Peterpools

Thanks Carl Very much appreciated.

THE INTERIOR ASSEMBLY PT1 Finally, I was able to crack open the box, checkout the kit and read through the instructions. Every fret is bagged separately, the glass being on two small frets, with one in a separate box and the other fret left loose in the box in between a few of the fret bags (?). I started noting the paint color omissions & errors and working at identifying the correct colors. I’ll be following the instruction sequence, as this is an OOB build (not any more with Oliver's pointing me in the right direction). Parts so far feel a bit greasy and a good portion required cleaning to remove the mold release agent. There is no customary painting reference guide, referencing any specific manufacture, which would be a plus for the builder. Not crazy how KH locates the painting and decal drawings guides throughout the instructions rather and would prefer they be separate sheets, easier to use during construction but in any case, they are awesome looking and all four views for each scheme are shown. Step 1 & 2 are dragging on. The instructions while initially seems to be fine, so far have been a huge letdown in orienting parts and what the actual assembly sequence should be. Holes and opening up slots in the cabin floor need to be drilled out, as I’m assuming KH is using the majority of the parts for each version and depending on the version being built, different holes will need to be opened up. Would be nice if they spec out the bit size but no biggie. KH completely missed one slot that needed to be opened up at this stage. Step 1: Right out of the gate, the hoist framing on the underside of the floor needs to have two walls added including the hoist, with the instructions showing the two side walls that hold the hoist need to be inserted into slots for positioning. Only problem is there are no slots in the floor, so the alignment guides needed to be removed and bottom of each part sanded flush. It became obvious right from the start, parts for each assembly are all over the place and on different frets; just not the best way of going about it, very much as Revell does – compare the price of each company's kits. Why KH couldn’t design the kit so that all or most of the parts for a particular assembly would be on the same fret is a puzzle to me, as compared to Tamiya or ZM who try to keep the needed parts for an assembly on the same fret. The Seahawk is a complicate kit with a lot of parts for each assembly and just demonstrates a lack of ‘engineering care’ right out of the gate. The instructions do have the complete fret/part drawings, which helps quite a bit. The instructions are really inadequate on part orientation, there are mold lines that need to be removed from every part and I don’t think KH understood what the term: “ good part fit” means. KH detailed the sides of parts that will most likely never be seen and the sides we easily would see though the glass and doors right now, could use some of that time and resources in adding details to them. They seemed to have made a lot of bad choices right from the start. Even something as simple as numbering the parts on the PE fret is wrong right out of the gate; part 1 is part 2 and part 2 is part 1! Note: Oliver just posted a link for 3D Printed AM Parts that might add the extra details and correct some of the kits errors. That would of course, mean, OOB as the build category would change but that's just fine. Yup, here's proof I'm actually working on the Seahawk Almost all the assemblies and parts are just being test fit and nothing has been glued to the floor yet. First of six seats to build and assemble. Lots of sanding dust needs to be cleaned and removed

Thanks Oliver, I just may and skip the idea of an OOB build and add some better details. Having an update coming up in a few and then I'll backtrack and see where and what to do. BTW, the 3D parts looks awesome.

Rob So glad all your new equipment finally arrived finally, making it through customs and the Infinity CR Plus Giraldez edition looks fantastic. I have two Infinity CR Plus air brushes, one with a .2 tip and the other with a .4 tip and they are my go-to air brushes for years. Thank you for reviewing all the changes H&S made to the CR Plus range - making a terrific air brush even better. Coupled with your new Sparmax compressor, you're set to Rock and Roll.

Kev Terrific rescue and one beautiful Mossie. SO very well done.

Kev Holy smokes - awesome progress on your Mossie. She looks so good painted, decals on and wearing her invasion stripes. beautiful work and rescue from the SOD.

Oliver Nothing like learning as you go and no question, brilliantly done. When you have the touch, it's magic 🏆

Kev Always awesome to see SOD builds back on the bench, finished and across the line. You Jug looks mighty good in her OD paint and best to get the windscreen on before any relatives of the carpet monster grab it again. I'm terrible with SOD stalled builds and a good portion make the turn towards the bin and never return, while there are a few I do need to revisit.

Thanks Kev So very much appreciated. We're hanging in there and hoping 🙏 I'm sure all will be well.

Kev Been slowly starting the build ... just so much going on these past few weeks ... and in a week, my wife has another hospital procedure. Bench time has been at the bottom of the list for a while but that will slowly change. There will be an update next week.

TP ... Glad you're board for the journey and hopefully the build will pick up some speed - just so much going on these past few weeks.

John Cammo looks mighty good.

Rob My Sparmax looks almost identical and it's been a gem. You're going to love it.

Scott Ebay just isn't what it once was for both sellers and buyers.

Rob These days, you just never know what causes paint and clear finish issues. Way to complicated as compared to years ago. Sorry to read your compressor 'bought the farm' but wow: 34 years of use - now that's something. Nothing made today seems to last that long. Which compressor did you purchase and of course, hopefully arrives quickly.

Scott Glad you did find the Fisher nose in your stash and have the G Factor gear. I never knew they even made a set for the Connie. There is a line I won't cross and most the prices on ebay are insane rip-offs.

Scott Nice collection for sure. My Connie Correction Set, if I remember correctly is the engines, nacelles and maybe the props. It's been so long since I looked in the small box. I've been wanting to build the 049 Connie for a very long time, just can't seem to pull the trigger. I have a gorgeous set of Eastern Air Line decals as well as for the project.

Hubert I'm still 'dancing on the ceiling' when my TBD arrived - it's been a very long wait. I decided I won't be starting it until Peter's (AirScale) sets are on my bench - the PE cockpit set and the 3D printed details as well. Then I clear the bench and its Devastator. No question in my mind, I'm going pre-war, Yellow Wings. Looking forward to your build after the Cutlass.

Kriss nice start and going to be an interesting build to follow. I completely agree, the 3D printing is going to be the future of the hobby but that's going to be a way down the road for sure.

Gus Awesome start on the A-6E Tram. Just love'em for sure. Being a Grumman and Republic guy (growing up and living on Long Island since 1956), their aircraft are tops on my list. I've seen the A-6E just once on the assembly line at Calverton but never flying overhead. Will be following with great interest. I'm a huge fan of Quinta cockpit sets and have grown to appreciate the seatbelt sets they include, which are an extra added bonus, as for example, Red Fox doesn't include them with their excellent sets. I've also struggle with paper and PE belts and prefer the Quinta offering.

Thanks Tim Glad you're on board and just being the Oliver's and Pete's company is a incredible compliment. of course, when it comes to building skills and talent, I lag miles behind. r

Built the Sea Fury and loved the kit - needed a bit of Paul's help to sort out some miss-matching parts. I do have Paul's update set for the Heller Connie and would love to build it one day. The Fisher Sea Fury is the Center Piece of my Display Case.

Amazing work John. Looking so good.

How right you are 👍

John Even for your normal speed, your progress is incredible. Air's office looks mighty good and the fuselage is perfect. prop and spinner are spot on and the spiral -perfect for sure.🏆