Peterpools

Thanks Martin, much appreciated and my first official update tomorrow, especially if the 3D ejection seat.

Hubert What an amazing story behind your entry - absolutely incredible research and the CAD/3D conversion is on a whole new level. Looking forward to following your progress on this journey.

Getting Started Seems just like a lot of the guys, I’m all charged up about the Sandbox GB and am planning at least two builds with the first being the brand new Special Hobby 1/48 SMB2 Super Mystere; IAI Sa’ar. Build plan is for an IAI Sa’ar of No. 105 Scorpion Sqn, Hatzor, Israel early 1970s. Around 2 AM on the September 1st, I cracked open the kit and had a good look. Beautifully molded as the Sa’ar showed all the signs of a Special Hobby limited run kit. I had also purchased the Eduard PE set but when I looked inside the kit box, there was a yellow CMK box, loaded with 3D printed detail parts – WOW! Since the kit was the High Tech version, a lot of the details in the Eduard set wouldn’t be needed and that’s fine. Remembering how delicate the 3D printed ejection seat was for the GWH A-10C (still waiting for its turn on the bench), I was beyond extra careful cutting the seat free of all the printing lines. OMG, the seat is beautiful and the detail is amazing. Earlier this afternoon, I finished building the ejection seat and was just blown away with the crisp and exquisite details. A number of parts as I looked through the 3D parts box will require some kit surgery to work into place but that’s to be expected. I reviewed both the kit instructions and Eduards instructions, so I have an idea of what goes where and when. Guess I’ve been more then spoiled after a steady diet of Quinta Sets and adding the Eduard PE cockpit details, just wasn’t as rewarding. The majority of the PE details are now in place using a combination of both CA and Micro Krystal Klear. Paints will be mostly MRP and I’m guessing that CA glues are needed for the 3D painted parts. Care needs to be taken as the IAI green for the Sa’ar is darker then the current cammo green and luckily my MRP Israeli Commo set contains both greens. More on that down the road. So far, I managed to soak all the frets in a few tubs of warm water and Dawn to remove the mold release agent I felt on them and with a clean bench, I’m off to the races. I’ve started on the front office and hopefully tomorrow will include the first of my build photos – just no time today to set up and do any photography.

Chris Awesome choice and you're first in with your 109. Will be following for the entire journey.

Thanks John for the info, much appreciated.

Chris Glad to help when I could and I learned a good deal as well from your build. I don't remember off hand but I think on my Tamiya 1/48 Tomcat was in the 300 plus range for all the stencil data and decals and it wore me out but you have to admit, when we look at our builds, the stencil data does add so much. Just wonder if the ground crew, maintenance handlers actually read it or have it memorized.

Finally was able to copy and past the GB Banner.

Rob Right now, I'm just inspired by the Cobras beautiful lines. Pooh's video build is surely proving a valuable resource in highlighting fit issues and construction tips and techniques. Always good to know what is around the corner and I'm glad you have a POA to deal with the fit issues, which I've seen on a few other MFH build projects. Can't wait to see you work your magic on painting the body shell the classic Cobra Colors.

John You just never know. Glad you switched to this cammo scheme as the underside finish is so different - almost the same as the RAF did in the early part of the war. Just curious as to the reason the Luftwaffe went with the split underside paint cammo.

Chris Thank you so much for the very kind words and compliments on the Big Cat. A fun build and my second Tamiya Tomcat - I still have a one more Tamiya F-14 in the stash and hopefully I'll be building it this coming year.

Chris Absolutely an incredible build and journey and I am so glad I was on board from day. Simply a stellar build and so glad you stayed the course with all the research, corrections and the zillions of stencils the Big F4 is noted for. Awesome work and she surely is a gem. You absolutely tamed the Tiger! 🏆🏆🏆

Mike These are the comments I just posted on your build thread: Congratulations on not only crossing the finish line before the stoke of twelve but the Big Sikorsky looks incredible - what a build. WOW! I was on board for the entire journey and you certainly had a mountain of roadblocks to overcome. The results speak for themselves - simply a stellar build. Surely looks as if all the finger crossing paid off in the end when the masks were removed. I thoroughly enjoyed being onboard, start to finish. Beautiful work and a build worthy of Queen of your Display Case. 🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆

PW Some mighty fine work on a poorly manufactured kit. I'm right with the guys: a build so very well done and all the obstacles overcome. And not to mention, the Jaguar crossed the finish line under the gun. 🏆

PW Looking at the photographs, you looked the Jaguar square in the teeth and won the battle. Agreed, a poor kit but the results, at least from my end surely show the kit be built by a talented modeler. 🏆

Mike Congratulations on not only crossing the finish line before the stoke of twelve but the Big Sikorsky looks incredible - what a build. WOW! I was on board for the entire journey and you certainly had a mountain of roadblocks to overcome. The results speak for themselves - simply a stellar build. Surely looks as if all the finger crossing paid off in the end when the masks were removed. I thoroughly enjoyed being onboard, start to finish. Beautiful work and a build worthy of Queen of your Display Case. 🏆🥇🏆🥇🏆

John Nice progress on #3 and the unique underside split scheme is so very different. Looking mighty good

Carl Amazing - a whole new world - I'm mighty jealous as time and technology has pretty much past my generation by.

I'm in with two projects: First on the bench: the new SH 1/48 SMB@ IAI Sa'ar, 1970's four color cammo scheme Second build: Kinetic 1/48 IAI Nesher - four color cammo scheme Couldn't wait to start and about 2;30 AM, I finally opened the Sa'ar kit and dove in and step one is a good soak in warm water and Dawn over night (or what was left of it) to remove the mold release agent.

Thank You Mike for the very kind comments on my Spitfire build. I think she crossed the finish line in early August and is waiting for me to add the last two shelves to my glass display cabinet for a home on the 32nd scale Spitfire shelf. After that, the display case will be full, as I have a good eight models in plastic containers waiting also for a permanent home. Over the years painting has become my favorite part of any build as it has always been to me the most creative part of a project.

Thanks Chris, so very much appreciate your kind comments on my Spit. Just a pleasure to build and if I remember correctly, only AM was a Quinta Cockpit Set, Barracuda resin wheels to replace the kit rubber tires and Eaglecal decals which gave me fits. I used mostly the kit decals with no issues at all. Just love those Tamiya Spitfires.

PW, thank you for the compliments on my air brush and paint work - it's my favorite part of any build.

Chris Never thought of that but I guess the official 9/1/24 is where Martin lives: Toronto, Canada.⏱️

All we need now is for Martin to give the official go!

PW I'm just waiting for the official start: bench is cleaned, ready and I'm ready to run,

Does the Sandbox GB start tomorrow or am I jumping the gun?