Usmcski

Looking great, thanks for the update!
 
-Ski

Nice choice of subject! That first pic is of my squadron, VMFA(AW)-332 “Moonlighters”. I was the Ordnance Officer when we were in Al Asad for our 2005/6 OIF deployment. The loadout you mentioned was one of our SCLs (Standard Combat Load), sans the AIM-120s. One of our other SCLs replaced the dual GBU-12s with a GBU-38, and each section typically had one of each loadout. If the weather was not conducive to a laser-guided weapon engagement, then they could defer to the GPS option (this was before dual-mode LGBs). Our planes weathered pretty heavily, as any fluid leaks (oil, hyd fluid, grease, et al) would quickly become magnets for dust and grime. Looking forward to this one!
 
Semper Fly,
 
Ski

Hello Friends,
 
I'm searching for Fireball Modelworks' FMD-04-35 (or 04-32) US Army Slicks in Vietnam. In particular, I'm looking for the bottom of the sheet with the bonus numbers and insignias that aren't associated with any of the schemes in the instructions. If you can help a brother out, I'd appreciate it! Please IM if you can help.
 
Thanks!
 
Ski

Nice choice of subject! That first pic is of my squadron, VMFA(AW)-332 “Moonlighters”. I was the Ordnance Officer when we were in Al Asad for our 2005/6 OIF deployment. The loadout you mentioned was one of our SCLs (Standard Combat Load), sans the AIM-120s. One of our other SCLs replaced the dual GBU-12s with a GBU-38, and each section typically had one of each loadout. If the weather was not conducive to a laser-guided weapon engagement, then they could defer to the GPS option (this was before dual-mode LGBs). Our planes weathered pretty heavily, as any fluid leaks (oil, hyd fluid, grease, et al) would quickly become magnets for dust and grime. Looking forward to this one!
 
Semper Fly,
 
Ski

EXTREMELY well done! Those Hellenic aircraft sure do take a beating, and you executed it perfectly. Bravo!
 
Semper Fly,
 
Ski

AH-1J and AH-1T. Two very important helicopters for United States Marine Corps Aviation. The J could even be done by modifying existing AH-1G kits, adding the M197 20mm gun and turret, engine and transmission section and the requisite instrument panels to represent the two-engined SeaCobra…
 
Semper Fly,
 
Ski

Whilst my favorite aircraft include the likes of the F4U, A-6, legacy Hornets and the AH- and UH-1s, for me the most aesthetically pleasing aircraft line must be the Spit…
 

Nah, I really like the looks of yours. You nailed the drab gray TPS scheme for sure!
 
Semper,
 
Ski

Well moving along did a little more post shading then added more decals and a gloss coat, followed by some panel liner and made her real dirty lol  
 
pic for reference 


and my kit so far 
 





 
what do y’all think so far ? And how long should I let that panel liner dry before doing flat clear coat ??

Nice job on a dog of a kit! I tackled the same project several years back, I applaud you sticking with it! I know I was frustrated to the point of stopping on more than a few occasions.
 
Semper!
 
Ski
 
https://www.largescaleplanes.com/articles/article.php?aid=2244
 

Very cool "what if" concept, I'll be watching this one!
 
Semper Fi,
 
Ski

3rd place? Must have been some stiff competition, because that is one great looking Rhino! Very well done, Sir; I'm sure she's even more stunning in person.
 
Semper Fi,
 
Ski

I was fortunate to have worked with Academy on the 1/32 F/A-18C/D, the 1/32 F-16C and the 1/48 CH-53E and CH-46E.
 
I've reached out to my POC and received a response. Will do my absolute best to push the Yankee and a new Whiskey.

I hear you on so many levels!  If Academy has the stones to tackle a large scale Z, I'd love to see them remold their W (with option for turned exhaust, new canopy, and NTS/non-NTS), and a G as well.  Hell, while we're at it, lets see the whole family of Army and Marine Snakes (what I wouldn't give to build a big J, T and W).  And how about a November and Yankee to go with them?  I can dream, can't I?
 
Semper,

Ski

When I retired in 2014, the West Coast was about halfway through the Z transition (and already entirely UH-1Y).  So far the sprue shots look great, and the rivets are sublime.  There are a few shortfalls I can see, but nothing major (gun oversimplified, LAU-7s would look fine with AIM-9s, but empty they're not accurate due to the attachment tabs for the missiles, seats look pretty sparse, AIM-9 wings have a strange square cutout looking thing, etc).  Add some wiring to the tail and main rotor heads, replace the APU exhaust with some brass tubing, and add a "secondary comm tube" to the underside of the fuselage and you're good to go!  I'll certainly pick one (or more) up as soon as they're available and drop everything to build it.  This thing's gonna be pretty sick.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

When I retired in 2014, the West Coast was about halfway through the Z transition (and already entirely UH-1Y).  So far the sprue shots look great, and the rivets are sublime.  There are a few shortfalls I can see, but nothing major (gun oversimplified, LAU-7s would look fine with AIM-9s, but empty they're not accurate due to the attachment tabs for the missiles, seats look pretty sparse, AIM-9 wings have a strange square cutout looking thing, etc).  Add some wiring to the tail and main rotor heads, replace the APU exhaust with some brass tubing, and add a "secondary comm tube" to the underside of the fuselage and you're good to go!  I'll certainly pick one (or more) up as soon as they're available and drop everything to build it.  This thing's gonna be pretty sick.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

When I retired in 2014, the West Coast was about halfway through the Z transition (and already entirely UH-1Y).  So far the sprue shots look great, and the rivets are sublime.  There are a few shortfalls I can see, but nothing major (gun oversimplified, LAU-7s would look fine with AIM-9s, but empty they're not accurate due to the attachment tabs for the missiles, seats look pretty sparse, AIM-9 wings have a strange square cutout looking thing, etc).  Add some wiring to the tail and main rotor heads, replace the APU exhaust with some brass tubing, and add a "secondary comm tube" to the underside of the fuselage and you're good to go!  I'll certainly pick one (or more) up as soon as they're available and drop everything to build it.  This thing's gonna be pretty sick.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

When I retired in 2014, the West Coast was about halfway through the Z transition (and already entirely UH-1Y).  So far the sprue shots look great, and the rivets are sublime.  There are a few shortfalls I can see, but nothing major (gun oversimplified, LAU-7s would look fine with AIM-9s, but empty they're not accurate due to the attachment tabs for the missiles, seats look pretty sparse, AIM-9 wings have a strange square cutout looking thing, etc).  Add some wiring to the tail and main rotor heads, replace the APU exhaust with some brass tubing, and add a "secondary comm tube" to the underside of the fuselage and you're good to go!  I'll certainly pick one (or more) up as soon as they're available and drop everything to build it.  This thing's gonna be pretty sick.
 
Semper,
 
Ski

I hear you on so many levels!  If Academy has the stones to tackle a large scale Z, I'd love to see them remold their W (with option for turned exhaust, new canopy, and NTS/non-NTS), and a G as well.  Hell, while we're at it, lets see the whole family of Army and Marine Snakes (what I wouldn't give to build a big J, T and W).  And how about a November and Yankee to go with them?  I can dream, can't I?
 
Semper,

Ski

Well since the Jag and F-84 are confirmed, I'd love to see more helos from them. How about:
 
-an ACCURATE AH-1W
-AH-1Z
-AH-1T
-AH-1J
-AH-1G
-UH-1Y
-UH-1N
-UH-1E
-UH-34
-CH-46
CH-53
 
Maybe just a TAD of a Marine bias!
 
Semper Fi,
 
Ski

Sure would like to see the following; Yes, they are all Gloss Sea Blue
 
 
F9F-2 Panther, Korean War Navy and USMC
F9F-5 Panther, same, same
SB2C Helldiver WW II and Post war
F7F Tigercat, seater and night fighter, Korean War
 
And if Tamiya doesn't beat em to it, Howza bout a F4U-4B Corsair
 

Kitty Hawk Open 1/32 Poll.
 
Just for fun, following the current F-5E/RF-5E/F-5F and Mirage 2000 projects, what is for you, the priority order (1,2,3,4,5)
for Kitty Hawk, to eventuallly start these 1/32 scale kit projects (including here my own priority wish) :
 
P1 : Mirage F-1 B/C/C-200/CR/CT/CZ/AZ Family ;
P2 : Northrop F-5A/B/C/D & T-38 Family ;
P3 : Sepecat Bae Jaguar GR.1/T.2/A/E Family ;
P4 : Saab JAS-39 C/D Gripen Family ;
P5 : F-84F / RF-84F Thunderstreak Family ;
 

SharkOwl

Great stuff, as always Norbert!  Any chance of seeing a USN/USMC helo crew with the visor down?
 

Great stuff, as always Norbert!  Any chance of seeing a USN/USMC helo crew with the visor down?
 

Thanks for resurrecting this thread, they are truly stunning builds. I haven't built the -60 yet, but I have tackled the Littlebird (the OH-6, specifically). The windshield/fuselage join is a real PITA, but you wouldn't know it looking at his build. I suspect (hope) that Kitty Hawk has an H-60 forthcoming, time will tell!
 
Semper,
 
Ski