Area 88 project

[TheChronicOne]

Thanks for the updates, Strobes/Greg! 

[strobez]

After Snowtrooper's suggestion to use the F7F Tiger Cat as the WWII equivalent/ancestor of Micky Simon's F-14A Tom Cat, I got my hands on an old school Monogram  kit boxing.  Even though I have several projects on the go, the retro vibe and the urge to scratch build some details was too strong to overcome, so I started poking at it.  I started by sanding down the raised panel lines and rescribing them.  I also so gutted the built-in engine and cowlings and replaced them with engines from a couple Academy F4U Corsair kits to satisfactory effect.  I've also started boxing in the wheel wells (including adding some oil tanks) and will be looking to modify the Corsair's cockpit (which is already a near perfect fit) as well.

I've set up a build log here.

Having come into a couple of extra Corsair kits has also given me a spare set of wings to have a second go at expanding the wheel wells and adding some details to the air in-take vents on my Area 88 Corsair build.  You can check out some updated photos here.

Oh, and I may as well mention that I'm getting close to being done on my initial MiG-21/MiG-3 "warm up" build project.  Mostly just a few bits of touch up painting to do before the decals and weathering.  You can check out some updated photos here.

[strobez]

Here's a few images of the first completed "duo" - the Area 88 "Anti-Government Forces" MiG-21 and MiG-3!

You can find he complete build log/finished album here.

I should probably mention that even though I know that the MiG-3 airframe is largely made out of wood, I painted it as bare metal. I mainly did it because it was the "proof of concept" build for the whole project... but through the magical powers of "What If" all I have to say is "it's an all-metal prototype" and presto... it's all good!

[Spey_Phantom]

they look great 

[DogfighterZen]

they look great 

I'll second that!

[TheChronicOne]

Right on!!! I likey. Very nice, bud!

[strobez]

Thanks guys! Neither of these kits (Academy MiG-21 and Zvezda MiG-3) were particularly easy to build, so I'm happy enough with the results. Academy's lack of detail meant a bit more work to scribe in some extra, but the putty/sanding on the Zvezda was a killer.  My Crusader/Corsair project is coming along... and I couldn't resist that old F7F Tigercat kit, so I started that too. I'll post up some pictures soon.

[Captain Canada]

Very nice ! I like the different panel shades makes them look real 

[strobez]

Now that my Tintin Shark Submarine build is complete, it's time to try and finish up a few projects before I launch into the Soviet Group Build. So I thought I'd update this project thread with my nearly completed Area 88 inspired F4U-1 build.

I'm almost done, and I think I did a halfway decent job on the weathering for once (even though I mixed up enamel and lacquer thinners while trying do a panel line wash, to semi disastrous results). In fact, the only thing that's really paining me is the homemade decals I'm using.  Even though the transparent background paper works well, I needed to use the white-backed paper for the unicorn crest.

Between the size and the complexity, I suppose I should be greatful I got anything to stay on.  But I'm not at all happy with the standard





Anyone got any better ideas?

[TheChronicOne]

Nope!!!


But, it looks great to me!! I love me some Shin.

[Spey_Phantom]

that is one hot looking Corsair 

[DogfighterZen]

Looks very good indeed! Go Shin!

[strobez]

Just to prove the term "best to sleep on it", I opened my eyes this morning, saw the kind comments you all left and then was looking at the picture I posted...

"Hmm... that white border really ticks me off though..."

"But I used the sharpest knife I own... and cut it as carefully as possible..."

"If only there was someway to get rid of the border... maybe if I widened the black border, then at least it wouldn't be so noticeable..."

"..."

".."

"."

"Eureka! You know what would be a whole lot LESS noticeable? A BLUE border!"

So I used the photo I posted to get a pretty decent colour match, and printed off some new decals. I even made them slightly smaller as I was thinking while applying them...



I think this one goes in the "now why didn't I think of that... oh, good I did" file.

Stay tuned for final reveal pics.

P.s. Does anyone have any tips to string the aerial wire on WWII-era props?

[TheChronicOne]

 


My next thought was to recommend scissors for trimming but that works well! Blue border.. ha...yeah...  Nice solution!

For the aerial I like to use large gauge copper wire.. (tiny wispy stuff thinner than some human hair even). I paint it black.. but beware if you spray it.. the wire is so thin the paint might bead up so maybe try brushing it or dipping it or some milarkey.. Anyway.. what I do is put a tiny glob of CA on the little "pole" thingy and balance the wire and put one end on it....   let the other end sit on the fin and it shouldn't go anywhere then use a toothpick or something to put a tiny glob of CA on that part.    Easier shown than explained but it'll come naturally once you start in on it.  The stiffness of the wire is what makes it work. The tiny glob of CA is just enough to keep that end from fallen off as you use your hands to get the other end glued.

I hope that was what you were asking? 


Last one I did this method on wound up looking like this (remember this goofy contraption?!  lol  )  :

 

[strobez]

Well, I applied the new tail decals... it's much better, but still not as good as I would've hoped. Oh well... there are limits to what can be achieved I guess. 

Also, while reviewing some pics online I noticed something else... I apparently put the wheels on the wrong sides. Gah! So I had to pull them off carefully, sacrificing one of the gear strut PE parts to the carpet monster apparently, and switch them around.  Whatever.

I also was able to string up an antenna wire, so I'm gonna put a final coat of Future on it and call it done.  Will take some pics of the final product and share soon.