Peterpools

Thanks Kev It's been a challenge up to this point but I'm determined to finish the build Keep 'em comin Peter

Martin Much appreciated and the video -- holy cow - fantastic Keep 'em comin Peter

Ordered mine earlier today and now the waiting starts. Keep 'em comin Peter

John Sure did last night and lets just say the fit isn't the greatest. Keep 'em comin Peter

TAMIYA P-47D RAZERBACK 1/72 SCALE Yup, 1/72nd scale. I’ve always enjoyed an alternating diet of 1/32nd, 1/48th and 1/72nd scales and it seems the perfect medicine to keep the juices flowing, especially when the KH P-39 bogs me down. A few weeks back I cruised through my simple stash and low and behold, there were nearly equal number of kits in all three scales. Now ain’t that something. You just can’t go wrong with a Tamiya kit regardless of scale and the P-47 is no exception. Cockpit detail is wonderful and only required the addition of a nice set of Kit World 3D seatbelts and harnesses not included in the kit. I decided to use an AM set of decals for the 56FS. That’s it, OOB the rest of the way. I should have taken a few front office pics but I plain old forgot, so the build thread starts with the fuselage buttoned up and the wings ready to be glued in place – right now they are just resting in place on the spar. Fuselage: Cockpit detailing is superb and with the addition of the Kit World seat belt set, it’s busy enough for me. Jugs were spec out to have the cockpits painted in Bronze Green or Dark Dull Green, not Interior Green, so I went with Mig Dark Dull Green and which to my eyes might have just a hint too much of blue but no biggie. Details were highlighted with a pin wash of Tamiya Black Panel Wash, lightly dry brushed and I’m more then happy with the front office. Fit of all the fuselage parts was typical Tamiya, nearly perfect. Wings: Tops and bottoms fit is spot on but there are a few small issues to deal with – Nav lights The nav lights didn’t fit at all and most likely my fault, as they are TINY and cutting them from the fret and removing the sprue gate is a tough act for me. I most likely went too far with the file work, which didn’t help the size or shape. I glued them in place with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement and when dry filled in the gaps, corrected the fit and shape with extra thin CCA. After an hour or so to let the CCA, I sanded and polished the Nav lights and they do look good. I’ll apply the red and green clear paint at the end of the build. Right now, there isn’t any way I can drill out the lenses and drop in some paint for the colored bulbs – just too small for me to handle. Gun Port Covers: Four 50 Cal in each wing and the leading edge cover fit wasn’t great, requiring some sanding and a bit of filler. Most manufacturers seem to have troubles with this part – I have no reason why that seems to be. I scribed a few panel lines that were lost to sanding and now the wings are ready to be glued into place and walla, that’s where I’m at. Sweet and totally enjoyable – just what the doctor ordered. Thanks for checking in Peter

PLUGGING AWAY I have to admit this isn’t the most fun build but I’m staying the course and going at a pace that holds both the frustration level and “Cuss Level” down to a minimum. When the P-39 reaches the ‘Oh No Level", I just put the kit to one side of the bench and take a few days break. Rather than do keep my distance from modeling, I decided to fill the modeling gaps with an enjoyable and fun project: Tamiya’s 1/72 P-47D Razorback. I work on it for a few days and then when the juices are flowing again, it’s back to the P-39. Fuselage Halves The front office side walls have been air brushed with Mig Interior Green and all the remaining PE I intended to use added as well. Since I decided to close up the engine access panels, I wasn’t sure how I would install the gorgeous Eduard resin exhausts. What I finally decided to do next build session, glue the resin exhausts to the inside fuselage walls, remove the engine and move on. The small upper deck with its gear that sits above the engine has also been completed and ready to be installed. Nose gear Assemblies Working my way forward, it was time to start working on the nose gear and then prop/hub assemblies. The nose gear wheel well went together with no issues, painted interior green and the details highlighted with a Tamiya Black Pin Wash. An extra bonus of MIG paints is they dry with a nice slight egg shell skin nearly the same as Mr Color, so applying washes saves some time and steps. The nose gear is over complicated, way too delicate (the retraction strut) and seems a fuss to install, which will be at the end of the build. Whoever designed the fret work had to be asleep at the switch. The main nose gear is a solid, one piece part which is a plus and then KH attaches the sprue gates smack dab on each side of the oleos, the worst possible place, just no thought here at all. Martin, thanks for pointing out I left out the armor glass behind the pilot but none is included – just the solid armor plate. I made one out of clear acetate and it’s now ready to be installed. Getting closer and closer to gluing the fuselage halves together and keep wondering much of John’s Cuss factor will be used? Thanks for checking in Peter The Allison is being re moved tonight and then I'm ready to close up the fuselage halves.

Hi John Still thinking it over and right now and I'm starting leaning towards following your led and extending the fuselage. Keep 'em comin Peter

Phil Good idea for a GB.s Keep ‘em comin Peter

Just can't tell the difference between the real deal and the kit. Your work is awesome Keep 'em comin Peter

Nice progress Keep 'em comin Peter

Gaz Great eye for catching the details and flaws that need to be corrected. The positive side of AM ... it's helps with all the corrections .. the negative side - cost. I guess it's a tradeoff that every builder needs to make somewhere during a build. I've been in the same boat in the past and sometimes it's a tough decision. Keep 'em comin Peter

Mike Looking fantastic - your decal work is simply flawless Keep 'em comin Peter

I've use Vallejo Plastic Putty same as John for such filling and it works great Keep 'em comin Peter

Cees It's still progress and a build step that needs to be done. Keep 'em comin Peter

Nice work around - problem solved! Keep 'em comin Peter

Carl Your modelling workshop is looking fantastic. Easily the payback for all the hard work will be a first class space to enjoy the hobby and relax. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Phil, have to try the putty - sounds very interesting Keep 'em coin Peter

Martin Right with Harv - looking forward to the resurrection P-38 build Keep 'em comin Peter

John Agreed but the a current kit shouldn't need that many replacement parts especially from a much older kit. I just wonder why ICM went so thin on the details and accuracy is certain areas. Keep 'em comin Peter

Kai For all the work and sweat you put into the Mirage, the amount of re-works seems mighty small and a testament to your patience and building skills. Looking forward to seeing the Mirage primed with no black re-do circles. Keep 'em comin Peter

Just went to KH facebook Page and the sad news is there that they and Panda are closing down. Never a good thing when we lose a model company. Keep 'em comin Peter

John Keep 'em comin Peter

Awesome work .. decaling is perfect. Keep 'em comin Peter

Thanks Kai I'm positive your cammo work will be top flight. I can't find any pics of the undersides except a few under construction pics - I used Mig FS36375. I love the IAF cammo scheme with the black and orange triangles ... can't wait to see your Mirage hit the paint shop Keep 'em comin Peter

Gaz Fit looks pretty nice and of course, most important of all; enjoy your granddaughter's fifth birthday Keep 'em comin Peter