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?

Yeah, it has been a while Brian. Good to hear from you! Unfortunately, I've been working on stuff that isn't 1/32 or larger, and not even an airplane! I am finishing the instructions for the Normandie, and getting ready to start production. Maybe then I can get back to posting some projects....... Ken

The XP group did contact me about your request, and I told them that I would be more than happy to help if I could. Anyone who sees this restoration in process wants to know if there are any plans to create a larger scale injection molded kit. I have personally written to Tamiya and was told they would pass my request on to their product team. I would think this aircraft would make a wonderful and unique kit since there are so many variants that can be made from the majority of the parts. The XP's were the same as the "B's". The "C" and "D" were test-beds for the black night fighter with a radar operator in the right seat, and the only black ones with the Merlin engine. All the other variants had Allison engines with a different nose, taller vertical stabilizer, and radar operator in the right seat. The technique of interchangeable parts that Tamiya used for the 1/32 scale P-51 would be perfect for creating any of the variants. I respect the earlier efforts to create a model of the Twin Mustangs. However, they were done at a time when the technology for the creation of models was not as good as today. Therefore, the models are not accurate or reflect the technology of the day, i.e.; raised panel lines, etc. The manufacturing drawings for the Twin Mustangs are available through the Smithsonian on microfilm so there is no lack of information to develop a model using newer technology. There are a lot of reasons to replicate this forgotten warbird, and I think it has been overlooked for way too long. Maybe more requests to Tamiya would help!(?) At this time I am not sure if Tom Reilly actually plans to fly the XP although it will be air-worthy. The project is funded by private investors so it might not be flown until after it is sold. I would love to see it fly, but would also feel terrible if anything happened to this ultra-rare bird. BTW: there are several images on the San Diego Air and Space Museum website of the XP when it was fitted with the weapons pod you refer to. They have the most extensive set of Twin Mustang images I have found. Ken

Hello Brady, Kevin is correct; I have been working with the XP restoration for about 5 years now and enjoy every minute. Working with the restoration is the main reason I haven't been posting anything on the LSP forum! I go down to Douglas about once a month and get to work on the cockpit details. A little more about the restoration: there were 2 XP-82 prototypes. These had the Merlin engines. There were supposed to be 2 XP-82A's with Allison engines, but only 1 was actually built. And it was never flown. The restoration in Douglas, Georgia is of the second XP-82 prototype, T.N. 483887. The first prototype no longer exists. So, Tom Reilly's restoration is truly a one-of-a-kind. There is another Twin Mustang (F-82E) restoration being done by Pat Harker in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but information on the project is hard to come by.

I've been away from the forum for quite a while, and am really pleased to see the efforts to use foil for a realistic NMF. Great work Mark! You give inspiration to all those who are a little timid to try foiling!

This is one of only 2 prototypes that were built for the Twin Mustangs Thomas. The other one was destroyed. This one was involved in a landing accident, and much of the plane has been rebuilt from the original NAA drawings. The CAF bird is in the Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio mislabeled as an F-82G. There is an Allison powered F-82(E?) being restored in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The XP restoration is being done just 100 miles from my home, and I get to go down periodically to help with the restoration. I'm like a kid in a candy store! Ken

After 5 years Tom Reilly's XP-82 Twin Mustang restoration is looking like a real airplane! For more information and pictures, this is the website for the restoration..... http://xp-82twinmustangproject.blogspot.com/p/home_17.html Ken Friend

Brian, Just a thought.... I found that a Soccer field makes a great background for photo shoots. The one I use has an outhouse with a concrete walk around it. It makes a great flight line image with very little in the background to distract from the picture. Plus, it is an outdoor shot..... Ken

Thanks Brian for the acknowledgement, but when I want to try something different I look to your builds for the solutions(s). It takes a special attention to detail, and a willingness to venture into unchartered territory to accomplish the realism that you do. I would venture to say that you probably enjoy the research as much as the build itself. Thank you for teaching this old dog (rapidly approaching 70) some very new and exciting tricks. Just a small correction: the article you referred to is on http://www.oldmodelkits.com/ . Alan Bussie has several excellent and informative articles on models and model building on this site. The one you refer to is rather old, and should be updated with all the new techniques that have been developed since it was written. The article covers the basics as we knew them at the time. Your builds and tutorials pick up where that article left off. As for foiling a spinner...... think of it as a football (American/Rugby)........ Can't wait to see the finished B-25! Ken

You are not alone in your thoughts on this Bryan. However, I find that using foil to cover a model is actually less difficult than getting a perfect paint job. Brian had the same questions as you when he started to foil models, and he has become a real master at the development of the process. I think this is a defining and distinguishing attribute of someone who is willing to expand the envelope of conventional wisdom. The objective of foiling is a simple matter of wanting to build a replica of a NMF aircraft; the finish can either be simulated metal or the real thing...... Ken

Beautiful work Brian! Ken