Jump to content

Kevin Callahan

Members
  • Content Count

    59
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Kevin Callahan

  1. Good heavens; that would look great sitting next to my Airfix Concorde. But the price ($550+) is going to be a serious issue with Mrs. 72....
  2. Though this link is a couple of years old, it discusses Wonder Wire, a ceramic wire that I use for rigging. The thing about it is that it cannot kink like metal wire, nor sag like various invisible threads. Basically you cut it to length using a divider, and then attach it with white glue. You could use cyanoacrylate or epoxy too I would think, but white glue dries clear and seems to hold it. In 1:72 I don't typically drill holes at each end, but you could certainly do that. There is an address with a source for Wonder Wire in the posting. http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_refe
  3. >>>Oh Trumpeter, if only you'd have released this one in 1/72<<< Add me to the list of fellows who would love to see this re-sized to 1:72! It's not exactly a grail kit for me, at least not enough to do all the work to spruce up the 50+ year old Monogram. But I'd be happy to put a new-tool version into the display case.
  4. This is the last of the new models that I have to roll out, because I haven't actually completed anything since early July. Weather and other distractions just seem to get in the way in the summertime. In any case, this is the Siga/Ace kit. It is comparable to the Mauler, even perhaps a bit rougher. The decals are certainly less workable, and some literally crumbled or folded on themselves while soaking. I was able to save the large markings particular to the aircraft, but almost all of the stencilling was a loss. And there are no aftermarket sheets for the FJ-1 to take up the slack. It wi
  5. I'm about 100 miles to the west of the fires and have been tracking the reports. Been through Ellensburg a bajillion times, though usually heading for points east. Thanks for posting the nice photos. Hopefully they can keep the injuries down til this one is cleaned up.
  6. It's Maulermania! C'mon, somebody has to have built the CzechMaster Resins kit. We can complete the set!
  7. Here's one you don't see completed very often. This is the Siga kit, a short lived line of mostly postwar naval aircraft from Ukraine. Definitely on the lower end of the short-run scale, with slablike pieces and an appetite for filler. The surface detail is nice and petite, though, which makes up for some of the construction challenges. Siga decals can be a trial - my FJ-1 Fury almost ended up with generic spares box markings as a result - but most of these went on with minimal trouble. The canopy is injected, which also makes me willing to forgive a lot. If it concerns you, I should note th
  8. I still have 3 completed models to get posted. This is the Special Hobby L10 Electra, part of the Lockheed twins series. Typical mid-period SH, with a vac canopy and some resin bits. Fit was satisfactory; some filler but not an unusual amount. The decals came from Draw. I've always appreciated Greg's marketing of civil and commercial decals for 72nd scale types. In most cases I would prefer that to a military scheme, if only for the uniqueness of it. This is a Northwest Airlines example from around 1940. The markings are in their "digital silk" format: overall carrier film and very thin. I o
  9. Still catching up on completed builds. This is the Academy PV-1. Not a bad kit to build, though I did have some self-inflicted wounds due to impatience. It took me a while to decide on the markings, though when I discovered the Carpena sheet in the decal stash (having just finished a book on the conflicts between DeGaulle and the other allies) the choice of a Free French version seemed timely. Plus it only had to be painted one color! This is the third in my series of Lockheed twins (the L-10 and L-12 have already been finished). The PV-2 Harpoon is one the horizon. This is completed model #
  10. Congrats Ken. I'm always a sucker for a good collection portrait. I've never actually built an Su-27 (though I have done a Berkut and MiG-1.44 so I've been in the neighborhood). I've heard that the Trumpeter kit is the one to get - Do you concur?
  11. Many thanks H. I was happy enough about how the kit worked out that I'm still giving consideration to the Valom XF8B.
  12. Thanks all. Sorry, those are the only pictures I shot of it. And I like the idea of a windowshade as a larger backdrop. I'll have to go price some of those locally and see what's up.
  13. I've fallen rather far behind in getting completed models listed in the forum. So here is a creation from the end of last month. It is the Matchbox NF11, though I believe this one came in a Revell box. The decals came from one of my many Modeldecal sheets, and were for 256 Squadron RAF. I still have a debt of gratitude to Dickie Ward for all those wonderful RAF markings. There is enough putty and Mr Surfacer on this model to sink the proverbial battleship, but if you have ever built the Matchbox kit, you knew that already. This is completed model #405 (#30 for the year), finished in June of
  14. Not one of the great all-time models, it narrowly avoided the Shelf of Shame and did finally get finished. This is of course the Academy kit with an old out of print Xtradecal sheet. Excuse the tatty background; I still don't have any posterboard large enough to accommodate the four-engined types. This is completed model #404 (#29 for the year), finished in June of 2012. For more details visit the 72 Land blog referenced below.
  15. This is one that I rather enjoyed. At first I wasn't sure, since Valom doesn't have the greatest reputation for fit. But I really had no major issues with it; certainly no more than any other non-steel-mold kit. The kit was actually for a T4 (got a good price at the Great Models closing sale) but I figured with the Warpaint book that I already owned I could do a B1, since the plastic was likely the same in both boxes. I used the Freightdog sheet on postwar Brits (72004S) for the markings, MSG and Black. I wasn't convinced by the indented tiny rivetting, but under a coat of paint it looked
  16. Still catching up with completed types in the Me-262 project. This one is related conceptually, if not in the actual development path. It is the Planet Me-109TL. The design was trying to speed up the delivery of jet fighters by using as many existing components (ie, 109s) as possible. But the changes that were necessary turned out to be pretty extensive, and no time was saved in going the 109TL route, so the project was dropped. But it still looks pretty cool in a lineup of 109s! This is completed model #393 (#18 for the year), finished in May of 2012.
  17. Another in the ongoing Me-262 variant project. This is the Revell P-1099. I had the heavy fighter boxing, hence the canopy, but I really didn't think all those extra guns did anything for the 262's lines - not many of which are still evident in the 1099 anyway. Still, the build was easy and the mottling didn't turn out too badly for the limitations in my compressor, so I was generally happy with this one. This is completed model #392 (#17 for the year), finished in April of 2012. More details on the blog referenced below. <BR><BR></P>
  18. Still catching up with completed models. This is the Hasegawa kit, using a Two Bobs sheet designed as a memorial to Hurricane Katrina. Both schemes show Louisiana ANG types. Of course the attractions to this one are the artworks on the tail and airbrake. I still need to do a F-18E, since I think it would look good next to a -C. This is completed model #391 (#16 for the year), finished in April of 2012. More details on the blog referenced below.
  19. I've got to get caught up on posting the models that I've finished; I must be 6 or 7 behind by now. Obviously too much time at the workbench and not enough in front of the computer... Most of the models in the 262 project I've been working on are conjectural, or at least experimental, but this one actually made it to production. This is the two-seat trainer version; I may go back and do the B nightfighter at some later date. This one is in RLM76 undersides, with an RLM81/82 camo and RLM82 mottling on the fuselage sides and tail. Xtracolour as usual. Decals were mostly from Hasegawa, though
  20. You're quite right, the background does tend to blend in, esp with the exposure adjustment I did. A white background card doesn't help. But the only other choice when I went to buy one was Grey, and I imagine 90% of airplanes would disappear against that! I don't do that many white aircraft so it isn't *usually* an issue.
  21. This is the latest trainer that I've had a chance to finish. It is the Karakorum K-8, a joint venture between China and Pakistan which has been exported to 10+ countries. The kit goes together well, though there is scope for improvement to the cockpit or ejection seats if you are so inclined. The paint scheme is a bit of a nail-biter though, requiring two colors that everyone loves to use: White and Red. And the Red uses some small pinstripes, so that adds another layer of fun. It is rather similar to the BAe Hawk, as well as the Soko Galeb, which Yumo makes a 1:72 model of. Might have to
  22. How can The Profoundly Average Modeller NOT like UCAVs? No cockpit to build, no canopy to mask, and a relatively small number of available injected plastic kits, so you can keep up with building all that have been produced. This one is by Skunk. Though there was one short shot on the fuselage near the wheel well, it was not too difficult to fix and the rest of the model built up well. I had already put the Q-1 and Q-4 in USAF markings, so I decided on something a bit different for this one: RAF. All in all, a pleasing addition to the cabinet. This is completed model #388 (#13 for the year),
  23. I've been getting some models completed lately after a late-winter drought. This is a fairly old Special Hobby kit; one of their first, IIRC. Though the detail was a little soft, the fit was surprisingly good. The vacform canopy did move a bit off center while the superglue was drying but it isn't completely noticeable unless you see it from the correct angle. This is completed model #385 (#10 for the year), finished in April of 2012. More details on the 72 Land blog referenced below.
  24. That's very impressive. I've heard a bit about Liberty, but have never seen one in person, and few built. Can you give us an idea of how construction went? Maybe some photos of the resin bits prior to building? Even from one of the other kits in their line. Any information appreciated!
  25. This is really a nice little easy modelling project. Something like 15 parts unless you want to add on the wheels or RATO packs (my kinda kit!) Simple paint job. Being a fan of WWII 46, I am anticipating their next release, a Ki-98 (think SAAB J-22R, sorta). This is completed model #386 (#11 for the year), finished in April of 2012. More details on the blog referenced on my sig line.
×
×
  • Create New...