Mud Movers GB - July 1st - Dec 31st 2008

It's been a long time since I last visited this site, I have had so much going on these past few months, what with moving back down to Tucson and one medical problem after another, I didn't think I would finish the build. But here it is. I'm still learning the in and outs of my Nikon D-40, in trying to figure out how to adjust the depth of field, it's not like my old F-2 or FE.

The kit is the 1/48th Monogram Pro-modeler (aka Hasegawa mold) A-4E Skyhawk. Dressed out using the Fox One #48-022 Marine Skyhawks in Viet Nam decal sheet. This is the second time I've use decals from Fox One and I highly recommend them, they lay down well using the Micro-Set and Micro-Sol setting solutions. I almost opted to paint the green rudder stripes not wanting to bother with the decal but to my surprise, the rudder stripes went on with no problems what so ever.

For the load out, I didn't want to use the typical bombs or rockets but MK-77 Napalm bombs. And luck would have it that Squadron had for one of their sales, the 'True Details' #48521 MK-77 Mod-2 Napalm sets. Will have to stock up on more of these for my Phantoms.

When I can find more time, I would like to make up a Morris Mating base dio for the plane.

And a couple of old pic's of mine showing MK-77's on an A-4 and F-4.

Love those Phantoms!

Hey, sweet build!

Those are some seriously loaded up A+F 4's down at the bottom there!

Excellent!  Another to the finish line!  Nice work, Archangel.   The Scooter has always been one of my favorite aircraft. 
 

I'll update the front page.

Archangel-very nice job.  Just confirms that I need to add a Skyhawk to the stash for Mud Movers 2-The Sequel...  I've been bidding on the same kit (the Pro-Modeler) on eBay for the last few weeks with no luck.  I'll keep looking though.  The Hasegawa kit is a bit overpriced for me so if I can't score a Pro-Modeler kit, I may look at the new/re-released Italeri kit or the HobbyCraft kit.  Great Models has a good deal on the Classic Airframes kit, but I don't know that I want to tackle a multi-medium kit, especially since I would want to build the IAF plane and based on a Cybermodeler review, the instructions are lacking on the placement of some of the resin parts.

Arki-12 days....no pressure....well, ok, pressure.  I'm 90% there-just need to mask & paint the canopy (looks easy on a bubble top Mustang), paint the props, attach the ordinance and other small bits....of course, I'll be doing all of that on New Years Eve....seriously, thanks for the reminder.  Although I'm off from the 24th until 1/5, I'll manage to fill the time with other activities.  Hopefully I can get some things done tonight.

Remember Bob, I'm pulling for you.  We're all in this together.

Ah, the Red Green show.  Good times.

Getting down to the last couple of profiles.  Next is the Henschel HS-129.

Height:  10'-8"

Length: 32'-0"

Wingspan: 46'-7"

Weight: 11, 265 lbs

Powerplant: (2) Gnome-Rhone 14M 04/05 radial engines at 690 hp each

Speed: 253 mph

Range: 547 miles

Armament:

(2) 7.92mm MG17 machine guns

(2) 20mm MG151/20 cannons

Various cannon and machine gun additions to the fuselage depending on variant.  And depending on variant up to 550 lbs of ordnance able to be carried.

bobbaily wrote:

The Hasegawa kit is a bit overpriced for me so if I can't score a Pro-Modeler kit, I may look at the new/re-released Italeri kit or the HobbyCraft kit.

Don't bother with the Italeri Skyhawk. It is the old ESCI molds...which is a stinker.

Can I apply for a weather related extension? It's so cold around here I can't spray! It was 25 degrees

Paul-thanks for your thoughts on the Italeri Skyhawk.  When I decide to purchase one, I'll probably go with the HobbyCraft kit unless I find a Hasegawa/ProModeler on eBay at a fair price.  The Hasegawa kit can be purchased online at a fair price (Hobby Buy had a 1/48 A-4M for $13.- earlier in the week), but it has to have ordinance....and lots of it.....doesn't it?

Great Models has the Classic Airframes two seater Skyhawk (can't remember the exact version) that builds the IAF plane for half price.....still tempting, but still no ordinance....

btp2k2 wrote:

Can I apply for a weather related extension? It's so cold around here I can't spray! It was 25 degrees

While I understand your pain, I'm holding firm on ending the GB on the 31st.  Everyone is still welcome to post after then, I just won't be updating the front page.  Besides, no worries for you in particular since you have already finished 2 for this build.  Anything you finish now is just gravy!  Good luck! 

arki30 wrote:

btp2k2 wrote: Can I apply for a weather related extension? It's so cold around here I can't spray! It was 25 degrees While I understand your pain, I'm holding firm on ending the GB on the 31st.  Everyone is still welcome to post after then, I just won't be updating the front page.  Besides, no worries for you in particular since you have already finished 2 for this build.  Anything you finish now is just gravy!  Good luck!

Yeah....I hear ya

It's just frustrating to not hit my goal. Realistically though, both the A-7 and A-10 suffered a few too many delays through parts missing, compressors blowing up, etc.

The A-7 is just in need of a top coat of grey and future/decals/future.....it is literally days away from finishing. It's just this darned cold.

Ah, it could be worse.  The Midwest temps were in the single digits, mostly negative!

well, when you are from Seattle, 20 is pretty darned cold!

I have well over a foot of snow in my front yard. Last time we've had that kind of snow Bush Sr. was in office!

bobbaily wrote:

Paul-thanks for your thoughts on the Italeri Skyhawk.  When I decide to purchase one, I'll probably go with the HobbyCraft kit unless I find a Hasegawa/ProModeler on eBay at a fair price.  The Hasegawa kit can be purchased online at a fair price (Hobby Buy had a 1/48 A-4M for $13.- earlier in the week), but it has to have ordinance....and lots of it.....doesn't it? Great Models has the Classic Airframes two seater Skyhawk (can't remember the exact version) that builds the IAF plane for half price.....still tempting, but still no ordinance....

Yeah. the Hasegawa stuff is pretty sparse when it comes to stuff that goes boom. Consider that the Pro Modeler boxing is for the Blue Angles, you can pretty much guarantee the most you will get is a couple of gas tanks. The Hobbycraft on the other hand gives you Mk. 82s (in fact, the entire loadout of 12 Mk 82s on my F-15E came out of one Hobbycraft box) a couple of sidewinders, Zuni pods, and gas tanks.

The CA kit is a TA-4, so it is a trainer....not much need to iron on those.

The best news I got this year was Hobbycraft announcing their intentions on re-releasing the entire A-4 line. 

arki30 wrote:

Bringing us back full circle to what I said when you first posted.

keep your wig on iv been workin 7 days a week for 5 weeks straight il see what time i get between christmas and new year ps what difference does it make if 1 person misses the deadline?

Getting close, the Apache is green and the rotors are black, a little more detail painting, some decals and I'll be done. After 5pm today no work until sunday so there should be little to stop me from making the deadline unless the christmas turkey explodes sending me to the hospital, but I'd say the odds of that are slim.

I'll try to get some pics of my current progress tonight. 

eatthis wrote:

arki30 wrote: Bringing us back full circle to what I said when you first posted.   keep your wig on iv been workin 7 days a week for 5 weeks straight il see what time i get between christmas and new year ps what difference does it make if 1 person misses the deadline?

<sigh>

You're missing the point.  

A Group Build is just that.  A Group Build.  It's a group of people building to a similar theme.  It's not a group of people sorta kinda maybe building when they get around to it...

I'm a firm believer in doing what I say I'm going to do, hobby's included.  If I join a GB, I'm saying I'm going to complete a build with the group.  I'm proud I have completed every GB I signed up for in the time allotted.

Frankly, I expect the same from others.  I understand it's just a hobby and there are more important things in life. I understand life can unexpectedly get in the way.  It happens.  

But I see far too often guys who don't finish the builds they say they were going to simply because they couldn't manage themselves.  Signed up for too many GB's at once with no chance in heck of finishing one.  Forgetting they signed up for the GB (?!).  Working too many hours in the real world to have time for a hobby.

For those of us who mod these GB's, we really want our GB's to be successful.  The good ones always have great participation by those who signed up.  Without that participation, they won't last.  Another dead thread consigned to page 4, 5, 6 and climbing.  We mods wonder what we did wrong. 

Per your own admission you had been working 7 days a week for 5 weeks.  You were in the middle of that when you asked to join a couple of weeks ago.   

Prioritize your life.  Don't sign up for something you know you can't see through.  Even if it's just a hobby.  

I'm off my soapbox, or high-horse depending on how you view it.  I'm glad you at least checked in and let me know you were still around.  Keep slogging away at it.  We'll still be here awaiting your progress and hopefully the completion.  After all, it is just a hobby.

Cheers  

arki...you wear a wig? I had no idea you were bald!

Anyway, I finally have a spot of luck! My wife has informed me that we have enough snow around here, therefore she does not want to take the trip to the mountains for new years....which means the week between Christmas and New Years that I thought was going to be stuck in a cabin will now be spent completing at least the Corsair II. I am going to finally have to admit it and give the official word that the A-10 will not make it in time. Because the base paint is from a rattle can, it is still way too cold to ensure a good coat and I do not want to risk fouling it up. However, I will post a pic of it when it does get finished.

i have made progress most of the camo is done iv basically got to do the decals the undercarriage the cockpit and finish off i may be able to finish it il see what happens

ps iv no way of knowing when im working or not its my 1st real attempt at a plane and like you say i only joined a few weeks ago

il get some progress pics up when i can

Ok, here is my latest progress

do i do the wash before i do the decals??

Aaron - looking great.  The Apache is just an aggressive shape.

eatthis - Thanks for the progress pics.  I like the camo scheme.  I don't believe I've seen that before.  As far as when to apply the wash, I do it after decaling.

See here for more good info:

http://www.swannysmodels.com/Weathering.html

arki30 wrote:

Aaron - looking great.  The Apache is just an aggressive shape. eatthis - Thanks for the progress pics.  I like the camo scheme.  I don't believe I've seen that before.  As far as when to apply the wash, I do it after decaling. See here for more good info: http://www.swannysmodels.com/Weathering.html

yeah, definitely wash after decalling, and make sure you apply a coat of future over the decals so the wash doesn't take off the decals.

thanks for the tips :)

when you say future what do you mean?

iv got both gloss and matt clear coat i was gonna use gloss then put the decals on then matt then wash do i need to put qanother coat of matt after the wash?

This is one of the greatest tools you can add to your box.....

It is an acrylic floor finish. You can either brush it on or airbrush...cleanup is super easy, it cleans up with Windex.

Basically, what you do is apply a coat of future to your painted model. This will seal in the paint and give your decals a glossy surface to adhere to. It also makes your canopies crystal clear and gives them a much more realistic appearance. Then, apply another coat of future over the decals. This will protect your decals from the wash. Then wash it and apply your clear coat

See here for more info:

http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html