BlackAck Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 (edited) Let me tell you a story, It was December 1991 and the postie delivered large cardboard box postmarked from the USA addressed just to me. Eight year old me was excited, I never got packages! Inside was the most recent issue of Air & Space Magazine (I still have that magazine somewhere) and these two plastic model kits: There was also a handwritten note from my grandfather (I have that too somewhere), himself a pre-war USAAC and later USAF veteran, thought that building models might be a good therapy for my Cerebral Palsy. He thought I would want to build a plane similar to aircraft he flew when he was young, together with the most modern jet he could find. Both these models ended up as broken glue-y messes on my shelf, and I was not happy at all with how they turned out, but I was hooked. I enjoyed having something tangible afterwards spending all that time on it. Being plane crazy also helped. So, off I went down the toy shop for my next kit and the rest is history. So, for this build I will building these models again to finally make eight-year old me proud. The F-18 should be easy, the SE5 will be more of a challenge to do well. Grandads of Britmodeller take note that WW1 biplanes are not necessarily the best kits to give your offspring to start on as an introduction to the hobby. Oh well two-six.. [Edit: In accordance with GB rules, I'll be moving the build of the SE5 to a new thread] Edited May 1, 2020 by BlackAck I can't spell, my memory is failing me, and lastly because I can't type 12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 (edited) What a wonderful story. 🤗 This is such a special touching build I will enjoy watching it progress. Welcome onboard and enjoy the builds! ps I like your Super-Grandad he sounds brilliant. Edited April 21, 2020 by Dansk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 That really is a great story, your Grandad does indeed sound special. This is exactly the kind of story Paul had in mind for this GB and I will be following your build with interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted April 21, 2020 Share Posted April 21, 2020 What an great story, fantastic ,welcome to the gb, looking forward to seeing these two built up this time around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davek72 Posted April 22, 2020 Share Posted April 22, 2020 Top story and I look forward to the builds. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 The SE5 isn't actually too bad, the fit is mostly pretty nice, it just lacks a bit of detail. I replaced the Lewis gun in the one I built last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackAck Posted April 23, 2020 Author Share Posted April 23, 2020 Thanks for the note about the fit. It's been a lifetime since I built the SE5, so I don't remember the fit. The model is probably a product of its time. Looking at the box art, I notice that it's painted in a scheme that isn't even included. It's also not rigged. Fun times ahead.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackAck Posted April 24, 2020 Author Share Posted April 24, 2020 (edited) After some diligent searching in my mini aviation library this afternoon, I found the magazine the accompanied the two original kits. Very fitting for this forum that a British two-winged jobby is on the front cover. I am sure that rigging sadists - cough I mean enthusiasts will be able to identify it. Edited April 25, 2020 by BlackAck 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackAck Posted April 25, 2020 Author Share Posted April 25, 2020 (edited) Today's progress: Since the Hornet is a Snap Tite kit, it feels a bit like cheating, but it's taken all afternoon to get to this point. Edited April 25, 2020 by BlackAck 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted April 25, 2020 Share Posted April 25, 2020 Thats a fair amount accomplished on day 1 even if it is snap-tite. like the red landing gear door cross sections 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Very good progress indeed, looks like you have done a good job on the nose section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 That’s a pair of very contrasting kits! Never seen either of them before so looking forward to your builds. Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackAck Posted April 26, 2020 Author Share Posted April 26, 2020 Thanks for the support. Here's today's progress: With a better view of the red hydraulic warning edges, super fast progress considering. It's starting to look like an F-18, at least from a distance. The area around the exhausts needs touching up but the blue paint is wet, so I'm leaving it alone for the mo. For a Snap Tite kit, to paint the FSD blue scheme as seen on the demonstrator aircraft, it's surprisingly complex. Thank goodness for masking tape. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 Great stuff ,contruction looks to be about complete , and a bit of hairy stick work too 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 looking very Hornet like already, well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted April 27, 2020 Share Posted April 27, 2020 Good progress, This might be finished before my van even arrives! 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackAck Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 While the paint dries, I thought I'd wash the SE5 bits. I assume I'll need a new thread? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Yes mate 👍start off a new thread for the se5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted May 3, 2020 Share Posted May 3, 2020 Any progress to report on the hornet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackAck Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 How's this for an update? The only real change I made was not using the '3' numeral stickers. The background blue is completely the wrong shade. So, I scrounged regular decals from my spares instead. I'd like to think my eight-year old self would be proud of this. It's actually a good little kit for someone starting out. A child could snap it together in a few minutes, slap the stickers on, and be ready to fly, while an older child, or returning modeller could embrace the challenge of painting it. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 Now that really is an update! I love the colour scheme for the Hornet prototypes and you have done a great job on yours, well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 so its finished already! 👍 well done it looks great. Have to agree with craig in that that scheme is the bee knees 😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackAck Posted May 5, 2020 Author Share Posted May 5, 2020 (edited) Thank you for the kind words. However, I have to confess that in the cold light of day, I found my efforts at pinstriping were not nearly as good as I had hoped. I was struck by inspiration on a work conference call with lawyers.. so after work today I set about fixing the hornet using strips of tamiya tape cut into 2mm wide sections and painted white. I am much happier with the result. Edited May 5, 2020 by BlackAck 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dansk Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 Did the lawyers pin striped suits give you the idea? 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted May 6, 2020 Share Posted May 6, 2020 Very eye catching , a smashing job there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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