JRutman

By Jove,I think he's got it Mr Higgins!! A lot thicker now ,huh?
JR

A very auspicious beginning to your new thread and what better way to begin,nose to tail! Lookin' good brother.
JR

I like your style of modeling buddy! Improve the kit parts instead of buying aftermarket.
You are doing such a good job on the drop tank that I thought that you might find this drawing useful. It is from a Japanese pub and I can't remember which one so I hope that they will forgive me. There is a little feature on the German drop tanks that most model companies miss. Notive the sway bar receptor on the tank have grooves in them. One set is at right angles to the other set. These receptors are also not flush with the surface but mounted with bolts on 2 discs that are welded to the tanks surface. I point this out because you seem to be interested in the details so please don't take this as a critisism.
 
 
 
 
 

Pit is lookin really good man! I like the fuel tank transfer line that you added to the IP.
Nice seat as well!
J

Glad to see you back on the board and still safe after all of the summer rock climbing! I am lovin this build as I used to sell a lot of resin for this kit. The old Airfix kits may have been a little soft on detail but they were very advanced for their time and are still quite accurate as far as shape goes. The Airfix FW190 and P-51 kits are both much closer in profile and plan form fidelity than the newer Trumpy counterparts are. And,as you attest,the customer service is outstanding. Bravo Airfix.
I love the basic modeling upgrades that you have made to all of the areas so far. You didn't have to rebuild every part as you knew exactly what tiny parts had to be fixed or added. The mark of an experienced detailer! I really love the seat and the vast imprevment to the engine area.
My vote is for the F-9 with the blown hood,more blades on the engine fan and wooden paddle blade props!! Also the ER ventral bomb rack for 4X50kg bombs(anti personnel)
J

I like your style of modeling buddy! Improve the kit parts instead of buying aftermarket.
You are doing such a good job on the drop tank that I thought that you might find this drawing useful. It is from a Japanese pub and I can't remember which one so I hope that they will forgive me. There is a little feature on the German drop tanks that most model companies miss. Notive the sway bar receptor on the tank have grooves in them. One set is at right angles to the other set. These receptors are also not flush with the surface but mounted with bolts on 2 discs that are welded to the tanks surface. I point this out because you seem to be interested in the details so please don't take this as a critisism.
 
 
 
 
 

I know that I already posted this but it's worth repeating. I love that you are adding the interior detail to the canopy as it's rarely done by anyone. Very nicely done buddy! The wheelwells are also fab.(60's lingo,sorry) With your attention to detail,I would love to see what you can do with an open engine compartment! Maybe one of those superb MDC DBs?
This thread has me considering to start working on models again.
J

Looks very interesting with a lot of exciting possibilities.
J

This is going to be one heck of a dramatic dio.
J

I would go with the gell medium as well buddy. The seawater in those pens was pretty dirty and you would not have to worry about transparency with the water at all. Just worry about the color and the surface sheen. Piece of cake. Cool dio idea
J

"In retrospect, I may have been pretty loose with the term Flak boat. This will actually be just an up-gunned Type VIIC/41, and not really a dedicated Flak boat."

I am glad that you came to that conclusion Kevin as I was wondering how to let you know without sounding like a know it all.
Didn't the "flak boats" have another deck added to the front of the conning tower with additional AAA?
J

Really nice progress on that tender,
J

Nice groundwork dude!
J

I built a few of those revell locs when I lived in Germany. They are nice!
J

Nice work so far. Nice to see you keep your strength up for this arduous build with a bowl of cereal.
J

Lookin really really good. The main reason I made these backdates was because I like the early versions so much better!
J

That is just brilliant work man! Iam lovin' this build.
JR

Always nice to see the figgies getting built! Nice job so far,
J

I think Steven answered this very well already.  I would only add that I built quite a few vacs from Combat. I actually prefer the ID models because they had no surface detail. It saves you the extra step of filling in the awful panel lines. There are very few vacs anywhere that have good panel lines.
  I just look at the shape and the symetry. Some combat kits had such a problem with the left side matching the right that I gave up.
J

I also got a set of liners for the helmets in case you want to show them upside down somewhere. And some beautiful Garand rifles as well !  Awesome versions and it includes wonderful bayonets as well.
 

 

Here is the squad leader finished tonight.
 

 

 

 

 

 
   Happy to answer any questions as usual,
J

Thanks all,for chiming in with such nice remarks. It was a rainy day yesterday so I got some painting done.
 
  The cost of war,
 

 

 

Here is the squad leader finished tonight.
 

 

 

 

 

 
   Happy to answer any questions as usual,
J

Here is the squad leader finished tonight.
 

 

 

 

 

 
   Happy to answer any questions as usual,
J

Too bad about the gun bay. You are correct about the shape of the bay,it was squared off. They seem to have made this part to conform to the opening of the wing cut out? Just like almost every model company and every kit used to do with the P-51 wheelbay. The compartment should conform to the wing ribs and stringers just like the way the real deal was built. This is also why one machine gun is not fitting as the bay should be squared off.
  Lots of aftermarket parts are made that violate the cardinal rule:When scratchbuilding a part,the first priority is make sure it fits!!!  THEN you complete and detail said part.
  Nice job so far Florin and I am happy to read you are making a smooth wing!!
J