I used to build aircraft

[spike morelli]

There was a time when I built nothing but aircraft, 20 years ago now. Here's some of my work from then. 

[spike morelli]

More of the aircraft. My Dad used to sell Pratt& Whitney radial engine parts, so these were on display at his shop. Nowadays, I do cars for the fun of it, but always dug doing the aircraft stuff.

[shoopdog]

Super nice plane builds! WWll planes are just down right sexy!

[Snake45]

You were a talented aircraft modeler. I'll bet you still are! These are very nice!

Like you, I used to consider myself mainly an airplane guy, but for about the last 10 years, I've mainly done cars. They're just more fun, and fewer "rivet counters" ragging on your work. 

[philo426]

Nice work!

[jchrisf]

I would like to build a plane someday.. a military plane.  What is a good kit for a newbie?

[High octane]

Great job on those planes Spike, and thanks for sharing. I'm a car modeler, however as I've visited a lot of hobby shops over the years a lot of them have had planes hangin' from their ceilings. I already have two and just started a F4U-4 Corsair build.

[Snake45]

15 minutes ago, High octane said:

 just started a F4U-4 Corsair build.

Which kit? I'm a bit of an F4U-4 maven, if I do say so myself. 

[High octane]

8 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

Which kit? I'm a bit of an F4U-4 maven, if I do say so myself. 

The Revell 1/48th scale F4U-4.

[Snake45]

4 hours ago, High octane said:

The Revell 1/48th scale F4U-4.

Ah! The old Monogram kit from about 1964. 

It has its accuracy and detail issues, so I wouldn't advice dropping a bunch of time and aftermarket $$$ on it. But that doesn't mean it can't be a FUN and enjoyable, nostalgia/retro build. I've done two of them, have another one ready to go into the paint shop, and will probably build another one or two somewhere along the line. Have FUN with it and post pics of it when you're finished! 

[spike morelli]

I would have to say that quite a few of the WWII aircraft I have done in the past were Monogram. The Monogram kits were, in fact, the older sixties re-issues, but they are good bang-for-the-buck, and, they take nicely to just a bit of detailing. Of course, I have done some of the import offerings, like Tamiya ( did I spell that right? ), but the inexpensive domestic kits work up very impressive. I had a handle on using my airbrush for the camoflage. Today, doing the hot rods, I just shot right from the rattle can.

I ended up with three glass display cases full of aircraft, maybe 60 different builds, from a little Stearman trainer to the Enola Gay B-29, all in 1/48 scale. Today, they are on display at North Valley Aviation Occupational School, where I also went to school to learn aircraft mechanics. Photo is 20 years ago....

[ismaelg]

Nice!  Love them all but that F-80 Shooting Star is really nice!

I used to do aircraft as well but a mix of scales. From 1/32 to 1/48 to 1/72 to 1/100 to 1/144  to oddball scales.

Currently working on my first aircraft model (helicopter) in over a decade.

Thanks,

[alexis]

That first Build. What a great "Beast".  That plane was never very loved. The short fuselage length kept it from being easy to fly.

[spike morelli]

Alexis,

           That "beast", is a SB2C.  My hats off to all the young men who fought in those battles. The pilot in my model is grabbing his throat mic, telling his rear seat, "....hang on Frankie, here we go....."

Edited January 22 by spike morelli

[Snake45]

9 hours ago, spike morelli said:

Alexis,

           That "beast", is a Grumman TBF/TBM "Avenger" torpedo bomber. 

Uh, no it isn't. Take another look. 

[Mike999]

1 hour ago, Snake45 said:

Uh, no it isn't. Take another look. 

Yep, that's the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bomber. A much-hated aircraft whose crews said "SB2C" meant "Son of a B**** Second Class."  It was supposed to replace the Douglas Dauntless, but had so many bugs that the Dauntless soldiered (or sailored) on till the end of WWII.

The Monogram "Pro-Modeler" kit of the Helldiver comes with a photo-etch sheet that includes perforated dive brakes and other useful parts.  If you want a more unusual build painted Olive Drab instead of blue, the Helldiver was built for the US Army as the A-25 Shrike.  The French Navy also used them in the First Indochina War, with some colorful markings.

[64Comet404]

On 3/21/2020 at 12:08 AM, spike morelli said:

I would have to say that quite a few of the WWII aircraft I have done in the past were Monogram. The Monogram kits were, in fact, the older sixties re-issues, but they are good bang-for-the-buck, and, they take nicely to just a bit of detailing. Of course, I have done some of the import offerings, like Tamiya ( did I spell that right? ), but the inexpensive domestic kits work up very impressive. I had a handle on using my airbrush for the camoflage. Today, doing the hot rods, I just shot right from the rattle can.

I ended up with three glass display cases full of aircraft, maybe 60 different builds, from a little Stearman trainer to the Enola Gay B-29, all in 1/48 scale. Today, they are on display at North Valley Aviation Occupational School, where I also went to school to learn aircraft mechanics. Photo is 20 years ago....

Always nice to see someone doing something with a Bugsmasher! I was happy to see that ICM tooled up a nice 1:48 Expeditor kit (now offered by Revell), because the 1:72 offerings were pretty weak in detail and accuracy (esp. the Hobbycraft version, looks like a straight pantograph of the PM molds). I still enjoy building aircraft, even though my completion rate has shrunk to (maybe) 1-2 kits per year.

[Repstock]

On 3/20/2020 at 8:20 AM, Snake45 said:

"rivet counters" ragging on your work. 

Rivet counting is good. Ragging on work is not.

[spike morelli]

14 hours ago, Mike999 said:

Yep, that's the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bomber. A much-hated aircraft whose crews said "SB2C" meant "Son of a B**** Second Class."  It was supposed to replace the Douglas Dauntless, but had so many bugs that the Dauntless soldiered (or sailored) on till the end of WWII.

The Monogram "Pro-Modeler" kit of the Helldiver comes with a photo-etch sheet that includes perforated dive brakes and other useful parts.  If you want a more unusual build painted Olive Drab instead of blue, the Helldiver was built for the US Army as the A-25 Shrike.  The French Navy also used them in the First Indochina War, with some colorful markings.

Oh my God! You guys are so right. How the heck did I post that!  I stand corrected,  and this is embarassing. I've grown up with WWII aircraft. My Dad specialized in P&W 2800 recip parts, and I hold an A&P license. I do know better......I'll take my 50 lashes now,....... My mind obviously farted for a moment, as it's obviously an SB2C. I just edited the post.

Edited January 22 by spike morelli

[Keavdog]

Nice collection.  I really like the Rufe - built that one when I was 19 or so.  There's something about float planes I really like.  About 2/3rds of what I build are aircraft.  For a nice first kit experience try the original release Tamiya Spitfire Mk1.  (61032 ).  Low parts count and fits perfectly and since the new tool release these are cheap.

[mustang1989]

Those all turned out super Spike!! Really like that 190 man. Biiiiiiiig fan of those! 

[mustang1989]

On 3/20/2020 at 10:15 AM, jchrisf said:

I would like to build a plane someday.. a military plane.  What is a good kit for a newbie?

1/48 Tamiya P-51D. Just falls together.

Edited January 22 by mustang1989