John1

Some seriously good modeling going on here.   Random question - wonder why nearly all models out there of U-boats are of early war versions.   I find the late war ones much more visually interesting with the large "winter garden" filled with flak guns, snorkel, radar, etc.     Just my $0.02. 

So it's been a while but suddenly decided the 188 needed working on again. I decided to ease myself in gently and work on the engines. I'm not using the AIMS supplied resin parts but instead a couple of Revell Fw-190 engines instead as these although not 100% accurate allow a lot more surface detail when painted 
 

 

 
and propellers will be from Eduard
 

 
The Eduard prop set is so good, I've used one before on my F-8 build and is super nice to work with.
 
I've several issues to deal with on the wings but felt getting the engines completed was a good starting point.
 
Regards. Andy 

Thanks guys. 
 
Definitely watched das boot, but nowadays I am a big fan of Greyhound
 
Work started a few weeks ago on the forward torpedo compartment. 
Here are blueprints in side and top view:
 

 
It is made of different section:
- the bulkhead
- the floor 
- the 4 fishes stored under the floor (I should remove the det)
- the 4 launcher tubes 
- the side wall with the 6 bunks.


 
Interesting things might happen in this compartment. 
- It can be packed with sleeping crew, in the bunks and on the floor. 
- The crew can be set loading one of the torpedo tube (which is the option I probably will chose as it goes better with the rest of the scenario I'll show)
- Torpedoes can be loaded from above deck, and slide into the compartment through the pressure hull. One might think that the boat needs to be docked for that but there is one fish stowed in its own pressure tube, just under the deck floor that the crew could get while at sea.
It's a complicated manoeuvre they did on the surface being very vulnerable in calm seas, using the cradle and a winch on top of a pole, placed between the loading hatch and the tower.  The same winch was used to pull the fish out of it's rotated stowage tube and to let it slide into the forward (or aft -as the same mechanism was available aft) torpedo room.
I'm not ruling out the option, but at this time I am considering 88mm gun in action so that rules out torpedo loading above deck.
 
Current compartment painting is made with acrylics:
XF-66 for dark grey, H338 for light grey.
The fishes are aluminium XF-16 and their head bronze X-33; props and fuses are painted gold X-31. The floor is X-32 
Wood is made with oils which I'll detail in the next post.
 

Weathering the floor has started but it's far from being finished 
 

The launching tubes parts are not quite detailed. RC Subs provide the tube doors and I will detail these later on. The forward pressure hull part is provided in resin by RC Subs as well. If you don't have it the pressure hull is flat and that's highly visible. So this part is quite necessary IMHO. I will probably detail the visible side of the tubes a bit more later on. 
 

Then comes the back wall with the frames for the bunks. 
Trumpeter obviously couldn't detail the right side of the room since doing so would prevent us to look inside, but they could have done a bit better nevertheless.
I intent to add at least a few lower bunks which should not impact the view inside and leave enough space to look at the rest of the room.
 

Then I stalled on how to implement the bunks.
Trumpeter only offer a plastic part for the mattresses which really aren't up to par. I initially cut some thin slice of foam which I intended to paint white but I wasn't satisfied with the result.  It took me a while to figure it out.
 
I designed mattresses and pillows and 3D printed them (a bunch of them) 
then designed a decal for the linen (white was too immaculate and I wanted something more military issued) and laser printed them on a blank white decal sheet
And finally I created the blankets with toilet paper soaked with a mixture of PVA glue and water.
 
Result after the basic layer of paint::

Much better although the linen need another coat of decal solution.
Normally the bunks are folded up when loading torpedoes, a process I intend to show. But I'll load one of the right side tube to keep clear from the beds and populate the open side of the room. Lots of details will also required on the back walls
 

The roof has been painted in light grey with the wood framing. The loaded torpedo will hang from there and I intend to add a lot of supplies in the room as well.
4-5 leds will be wired on the roof for compartment lighting as this turns pretty dark once the roof is closed. 
i'll try to manage the electrical side of things at later stage of the built. But I need to plan a bit ahead to make sure I still can add lights where I need them without destroying too much of the prior work. 
 
 
 

Armorama too.

Well, if you want to find knowledgeable treadheads and good afv modellers, try Missinglynx or Tracklink forums.

HTH... 

You're right, fixed it ,  thanks.
 
 

I received word today that Hannants had received my back ordered 1/32 HpH Nakajima B5N2 Kate, along with the 3D printed engine, cockpit and bomb sets. So I went ahead and purchased it all— it wasn’t cheap, but I did get 10% off for back-ordering it. The shipping by air across the pond to the USA cost a whole lot less than I was expecting and budgeting for— which was serendipitous.
So, I’m finally getting a long-awaited 1/32 Kate! If someone else hasn’t done so first, I’ll plan on submitting a report of sorts on this kit when I receive it. 
In one sense, I can’t believe it is on its way….!

Making some progress on the decals.   The Werner Wings decals are a mixed bag.  Highly detailed, some of the larger ones are a bit difficult to get to settle down on surfaces with raised detailes, even with multiple applications of Micro Sol.   That said, they eventually get there.   All in all, I'm still very pleased with them (props to Werner's Wings for offering them in the first place, no one else seems to have any interested in decals for US Army Blackhawks). 
 
Got a kind gent from FB sending me the 101st Airborne logo for the nose (was included on the ancient Academy decal sheet), got the port side pretty much done.    My standard gloss coat is Tamiya X-22 (love this stuff, I'll never go back to Future).   The gloss tends to darken the fuselage a bit but once I've got some Dullcoat sprayed on and hit it with pastels, I think it's going to look just fine. 
 

 

 
You may notice some missing bits in the cabin (part of the tie down strap is gone, along with a few other items).  They were dislodged when I was struggling trying to seal up the fuselage halves.   Not to worry, all those parts will be replaced shortly.   
 
 
 
 
 

Glad you're still at it Anothony!  Nice work.  

Thanks guys, really appreciate it!
 
Well I have actually been steady with progress, but with such things I didnt really have much to show until today
A package arrived in the mail from Kerry!
 
Somewhere in here is an FG.1 leg test print!

 
I know that because I have seen this....

 
So I set about trimming and found this inside

 
Now for those who cant remember, the reason for the completely new leg is because it is very different to a std Phantom NLG.  Aside from the double extension with extra scissor link, the actual oleo itself is of a bigger dia and rakes rearward
 
He nailed it.... a perfect fit!

 
An overall shot showing the rearward rake, only done by eye, not actually glued in properly of course.  I have started testing all the dimensions and so far so good!

 
Also an area that needed attention was the aux air doors top and lower.  Both sets needed scratchbuilding. First up are the lower ones, just basically layer upon layer of plasticard and raised rivet decals, followed by a layer of Mr Surfacer
 

 

 

 
Raised rivets and extra details on the other side....

 
And a comparison on the other side with the kit ones.  The kit ones are smaller and further back.

 

 
Apologies for the lack of updates, had a bit going on.  But still not stopped on this...she is still alive!
 
Cheers guys and thanks for stopping by
Anthony
 

thank you @Madmax !
 
 
 

 

 

Making some progress on the decals.   The Werner Wings decals are a mixed bag.  Highly detailed, some of the larger ones are a bit difficult to get to settle down on surfaces with raised detailes, even with multiple applications of Micro Sol.   That said, they eventually get there.   All in all, I'm still very pleased with them (props to Werner's Wings for offering them in the first place, no one else seems to have any interested in decals for US Army Blackhawks). 
 
Got a kind gent from FB sending me the 101st Airborne logo for the nose (was included on the ancient Academy decal sheet), got the port side pretty much done.    My standard gloss coat is Tamiya X-22 (love this stuff, I'll never go back to Future).   The gloss tends to darken the fuselage a bit but once I've got some Dullcoat sprayed on and hit it with pastels, I think it's going to look just fine. 
 

 

 
You may notice some missing bits in the cabin (part of the tie down strap is gone, along with a few other items).  They were dislodged when I was struggling trying to seal up the fuselage halves.   Not to worry, all those parts will be replaced shortly.   
 
 
 
 
 

Painting continues.    AK Real Colors US Army Helo Drab as the base, then with a couple of custom blends of paint to replicate the faded, weathered appearance of the real thing.    One tint is more of a brownish OD, the other a chalky lightish-green. 
 

 
My primary build log is over on FB.   On it, a former UH-60 crew chief mentioned that they used a version of CARC Helo Drab in spray cans.   He said this stuff faded quickly to a grey/green color.    It was used for general touchups, corrosion control and (in the case of my subject) to overpaint the "United States Army" markings on the tailboom.   This was done when the aircraft received survivability updates circa 2006-2007.   One of these was the addition of extra flare dispensers on the tailboom, which required those markings to be painted out and reapplied higher on the boom.    Looking at pics, I found he was spot-on regarding this, so back to the paint booth I went. 
 

 

 

 
Also put a patch of this paint on the nose, to replicate where a former unit logo or aircraft number was painted out.      
 
Thats it for now, thanks for checking in. 

With the success of the inboard nacelle, I was committed. I got a few hours on the outboard one last night and all the offending material has been replaced.
 
 
 
And a view of the overall result:
 
 
Much better methinks!!!!
 
Now onto the top of the inboard nacelle and some more stainless near the firewalls....... edging ever close to getting those cyclones fitted!
 
Cheers,
 
Craig
 
 
 

A fair amount of work finished for a small update.  As the shrouds/ratlines on the fore topmast look pretty much like the one for the main topmast I will spare you all a bunch of photos that look almost the same.  This completes the topmast and top gallantmast shrouds/ratlines for all three masts.  Overall they turned out fairly nice and look much better than the soft plastic pieces that are in the kit.  I should now be considered an Able Seaman when it comes to tying clove hitch knots!  
 
Following are two shots of the finished work.
 
I tried to take a photo showing the center line that is run for all topgallant shrouds.  On actual ships of the time these were tied off on or near the lower center deadeye to provide stability.  I ran and tied off the line as it would have been on the real ship.  You can just make it out running behind the shrouds/ratlines.
 
Finally, here is one of the sails, it is the Foretop Sail, I had made to use on the build.  It is made out of a material called Silkspan and whoever the seamstress is that made the sails he or she is very talented - the sails look great.  Shaping and attaching them are going to be a yet another first time challenge for me. And I see some very slow methodical work in my future.  I'll have to attach the Fore and Main Courses, and all three of the Royal Sails (which will be very loosely furled) with the yards on the masts.  Because I opted to rig both the main and fore yards more realistically then called for in the instructions those to yards had to be attached to the masts fairly early one.  As for the Royal yards, that was a stupid mistake by me gluing them to the masts.  I am sure attaching the sails to those yards is going to be as fun as a barrel of monkeys. 
 
 
Ernest 

Oh no.  Those books are like potato chips - once you start, you can’t stop til the bag is empty.

Making some progress on the decals.   The Werner Wings decals are a mixed bag.  Highly detailed, some of the larger ones are a bit difficult to get to settle down on surfaces with raised detailes, even with multiple applications of Micro Sol.   That said, they eventually get there.   All in all, I'm still very pleased with them (props to Werner's Wings for offering them in the first place, no one else seems to have any interested in decals for US Army Blackhawks). 
 
Got a kind gent from FB sending me the 101st Airborne logo for the nose (was included on the ancient Academy decal sheet), got the port side pretty much done.    My standard gloss coat is Tamiya X-22 (love this stuff, I'll never go back to Future).   The gloss tends to darken the fuselage a bit but once I've got some Dullcoat sprayed on and hit it with pastels, I think it's going to look just fine. 
 

 

 
You may notice some missing bits in the cabin (part of the tie down strap is gone, along with a few other items).  They were dislodged when I was struggling trying to seal up the fuselage halves.   Not to worry, all those parts will be replaced shortly.   
 
 
 
 
 

Making some progress on the decals.   The Werner Wings decals are a mixed bag.  Highly detailed, some of the larger ones are a bit difficult to get to settle down on surfaces with raised detailes, even with multiple applications of Micro Sol.   That said, they eventually get there.   All in all, I'm still very pleased with them (props to Werner's Wings for offering them in the first place, no one else seems to have any interested in decals for US Army Blackhawks). 
 
Got a kind gent from FB sending me the 101st Airborne logo for the nose (was included on the ancient Academy decal sheet), got the port side pretty much done.    My standard gloss coat is Tamiya X-22 (love this stuff, I'll never go back to Future).   The gloss tends to darken the fuselage a bit but once I've got some Dullcoat sprayed on and hit it with pastels, I think it's going to look just fine. 
 

 

 
You may notice some missing bits in the cabin (part of the tie down strap is gone, along with a few other items).  They were dislodged when I was struggling trying to seal up the fuselage halves.   Not to worry, all those parts will be replaced shortly.   
 
 
 
 
 

Making some progress on the decals.   The Werner Wings decals are a mixed bag.  Highly detailed, some of the larger ones are a bit difficult to get to settle down on surfaces with raised detailes, even with multiple applications of Micro Sol.   That said, they eventually get there.   All in all, I'm still very pleased with them (props to Werner's Wings for offering them in the first place, no one else seems to have any interested in decals for US Army Blackhawks). 
 
Got a kind gent from FB sending me the 101st Airborne logo for the nose (was included on the ancient Academy decal sheet), got the port side pretty much done.    My standard gloss coat is Tamiya X-22 (love this stuff, I'll never go back to Future).   The gloss tends to darken the fuselage a bit but once I've got some Dullcoat sprayed on and hit it with pastels, I think it's going to look just fine. 
 

 

 
You may notice some missing bits in the cabin (part of the tie down strap is gone, along with a few other items).  They were dislodged when I was struggling trying to seal up the fuselage halves.   Not to worry, all those parts will be replaced shortly.   
 
 
 
 
 

Getting close to the decal stage. Using Werner's Wings Blackhawk sheet. It's a nice sheet and it's also the only sheet out there for 1/35 Army A/L's. Got a few misses but it's not the end of the world. My selections are down to either "Yellow Cab" or "Easy Rider". Both were assigned to the 101st in Iraq around 2007, which fits my time frame perfectly. Note in the picture of Yellow Cab, it's hard to make out the name and the checkers on the engine cowling. I've got another picture that shows the logo being more prominent so I'll assume it's either the lighting or the background paint faded later on it's tour. Most 101st helo's I've seen have a subdued division logo on the nose. WW doesn't provide this, only a full color logo which I've never seen on a deployed Hawk. WW also has the "last three" of the serial numbers in white but at least in the case of Yellow Cab (and I'm guessing Easy Rider as well), it's actually Gunship Grey.  Note the missing cabin door windows on Yellow Cab and that both helos have the barrier sand filters and full CMWS mods installed.

 

Note on the pic above, the lighter green/grey overpainting of the original "United States Army" markings on the tailboom. 
 

Call me crazy but I would love a 32nd B-47.  A beautiful jet…..

Getting close to the decal stage. Using Werner's Wings Blackhawk sheet. It's a nice sheet and it's also the only sheet out there for 1/35 Army A/L's. Got a few misses but it's not the end of the world. My selections are down to either "Yellow Cab" or "Easy Rider". Both were assigned to the 101st in Iraq around 2007, which fits my time frame perfectly. Note in the picture of Yellow Cab, it's hard to make out the name and the checkers on the engine cowling. I've got another picture that shows the logo being more prominent so I'll assume it's either the lighting or the background paint faded later on it's tour. Most 101st helo's I've seen have a subdued division logo on the nose. WW doesn't provide this, only a full color logo which I've never seen on a deployed Hawk. WW also has the "last three" of the serial numbers in white but at least in the case of Yellow Cab (and I'm guessing Easy Rider as well), it's actually Gunship Grey.  Note the missing cabin door windows on Yellow Cab and that both helos have the barrier sand filters and full CMWS mods installed.

 

Note on the pic above, the lighter green/grey overpainting of the original "United States Army" markings on the tailboom. 
 

Getting close to the decal stage. Using Werner's Wings Blackhawk sheet. It's a nice sheet and it's also the only sheet out there for 1/35 Army A/L's. Got a few misses but it's not the end of the world. My selections are down to either "Yellow Cab" or "Easy Rider". Both were assigned to the 101st in Iraq around 2007, which fits my time frame perfectly. Note in the picture of Yellow Cab, it's hard to make out the name and the checkers on the engine cowling. I've got another picture that shows the logo being more prominent so I'll assume it's either the lighting or the background paint faded later on it's tour. Most 101st helo's I've seen have a subdued division logo on the nose. WW doesn't provide this, only a full color logo which I've never seen on a deployed Hawk. WW also has the "last three" of the serial numbers in white but at least in the case of Yellow Cab (and I'm guessing Easy Rider as well), it's actually Gunship Grey.  Note the missing cabin door windows on Yellow Cab and that both helos have the barrier sand filters and full CMWS mods installed.

 

Note on the pic above, the lighter green/grey overpainting of the original "United States Army" markings on the tailboom. 
 

AIMS Ju-88 G-6 and Bf 110 G-6 sets purchased!