mkd1966

You might try looking on ebay... There are several sellers who break up the kits and sell the different spruces individually... It's saved me several times over the years... Mike

Thank you all for the tips... Mike

i see that Fancherello Models is just about finished with the 3D conversion for the 1/32 HpH F7F Tigercat from a single seater to a two seater... They have informed me that they will not have the conversion sets to sell - but the files are on their page... I do not have any of the equipment or the knowledge required to make something like this - so I'm curious if there are people you can reach out to and they will make the set for you for a charge ? I've never looked into anything like this before so I'm just not familiar with the process... Thanks in advance, Mike

I know what you mean Sir - and I did get mine out of the storage room last night although I'm going to wait until there are more detailed photos released showing the cockpit, wheel wells, engine compartment and etc. before I start mine... Also keep in mind that KF Aerospace in Canada has a Tempest Mk II that is also very close to flight... I've seen a few photos and it's painted in a british camouflaged paint scheme... I'm not sure if it's 100% done and they're just waiting to finish up the certification paperwork before flying or if they have a few more details to complete - but either way we've gone from no flying Tempest to one flying and another getting close... Also I thought I read a while back and I might be wrong but maybe someone has some more details - but I thought the group that just got this one restored and flying also has another project waiting in the wings and I think it will have the inline engine with the big radiator scoop... I found a link to the Tempest in Canada, Mike https://www.kfaero.ca/portfolio-items/the-hawker-tempest-ii-restoration/

Dick Foote's FM-2 Wildcat was N11FE and has been owned by the Collings Foundation for probably 8 - 10 years now and I believe they keep it on display at their museum up in Stow, MA... Dick Foote was always a regular participant for many years at the TICO Warbird airshow in Titusville... Mike

Thanks Kev - I appreciate the advice... I do not have any Mr Color Thinner - but due to the price and rarity of the RB-51 - I will order some and just set the kit off to the side until it arrives... Have a great weekend, Mike

Hey Kevin - it's enamel paint... I painted around 20 - 22 small parts all with enamel base coat and when I painted the gloss clear coat on them the paint spider webbed on about a 1/3 of the parts... It's weird because all the parts were prepped, primed, painted and cleared exactly the same... I can't figure why it only did this on some of the small pieces... You would think that if there was some type of contamination was involved then everything would have reacted the same... Mike

Hello everyone, I have read several comments about using easy off oven cleaner to strip off old paint on plastic models - but will it work on resin pieces without harming them ? I'm working on a Fisher's RB-51 Red Baron Mustang and so I can't risk destroying parts that are not replaceable... Thanks, Mike

Dang Mike - now you've got me craving chocolate cake...

Happy Birthday Brian - I hope you have a great day !!! Mike

Hey Mr Pete - no matter the cause I'm glad your friend and his backseater are ok !!! For me personally if I had been in the backseat then it would have been a blessing to land in the lake - to flush out my flight suit... Mike

Thank you Sir... I'll shoot you a PM right now... Mike

Wow that is looking sharp... I would really love to be able to get a set of those decals... You gave me the email address a while back - but they have never responded to me... Mike

From updates I've read on their other different restorations - this is not polished aluminum - it's brand new aluminum and some of the other P-51's they have restored have let the new skin fade to a natural patina that looks sharp - so as each year passes they'll look more like wartime... Mike

And the shop that restored "Bonnie" also just finished restoring the P-51C Mustang "Thunderbird" - which raced and once owned by actor Jimmy Stewart and it has gone to the same paint shop that painted the P-47 and it will be in the cobalt blue and yellow it once wore... I understand that they hope to have it done in time for the Oshkosh airshow starting the last week of July... Mike

Good afternoon Peter, I too will be following along with your build as well... I have this kit but I haven't started mine yet... I don't know if you follow the warbird movement at all - but currently there are three different Helldivers being restored to flying condition... It seems that forever the only flying Helldiver is the -5 owned by the C.A.F. - but now Fagen Fighters in Minnesota is restoring a -5 while the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado is restoring a -1A and last but not least Yanks Air Museum in Chino California is restoring a -3... You can follow most of these on their facebook pages or online... It will be cool to one day see 4 of these beast flying together... Thanks, Mike

Thank you Sir...

Beautiful start Sir !!! Did you find these decals for these markings in 1/32 scale or are you making them ? Mike

At one time someone was working on a conversion for the Tigercat kit to turn it into the two place version... Has anyone heard any updates lately about this ? Anyway I look forward to following your build... Mike

Here's one... https://www.megahobby.com/products/a-20g-havoc-bomber-hk-models.html

Thank you for all you have done for the industry !!! And I'll keep you in my prayers that medically they are able to find something that works for you... Take care, Mike

I just seen a good one... 1/32 Scale "Yellow Canary" Hoover's P-51 Aerobatic Mustang New. Rare Decals! by Draw Decals with a buy it now of $39.00... I looked on Draw Decals webpage and you can buy it from them for $16.00... I hope those looking might be aware of this as well... Mike

Nice job Dave !!! I think Jim Tobul would also think so... Mike

I can't speak for the actual Gulfhawk colors - but in the early 90's Elmer Ward restored a Bearcat in the Gulfhawk markings out in Chino, CA and he did the wheel wells, landing gear & wheels in a light grey along with the cockpit and engine accessory compartment... I don't know how accurate it was - BUT - it looked beautiful against the orange... Mike

I too can echo what you guys said... I got my set the other day and it looks absolutely gorgeous... I can't wait to start working on it - I've had the A-26 model done for 5-6 months and I knew once this set was announced last summer I had to have it... Mike