Wolfman63

For my next build I am building the 1/48 Hobby Boss FM-1 Wildcat. I have already completed the cockpit and starting work on the engine and landing gear bay. So far this looks like a nice kit. The details provided in the kit are pretty good. Only accessory used on the cockpit was some photo etch seatbelts. You can follow the build on my blog at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-fm-1-wildcat/

I entered my 1/350 USS Carl Vinson at the Butch O’Hare IPMS Chapter Show. I won a gold medal and “Best U.S. Navy” Plaque for my model.

The Italeri 1/720 USS Carl Vinson and air wing are now complete! All that is left to do is to mount the nameplate on to the base. The engraved nameplate is due to arrive tomorrow. Will be shipping this out to the client early in the week. Overall the Italeri model is about average. If you plan on building one of these I recommend the photo etch set and Trumpeter aircraft to bring out the details at this scale. Now on to the photos. You can see all the build photos in my build log at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-720-uss-carl-vinson/

The building of the Italeri 1/720 CVN-70 air wing continues. I have the SH-60’s, E-2C’s, and the F/A-18C’s completed. I like that Trumpeter molded the aircraft in clear but it does make them difficult to see while building. The photo of the SH-60 on deck looks great with the light showing thru. The F/A-18's unpainted look like a squadron of aircraft from Paradise Island (think Wonder Woman LOL) I still have the F/A-18E’s and the deck tractors to complete. The first order of the Shapeways 3-D printed deck tractors somehow were damaged during shipping. Did not see the damage as the shipper just sent an email. I contacted Shapeways and they contacted the shipper then sent a replacement set which arrived in perfect condition. They have awesome customer service! Should have this project completed by the end of next week. More build photos in the build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-720-uss-carl-vinson/

The air wing is now being built up for the 1/720 Italeri USS Carl Vinson. I have completed the F/A-18C’s for VFA-34 and the C-2’s for VRC-30. The aircraft kits come with minimal decals so I made some extra decals to include the tail code for CVW-2 and the numbers for the E-2’s and C-2’s. Having issues with getting the deck gear. Ordered them from Shapeways but received a notice from UPS that the package was damaged in transit. Not sure what the damage is but I emailed Shapeways and they are working the issue. Hopefully the replacements will be sent soon. So while I wait I am moving forward with the aircraft. Next are the SH-60’s of HSC-4. All the build photos are in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-720-uss-carl-vinson/

Moving forward on the Italeri 1/720 USS Carl Vinson I was able to finish the ship itself. I replaced the kit tower with the photo etch version, completed and rigged the island, and installed the rest of the parts on the ship. I also scratchbuilt the forward mast. I am now working on the air wing. The kit aircraft lack a lot of detail so I am using the Trumpeter aircraft. I will be building and detailing F/A-18’s (a few squadrons), E-2C’s, SH-60’s, and C-2’s to fill the flight deck. The kit crash crane looks fine and has been detailed. The 2 deck tractors that came with the kit are pretty sad looking. I ordered new 3-D printed deck tractors from Baconfist on shapeways. They should be here in about 8 days which gives me time to build detail the 30+ aircraft. You can see many more build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-720-uss-carl-vinson/

The construction of the Italeri 1/720 CVN-70 continues. The hull has been completed and mounted to the base. I used Liquitex acrylic gel to simulate the ship at sea. The base was painted blue with some green spots. The acrylic gel was applied and shaped for the wake and waves. The entire surface was then painted with Tamiya clear blue. The white was then dry brushed and the crests were highlighted. I then brushed thinner over the surface to blend the blue and white slightly. Turning my attention to the flight deck, I removed the molded in arresting cables as they looked more like walls. It was then painted and weathered. I then used EZ-Line thin for the cables. Still need to detail the catwalks and safety netting. I am working on the island and the mast now with details. The ship is close to being done then on to the air wing. All the build photos can be viewed at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-720-uss-carl-vinson/

Continuing the work on the hull of the 1/720 Italeri USS Carl Vinson. The kit had the anchors molded on and none of the anchor or mooring ports. I drilled out the holes and used wire for the bezels. The sponsons were attached and detailed then fitted with the CIWS. I made safety stripe decals for the hangar bay entryways and the warning circles for the missile launchers. I then detailed the aft crane and mounted it. I have some more decals to do once they arrive early next week. Starting to work on the flight deck now. More build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-720-uss-carl-vinson/

I am doing a commissioned build of the USS Carl Vinson for a gentleman whose son is currently serving aboard the ship. I am using Italeri’s 1/720 scale model and will be using the Gold Medal Models photo etch set and Trumpeter aircraft. The ship will be mounted in a display case depicting it “At sea”. Starting with the hull, The hangar bay doorways in the kit looked too plain. I cut the entryways to the correct depth and added scratch built doors. Next I started detailing the fantail. Some filling was required for the deck to hull fit. The platforms were then detailed with railings and ladders. The build log with all the photos is at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-720-uss-carl-vinson/

Completed the 1/48 scale Accurate Miniatures SB2U-2 Vindicator. This kit was a very nice kit to build. Fit was very good. Aside from the photo etch set, The only other thing I did was make some decals. One is the VS-72 logo on the side of the fuselage and the prop decals. Build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-sb2u-2-vindicator/ Final photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/gallery/1-48-accurate-miniatures-sb2u-2-vindicator/

Kapton tape is the type. It is typically used for electronics work. The tape is translucent, made of polyimide which resists thinners, paints and glues. The silicone adhesive used on it is designed to be residue free. The adhesive also does not pull paint off like some masking tapes. I prefer using this tape as it has some small stretch to it so you can wrap around curves like canopies. It trims easily and leaves a very good edge. I use an orange wood stick typically used by finger nail stylists to get a good stick on the edges which prevents bleed-thru of the paint. It comes in varying widths as well. I used it to mask the stripes on the tail. You can get a pack with different widths on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Polyimide-Temperature-Resistant-Multi-Sized/dp/B072Z92QZ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1537607346&sr=8-3&keywords=Kapton+tape The orange wood sticks also work well for apply in putty as well. one end is pointed and the other is flat. You can get them on amazon as well https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077GR3Y8H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AI5NMG8XBYKC1&psc=1

Update on the 1/48 Accurate Miniature SB2U-2 Vindicator. It’s been a busy week with not a lot of build time. I was able to get all the initial painting done. Instead of using the decals I decided to paint the tail stripes. I mounted the gun and bombs. I am masking the canopy with Kapton tape now then on to decals. All the build photos are at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-sb2u-2-vindicator/

Work continues on the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SB2U-2 Vindicator, the gun and bombs have been detailed. I painted the base coat on the aircraft. This is kind of a new area as I am trying out Vallejo paints for the first time. I usually use Model Master and Tamiya paints for many years. With Model Master now owned by Krylon, they are cutting back of many of the military colors. The Vallejo paints work very well and gives you a nice even coat. Build log with all photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-sb2u-2-vindicator/

Weekly update on the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 SB2U-2 Vindicator. The engine has been detailed and painted. Next it was installed and the cowling was completed. The cowl consisted of 4 separate pieces and the fit was very good. Just juggling 4 pieces was a little difficult to get the alignment correct. The landing gear was detailed, painted, and mounted. Now working on the bombs and mounts. All build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-sb2u-2-vindicator/

The cockpit on the 1/48 SB2U-2 Vindicator is now complete and the fuselage is together. The cockpit was a little tight getting everything to fit but it is together. Now working on detailing the engine. Using 30 AWG wire, I am making the pushrods for the cylinders. Build log at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-sb2u-2-vindicator/

Starting the 1/48 Accurate Miniatures SB2U-2 Vindicator and will be using the Eduard photo etch detail set. The scheme will be the Centaur Vampires of VS-72 assigned to the USS Wasp (CV-7) that operated in the Atlantic Ocean during WWII. The detailing of the cockpit in this kit is great and the photo etch details add a little more depth. The pilots section is done. Working on the rear cockpit now. More build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-sb2u-2-vindicator/

The MH-60K is now complete! Overall an OK model. I really still cannot believe Italeri purposely does not include the K nose. I have had many respond that their kits do not have the part as well. The only other thing is the cockpit clear parts do not fit very well. Took a lot of shaping to get them to fit OK. If I ever did another one I would fill the edges and then trim to fit the clear parts. With all the photo etch already installed I was not able to do it. The Werner’s Wings decals are awesome. They went on easily and just the right thickness. You can see all the build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-mh-60k-blackhawk-soa/

The nose has been received! Back to work this week. Will have an update with photos later this week.

So after realizing the Italeri kit does NOT include the correct nose, I surgically removed the “L” nose. Utilizing the numerous modeling forums and groups I was finally able to locate the correct nose from a fellow modeler in Ankara Turkey. The correct nose should be here late next week. In the mean time I am working on the smaller details. Main rotor, machine guns, side doors have been detailed. Corrected the placement of the smaller antennas and started to base coat the model and rotors. The kit decals only have the black lettering for the warnings and such so I scanned the decal sheet in and changed the colors to the dark olive color used on the 160th Night Stalkers aircraft. More photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-mh-60k-blackhawk-soa/

So here is where I stand, Lone Star Models does not know when it will get to the MH-60K set. I contacted them. I found out that Italeri stopped molding this part. Many modelling friends on Facebook have looked in their MH-60K kits and the part is missing. The kit was released back in 2007 and the kit did include this part. It appears that sometime around 2012 Italeri stopped molding this part. It is the only part that is not in the kit. A fellow modeller in Turkey has the K nose. The kit he has was molded in black. This may be the old RoG version (which Italeri used). He did not use the nose and has shipped the part to me. Not sure of shipping time from Turkey to U.S. so I will be doing some of the smaller details (main rotor, the guns, side doors, etc.). It is actually OK since next week I have two sons who are are going back to college and there is some travel involved. Stay tuned.

Yes, In fact I was just getting ready to paint it. However: Normally I'm a happy kind of guy. But today I am very not very happy. You may have been following my build of Itarei's 1/48 MH-60K Blackhawk SOA. Well the instructions have you install the MH-60L nose. So on one of my posts I was informed that the kit does supply the correct nose. So I looked and the part was missing. I contacted Italeri and they say to confirm part and it would cost 5 euro's to get the part and 20 days shipping. Well I used a coupon and purchased another kit due to time and figured later I can build a MH-60L. Guess what???? On the newer kits Italeri REMOVES THE PART or has blocked it from being molded!!!!!! If anyone has an older release of this kit and your tree has part E25 or if anyone knows of a resin replacement, Please contact me. The build is going to be on hold until I can locate the correct KILO nose.

After many hours of trimming, folding, and bending the numerous photo etch parts for the fuselage are now installed. Some minor finishing and some minor filling then the fuselage will be ready for painting. Still have some items left to build and detail like the main rotor, doors, and the machine guns. See all the numerous build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-mh-60k-blackhawk-soa/

Using CA glue. I use the glue looper to apply the glue. It is a very nice tool and applies an accurate amount of glue. http://www.creativedynamicllc.com/the-glue-looper.html

The continuing work on the 1/48 Italeri MH-60K Blackhawk. Fuselage together, starting to add photo etch details to the outside of the fuselage. It is slow going as there are over 170 pieces to add. The bottom and nose of fuselage is done. Working on the top and sides now. Still need to do the boom, some more on tail, and the main rotor. See all the photos in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-mh-60k-blackhawk-soa/

The Italeri 1/48 MH-60K cockpit and cabin ready to install into fuselage. Working on the adding details to the fuselage. Many of the vents and grates need to be cut out and replaced with photo etch details. Should be ready to close up fuselage soon. All build photos are at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-mh-60k-blackhawk-soa/