Rusty White

I need to locate Robert Swan, John Fryant, or the owner of their USS Choctaw plans to answer a question I have. Does anyone know how to contact any of these folks? I am currently working on a kit of this behemoth. I know what the scale is of the plans because it is noted. However, there isn't a scale or reference point drawn anywhere. What I need is a KNOWN distance of anything on the drawings (like the pilot house) in order to set the units of scale in the CAD program. Any help would be much appreciated. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc.

Thanks Gil. You beat me to the punch with almost the same exact questions.

I built that kit some years back and I agree for its' age, it isn't a bad kit. You did a better job than I did though. Looks real nice. I wish they would retool it with recessed panel lines. Rusty

That Beetlejuice bust looks interesting and just like Keaton. Post pics when you get it painted.

I know little to nothing about biplanes, but you built a first rate looking model (really love the wood technique) IMHO. Well done.

Nice build Ron. Be careful; building ships is contagious!

Sorry Dave. Your incorrect. The new billing for Photo Bucket is $39.99 per month for posting to other sites. At 1 year rates that would be $479.88 (the ONLY plan available for sharing to sites)! I told them to cram it. According to PB, your photos are still available so you can retrieve them.

That's interesting about the clear coat paints shelf life. I had the same thing happen to an enamel based clear coat (Model Master) some time back. I think this is a common problem among all paints (aging). We don't notice it on colors due to the dyes used, but we see it on clear coat for the opposite reason (no dyes). I used my clouded enamel based clear coat anyway assuming I was looking through about a million coats (still virtually clear) peering through the bottle, so why would it show on a couple of micro thin airbrushed coat(s)? Never had any problems with the finish, even years after application. My advice? Since I don't use them, I have little experience with acrylics. Do what your experience suggests. Sounds like an interesting subject for a new thread.

How long do you estimate that the Vallejo clear coats were in the bottles? I never heard anyone mention acrylics having a shelf life. Also, is this common among acrylics?

Nice photography on those shots. Good depth of field which is tough to do on aircraft.

A year or so back I picked up a bunch of Aero Master enamel colors from a guy on eBay for a bargain. So I'm stocked till the day I die! Rusty

"...I took him to a local Hobby Shop where I bought him a couple easy models, some glue, and some tools." When God closes a window, he opens a door. Thanks for opening the door Mark.

"I used tape cut in the wavy pattern and applied a length of thread to its edge to create a "soft mask" that gives a very tight, feathered edge." Never heard of that technique before. Thanks for the tip.

An oldie but still a goodie. Well done sir! A question. Was the demarcation lines of the camou colors hard edged?

Knowledgeable explanation Pete. Well done.

No such thing as too many Devo lyrics. I just wish I could dry brush that well. Great looking model.

Some of the episodes of "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger" were riffed by Mystery Science Theater and were some of their best. HILARIOUS!

Nice model and subtle shading on the panels. However, I was hoping to see another vac form.

To be honest, I can't recall what other folks were wearing at the banquet. It's just not important to me. I will say this though; If I can't wear what I want to feel comfortable, I ain't goin'.

I had a Gremlin as a young, just married guy! Congrats to those youngsters for well built entries.

The greatest advantage to modeling is that ANYONE can do it. Tools and supplies are minimal and whatever your financial situation is, even the worst quality kit can be improved as far as your skills and willingness can go. I have seen the old, crudely molded Lindberg HMS Hood kit built into a masterpiece! Talk about a silk purse from a sow's ear! It wasn't easy, and I'm sure it didn't happen overnight. The modeler relied on his skill. Keep building and you'll get better with every kit.

That's pretty cool that the sculptor would doodle and sign on the bottom of the base.

We tried to start a scholarship tradition way back when we did the Nats in '03 in OKC, and you could have gagged a maggot with the stink it rose. So you can bury that idea.

Nice build Gil. I love to see vacuum formed models. IMHO, a vac build really shows the skill of the modeler since they mostly come with just the most basic parts. Esoteric subject matter, parts attachment, panel scribing, seam filling, scratch building the details, painting skill (bare metal at that!) and cobbling together decals for a particular (sometimes very esoteric) model are what tests the skills of a true modeler (IMHO). Gil gets my official tip of the hat.

Squadron used to make clear sheeting that you could heat, then stretch it over a master pattern. IF they still make the stuff, you might try filling the old canopy with epoxy putty making sure it fits right before it hardens, then stretch form over it. Just a suggestion.