Peterpools

Hubert, much appreciated and thank you for correcting me. Does make sense seeing where they are located and I'm staying the course. Also, I went back and corrected my description.

Phil, thanks and much appreciated. I thought the same and after jumping in with both feet, it became apparent, the kit is a test of will and a load of frustration. I can understand and appreciate all the issues and problems in producing a limited run kit but to go the route of full color instructions on glossy paper and then fall down in the "help" department causes all sorts of frustrations. I know if I put it down and started a second build to work on together, it will be mighty hard to find the energy to keep plugging away. So, I'm sticking to the plan and staying the course.

Tom Right with Hubert, front and center for the journey.

FRUSTRATIONS HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED Other then the usual placement and Cartograf decal issues (which SH had no control over), the fuselage and front office weren’t bad at all. THE WINGS – HERE WE GO! No real issues with the upper half, as small spar pieces glued in easily as well as the oil coolers – just be careful with the placement of parts E7 & E8, as the instructions aren’t that clear. I wanted to keep going on my light weathering and highlighted all the details with either Tamiya Dark Brown PLW or Ammo by Mig PLW Stone Grey and Tamiya Black. Oil Coolers were highlighted with Tamiya Black PLW. Look and feel of an in-use aircraft came through just fine. The Lower Wing: OUCH! First issue is the dive brake assembly inside the wing (at least I think that’s what they are) – actually figuring out how a few of the parts actually fit wasn’t clear nor easy. The dive brakes (radiator exhaust flaps Thanks Hubert for the correction of what they flaps actually are) themselves will be left slightly open, so I weathered all the internal details on them just to be on the safe side. Pretty much a waste of time as not much will be seen. THE LANDING GEAR HOUSING: OMG HORRENDOUS!!! I don’t even know where to start. Bulkhead assemblies are ok – just take your time. Now try and fit them into the actual landing gear housing – good luck … nothing fits as the instructions lead you to believe. I jumped over to the CAD drawings and between them – pure fantasyland. Neither matches the other and they don’t match the actual parts. I looked at loads of build photographs, photographs of the actual aircraft and more then a few times had the Whirlwind making a reservation for the SOD. How John finish his Helldiver and Ernie keeps making progress on his by leaps and bounds just amazes me. The issue isn’t the fact the Whirlwind is a limited production kit with molding issues, which are bound to happen. The issue is the instructions, they are TERRIBLE and at this point they should be the foundation of my build and proved to be inaccurate, unreliable and of no help; a mojo killer if there ever was one. They look great, awesome color and nicely presented but the needed information at least as I needed to move forward, just wasn’t there or hidden where I couldn’t find it. Mold making and design are the costliest portion of producing a kit but the instructions, especially on this style of kit need to be accurate and present the assembly information in a clear an easy to follow manor, where there is no doubt on how parts and assemblies go together. I’m still knee deep, working on the entire gear assembly … fingers crossed. Test fitting the wings to the fuselage - a pretty good fit. The bottom of the radiator exhaust bay, is a separate piece and figuring out how it actually fits and blends in seems easy after the fact. Started sanding the fuselage seams The Main Gear bays/nacelles - the upper left nacelle has the forward and read bulkheads glues in. I'm not sure if I have them actually in the correct orientation as I needed to do some cutting and sanding to get them in place. I'll be reinforcing them as they will be carrying the weight the model and right now, I do not have much faith in their integrity. Yes, I number and letter parts after removing them from the frets, so I know which is what. Gear doors, radiator exhaust doors, the other front and rear gear bulkheads, front office floor which will be glued to the upper wing.

John Brilliant solution to the wind fold issue .. maybe some AM company should do a 3D printing of the wing fold mechanism but of course, not a copy of Tamiya's.

Harald Nice work on detail painting

Thanks Kev Just a beauty of an airplane - a real princess.

Thanks for the heads up on Tamiya Air brush Cleaner - will be giving it a try.

Rob Holy Cow what a build and you surely didn't hold anything back on your re-entry in modeling. No question you advanced all the troops, and the Corsair looks fantastic. It took me quite a while to embrace digital photography as basically a film shooter from the mid fifties finding a new home with digital.

Mark Outstanding work ... looking fantastic

Thanks Mark, very much appreciated. I'm trying to cary the weathering somewhat on the exterior, just need to see how it goes.

Photos look fine on my end

Paul Absolutely a ton of credit needs to be given to Ernie for the brilliant work he is doing and to John for actually finishing his Helldiver. Yes, Monogram did make a Helldiver and a pretty good kit.

Thanks Rob, very much appreciated. The Cartograf decal issues are still a mystery and yes, a small hair dryer would have helped soften the decals and made installation much easier. By the time I ran across the Kit World IP, I already was far enough along to keep going with the kit decals and finish up the install. I did think that two early style 3D IP's was a bit pricy at $19.99, especially when nothing else comes with the small sheet - no placards or seat belts and if they would have been included, it would have been a worthwhile purchase and I would have gone for it. Also, why two IP's if both are for the early version? Even the seatbelt set I bought was a bit pricy for what was supplied and NO instructions at all. My brother is an awesome race car modeler and on his side of the modeling fence, there has also been discussion about Cartograf decals as of late. The thought might be with the supply chain for everything being hard pressed and always running short these days, Cartograf might have changed the carrier film they are using. It's only a guess on their part but could be an answer.

Gaz I see what you mean with the speckly look. The seat fabric needs a bit more uniformity in the finish and all will be fine.

Fran One mighty fine build ... fit and finish is top notch.

Ernie Unbelievable how poorly Infinity missed the marked on the details. By the time you are done, except for the outer skin, you've rebuilt and scratch built the entire interior. A massive amount of work and my money is riding on you.

Thanks Kev Glad you're on board and so far, the kit is about what I expected and no major issues at all

Gaz Congrats on your first sale. The amount doesn't matter as you made the sale and the best way to thin out the models that are giving up shelf space for newer builds. Thanks for sharing your shipping method - lots of work but surely safe and sound

Thanks Gaz So very much appreciated.

Some mighty good news

Rest in Peace as you Fly West

Carl Agreed, the extra work on the front office does look good and well worth the time and effort. What I always wonder, is why add all the extra details and spend the time on details that will never be seen when the model is closed up?

Thanks Paul, very much appreciated.

Hubert, very much appreciated