danbuoy

Been getting quite a bit more done on San Diego. Got the superstructure attached, and most of the other fittings. The instructions really aren't very clear regarding the pipes on the funnel rears, so I referred to the photos in the Atlanta class cruisers book. The parts provided by Matchbox aren't enough for the full length on the forward funnel, so I added a piece from my spares box. Some touching up required, plus finishing off of the camouflage, then need to add the lifeboats, masts, anchors and of course all 8 turrets.

I'm just trying to get a bit more done on my two Matchbox ships in the KUTA group build, then I'll get started on my Thunderstreak. Washed the sprues last week, so it's all set!

I'm using this same set of Microscale decals, they look great, but do they have a reputation for disintegrating?

I would like to enter with this please; As well as the Eighth Air Force, I have a very big interest in USAFE, especially those aircraft based in the UK, and in particular the 81st FBW/TFW at Bentwaters/Woodbridge. Must have had something to do with all those A-10s we saw flying over our campsite in Suffolk in the 80s and early 90s! Between diecast and plastic kits, I'd like to get a model of each of the main types operated from the twin bases. Regarding the Thunderstreak, they weren't actually flown by the 81st for that long, from 1954 to 1958, but their introduction brought a change of role to the 81st from air defence to tactical nuclear strike. They were replaced by F-101 Voodoos. My kit was bought, appropriately enough, from Bentwaters Cold War Museum in 2017, on their 10th anniversary open day. A couple of years ago, I finally managed to get a set of Microscale decals for Bentwaters Thunderstreaks, which came from France and cost more than the kit! So, here are the sprues. Some pieces have become detached, but they are all there; Instructions; And here is the Microscale decal sheet. They look very eye catching, although that is a lot of stencils too! I think I will be going for the red markings from the 78th Fighter-Bomber Squadron "Bushmasters". The decal instructions aren't great; So, I had a look on Scalemates, and downloaded the instructions for the Hobby Boss 1/48 version which has the same markings; I quite fancy picking up a cheap Airfix F-84F, which would enable me to do a double build, and compare it directly to the Italeri kit, and it would also let me use the 91st FBS markings too! I'll see what I can find, but I'd like to get some progress on this one first!

Well, not brilliant, but could have gone a lot worse; A few small touch ups required, plus there was one small area that I masked off, then stupidly painted the wrong side of the tape! Have painted over this now, and will try again next time!

Weren't the headlights just painted over, to avoid any reflection? That's what I did on my Matchbox version.

Thanks, yes, they've been staring me in the face every time I've sat down at my work station, but the camo, particularly in the case of San Diego just put me right off!

Well, time to give myself a well deserved KUTA, and get a thread set up! A long time ago, in a group build far, far away, a naive model maker recklessly launched 5 ship builds, despite the closest thing he had built before being a DUKW! Needless to say, only 2 were completed within the GB time frame (Matchbox Narvik class destroyer and Lindberg USS McNulty), one sailed over the line a week or so later (Matchbox USS Indianapolis) and the other two, well, just stalled. These were the Matchbox USS San Diego and USS Fletcher. I think part of the reason is the camouflage required for both of them. Fletcher has an irregular pattern all over the hull and superstructure and San Diego has odd geometric patterns, requiring some fiddly masking. Neither has been touched by brush or glue since March, so time to bite the bullet and try and get them finished! Here's where Fletcher is up to; And here is San Diego; As more needs doing on San Diego, I decided to start there. Matchbox helpfully provide a nice side profile on the back of the box showing the camouflage pattern, which I scanned in and printed out on A3; However, unhelpfully, they only show one side. Found this online; Also I have this; Which has this inside; So, time to get busy with the masking tape! A decent session last night, and this is where I'm up to; Some of the starboard hull side I will do freehand; And the superstructure; Just got to mask up some of the gun turrets then it will be ready for some paint.

Looks great! This kit is one of the oldest residents of my stash, but I do fancy giving it a go (I realise I've just had the perfect opportunity with this group build, but I decided to go with my Airfix one instead!).

Well, just sneaked my finished P-47 into the gallery! Thanks for a great group build, and, much as I love anything Eighth Air Force related, looking through the gallery, it's nice to see such a variety of schemes and users. Coincidentally, today is the 80th anniversary of a Thunderbolt crashing in Nantwich, less than 10 minutes walk from my house. Lt. Arthur Brown was flying with the 495th Fighter Training Group out of Atcham, near Shrewsbury. His aircraft's engine failed, but instead of baling out and letting it crash in the town, he stayed with it, ensuring it hit the ground near the river. Lt. Brown was killed instantly, but the people of Nantwich have never forgotten his act of sacrifice. A memorial stands at the crash site, plus Brown Avenue in Nantwich is named for him. He also has a grave at Madingley. Today, he has posthumously been awarded the Freedom of Nantwich, with a service at the church and at the crash site.

Just making it over the finishing line, here's my Airfix P-47D. Built from the 2009 starter set boxing so I could get the markings for Ginny, the 458th Bomb Group formation monitor (based at Horsham St. Faith in Norfolk). The actual kit dates from 1966, and it shows! Very basic and fit really isn't great in places, but it looks like a Jug! I really like the scheme, and if I could get hold of another set of these decals, I'd be tempted to do it again, but using a better kit. Built out of the box, except for cutting off the underwing hard points as Ginny didn't have them, and I also didn't install the guns or gun sight. Link to WIP; And here is Ginny herself;

And we're done! Had to place the fuselage stars and bars slightly further to the rear, as they just would not fit over the open intercooler air exit, but luckily there was still space for the serial numbers. The tops of the white stripes on the tail fin are clearly meant to fold over at the top but I struggled with this, even with some Micro Set. Doesn't look too bad from a distance! Not my finest effort, but its another one finished. Now for a short local flight over to the gallery.

Put in a late shift last night, so now Ginny is all done, except for decals.

Got the wings attached last night, so it now currently somewhat resembles a Polikarpov I-16! Fit isn't great, but with this boxing only dating from 2009, it's easy to forget that the kit itself is from 1966! The instructions clearly haven't been updated from an earlier boxing, as in the description of the P-47, they make reference to the 56th Fighter Group, and in particular, Bud Mahurin, going on to state that decals for his aircraft are included with the kit!

Happy New Year, fellow Juggernauts! Been busy getting Ginny all painted up ready for assembly over the past few evenings. Here's how she's currently looking; A few touch ups and second coats needed in places, plus the cowling needs finishing, but we're getting there!

That's some lovely work on the wheel wells and landing lights! I look forward to seeing the finished article!

I really like the Matchbox kits. Got another in the stash (Morris C8/17pdr gun/Jeep), plus need to do the base from another I completed earlier in 2023 (M16).

Happy New Year all! Recently completed as part of the I Feel Deserted group build, here's my Revell (Matchbox) Long Range Desert Group Chevrolet 30cwt truck and Willys Jeep in 1/76. A nice fun build, with a few fiddly moments. Completed out of the box except I added a piece at the bottom of the Jeep's Browning .50 mount as originally it sat way too low.

Thanks, for a quick photo shoot I was quite pleased with them. The Battle of the Bulge is the land battle I'm most interested in, so I have quite a few diecast models in Ardennes camo. Just need some more snow so I can try again!

Only just seen this. Been looking for an excuse to build my tiny ICM Kriegfischkutter, and this looks like the perfect opportunity!

Really like the sound of this! I'll admit, I never took actual plastic kits out into the garden, but I had a load of the cheap plastic tanks, trucks etc that usually come in a big bag, along with a couple of flags and a load of generic soldiers. These were great for playing with around the pond in my parents garden, and being plastic, if they fell in, they floated! It was also fun on the fairly rare occasions when it snowed, as suddenly then, the garden would be transformed into the Ardennes. About 10 years ago, I took some of my diecast models out for a wintry photo shoot after a snowfall; Really fancy having a go at this sort of thing again. As to what I'll build? No idea yet, but got plenty of time to decide!

Really like this, it looks great. As much as I like seeing military GMCs, it's nice to see one plying it's trade on Civvy Street. I'm also now tempted by this kit. I like building airfield related vehicles, and I've always overlooked this one because of the machine gun and hip ring on the cab, but looks like you can build it with or without.

Yes, I like the sound of this! Got an Academy Ford GPA left over from when I built the M3A1 halftrack it came with, plus a Monogram Grumman Albatross, and I really fancy having another go at the Airfix DUKW.

Here's my take on the Revell (Matchbox) LRDG set. I'm a big fan of Matchbox kits, and this was a nice, fun build. Worst bit was fitting the driver and steering wheel in the Chevy, but the rest went together OK. Finished out of the box except I added a piece at the bottom of the Jeep's Browning .50 mount, as before it was sat far too low. Both vehicles brush painted in Humbrol 103 Matt Cream. Link to WIP; And here it is; Thanks to all who followed along, and also thanks for the group build itself, and certainly the extension!

Got the base finished tonight. Gave it an oil wash in parts, and then a drybrushing. Wall now fixed in place. Decided the wooden sign was crying out to have something written on it, so I used a Posca paint pen; And here it is fixed in place; And the whole ensemble; Will get some gallery photos in the daylight tomorrow.