waylandcool Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) I'm starting this kit for the group build. Here's what is in the box: I'm starting it tonight and I have a "work at home day" tomorrow due to a blizzard tonight. Let's see much much modeling I can sneak in... Edited February 26, 2011 by waylandcool Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I'm looking forward to seeing how this goes together as this was my first choice for this group build. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DDC Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Cool choice! Looking forward to seeing the 'Beast' built Denzil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deacon Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Will be watching this one with interest mate. Deacon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Are you going to modify the dive breaks at all or leave them oob? One reason I choose against this particular model at this time was that I can't find and aftermarket dive breaks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 I'm leaving the dive brakes as is. They will look fine under a coat of paint. The crew in the kit look nice: Unfortunately, the crew is the best thing about the cockpit which is basically non-existant: Gunner's compartment is the same story: The tail guns are a pain to get off the sprue. I cut the left one almost in half lengthwise and had to repair and repaint it and I cut the barrel off the right gun and lost it to the carpet monster. I haven't decided whether I'm just going to leave it or hit Hobbytown and get some thin rod. Right now, it's all buttoned up and the inner wing panels are assembled: I'm going to putty the wing joins before I assemble the outer wings. Hopefully it hits the spray booth for primer by Saturday. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 It's coming along nicely I see. How do you like the kit so far aside from the "no cockpit"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 It's not a bad kit. The wings needed a little pushing and shoving to avoid have a step at the rear and there is a good size gap at the engine cowling but nothing a little putty can't fix. The detail is about what I expected for a $8.95 kit from the 60's but it's a nice little weekend project or a decent basis for practicing scratchbuilding since it's not that expensive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 It's not a bad kit. The wings needed a little pushing and shoving to avoid have a step at the rear and there is a good size gap at the engine cowling but nothing a little putty can't fix.The detail is about what I expected for a $8.95 kit from the 60's but it's a nice little weekend project or a decent basis for practicing scratchbuilding since it's not that expensive. That pretty much sums up airfix in a nutshell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 Moving along on the Helldiver... The plane is ready for masking, I did fix the missing rear gun barrel with some .030 rod, probably should have been one or two sizes smaller but it's not that noticable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kopfjaeger Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 remember reading that these aircraft were affecionatly known as " son of a ***** 2nd class". apparently they werent that fun to fly.... and i cant remember where i read it!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 That comment is in most books abut the Helldiver. It's in the Squadron in Action book that I have. The plane had some real handling problems due to it's lack of stability, which is why the plane had such a large tail and horizontal stabs. Some of the problems were fixed with a stronger engine in the dash 3 but the plane was still a handful in landings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) The Helldiver is ready for primer tomorrow... The only issue with the glass is the gunner's canopy needs some sanding to get a decent fit as the sprue gate and some flash that needs to be trimmed cause some fit problems. This kit could benefit from a vac canopy if you want to scratch build a cockpit. But since there's not much under there, the thick canopy isn't that big of a deal. Edited February 11, 2011 by waylandcool Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 looking good just wondering about your canopy masking and how you go about it. Do you cut the bits of tape to the right size then stick them in, or do you put a larger piece of tape over each pane, then carefully trace around the frame with a blade and remove the bits over the frames? i've tried both and can't decide which one works best? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 In this case, one big piece and then I trim it with a new #11 blade. That works on this kit beacause the canopy framing is raised and easier to cut. Sometimes, I use smaller pieces with a little triming and sometimes I use liquid mask. It depends on the kit. BTW I found a oops moment this morning, I glued the cowling on upside down. I worked it off and reglued it the right way. I was wondering why it looked strange last night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 BTW I found a oops moment this morning, I glued the cowling on upside down. I worked it off and reglued it the right way. I was wondering why it looked strange last night. Been there done that Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Been there done that I'm sure we all have. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theplasticsurgeon Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Looking good Waylandcool - best of luck with the painting. Here's my Beast from way back - undercarriage cobbled together for the CBK display at SMW2007. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 That comment is in most books abut the Helldiver. It's in the Squadron in Action book that I have. The plane had some real handling problems due to it's lack of stability, which is why the plane had such a large tail and horizontal stabs. Some of the problems were fixed with a stronger engine in the dash 3 but the plane was still a handful in landings. I did read in the book "The Pacific" by Stephen Ambrose, that the Helldiver suffered badly with the wing locking mechanism not working. In one instance the CO of a carrier simply bushed them all overboard before returning to harbour. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 . In one instance the CO of a carrier simply bushed them all overboard before returning to harbour. Having been in the military I can't see how he got away with something like that but damn if that's not funny as hell Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 The Beast is primed and ready for paint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 It looks a lot different all primed and ready for paint. I can't wait to see it with the actual color on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jgrease Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 I'm finishing the paint tonight, should hopefully have pics late tonight/tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waylandcool Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 All painted: I decided to do an Gloss Sea Blue plane based on this picture dated 4-1-45, same time frame as the decals that say tri-color: http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/020948.jpg Plus I have a build I'm doing with my Dad that is going to be Gloss Sea Blue and I wanted to see how this paint would look, it's MM Dark Sea Blue. I think it's a shade too dark but it's not too bad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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