John C

Am following this thread with great interest... anything new to share on your V-1 project? You've really captured the lines of the V-1, and I look forward to seeing the detail you're adding and the castings for your kit version. I've seen some model work done with a similar device on another forum: intriguing technology, to be sure. John

Hey, Russ. Am having a great time following your progress, as always: really enjoy your energy! One comment: It's hard to tell from your photos but, in case you weren't aware, there is a definite "sidedness" to P-38 propellers. The outboard prop tips travel downward, if I remember right. In some of your more recent photos, it looks like they might be swapped left for right. And if I've miscalled this, it wouldn't be the first mistake I've ever made! P-38 prop pitch Also, a fun link: 21st Century Toys did a 1:18 display model of an aircraft from the same(?) group. Here's a pic: 1:18 P-38 Haleakala II Cheers! John

If you dig a little on their website, the instructions can be found: Biff instructions A lot of people (me included) have experienced problems with navigating their site using IE; Firefox seems to work well, though. These kits are awesome! Hope this helps... John

Sweet: Gotta love 1:18! Looking forward to seeing this one come together. Cheers! John

Well... I'm John C. from southern Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri. I have a converted attic I use for storage and modeling work. Unfortunately, I don't really have it configured as a shop yet, so mostly any horizontal surface is used to store tools, parts and planes. I'm a little embarrassed to show a pic just now; perhaps after I pull together a workbench, hopefully in the next week or so. Not having a lot of time to build, I'd been collecting 1/18 scale display models, many with the hope of someday customizing. Now that the interval between releases of new 1/18 planes can be measured on a geological scale, I'm trying to manufacture some things of my own in 1/18.

Am looking forward to seeing this one come together! John C

Thanks for the welcome, guys! I'll post some progress pics in the next couple of days, hopefully. John

Ok, I'm going to try my hand at this, assuming I'm approved to post and this project qualifies as a "build." I'm fond of 1/18th scale; there's just something about that size that moves me in ways other scales don't. That being said, there's not much in the way of kits out there, so I'm looking to try my hand at scratch-building. I figured I'd start by converting something existing into something related but enough different to make it challenging. As have many others ( ), I'd been thinking of an A6M2-N Rufe floatplane conversion for some time. I've actually been thinking about this for about a year, and have a couple of conceptual pieces made from wood, plasticard and assorted bits. My intent is to complete these, then cast them in resin for the final go. I've gathered a few drawings and reference materials. My intent is to complete the conversion kit in the same "style" as the BBI 1/18 A6M2 Zero display model: similar levels of detail; similar treatment of rivets, etc. I'm not sure I have the patience or the talent to trick out the cockpit or engine details as the true artisans on LSP do, so I'm going to focus on the exterior shape and proportions. Try this first and maybe the details next time. Given the masters for the two parts I've worked on (rudder and wing tip float) are about 50% complete, perhaps this meets the starting criteria for the build. I'd appreciate an official or popular ruling on that. I hope this GB is the extra incentive I need to keep this going to a successful conclusion, by the end of August! P.S. If anyone knows where I can get a copy of Matsuba Minoru's Design With Precision, Vol. 9, I would appreciate any leads they could provide!

Absolutely beautiful work! Thanks for posting all the detail along the way, Loic: it is really helpful to those of us who also aspire to create to see how it's done... Truly amazing. John