rkranias

My sales territory included the Mid Atlantic and Southeast. I picked up my first 21st Century plane 1:32 in 2002. They were pretty cool. During my travels and when I had time I would visit the local WalMart and Target and would pic up some of the latest releases or another with a scheme I liked. Most of the time I'd never open them. With exceptions of ones I'd used for "History Presentations" at a local school and conferences where our company had a vendor set up and or I was a presenter. Usually my presentations were on Silk Road, Lewis & Clark (Bitteroot), 13 Colonies (Western Boundaries NY,PA,MD,VA,NC,SC,GA Dictated by the Appalachian Mountains), American War Between The States (High Ground at Gettysburg) and WWII (Nazi Germany's 2 Front War) using our student centered technology or hand on materials and always focused on geography and it impact. My job was selling Social studies curriculum materials so I met lots of History Teachers/History Directors at the district and site based level. I was fortunate (call it savvy sales skills) to develop good professional relationships with several who had an interest in WWII Aviation and of course the American War Between The States (I was raised in Gettysburg). Lots of times I would give the planes away to "decision makers". A $15 toy got me more mileage than a $30 lunch. After a few years of picking up more and more of these planes as "giveaways" I had an inventory of almost 30 planes. Remember this was several years of "hording". Then the news of 21st Century going belly up I started picking up more planes purely as give-aways to my customers and at conferences I also picked up 48 1:32 Sherman Firefly tanks for $100. Before I knew it I had over 70 planes and a crapload of armour. 1:32 and 1:18 scale. Then in 2010 I started unloading on eBay to finance my return to scale modeling. Hoping to get about $25 or $30 for the 1:32's most sold for over $40 and several sold for $70 and I unloaded an opened 1:18 P47 for $130. To say the least I was stunned and some of the bidding battles which took place on these planes. Those Firefly tanks? Cost barely $2 each and sold every one for at least $15 several for $30 each. I never really planned this as a Collectors Market. It just happened that way. My return to scale modeling was completely financed through the sale of my 21st Century planes and armour. I only have 2 planes left and my kids have them. My stash has several duplicates and I am planning to build most. However, I have a few extras I have no plan on build and will unload them when the value increases. Whew! Sorry guys for longwinded reply. This is an interesting topic.

beautiful. she's a big 'un! an amazing effort. true modeling skills on this one. very clever solutions executed. really enjoyed following your WIP reports on ths one. now for the big question: Where and How will you display this beauty?

Hey Kiwi! Nice to see you in the neighborhood!

very cool! I have this kit as well and will be watching. When I finish my last Jug, I may just join in the fun with you. at least on the catapult. lots of threading for the "railing" with little tiny pieces. straight forward nothing too complex, just time consuming. When you start looking for decals for dials look at corner of instruction page, they're printed on paper.

what is the part number?

looks good Vivian! now the fun begins.

For decals behaving badly I had great success with Mr. Mark Softer. Mr. Mark Softer has tamed my Tamiya and Hasegawa decals. Albeit, they require multiple applications. Caution to remove excess Softer after application by drawing excess with corner of papertowel. Sometimes if Mr. Softer pools then dries there will be a spot on surface. Mr. Softer conformed my IP decal for my Jug Build. About 6 applications needed to get IP decal to settle into the dials. Add a drop of gloss in the dials and the results were very good. Other decals such as Cartograph, MicroScale, Kits World and AMLC decals have behaved well for me with Solvaset. Me thinks Mr. Softer may be too harsh on these. As you know, its all about surface prep. Good luck...

outstanding job Jamme!

Thanks Ken!

great job on this 104! nice and succinct....

Watch the trailer and look for the F4U's. Disney's Planes Trailer at about 1:50 look for the F4U's. Release date is this AUG. Skipper Riley is a main character. My kids are excited to see this...well, so is the big kid as well.

EagleCals has released these decals for the1:32 F4U1 Birdcage. Three sheets will be available June 2013. EagleCals #150-32 F4U 1 Part 1 EagleCals #151-32 F4U 1 Part 2 EagleCals #152-32 F4U 1 Part 3

I'll certainly be game for this plane as it has beautiful lines. Will wait until both are released then snag the kit with the better finish/fit/etc.

Завершено! Will post additional pics in "Finished Work" in a few days. New background for studio ordered plus wrap up some reviews.

so is the Russian

looks great Danny. I have this kit and I will be watching this with great interest. really like the copper wire treatment.

really well done dio, love the engine and the figures. welcome to LSM. look forward to see more builds from you.

Barracuda P-47 Cross and Block Tread Wheels Great review Dave! Barracuda wheels for my current WIP Hasegawa Jugs. Left is Cross tread (pre-weather) with dish hub which will be used on my Russian Jug. Right is Block tread (post-wash, pre-pigment) with slotted hub for my "Slick Chick" Jug. As Dave mentioned there is a small amount of flash on the slotted hubs and care must be taken when cleaning. On the Hasegawa kits you will have to reduce the axle length by about 1mm. A careful cut and EZ sanding will do the trick. Test fit, test fit, test fit. These wheels were a pleasure to work on and the detail is the best out there.

outstanding modeling on this....a joy to follow

A beautiful Jug. The NFM is very well done, fine weathering job.

nice work on the pit Dave. enjoying this build and is giving me inspiration when I start my "Rising Sun" builds this fall. "Achtung Baby" builds starts early Jume when I finish my Jugs. that AK stuff looks interesting. what is your PSI when you shoot Alclad Klear Kote: 18psi? Needle size: .35mm, .5mm? I have been having some frustrating results with uneven coverage. I spray light multiple coats, some areas are gloss while some stay dull. Thoughts?

same camo/marking schemes, yet two different finishes and both beautiful renderings. Doogs' your G55 was one of the most enjoyable WIP's I have ever followed. It's great how a build can be a supply of angst yet in the end turn out so rewarding. the lines of this aircraft are just elegant. agreed Ken, in the hands of a good pilot the G55 was a very worthy opponent. I believe Kurt Tank evaluated and gave the G55 good performance marks.

the weathering on the bombs is jaw dropping....so is rest of plane!

beautiful. my eyes hurt from exposure to the exceptional detail and weathering!

\o/