WymanV Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Started last night: As mentioned, all my builds will be just as the instructions instruct, and as I would've built them when I was (maybe) 12. The only exception is that I'm not finished with them already, and I'll probably skip on buying a bunch of Testors glossy paints in the little square bottles ;) Interior surfaces are brush painted (as it all will be) and I have a start on the pilot. And I suck at figures... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Don't worry, I brush painted the inside of my Mosquito as well. SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted May 3, 2007 Author Share Posted May 3, 2007 I'm brushpainting everything-just like the good ol' days :o Tonight's progress-center section buttoned up with working retracts and folding wings: The plastic is getting pretty brittle, so I hope it has more than a few working actions left in it. And this thing should be done by now-I must be gettin' old Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Looks interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Did it come with the retracts and wing folding, or did you mod. From what it looks it seems it came like that, but I'm guessing. Pretty awesome! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cap'n Wannabe Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Geez, those pics brought back some memories! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modelsntoys Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 A bunch of these older Monogram kits have working features that I use to LOVE building. I've heard several people say that these kits are more toy-like than anything.......I guess I'm just a kid at heart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted May 4, 2007 Author Share Posted May 4, 2007 Yup-modeling was so much easier back then, wasn't it Here's an update/tip for anyone building this; the locator holes for the pilot's bulkhead is misaligned when installed as per design: The bottom hole is too far back, making it lean forward. I'll glue it in place with the top peg in the hole and the bottom one forward of it: Not exact, but who cares-it's a fun build! The GF is off to visit her daughters this weekend, so I might just finish this one up this weekend <_< Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DarylH Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Yup-modeling was so much easier back then, wasn't it Here's an update/tip for anyone building this; the locator holes for the pilot's bulkhead is misaligned when installed as per design: The bottom hole is too far back, making it lean forward. I'll glue it in place with the top peg in the hole and the bottom one forward of it: Not exact, but who cares-it's a fun build! The GF is off to visit her daughters this weekend, so I might just finish this one up this weekend <_< Ken Oh yeah, love that pilot! That same guy is in a couple of my builds. He's a great cockpit filler when all you have is a bulkhead and a decal instrument panel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted May 4, 2007 Author Share Posted May 4, 2007 ...and what fun wedging the paper decal panel to fit between the pilot's legs All buttoned up: And for the moment, the retracts work. I'm a little concerned about how long it lasts, as brittle as the plastic is. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 I really enjoy this build! Looking at how intricate all the working parts are: landing gear, folding wings, tail wheel and hook. Really cool! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daryl J. Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 (edited) Monogram Memory Moment: The directions call for lubricating the landing gear and wing swivels right? Back in the late 1970's, I used a *ton* of vaseline on each moving part of the Hellcat. As it turns out, the kit lasted right up until after I left for college. The vaseline turned rancid and stank up the room for years. Daryl J. Edited May 6, 2007 by Daryl J. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted May 6, 2007 Author Share Posted May 6, 2007 Yup-they suggest vegetable oil. IIRC, when I was a kid I used 3-In-1 oil on something along the line (Avenger kit maybe?) and it didn't last long Progress check: I was right about brittle plastic-the locking peg on the bottom of the right wing snapped and went-a-sailin'. I've reglued the upper peg about 5 times now and I hope it holds this time-it's all that holds the wing up. And this seems to be large for 1/48 scale. Lotsa cleanup to do. Paint and mount the ordnance, canopy, and paint the bottom of the plane. The directions specify not to paint the top :o Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 (edited) Something of a progress report: ...and keep in mind that this isn't supposed to look good-it's supposed to look like I built it 30+ years ago I painted the bottom with a bottle of Model Master Light Gray, and it was a train wreck. Thin spots, brush marks etc. After looking at it for a couple of weeks I came upon a little square bottle of Testors Gray. Glossy, and just what the doctor ordered. And this is per the instruction sheet call-out, right or wrong. I'm sorely tempted to paint the blue on top as the seams really show in the dark plastic, but in the end I think I'll live with it. The tape on the wings is to keep them from flopping around while I work on it. And as you can see, I've already lost a gear door Ken Edited May 19, 2007 by WymanV Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted June 30, 2007 Author Share Posted June 30, 2007 Loooong overdue update! After much hemming and hawing and teeth gnashing, I decided to paint the blue on top as well. All the seams cleaned up fairly well, but they were all lighter than the surrounding plastic and that looked really bad. So the top is now MM GSB and decaling is underway (finally): The kit decals were absolute crap of course, but I found a suitably awful set to use from an old Arii build-horribly yellowed and everything But at least they stick without going potato chip on me, and they fit right in with the spirit of the build... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
96Delta Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 (edited) Hi Ken, I'm certain you guys know this so please excuse me if I'm covering old ground...but rather than use yellowed decals as you find them - restore them! Tape them to the window and let the sun bleach out the yellow. Works great! I have several sheets at the "bleaching station" now. David Edited July 3, 2007 by 96Delta Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted July 3, 2007 Author Share Posted July 3, 2007 I've done that in the past with a set of AMT A-20 decals with good results, but the glue was milky too-in the end I couldn't save them. I would've done that here too (or opted for a different set), but I think the yellowing keeps this in the spirit of my build. Trust me-it's not supposed to be my best work Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Nice build and nice decal tip! I actually didn't know that one, so no new ground covered here! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 Very nice with the pilot in there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted July 6, 2007 Author Share Posted July 6, 2007 Yeah, he makes the difference doesn't he :D Done. Pics in the Completed Builds thread: I think I'll take the Helldiver a little more seriously... ;) Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted July 6, 2007 Share Posted July 6, 2007 I think I'll take the Helldiver a little more seriously... I still think it looks pretty good! I like the look of the Hellcat with the wings folded. Nice Job! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DarylH Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 You got me smiling here in Hooterville......looks just like my little table in the basement in 1966.....complete with little square bottles of Testors enamel..........cool!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chopperpilot71 Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Now that's a true Monogram Classic, I love it! Although the technique 96Delta talked about with the yellowing of the decals and letting the sun bleach them out is a great truth I think the the yellowish decals kinda add to the "Classic-ness" of it!! WELL DONE! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
96Delta Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 The yellowing of the decals does give it a very vintage look. I think it looks neat! :lol: David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted July 13, 2007 Author Share Posted July 13, 2007 Yup-that's what I was going for :D Now that I've done it tho, I don't really feel the need to repeat on the Helldiver... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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