Wolfman_63 Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Starting on the Glenco 1/48 scale J2F Duck. This is an older kit and does not have the level of details that newer kits have. The Duck is a Grumman built amphibious aircraft that was primarily used for search and rescue. It is unique from other single engine float planes in that the main float and fuselage are designed together. This allows room for more crew members. The scheme that I will be doing is the Marine version that was stationed in the Virgin Islands. All of the interior details will be scratch built using styrene stock and remnants of many photo etch extras I have. I located some build photos from Grumman use as a guide for the interior. I started with getting the cockpit area roughed in. The cockpit floor and the rear bulkhead will serve as my reference point. Working on the Radio/Gunner position at the rear of the cockpit now. More photos in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-j2f-duck/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Will be nice to see this kit built. I had one, but sold it in a club raffle after the Merit kit came out. I've found a fair amount of Grumman photos of the Duck but I don't recognize the shots above. Where did you find them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfman_63 Posted May 18, 2018 Author Share Posted May 18, 2018 The reference photos are Grumman historical photos. At work we have a historical reference library that I can copy photos from. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Thanks. Sigh...I didn't take sufficient advantage of the library in Plant 35 when I worked at Grumman. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Here is something you may both find useful: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfman_63 Posted May 20, 2018 Author Share Posted May 20, 2018 The work continues on the interior of the J2F duck. The interior and landing gear are basically installed. Have many more details to add. I drilled out the exhaust pipes to look more realistic. I did watch “Murphy’s War” last night while working on it. Grabbed some screen shots for details of the engine area. Many scenes of the engine without the cowl provided some nice references. All the build photos can be seen at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-j2f-duck/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dekon70 Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 (edited) Great looking build. I think the Duck is such a cool aircraft. Here's a little inspiration: Edited May 20, 2018 by dekon70 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfman_63 Posted May 20, 2018 Author Share Posted May 20, 2018 Cold and cloudy with scattered rain means I was able to spend the afternoon adding more details to the J2F. Made the rear gun mount, found better wheels in my stash box, and added details to the interior. Need to make the dash for the pilot next. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfman_63 Posted May 23, 2018 Author Share Posted May 23, 2018 I spent last evening scratch building the dash for the J2F Duck. While doing it I took photos to add a brief tutorial on my blog. The dash looks great. I am getting closer to putting the fuselage together. I need to do some minor modifications to the fuselage then some assembly and filling. The tutorial is at https://davidsscalemodels.com/tips-and-tricks/making-a-cockpit-dash-from-scratch/ All the build photos are at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-j2f-duck/ The photo below shows the original kit dash on the left, then the photo of the actual dash resized, then the decal and on the right is the final dash. Here is the photo of it installed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfman_63 Posted May 28, 2018 Author Share Posted May 28, 2018 Work continues on the J2F Duck. The fuselage is now together and the many gaps have been filled. I used clear acetate for the side windows as the kit windows were thicker that the fuselage plastic and obstructed the view inside. I added the duct just under the nose that was in the reference photos. The engine was completed and working on getting the wings assembled and cleaned up. All the build photos can be seen at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-j2f-duck/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Coming along nicely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
modelmax Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Hi, Like your build. I too have one in the stash and will follow your thread for tips on how to build mine. thanks for the tutorials. Ernie A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfman_63 Posted June 1, 2018 Author Share Posted June 1, 2018 The fuselage and wings now have their base coat paint on and the rigging of the wings is done. Still have decals, detail painting, and weathering. I also bought the Squadron Vacu-Form canopy as the kit canopy is very thick and it appears the mold was not clean. Looks like some dirt got into the plastic. More photos in the build log https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-j2f-duck/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfman_63 Posted June 3, 2018 Author Share Posted June 3, 2018 It is now completed! This is the Glenco 1/48 scale J2F-2 Grumman Duck representing VMF-2 that patrolled the Caribbean Ocean off the Virgin Islands. The Duck’s were used for patrolling areas and performing search and rescue of downed pilots. More photos can be seen in the Gallery page on my blog: https://davidsscalemodels.com/gallery/1-48-j2f-2-grumman-duck/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Wow, that's excellent! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K5054NZ Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Gorgeous work! I really enjoy watching older kits get attention like you've done. And thanks for the Kermie Cam, I'd missed those ones! I learned a lot about the Duck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Great work with a vintage kit for the classic yellow wings era. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 I see it has an arresting hook. Did these land on carriers? Great job on the kit. Looks really good. Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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