Grumman F4F-4

[strobez]

So since my airbrush compressor decided to run a fever and start making sounds like an empty rattle can... I took it as a sign that I should start something new.  All my other various projects are at the painting stage, so it seemed like a good excuse to grab some glue and try something else.

So, despite having a perfectly usable Airfix F4F-1 kit with an optional collapsed wing, I decided I'm a glutton for punishment and I'm going to try to accomplish this feat with the Academy offereing.

[TheChronicOne]

You are a glutton, aye!!   Looks like you're off to a good start, however.   

[strobez]

I know... but it sounded like fun.  Hopefully it keeps on sounding like fun...

[TheChronicOne]

That's the ticket!!  "Strike while the iron is hot" and all that.   

EDIT:  Oh, by the by, Hasegawa is set to release Shin's F-20 in about a week!! 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hasegawa-64750-Area-88-Northrop-F-20-Tigershark-Shin-Kazama-1-72-PRE-ORDER-/361952140041?hash=item5446075b09:g:PdAAAOSwTM5Y7YmS

[strobez]

It's already on my wish list.  They're also putting out Saki's KFIR in July.  Hopefully they'll release more in 1/78 scale. It wouldn't be difficult.

[TheChronicOne]

Nice!  I want to get it, too. I'd go ahead and pre-order it if I wasn't so scared to death of not having money that I would otherwise spend.     (nutty.. barely even makes sense.. ) 

[NARSES2]

You are a glutton, aye!!   Looks like you're off to a good start, however.   

Very much so.

The Airfix kit is lovely by the way. Although I found assembling the cockpit and undercarriage as separate entities made getting them in a lot, lot easier. Did it this way on my second build of the kit after finishing the first as per the instructions.

[strobez]

That Airfix kit does look nice, but I happened across 3 Academy kits for $2 each... so I figure I should do something with them.  Besides this project, i think one of them will be offered up to the 1-week build. The last one can just sit in my stash and keep the Academy 1/72 P-47D company.

Anyway, almost got the wings filled in, so I started working on a fire wall.

[Captain Canada]

Nice looking little kit and excellent work so far !

[strobez]

While I've still got a few details to add to he wings, I switched gears a bit and made up a couple of blanks to box in the firewalls in the wheel well.  Is there an easier way to do that on an interior curved surface other than cut cut cut, file file file cut file file cut... until it fits well?

I also started adding detail to the engine. Since this is a closed cockpit with a thick canopy, I'm not planning on adding much detail there as it will largely be invisible. However the wheels and engine will be quite visible.

[PR19_Kit]

Adding push-rod tubes and rocker housings on a 1/72 engine? 

Excellent stuff! Looking really good.

[strobez]

Thanks! I've added detail like this to an engine before, so it was pretty easy.to replicate.

[strobez]

Sometimes i just don't know why I do these things... you're not even going to be able to see the cockpit!

Ah, well...

First, I decided I needed a modified oil tank up inside the wheel well. Since I don't plan to attach these to the folded wing, a little surgery should do it.




Drilled some holes through the firewall and slide in a spider web of posts. I hope this works!


I know you won't even be able to see inside the cockpit... I think I have a disease...


Another angle...

[PR19_Kit]

You won't be able to see those engine support struts either, unless you shrink yourself down to 1/72 scale and open the hatches.

AhAH! Maybe THAT'S how you can do all this stuff??? 

[Rick Lowe]

You could do a variation of the F6F that split in two after hitting the island... wait, that would mean detailing behind the cockpit...