mustang1989

Hey fellas! I was going to post this in the General Topics but that is for car related and automotive topics so I'll post it here where I can expand it out past that. All of us have that one kit (or maybe more) in our stash that we just had to have because it was just "out there". I just thought it would be cool to put some of that stuff on here and give a brief comment on what compelled us to buy it for conversation sake. I'll start it off with one of mine. With me being a big German Luftwaffe buff I saw this BV-141 kit back in 1998 on the shelf and immediately bought it because I like stuff thats different from the norm and then learned more about it. First off I don't know how this thing flew but it did and was even put into limited service before being replaced by a more conventional design, the Fw189. Anyways without further delay, the BV-141: .

Thanks David! I'm working on my diorama skills. I do have a couple of Navy pilots that I may paint up and do something with. I've been gearing up for figure painting/ diorama stuff for the last few months. I still have a little way to go on my paint/ weathering skills with aircraft but I'm getting more comfortable by the build! I feel pretty good about this build even though I didn't fill seams or sand off some of the Monogram signiture markings like part numbers in the middle of the dive flaps or the copyright date on the elevators! Total accuracy wasn't as much a part of this build as having fun was. Today will see the approximate 95% completion of the plane as I will rig the aerial antenna. Still waiting on my ammo belts for the flex gun to make it 100%.

Ok fellas! This thing is finally taking some real shape here! I now just have the aerial antenna to rig and the ammo belts for the flexible .30 cals to install. I'm going to go ahead and display the aircraft with the plastic canopy piece when I submit a final photo in a few days but am going to order a vacuform canopy so that the pilots sliding canopy piece doesn't appear "piggy backed onto the fixed canopy section. This is where I'm at right now:

This is getting GOOD! Coming together nicely Ira!

It's lookin' good Ira! The complex paint and techniques are really giving this thing a good look!

Welcome aboard neighbor Jeff! I've been through Granbury a time or two having been all over Texas.

Thats some good detail and excellent weathering/ wear!!!

Thanks alot Bruce! When I first started out with the wash I applied it too heavily and was not satisfied at all. I use acrylic paints so I used an enamel based MIG Productions dark wash. I just applied a coat of MIG Productions wash thinner to the sides to tone it down a notch. The aircraft that I am building is a replication of 22-C-14 which arrived onto the carrier U.S.S. Independence in the spring of 43. The paint scheme was incorrect at the time of it's arrival as it should have the dark blue down the sides of the fuselage at the wing area. My point being is that it wasn't too worn yet and being a carrier based aircraft it didn't see a whole lot of dirt. As for today's update: I weathered the exhaust pipes, applied a light exhaust soot to the sides of the fuselage just behind the exhaust pipes, installed the tail hook and installed the upper dive flaps. I'm not that fired up about the pilots sliding canopy section. Seems to sit too high up on the fixed canopy piece. I see a vacuform canopy in the works. Here's the update pic:

Thanks Dave! I'm hoping to finish this thing up by November 31st. Today I installed the upper dive flaps, weathered the exhaust and applied some exhaust soot to the sides of the fuselage just behind the exhaust pipes, and installed the tail hook. Although not a truly authentic Dauntless build, I also tried to keep it's 1960's Monogram signature toy look. I look forward to building an Accurate Miniatures SBD-4 for the double throw down in authenticity.

Dang Jurgen! I just don't know what to say......really! The only word that comes to mind and that don't even do it justice is.........masterpiece!!!

Thanks Chris. I tried to make the paint the highlight of this build in addition to the cockpit upgrade. Most of my aircraft get completely opened up but opted not to do that on this one for sentiment sake. I built this same kit when I was 12 and tried not to go too wild with it.

Such talent! You really nailed it Harry.

Ok everybody. I'm not done but the finish is now in sight. All of the things you see on this thing now I have had done for quite some time now while waiting on decals, paint, washes and all of the clear coats to dry out. I still have to weather the exhausts ALOT, install all of the guns and ammo belts for the rear, finish up fitting the canopy pieces, install the elevator/ stabilizers , install the tail hook, install the pitot tube, top dive brakes and rig the aerial antenna. All in all that aint much. Any ways here's the latest,

Those are some cool looking set of wheels you built there! I have the 66 Mustang in my stash and think its about halfway built but may have to re-hash it. Good job on your builds!

Thanks Chris! Nearing the end I think!

Glad to have you aboard neighbor!!

I have a feeling that whatever color you chose it would have come out great. The finish is awesome on that thing! Good job!

Todays update is my adding the bleached effect to the paint. Man , What a difference. Just to recap here's an earlier pic with just paint and decals from a similar angle: and one after the dull coat/ light grey mix for the bleached effect: Looks like its off to the subtle isopropyl alcohol application, painting and installing some of the final details and we are off to unmasking all of that hidden detail!!

I can't remember. Are you using enamels or acrylics?

I would love to have an opportunity like that. It's rare, and I mean rare, to see someone locally who really participates in this hobby locally. There are those that think what people like us do is totally friggin awesome but don't build. That is where folks like you all come in to play. I just appreciate the fact that we have a place to come where we can actually carry on a conversation about modeling, learn a thing or two and pass that info along to others.

I haven't gone to one in YEARS but want to. I went to a couple of IPMS shows while I was around the Dallas area and had a blast. I entered in a build but it lacked the skills that I have gained in the last couple of years and I'm sure it was passed up for that reason but it didn't stop me from having fun. I look forward to it again, maybe in the San Antonio area this time. To my knowledge there are no modle shows here in Corpus. No LHS either.

For me armor is a whole world of its own. There was a GB going on last year in the armor section called Steel Cats and there was the craziest stuff coming out of that build! I have a 1/48 scale German 251 halftrack and I plan to build it after my skills have advanced to that level.

Atta boy cheecho! That really brought the detail out!!!

Thanks David and Rob! This has been a fun project that's taking me back 30+ years to when I first built this kit. The answer to irregular surfaces and decals..............Microsol, Microsol and more Microsol. The letter/number decals were ALOT easer to get to lay down due to the fact that they are Microscale decals from Yellow Wings. All the other decals were the Hasegawa offering and those SUCKED! They were thick, prone to lots of bubbles and refused to suck down to the rivet detail with out 8+ coats of Microsol. These Microscale decals took only one or two applications of Microsol and I had not one bubble form under the decals. Looks like its off to a gloss coat and then a dullcoat with a little grey mixed in for that sun bleached effect. Then I'm going to try something I've never tried before but have seen good results and shoot a light, and I mean LIGHT coat of 70% isopropyl alcohol over the whole top side of the bird for that dead flat look.

. Well folks I applied the squadron letter/ numbers to the sides. I'm sure somebody here has attempted applying individual decals in a row before and knows how meticulous that is! I looked at this thing from every conceivable angle , looked at it sideways, looked at it mean , looked at it worried , looked at it dismayed and made all kinds of adjustments and finally I just accepted them the way they were. It seemed like every time I looked at them again that one of the letters, numbers or the dashes looked crooked. I think I have it all together now though. Here goes: