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Topics - Second Air Force

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76
Combat Warplanes / PZL-37 1/1 Scale Replica
« on: October 06, 2012, 10:36:58 PM »
I don't usually like to post new threads just to bring attention to links to other websites, but this is an exception. Some of you probably knew about this but it is really good news to me!
http://www.tvn24.pl/zdjecia/bombowiec-los,25779,lista.html
http://krakow.naszemiasto.pl/galeria/opis/1312897,rekonstrukcja-owianego-legenda-polskiego-bombowca-pzl-37,galeria,2254981,id,t,tm,zid.html

My congratulations and gratitude to the builders! :-ok

77
Aircraft Modeling / Eduard DB 601 in 1/48
« on: August 16, 2012, 07:47:41 PM »
No.1 sent this to me for review, courtesy of Eduard. It is, of course, engineered to fit the Eduard Bf-109E. With little extra work it can also be adapted to other kits as the builder finds appropriate. First an overview of the kit and later I'll start to build it up.

Box and instruction sheet, typical of this manufacturer. I should mention that the box was somewhat crushed during the trip across the Atlantic. Due to Eduard's careful packing and use of foam rubber cushions there was absolutely no damage to any of the very delicate resin parts.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0581.jpg


All the components laid out for inspection:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0583.jpg


This is the accessory section showing the extremely fine detail of this complex part:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0588.jpg


The PE fret with detail parts for both the engine and cowling:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0592.jpg


And this, to my eye, is the highlight of the kit. This resin cowling is fully detailed inside and out, and is so thinly cast that light shines through! This is the pinnacle of resin casting in my opinion:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0589.jpg


Next update will begin the buildup.
Scott

78
Aircraft Modeling / Eduard Bf-109E 1/48
« on: July 20, 2012, 03:49:06 AM »
This rather large package arrived courtesy of our own No.1 (and Eduard, after a fashion) yesterday. A rather impressive box that originally contained two complete Emils, a 1/4 scale instrument panel, and a great looking coffee cup. Srecko is building the instrument panel right now on the Bf-109 GB thread :-ok, and drinking from the cup, I reckon :-paper. I'll be giving my impressions on building the actual kit here.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0378.jpg


This Eduard Bf-109 has been around for a little while so there isn't much new information I can add. It has some beautiful surface detail and looks to be engineered quite carefully. The decal sheet in the Royal Class boxing is simply unbelievable--twelve different aircraft!

More later,
Scott

79
Aircraft Modeling / Scale Aircraft Conversions New Products
« on: June 29, 2012, 07:17:18 PM »
Friends,

Here is an update on some new landing gear products from the folks at Scale Aircraft Products. These are all up to the same standard as other SAC kits and offer a variety of scales, including 1/144 airliners. :-ok

First is 72043 for the new Revell Halifax:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0255.jpg


Kit 72044 1/72 set for the ICM MiG-25. Notice that this has the option of short or long nose gear strut:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0257.jpg


72045 for the 1/72 Hobby Boss F-14, again with the long and short nose struts:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0261.jpg


This next kit is VERY heavy--there is a lot of metal in this box! This is 1/32 kit 32064 for the HK Models B-25 Mitchell:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0258.jpg


Finally for this entry, 32065 for the Hasegawa P-51 Mustang, another large set!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0256.jpg


More later!

80
Aircraft Modeling / ML-KNIL Brewster and Curtiss
« on: June 01, 2012, 11:22:15 PM »
Since building the 1/72 Curtiss/Wright CW-21B Interceptor in Netherlands East Indies colors I've been planning other ML-KNIL projects. The first to get a chance on the workbench is this 1/48 Tamiya Brewster Buffalo.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_8398.jpg


The kit I found was of the F2A-2 version, essentially similar to the B-339C and D that the Dutch purchased new from Brewster. There are a few differences, the main ones being the propeller, spinner, tailwheel, and tailcone. The particular kit I have didn't have the optional parts I needed. Fortunately I had all of the bits I needed in my spares boxes from a Buffalo I built in the 1980s. :-tri I also bought an Eduard PE set for the Buffalo, then realized that much of this set was going to be useful for my SAAB B 17 project. I ended up using the Eduard instrument panel for this kit and saved the other bits for the SAAB.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0081.jpg


More later.......


81
Aircraft Modeling / Jumo Powered Bf-109s In 1/48
« on: May 28, 2012, 01:26:50 AM »
I've decided to start a new thread on the early Messerschmitt Bf-109 family. These early versions are quite interesting and have a combat record that isn't spoken of much. Both Hobbycraft (Academy nowadays) and Classic Airframes have produced Jumo-powered machines in 1/48 scale.

The Classic Airframes kits are very nice and quite accurate.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0005.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0006.jpg

Both an early kit with extended leading edge slats and a later version with the "normal" slats have been produced on a short-run basis as was the norm for Classic Airframes. They are also quite EXPENSIVE nowadays, being more of a collecible than a model kit. They are also quite superb and accurate, especially the resin cowlings and interior parts. In my C kit I also found a set of the early long slats as an optional choice. I've only test-fit this and it is somewhat typical of a short run kit, needing a few tweaks here and there to get a perfect fit.

The Hobbycraft/Academy kit is much more plentiful and fairly inexpensive.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0093.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0115.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_0118.jpg

The Hobbycraft kit suffers from some inaccuracies in the cowling and firewall forward area that should be corrected for an accurate machine. Lynn Ritger performed a nice upgrade of the existing kit parts by filling and scribing panel lines and gun troughs. On this project I'm thinking of doing some kitbashing to achieve the desired accuracy.

More updates in a few days......
Scott


82
Aircraft Modeling / May Group Build--Bf-110
« on: May 01, 2012, 02:36:24 PM »
Time has come to start our May GB. I've been looking forward to this one for some time as the Bf-110 is one of the most beautiful twin engine warplanes built (in my opinion).

I'll be working on at least two Zerstorers in this build, a 1967-issue Monogram 1/72 scale machine and another old one, the 1/48 Fujimi C/D. When we get home later this week I'll get some work done and photos posted.

All are invited to build! :-wave

83
Combat Warplanes / Potez 63-11 Recreation Nearly Airworthy
« on: April 10, 2012, 02:54:18 AM »
I thought this link deserves some attention: http://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2012/03/02/a-potez-63-11-will-soon-fly-in-texas/

This gentleman has been working on his Potez for a long time and I can't wait until it is airborne!

84
Aircraft Modeling / Monogram TBD Devastator Rebuild
« on: April 03, 2012, 02:59:15 AM »
Since the TBD got four votes in our earlier poll I've decided to give it the overhaul it desparately needs. This was built in 1980 from the old Monogram 1/48 kit complete with working wing-folds. I originally selected Lt. Cmdr. Waldron's VT-8 Devastator from the Battle of Midway as the color scheme.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9613.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9614.jpg


Disassembly:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9615.jpg


The paint took a LOT of acetone/alcohol mix and some oven cleaner to dislodge it. I seem to recall using Humbrol paint on this model in '80 and it was tough stuff! These photos show it after stripping and repainting the interior in the correct aluminum lacquer finish:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9699.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9704.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9705.jpg


I'll be using two different aftermarket products to rebuild this. First is the just-released SAC landing gear kit. This is tailored to the new Great Wall Devastator but I'll be able to easily adapt it to the Monogram version.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9703.jpg


The other aftermarket part is a Microscale decal sheet that is for both the TBD and Brewster Buffalo in USN service. This sheet is also of circa 1980 vintage and shows a list price on the instruction sheet of $2.50. :-cool
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9702.jpg


And here are a couple of pages the Fall 1979 Scale Modeler magazine with some nice photos of the TBD. My airplane, 6-T-16, is shown in a couple of period photos.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9708.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9709.jpg


85
Aircraft Modeling / Horten Ho-229 Flying Wing
« on: April 01, 2012, 06:52:23 PM »
The winner of our earlier poll is this Ho-229. Don't ask me who manufactured this vacuform because I don't remember :-think......all I do remember is that it is green. :-green This was a VERY basic vacform kit and consisted of nine parts, six wheel halves, two wing sections, and a clear perspex canopy and spine. My modeling skills, and especially my vacuform skills, were far from advanced in May of 1979 when I built this the first time. The engines are from a Monogram 1/72 B-52 and I think the nose wheel was once from a 1/32 kit of some kind. This series of pictures just shows the beginnings of this project.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9611.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9610.jpg


It split apart very easily, something I didn't anticipate happening. Only a little trailing edge damage occurred, which isn't a problem because the trailing edges were about six scale inches thick anyway! :-roll :-red
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9612.jpg


I've often painted the "date of manufacture" on the inside of my old builds (it looks like I may have been drinking when I painted this.....). Dig that superdetailed cockpit!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9642.jpg


The paint having been removed, the surfaces don't look too bad but I will need to deepen the scribing to sharpen it somewhat.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9640.jpg


Now, some of you may wonder, why don't I just throw this pile of junk away and get a Dragon Ho-229 kit? The answer is that I already have this one to restore. And a large quantity of stuff to add to it this time around. Let's see if I can do a better job this time! ;)

To add to the fun, I'd like to entertain some ideas as to markings and configuration for this. Since none saw actual service and the Versuchs machines barely got to the flight stage we should be able to use imagination on the final product. I'm more than willing to do single or two-seat versions so a night-fighter or Zerstorer concept is an option. Suggestions?

Scott

86
Aircraft Modeling / April Group Build-SAAB and Swedish-Operated
« on: April 01, 2012, 04:16:57 PM »
The April GB will have a Swedish theme. I will kick this Build off with an apology on my part--I know the SAAB B17 I'm working on will not be done in time. :-wall So, to kick off the month, I'll show just how far the SAAB has gotten thus far:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9533.jpg


My actual entry into the April build will be a J26. I have a couple of previously built Monogram P-51s languishing in storage and one of these will be restored for this project. Here's the soon-to-be-former Australian Mustang at the beginning of the rebuild:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9633.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9634.jpg

87
Aircraft Modeling / The Next Rebuild (Poll)
« on: March 26, 2012, 12:38:32 AM »
Sall and I have been discussing my remaining restoration projects and I thought it might be fun to have you folks choose the next project. Here are the choices, all in 1/48. I have almost all of the parts for them and can scratchbuild anything that is missing. So, if you wish, tell me:
1. Which model to repair next, and,
2. What markings you'd like to see the model in.

Of course, I might ignore everyone's choices and start with the one I was going to, but you never know....... :-jump
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9606.jpg

88
Aircraft Modeling / Hawker Hurricane 1/48
« on: March 14, 2012, 05:02:53 PM »
Here's another of my many restoration builds. This poorly built Hurricane has been in the dusty barn with the others but I wanted to showcase the Scale Aircraft Conversions landing gear kit. So.......I've brought this out of banishment for rebuilding. This was first built in 1986 and is the 1980 Airfix kit.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9487.jpg


BOOM!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9488.jpg


I'm surveying many paint schemes for the rebuild and I'm pretty certain the markings will be of a machine in foreign markings.

89
Ground Forces / Tunisian Tiger I (My Father's Tank)
« on: February 18, 2012, 04:51:59 PM »
Time to start the thread on the SdKfz 181 Ausf.E build.

As some of you have read in earlier posts, this early-production Tiger was recovered by U.S. forces in Tunisia and shipped to the United States for testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground. It is still in existence today and is currently in Great Britain. There is some controversy (that I don't really know much about) surrounding this vehicle and its eventual return to the U.S. for museum display.

The real connection for me is that my father was part of the 1st Armored Division maintenance team that recovered and repaired this machine in Tunisia in the spring of 1943. More on that later.

Here are the principal elements I've gotten rounded up to build this monster:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_8695.jpg


http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_8939.jpg


http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9051.jpg


http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9208.jpg


http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9292.jpg


I'll start some "in progress" photos at a later time.

Scott

90
Aircraft Modeling / SAAB B 17A In 1/48 Scale
« on: January 30, 2012, 12:09:50 AM »
Starting now I'm going to devote more time to a new project. First I'll offer a quiz photo to see if anyone can guess what the airplane is (except Daniel, Srecko, and Nico as they already know what this is). The 1/48-scale project will be partly scratchbuilt and partly kitbashed.

This is the rudder in almost finished form. The trim tab needs to be moved up just a bit to complete it.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/IMG_9225.jpg


If no one gets it right away I'll offer a couple of better clues. ;)

Scott

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