Messages

4831

Aircraft Modeling / Re: HOW TO: Natural Metal Finishes

« on: February 06, 2011, 05:39:57 PM »

Here is the finished P-47 project. I may do just a little exhaust staining and I don't seem to have any Curtiss Electric decals for the propeller blades, but I'm looking.......

I want to thank everyone on this forum for inspiring me to FINALLY FINISH A MODEL!!!!!!!!!! This is the first completed modeling project in nearly ten years, and the first aircraft since our group build for the 2000 IPMS Nationals in Dallas.

Scott

4832

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Liberator Beauties

« on: February 06, 2011, 05:22:41 PM »

By the time 44-44154 was built Consolidated was (generally) leaving the aft fuselage unpainted. I don't know if the Consolidated-built Liberators that were earmarked for the RAF had the interiors painted or not. I tend to think not, but the color you've used is possible. I will do some more research into the B. VI to see if I have any factory photos.

Scott

4833

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Late war Bf109

« on: February 06, 2011, 05:07:08 PM »

Well done!

Scott

4834

Aircraft Modeling / Re: SBD/A-24 Group Build

« on: February 05, 2011, 04:24:08 PM »

You're doing the most aggravating part first, Tenk! Good idea. I drilled out the entire set on a 1/72nd SBD a number of years ago and it seemed to take all day........and a couple of pots of coffee......

4835

Warplane Art / Re: Avro Athena

« on: February 04, 2011, 07:48:57 PM »

The Merlin on the T2 balanced out the profile a bit--the turboprop T1 looks too pointy in front!

Good subject,
Scott

4836

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Zvezda MiG-21Bis 1/72 + BalkanModels

« on: February 04, 2011, 07:29:44 PM »

Very nice work!

Scott

4837

Aircraft Modeling / Re: SBD/A-24 Group Build

« on: February 04, 2011, 05:37:28 PM »

I took another "snow day" on Wednesday because the parking areas at work were impassable. First I cleaned the stoop and driveway, then fed the birds:

Then I got some further work done on the A-24. First was to detail paint and assemble the cockpit and gunner compartments and sidewalls.

I then joined the fuselage halves and installed the wings. Everything here fits really nicely. Very little filler is required at the various joints with the exception of the bottom of the fuselage at the center wing area. The horizontal stabilizers don't fit quite as well as they could, but a touch of filler on each of these fixes the problem easily.

As soon as it warms up I'll be doing a bit of priming.
Scott

4838

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Liberator Beauties

« on: February 04, 2011, 05:13:32 PM »

No.1 and I have been P.M.ing about the interior color of the Liberator. The interior color of the fuselage aft of the bomb bays isn't consistent from the various factories that assembled the Liberator. Also, the color changed as time went on. It is a pretty complicated subject.

A book could be written about just the interior colors from the different manufacturers, timeframe, and changing specifications. The aft fuselage could be either Consolidated green, interior green, yellow chromate, or bare metal depending on who built the fuselage section and when. Same thing with the bomb bay--it can be Consolidated green, interior green, bare metal, or (possibly, there is a specification for this) neutral grey. I have much of this information written down from research that Gary Austin and I did. I haven't any idea where the material is, though, so be patient with me as I try to find it.

Here is a bomb bay photo of a Consolidated-built D taken just after the 1 August 1943 Ploesti mission. You can see the Consolidated green quite clearly on the bomb rack:

I promise to search for my research material,
Scott

4839

Warplane Art / Re: Fairey Firefly

« on: February 03, 2011, 06:04:00 PM »

That would be a fun group build. However, now I'm the one who doesn't have a kit available! I'm looking, though........

4840

Warplane Art / Re: Fairey Firefly

« on: February 03, 2011, 05:08:37 PM »

Oooooh....I LOVE that last one! Gotta get a Firefly to build!!!!!!!!!!!

4841

Aircraft Modeling / Re: Late war Bf109

« on: February 03, 2011, 07:02:47 AM »

Excellent radar installation! The airplane will resemble a porcupine when all those antenna masts are in place.....

Scott

4842

Aircraft Modeling / Re: SBD/A-24 Group Build

« on: February 03, 2011, 05:42:58 AM »

Just a couple of photos. First the cowling and accessory section assembly. This part of the Accurate Miniatures kit is sort of tricky to assemble. The way the parts are designed makes for a nice finished product but requires some test-fitting first.

Major parts taped together to study the fit.

4843

Aircraft Modeling / Re: SBD/A-24 Group Build

« on: February 02, 2011, 07:14:32 AM »

It's February 1 so here is my first contribution to the SBD Build.

The first thing to happen was the engine. I decided to use one of my resin castings for the Y1B-17 project so I could see how it looks.

The second project was the tailwheel. The A-24 used a pneumatic tire rather than the solid type for carrier operations. It was really simple to cut off the solid wheel and fork, drill a hole in the fuselage halves, and insert a piece of tubing for the upper strut:

Then I found a suitable tire in the parts box and fashioned the lower strut from brass wire:

Scott

4844

Ground Forces / Re: M-5 Bomb Trailer

« on: February 02, 2011, 07:09:02 AM »

I stayed home today because of a snowstorm, so some work got done on the trailer. I could have painted the thing if it wasn't so cold in the shop! The first photo shows the "brake drum" inside the wheel half and the opened holes in the outside half. When it is assembled you'll be able to see the drum through the holes.

It's ready for paint in this photo. There will be a few little detail parts to add and I still need the material for the rails that go on the bed.

S

4845

Combat Warplanes / Re: Douglas SBD Dauntless

« on: January 31, 2011, 08:38:03 PM »

Great photos as usual! This collection should be an inspiration for anyone who would like to join our group SBD build........

I will look in my files for a photo of SBDs stored on the hangar deck. Since the wings do not fold the airplanes were often winched up to the overhead beams of the hangar deck and other machines parked under them. I'd always thought that would be a nice diorama.

Thanks for the pictures.
Scott