BiggTim

Nice job, Nigel! Makes me want to do it even more!!

Does the fact that I get a knot in my stomach and feel sad every time I see that picture of the crumpled XP-38 on that golf course make me strange? I get all wistful thinking about what it would be like to see it in person now, and I feel kinda robbed that I can't. I must be a total weirdo.

Haha, I found that article right after I posted this thread! Makes me want to try it myself! And Lee, our minds are linked, man......

I'm not aware of any production kits, but has anyone ever kit-bashed one? If so, I'd sure like to see it!

Thanks for the input guys! I'm pretty excited to build it, but I'm going to have to dangle it out there like a carrot for a little while to force myself to finish a couple of kits already on the table! The advice and pics are much appreciated. Ironically, I used to have the aero detail book on the 111, but I sold it with my old ID vacuform kit because I never expected anyone else to make one! I do have some personal photos I took of an He-111 in Texas some years back. It was at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum at Carrollton (a mile or two from Squadron/Signal), and it had been in the old Battle of Britain movie, still wearing its paint from that film. I think that one may have had Hispano-Suiza engines retrofitted into it after the war - does that sound right? I'll scan and post them if I get a chance, as they were taken in the days before digital cameras. Tim

Thanks all! I picked up some camouflage Gray and aircraft Gray for comparison.

Had the opportunity to pick up the Revell He-111P-1 for an excellent price this weekend. Seems like a good kit, but I would like to know what you guys think. Tim

Please throw my name in that hat, too, thanks. I am hoping for the 109E decals for an upcoming build.

It is really disappointing that the Trumpy kit is so inaccurate. I was looking forward to it. I sold my Revell kit some years back because I din't want to fix it. I guess I may have to buy another one if there is not another available soon, or save up for a Rutman kit.

I'll have a look at that, thanks!

So how much does one have to part with for one of the P-51B Rutman kits these days? I know Jerry isn't making them anymore, but I haven't seen that one on ebay lately either. I was planning to buy the Trumpy one at some point, since I know the Revell one isn't great, but after reading this thread, I don't think I want that one, either. Tim

OH NO!! What a bummer! Are any of the contents salvageable?

Oh my goodness, I'd never thought of doing that! That would have been truly hilarious!! Very NSFK, but funny as heck!

I'm not a jet guy, but I LOVE F-4s!! What a badass tank of a plane! Very nice work! Makes me want to build one....

I had no idea that color was discontinued by Model Masters! Fortunately, I just bought 3 bottles of it (for half price, I might add)) from a local hobby shop that is going out of business after 68 years ! Bottles, not spray cans, so I won't have to worry about the decanting, at least. I've never tried the Tamiya Paints, but they are clearing those out as well, so I may have to grab some before they close up for good, as well as the MM ACRYL paints. I've already bought about 150 bucks worth of MM paints - enough to last me a decade or so at the rate I build. I've always preferred the enamels for exactly that reason - they last forever. Tim

Very nice!! I love those pre-war fighters!!

Thanks, I'll check that out!

I was planning to just mix my own from photos, but if someone knows a good premixed one, that would be better!

What gray paint color have you guys used for your Sparrowhawk kits? It's obviously some sort of light glossy gray, but not sure what exactly it is. Maybe "Gloss Gull Gray" would work? Thanks, Tim

Oh man! That is fantastic! I've been dying to do one of those kits, but haven't been able to squeeze out the cash yet. You're making me want to even more!

I just bought this kit, and you have set the bar high, my friend!

Oh crap! I didn't even know these existed, and now I'm gonna be jonesing for one forever. That is a totally awesome kit AND build!!!

Actually the lead came from .45 caliber bullets I fired from my Colt Peacemaker replica. I usually shoot with a large block of firewood as a back drop, so I can split the wood and retrieve the lead to cast more bullets, or to use it for things like this. I found a few of the more intact bullets, pounded them flat and to the right thickness with a hammer, cut the piece out, and sand to shape. Some hardware stores used to sell lead in sheets, but I haven't seen it that way for some time. But lead shot, bullets, and fishing weights are usually pretty easy to find, so I use those a lot. Another way to make flat pieces is to lay them in an old old cast iron skillet and melt them with a torch and let them cool into a sheet. You might try laying an old piston ring or something like it in the skillet to trap the lead and make it thicker, but I haven't tried that yet. Good luck! Tim

Thanks! Yes, the P-26 was apparently a real scheme. I saw some color artwork of it on the cover of an old issue of "Aviation" magazine, and I think it may have had a B/W pic in the article, but I'm not sure. I may still have the mag around, if I find it, I'll post it. We are pretty careful about what we spend (plus I have other hobbies), so OOB fits what I can afford, and forces me to get a lot of practice scratchbuilding detail. I pretty much only resort to buying AM details when something is over my head or I want to save some time. Good luck to you! Tim

Wow, great picture, where did you find that? This plane is definitely from the 428th FS, the dark colored square on the tail and the F5 were their squadron ID marks. The W is the pilot's personal mark, and I think I may be able to track down his name. It would also have been painted on the inboard side of the vertical tails like the one I posted. I found a reference this afternoon that suggested the noses, spinners, and square on the tail may have been a very dark blue rather than than my initial suspicion of black. That would amke more sense, since if they were black you wouldn't be able to read the tail number. This picture makes it clear that the intakes below the spinners were the same color. I am waiting for confirmation of the dark blue color from the fighter group's official historian, so I'll post when I hear for sure. Thanks again for the great pic, I will add it to my reference collection! Tim