4351
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 11, 2011, 07:20:56 AM »
Mmmmmmm........I really like that splinter camouflage. Viggen Group Build, anyone!? (I'm sort of bluffing as I don't have a kit--yet.)
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4352
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 10, 2011, 11:34:34 PM »
Finally........
I believe I'll wait a few months before I build another "fresh from the Curtiss assembly line" model
. This Persian/Iranian H75A-9 has always been on my "to-do" list of machines I wanted to build, but the paint scheme was VERY time consuming. Perhaps the next Hawk I build will be the same ship in her later RAF Mohawk IV scheme--that looks much easier........
Scott
I believe I'll wait a few months before I build another "fresh from the Curtiss assembly line" model
. This Persian/Iranian H75A-9 has always been on my "to-do" list of machines I wanted to build, but the paint scheme was VERY time consuming. Perhaps the next Hawk I build will be the same ship in her later RAF Mohawk IV scheme--that looks much easier........Scott
4353
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 10, 2011, 07:52:22 AM »
A very short update on my Hobbycraft/Academy Curtiss. I have read a number of reviews of this kit that were not complimentary of the fit of the small side fuselage transparencies. One reviewer mentioned scribing a groove around the entire perimeter of the opening in the fuselage in order for the adhesive to flow more evenly. I started to attempt this method (you can see my chicken-scratching on the top of the tan part 
) but finally decided to try something easier.
The "glass" actually sits in the opening pretty nicely prior to gluing. I ended up securing the window with three tiny dabs of Testors tube glue in the spots marked with the yellow triangles. The front two spots are completely hidden by the painted frame of the transparency and the one in the apex of the after end of the window is so tiny as to be nearly invisible.
The fuel cap needs some touching up and then the window can be installed.
) but finally decided to try something easier. The "glass" actually sits in the opening pretty nicely prior to gluing. I ended up securing the window with three tiny dabs of Testors tube glue in the spots marked with the yellow triangles. The front two spots are completely hidden by the painted frame of the transparency and the one in the apex of the after end of the window is so tiny as to be nearly invisible.
The fuel cap needs some touching up and then the window can be installed.
4354
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 08, 2011, 07:25:43 PM »
Yes, you're right about the "flipped" image. The book I have also had that photo reversed. I puzzled over it many years ago when I first saw it but finally noticed the radio access door and the propeller pitch was backwards.
Scott
Scott
4355
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 08, 2011, 04:35:36 PM »
Here is the rear 1/4 view of the same Curtiss, Profa. The clear blue factory overcoating is more easily seen in this picture.
As you said, regardless of who the airplane was delivered to, it is an interesting "paint" scheme. I have had the two color photos bookmarked for a number of years with the idea of someday building a model of this bird. Here is also a link to some color photos of H-81s and P-40s from LIFE magazine that show the same protective blue coating to advantage. http://www.flickr.com/photos/35963591@N00/4129633096/in/photostream/
I've got lots of pieces of the old Monogram P-40 lying about, maybe I should do one during assembly......
As you said, regardless of who the airplane was delivered to, it is an interesting "paint" scheme. I have had the two color photos bookmarked for a number of years with the idea of someday building a model of this bird. Here is also a link to some color photos of H-81s and P-40s from LIFE magazine that show the same protective blue coating to advantage. http://www.flickr.com/photos/35963591@N00/4129633096/in/photostream/
I've got lots of pieces of the old Monogram P-40 lying about, maybe I should do one during assembly......
4356
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 08, 2011, 07:30:41 AM »The airplane is not completed in the two photos we have, but still has the clear blue coating that Curtiss used to protect their sheetmetal during production. So, no national markings on the wings or fuselage.Ups...
Picture is from A-J Press - Monografie Lotnicze n°063 - Curtiss P-36 Hawk Cz.3
That is actually an interesting situation, Profa. The aileron is the only Norwegian-marked piece on the airplane and you can see the sand-toned color sprayed on various parts of the structure where the panels join. It appears that the aileron made its way onto the Iranian machine during final assembly. The Norwegian A-8 variant and Iranian A-9 were being produced at the same time so some mixing of parts isn't too surprising. According to the research I've gleaned this is one of the nine airplanes that the British uncrated and "adopted" as Mohawk IVs.
Here's a black and white photo of the right side of this same airplane. The Norwegian aileron is barely visible, but I have a color photo of this machine that shows it better.
4357
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 07, 2011, 07:27:53 PM »
Sort of, No.1 The airplane is not completed in the two photos we have, but still has the clear blue coating that Curtiss used to protect their sheetmetal during production. So, no national markings on the wings or fuselage.
4358
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 07, 2011, 06:57:48 PM »Thought of that earlier, but couldn't find the picture until now...
That red/white/green flag misses something
Now that I've solved it, I'll leave to others to find it as well...
p.s. hint from my side, and I hope that you Scott wouldn't mind
No, I don't mind at all! That photo is one of my reference sources. Interestingly, it was published in reverse, so there are good photos of both the left and right side of the machine. It's been a %&#!!@* to mask and spray all the different colors and shades...... With some work I could get this finished sometime this weekend.
Good deduction, friends!
4359
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 06, 2011, 07:34:37 PM »
Nope. Here's a better picture that shows the colors better:
4360
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 06, 2011, 07:02:57 PM »
Nope.
Sorry that the photo is so poor. I'll shoot a new one under different lighting.
Sorry that the photo is so poor. I'll shoot a new one under different lighting.
4361
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 06, 2011, 06:54:05 PM »
Paint scheme hint #2: 
4362
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 06, 2011, 04:42:25 PM »
If I am able to find the reference I can give some more information on the tire industry in U.S. aircraft production. Somewhere in the piles of books there are dates when treaded tires started to show up on fighters. If memory serves, first it was the smooth ones, then circumferential tread (straight grooves around the tire) then the diamond and "waffle" treads started to show up next. I reckon a book could be written about the tire tread patterns! Having spent so many years studying the heavy and very heavy bombers I do know the different tread patterns used on the B-17, B-24, B-29, and B-32. It's rather boring stuff except to us modelers and restorers..... 
4363
Aircraft Modeling / Re: Zvezda MiG-21Bis 1/72 + BalkanModels
« on: July 06, 2011, 04:37:55 PM »
Yes, great job, Sall! 
Scott
Scott
4364
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 06, 2011, 07:04:28 AM »
The early (pre-war) fighters nearly always had the smooth tires as you see here. I'm not certain when the treaded designs started to appear, but it was after the particular Hawk I'm building. My thinking is that almost all prewar airfields had proper grass landing areas and smooth tires are most efficient when flying off of grass. The treaded tire types in the U.S. were developed for hard surfaces, dirt runways, and pierced steel planking and started showing up on heavier airplanes first, then moving to the lighter types. The Navy and Marine Corps also switched to various tread types for their own reasons.
4365
Aircraft Modeling / Re: June Group Build--Curtiss Hawk 75
« on: July 05, 2011, 08:39:17 PM »
It isn't really cannibalism if I "found" the parts in the spares bin is it? 
I was fortunate to find the P-40 tires and wheels intact since each is made up of four pieces. All they need is to have the seams cleaned up and repainted and I'll be in business.
I was fortunate to find the P-40 tires and wheels intact since each is made up of four pieces. All they need is to have the seams cleaned up and repainted and I'll be in business.