TheWalrus

Ooops. Be careful, that is my daughter. My error in cutting and pasting. Should have paid more attention. Here it is http://www.grandtline.com/model_railroad/a...ables_pages.htm

I am hooked on WWI scale models with the introduction of the Wing Nuts kits. My old skills are slowly returning with this interest. I have been sztymied with the need for small parts, especially the turnbuckles for rigging. A railroading friend of mine suggested checking Grant Line products and eureka. They have scale nuts, bolts, washers, turnbuckles and lots more which can ber used in all phases of modeling. Prices are right, too. Look in their Augmentables section. http://www.grandtline.com/model_railroad/a...ables_pages.htm Life is once again good.

Thanks, you have pointed me in the right direction. Just what I was looking for and more.

At the Nat's I saw packaged nuts, bolts, washers, and washer/stud combinations. I thought they were really expensive for the quantities. These items were really tiny and appear ideal for my applications. I believe the thingies were on the order of perhaps 1 - 2 milimeters. Can anyone point me to sources for these? Dummy parts are o.k. as they will not be functional.

Raptor photo is definitely an "Iron Bird" mock-up. A PR demonstrator for dragging around as a show and tell for ooohs and aaaahs.

Hawkeye's (ne: SNJ) has a mix for the "metalic" Raptor Sheen colors used... Also check his "Talon" line for acrylics. http://www.hawkeyeshobbies.com/catalog/misc.htm

I wish I had followed your example. I have re-ordered but waited until a week or so ago. Volks-USA did jerk me around on the initial refund and I noter that they are now saying on their site that you don't get a charge back once you order. I think that it is still illegal to charge a card if you are not going to ship within 30 days. I cannot figure out how I order a Shinden and they charge me for a TA-152 being released in "Autumn 2010". Anyway, I hope to be seeing the Shinden in a week or so. I may order the extra detal sets but will do so only from Japan after I see the kit.

Thanks. They seem to have a lousy business model. I think that ordering direct means you still have to deal with Volks but it is VolksJapan. Perhaps I will try that mode when I get my card credited back. My daughter-in-law is Japanese and she has offered to help. I guess it will work out in the end. Heck of a way to do business!

I have used the Grex TS3 for a little over a week and am nothing less than impressed. It is much easier for me to control and use due to the trigger design. Yesterday I used my Iwata double action and was really frustrated and not satisfied with the way it went. It's not lick on the Iwata; just a lick on the double action push and pull design. It makes for a difficult task if you have carpal and arthritus. The selling point for me with the Grex is that it is a double action design but can be preset for paint flow. Preset is good for me because I don't havre to adjust and hold the air/paint flow on the fly The cons are: price; (apparent) size of feed pipes from paint container seems to be not the more common; paint bottles are twize as tall as common Badger, Iwata, Pasche, etc. sizes. Also, glass bottle has larger mouth which, so far, has pinned me to their bottles for extras. Pro's more comfortable handling and adjustment, ease of use, really cool bright lime green handle color. Conclusion: No way would I not recommend this airbrush. By the way, Iwata makes a look-alike but I believe it is more expensive and it isn't the cool color.

I saw the kit for Zoukei-mura's company's Shinden in Tamiya's recent magazine. Last page. It really looks great! They also are in the process of coming out with a TA152. Both are in 1/32 scale and from the photo's are amazing in detail. I pre-ordered both kits from their affiliated site Volksusa.com. Then it gets complicated. They have no real release date for either model. (Shinden is in 2nd production run, alledgedly). TA152 will be out in "Autumn". Volks USA has charged my card for the TA152 for "Autumn" release and the second production run Shinden, scheduled for (Maybe a month or two release has not been charged. I believe it used to be and probably still is illegal to charge a credit card with more than 30-days prior to shipping. Most business practice is to charge when an item is shipped. Zoukei-mura's site is confusing and stilted in English due to culture and language structural differences and the Volks USA site is worse. I have spoken to Volks USA customer service and the rep is helpful but gets glassy eyed. Anyone else have experience with these people or know of a place that sells these kits and knows what they are doing? Enquiring minds want to know.

Addendum. After all the great advice from everyone regarding my airbrush and paint colors question I went to my local art supply house. The intent was to purchase a Paasche and/or Badger as advised. Looking in the display case my eye was drawn to a flourescent green thing. Turned out it was the handle on a Grex Tritium Series TS3. It had all the features I was asking for and more. The trigger style took care of the arthritus and carpal situation; it was double action, but could be preset which essentially made it single action; it can be set up with gravity cups or siphon feed and feed can be connected from either side of the brush depending on preference and handing. Well, what could I do? I asked the price and after recovery I bought it. I haven't tried it yet because the low pressure gauge on my tank has failed and a replacement won't arrive until Friday. If anyone is interested I will pass along my experience with this thing in the Tips and Techniques Forum.

Has anyone made a purchase from this company. I am looking at the Roden engine sets and they are selling them for a reasonable price. I am hoping that they are a US company, but think maybe eastern European. Hobbyterra.com

Thanks, Mike. I decided to buy the Tamiya colors as called out in the instruction sheet. I decided to follow Gil's advice about color choice. However I am going to check out the Misterkit line in the future.

Great advice and information. The Badger and the Paasche are cheap enough that I might give both a try. I have had a Badger (can't remember model no. but purchased in about 1970) and the Paasche and I do think it was a modle H. I am also going to try your idea of trying out a blob of silicon on the trigger of the dual action Iwata HP-BCS. Any thoughts on gravity feeds as opposed to siphon feed. My only experience was with the siphon feed.

Thanks, Gil. I knew that FS numbers were not used but I thought it would give a cross reference between brands. I decided, that on your advice, I would buy the Tamiya acrylics called out in the instructions. As you say, they should be good enough and besides who can argue the accuracy? Thank yuou also for the discussion and Hyperscale site. I avoided WWI aircraft, mainly due to the rigging pain, but after seeing the Wingnut offerings and checking out the hugely improved modeling materials, including the stretchy rigging material, I have brecome hooked. My Sopwith Pup is moving along slowly but at my ager there is no hurry. Besides I will never get to the bottom of the stacks in the garage, anyway.

Thank you. I will check it out. The Badger brand was the first airbrush I ever had, purchased in early 70's. I have also recently heard good things about the Badger Company's servicing policy.

I am building the Wingnuts Wings Sopwith Pup. Paint references are given by manufacturer and callout number. (ie. Tamiya XF**, Humbrol **, Misterkit BC**) I am looking for accurate pre-mixed colors or something like Model Master FS numbers. I would consider the instruction sheet callouts as close enough for government work only. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good to high quality single-action airbrush. I have an Iwata double-action but it requires a lot of hand/finger coordination which my arthritis and carpal tunnel thing is making difficult. My preference would be for a bottom feeding or siphon type rather than gravity. I am using a CO2 bottle and two stage regulator for "air" source. It has no higher start-up cost than a decent compressor and sure beats the pants of it. The only thing you hear is the slight hiss when you are actually spraying and it is more accurate as far as pressure control. Empty bottles are swapped out for a refilled one and the cost is very low.

Perhaps over a year or so one of you good folks sold me a 1/48 TA-152. I believe you used to live in Dayton but now living in Kentucky(?). Could you please contact me. Has nothing to do with the kit so don't worry.

Thanks for all your help. I will be trying each suggestion.

And thankyou, too, Gil. I am going to order it and give it a try.

Eureka! That's the stuff. Thank you, Mr. Hanson.

I recently ran across a rigging matereial that had "stretchy" properties. It could be used for rigging or antenna "wire". Ad said it was not brittle and would handle being bumped. I have not been able to find this product again. Can anyone help?