Messages

4291

Aircraft Modeling / Re: PZL P.11c LTD 1/48

« on: July 27, 2011, 07:09:04 PM »

Ahh.......modeling is such a relaxing endeavour. I'm building up the cockpit "cage" structure with Evergreen strips and shapes. I sometimes wonder why we go to all the work when the cockpit opening is so tiny............ It'll all be worth it, I reckon.

4292

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Converting a Fouga Magister into a Tzoukit in 1/48

« on: July 27, 2011, 05:40:22 PM »

I can agree that Fouga Magister engine is very, very loud!
Because it runs at very high rpm it produces a high frequency sound that is very unpleasant. And when on our Aviodrome platform both engines are running it is only some 5-10 m away from the public.
We always warn to cover ears or use ear protection!!

I used to be DOM/inspector/mechanic of a flight school and we had an FBO adjacent. The FBO had a refuelling contract with the U.S. military establishment and we had T-37s coming through much of the time. On the other side of my hangar was a charter operation with numerous MU-2s, so I got high-frequency screaming from all sides! I swear most of my hearing loss came from those years.........even with ear protection!

4293

Warplane Art / Re: Kawanishi H6K

« on: July 27, 2011, 04:46:47 PM »

Excellent profile, and I am looking around for the Hasegawa kit. It's one of those things that will just take some patience!

4294

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Converting a Fouga Magister into a Tzoukit in 1/48

« on: July 27, 2011, 04:25:41 PM »

Excellent work, my friend! I was just thinking about this project yesterday and this update is much appreciated.

The engine hoist is a great addition and shows just what a tiny powerplant that noisy beast is! I have the same size and type hoist here for use on General Aviation machines. This was during the annual inspection on our spamcan a couple of years ago with Ellen and our GS Mickey relaxing after we'd rehung the engine. An acquaintance has borrowed my hoist to fiddle with a Magister engine last year, so it knows the territory!

4295

Aircraft Modeling / Re: PZL P.11c LTD 1/48

« on: July 25, 2011, 08:33:05 PM »

The PZL project is back on track. Today I removed the molded-in details in the cockpit in preparation for scratchbuilding. I'm thinking I'll concentrate on this and not put it back on the shelf 'till it is finished.

4296

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: July 25, 2011, 06:53:49 PM »

Here is a "before and after" photo essay of the majority of my builds for this thread--it was pretty easy to restore versus actually building new kits!

4297

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: July 25, 2011, 05:46:49 PM »

I've still got those two D4Ys on the bench and several old unbuilt kits in the shed, but I'm going to take a short break from meatballs for a little while. If this thread gets stale we'll find a way to revive it!

4298

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: July 25, 2011, 04:54:51 PM »

I'm only this fast because these are rebuilds rather than new construction, Sall!

Here's the J2M3 that was flown by the British for evaluation. I decided to mark it as B1-02, the second of the two ATAIU SEA machines. Rising Decals did a sheet with ship B1-01 on it and the markings are slightly different between the two. Most of the drawings of the right side of 01 show that the "ATAIU" lettering didn't interfere with the roundel, but on this airplane the painters "ran out of room" so to speak and simply brushed the letter over the roundel. The toothpaste paint chipping process really worked great--thanks to Letipapa and Profa for inspiring me with this method!

I'm going to take a break from the Japan-Build for a while and finish up a couple of other projects that I've had started for some time. We invite everyone to keep contributing anything related to the Japanese as this is still an open build.

4299

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Longtail Dora

« on: July 25, 2011, 08:19:04 AM »

Yes, but I had a splitting headache when I started working on it. I managed to assemble the wing and engine accessory section but didn't even try to align the gunbay/motor mount/firewall because I wasn't going to be able to concentrate. I'll go back to this one later, when my mind is clear!

I'm VERY impressed with the engineering that went into this kit. The landing gear bays are beautiful in themselves.

4300

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Longtail Dora

« on: July 25, 2011, 05:14:42 AM »

I'm going to tack on this small "review" to No.1's thread since it's related to his excellent build.

Recently I received several products from Scale Aircraft Conversions for review in LLL Magazine #4. One of the gear sets was for the Fw-190. I started my D-9 today and built up this gear leg so y'all could see what it looks like. I polished the white-metal strut and painted the balance with RLM 02 and installed the scissor link. It's a nice looking gear set and will be a good upgrade, especially for some of the older kits on the market.

4301

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: July 25, 2011, 01:58:07 AM »

Ok, here is the Ki-27. This little fighter was assigned to the 2nd Chutai of the 59th Fighter Sentai and fought at the Nomonhan/Kholkhin Gol conflict. I simply masked and sprayed all the markings on this one.

4302

Warplane Art / Re: SAAB J.21

« on: July 23, 2011, 05:21:41 PM »

Speaking of the J-21R, is there only the one survivor in the Museum? I had thought (probably failing memory) that there was also an unrestored airframe. Regardless, both are very impressive.

4303

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: July 23, 2011, 04:37:22 PM »

Khalkhin Gol/Nomonhan is almost unknown, or at best, ignored (except to historians and researchers) on this side of the Pond. I've been doing a good bit of reading about this particular combat lately and it's quite interesting, indeed. I had no idea there were a number of BT-5s and other rare armor pieces still set-up as memorials to the conflict until I began this research. LLL expands my knowledge base yet again!

4304

Warplane Art / Re: SAAB J.21

« on: July 23, 2011, 04:12:23 PM »

 

Excellent profile of a very interesting subject!

4305

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Group Build> Japan

« on: July 22, 2011, 07:41:53 PM »

Yes, or an I-153 would be interesting......I may sneak down to the local store tomorrow to see what he has.