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Johan van Meerloo
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kingfisher

1:72

Проект: 12-13. Vought Kingfisher GB1.1

1:72 F6F Hellcat & Curtiss P-40 (ESCI 51)

All comments (47) » 26 5 April 2021, 09:21

Tony May
Not a bad build at all, bravo, Mr. Meerloo!

You mentioned being a noob to the hobby? That's a fun period so don't knock it! When I was a teen I painted stuff how I wanted to paint it & my excuse was, "I'm sure there was at least one out there like this!" I had a lot of fun model building like that & I'm not going to ridicule or condemn anyone who still possesses that innocent zeal for the hobby!

As for me though, I stopped being so random about the paint schemes & I became more conscious about details. I started scratch-building details to the best of my abilities. I'd put in days or even weeks into the process - months if you counted the research phase. I was in my 20s when I first discovered Hyperscale but now I'm in my mid-40s. I still do scratch-building, where necessary, but if there are aftermarket details available I'd rather spend the money on those to expedite the project. I know I won't live forever, I've already had two mini-strokes that resolved themselves & the doc couldn't figure out what caused it even after 2 years. Therefore, at least for the moment, my time is more valuable than money.

Anyway as far as this kit is concerned; I have the MPC release of the same kit. I knew it would need a lot of work to be brought up to modern standards. It'd need panel etching, work on the cowling, some minor reshaping of the wings, I'd need to remove the control surfaces so I could move them from a fixed position to "bring it to life" & fabricate or obtain a new pitot tube as well as the antenna. The navigation lights will be replaced by those fabricated/polished from clear sprue too. I might have to pay particular attention to the wing float struts as I think they're a little too thick & might not have the right airfoil look.

I also picked up a set of White Ensign Models Photo-Etched parts which fills out most of the cockpit nicely, especially when combined with a Gaspatch M1919 .30 cal MG. There are a few parts for the exterior but I see some things that need to be added that aren't included. To get the markings I wanted I had to purchase a whole variety of decals from Print Scale. I picked up a set of Clear-Vax Canopies that include those for this kit so that all the nifty details inside could be seen even IF I seal the cockpit. I also barely managed to score myself an Engines & Things Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. to replace the kit's obviously deficient offering literally days before the business shut it's doors for the last time.

Normally I'd want a canopy mask set but nobody makes one yet. I COULD sign up to send the clear parts from my kit to Kit Masx so they could manufacture a whole new set of masks but I don't want to wait that long to build it. I'll mask it by hand, which will take longer, but it'll get the job done.

One more thing that's keeping me on edge is uncertainty; Nautilus Models makes a shipboard trolley for the SOC Seagull & OS2U Kingfisher. I don't know whether I want to try my hand at a resin "water" base, use the standard beaching gear that comes with the kit (as well as improvements to it from the photo-etch) OR if I want that shipboard trolley. If I really wanted to get fancy White Ensign makes a catapult kit out of photo etched parts but I don't think that'd fit in with all my other float planes.

One last thing; Just because I talked about all this advanced jargon don't let it get to you, build YOUR way & enjoy every minute of it. I'll be enjoying watching your projects progress in the meantime. 🙂

3 June, 06:54

Johan van Meerloo
thank you, this was one of my first kits, but I still like it, also building adds to the kits. furthermore I like doing the odd stuff, crappy kits and different topics.

3 June, 14:50

Johan van Meerloo
and Tony May are now mates.

3 June, 14:47