LetLetLet ~ Warplanes
Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on July 07, 2013, 04:16:40 PM
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For some time now I've been wanting to build aircraft from both sides of the invasion of North Africa, Operation Torch. As y'all know, my father was a member of the Allied armies during this campaign and he often spoke of the various airplanes that he heard and saw.
My first project will be this Tamiya F4F-4 in markings of either U.S.S. Ranger or U.S.S. Santee. This is my first build of this kit and it looks pretty nice right out of the box.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1931_zpsf5b9b62e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1931_zpsf5b9b62e.jpg.html)
One modification is required, to cut out the sides of the cockpit floor. These earlier Wildcats had windows in the belly to allow the pilot to see below:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1991_zpsc9febe71.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1991_zpsc9febe71.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1992_zpsc8e2108c.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1992_zpsc8e2108c.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1994_zpsc869023c.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1994_zpsc869023c.jpg.html)
After fixing the floor the main elements received their paint, bronze green for the cockpit and Grumman grey for the accessory section and wheelwells:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_1995_zps63e7954f.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_1995_zps63e7954f.jpg.html)
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This will be great subject! I like one machine in desert colors :)
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:-ok
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I'm afraid this Wildcat will not be in desert scheme, No.1--just blue/grey over grey with big yellow surrounds of roundels. I should also do a Martlet/Wildcat later, I think!
The landing gear module has been built up and test fitted along with the two drop-tanks. After fitting this the gear assembly was painted in the unusual anti-fouling black color used by Grumman at the time this machine was built:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2011_zpse4c2a7d9.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2011_zpse4c2a7d9.jpg.html)
Then the fuselage was assembled and the gear test-fitted to the support bulkhead. This kit is very interesting, and fun, to build as everything is constructed in modules:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2012_zpsad8185b2.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2012_zpsad8185b2.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2017_zps4d02ccd7.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2017_zps4d02ccd7.jpg.html)
The only addition to the kit parts so far has been to use the Eduard fabric seatbelt harness. Other than that it's all Tamiya pieces.
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This landing gear make whole build a bit tricky but not a big problem at all :)
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The way Tamiya engineered the landing gear actually makes it simple! All the parts are easy to align since it is built separately. The only tricky part was to install the small fuselage fairing on the center of the gear so that I could paint this as a unit and then drop it into the airplane when it is finished.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2019_zpsdc27c2a1.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2019_zpsdc27c2a1.jpg.html)
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Excellent!
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Good job in cockpit mate! :-clap
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Good job in cockpit mate! :-clap
Thanks, Sall! It is all directly from the kit with the only aftermarket parts being the Eduard seatbelt harness. This is an old Tamiya kit but it is really quite nice to work with.
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Small progress on this great Tamiya kit. First the cockpit/firewall module was installed in the fuselage and the wing attached. After this dried the landing gear assembly was offered up for another test-fit and the airplane sits on its gear for the first time:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2024_zps1b364131.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2024_zps1b364131.jpg.html)
All went well (the fit of parts is simply perfect!) so final assembly of all main elements was accomplished next, followed by a tiny bit of putty at the wing/fuselage joint at the leading edge only. After sanding, primer coat and then lower surface grey was applied:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2025_zpsa8918d1d.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2025_zpsa8918d1d.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2026_zpse1f60696.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2026_zpse1f60696.jpg.html)
Perhaps tomorrow the blue/grey can be applied if time allows.
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This kit is so good!
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:-clap :-clap
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Nice and fast progress!!!
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This kit is so good!
This kit would be a great model for a new modeler. It literally goes together by itself, almost!
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Blue.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2028_zps704652d4.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2028_zps704652d4.jpg.html)
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Excellent match!!!
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This was quite simple since I just painted the early Hellcat. The paint was still on the workbench!
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Keep it there, maybe something next will come, just for this paint :))
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Yes, I was actually thinking of building a TBF Avenger that also was in the Torch operation.
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Goooood :-ok
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I've also got an SBD but it is of the earlier -1 variant. If I can correct the cowling on this kit I might also buld a Torch SBD-3. :-think
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:-razz :-salut :-ok
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Have you ever had one of those projects that you would just like to drop in the waste bin? Well......that is what happened with this Wildcat. None of the problems were related to the Tamiya kit, mind you, but because I could not do anything right during the painting phase :-wall :-wall. Finally I just quit and walked away from it for a few days. After fixing all my painting mistakes and damages I finally applied the decals. I used the Tamiya kit decals for most of the unit lettering and the upper wing roundels. Microscale provided the underwing and fuselage roundels. The fuselage roundels were rather hard to to conform to the fuselage. Lots of Microsol was needed and a lot of patience.
So, finally, here is the Operation Torch F4F-4, assigned to VGF-29 and flying from the escort carrier U.S.S. Santee. These machines were nearly brand-new when the battle began so only a small amount of weathering, mostly the white-glue wash I've been using.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2032_zpsfe3f589a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2032_zpsfe3f589a.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2043_zpsd46afb51.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2043_zpsd46afb51.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2035_zpsf86dd17e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2035_zpsf86dd17e.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_2038_zps6f379b2e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/IMG_2038_zps6f379b2e.jpg.html)
I heartily recommend this kit for those wanting to build a Wildcat (just don't let me paint it! :-red :-wall) and the old Micrscale decals also worked quite well.
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I like it, great final kit :-ok
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Beautiful colors . Damages and mistakes ? I don't think so ;) :-clap :-salut :-jump