helios16v

Nothing to report that is picture worthy. But I did get about halfway through the second track last night. I might actually start some hull construction this weekend.

I didn't think I had anything really in line for this, but I stumbled across an OV-1B Mohawk while browsing through my Scalemates stash list. So on that account, I'd certainly be interested as I love special mission aircraft.

I've got lots of civi cars (street & race) along with a couple more recon & cargo aircraft that could play in this sandbox.

Sounds like lots of bench time!

I think I may have a MiG-21 earmarked for Egyptian service...

Awesome. Thanks V-P. I'll take a scroll through there.

Resin. That'll make Rich happy.

1 track complete. I'll work on the other one tomorrow night perhaps. Off to ready get ready for bed.

While still a bit time consuming, I do like Meng's method of handling individual plastic links. Only 113 per side!

Not sure how I missed this. Love it. I've got a severe soft spot for the old Gr.A touring cars.

Regular assembly line there!

They are only light in comparison to their A-6 shipmate.

Slight change of plans, at least to begin with. With the blessing of @rob85, I'll have a WIP F-8E from VF-162 entering the pattern for a trap. It was first started in 7 years ago...so this one has been a long time coming. If I can get this out of the way, I'd like to sneak a floaty thing in with a bit of luck.

Eduard sheets call for FS26373 (Silver-Grey/RAF Sky Gray) on a similar scheme.

Meng 1/35 Kit# SS-014 Against better judgement I'll crack open another kit. Perhaps with a little divine intervention I'll actually make it to completion during the time frame. I was looking at my MiG-21bis (1/48), but with the late surge in MiG-21s to the build I'll go for something a bit different. Not only different, but out of my norm & comfort zone. Haha. Decals are for a 9A310M1 mobile transporter/erector/launcher/radar unit based near Helsinki, Finland, circa 2004.

I almost got because of the book. But somehow restrained myself....not sure how as that doesn't happen often.

Now that you mentioned Tomcats.....I forgot I also have a VF-213 Black Lion Tomcat build slated for sometime in the future as well (part of the same CVW-11 group build).

Sounds like worst case I can use this as an excuse to build my 1/72 VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks F/A-18C Hornet. Or rather I should probably say start and not finish.....again.

One of us! One of us! One of us!

That pic definitely looks reminiscent of light ghost to me.

Nice start Rich. Going to be a cracker of a build I'm sure.

Love the SLUF.

Oooh, an S-2 would be delightful.

Yeah, the Modex (402) is not based on the BuNo (serial #). The first # of the Modex (1-9) is assigned to a squadron in the airwing. This number generally referred to the type of aircraft (fighter, light attack, attack, ASW, Helo, EW, etc) and the number can mean different things depending on the era. Usually the last two digits are incremental #s (00-??) and will be dependent on how many aircraft are in the squadron. At times when there were more than 9 squadrons on the carrier and squadrons had fewer than 10 aircraft they would sometimes use the first 2 digits of the Modex to designate the squadron. On our '95 deployment we actually had 3 squadrons with 600 Modexs. HS-6 was 60x, VAW-117 was 61x, and our Prowlers were 62x (the x being the incremental #). The 00 birds were typically assigned to the CAG (Carrier Air Group Commander) regardless if he was checked out on the type or not. x1 would go to the squadron CO, and x2 would go to the XO. At times we actually had our 620 both the CAG & skipper bird when our skipper wasn't a pilot.

From the Eduard "Vietnam Scooters" instructions: "In the annals of US Naval Aviation, the story of "Lady Jessie" is both legendary and tragic. It all began in the mid-1950s when Reno, NV casino owner Mrs. Jessie Beck befriended part time casino employee Richard Perry. It was Richard's dream to become a Navy pilot, and in the late 1950s he would earn his pilot's wings, and go on to be assigned to VA-164. Jessie considered Richard her adopted son, and was very proud of his achievement. So much so that she would frequently send car packages to the entire squadron at great personal expense. Thanks to her generosity, the squadron referred to Mrs. Beck as "Lady Jessie." As an homage to Mrs. Beck, Lt. Perry painted "Lady Jessie" on the nose of his Skyhawk. Tragically, Perry would lose his life on his second combat cruise with "The Ghostriders" while leading a strike against Haiphong. Struck by a SAM, Perry would eject from his stricken Skyhawk over the Tonkin Gulf only to die of injuries while awaiting rescue in the water. Heartbroken at the loss of (then) LCDR Perry, Mrs. Beck would continue to be a life long benefactor of US Military personnel all over the world. After LCDR Perry's death, the squadron would start the tradition of painting "Lady Jessie" on the intakes of every Squadron Commander's aircraft. Over the years at least 5 different A-4s would carry the "Lady Jessie" titling until the squadron's disestablishment in December 1975. In 1987, LCDR Perry's remains which had been recovered by a Vietnamese fisherman were finally returned to the United States. Ironically, that same year Mrs. Beck would pass away at the age of 83."