Ranger74 Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 My first builds will be three Monogram 1/72 F4B-4s from 1930s. I am adding a Starfighter interior set to my first build to see if it is worth to purchase for other builds. I believe that the cockpit opening is way too small to make it worth expense as can only see interior with aid of a flashlight. Additionally, decals are also from Starfighter. This will be my first use of these decals. Hope they work good as I have stash of them for other US Navy/Army 1930s aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Ranger Welcome to the GB. I built one of those a very very long time ago. Before I knew what an airbrush or spray paint was. Man did I glue bomb that thing, it looked like crap but I didn't care. It was just a toy to me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hegedus Posted September 7, 2017 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Starfighter decals are first-rate. You should have no issues with them using standard decalling techniques. As for the resin interior, Starfighter's product is nice and the one for the F11C fit well. You're right about the small opening, so it's up to you to decide if it's worth it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share Posted September 7, 2017 4 hours ago, tosouthern66 said: Ranger Welcome to the GB. I built one of those a very very long time ago. Before I knew what an airbrush or spray paint was. Man did I glue bomb that thing, it looked like crap but I didn't care. It was just a toy to me. Yea, I built one many, many, many, etc., years ago and painted it but can't remember if brushes or spray cans. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted September 7, 2017 Author Share Posted September 7, 2017 50 minutes ago, Joe Hegedus said: Starfighter decals are first-rate. You should have no issues with them using standard decalling techniques. As for the resin interior, Starfighter's product is nice and the one for the F11C fit well. You're right about the small opening, so it's up to you to decide if it's worth it. I also have the interior for the P-6E/F11C. It's the cost of $8,almost more than the kit itself that is the factor. I do plan on ordering the rigging sets for all of my builds. I rigged the Monogram P-6E about 15 years ago. Not terrible, but if I can do it easier, it is a serious consideration. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 I have started my first F4B-4 with inspection of parts and found the following issues to resolve before construction can begin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 I'm so glad to see aircraft from the 30s! Will you build them in USN and USMC markings? Not only was this Boeing's last biplane fighter, they were replaced by Grumman aircraft! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 17 hours ago, dnl42 said: I'm so glad to see aircraft from the 30s! Will you build them in USN and USMC markings? Not only was this Boeing's last biplane fighter, they were replaced by Grumman aircraft! I will build 2 Navy and 1 USMC. After these three, time remaining in the group build, I will see if some other 20s/30s squadrons fit requirement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 I have been slow to post my progress. The photos that follow are from work before I came down with a case of Diverticulitis and spent a week in the hospital and another week recovering from the starvation diet inflicted on me while in the hospital. Counting weight lost from when I first became ill about five days before I was hospitalized until I was allowed to eat real food was about 20 pounds. The first 10 pounds was probably water lost through GI tract issues. On to the pics. This right side of fuselage with the interior kit from Starfighter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 Here is left fuselage half The parts for the side panes require no trimming other than pour stubs as they are thin enough to glue straight as is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 The airframe has been assembled and lower wing added. I'm waiting to add horizontal stabs till I can paint fuselage. Filling was required at wing joints with fuselage on top side of wing. Additionally, the gun cover/upper fuselage required some filing to make smooth transition to fuselage sides. I was able to acquire two more interior sets for the other two airframes, but only one Starfighter PE rigging set. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Ranger74 Looking good! Your build is bringing back memories of when I built one as a kid. My biggest memory is what the M60 firecracker did to it. Go figure just a kid then! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share Posted October 18, 2017 3 hours ago, tosouthern66 said: Ranger74 Looking good! Your build is bringing back memories of when I built one as a kid. My biggest memory is what the M60 firecracker did to it. Go figure just a kid then! Thanks for the comment. My brothers and I destroyed a fleet of old 1/700 Japanese warships and a couple old 1/48 tanks using powder from fireworks and even some gunpowder out of blanks. We thought it was great back then Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_superbug Posted November 5, 2017 Share Posted November 5, 2017 Nice works so far Jeff. Have you got any more updates? Brendon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger74 Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 9 hours ago, Aussie_superbug said: Nice works so far Jeff. Have you got any more updates? Brendon Thanks, Brendon. I am at a temporary halt while I finish a review build for IPMS-USA. As soon as that is completed, hopefully by end of the week, I will return to work on the F4B-4s. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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