Clunkmeister

Hmmm. Im an unqualified observer here simply because I know so very little about the type. I have great respect for Radu’s talent not only as a researcher and model designer, but also as a genuinely decent, respectful, and all around good guy. He’s the best there is, folks. And I’m pretty good at some stuff too and tend to hold my own when questioned, just like Radu. My personal opinion is that there are serious limits to what even the most careful IM procedures can achieve, and ZM has done some seriously brilliant kits throughout their relatively short life. Maybe a bridge too far here? Who knows. But what I DO know is that Radu is correct, as the stabilizer needs to change incidence as the pilot adjusts his trim wheel, but Martin is also right in that the pictures show no gap, because at the distances we view from, the gap would be invisible to the human eye. Let’s face it, the designers at Messerschmitt were, by that time, trying to eke every last knot they could out of an obsolete airframe, and extra tight tolerances would be expected. Maybe tighter as the war dragged on and Germany was harder pressed to produce much needed equipment? Who knows. Messerschmitt engineers have long since passed away so we can’t ask. But an untouched original Czech built 109 variant doesn’t lie, and neither do period photos at exact angles to showcase any gap. Personally, I’m just happy to have a 109 that’s had Radu do the design work. We all knew months ahead of time that no matter how good it was, a 109 will always come out of the box with SOME perceived error. Never has there been a more closely studied aircraft. In watching the various builds take place on here and elsewhere, I’ll be inclined to figure out some way of eliminating the complete engine from inside the cowl, IF it continues to be an issue with all builds. My .02 only. Marring is one of the most gifted model builders I know, and by far, the most in depth research guy I know, and Radu matches Martin in research and is simply put the reigning King of kit designers in my opinion.

I like to come unglue on people too, in my mind, but then I just start laughing when I can’t keep a straight face. I always start laughing when I say “twatwaffle”

That HPH Walrus is a TOUGH build. I’d be careful of getting carried away in the wireless room, because after super detailing it, the lower wing support wire cuts right through the middle of it all. Drat! (OK, Ernie made a funny) hopefully SOMEBODY gets the joke There is also absolutely no jig included to align the engine and upper wing. The instructions give the angles, but you need to build a jig of your own design. Not tough for a ship modeler, but for someone who builds nothing but Trumpeter, Tamiya, and Hasegawa, they WILL have an issue

Nice review, Carl! Exactly what I had in mind! Maybe check for a few typos in your text. It looks like you’re the victim of autocorrect. I started to, but after one, I figured I didn’t want to screw with your text.

Nice finish, Jani! Beautiful! You’re the main reason I extended it until September end. Be sure to post it in already a for a inspection, and I’ll post it on our Facebook page! Thank You! Ernie

One of the other reasons I like the occasional GB is because we’re a laid back, easy going, friendly place with little to absolutely no drama. And, due to that, we’re slowly growing. That’s an awesome thing. We’ve added a couple more Mods (the most boring job in the world, here) and with the extra help, we can better work through any editing y’all need done. I think an occasional GB we’ll help give us all a bit of friendly competition as we have fun. We all just keep on doing what we’re doing, and it’ll be great. This place is a labor of love for all of us, and I think the Wet GB will be fun. Refresh my memory… Dec 1 start, right? I’m an old man with a great, but short, memory

Rob, when I put out the idea of the All of Ukrainian GB, one of the biggest complaints here was that they never ended. Matter of fact, there was an ongoing GB here for about 4 years that was long since null and void and I just took it upon myself to mercifully end it. I’ve extended the Ukraine GB because we had a couple latecomers, but it’s ending in 3 days and someone’s getting a new model out of it. I’m hoping to have one good GB per year. LSM is a well attended site now, and an interesting topic that gives everyone a chance to express themselves is important to me. I have to continually remind myself that we are not just an aircraft site. We have numerous armor builders as well, as well as a growing cadre of ship builders. The more the merrier, in my books. If you EVER feel a GB has lingered too long, please say something. In retrospect, maybe I should have closed Ukraine last month, but we did get two high quality finishes since, so it worked out.

Awesome work, Carl! I bought out all the Voodoo Grey I could find when MM went down. Are there other sources for it now, or just the old MM? I’ve heard that some sell a grey called ADC Grey, which is supposedly close to the Voodoo Grey.

A great build, Scott! Truly awesome. are you good with this going up on our FB Page?

She looks gorgeous, Scott. Dang! It’s actually a decent little kit, as long as you pay attention to what you’re doing, and test fit everything first. It’s a kit that should have sold thousands more units, but just didn’t..

No I haven’t actually. English Color is literally 3 blocks from my shop so PPG is right around the corner. I had a guy try to sell me on Tamco, especially their DTA primer, but I’ve always saw Tamco as marine paint. For a casual painter like me, it’s nice to have a product line that you know works. I’m to the point now where I really don’t want to beat myself up doing it, but again, if you want it done right, do it yourself. Running a buffer is just a bad byproduct of knowing it’s right, I guess.

For white finishes, I’ve alwzys thought you can’t beat Tamiya white primer, or even white Gunze Mr.Surfacer 1000. Just apply 2 or three light coats, let it dry for a day, the rub buff it with a soft cotton cloth. IMHO, it’s 100x better than trying to deal with white paint, so unless you’re aiming for effects paint, primer is all you need.

That’s exactly why I’m glad I wasn’t painting cars back in the old RM Miracryl enamel days. For part time hobby painters like myself, I just LOVE my PPG. DP90 might be stupid expensive, but to me, it’s the car equivalent of Mr Leveling Thinner. It’s saved my ass so many times it ain’t funny. Then PPG base/clear right over the sealer. I love the stuff. At any point when I get my inevitable once per job sag, I can just stop, let it flash, the feather it out and continue along as if nothing happened. Now my only real issues are cleanliness and guessing right for my reducer. I’m doing a color change on my 55 Sunliner, have it lifted off the frame and starting with the underbody, then jambs, floor, and inside engine compartment so I can remember and relearn my techniques. The less I need to use that bloody buffer, the happier I am. Love painting, but your wife is like mine. She comes to the shop, sees me head to toe in dust, looking like a chimney sweep, and says “what are you doing out here, it looks the same as it did last month”. It’s a good thing I really, really love her.

The CAD work was done here, and somehow, changes were made in China. It drove the people here INSANE. Ask Glen or Floyd about that. This build is looking AMAZING, Scott!

This is looking great. And I thought I built SLOW! Carl, the 104 is always a model I intended to buy, both single and two seaters, but I never did figure out which versions I needed to be able to properly do the two versions of the CF-104. I really like the classic original version with highly polished fuselage and anti flash wings for its tactical nuclear strike role.

It’s shiny because even after 20 years, it was still basically a brand new jet.

I found a bit of time for bench time, so I spent a bit of time working on the Helldiver. This is a BIG airframe

Even if you don’t want to go crazy on it, you can just grab the resin canopy from HPH and put that on instead. Nut fixing the kit part doesn’t appear too obnoxious

Oh wow Peter, this is certainly looking the business! I do have this kit, although it’s never been my first choice, the type sure has a Grace all its own. Im happy to see its appears to be one of SH’s more straightforward builds and there isn’t many areas to tempt your razor saw to come out and play.

Yes, I am looking at the same potential fix with mine. The resin piece is very close and it will serve as a good pattern. I WILL finish my resin build when this is done, so I can see the differences side to side

Yeah that looks GREAT. There is a 3D printed exhaust available now through Resin2Detail will make the exhaust problem easily repairable but the canopy will take some skill. Resin2Detail has quite a few bits and pieces for this kit.

Yeah it’s odd. Not a peep on LSP, ARC, Britmodeler, nothing.

Smitty’s building one now and he’s not really one for WIPs. With his permission I’ll post a pic or two, but it’s not my place to just do it. He was at Reno this year and like anyone who was there, is pretty shook up over the L29 crash in the Gold finals. That was by far the fastest crew this year and they were poised to take all the marbles.

Peter, I have no idea how it made it past the QC guys in the packing process, but at least there is a quick and easy fix for those who don’t want to start hacking on clear plastic. The resin parts are beautifully cast and with a dip into the Future, will be amazing. I’m surprised nobody in the modeling world has mentioned this yet. 🤬 There have been several dozen of these built, and it’ll fix the problem. The Infinity Vampire is a great looking kit. I watch one being built by a good friend, and he’s turning out a masterpiece.

Harald, having no time to build is what happens when you decide to fly Things Without Wings as a career…. 24/7/365 on call. Like a preacher, only a bit better paid.