gunner

In the eyes of a 12 year old in 1966 this kit was bitchin, boss, and absolutely the greatest model I had ever seen. I think I built at least 2 of them. Back then, we used tube glue and bottle paint. We didn't count rivets and used the kit decals. Our man caves were wherever mom had us put down the newspaper to build the model on. The builds went pretty fast because we didn't have the internet to tell us all the modifications that absolutely had to be made to get a “perfect†model. Yes, I had finger prints on the canopy, used rubber bands to hold parts together overnight, seams weren't sanded because my sister hid her emory boards. But I used her finger nail polish to clean my brushes. I used a GEM razor blade, (no xacto) finger nail clips and a Barlow knife as my cutting tools. No masking, no airbrushing, no aftermarket. What a concept! I just ordered one and I plan to build it out of the box. Maybe watch some reruns of Combat and the Avengers. I probably won't use tube glue but I am going to keep it very basic. BTW, am I the only one who thought the pilot figure looked like one of the flying monkeys from OZ?

Having built the SBD-1/2, SBD-5, the TBM-3 and the TBF. I can unequivocally say these are some of the best 1/32 scale aircraft kits available. Fit, accuracy and detail is outstanding. I am about halfway through the 1/18th scale SBD 3/4 and it is a great kit also. You will have a great time building any one of these. Have fun.

I have been to their website but it is in German. I would like to purchase enough to do 6 chains.

I purchased 2 kits, one from Internet Hobbies and one from Sprue Bros. One had a small crack in the canopy. I sent receipt to Hornby UK and a request for a new canopy on Wednesday the 20th. I received the replacement today. No problems, quick service. 8 days.

Seemless Sucker aftermarket? Sorry but I couldn't resist

I do not remember ever posting a negative comment on any kits that I have not at least started. For that matter, I don't recall making a negative or positive comment on any kit I have not seen. People have their opinions and I expressed mine because I have built both kits. This is what was asked. We all have our opinions and I just find it very perplexing that modelers express their negative opinions without seeing or building the kit but rather on opinions based on what others have said.

Hello Hank, I have built 3 of the Hasegawa kits and 2 of the Trumpeter kits. If you know how to correct the fuselage hump and narrow the canopy, the Trumpeter kit is the superior kit. Not taking anything away from the Hasegawa kit but it is 30 years old. As far as fixing the bulge on the Trumpeter kit goes, it took me less than 20 minutes to correct. The canopy about 3 minutes. The fuselage is easily drawn in by shaving 1/16" off each side of the radio rack and super gluing it to the inside wall of the fuselage. Squeeze the 2 halves together and the result is no more bulge. For the canopy, heat up the plastic in hot water and gently pinch it in. I find it ironic that many of the negative responses come from those who never built the kit. I guess it feels better to pile on than making the tackle. Here are 8 pictures of the Trumpeter Hellcat built as an F6F-5P http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/CWO3/HELLCAT/DSCF0446.jpg

I'm gonna pile on and recommend one of the Fisher kits. If you like Gloss Sea Blue go with one of the Panthers if you like British- the Seafury is outstanding. If it's something very unique, the Cutless is a possibility. The Stearmen is the least expensive and a great kit. The Panther -5 was my first resin kit. No props, no engine, a nice pit and no aftermarket to mess with. The fit was perfect. A real gem. Paul has great customer service and he makes a quality product. That's my take

Actual, the F4U-4 was the most produced single variant of the Corsair built during World War II. With 448 aircraft built beginning in the fall of 1944. By early spring of 1945 most front line USN and USMC squadrons were flying the -4. This variant had a bomb load of a P-47 and was faster than the D Mustang. Rate of climb was 30% better than the 1D. It was the best aircraft for CAS and protecting the fleet from Kamikazis. Many of these and the -4B saw extensive use in Korea also. The service life of this version was the longest of any Corsair. It served from 1944 to the late 50's with USN/USMC reserve squadrons. We have it beginning life in GSB and retiring in Gull Grey and White. A multitude of markings would be a plus. I would hope that Tamiya releases this version as well as the 1D.

Yes I had a notion to build an AMT B-52 in 1/72. It actually flew from my work bench to the trashcan. I was cured from buying other AMT aircraft. I would be interested in building in 1 1/32 scale SB2C Helldiver.

I pre ordered mine through Internet Hobbies for $119 less a coupon for $6. USPS Priority shipping was about $13 Total was about $126 They ship internationally from US www.internethobbies.com.webloc

With several Trumpeter aircraft kits out there and Airfix's Mosquito and the upcoming Typhoon kits in 1/24 scale, it would be nice to have some pilot and ground crew figures. Some of the Trumpeter kits had nice standing pilot figures in resin. I am thinking that some ground personnel, sitting and standing pilots would look great in 1/24. Resin would be my choice but plastic will work. a bomb cart would be nice too. What say you?

Okay, I will play 1/32 Golden Age-Pre WWII-- Curtiss SBC Helldiver WW II USAAF/ USN --A-26 for USAAK and an F4U-4 by Tamiya (let's see some ground crew, winter and summer, maybe a Cletrek and bomb carts) WW II RAF/FAA -- DH Mosquito and a Barracuda WW II Germany -- personally not interested WWII Japan -- Kate WW II Russia -- P-63 (does this count?) WW II Italy -- no clue WW II other countries -- no clue Post WW II USAF/ USN -- F-101 for USAF and an updated F4B, J or N Phantom for the USN Post WW II RAF/RAN -- Vampire Post WW II Russia -- a good Mig 15 Post WW II Canada/ Europe -- Viggen Helicopters -- Cobra Zulu or an Osprey 1/24 scale kit -- DH Mosquito Bomber version

That's a great looking target. I have the kit on my shelf of to-do projects. Keep posting your progress.

Hello Harold, The belted bang seats look great. I was too late and Sprue Bros. is out of stock. I will reorder when they get in. I think the printer made a mistake on the packaging. I believe it should be GRU-5 instead of GBU-5. I look forward to getting them. Out here Gunner Mike

I will comment only on the ones I have built; TBM-3 Avenger- fit and detail are excellent. Great looking Turkey in GSB USMC VMTB 143 SBD-1/2 Dauntless- Easy build, great detail, with the canopy open it shows a lot of detail. I did a Marine prewar SBD-1 with yellow wings. SBD-5 same as the -1 F6F-5. I kinda am tired of people complaining about the bulge in the aft fuselage and a wide canopy. Both took me less than 5 minutes to fix. I built mine as an F6F-5P also USMC aircraft, Spitfire in 1/24 scale. Easy to build, nice cockpit, had to use aftermarket props and hub. I look forward to building the A-4M. A-6E (when it comes out) and if and when they release the Devastater

The purpose of the cut outs is to have something other than the kit to use for laying out the diorama. So far, I have done cutouts for the Mustang, Thunderbolt, B-25, P-61, Skyraider (wings extended and folded). I have been doing this for years for armor and aircraft. Thank you for your comments.

Kevin, Thanks for moving this over and converting the pics to open immediately. I wish there was a standard way to download pics to a posting. Hyperscale, Armorama, ARC seem to have different procedures. Nigel. As far as the superchargers and exhausts go, these are right out of the box. No Aftermarket. Thanks to all who posted.

I thought I would take a different approach to building the big B-17. I started out building the wheels which I posted last week. I usually start with the interior, engines landing gear and wings. This time I have started with the wheels (posted last week) then the props and hubs, followed by the Horizontal Stabilizers. I also did the superchargers and exhaust stacks. Next step will be the engines and landing gear. This is a very good kit, however the instructions are weak.The sheet is huge but the drawings are like 1/72 scale. very basic color call outs and little in the way of detail. You definitely gotta pay attention when building this, Dry fit everything before you glue. I may have posted this before, it is a sillouette of a 1/32 scale B-17 as compared to a P-51 These are the ZOTZ Decals- Beautiful. I am doing D-Day Doll Brassin wheels again These decals by Kitsworld are a must. Interior, and exterior stencilling Hubs painted using Alclad Polished aluminum and Dull aluminum over Alclad gloss black. Props painted Tamiya gray primer, then insignia yellow, masked and then sprayed semi gloss tamiya black. Glossed with Micro-Coat gloss. Let it dry overnight and then decaled. Assembled awaiting satin finish Props and horizontal stabilizers. Stabilizers were primered with Tamiya Gray , sanded with 1200 grit sanpaper and the painted Tamiya insignia yellow (4 light coats and then sealed with Micro-Coat Satin) I am not sure when they removed the de-icer boots on the aircraft but I have calls into some of my sources. I am leaning to putting them on. These are the superchargers and exhausts. Alclad II Black followed by Steel, Hot metal blue, Hot metal sepia, Hot metal light. Oversprayed withe Alclad II exhaust. Dusted with Tamiya make up kit light rust, gunmetal and exhaust. Sealed with Testors Metalizer sealer. This looks pretty close to the real thing That's about it for tonight. Thanks for looking.

M-5 bomb cart and figures. Ground crew and air crew figures would help populate not only dioramas of the 17 but the B-25's, Mustangs, Corsairs P-38's etc. Come on Dragon, MB, Trumpeter, jump in on this opportunity. Ok, now I am done.

I have begun building HK's B-17G and so far I am impressed by the fit, detail and quality of this kit. However........ I am somewhat disappointed with the instructions, specifically with the lack of detail on assembly steps and color call outs. I wish they had reduced the overall size to *8 x 11" rather than 11" x 14". I guess I have been spoiled by the instruction sheets from Tamiya and Z-M. Is this a big issue? probably not. But it would have been nice to have instructions that were on par with the kit. That said, I gotta get back to the engines, landing gear and the main wings.

Howdy Vandy, I too am planning on doing the gun nosed USMC VMB -611 PBJ in 3-tone paint scheme. There was only a hand full of the gun -nosed J's that actually saw combat. I have researched the heck out of the USMC PBJ units and what little nose-art there was, is like you said, very small, not very colorful and usually painted over when the higher brass showed up at the airfields. So from an accuracy stand point, probably no nose-art. That said, I would love to see some nose-art on the PBJ. If my wife asked me to paint a nice looking bunny on the aircraft and I knew it meant a lot to her, Thumper would be on he nose. HAPPY WIFE = HAPPY LIFE. Same-same for girlfriends. As for judges and contests- so what, they were probably not even born when these planes were in combat. This is your hobby and enjoy. Just post some pictures. have fun Vandy, BTW, Are you up near Saugus, Santa Clarita? I was an "extra" on a couple of the shows.

Kit should arrive at the man cave by Thursday. Sure would like to do Madame Shoo Shoo.

Hello Bob, Great looking belts, I too would like to order some. Please send me the information when they are ready.. Thank you

FOUND IT! But they are sold out also. $151 Advantage Hobbies In Champaign Ill. www.advantagehobby.com