johncrow

Much appreciated, Damian! No worries at all re the F-86 stuff. Take all the time you need. jp

Thanks Maru, I feel like I've 'made it' when you comment! jp

Thanks mattcour! I just really dig the Fisher 50's jets. I even picked up a couple KH 48th Twogars...though from what I've read, they will be a much tougher build than the Fisher. Much appreciated, Rockie! Right now it's alone in a new display case...at my rate it'll be years before it gets company.

I appreciate it Cicciuzzo! I'm not fluent in Italian(?), but I figured out your compliment. Thanks again! It was both easier and harder than I figured it would be...easier, as it's basically just Tamiya white primer, followed by MRP orange (and a bit of red). But way harder in that if touch-ups need to be done, it's a lot of work. I have a couple other Fisher kits, including another (pretty beat-up) Twogar. No orange for that one! It'll be a USMC FAC jet. Thank you Jeff! Thanks 100 SQN, much appreciated! Much appreciated, Brian. Some call them chubby and under-powered, but I just dig the look of this jet. Thanks Ernest, the build itself was pretty easy. Nearly all the work was paint and markings.

Thanks Patrick. I appreciate it! Thanks Citadelgrad, the photo lies a bit, but overall I'll take it. Good luck with your Tbolt! Thanks chrish, I appreciate your stopping by.

Thanks Ron I only got to see 111s a few times, but to this day I remember just how obnoxiously loud they were. I was surrounded by F-15s, so that's saying something. So much so that if we got a heads-up that they were leaving, we all would fall out just to watch. Regards John

I forgot about this one...not LSP, but a finished kit nonetheless. It's a 1/72 Italeri F-111A, made up to sort of represent an F-111D. I made it for a good friend of mine as sort of a retirement gift. He was in the USAF in the mid 70's, stationed at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. The scale is too small for my tastes (the smaller the scale, the bigger the messes I make), but this wasn't about what I liked. The decals came from the kit, another modeler from over on ARC, and my printer. It's up to my usual 'looks OK from the other side of the room' standards, but my buddy was thrilled, so it's a big win. Thanks for checking it out. John

Technically two completions, if you count the new 'Double Detolf' display case. This is the Fisher F9F-8T/TF-9J. It is by far a better kit than I am a modeler, but I had fun building it. Definitely a three, possibly four, footer. I started it while I was on COVID furlough the summer of '20. (That seems like a lifetime ago.) First time trying a couple of things: Orange paint, a giant pain. Also, this was the first time I used masks for some of the markings. The kit decals were somewhat yellowed, and weeks in a sunny window only helped some. When the stencil decals were placed on the white-painted areas, ANYTHING besides perfectly clear film showed. I printed my own decals for the "NAVY" and "ATSUGI" and some of the numbers, but had the same problem. I tried three different clear decal brands, but all could be seen on the white paint. I had all the decals put down when I belatedly decided to try masks. It was a bear removing the decals without wrecking the paintjob I struggled with, so I only did re-did some of the markings. You can see the difference; the "NAVY" is painted, while the "147413" is a decal. The decals actually look better in the photo than real life. Thanks for stopping by, John

Received this from JETMADS today: Hello, With regard to the second edition of our 1:32 JA37 Viggen project, we would like to inform you that we have started the production of the kit and we are currently 3D printing the nozzles, engine fan blades, intake ducts and the afterburner rings, later to be followed by detail blocks A, B, C, D and E, as well as the landing gear wells & doors, ladders and the tow bars. Our production team is also busy making the moulds for resin parts and we are going to start casting some parts soon in December. Kind Regards, JETMADS Team Second run getting closer....

Sign me up! Won't wait for a second run this time....

Dan.... "Once I have all of the cad files to my liking I can print as many as I want. Perhaps change the files to produce a photo bird??" Does this mean you would sell one of these amazing creations to a guy with seven thumbs who has no hope of ever creating anything like this on his own? I would pay handsomely...I've been saving up for something, but was never really sure for what....'til now. John

No affiliation other than being a satisfied customer, but this shop in Japan still has a Fisher 1/32 Fatface Skyraider conversion set available. I have placed three orders with this shop in the last year or so, and shipping was extremely quick, even with COVID. I got each shipment in five to seven days, shipped air post to Michigan, USA. The proprietor, Mr. Hashizume, took great pains to pack each shipment so it would arrive safely. He's got it listed for 15000Y, about $135. I picked one up from him already, and don't really need another. Thought I'd pass this on. John https://www.keystone-models.com/aircrafttop-english.htm

Order in...#10894....they appear to be going fast...thinking of what I can sell in the next few minutes to facilitate getting another Viggen... jp

Dan, would you be willing to post the results of your explorations into this? I also am interested in how to do this, as I'm sure others are. I only need a 3D printer, software knowledge, and lots of time. I can both learn from you, and more likely, do my modeling vicariously. Thanks, John

Count me in for one! jp

LOVE it!! John

Thanks all!

Would any of the Navy SH-MH-HH-60 kits make something close to a US Coast Guard Jayhawk? Not too concerned with small details....looking for a "yeah, that's SUPPOSED to be a Jayhawk" facsimile. Thanks for any input, John

So informative, Pete. As I kid I grew up shooting pellet guns, then 22s, then real rifles. I 'knew' how to shoot. But I was in the service for a decade before I listened to the folks who knew much more than me on shooting, the USAF CATM guys. I went from always qualifying on the range, to always shooting expert. Your step-by-steps are the same deal with regard to modeling. I've been modeling a long time; it is time to finally start listening to you! jp CATM: Combat Arms Training and Maintenance

U'er missed, Larry.

Thanks! Same here...I want to do a later version of the 27, and probably a Su-30M2, and an approximation of an Su-35. And a Ukrainian Su-27UB in the digital camo...at the pace I go, that's 15 or so years of work. jp

Time sure flies. I have been working a bit on this. The kit intakes do not come to a point like they should. I don't know if mine were all broken, or if they are designed that way. I guess I could open up another kit to know for sure, but either way, the problem remains. I added small bits of plastic and reshaped intakes a bit so they are much sharper. Also, as the sides of the intakes are just a bit longer than they were, the top of the intake doesn't match the sides. I added a small piece of sheet styrene to extend the top to meet the sides. All parts in these pics are just dry-fitted. I'll do a little painting of the interior of the intakes first, prior to any glue. I did a WIP of my last Flanker project, in part to have a record of what I had done. I knew even back then that I'd be doing other similar projects, and I'd hoped that would help me remember what I'd done. Nope. The few photos I took of this part of the build were no help. I remember the last canards involved Milliput and styrene, but that's about it. So I put some thought into it, and this is what I'm going to do this time. I don't really know for sure if it's what I did last time. Either way, I started with a piece of sheet styrene cut to the approximate shape of the canards. Again, just dry-fitted in the approximate location for now. Milliput and styrene to follow. I had intended to do this canopy-down, so was going to pretty much stick to the kit cockpit. I have since discovered a potentially fatal flaw in that plan...more on that later after I've thought about it...so may have to go canopy up. Regardless, the cockpit will be close to stock, but maybe now I'll add some resin seats. Thanks for checking this out, jp

Wow...will be following this for sure. How do the decals look? I think I'm going to have to get one... Thanks Radders

I tried it for the first time a few days ago...only on some small parts, but thinned 50-50 with Tamiya Lacquer thinner (yellow cap) it seemed to work great. But truthfully, that was only a test to see if I want to try it on something bigger when I have a chance. And I do..... jp

Dan I echo this whole-heartedly. I switched to MRP last spring, and it was a game-changer for me. If I want to be lazy in my leisure pursuits...I can with this paint. It is way too easy to use, and the results are the best I've ever achieved. The smell, at least to me, was certainly no worse than what I got using some enamels. I have a decent spray booth, which no doubt helps, but if you are currently using enamels, I bet the smell will not be an issue for you. The F-106 is my Holy Grail....I've been following this with great interest and can't wait to see it done. You're doing some great things with it! jp