Kurt_W

Seriously, you need a Youtube channel to show us all your techniques!

Beautiful work!

Wow, lots of good information here. Thanks! I do like the idea of the starter quick build kit, and a conventional kit. I have several conventional kits I could give him. Appreciate all the feedback. Kurt

All, My grandson, last time he was up here, showed an interest in modeling. I built a Roden triplane for him. We're thinking of getting him a model kit for Christmas, and was wondering if any of you had a recommendation for a decent starter kit. He's 10 years old. Unfortunately, I'm 600 + miles away, and only get the opportunity to see him a couple times a year, but his mother and father are pretty good coaches. I'm thinking something in a larger scale would be good, but also would like something that would assemble relatively easily, without all the fit issues I encountered with kits back in the '60' and '70's. Thanks for any ideas you might be able to pass on. Kurt

Yes, my neighbor was. The Franklin was hit I think by two kamikaze attacks. My father was injured as a result of his crash at Pensacola and was given a medical discharge by the USN. He re-upped and waived his medical discharge in order to participate in the war. My father's flight instructor down in Pensacola was George Gay.

Growing up, my next door neighbor was an F6F pilot on the Franklin. He had also been at Pearl Harbor. Was officer of the deck on the Detroit. Later became Commander of the carrier Roosevelt. My father was quartermaster on that carrier during WW2, after his plane crash in Pensacola. My neighbor's recollection of Pearl Harbor: http://www.elivermore.com/photos/diablo_beacon04.htm

Thanks, I’ll take a look.

Yes, that is correct. I had thought of building either Walsh’s or the really weathered one that has Tojo in its name.

Would anyone know if/when the F4U birdcage decal set is going to be re-released? I've been holding off on making the purchase of the Tamiya kit until I know if the set is available. Thanks, Kurt

Just saw this thread. I haven’t been on the site in a while. I met Mr. Lopez years ago. He worked with my father at NASM. Nice man. Pretty incredible job you’re doing here.

Thanks for the info. I ordered the book.

All, I am slowly making my way back into modeling after many years. Some time ago I had posted about the Trumpeter Dauntless kit, but have taken a slight detour. It seems my grandson is very interested in Japanese aircraft from WW2, and I told him I'd build him some. Now there are several kits here. A Ki-43, Ki-61, and a Ki-84. Nothing like jumping in with both feet...The first one I thought I'd get started on is the Ki-43. I had purchased the Maru Mechanic book, saddened it's all in Japanese, but am impressed with it nonetheless. There is one slide showing one side only of the cockpit and I was wondering if there might be some other publication with something a little more complete. Thanks for any information. Kurt

The ones with the clear fuselage I've seen are running in the low $50's shipped from Asia. On the auction site. The non-transparent ones are running more. The Corsair is on my build list. In the '80's I had super detailed an entire Revell Corsair interior, based on photos I had taken while at the Smithsonian restoration facility in Silver Hill. My father was an assistant director at the Air and Space museum in DC. Saw a lot of stuff at the restoration facility. Basket case Albatros in a box was one I remember distinctly. That Revell kit was frustrating. Looking forward building a kit without all the frustrationsI had experienced back then. But I have a lot to re-learn.

Thanks all. After reading the comments, I went back and looked over the kits. The one listed for the lower price is also the one with the clear fuselage. Does anyone see a distinct disadvantage to this? Seems to me once paint is applied there isn't any. Unless I'm missing something. Kurt

Good Afternoon all, This is a fantastic site. I have been lurking here for a few years and am finally getting back into modeling after many years. Kits have sure come a long way since those I struggled with some 30 plus years ago. I am considering several kits as a starter back into the hobby, and the Trumpeter Dauntless is one of the top on my list. The version(s) I am considering are the SBD-3. I see there are two different Trumpeter kits available, one being the 02244 Midway version, and the other being the 02242 SBD-3/4 A24A. Would anyone here know if there is a significant difference between these two kits? I am looking at prices on the auction site and pricing fluctuates considerably between them. It's not clear to me why this is. Any thoughts? Thank you, Kurt