Juggernut

Yes but I don't believe they released them in 1/32. At least their website does not show any 1/32 USAF Aggressor F-5E's. IF they (and unless you have a direct line of communication with Bob, you can't say for sure) have their Alconbury and Nellis Gomers sheets upscaled, they'll get my money toot-sweet. My preference would be Nellis aggressors but if Alconbury is all that's available, I'll take those. Grape Ghost In the interest of getting as much accurate information as possible, I sent Bob Sanchez an email asking if he has or plans to upscale either of these (as well as the others) and print or not. If and when he responds, I'll post his reply as an edit to this post. EDIT: Heard from Bob Sanchez today. He plans on upscaling the 1/48 sheets to 1/32 but he said: "I'm waiting to get my hands on one of those kits to see how it looks."

Nice design but I'm strictly a USAF F-5E Aggressor guy and wouldn't be interested in that scheme. Now if you were to do some Aggressor grape, ghost or other blue on blue on grey wraparound schemes, I'd be all over those. This guy is from RAF Alconbury or so the caption reads.

The text will be the blade angle and drawing number info and should stay. However, the position of that information should be closer to the hub. I'll see if I can find some photos to illustrate what I'm talking about. EDIT: Photo added

Would there be any advantage of changing these to WCMD's (103 and 105) versus the 87 and 97 respectively? I have no idea what the differences are between the straight CBU's and the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispensers but it may be worth looking into.

Nice build. One minor nitpick if you'll allow me...it seems you've put Curtis Electric decals on a Hamilton Standard propeller.

Flak Bait is a B-26B-25. She's currently in the UH facility and is most likely undergoing restoration. I'm not that familiar with the Martin marauder so if the kit has the short wings, it's definitely an earlier block than ole flak bait.

ARRRGGGHHH!!!! I want a Ju88C-6 and/or the nightfighter variant of it. Damn company is stuck with the A series of Ju88's. I guess a Ju88G-1, 6 or 10 is asking too much?

Hey, if anybody's interested, Dragon has a 110D-3 on sale TODAY (December 29, 2017) ONLY for $54.98. https://www.dragonusaonline.com/Dragon-Daily-Deals.aspx Just out of curiousity, what would the 110G-4 Nightfighter conversion sell for using the above 110D-3 kit? I think it would be a great donor kit for Pastor John's Bf110F/G conversion so if you're inclined (as I am), don't wait too long! http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=70279&page=1

Hey, if anybody's interested, Dragon has a 110D-3 on sale TODAY (December 29, 2017) ONLY for $54.98. https://www.dragonusaonline.com/Dragon-Daily-Deals.aspx Just out of curiousity, what would the 110G-4 Nightfighter conversion sell for using the above 110D-3 kit?

I'd love to see a 24D but the J would be welcome too. I don't know too much about the Libs, nor do I have a lot of printed matter on it. I much prefer the 17 to the 24 but I'd buy a copy of either (or both). Hmmm...if they did an H, they could release all 12 Zodiac bombers decals.... Now that'd be something. If they do the D, I think I'll fancy myself doing a PB4Y-1 in anti-submarine camo. An AWFUL lot of white on a plane that size.

Long sold out but they did do these two sheets of NAVY F-5E's. NOTE: The bottom sheet is labeled as 1/48 scale but is listed as 32-006 on the TwoBobs website.

Very nice decals but I'll hold out for some USAF Aggressors.

It is my tentative belief that the first photo I added was taken after the order to paint out the upper invasion stripes was given. I can't confirm that yet as I don't know when said order was issued. I thought it was issued in August of 1944 but wasn't Gabreski a POW by then?

One vote: Air-to-Mud

The Film of his 28th Kill and return to base posted above may answer your questions.

Hmmph.... your workbench is WAY to clean! LOL.. Nice build. I hope mine turns out as nice.

Oh boy, that opens up some Luft '46 and "What-if" schemes... I may have to pick me up one of these babies when it comes out.

You're absolutely right... I self-policed my posts. My apologies to all concerned.

HI Dennis, According to the B-17G Inspection section of the E&R Manual, AN01-20EG-2, page 445, dated 25 AUG 1944, the proper oleo (my word) strut inflation for a flight ready B-17 is 9.50 inches from the centerline of the axle to the upper edge of the lower collar. In 1/32 scale that equates to 0.297" (~0.300"). See the below image I robbed from the net and modified to illustrate the instructions. Notice how little of the chrome oleo is showing. This is approximately what it should look like when laden with bombs, ammo, fuel and oil. I hope this is where the extra length comes from in the unmodified plastic strut. If you have access to a center drill (or can drill the center of the strut by eye) I would cut the strut at the lower edge of the lower collar and drill a hole in the upper strut a few thousandths of an inch (0.001 or 0.002) larger in diameter than the oleo portion of the lower strut. I would drill it sufficiently deep so that you can slide the lower strut into the upper strut and bottom it out so to speak. I would then slide it out until I got the correct measurement and either run thin super glue around the joint or mark it, pull it apart and add plastic to the lower strut until the lower strut bottoms out in the upper strut at your mark. That's just my take... I'm sure there's a bunch of other methods but you want to make doubly (triply?) sure you've got a good, solid, strong joint. HTH

Is the art cockpit and glazing positioned correctly? I seem to recall it being further aft.... I don't know this aircraft very well so I'm curious. In looking at the fuselage, it appears as though it couldn't get much further aft with the engine being where it is...

I never said they did. After the order to remove camo paint from aircraft was issued, all P-47's were delivered from the factory in overall natural metal finish with OD anti-glare panels from tail to prop... That is a fact. There is an area behind the armored headrest that remained OD when these aircraft were camouflaged. When the 56th FG painted their aircraft, all they did was close the canopy (and mask it) and paint the aircraft leaving a remnant of the old OD anti-glare panel intact underneath the canopy. The practice is photographically evident in many of the 56th photos of the P-47M's that have natural metal showing showing around the cockpit where the canopy was closed when it got painted.

I'm just going on what I think it should be but if you'll bear with me, you might agree. I believe these aircraft were delivered from the factory in natural metal with OD anti-glare panels running from the tail to the nose. Consequently, the area in question would be included in that OD anti-glare panel paint. When the 56th camouflaged their aircraft, they closed the canopy and painted their scheme around it. Therefore you will see both OD and natural metal showing beneath an open P-47D(bubbletop) canopy. Hope this makes sense.

For a brief second I thought there was an oopsie with the fuselage riveting in the photo above as the rivets are all sunken but then I surmised that the skin is probably dimpled rather than countersunk... you must forgive an old sheet metal guy. Nicely detailed 109G-10 I must say. The 109G-10 is my favorite 109 although I don't know much about it compared to other aircraft. I have one of these kits (someplace!) and am taking notes.... If I can ask a question about the trim wheels in the cockpit....wait; let me go back and read the entire thread first...brb. I couldn't help but notice that you painted the trim wheels in what to me, resembles wood. I've never seen this before and am curious about how you discovered this detail. I'm not doubting it at all, just wondering if you can enlighten me about the installation. I do know about late war wooden components such as the horizontal stabilizer and such but have never seen wooden trim wheels. Very interesting!

Well, ya got me there Skippy... it wasn't a reason for retiring the jet but I still believe that one B-2 can and does perform the same mission equivalent as several wobblin gobblins. The F-22 was the reason the F-117 was retired according to this link http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f117/