Peterpools

FG-1D Corsair HQSS-2 le Shima June 1945 “Skipper's Orchid" After starting the F4B-4 and waiting for the Lone Star cockpit resin set to arrive, as luck would have it, a few days after it was delivered, Diane and I were off to glorious Bar Harbor, Maine for two weeks of vacation and photography: what a fantastic fantastic vacation. Since coming home, I managed to banged up my knee and with each passing day, I'm feeling better and getting around like my old self. Of course a few days after injuring my knee, I cracked a posted and crown and it needed to be that taken care of – oh what fun and what a run! Finally I managed sit at the bench and get to work on the little Boeing and my run of bad luck (rats) continued to stick with me. After grinding off all the cockpit interior detail, I opened up the resin set and was very disappointed in the quality of the castings. Back in the box everything went and I'll be buying an other F4B down the road and giving it another try but going with bits and pieces to detail the cockpit the next time. I needed a major mojo injection and after discussing my happenings with John B plus following John's Corsair build, I ordered a Corsair F4U-1D (I've already built Tamiya's Birdcage and what a kit it was) and insanely tracked my order's progress until she arrived on time. Finally back at the bench. As most of my builds, I'm going pretty much Out of the Box with the following AM to enhance the Big Guy: Eduard Resin Wheel set – just not a fan of vinyl/rubber tires Eduard PE Seatbelt Set Cutting Edge Decals – allowing a Gloss Navy Blue finish as a FG-1D Barracuda Cockpit Stencil and Decals set. Paints: Mr Color #14 Navy Blue for the exterior gloss finish – looks perfect to these old eyes Vallejo Model Air for the Interior Green The National Naval Aviation Museum Corsair will be my basic guide for colors (seems Tamiya had used this restored aircraft as well). http://www.navalaviationmuseum..org/nnam/virtualtour/?s=pano690 Following the instructions I went to work on the front office correcting a few colors here and there and even weathering – now for me, ain't that something! Photos show the side consoles to be black with the right hand side a semi gloss black, the side walls above the consoles flat black and so it is. I loosely followed Tamiya's painting instructions and combined the NAM's panoramic photo plus Barracuda's color instructions as well. I spent a good two week plus of bench time on the front office with a lot of time devoted to applying the zillions of Barracuda stencils and placards; not all but a whole lot of those little devils. Just nothing like a Tamiya kit to get the juices flowing and finally they are flowing! Next up the front office glare panel and details and cockpit side wall details. Thanks for checking in Peter

Ernie Not sure but I'll check over the weekend. The two newest F4 have fixes and updates as well. One thing, pound for pound the ZM F4's just are heads and tails ahead of every other 48th scale Toon and looking at the kits, I think way too much is made of this issue. Peter

Ernie Followed every build update back in the day. Fantastic work then and fantastic work now Peter

Martin Awesome for sure Keep ‘em comin Peter

Thanks Guys. Finally an update this weekend and feeling much, much better Peter

Hard enough fitting those kits under the tree but imagine trying get the Jeep under the tree as well Peter

Ernie Right on the money. I’ve been following Carl’s double B-25 builds and they are amazing. Peter

Nice start on the cammo - looking spot on Keep ‘em comin Peter

Pete Beautiful work - a tremendous build Peter

Cees Nice work on the bomb bay area Keep ‘em comin Peter

Hang in there Buddy, as Ive been treading the same waters: start ‘em and then the juices go south. I’ve lost track on how many starts this year and have vowed it’s time for a stiff drink, a kick in the butt, buckle down and get someting finished since my Tamiya 48th scale Tomcat - seems so long a go. Discussed this with John and low and behold a Tamiya F4U-1D is on the bench. It broke open the dam and I’m back building and enjoying - update this week. Just think FUN and NO STRESS. Grab another T-28 or Tamiya kit and dive in. It’s what the doc ordered Peter

I have every ZM F4 and kit for kit, they blow the competion out of the water. ZM has gone back and corrected a numbrr of isdues on their two newly re-released Toons. Yup, not perfect but pound for pound the cream of the crop. Peter

Back from our Bar Harbor, Maine vacation. What can I say: beyond gorgeous! Peter

Gaz You got me thinking and pondering - then Ernie’s gentle seed of inspiration. I’m starting to think: RESIN - OMG ... control, control. Peter

Ernie Mission accomplished Now just to be licky enough to find the HPH epoxy and not be a a day late and a dollar short Peter

Tom Terrific start on the Typhoon, looking so good. Will be following with great interest as you work your way through this gem. I wonder why Airfix never continued with another 24th scale WWII aircraft kit of such detail. Keep ‘em comin Peter

Carl Congratulations Peter

James Terrific progress on the assemblies and Peter’s IP set looks brilliant Keep ‘em comin Peter

Nice work on the front office Keep ‘em comin Peter

Ade Fingrrs crossed Trumpeter comes through for you - Keep ‘em comin Peter

Martin Perfect photo for sure Keep ‘em comin Peter

Cees WOW, amazing work - just keep this build going - so much for us to learn and appreciate Keep ‘em comin Peter

John Nice work on the Vector Front Office - sure is looking mighty good. Any luck and I’ll finally be taking some photos of my Corsair cockpit tonight, as I’ve made enough progress to show the build is underway. Keep ‘em comin Peter

Pete The Mossie looks fantastic and my money is on you making the deadline fir the contest Keep ‘em comin Peter

OMG, I don't start hinting until after Thanksgiving. Peter