TJTX

Here's a better look at a few of the goodies. 3D Chute landing gear, MCC seat and canopy rail, reskit drop tanks, Kopecky intake and exhaust plugs, and the masks and decals from RedDog models. So ready to get to building just waiting on tools and paint and I need to finish rebuilding my airbrushing setup.

Just a few more things left to gather. It's a lot of work building a bench and airbrush area from scratch again. I had gotten rid everything from my former building.

Came home from my trip to more goodies. My landing gear showed up from 3D Chute and it's amazing! Also, all markings arrived from Oliver at Red Dog models. Oliver is amazing to work with and his stuff is absolutely beautiful! I know who I'll be reaching out to for my F-18 project.

Thank you!

Anyone know which specific AIM 9 and AIM 120 those are? Like to order some new ones from ResKit.

And that's the loadout it's gonna have. I like the slightly offset load with training pods as well. Bandit Resin is working on those for me. I have a few more weeks of building christmas decorations for the wife on my intermittent days off and then I look forward to diving in full speed. I'm having to restart from scratch so it is taking time to remember what I need and thinking about which way to go on paints. Leaning towards MRP this go around.

That's a really cool project and it's looking great.

Hello! It's been a minute since I've done this (4 years). I'm excited to get back into building and visiting with old friends. I've thought long and hard about where I'm going to start and ended up settling on Tamiya's F-16. It's one of the most enjoyable kits I've built, impressive but not too big. And most importantly, it's got some great paint choices. I've decided on a BDU aggressor scheme out of Alaska. Martin was incredibly kind and sold me a kit to start with. Then I started tracking down some goodies. Quinta interior, Quinta reinforcement plates, MCC ejection seat and canopy rail. Reskit drop tanks and most likely missiles too. Eduard paint masks and decal masks from Red Dog models. I'll probably still end up ordering DN model paint masks as well. There's exhaust cover is coming from BNA model world too. My goal is to have this built and ready as my model for 2026 Nationals. Happy to be back and to start building soon, just need to track down all my building supplies again. Also, a new work bench.

Hello! I'm not brand new but I have been gone for a few years. Life runs it's course, ups downs, twist and turns. I found myself in a bit of a bad place mentally and after a very good visit from a very good friend I was reminded how much I missed this place and this hobby. I am in the process of restarting building again and first up is a new work bench and tracking down supplies and a kit. I had gotten rid of everything model related. I think I know what the first build back will be and I very much look forward to talking with everyone again and get those creative juices flowing!!

Yup, that kit was based on the acutal Smith Miniplane. "Burt" takes most of its design stylings from the Waco family, with a bit of EAA Biplane and Smith Miniplane mixed in. The vertical stabilizer has "My Mini Waco" written on it.

I make it look a bit smaller being I'm 6'5". It has a 20' winsgpan and is a little over 16' long. The original designer/builder was 6'3" and built it for a bigger guy. I've had a smaller sized buddy sit in it and he could barely reach the rudder pedals. I've since built a new seat for it that drops me down about 3". It flies beautifully, very neutrally stable but very responsive. It is a short-coupled gear tailwheel airplane on the ground, that requires respect, but lands great if flown smoothly.

No, unfortunately that one is languishing in the garage right now. I very much underestimated how busy a kid keeps you. I saw this one for sale and new that it was one I had to have. Classic, unique, and a blast to fly. I get to wrench on "Burt" and fly it too. Thats about perfect for me. I hope to get back to the other one someday, but I just don't have time to build a plane from plans at this exact moment.

Problem Solved! I guess it was too big a file. Here is where all the free time goes these days. "Burt" is getting all tuned up and tweaked for the long haul to Oshkosh. And spending lots of time with my lovely yet rambunctious daughter!

Yea, for some reason I'm gettting a server error? Maybe not something on my end?

I've been super busy and missed visiting with everyone here! I'm looking forward to being back to building in the next few years hopefully. In the meantime, "Burt" has been taking up my money and extra time. I'm trying to get it ready for Oshkosh 2024! I'm going to be putting up some nice kits for sale very soon to get some money for a new flying suit. I hope all is well and happy flying! Edit: I can't seem to post pictures anymore?

Not officially named yet. I'm open to suggestions.

I got distracted by another squirrel.... I brought this classic home. I've always dreamed of having a classic biplane and I finally got one and it's my first airplane too. You can ask Ernie, I'm walking around like the proudest peacock!

I've been absurdly busy lately with commitments to multiple jobs, a 2 year old, EAA leadership position, and other hobbies and passions. I think I got burnt out during covid because I couldn't do anything other than build models. After a 2 year hiatus I have pulled out an Italeri F104 to start working on again.

If I had the time, money, and resources I'd do it in a heartbeat! Maybe my next project?

Beautiful build John. It really does spice up the display case. I still have some racer decals I plan on building up once I get back to building again.

Final paint scheme has been settled on and progress continues. Main wing spars are getting built up with strengtheners and mounting points for struts and spar carry through attachment points. I'm taking most of April off so it's my hope that all wing components can be completed around that time and I can piece together my wings this summer. I do keep eyeing my partially completed Tamiya Spitfire, thinking I need to spend a bit of time on it too.

Is the L-39 due in 2024?

First wing spar is done. Ribs fit for trial and photo.

Thanks Peter. I figured you gotta just jump in at some point and figure it out as I go. I downloaded and taught myself how to use a graphic design software so I could better layout my color scheme. Changed my mind a ton but I've settled on this.