lawman56

After three mind numbing weeks, I finally got my Albatros radiator finished. This is part of the PE set from HGW, and is fantastic! The actuator rod actually opens and closes the louvres. Here it is mounted in the underside of the upper wing. I've given it a base coat fo Model Master Steel. And to keep from losing my mind entirely, I hand carved 5 props out of small pieces of laminate glued together. I've numbered them, since I can't decide which one I like best. I figured I'd post them and see what you guys think. Now the rest of the assembly will be easy. At least until it's time to run rigging!

I love your reviews, Nigel. They're in layman terms and specifically address all the areas that had been criticized. I was looking at this kit not too long ago, and was skeptical. Now I see the "major issues", (so to speak), and know they are simple to overcome.

Absolutely stunning! The figures look fantastic! It's almost as if the one is telling the other to "quit being such a baby, and get back in there..."

Molto bello! I've been starting to develop a desire to build more Italian equipment. I've already started with a G50 Freccia, and have been looking at a Sahariana as my first land vehicle. Can't wait to see this painted up!

Thanks Matt, I'm surprised nobody has made a resin replacement yet. I do see what you meant though. I promised myself to just work with what I have. Hopefully I'll listen to myself....

New toy! Doogs, when you can, let me know what you meant about the cockpit being disappointing. Was it hard to work with, or just the fact that it's so spartan?

I have the same problem, which is exactly why I chose something I know nothing about!

In an attempt to "decompress" my brain somewhat, I decided to build something I know next to nothing about, so I just ordered the Special Hobby Fiat G50 Freccia. It will be a straight OOB build, with one exception. I'll be adding the CMK weighted wheels. Mostly because an aircraft on unweighted wheels, (to me anyhow), looks like it's sitting on balloons, and since I can't seem to make kit wheels look weighted worth a crap, figured it was worth adding them. That being said, I know little to nothing about the Regia Aeronautica, except they had some interesting aircraft, and were quite good considering. I figure deciding on, and recreating those mind numbing paint schemes will be enough to keep my brain busy. Besides, I have a penchant for the odd and unusual, so this will fit the bill perfect. Anyone else ever do this?

Here's a few more pics to show where I'm at. It's getting closer, and I'm hoping to start the rigging in another week or so. Overhead of the cockpit. Nothing special really. It amazes me at the simplicity of the flight controls. Mounted the engine, covers and twin Spandaus. The white dust is from another project I was sanding. One of the major drawbacks to ANYTHING painted black! And an overhead of most of the bird. You can see in the back, I have the landing gear assembled, but don't dare mount them until I'm done ham-fisting the plane. Very fragile little guys! Still working on some of the detail stuff, mostly the lower radiator on the upper wing. I'm trying to do the PE one with the louvres, but those slats are a mind-numbing, eye-crossing nightmare . If worse comes to worse, I'll combine the PE with the kit parts and save what little sanity I have left! As always, thanks for looking!

I was semi-smart and am cutting my rigging teeth on a D.v Hopefully, I'll have all but the rigging done in another week or so. I swear, the DH.2 and FE.2b look like they ran through a spider web!

Looking very, very good. Can't wait to see how the UN white comes out. Interesting color scheme, and not one you see done often

Nice Huey! Boy does it bring back memories! I was in when Ft. Bragg finally phased them out in favor of the UH-60. I miss the distinct sound of those blades! Camp Mackall still has one as a gate guard, but it's an earlier model. I pass it 2-3 times a week. We always tell people to "turn at the Huey on a stick..."

Or try to nail anything at 10psi!

Fantastic work! I love the contrast of the yellow wires, looks great!

I won't hazard a guess, but only because I'll buy it regardless! I was taking an "armor hiatus", if you will, but these newly released WWI stuff has got me itching to build noisy, tracked thingys!!

Not sure how to remove future, but if anyone figures out how to remove the past, let me know!

Finally got to throw some paint on my D.V. Felt good to be working on it again after this protracted winter. As you can see, I've got the wings and fuselage covered. Now it's on to the spars and some detail work!

I'm all for it. I love to see the craftsmanship of other modellers, and shipbuilders are some of the best!

Paul is absolutely right on this. The only time I know of it even remotely working, is if the painted surface is to the outside of the seam. That being said, however, since thin cement works using capillary action to create a chemical weld, (think arc or even mig welding), it leads to another issue. By doing that, the cement will weld the plastic, but raise a bead of melted plastic mixed with paint on the other side of the seam, which will have to be sanded, scraped, or removed somehow. This creates the potential to remove a contour, leave gouges or even small holes, which will have to be addressed prior to repainting. Btw-guess how I know this......

Utterly beautiful! Maybe someday,( probably after they up my brain meds ), I'll attempt to scratchbuild something that I can't find commercially Until I then, I'll just drool over my keyboard at the fantastic work you guys do and share with us!

Looks good Ralph! Glad to see another HO railroader amongst us! Sadly, my layout was torn down last year, but only so I could re-model my garage and incorporate a new one. It will be 12 x 16, running around the walls, with an open center. I plan to build display cases under the benchwork, so I can have a safe place for my 2 behemoths. I have to say, the skill set required for model railroading has helped me tremendously in my model building, and vice versa. I bet you're finding out the same. Oh, and for the record, I have an old Army buddy that lives out your way. He's a Cherokee County Deputy.

Fantastic work! Thanks for sharing this with us, and I look forward to your next project!

That's what makes the US Army so great. When you say M1, ya gotta specify, could be an Abrams tank, Garand, Carbine, Thompson, etc.... Glad that crap stopped when they changed the M1A to M2 once it was fielded, (or there about, anyway). Of course, M2 could also mean Ma Duece...... I never got to play with a military version of the M14. So it was select fire? Interesting, I always thought it was semi, like the Garand. I carried an M16A1 with M203 attached, and an M1911A1, (replaced in 1989, sadly, by the M9), when I was an MP. I did get to use the M60, M2HB, and M12 shotgun. For the record, "bayonet" is a misnomer for that shotgun. It should be called a dirk or short sword!

Dave, The M1 Carbine has one of the smoothest actions of any weapon I've ever fired, and I've fired quite a few weapons in my life. Accuracy is superb. Extremely low recoil, as well. Almost non-existent. If you ever get the chance to, fire one! Ironically, when the US Army switched service rifles after WWII, they entered the Korean War fielding the M1A, (or M2 Carbine). Same as the M1, except select fire, giving it the ability to shoot semi, or fully automatic. Needing a harder hitting weapon, they replaced the M1A/M2 with the M14. The M14, is essentially a larger caliber version, (7.62mm or .308 cal) of the M1. Of course, we all know they changed their minds again, and went from the M14 to the M16/M4 family. Now the M14 is making a comeback and being used in the field again. Especially by the Marines. The US government, indecisive as ever.....lol!

First, sorry it took me so long to post this, but between work & family, I seemed to be lacking time. Anyway, here it is, my pride and joy: My M1 Carbine, manufactured by the Underwood corporation in April of 1944. Here's the Technical Bulletin that was issued with the rifle. Only thing I'm lacking, is the M4 bayonet. Maybe someday. I do know that my grandfather carried this rifle in WWII, and landed in Normandy on D+1. He grew up in a German speaking neighborhood in New York City, so he became an interpreter for Army Intelligence. I'm not sure if the TB came with this particular rifle, or if he picked it up later. He was an avid gun collector, both before and after the war, so either is possible. Upon his death in 1984, this was one of 3 guns willed to me, and the only one with historical value. As you can see, I keep it maintained to a high standard, and still shoot it quite regularly. I do know that he replaced the flip type aperture sight with a graduated ramp style towards the end of the war, just prior to his return. Some sort of deal he struck with a supply guy and involving a Luger. If, at any time, anyone would like better pics as reference, let me know. I'd be more than happy!