Landlubber Mike

Nice Ernie! I think it's safe to say you can probably retire that mat - it certainly did it's job with the Helldiver!

Wow, looking really good there Peter. nice job!

Funny, as I was looking at Ernie's pics I said out loud "What a beauty!" -- turns out you said the same thing! Good stuff Ernie, wow!

Great start Rob. The PE/aftermarket looks fantastic - great detail!

Oooh nice one! I saw one on eBay not too long ago and was very tempted. Looking forward to seeing this one come along and for your thoughts on the kit.

My dad used to love them - would listen to them all the time in the car. Hope you and your wife had fun Ernie!

Um, your SOD models look better than my completed ones Very nice job on this one!

Looks like a cool subject, and the resin parts look very crisp. Looking forward to your build!

Looks great! I actually have been moving away from Vallejo primer as I find it has a tendency to lift, at least if painted on metal (I like using it for things like the cockpit or interior where there is no masking). Mr. Surfacer primer has been my go to, but I might have to try Vallejo again given your words of support! You're right, it's very easy to use!

After seeing the ResKit rotors and other aftermarket a while back, I got a hankering to build a helicopter. Will be following this one for sure!

Wow, this is looking spectacular Ernie. Very nice job!!

Wow, looking really good Peter! You're moving along quickly!

Ha! It almost came to that!

Thanks guys for the positive vibes. I managed to get everything pretty much painted and assembled pre-clear coat/weathering over the weekend. Stayed up way too late last night to get to this point, but things were going well and I wanted to go with the good mojo. Looking back, I'm not sure that at my experience level hacking up a Special Hobby kit to add in half a dozen plus aftermarket items was a smart decision, but I'm pretty happy how this is turning out. It probably doesn't look like it, but getting the engine mounts, engine, cowl, bracket, etc. were hours of work! Lots of dry fitting, sanding, filling, etc. The CMK parts are very nice, but the instructions are not always the clearest at times. I almost cried when I accidentally snapped one of the V-shaped landing gears in half trying to drill in holes for the hydraulic cables, but somehow the modeling gods were with me and I managed to get it put back together without much trouble. Anyway, here are some pictures. Clear coat tonight, weathering later in the week, and hopefully done with this and the Wildcat by the end of the long weekend so I can start the group build. Thanks for looking in!

Looking great Hubert. That punch set looks fantastic. Good luck with the appointments

Great start Peter! By the way, I love how you include a picture of your current build in your signature line. That one looks really sweet, love that camo scheme (though, have a little soft spot for yellow wings as well).

Wow, you're right! lol

That diorama must be huge! Can't believe he did the conversion (scratch built the landing gear??), lighting, scratch extras, and diorama in only 3 1/2 months. Would take me 3 1/2 years!

Looks like your gutsy move paid off. Bravo!

Looks really good Ernie. You're really plugging along now, home stretch as Peter said!

Nice close-up pics of the 6A - thanks for sharing! Are you going to do the 6A, or stick with the 5A?

My dad used to work for Grumman up in Long Island. I remember as a kid going to their summer picnic and they had a bunch of their planes out for the employees and families to look at. Was really cool!

My daughters like to do these bigger complicated Lego kits. The instruction manuals are very well done, and they package the bricks in separate stage packets so you don't go crazy looking for a part in these huge kits. Expensive, but keeps the kids quiet for a few days while they work on them.

That paint work is really nice John, wow! I like the hint of the salmon primer underneath.

I was given a Speedmaster (the moon watch) by my uncle when I graduated high school many years ago. Had no clue how generous a gift it was until five years later when I went to a jewelry shop to have some of the band links taken out so I could wear it. Casually asked the cost and I immediately locked it up and didn't wear it until probably a decade later. Nice watches but pricey, especially if you have to get them cleaned out, springs replaced, etc.