have a go at one after all the horror stories I've heard.

Karl

KJ200 wrote:

I'll pass on the FM kits thanks! I keep looking at their Dewoitine 501, an aircraft I have loved since I was a kid, but just can't bring myself have a go at one after all the horror stories I've heard. Karl

Well you know the one I built and have 3 more to go. Everything you have heard is probably true but it gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you get one done. Kinda like running a gauntlet. I bet with your mad skill you could pull it off beautifully!

Maybe one day, but I would at least like to have all my marbles at the end of the build!

Karl

KJ200 wrote:

Maybe one day, but I would at least like to have all my marbles at the end of the build! Karl

You may have a valid point. I mean look at me? Not only do I have toys in the attic but althrough the house and garage to boot! Right now the engine naceilles are giving me flash backs to that FM kit!

I am working on (when I feel like it) dragon me262 mistel. it like putting together a wicker chair after someone blew it bits with about 100 lbs of tnt. Plain and simpley nothing fits. If I didn't know better I'd think I have parts for 3 different kits. I'm so at it it went back in the closet again.  I'm also working on a resin 1/32 fw190D-11, Talk about punshment. I started this taniya kit and built the thing it about 8 hours.  

Ok now that the off topic rant is over, I'll go on to this.  Kinda off topic I know, but still on the same subject matter. I was asked to review 2 books. I have say that one book it way off. the second book this one is excellent. If like BOB you might want to pick this up. Very well researched and writen. Goes over everthing from pilot training/ accounts, tacticts, aircraft pros and cons and . It can be had for under 20 dollars. I figured since this is the BOB build I'd give you all a first heads up. 

Spitfire VS BD109 battle of Britain by tony Holmes

On the spine it reads Duel 5. I can only assume this means there are at least 3 others out there I don't know about. The other one I read Mustang VS fw190 is a joke don't waste your time. I'll post details to this one in the aircraft forum. 

Thanks for the info on the books Stan. As for Dragon I have the 1/48 Fw 190 A-8. I put on the bench clipped the parts and began to dry fit the major assemblies. When I saw the massive amount of work it was going to take to build it i put the parts back in the box and put it back in the stash pile. Then made a trade with my buddy a Hasegawa Hurricane MkII d for a Tamiya Fw 190 A-3. Enought said.

                                                                          Soulcrusher

sfcmac, shhhhhhhhhh quiet, don't tell frank that, I slipped a G-10 wing in it's place, when he asked about it I'll just tell him it's suppose to be like that.

Those dragon kit are real nice, IF you can get them assembled. I have about 6 in my stash. and have built quite a few but the 262 is way bad even for a dragon kit.

Soulcrusher, you got up side of that trade.

Waiting for paint to dry...