aderowlands

The kit instrument panel is quite lacklustre so what to do, as stated above I felt detail on the Aires set was soft and and I’m no fan of adding decals or acetate instruments behind the panel as I quite often get a coke bottle bottom effect. Sooooo knowing Airscale decals wouldn’t fit the Aires panel I went to town and sanded all detail from the kit parts, added some detail back with Styrene sheet and rod and Airscale bezels and cockpit detail sets. Not happy with the outcome as yet but this is as close to scratchbuilding as I get.

Some other work. the big sexy glue thumbprint on the seat will be hidden by a cushion, no fear.

So some progress. Not pictured is the Aires cockpit for the Trumpeter kit. On looking at it I felt detail was soft and would be a nightmare to paint, Trumpeters details, though sparse were better so I decided a Franken cockpit of details culled from the Aires set added to the Trumpeter parts would be the way to go here. Aided by some bits from the spares drawer and Airscale bezels and cockpit details sets

Well now, I’ve been a member here a long long time and mainly lurked, I don’t really post unless someone asks something I can answer or I in turn have something that needs answering, I’m one of those people who’s happy to lurk and not be noticed. That being said I feel I should contribute something to the bandwidth here so here it comes. The kit The refs. The AM.

You get 1/32 line drawings with the Mushroom publications books, just checked mine and they're there. No way of scanning them though as the drawings are larger than my A4 sized scanner. Believe the book is still in publication though.

More proof that I'm still plugging away on this than anything really. Joined the fuselage together, dont think I'd quite sanded enough off the width of the cockpit foor enough to allow for the Barracuda sidewalls. Thought I had when I dry fitted everything, but this was before priming, painting and flatting so maybe those accumulated layers were enough to throw it out slightly. only found out I needed to sand anything by accident anyway, could have done with a note in the Barracuda instructions. Found an article on his blog by accident whilst looking for something else. So the fuselage joining took a bit more pressure than normal. Once Dry I thought I'd better test fit the wings and yeah the fuselage was just that little bit too wide at the wing join to make it a nice easy drop in. Fuselage floor was well and truly super glued in place so nothing I could do but sand a little here and there around the wings and fuselage. So once I had a nice fit of the wings to fuse I thought I'd better throw some glue in there right away because I didnt fancy trying to get it all lined up again nicely twice. So this is currently where I'm at. Gear bay is Vallejo Zinc Chromate Green, the wrong choice I feel, only found my jar of Gunze Bronze Green after painting. I've had no joy stripping Vallejo model air, I get a gooey gunky melted rubber mess when I've tried in the past and didnt fancy spraying Gunze over the Vallejo, it'd change the tone for a start and I didnt want to lose detail so stuck with the Vallejo Green. Then do you think I could get it to flat? Tried all the flats and mattes I have on some scrap and all ended up slightly glossy. So all these minor set backs left me just staring at the kit for a week or so wondering whether to carry on or not. So heres some pics. Next up is figuring the placement of the rocket launch stubs strengthening plate and some fuselage cleaning up. Canopy and windscreen have been Kleared and are drying. Not far off from paint then hopefully.

I've ordered the same kit with seemingly the same plans, my Alleycat conversion arrived the other day. Was going to sacrifice my VIII from the stash but I really want to do the Shark mouth scheme with that one.

And thats as far as I'm up to, next up is making the bare minimum of the engine I need then joining the fuselage halves. Thanks for looking.

Ok, so just a bit of photographic evidence that I do build sometimes. The Instrument panel, kit panel with Barracuda decals, went a little wavy with me after application of mr softer and drying, but not largely noticeable. I think the clear insert for the rear is a little thick and can sometimes give a Coke bottle effect to the dial decals so rather than attempt to sand the kit part down I used it as a template on some thin clear plasticard. I ended up with a rough copy which I then dipped in Future/Klear. Result is ok, I'll take a pic once its all dry and put together. [/url Next up is the cockpit floor, with seat and then the batteries on the fuel tank. Not a great photo but then theres not a whole lot to see as the cockpit of these Canadian Mustangs were an all black affair. I found this a bit of a challenge as I didnt want it all one colour, or rather, one shade of one colour so the Fuel tank is Tamiya Rubber black, the floor is Vallejo Nato Black dry brushed with Neutral Grey. Dont feel it shows well in the photos, yet something else I need to learn about modelling is the taking photos bit. Added to the seat were the shock absorbing springs on the rear mounting points, done with lead wire. %2

The Kit. The aftermarket. LEM Decals, Isracast rocket stubs, Barracuda cockpit sidewalls and radio/battery gear, Grey Matter tyres and uncuffed props, HGW belts. Not sure on the cockpit equipment this one would have featured, probably going to follow a mix of option A and B from the Tamiya instructions unless anyone can point me in a different more correct direction.

Sorry, forgot I'd posted in this thread. Yes, thats them. Zip to the bottom of the page to where it says unlisted tamiya parts then on the new page fill in the request form. I've always had an answer within 48hrs. You do need a copy on the instructions with the sprues reference number though, usually on the back page on the instructions.

Arrived this morning, from Sealmodel in what was probably the best packed box I've ever received. This was a test order really to see if I'd get stung at customs. Package got through no problem and in very good time, 5 days from Hong Kong to North Wales, I've had things float around the customs hub for 2-3 weeks before now. The Phantom will be done in the box scheme with CAM Pro stencils and Yellow Hammer decals for VFMA 333 going to collecting more aftermarket over the coming months for it. Other stuff is some Tamiya tape thats a fraction of the price it is here, some swabs and some mr color Mitsubishi cockpit green and cowling black for my upcoming Zero and the cockpit color set.

I use goldstar stockists for Tamiya parts here in the UK. Simple enough process and usually have the parts in a week or two.

Thats a really kind offer Grant, yes I'm in the UK but I've already placed my order elsewhere. It's also the VMFA 333 boxing I'm after as it comes with bombs and the MERS I'll be needing for the planned project.

Thanks for clearing that up Nick, I had somehow managed to miss the big bit on his home page about him being ericyymodel. Got a Zero in the other month when I ordered the P-40N from HLJ and miracle of miracles the big box they came in got past customs with no charge. Every box I've ever had from HLJ has been stopped before, but my thinking was even with their fees I'd still be coming out about £60 better off than if I'd bought in the UK. Will be placing an order for the Marines F-4J on payday, can see the F-16 following not far behind too.

Sealmodel is what used to be ericcymodel right? What they like to deal with and did you get stung for customs charges? Looking at the Marines F-4J myself.