foiler

Hi to everyone and thanks for the kind words! This is one of my favorite models, and it has done well in IPMS competitions. I feel honored that others enjoy my work, especially those who frequent this forum. Thanks again! BTW: If you look below in my "Other Posts" you will see there is a second 1/32 X-15-A2 listed that I built some time ago........ it is paper. Ken

I had lived with this model in a virtual environment for many years, so it was relatively easy to know how to do what, when, and where. However, creating the instructions showed me that there were things I could do with the CAD model that I could not do in the real world. A good example was the lifeboats; originally I had made them hollow. They could be 3D printed that way, but could not be cast in resin with a hollow core. Thanks for the help Kev. It was the Edge that was causing the problem; Chrome worked well....

The model is 1/350 scale Hubert; about 3 ft long. Yes, check with Alan at oldmodelkits.com after the IPMS Nationals.

Well, it's been quite a while since I posted anything, but maybe this will explain why. Over the last 9 years Alan Bussie (Old Model Kits) and I have been researching, designing, developing, and building this model of the Normandie Ocean Liner as it was originally constructed. I am not a ship builder, and will probably never do another one. But, this was extremely educational and fun? to design and create a model where none existed before. There are some great one-off models of this ship in various scales, but most reflect the ship as it appeared after the 1937 upgrading. This model represents the ship as it was configured for its first transatlantic crossing. The research itself was exhausting and created many "Engineering Change Notices" during the design process. The 3D model was designed in TurboCad software, converted to stereo lithography (STL) files, then sent to various 3D printing services. The 3D printed models were then used to make molds for pouring resin. Insight made beautiful photo-etched frets for the PE parts. Scale Decks made the wood decking. I took one set of kit parts and built this model to make sure my instructions were correct, and that all the parts fit the way they should. Construction took about 6 months. Now, back to some LSP's.......

You are correct Joerg! Unfortunately, I was trying to complete the model for an IPMS show, and had to use what I had on hand. I am in the process of making the change(s) as you suggest...... Ken

I used the Cutting Edge inboard slats for this build......

Thanks to everyone for the kind words! Ken

I would be honored Kev! Thank you Ken

It has been a real blast working with Gary Hatherly on his aftermarket resin parts! It's even more fun when I get to use them on the stuff I build! For many years I have been an advocate of the "art-to-part" concept, and am finally getting to work on projects that utilize the concept. In this case, This model includes many of GTR's F-4S parts and simulates the "Heater-Ferris" paint scheme that VF-301 used in the early '80's. I thought it would be an easy paint scheme.......... it wasn't.......... http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// Thanks for lookin' in, and THANKS GARY! Ken

I can't say "Thank You" enough to everyone on this forum. I started building models in 1950, and thoroughly enjoy learning something new with each and every build. However, I was just passing time with each build until I joined this forum. My learning curve went exponential after I saw what you folks were building and experiencing the techniques that are utilized. If you like what I have done, please give yourselves a big pat on the back for I have learned from you; the best modelers from all over the world! Ken Friend

Thanks to everyone!!

"I love german F-4Fs. I have this kit in the stash and was about to start building it last summer, but when i saw the skinny landing gear, given the size and weight of the model, i was afraid. So i'd be interested in your opinion regarding the strenght of the kit landing gear." ​ I worry that the plastic landing gear on most 1/32 models won't hold up, and normally I would simply invest in metal reproductions. However, I used a different technique on this build that I have used successfully on other heavy 1/32 scale models. In the attached image you can see a piece of clear plastic coming from the bottom of the strut. This is simply a piece of stretched sprue fit through a hole in the strut. It is glued in place then trimmed to fit snuggly to the top of the tire. Unless you are looking for it you don't even know it is there.....

I would be honored Kev! Thank you! Ken

It's been a while since I posted anything, so I hope this comes through OK. I've been working on getting the ocean liner project ready for production, so haven't done a lot of building. But, I've been checking in on what you folks are doing; seeing all the quality work tells me it's better that I HAVEN'T been posting...... Great work everyone!!!! I had the chance to meet Gary Hatherly at an IPMS meet in North Charleston. After working on some of his aftermarket parts I just had to build something I could use them on. When I came across the German WDT-61 F-4F and it's wild farewell paint scheme, I just had to try it. What a fun project!. I used GTR's intakes, exhaust, and pieces of cockpit detail. I was so enthused about the end results that I am now working on an F-4S with Gary's new S Superset. Here is the F-4F....... http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac302/kfriendsr/Model%20Pics/IMG_3956_zpspkzhdqdy.jpg http://http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac302/kfriendsr/Model%20Pics/IMG_3957_zpsmgcwa1od.jpg​ http://http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac302/kfriendsr/Model%20Pics/IMG_3969_zpsk80rvfaz.jpg http://http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac302/kfriendsr/Model%20Pics/IMG_3963_zpsxmiu41bt.jpg Thanks Gary for letting me try your stuff!!!!! Ken Friend

Yes, that's the one Lee. Would you believe it was sold as scrap for $150,000?