jRatz

I apologize for not finishing my entry - this has not been a good year with me being ill twice, the last time culminating in a 9-day stay in hospital, and my father-in-law passing. I have had too little bench time to give this the attention it needs and deserves. I know this GB ends 30 June, but I am unsure if I can get back on track -- we shall see if I can at least get further. John

Well, if we're going to call it "Birth of Carrier War" then we could also call it "Death of Carrier War", 'cause there was none afterwards .... Myself, I tend to think of the "birth" of carrier war really being the 1930's. All before then was experiment and learning, it isn't until the 30's that folks started to put things together and not only develop but demonstrate the concept, whether shots were fired or not.

I bought from them about 5 months ago, no problem with the email address or the fast service. I suggest you call the listed phone numbers ...

When I started this, I mentioned that my January was busy, so little progress has occurred. But, here we have the un-needed panel lines filled (well, most of them), the engine cowl sanded rounder, the rudder cut off, and all the new panel lines drawn in preparation for scribing. Note that many of these drawn lines merely overlay existing lines - I just wanted them all there so I knew what I was doing. Anyway, I'll be back when the scribing is done, hopefully NMT a couple weeks, then I can start the fun stuff. I will work the fuselage halves first as they are easiest and allow me to start

mbittner wrote: Does it have to be WW2? I would like to build a very early F4F-3 as done on the Starfighter sheet... jrallman wrote: It has to be WWII as those pre-war planes, while carrier based, did not participate in carrier warfare. this GB focusses on the first time that carrier based planes and actual fighting were finally combined. But, I thought the time period was 1 Sep 39 -> VJ-day (see original thread). So US "pre-war" aircraft would be eligible if they were carrier-based from 1 Sep 39 on ? What about Neutrality patrols & etc ? Just looking for clarification ...

Not the rivets, but I've used other from the line and they do quite well. I used their "raised panel lines" to make wing ribs for an early Hurricane. Treated nicely you can sand to get desired effect, etc ... Try 'em ...

I voted for Carrier War, but suggest we expand scope. -- WW2 starts in '39 ... -- if a pre-war built carrier participated in WW2, then any aircraft which served on her pre-war would be eligible ... Then since we say "any aircraft which took off/landed...", do we include the B-25 (Doolittle), P-40 (Torch), and other non-naval aircraft that might have been ferried & launched from a carrier ? John

Given the question about rescribing, I probably should do a better job explaining the scope of this project. Remember, I wasn't there, am not an expert, etc ... Here is a list, in no particular order, of differences between the prototype and even the earliest production Spitfires, not to mention the kit. Remember I am doing this as the "first flight" of 5 March 1936 -- K5054 was modified continually after that, looking more like a production aircraft each time. (* means Paragon conversion part, - means my problem) * angled rudder horn balance * low-pitch 2-blade prop - recessed carb int

Well, off we go ... First step in this project is to fill in most of the lovely panel lines in the Tamiya kit .... There's nothing wrong with the Tamiya kit and panel lines, just that the prototype was much different ... I'll be back when all is sanded down and then later when rescribed. This won't be a fun build until I get through this stage ...

I'm building the Spitfire Prototype, K5054, using articles in March 2006 MAM as reference. Tamiya 1/48 Spifire I Paragon Conversion Some Eduard & Ultracast bits & pieces. Pix already posted in build thread ...

The first combo is Dark Earth (MM 2054) and the second Dark Green (MM 2060). These are MM enamel, I don't have MM acrylic #'s ...

The GB Forum is open ... No mods visible but I think they are closing out another GB right now and should be along shortly.

Hi, I have a half dozen projects planned, all 1/48, but doubt I'll come anywhere close to doing them all. My first project will be the Supermarine Type 300, K5054, on it's first flight 6 March 1936. The base kit is the 1/48 Tamiya Spitfire Mk.I and I have the Paragon conversion kit and a few other pieces of Spitfire I aftermarket. The build is based on two articles in the March 2006 MAM and some notes from Ben Guenther who did a superb one in 1/72 scale. The build part is easy, the "primer" paint job is something else -- I will have to practice quite a bit before I try it on the aircraft

Glad to see you do this -- I've got the Airwaves set on order and was thinking about this as one of my builds. I'll pay attention to my first build and watch yours with interest.

No, you aren't the only one, but it hasn't shown up in GB's yet & there isn't much chatter ??? I'm going to lead off with K5054, or try to ...

Agree on the colors ... from what little I know ... Here's the Robin at the Seattle Museum of Flight ...

Peter, I regret to tell you it as I remembered. There is a one page "Skinning Method" which in summary says: -- cut paper as specified (mm): 2 ea A: 80 x 250, 2 ea B: 36 x 150, 4 ea C: 150 x 859. -- make 2 diff glues A (1 part white glue, 1 part water) and B (1 white glue, 4 water). -- apply A about 3 times all over surface and let dry. -- lay paper on surface and apply glue B all over and let dry. -- after dry trim excess leaving about 2mm overhang -- fold around edges, etc, use glue A to fix down. Paper cuts: A is for top only of each stab, B is for outside only of each rudder (see

Peter, Yes I do, but it is buried and it will be several days before I can think about digging it out. I considered using the Hasegawa covering on my Model Expo kit also, but if IIRC, I didn't think Hasegawa did a good job representing the cut pattern or the French stitching, but then again I may not remember correctly ... I'll dig it up and get back to you here ... John

It's sitting in my stash ... one of these days. That said, I started the Hasegawa kit and became dissatisfied. When I got the Model Airways kit, I could see that it resolved most of my issues and I decided it would be the better kit ... IMHO ... John

Quite possibly, they have about 40% off sale right now -- I picked up a few of the Civil War artillery items ... John

Great rib effect !!! John

Hope to hear that it is available soon ... I didn't have any problems per se, but it seemed that direct correspondence with one person, who was a summer hire & is now gone, seemed to make things happen better/faster ... Bottom line, I got my stuff and am pleased ... John

Try here http://www.theaviationworkshop.co.uk/ But as of a few days ago, it wasn't shown on the site ... Also beware of quirky ordering system ... John, who will also has Wings of Silver & will get the FAA booka also ...

Model Expo sells the Model Airways 1/16 version I mentioned above. It is currently selling for $179 on Model Expo (& that may cheaper than when I bought it several years ago :>( . I forgot about the FSM article, the Revell (ne Monogram) kit is definitely one that responds well to some good modeling techniques. John

The Revell kit is 1/39 and makes a nice one ... Probably the only glaring problems are the strut holders in the wing, but that can be fixed if you want ... The nice part is the predrilled rigging holes which allows even new modelers to have a copy of this most famous airplane, yet I have seen many at various shows and contests, all showing that with a little basic modeling this oldie kit can be a goodie ... There are two "museum class" kits in 1/16 scale -- Hasegawa & Model Airways, I have both. I started the Hasegawa, but quit because there were too many detail errors -- landing skid