CANicoll

Peter, Very happy to hear that Diane is back home and doing well. Sorry to hear about your ongoing issues. Hang in there. Interesting you mention about not taking advantage of the Tamiya optional wheels up/down thing. I have two of the Tamiya builds and after a few goes at swapping out the parts within a few months of completing the builds - both birds have stayed on their wheels ever sense. Which means for years. Hmmm. Might just put the wheels up on one of the planes if for no other reason than to clear some shelf space underneath. Similarly - do you ever pull the nose engine covers off for display? What issues are you having with the radiator? Very interested to see what colors you use for the wings. Something I've never gotten right, I think. No more Tamiya Mustangs in the stash, just one more Revell, with all the AM bits. Great seeing your work on this build - and esp your Quinta cockpit. Such nice work and beautiful results. Stay well my friend! Chris

That is an amazing tiny ship!!!

Very nice! What was the nose wheel bulge problem that you addressed? Wondering if I will hit the same thing on my build (when I get started!).

Peter, I'm hoping their P-38H will go together as well as your build is. I'm in full agreement that a well engineered kit adds to the enjoyment of the build. It may be satisfying to fix errors and figure out a way to put together a difficult build, but I find building a terrific kit is more relaxing and fun. Lots to be said for having fun!! Can't wait to see your next update.

Peter, Looks amazing and glad to see your mojo is back in full-force! Yes, the Quinta cockpit looks great, but you are a master at applying it as well - it doesn't just happen. You always make the most of a kit, and the better the kit the more you make of it. The detail of the bays looks amazing, so you will HAVE to get a magnifying mirror to use as the base so all that detail doesn't go unseen. I had to look up what the P-38 at Udvar Hazy is to see if you needed any detail pictures (regardless of the model, you don't!! ). Its a J-10-LO anyway. Definitely enjoying following your build! Chris

Found this picture on a thread. Amazing the engine is even working! Notice both top turrets are focused to the right. I think this is over Osaka. Yes, do have the 1/48 Monogram B-29 kit in my stash. NO, not planning on building it anytime soon!

That is excellent!!

Quinta seatbelts? The office looks AMAZING.

Good point!!!

Fabulous build! VERY cool and I totally get the smaller scale, more room, less paint, etc. But agree with Gary, you would never know it is a smaller scale. Great job! Chris

Beautiful job! Looks terrific and has me thinking about the Tamiya P-38 in my stash... Yours is fantastic. Welcome aboard! Chris

Yeah, that happens too! I have a new master in my life.. LOL

I may have experienced exactly the same thing!!! Hmmm.....

THANK YOU gents!! Carl, Gary, Scott, Martin. Much appreciated. Not as well done as I would have liked, and I do want to get back to it and work on some weathering, but for now that will have to wait.

I appreciate all of the comments and sharing, guys. Thank you. Like Tim, I have unfortunately seen the other side of the quality of life. At the other site, my avatar was a picture of Ralph Minker, pilot of the 447th BG B-17G Blue Hen Chick, tail 4338719 out of Rattlesden, England. Once he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I started meeting him every Friday morning for coffee at a Starbucks a block and a half from his home to get him out and talk and exercise his brain. We did that for seven years until he had to go into memory care. I'd still stop by every week, but by then he could no longer speak or walk so I'd just talk to him for a while. I was there when he passed. In High School my friend's father, an Air Force officer, contracted bone cancer. The last time I saw him I don't think he weighed 75 pounds. Both of these examples made me very cognizant of the fragility of life and having a quality of life. So I really do appreciate everyone's stories. Thank you! (BTW, doing much better now. The plumbing is primarily working I'm happy to say, just have to see if the medicine does the trick. Takes about 30 days for full effect.)

Now that made me really laugh! Thanks Hubert!

Sasha, Beautifully done! Excellent job on the black paint - perfect! Chris

Thank you Kevin! Its Vallejo's Black Primer actually. Sprays beautifully and is a different sheen than the Vallejo Black Acrylic. Blends perfectly too on touch-ups. Chris

Thanks Mike and Rob, Rob, agreed and when I'm feeling better I want to revisit the weathering. Right now I just don't have the stamina (or attention span) to do it right. Stay tuned! Chris

Thank you Peter! Now I just have to figure out how to fit it into the display case. 🙂

Now to go find that kit! Thanks Peter!

This was a terrific and very interesting group build with so many different builds going on. The Catalina was a challenging build, using the Belcher Bits resin tail to correct the shape of the tail and rudder. For an old kit, the detail is really impressive, and the fit pretty good as well. The inclusion of figures helps with the interest, and the modification of some spares-kit figures to replace the waist figure I hope adds to the interest. Looking for downed crewmen was an important task for the Cats. Thanks everyone for the support and comments! Homage to the Hells Angels of the Flying Tigers.

Thank guys! This week's medical issues have taken a lot out of me, so for now, going to put a cap on the build. Still have some good weathering to do, but that will have to come later. I appreciate the support! Learned a lot doing this build, but I also know there are places I should have done better. Arrgh. But it was a fun build and this was a terrific GB! Ok, stay tuned for pics.

Took advantage of the need to be fairly sedentary to attach the main antenna under the wings, and spray some exhaust stains. Here was the model for exhaust stains: Extended the exhaust stains onto the tail planes per the photograph. Added the rust-painted exhaust stacks, which are far too bright, so have subsequently toned them down with some brown chalk (after this picture) Fingers crossed, have not YET knocked off the underwing antenna, so far... One more to attach, a small underwing antenna, which I have knocked off twice so far, before even getting it completely attached. Ugh. Getting there! Chris