LemonJello

Interesting. I guess I never really thought about this topic before. So, do the pilots have to wrassle or draw straws on who gets to fly and who gets to blow things up? Is there a regular rotation or are assignments handed down from on high? Are there better pilots and better gunners that tend to gravitate toward those tasks? So many questions...

I added another 1/48 V-22 to the stash with the help of Hobby Lobby's 40% off coupon. Went back a couple days later and grabbed a 1/48 Revell A-10 for a future navalized build with a hook and folded wings in USMC colors.

Hey, did you all hear about the new tool 1/35 CH-53E from Tamiya? It looks a little pricey at almost $300, but it'll have die cut masks, PE, fiber optics for the interior and exterior lights, pilots, crew and the option of either a squad of jarheads in OEF/OIF battle rattle, or a sling load 1/35 M198 howitzer with turned aluminum barrel and PE for it, too! Think of the diorama possibilities! Man, I can't wait, can I pre-order one now? Happy now, Frank? Maybe I'd settle for a 1/48 UH-1Y and AH-1Z (production versions) sometime in the future.

I believe it's in the MM line. I bought a bottle of Modern US Desert Sand in that line.

I, too, would be interested in any tips from the pros here. I've almost given up on PE since I seem to have so much trouble with getting it to stick. I've started using some 2 part epoxy instead of CA, but I feel like I'm wasting a lot of it for a couple small parts.

There, fixed that for you, Brian. Now, I'll show myself out...

GreatModels is definitely not the route to go if you're in a hurry. Which is why I usually give them my business when I don't really need to be buying, but have some spare change burning a hole in my wallet. My biggest gripe is the rather creative definition of "In Stock" they have and the delays that arise from waiting on them to restock an item. I still go to them when I'm looking for ideas, and I like the wish list feature, but I think I'll give another webstore a shot at earning my business the next time I'm ordering kits.

As of just a few minutes ago: 9 completed (I had to sacrifice a few to the styrene gods in order to appease the wife when we PCS'd this last time) 5 in various stages of construction 36 in the stash I always feel better about myself when I see some of those triple digit stash counts...

I have a red paint pen I picked up in a set while living in Okinawa ("Gundam Markers"). I just used it on the gear doors for my A-4M and it takes a steady hand, but it does a nice job. The red Sharpie is an idea I'll file away for when this pen dries up.

I have an old Revell kit of the OH-6 in 1/32 scale in the stash somewhere. Personally, I don't know how it can be 1/32, the box is smaller than any of my 1/48 kits (it was a gift from my EBay obsessed father, I haven't even opened it). Found it. Still shrink wrapped, too. Here's a quick pic:

Looking real good so far. I don't remember having such bad gaps where the wing meets the fuselage, but it's been a while since I glued mine on. Just gave it the third color (of four) of it's MARPAT topsides today, as a matter of fact. I used some 5 minute epoxy on the tail to give it a little added strength. Keep the updates coming.

Go for it! My fat fingers would never be able to work in that scale, even with something as big as a C-17.

Must be in for maintenance, the rotor heads have been taken off. Jon, this is going to be a heart-stopper when you get her dressed and displayed. Amazing work!

Note to self: start allotment to Flying Leatherneck Decals. May as well cut out the middleman (me).

I've got this one too, just not sure when I'll get to build it, but one of these days... This one is a beauty. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I figure I've got to eventually get at least 2 more of this kit for some future builds. Keep the updates and photos coming. Always good to see someone else building this bird.

I bought a bottle of that paint for my own Panther. Nice to get outside confirmation that it's a good match. Which Panther kit are you building, GA.modeler? I have recently added the Trumpeter to my stash.

I would prefer not to pay $70 for a kit of this bus, as much as I like the real thing...and all the "what if" possibilities for other varients (USCG or Canadian SAR come to mind)

Ya know, I'd be interested in some current decals for the AC-130 now that I have one sitting in the stash. I believe I have the "U" boxing...

Santa, is that you? I've been good so far this year.

I've got one "in progress" (been that way for a couple years, it's now getting some paint), so I'll be following this build, because I've got another one in the stash to be built as an operational Osprey. Probably get some Flying Leatherneck decals for it, too. From what I remember, the interior is pretty spartan, and there are some ejector pin marks and other little fixes for the cargo area.

Those all are some gorgeous builds! I've currently got several kits in the paint shop: a 1/35 LAV-25 that I'm going to try the salt method for some chipped paint, a 1/35 Sherman that will get some weathering for a Pacific theater USMC machine, the loooonnnngggg dormant AV-22 gunship I've had ongoing, and my A-4M in Diamondback markings. I'll post some pics when they're closer to being done.

I've had the idea of eventually adding a 'cat to the display. All I want is one that will look like the ol' Turkey with the wings swept back. I'm leaning towards the Academy offering just on the basis of price. I've got a few Hasegawa birds to build (A-4 in progress, plus an F-4, F-8, AV-8B, F-18C, and an A-6) and the Skyhawk was a breeze to build, so we'll see what I finally go with once I've gotten the stash whittled down.

Hasegawa 1/48 AV-8B Harrier II Plus Hasegawa 1/48 F-8E Crusader plus Super Scale decals for VMF(AW)-312 Hasegawa 1/48 F-18C Hornet Trumpeter 1/48 F9F-2 Panther plus Eagle Strike decals for a USMC Panther Italeri 1/35 LVT-(A)1 Alligator Eagle Strike decals for a Korean War USMC Skyraider Not a bad haul, if I do say so myself.

I think at least one of the Hasegawa weapons sets has practice bomb dispensers...I used one to make a "what if" streamlined 2 stinger pod for my A-10W.