Squawk

The "Project" Revel F4U-4 in 1:48 It's been sitting on my shelf for at least 10 years before I got around to it. So much easier to do larger pilot figures. My messy workstation, I liked the cheapo airbrush so much I went out and got a decent gravity fed one from paasche. Also did tests on spoons to get the color right. I think it turned out well. Kit had a gimmick, where the wings and gear were hinged. Great idea 'in theory' Wing joints broke, and the gear don't sit quite right. (Gear does twist and fold like the real deal though) And now for the hideous mistake that put it back on the shelf for months. Didn't have varnish, so used the model builder 'Future Klear' trick, I saw on youtube... Finally got back to it, and buffed and wet sanded as best I could. Some decals were tiny, but went on great. On the shelf with ordnance. Extra drop tanks, were turned into napalm canisters. (Nose band did end up with some silvering.)

A couple more. First up, a Revell Mig3 1:72 Another inexpensive practice kit. Seat weathering. Great Decal! On the shelf. (Fussing over cockpit details... Why? just, Why?) Airfix P39-Q 1:72 Third go at pilot figures. I think I'm getting the hang of it now. Spent all that time getting the seat stippled just right, and then when I glued the pilot on, it covered it all up. More putty filler, but not as noticeable. (Kit had gaping holes in the underside of the wings for the gunpods, but I wanted clean wing so...) Lots of sanding fitting the wings to fuselage. (get what you pay for I suppose.) Only after the kit was glued did i realize it needed weight in the nose to sit properly. Snipped up a lead fishing weight and glued it in front of the nose gear. (hardly noticeable) Also first attempt at weathering. Overdid the gunsmoke. Kit didn't come with a radio box aft of the pilot so I carved up a sprue and put it in. Also the sharp eyed of you might see the next project was already on the go in the back ground. As it sits today on the shelf. Still needs decals.. Maybe one day, I won't be lazy.

Also built around the same time period. Airfix Yak-9D 1/72 Only the 2nd attempt at painting pilots ever. Masking Spinners..... Yep, not a fan. Official, period correct Yak9 Jig, right? I read about it on an IL2 forum. Seems Legit. Masked and assembled. (simple kit) Had to learn how to putty and sand. (hint, do NOT thin Tamya Grey with glue....) Thought I'd be smart and use Blue Tak for the cammo masking. Another learning mistake. Overall passable for my 2nd go. Decals and a shiny shelf does wonders. (Mind the wing gap.. it's not shoddy Soviet workmanship, I just stuck it into a display case 1 size too small.)

Hadn't completed a kit since I was in my teens. Got back into the hobby while I was away from the Dogz and isolated even further 'up north' a couple years ago. (Sorry for the pic dump, been saving these up on my phone starting 2018, Finally got around to posting) Started with an SBD. Cheap kit, had to drill the dive brake holes myself. Flight Officer Bean reporting sir. Bits n' Bobs half completed. First ever attempt with an airbrush and mixing my own paint color. (couldn't find the right blue) Assembly, first attempt at drybrushing on the cylinders as well. (cant even tell ) DON'T LOOK I'M HIDEOUS!! (we'll just fix that in 'post') As she sits today on the shelf. (canopy is still a hot mess but I don't look too close)

Corporal Snafu and Technical Sergeant Fubar seem to have tamed the Gremlins in 'Maybe, Baby?!' as the aircraft performed flawlessly. White Flight formed high astern of Red flight enroute to target, but slowly overtook. Crossing the line, bandits were spotted swinging into our rear section and Red flight engaged. White continued on to target. I followed Capt. Cloister on his run on target. White 2 had a go and then I was cleared for a bomb strike myself, destroying the remaining locomotive. We searched the town for more targets, but finding none, before heading off to hunt targets of opportunity. Catching up with Red flight we found more targets near the front line and managed to destroy some Howitzers and AA. Unfortunately we lost White 2 in the process. With ordinance depleted, White flight followed Red flight and headed for home. The 402nd arrived over the airfield at the same time as the 485 and the pattern was pleasantly full of returning lightnings.

from Wikipedia for what its worth. Reflecting its nautical heritage, the term "captain" is used as a military title by more junior officers who command a commissioned vessel of the Navy, Coast Guard, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship of patrol boat size or greater. Officers below O-6 who command aviation squadrons (typically O-5 commanders) usually use the less formal title "skipper". 0-5 being Lt. Colonel and below.

Squawks in for tomorrow.

2.Lt. Alistair Starling encountered a recurring technical gremlin that required an immediate return to base. Claim: 1 Jeep: damaged/ probable. "Last seen: smoking, and headed for the hangars at a high rate of speed." (Signed out of motorpool by one "Aircraft Technician Fifth grade, Corporal Snafu", coincidentally, also assigned to the aircraft of one "2.Lt. Alistair Starling") Following entry in the aircraft's Gripe Sheet: "Aircraft and systems intermittent, then suddenly unresponsive. Rapid onset. Symptom's include choppy but functional radio receiver, aircraft surging and difficulty maintaining formation." Aircraft Technician Corporal Snafu enlisted the help of Technical Sergeant Fubar to address the issue. Aircraft returned to service with the following: "Aircraft function tested serviceable, unable to reproduce issue on ground." Aircraft unofficially christened : Maybe Baby!? 2.Lt. Starling might make 'Major' one day simply due to longevity. If he doesn't get transferred out for 'Morale issues' arising from too many aborted combat sorties.

Squawks in for tomorrow.

Squawk's in for 12 please

An Excellent Mission to get me back into the flightseat. I had my hands full just keeping track of our flight and making sure I made it home, Almost. (I was just a little cranky I DC'd on the way home. ) Well done to Flight leads Painless and Friar for keeping us all together. Looking forward to many more, but Hopefully not with disco's. A special thanks to Friar for helping getting me sorted prior to.

room for a fresh recruit? Alistair Starling; reporting sir.

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