April 18, 2020
April 12, 2020
Guest Post
Friend and master modeler Tory Mucaro will fill this space. Enjoy.
It has been ages since I sent out any photos of my latest creations, largely since I haven't really completed much in recent years. However last fall I did manage to finish two models. I built them simultaneously since they were nearly identical. However I have just now finally gotten around to photographing them. So here they are for your consideration:
Based on Monograms 1/72 scale Curtis F11C-2 Goshawk kit that was first produced in 1968. It was one of three between the wars models they did at the same time, the other two were the Curtis P-6E Hawk and the Boeing F4B-4. These were beautiful kits that hold up well even by current kit standards. They featured cabane and landing gear struts molded into the fuselage halves practically guaranteeing perfect wing alignment, something that anyone who has built a biplane model know can be difficult at best.
The white aircraft is basically the stock kit with aftermarket decals from Starfighter Decals. I also used their excellent photo-etched rigging set which made rigging the model a whole lot easier. I used the same markings that were intended in the original issue. The kit itself was purchased for $3 at a model show missing instructions and decals.
The blue aircraft is the same basic kit converted to a BFC-2. All of the F11C-2s were eventually converted to fighter bombers and re-designated. They received a higher turtle deck and a partial sliding canopy. The kit is a reissue of the Monogram kit by Starfighter Decals which included a resin turtle deck and photo-etch framing for the canopy. I used their excellent decal sheet for the markings and chose the blue scheme to reflect the 5 view illustration in the old Profile Publications Goshawk booklet. I always loved the way that color scheme looked on that airframe.
I have another two kits to do to add to this Goshawk collection, but don't have the time at the moment to build them, so they will have to patiently wait their turn. But for now these two look nice together in my display case and take up so much less room than their 1/48 scale counterpart in the case! I think I might be hooked on 1/72 scale! It is after all the "divine" scale!
Tory
June 04, 2018
Another visitor's day.
Brian James, Bob Swaddling and Paul Warchol made one of their rare visits to my place yesterday. The big event was Paul finishing his Academy F-4B after a very long slog with it.
Spitfire Bob brought his Airfix Lancaster Mk.II.
Last but not least was Brian's Pacific Coast Models Spitfire Mk IX.
April 10, 2018
Chief Modeler is no historian
A Squadron update arrived today. One page is devoted to the operation's history.
Through fate or simple dumb luck, the first Squadron Shop, Hazel Park, Michigan, was located about five miles away from where I lived. In 1968, I was 12 years old, and The Squadron Shop was pretty much heaven on earth for me. You must pardon me if I take this Squadron stuff personally. It was more than influential. I met Jerry Campbell, of course. I also met his partner, one Walt Lonczinski. Walt was Squadron's co-creator. Jerry was the guy in the back on the phone. Walt was the face of the operation, running the cash register and working the crowd. The fact that he isn't mentioned in this "historical piece" is a disgrace. Walt looked out for me, steering an ignorant kid away from crummy kits. He and Jerry would eventually migrate to Texas together. Meantime, I'd become a Squadron Shop employee -- though not for long. Only part-timers were on the roster. No full-time benefits for Jerry Campbell's hobby shop associates. How Jerry Campbell made this "wonderful pastime of modeling" a family affair is a mystery to me. The Jerry Campbell I was aware of was strictly about business and building a publishing empire.
In time, Walt got fed up with his partner's style and quit. He came back to Michigan and opened another hobby shop. That one was much further away from where I lived, but I had a car by that time. Never mind that Walt seemed to delight in giving me shit, (mostly accusing me of not buying enough) I loved visiting his shop. Walt never failed to introduce me to his cronies and customers as the kid he kept out of Jackson prison by getting me hooked on models. He was quite the no-nonsense character.
Sorry the guy in the mustache gets all the credit, Walt. That's simply bullshit. How I'd love to read YOUR history of the Squadron Shop. Do you know anything about "A store with a modeler's heart?" That one is brand new to me. Maybe you really DID keep me on the straight and narrow with model planes. If so, thanks for that.
This subject was discussed on Hyperscale a while back. It's worth revisiting, if Squadron Shop history is interesting or relevant to you. Check it out, Chief Modeler.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1346430966/1/The+Squadron+Shop+%27History%27
April 01, 2018
Why posts here have been sparse.
Decided I'd get back to my drawing this year after a nearly two year absence. These two represent at least 36 hours NOT working on models. Fitz is the brown and white guy, Ronan is the other. Both 7 X 10, Prismacolor pencil on Stonehenge paper.
May 16, 2017
November 06, 2016
May 16, 2016
January 18, 2016
Nothing like a good disaster.
So I had a 2 oz. bottle about two-thirds full of thick, gray, auto primer. Hadn't used this particular mix in a while, so I of course opened the bottle, stuck a stick in and stirred a bit. Something largish clunked in the bottom. A large BB I must've put in there to agitate the stuff when I shook the bottle, I assumed. I twisted the cap back on and proceeded to shake vigorously. After about three seconds, the bottom of the jar parted company with the rest of it, and my left hand was awash in primer. That which didn't stay in my hand poured like gravy on to the small table I have my compressor and other painting paraphernalia on. Regrettably on this day, I also had all the freshly painted landing gear and wheel pieces for my 1/144th Victor and Valiant projects there as well.
All I could do was stare at the sight in horror. Not everything got the bath, but enough of both models did to mean two kit replacements were the only solution. I could almost hear the sizzle of the Valiant's main gear melting.That BB turned out to be one of those chrome balls Tamiya includes in some of their jet kits as nose weight, and evidently it hammered its way out of the bottle. The only good news was the broken glass did no damage to my hand, and the airplanes themselves were well out of harm's way. Things had been going so smoothly here, too. Now it's time-out, spend some money, absorb another hard won lesson or two and look on the bright side. With all the variety of activities needed to produce a good model airplane, I've been shown once again, you can't let your guard down.
January 04, 2016
Old year/New year
From mid-December on around here, not much modeling gets done. (Or I should say, significantly less than usual.) In between holiday prep, I did get to the bench, but work was scattershot over a number of non-critical subjects. Quite the cluttered mess, I know.
Should've pulled that chair out of the way.
At this stage, I know I must clear the decks and FOCUS! That's better. Now, on with 2016. Focus will be mostly on this one, started some time ago...
Pretty sure I posted a shot or two of this one before. I think it's ready for a paint job. It's been a typical short-run kit experience. Reminds me of not-quite-a-Roden kit. And in my experience, Roden kits are rough around the edges.
All upper surface panel lines have been filled and smoothed. Exhaust pipes have been replaced by more sensible styrene tube. Had some unexpected trouble in fitting the external tanks. The attitude of one was correct, while the other pointed in a decidedly down direction. WTF? Having no idea how they could be anything but identical, I shimmed the pylon of the trouble maker. With the gaps between those pylons and the wings, I'm going to have to mount and blend them before paint. Hate to do that, but in the interest of speed (always a prime consideration around here) that's the route I'm going to take. As always, stay tuned.