bdt13 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Picked up this kit from someone I know who does the 'picker' circuit of estate sales, flea markets, etc. Looks like a simple build. I've been sanding down the rivets a bit, they seem over done. Decals by Starfighter, cost the same as I paid for the kit. Probably doing a Guadalcanal bird. Parts count isn't hateful. The copyright date is 1965, so I don't imagine the yellowed decals are any good. Anyone have any idea what unit the kit decals are, or what the paint colors would have been? Purely an academic question. The closeness of the end of the group build should give me some motivation to get this done in a jiffy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spejic Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Anyone have any idea what unit the kit decals are, or what the paint colors would have been? Purely an academic question. I'm pretty sure it's something state-side, most likely training. I collect pictures of San Francisco Bay Area aviation, and during the late war (and a few months after) aircraft based in America (which included Wildcats) were marked like this (single letter, single or double digit number with that size font, little or nothing else). Given the limitations of this scheme, I'm sure there were repetitions in different bases or regions. For example, I have a picture of a 1945 Corsair with "G3" just like your box. Schemes would be sea blue over white or all-over sea blue. Here's a picture of either that aircraft or another G8 Wildcat (behind the G1): http://aircraft.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/539300/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stevehnz Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 One of the first kits I ever built but in FAA colours which it was also released in. Its a nice kit by & large, I've got a couple more squirreled away "for later" :lol: I think the only real issue with it , other than the size of the rivets as you've identified, but they were all like that in those days, is the fuselage spine is a bit more humpbacked that it should be. Other than that a neat kit. I'll be watching with interest. Steve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted September 18, 2011 Author Share Posted September 18, 2011 Thanks for your kind and prompt feedback. I kind of figured the kit decals were some training unit, but I thought some escort carriers might have used a funny pattern like that. This is almost a "just for fun" build, I'm not going to sweat many of the AMS details I sometimes do. I have filed out the belly windows and plan to fill them with clear window maker. I'll need to scratch the radio antenna, as the kit one broke off and was not there by the time I got the box 46 years later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyWho Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Ahh, this kind of plastic is woven into my childhood! That's why I never stand too near a heat source...really looking forward to seeing this take shape! :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted September 30, 2011 Author Share Posted September 30, 2011 Progress: The engine, seat, and Lt. j.g. "Blobbo." I had to re-work him to cut off the fur cuffs from the boots. I thought it was a bit much for flying in the South Pacific. My skills are not up to getting the oxygen mask off of his face. I hope the color experten approve of my choice for bronze green. I used some of my 25 year old Gunze Aqueous Euro I green! I read somewhere that this is an OK match, and for this build, close enough is close enough. Don't worry about the big ejector pin mark in the seat, it will be covered by the pilot. The blur from my camera's poor macro performance may keep you from seeing it, but there is a substantial difference from side to side in the coaming length. Note that there is no instrument panel or other interior detail. This is 1965 kit engineering at its finest! I imagine this is the kind of kit a kid picked up at Woolworth's or Lampston's for less than a dollar, and he didn't much care about huge rivets or no instrument panels. You can see some of the sanding marks, I am trying to reduce, but not eliminate, the rivet patterns. I think they give the model character. Given the current pace, and the fact that I got the pre-production A-10 I was working on done and off of the bench, I should make the deadline! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Primer down. Will need to sand a few more rivets to even them out, and fill a few missed seams. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 Complete! :) More shots in the completed builds thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Nice work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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