That looks cool G

Thanks Steve, hope to show it to you in person next week!

Oh!Oh!

       You Haff Blown the fusensparken in da Brain. Must changen be doing tha fuses. Chees, whatta weeeeeeird and wonderful Model!!

Looks good! Nice to see the fins and engines are in place. Any other big parts you need to add?

The clip is from 'The Giant Claw' (1957) where Jeff Morrow and Mara Corday face off against a giant (big as a BATTLESHIP) space buzzard with an antimatter (?) force field. They filmed the entire movie and then contracted out the monster work to a Mexican effects house later- so the actors never saw the critter they were being blue-screened against. Morrow used to attend screenings in the small town he grew up in. With this film he was so embarressed he and his wife excused themselvies shortly after the 'Claw' showed up and went home early...  

Gamera,

The last major items to be made are trailing edge "fingers" attached to the flaps, which are going on tonight.

There are four Youngman-type external flaps that hang under the main wings, which are already sourced and just need to be trimmed to fit.  They go between the two most inboard hangy-down-thingies:

I'll make the guns later, gotta focus on getting the airfame to the paint shop.  The wheels and wheel wells will be painted black, then assembled while leveling the model.  I'm gonna try to paint them in place like some armor modelers do.

TB,

Yes die fuzes spitzensparken in das modelwerks!!

Real G,

The Bakagalas is kicking along in fantastic style! So glad to see this starting up again - this is an amazing build mate.

So looking forward to seeing this ready for Vegas

Glad to see her that close to the finish line!

Looking forward to seeing her in paint!!!

Really looking forward to seeing this in person G

Modelcrazy, Gamera, Lostagain,

Thanks guys for the encouragement!  I'm really needing it!    I primed the model this morning before work, and already I see a lot of areas that need fixing.  I don't know why I missed them before, but they are there so they need to be fixed.

I stopped work at midnight, so didn't get to the "fingers" on the port wing.  But this is what the starboard side looks like.

So Plan C for tonight is to address the problem areas and finish the "fingers" and any other bits and bobs.

Photo updates will end tomorrow, as I start my vacation and won't have access to a proper computer.  Flicker deleted the option of copying the url .  Sucks.

Well;

     Gotta say, this is looking Good. For some reason I just love the Wing Shape. It speaks to me?

So cool! I think those 'finger' things on real planes help to get rid of static charges or something like that.

I am interested now on how you're going to get her in the airplane and transported to Vegas without breaking anything though!

Okay, all "fingers" are on, as well as some antenna things on the fins.

The number of parts needing to be added has dwindled down to the small stuff like grab handles and blade antennas, but I'm running late.  It's gonna be a CRAZY weekend for sure.  

Gamera - For the transport container, I spied several boxes for the roll media we use for the large format plotter in my office.  The model O.D. is 28"W x 8"L x5"H, so it should fit.

TB - Yeah I like the weird petal-shaped wings too.  Hayao Miyazaki design at its best!

That looks really good G. Can't wait to see it painted.

Your in the home strech G, heck you'll even have time for paint to dry. Looking forward to seeing it and you in Vegas. Bombye

Steve and Perry (Hey you guys sound like the frontman from Journey!),

Thanks!  I'll pour it on until it gets to the finish line.  7,000+ RPM from now, going for broke.

See you all in a couple of days!

    Being a Vet I have been confused with the famous rock star. I'll explain in person

No more pics till the Nats, but I thoght I'd give a small update.

All parts have now been completed, the 12 wheels have been adjusted in height to get the wings level, fresh paint supplies have been secured, and painting will commence tomorrow.

Update:  Gah, I have fallen asleep on the living room floor, I missed dinner, and it's now 11:30 pm.  Well, I got my 6 hrs sleep, so I guess I'll press on till the morning.  

Oh man, the big reveal in Vegas 

Well, no photos because I don't have a proper computer at home.  

The model is shaping up though - last night I added about 40 grab handles and made an involuntary "Oh-ho-ho-ho!" when I saw the results.  Definitely helps propel the project forward.

But Lorenzo Bandini in the Ferrari car is giving me the eye.  I'll need to exceed 7,000 RPM till the finish line.  Hope I don't get a blowout.  It's gonna be close.

No wait, switching movies like the brakes on the GT40, I must follow Yoda's words:  "No, DO.  Or do not. Is no try."

See all you Jedi Masters in a few days!

Akkkkkkkk, asleep on the floor!?! Please don't let this kill you G! 

Fingers and toes crossed that you make the deadline! 

...aaaaand the fecal storm hits!  The UV resin for the canopy went very badly, to the point where I told myself well, that's that, going stag for the first time.  Then I knocked off a part somewhere, and one of the external flaps went MIA.

But a friend who is also working around the clock told me no, salvage the canopy and paint it solid if you have to.

The flap turned up in the sanding stick box, and I made a replacement for the knocked off part.

I'm sad the canopy concept tanked, but lesson learned.  It's a drop-in part, so if I use white glue I can remove it later when I make a vac-form replacement.  So I guess I'll paint the insides of the gun blisters black.  

Anyway, it's gonna be a long night here!  Sleep is not an option; I'll nap on the plane.

Update:  I found the missisng part only now.  On a chair in the dining room.  Argh.  Oh well, too late, as a replacement has already been made and installed.

And I ran out of time.    But my sis calmly suggested why not finish the model in the hotel room?

Logistically it is a pain, as I have to source glues and paint, but we have a car, so it's off to whatever hobby shop I can find.  I'll check out the vendor's room first.  I did pack tools I would need, so it's not over yet.

Basically, I have to pin wash the model, paint the small windows, add guns if I can source them, seal everything with clear flat, then assemble the fins and external flaps.

Again, best of luck G!!!

One of the guys in our club, Greg, has a great story about spraying a model with Dullcote out in the parking lot at a show while taking it in there still wet... 

Gamera,

I overheard some convention goers saying they were airbrushing in the hotel room shower!

It is done; far from perfect, but it is done.  See, this is why you really should never procrastinate on a deadline.  I spent a whole day and night scrambling and improvising my way to getting the model done in the hotel room.  I made some terrible mistakes in my haste and so must live with the results.

I'll post pics as soon as I get to a computer.  A full show report will also follow.

Okay!

      For all it's strangeness, I can only say ,She's Gorgemous. Go Wup *** and take Names later!! Safe Trip Too.

Good luck!!! 

As TB, said go kick some booty!!! 

Thanks Gamera and Tanker Builder!

I got second place, which is much more than I deserved.  Honestly I'm not happy when I can't put forward my best efforts.  I am just grateful that the model is done!

Ya Gotta look at it this way!

 You got Second Place? Great. How about the poor fellow that got No Place. You did Good with this. By the way. How much does this model weigh? She Looks HHEEAAVVYY!

    You had some stiff competition, that said you put forth maximum effort. GREAT JOB my friend.