1to1scale

Jebus criminy!

Right now my bench is a sea of little parts being prepped for painting, bombs, oxygen bottles, radios, etc. Believe it or not, I have been cleaning the bench all week, slowly organizing stuff.

Unfortunately, I have had to un-do some of my earlier work. As I got better reference material, I learned that a few of my guesses were wrong, and few were right. It is exceptionally hard to pinpoint the correct interior arrangements, as things varied between build locations. Some B-24's had the Navigator's/radio station set up on the left versus right side, some had the radio station set up behind the wing over the bomb bay, I even found one pic that showed the radio gear forward of the cockpit. Most of my new info is from one particular aircraft, B-24J-FO (Willow Run, 90% original and unrestored), although the kit seems to be a B-24J-CO (San Diego), with possibly a Ford nose section, or most likely a VERY late J built in San Diego. It would not be too hard to make this kit an earlier J bu re-locating the nose gear doors. Although, its true what they say about "consolidated mess" as its VERY hard to say anything is right or wrong on these. My solution is that I am making a fictional aircraft of the Jolly Rogers Pacific squadron. I am making my own nose art and using my wife's name.

Not very motivational if you were a German back then.

Dennis, I have found some, unfortunately, my iPad has been down for repair for nearly a month and I can't post them. Send me your email or phone # via PM, ill either text or email them to you.

I have gotten frustrated with the crappy fit of the P-40's, which is odd among so many other Hasegawa with excellent fit. I am coming to a break in the B-24, waiting for the airscale panel and a few other bits. This is also the point in the build where you start assembling and detailing all the tedious little parts like oxygen bottles, bombs, radios, etc.

On my bench? Hobby Boss B-24J, working a few hours a day on this. 2 x Hasegawa P-40E, fuselage assembled, taking a rest from sanding. 2 x Hasegawa P-40K fuselage assembled, taking a rest from sanding. 2 x Hasegawa P-40N fuselage assembled, taking a rest from sanding. Hasegawa P-40L fuselage assembled, taking a rest from sanding. Trumpeter P-40F built cockpit (low priority) Wessex HC.5, floors and bulkheads assembled, sanding fuselage pieces to fit. (low priority) Hasegawa A6M5c, started painting components. (low priority)

I guess, looking at these photos, its probably pretty easy to make my own masks for the "35" numbers, the rest seem pretty standard USAF decals.

Small update. Spent a lot of time doing research on the radios, oxygen systems, lighting, and wiring on the aircraft. I also started cleaning up the 16 various Oxygen bottles and 14 misc radios I ordered from Resin2Detail. Next step is to start detailing them.

my other option is to buy an old Hasegawa kit, but its a lot of money to buy a kit for decals that are probably too old.

Thank you for the offer Martin, but those appear to be Navy, I am specifically looking for the USAF version. I really do appreciate the offer though!

I am trying to turn my HK F-5E into an aggressor aircraft, but have not had any luck finding decals. I thought TwoBobs made a sheet once but cant find anything on their website. Anyone know of where I can get a sheet, or a partial sheet? I am looking for a USAF 3-blue scheme single seat aircraft, any help would be appreciated. If not available,

I was able to get mine to polish up, however, i ran a few experiments, you cannot get the clear to join and make the seam disappear. I tried several different solvents. My solution is going to be Vac-u-form some new transparencies with an old Mattel machine. I'm doing experiments on if I can get a whole turret, or if I will need to glue them at seam lines, since the rear turrets had several clear sections, it might be easier.

inspiring, you make me want to dig mine out of the stash and build an FAA bird.

Hey, Ernie, the local IMPS running the show in Chattanooga are asking if anyone is interested in sponsoring trophies, they are $85 for sponsor packages. Do you think that makes sense for LSM? I was there last weekend for the winter show, word is, they are booking the whole convention center, this is going to be a real big one! They have booked over 40 vendors already.

Ha Ha...very true. I think I need to retract that statement I made. I just dont know, but if you look at this picture, this was from a period B-24, notice it has nice smooth seat cushions.

The best I could tell, the crew did not wear their parachutes while flying, every picture other that pre-D models, showed a padded seat. I believe that they kept them nearby, but the tight quarters and long missions, it was better for them to not wear their chutes. I could be wrong, but I think they had to grab them and put them on while leaving the aircraft.

I have been busy. I have started scratch building the Navigator's compartment. After removing most of the structure from the cockpit bulkhead, I rebuilt the framework with evergreen strips. I added the plywood square behind the pilot for mounting portable oxygen bottles on, as well as the sructure to support the navigator's radio table ( I still need to add the left, folding, table leg. I built the (I assume) conduit channels on either side, made a small pedestal for the radio under the table, and I added more details above the bomb bay.

If anyone wants to trade a Helldiver for a B-24J, let me know, I have a spare!

Thank you! I ordered a set of these engines myself.

Wow, i am jealous you have one of these. I have wanted one for a while, but the flaps scared me at first, but now I am thinking I might be able to tackle them. Have you tried "Flexy" CA glue? They make a formula for PE and one for Resin, it stays slightly flexible, so it does not dry out and become brittle. https://www.michtoy.com/item-VMS-CM01-PE-FLEXY_5K_CA_Glue_for_Photo_Etched_25ml.html https://youtu.be/dSNKh3rFTSA

I have much more planned for this kit, it has evolved from an out of box build to a Nationals contest entry. Right now I am waiting for some resin Radios and oxygen bottles, looking for lead foil to do the canvas curtains inside. I will be lighting the inside (no spinning props or sound. I also hope the Airscale IP will be available soon! I got to see the Lanc IP in person, and it wonderful! Airscale has Yahu and Eduard beat for detailed realistic IP's.

My new years resolution is to finish these: 1. Finish all 8 P-40s (most are ready for primer). 2. Finish B-24J in time for Chattanooga in August. 3. Finish Decaling and assemble Wingnut Fokker D.VII. 4. Finish OOB build on already started but forgotten about Hasegawa P-47. New Builds planned in order, this year will be the year of Helos and BIG aircraft. I realize this is an aggressive list, but many are quick/easy builds like the 4 Helos, Sea Fury, and Meteor. On top these, I have a few Bandai 1/12 Star Wars figures, but these are usually 3 hour day builds, I can build a Stormtrooper in less than two hours now. Here is my Top ten in order: 1. MRC H-13 Rescue Helo with Resin floats. 2. Lodela/Revell Beaufighter TF.X with thimble nose and a full scratched interior. 3. HK Gloster Meteor F.4 OOB build as Saudi 4. Tamiya F-4C/D Phantom II OOB as MICHIGAN ANG 5. Revell Junkers Ju 88A-1 OOB as BOB plane 6. Testors H-43B Huskie USAF SAR 7. Trumpeter MiG-21MF Fishbed-J as OOB Polish 8. Glencoe McDonnell XV-1 Convertiplane OOB, possible foil or Alclad polished alum or chrome 7. Hobbycraft Hawker Sea Fury w/Fisher cockpit, built as RAAN 8. Dragon Bf110D-1/R1 "Dackelbauch" OOB 9. Mikoyan MiG-17PF Fresco as Polish with full load of every bit of AM available.10. Revell UH-1 Huey built as Canadian SAR Of course..........any of this is subject to change on a whim.

So quick answer, its possible based on production.

Here is a timeline of 109 Models.