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TXCajun

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Posts posted by TXCajun

  1. The Tamiya kit is all of $3 more at Luckymodel ($152.99 before shipping vs $149.99), of course they don't have stock yet. Wheels & Wings will sell you one for $230CAD with no Texas tax (shipping extra) and they had stock as of Saturday.

    I see, my good man, that you are a solution finder!

    As to the HK kit, it arrived today. It is simply beautiful. All other things aside, I'd like to make an interesting note right out of the gate. The two included figurines, though the same scale, are DIFFERENT HEIGHTS! Yep, just like real humans. That may not be a huge thing to some, but it shows a particularly interesting attention to realism.

    As to the accuracy issues, I'm still waiting to see factory drawings. Not saying what's been posted here is wrong or right, just looking for evidence to support the claims on inaccuracy.

    Cheers,

    TX

  2. When HK and Tamiya announced their Mossies, I started saving my wampum to buy both. I'm not going to niggle over the spinners. Frankly, I have yet to read reviews of any new kit where some aspect isn't "perfect". I ordered the HK kit from Luckymodel at $173 delivered to my front door in Texas after shipping charges were added, and I'm happy I did it. For the glass-nosed variant it's a far cry better than the old Revell kit and for that I'm content. I'll go whole hog on the detail bits when released as that is my M.O. for 1/32nd subjects (leaning toward OOB for 1/48th). I should take delivery this week.

    Squadron MMD announced arrival of the Tamiya at $210 "lowest price" and my jaw hit the floor. I'm not saying that it's unreasonable, but after adding the obligatory .0825% sales tax since I'm in Texas, I'd be looking at $227.33 with their free shipping and at that price, I'm tapping out. I'll bite on the Tamiya when I can get it for under two bills delivered. For some reason I have got $200 locked in my brain as the limit I'd spend on one kit (minus after-market). That's just me. Your results may vary.

    If the HK run is successful, they'll do a gun nosed variant and come in at under $200. Sure, I think Tamiya is the better model, but is it $60 better? Maybe. We'll see. I haven't seen a completed production example of the HK and the Tamiya side-by-side with accurate profile views as reference and I'll reserve comments on accuracy comparisons until I do.

    TX

  3. Greetings all. I am playing with a Linux distribution (Zorin 9.1 64bit) again. I'm just fed up with the high cost of keeping my Windows systems updated with the latest supported OS and applications (such as Office).

    I've been running Stashmate (http://www.stashmate.co.uk/) on a Windows 7 system with no problems. I like the application and would like to keep using it, especially since I have a good deal of my stash already entered into this database. With a switch to Linux, I would like to run Stashmate in a Wine environment. I've installed the Stashmate software in Wine and I have a "clickable" icon for the executable. When I click the icon, the Stashmate software acts like it is loading and the "Splash" graphic appears, then hangs.

    Does anyone else have any experience with the Wine environment and could possibly offer some guidance on why this might be happening? There were no errors with the installation script that I could see. I'd gotten errors in the past when I tried installing Stashmate in Wine running on a Linux Mint distribution.

    Thanks in advance.

    v/r

    TX

  4. For a thread that is clearly labeled "General Discussion - NO POLITICS" This certainly degraded quickly.

    Folks, it's pretty clear that with an audience of modelers spread across the entire globe, it's a given that we are going to have, at times, widely divergent opinions on topics of religion and politics, not to mention other "hot" topics. Heck, we can't even agree on the proper algorithms to be used when counting rivets (attempt at humor).

    As someone who has actually worked in the media (both in the military and civilian sector), I can tell you that there isn't a media source on this planet that is 100% objective in its' reporting. I've watched editors and producers, depending on their PERSONAL political beliefs chose to run or not run stores from AP, UPI, and Reuters. This rampant bias has been enforced by journalism schools that think journalism means that you inject your own positions and policies into the "news" and has infected all quarters. In short...it's all CRAP, which is why I chose to ditch my training, education, and experience, and ply my wares elsewhere.

    A wise consumer of all things will get their news from multiple sources, perform due diligence, and form their own opinions.

    Now can we get back to modeling? :cheers:

  5. Richard,

    I was one of the unfortunate folks who lost money trying to buy decals from "ModelsTwoAlexander" or whatever the company of the month was. I would be very much interested in buying a set of decals for the Hobbit 777.

    If this is possible, please PM me with ordering/cost information for this set in 1/144. Depending on the price and my on-hand cash, I may toss my hat in for two sets.

    Many thanks,

    v/r

    Stew

  6. Yet again, you knock one out of the park, my friend! Nice work! I do have a question: What is the story behind the first gray profile you threw up there - the one with the 1st Cav Division patch on the nose? Is there a tie with 1st Cav?

  7. There will be a plethora of after-market bits for this. New prop, new engine, new wheel wells, maybe new canopy for earlier marks.

    Should invested in Quickboost and Squadron/True Details YEARS ago :/

  8. I ordered the 777-300ER Hobbit decals from him back in September..of LAST YEAR!!! Yes, I had read the negatives. It is my fault for being dazed by the lure of the Hobbit decals.

    His order status on my order says they were shipped. To date I have neither received them nor has he responded to my queries:

    Skip Navigation LinksHome > Your Account > Print Order

    Order #7588

    Back Print

    S O L D B Y

    modelarstwoalexander

    Mazowickie 33

    Swider, 05402

    POLAND

    INVOICE

    Order Number: 7588

    Order Date: 8/25/2013

    Status: Completed

    SHIPMENT INFORMATION

    S H I P T O XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX

    XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXX

    XXXXXXX, XX #####

    UNITED STATES Shipping Method: Economic registered USA

    Qty SKU Item Price

    1 Silk-screened decal for Air New Zealand "Hobbit" Boeing 777-300 in scale 1/144 € 15.00

    1 SHIPPING Shipping Method: Economic registered USA € 5.60

    PAYMENT INFORMATION

    Order Summary

    Item Subtotal: € 15.00

    Shipping: € 5.60

    Taxes: € 0.00

    Total: € 20.60

    Billing Address:

    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    UNITED STATES

    Payment Method: PayPal xxxxxxxx@hotmail.com

    Status: Captured

    ORDER NOTES

    Date Comment

    9/19/2013 10:34:50 PM

    Hi xxxxxxx, Your consignement was shipped 2 days ago. You may expect a delivery in 7-15 days. I will update all tracing info through Auctiva directly in your e-mail. Many Thanks, Alex

    10/23/2013 5:19:50 PM

    10/23/13 - Decals still not received for order 7588

    11/20/2013 7:47:09 PM

    11/20/13 - Decals STILL not received for order 7588. Though I heard negative feedback about this business on several model sites, I was attracted to the Hobbit decals and on faith submitted my order. I have yet to receive it. This is unacceptable.

    12/5/2013 4:02:59 AM

    12/4/2013 STILL no decals have been received.

    1/5/2014 11:59:26 PM

    1/5/2014 Still have not received the order #7588. I have been more than patient with you. Even with the bad reviews you have on various modeling forums, I gave you the opportunity to step up, be a man, and be good to your word. The bottom line is that you are not to be trusted. I am forced to join the ranks of those on the Internet warning people not to do business with you. This is unfortunate. Either learn how to do honest business or get out of the business.

    Home

    Search

    Contact

    Do not do business with this person.

  9. No sweat, man. I fully understand that work comes first.

    My main fascination with the LAANG birds is I grew up in the New Orleans area and used to belong to the Flying Tigers club in New Orleans YEARS ago. When I was a member, we undertook a project to build at least one example of all of the aircraft flown by the Louisiana Air Guard from its' inception to that date (Mid 80's at the time). Once completed, the models were to be donated to the Louisiana National Guard museum at Jackson Barracks. I took on two projects: an AT-6 and an F-4C. I delivered the AT-6 which to my knowledge was still on display until Katrina wiped out the museum.

    I was working on the F-4C when I had a falling out with the then-president of the club. The event soured me so badly on the hobby that I walked away from plastic modeling for nearly ten years. The F-4C (Hasegawa 1/48th kit) remained in my possession since we weren't getting paid for our costs. It was about 75% complete when I left it aside. I'm now in the process of cleaning it up and assessing what needs to be done to get it finished. The project will be the topic of an eventual Fine Scale Modeler article should they express an interest in it.

    Interesting note on the lettering... Based on various photos I have seen, the lettering appeared as a solid while font on the SEA camo birds, as well as solid black, stencil black, and white with black outline on the gray birds. Individual airframes definitely sported multiple schemes over their lifetimes with the 159th TFS. It makes research fun, right?

    The specific airframe I planned to build for the Louisiana Air National Guard museum is now in the possession of the Pima air museum (airframe 64-0673) rotting away in the sun. :(

    Thanks for the post, and sorry for not being able to respond yesterday. I still have hundreds of orders to pack and ship, and it is taking all of my time outside work.

    I had originally intended to include the Compass Ghost airplane 64-0852, the aircraft in one of the photos you posted above. This is why the black "Coonass Militia" and the appropriate serial numbers are still on the black portion of the sheet. I have been promised some reference photos which would have allowed me to draw a complete camouflage scheme for both sides (each aircraft painted in this scheme seems to be unique). But I have not received these photos on time to meet my scheduled shipping date, so the instructions and promotional materials have no mention of 64-0852. The markings are there on the decal sheet, though; and I will post a note on the Web site if and when I get more information on the details of the camouflage on this aircraft.

  10. Great to know that those Louisiana Air Guard "Coonass Militia" pics & links to pics I sent you paid off! This is an outstanding sheet!

    Historical note, though: Since you provided the black stencils for the LA ANG F-4s, that allows one to do the compass ghost schemes from the William Tell meet where the Coonass Militia tail motto made its' debut. Check this picture out: Also note "Coonass Militia" in red on the baggage pod. Never saw that before!

    http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/190/c/d/coonass_militia_phantom_no__2_by_f16crewchief-d3lhmxr.jpg

    Also:

    http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/69634.aspx

    Here's a gray scheme with the white lettering.I know for a fact that #704 appeared with "Coonass Militia" in black on SEA as well as this scheme. I also think #704 had a single MiG kill:

    http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/ref/arc/images/arc_1007_p3.jpg

    This appears to be white lettering with a black outline on a gray aircraft:

    http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6192/6129925706_a205f8566f.jpg

    ...and an F-15A tail several years later after political correctness got the upper hand

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vc0KitlL8wY/T8pzraRkkzI/AAAAAAAABKc/y4tS6edHbNI/s1600/BayouMilitiaSMALL.jpg

    Now in case the politically correct among us gets their naughty bits in a wad, I'm a born and bred Cajun from South Louisiana. My family in LA goes back to the late 1700s and my dad and countless numbers of his generation ran around with "RCA" (Registered Coonass) stickers on their cars for YEARS. To some in Louisiana who have promoted Cajun culture, the term "Coonass" is on par with the "N" word. I'm not going to argue politics here, but the fact that the 122nd proudly wore this as their name for several years is a fact of history that the politically correct among the Air Force community have tried to bury. I applaud Caracal for capturing this slice of Air National Guard history.

    Oh...the other schemes are cool, too! :thumbsup:

  11. Great to know that those Louisiana Air Guard "Coonass Militia" pics & links to pics I sent you paid off! This is an outstanding sheet!

    Historical note, though: Since you provided the black stencils for the LA ANG F-4s, that allows one to do the compass ghost schemes from the William Tell meet where the Coonass Militia tail motto made its' debut. Check this picture out: Also note "Coonass Militia" in red on the baggage pod. Never saw that before!

    http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/190/c/d/coonass_militia_phantom_no__2_by_f16crewchief-d3lhmxr.jpg

    Also:

    http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/69634.aspx

    Here's a gray scheme with the white lettering.I know for a fact that #704 appeared with "Coonass Militia" in black on SEA as well as this scheme. I also think #704 had a single MiG kill:

    http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/ref/arc/images/arc_1007_p3.jpg

    This appears to be white lettering with a black outline on a gray aircraft:

    http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6192/6129925706_a205f8566f.jpg

    ...and an F-15A tail several years later after political correctness got the upper hand

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vc0KitlL8wY/T8pzraRkkzI/AAAAAAAABKc/y4tS6edHbNI/s1600/BayouMilitiaSMALL.jpg

    Now in case the politically correct among us gets their naughty bits in a wad, I'm a born and bred Cajun from South Louisiana. My family in LA goes back to the late 1700s and my dad and countless numbers of his generation ran around with "RCA" (Registered Coonass) stickers on their cars for YEARS. To some in Louisiana who have promoted Cajun culture, the term "Coonass" is on par with the "N" word. I'm not going to argue politics here, but the fact that the 122nd proudly wore this as their name for several years is a fact of history that the politically correct among the Air Force community have tried to bury. I applaud Caracal for capturing this slice of Air National Guard history.

    Oh...the other schemes are cool, too! :thumbsup:

  12. You know, something else you could try is using a soft toothbrush and comet cleanser or toothpaste to give the surface a little bite. Alternatively, you might try using extra-fine furniture grade steel wool (for polishing out poly coats). What you obviously don't want to do is be too aggressive and knock down or soften detail you've worked hard to preserve.

    I've used Tamiya primer as well and I like that it is lacquer based. Thus, it "should" bite better. You might also want to check out Floquil Railroad gray primer. Before Tamiya and Mr. Surfacer came along, it was the standard for a good lacquer-based primer. The original bottle is tough to come by, but here is their spray: http://www.amazon.com/Floquil-Railroad-Enamel-Paint-Primer/dp/B0069FM0QC

    I've also used Krylon primer with success. Decant it and spray with your airbrush.

    Cheers,

    TX Cajun

  13. Pretty sure I read that they would not be doing a Camel. The owner stated that it had already been done to a reasonably high standard by another company (can't image it would be close to what WNW would put out there).

    I wonder what these guys will move onto when they exhaust their list of WW1 subjects? Best aircraft models on the planet, bar none.

    If you are referring to the Academy/Hobbycrap Camel offering, I have it, and the level of WNW is so far and above that kit it's ridiculous, but we all knew that. WNW could do a Sopwith as well as a SPAD XIII and do quite well with them. What is on the market right now is doo-doo in comparison, right?

    Now, I'm pining for a nice Hanriot HD.1 - Bevy of very nice Italian and Belgian schemes there...certainly not mainstream! Then there's the HD.2 on floats in US markings.

    However, I was disheartened to have one of the WNW guys tell me not to hold my breath for a Jenny. Yeah, all those fighters dancing around with their aces at the controls are nice, but they ALL had to learn how to fly on something.

  14. I've used thick vinyl pinstriping tape. I have a couple of rolls left over from my R/C flying days, but auto body shop supply stores carry it as well as larger chain auto supply stores such as O'Reily's, Auto Zone. etc. The stuff stretches to follow compound curves and adhere's well.

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