Darren Roberts

I'm not quite sure what you mean by SB going into a slide. They are busier than they have ever been and sales have been exploding. In regards to items not being in stock, they can't help that. They put the order in, and then it's up the manufacturer to have it available.

It's about time the AF caught up with the Navy. Maybe they'll start letting them paint squadron designs on the tails of the aircraft...um...nope, it's the Air Force.

SB Decals had a plan for that scheme. It was supposed to be paired with a lo-vis sheet. Unfortunately, references for the lo-vis are hard to come by and time for research is limited. Since I'm the one that's supposed to find references, I guess I'm to blame. 😄

I did make a set to convert the Hasegawa E/F back to a C/D. I wish I could still produce them, but life at the moment has said otherwise. Living in a townhouse with no basement is challenging for modeling, let alone casting.

Hmm, you want me to remember where that figure came from. I can't even remember what I had for breakfast! 😄 From the look of it, I think it was from the 1/48 Monogram F-106. It looks very Monogramish. In regards to the group build, I have a Tomcat that I have to do, so I'll get it in there. I've been building for a museum fund-raiser, so that's been taking most of my build time.

That is nice. Originally, the A-10 was supposed to be delivered in SEA. The prototype, however, was rolled out in ADC gray. The first production aircraft were in two tone gray, ironically similar to what they have now. It was found that they were too visible "down in the weeds", so they went with the Euro I scheme.

You know it's bad when using aftermarket makes it easier. 😂 I finished one up last year, and it will be the last Hasegawa Tomcat I ever build. I'd rather build the Monogram than the Hasegawa. It can be done, but it's just too muich work.

I don't for sure why companies produce inaccurate kits. What I do know is that if you're not careful, the over-attention to detail can kill. I'm looking at you Accurate Miniatures. They spent so much time trying to "fix" their Avenger, it turned into a money pit. It was delayed so long that modelers started griping. What came out was a beautiful model, but it set the course for the eventual demise of AM.

VFA-143's markings, in my opinion, translated over to the Super Hornet better than any other squadrons. They just look "right" on the Super Hornet. Most of the former Tomcat squadrons didn't look all that great until they started tweaking them. Of course, you could say the same thing about the Phantom/Tomcat transition. I'm looking at you, original VF-142 markings.

Really? I hadn't heard that. I wonder why?

Hopefully this release will spur some new decals. I. haven't seen any new decals for the Super Hornet lately, and there are a bunch of really nice new schemes that the squadrons have been putting on their planes.

If you're talking about the resin ones, those were OOP a LONG time ago. I'll look through all my parts I have and see if I have an extra set. If I do, I'll let you know. I don't think so, but you never know.

Got it. I'm too impatient for that. 😄 I can lay down Alclad in one coat, maybe two coats, with a ten minute drying time.

Maybe someone can help me with the Tamiya White Primer in a rattle can. I've tried using it, and found it to not cover very well. Many seem to like it, so what am I doing wrong?

Alclad White Primer with Microfiller. I use it as my white. It gives a nice, bright semi-gloss finish.

I'd love to join, but the only problem is I gave up my hosting site. I really wish we could post directly here like FB and HS. It would be so much easier than going through a hosting site. I know, I know. I'm being whiny! 😄

Welcome back! I'm sorry you had to go through that. Hopefully you can get settled in and start a new chapter of your life. As Richard L said, the ZM kit is great, albeit a bit pricey. But, if you love Phantoms, that's the way to go.

So the AF is simply catching up to what the Navy has been doing for years. Now they need to let AF squadrons paint logo's on the tail. There's a reason Navy planes are better looking than AF planes. 😄

I would have taken them off your hands for you. I love reclaiming projects that have been given up on. I bet they weren't as bad as you thought they were. In response to your question, I've done it a couple of times over the years. Ususally, I just push through and give them to a kid if I don't like the finished project.

Thanks! How'd you get it already? The F-14 article in the Jan. issue just came out. I didn't figure the F-16 article would be out until at least the end of December.

NOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!

This right here. It's the perfect fix. If you want them fully closed, glue them in as best you can, leaving any edges protruding, and then reshape them with a sanding stick.

I lived in Syracuse and in high school joined an Explorer Post at Hancock Field with the 174th NYANG. For one of our meetings, I got to go out to the ramp, put on a headset, and do the preflight with the pilot. For another meeting, they took us up to Drum on a Huey and we got to watch the Syracuse A-10's roll and fire the gun. What great sights and sounds that I will never forget!

That, my friend, is a LOT to deal with. Just having to deal with what you went through with Charlotte would crush most of us.

That's a great idea! I bet index cards would work.