Chris Kethan

I just disassemble my airbrush each time I change colors. It's kind of a pain, but I've gotten really fast at taking mine apart and getting it back together again in a few minutes. I could be on the Badger pit crew for airbrush disassembly.. :lol: I found that the backwashing wasn't getting it clean enough, so I started with the complete cleaning. Just my method.. Chris

Ricardo, I don't have my P-3 kit in front of me, but the hole you describe is supposed to be the cabin outflow valve. It shoule be bigger in diameter, but that shouldn't be a problem to fix. The sonobouy chutes are roughly 6" in diameter, and the cabin outflow valve is about 12" in diameter. Also, you will need to leave a few (3, I think, maybe 4) sonobouy chutes on the right side of the fuselage. These were the sonobouy chutes that were used to launch buoys from the inside of the cabin. Two were pressurized and one was a "free-fall chute". I'm writing this from memory, so I hope it is

Nicely done, Jamie. Looks good. :lol: Chris

Rob, That's the best looking USN Blue grey paint job that I've ever seen ! Great Job! :) Wow. That weathering is right on the money. No heavily shaded panels, just a nice subtle variance in the color. Chris

Phantom, I feel your pain. I also learned this one the hard way. Why is it some kits are a pleasure to build and others seem to fight you the whole way? Chris

Pig, Nice to see this gem finally finished! It looks outstanding. :lol: If you're ever laying over in Houston, let me know and I'll have you over for dinner to toast this masterpiece. Chris

So, Dave... Only 1498 kits to go? Just kidding. Good luck reducing that stash to a more manageable level. Chris

I also agree. That's all I built when I was growing up. I never saw my first Tamiya until I was in high school (and it was an armor kit) I love building those monogram kits. Chris

Pat, I'm currently out on a trip and away from my references, but IIRC, there were some 109's from the Spanish civil war that were painted a single color. I believe they were painted RLM 02. Chris

Ricardo, Norway sold 5 of their P-3B's to Spain in 1989 to offset the cost of the four new production upadate III's. If you are going to model a Norwegian P-3C UIII, the Hasegawa kit is a good choice. I'm not sure about the ROG kit, but if it is a hasegawa rebox, you're good to go. The Norwegian update III's weren't standard UIII's. They had most of the avionics, including the ALR-66 esm, APS-115B radar, & UYS-1 acoustic processor, but they had a different comm system. As a result, they will have a different antenna configuration from the kit. Check your references. The only pi

Jen, I researched painting the -262 and came up with RLM 66 interior, NMF wheel wells and underside of the cockpit tub, with RLM 02 landing gear struts. HTH, Chris

Another BillL masterpiece. Looks great, Bill. Chris

Looks good, MrB! Chris

Mr B... Another thing about the Tamiya kit. Don't forget to fill the steps in the flaps. THey weren't present on VF-17 aircraft. The tamiya kit is a great kit. I built Chico Freeman's aircraft - "LA City Limits" - last year for the PACAIR group build. About the only trouble area of the kit is the wing fold, and that is only if you DON'T fold the wings. I had a little trouble getting a good joint. I had to do alot of sanding and rescribe most of the wingfold detail. Here's a pic form the GB website.

VF, Another masking alternative is using 3M brand auto masking tape. It comes in different width's and is very pliable, so it will conform to the compound curves on a fuselage and will not kink as you apply it. It sticks very well to a painted or primed surface, leaves no residue, and paint doesn't bleed under it. I've used it and been very happy with the results. Give it a shot if you aren't able to get decals for your snowbird scheme. HTH, Chris

Spoken like a TRUE tube rat! :( :D I need to buy you a beer Collin and swap some stories. :) :D Chris

As long as there is plenty of beer, I'm sure it will be a success. Chris

My fun meter was pegged sitting through a 3 hour weapons system trainer doing crew qualifications with the tube rats. I can't even imagine trying to stay interested (or awake) in a 35 hour sim. Chris

I really like that Digital camo on the Hornet. It makes me want to move my hornet up the build list. Chris

Did you see that the seller provided financing? <_< 0.0% APR until 2007! I'm not a science fiction modeler, but I wouldn't mind a 1/48 Millenium Falcon. That would look pretty cool on my miniature flight line. Chris

I'm a big fan of Tamiya putty.... It dries great, sands well. For larger jobs, Super glue is my weapon of choice. Chris

Murph, I almost needed a diaper when I read that one. That is the best analagy I've heard about mandatory training in the military.. :blink: The pinheads always have a knee-jerk reaction. Part of the reason I got out. Got sick of LMET, sensitivity training, sexual harrassment training, CRM, TQL (total quality leadership - the biggest crock of poop that the Navy bought in the last 20 years), Safety standdowns. I'm sure I endured alot more bull$hit lectures, but I have thankfully forgotten them. Chris

Buffoonery..... Nice word, Murph. I agree.... this mishap looks to be pretty stupid. (I say that without having read the full MIR) Just remember, the multi-engine guys don't have the market cornered on "buffoonery". When I went through Aviation Safety Office school at Monterrey, the single seat guys were bitchin' about having to take CRM. The way it was explained to them was CRM is still useful for single seat because you have to work with your section, flight, and strike package. So even though it sucks, you probably do get something out of it. I know I hated sitting through it i

Who's his VP, Jerry Lewis? And his cabinet, the Marx brothers? That was a funny scene.... :D Chris

I've always thought the next CVN should be named the USS JOHN WAYNE..... At least he was a better actor than Reagan. Chris