Messages

3976

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: November 16, 2011, 07:46:29 PM »

Yesterday I received the Bf-109F2 kit made by Zvezda. This has been on my "must have" list since I first heard of it and it is beautiful. Here are a few photos of some of the detail. Notice that there are four windscreens and the early and late configuration. The rest speaks for itself!

I will probably save this for a later build as I'd like to do a "contest-worthy" construction on it.

3977

Aircraft Modeling / Re: April Group Build--F4U Corsair

« on: November 16, 2011, 07:13:56 PM »

A bit of fuselage progress. You can see how I puttied the accessory section outlet ducting with bondo during the first build of this monstrosity. The undamaged section sits next to it ready for trimming and installation. The second photo is obvious, just glued it together and then test-fitted the wing to the fuselage. A little filler and some sanding and I'll be ready to move on to the cowling scratchbuilding.

3978

Ground Forces / Re: A Bit Different

« on: November 16, 2011, 05:09:07 PM »

That is a really interesting model that tells quite a story by just looking at it.

3979

Aircraft Modeling / Re: April Group Build--F4U Corsair

« on: November 15, 2011, 08:01:58 PM »

Not so much damage as I had first thought. All the layers of paint are gone so a full examination could be done.

The big issue on the fuselage is the opening I ground into it for the big cowl flaps that were on the Super Corsair. That is the huge glob of filler you see. Also I will have to cut off the cowl flap area just forward of the putty. Fortunately the spare cowl flap.firewall section from my other F2G-1D conversion was still in the spares as was a nose cowl ring. The rest of the engine cowl will have to be sourced elsewhere, but that's just a round tube.

The wing tips are CA glued in place with some wire spars for strength. A bit of filler on the tips and they'll be ready for the later steps. Also the leading edge inlets were hacked up and will need some work.

3980

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: November 14, 2011, 08:38:41 PM »

I have more to add about the canopies in this kit. The after section fits beautifully to the fuselage. The front windscreen section seems just a little narrower along the bottom edge than the cutout in the fuselage. I didn't really notice this until after I'd applied the first coat of paint. It isn't a huge problem and a little filler will fix it, but be aware of this if you build this kit.

Clear gloss is on, decals tomorrow if time allows.

3981

Aircraft Modeling / Re: April Group Build--F4U Corsair

« on: November 14, 2011, 06:47:47 AM »

I have a plan--and most of the parts. It will be fun in an aggravating way!

3982

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: November 14, 2011, 06:45:02 AM »

Yes! Actually the problem is with the ice-making attachment so the beer is still cold.

3983

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: November 14, 2011, 06:23:45 AM »

I gave up on the refrigerator repairs (it still works) and went back to painting the '109.

3984

Aircraft Modeling / Re: April Group Build--F4U Corsair

« on: November 14, 2011, 06:21:13 AM »

Once more to the Corsair Build. 

The old BUD LIGHT  Super Corsair air racer is finally getting a restoration to the military configuration. This will be somewhat of a difficult "de-conversion" as my original modifications were, shall I say, less than contest-worthy.

An explanation of what I did in the first build is in order. This model roughly represented an F4U-1 that was resurrected from storage in Chino, California. The R-2800 was replaced with a R-4360. In this configuration the airplane was roughly the same as an F2G-1 with other racing modifications such as severely clipped wings and lower canopy.

I started out with an Otaki F4U-1D and basically destroyed it. The main reason I decided to try a restoration was that I found the wingtips in a spares box. I hope y'all enjoy watching me try to save this one--it might get ugly!

3985

Aircraft Modeling / Re: July Group Build - Fighters of the 4th-4th+ generation

« on: November 14, 2011, 02:30:52 AM »

Well, that isn't very much good, but the lack of internet will give you more time to work on this!

3986

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: November 13, 2011, 09:16:47 PM »

It'll be a while--I'm working on our refrigerator right now........

3987

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: November 13, 2011, 07:43:02 PM »

First top color laid on, fresh from the paint "booth" and drying. It's rather humid here today so I doubt this will cure fast enough to spray on the next shade.

I should mention something about the canopy parts while it is in my mind. Airfix does a great job of including different windscreen and canopy options in this kit. There are four windscreens, two hinged sections, and two aft fixed segments. For my model I'm using the early design with the rounded top corners. The framing is molded a little "soft" in some areas but can still be masked fairly easily, and the transparencies are very clear. You'll have to be quite careful when removing the canopy parts (especially the hinged portion) from the sprue tree, though--the clear plastic is brittle as it is in most model kits. I planned ahead on this part and carefully cut off a bit of sprue with the part, then used my Dremel tool to slowly remove the excess plastic. Then a few passes with a sanding stick and everything turned out just fine. The clear parts fit nicely, and Airfix saw fit to mold on two tabs for the center section that fit into slots on the right fuselage rail. I'll leave it up to the individual modeler to decide if they like this feature or not, but it does make attaching the canopy easier.

3988

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Bf-109 Group Build-All Variants

« on: November 13, 2011, 04:30:04 PM »

Very nice result, No.1. I've been looking at other possible markings schemes for this variant and I just may purchase the one I found locally.

3989

Aircraft Modeling / Re: G.A.C. Hotspur

« on: November 13, 2011, 04:25:07 PM »

Boy, this brings back memories of my youth! I built one of these but not a single bit survives today, so this will be enjoyable to watch.

3990

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Albatros D.XI first prototype (Karaya 1/48)

« on: November 13, 2011, 05:23:25 AM »

This is going great!