Commission Build for Bruce Cooper

[speedgraflex]

So basically the door pieces are to be attached to the underside edge of the wing root, not on the wing in folded position. Better question, is it suppose to be in closed position with wings folded? Confusing I know....

http://thanlont.blogspot.com/2011/03/gr ... redux.html

Great article about the design!

[BlackSheep214]

Now I understand...

[Duke Maddog]

Thanks for the information guys. The issue with the folding wing parts is not the larger piece with all the circles on it, it is the banana-shaped part on the right. The parts on the left in my pic are seen in the lowered position in the instruction sheet, but the banana-shaped part is not clearly seen where it is supposed to go when the wing is folded. My feeling is that the sharper curve is supposed to frame out the landing gear door opening somehow, but there are no connections to glue it into place where the part is supposed to go. Thus, it is easier just to leave it off.

I got the model masked and painted. Pics forthcoming once it dries enough to keep me from impressing fingerprints in it....

Stay tuned....

[speedgraflex]

HERE BE DRAGONS

ah... mislabeled parts!



More details—



Duke—those lower skin pieces are attached to the center and hang down when the wings are UP

[Duke Maddog]

Okay, now that answers the question. Okay I'll give it a shot, but it surely is a very precarious join! I knew about the one part hanging down, it was the mislabeled parts B-7 and B-8 that I could not figure out.

Now, what color was the inside of the wing fold section? I don't believe it was dark blue like these pics show.

[Stikpusher]

Actually, yes, the wingfold interior, along with the wheel wells, should be in gloss Sea Blue. Navy Regs specified that the those areas were to be painted to match the surrounding external area. So on the early War scheme, you would see light gray, on the mid War tri color scheme, they would be white, and on the late War scheme, Sea Blue. Occasionally you may see white wheel hubs, drop tanks etc. due to old inventory being used up.

[speedgraflex]

Carlos—that is a great photograph, not only the composition, but the tonality of the blues; this functions as both time travel to a moment as well as historical record! Thank you!

[Stikpusher]

Bruce, if only I could take such photos... I found it off the US Navy historical archives website. Just an educated guess, but I suspect it was taken by a trained USN photographer. And I do just love the tones of WWII era actual color photos. Something that those who digitally color WWII era B&W photos can not replicate.

[speedgraflex]

I love the angle! That photographer was not afraid to get on the deck to take the shot—and it looks like the vehicle has a tow cable attached? The poses of the men are just outstanding and you are right that the color, saturation, depth of field combined with film grain are just outstanding.

[Duke Maddog]

Excellent information. I'll remove the masking on the wing fold areas and re-shoot this color on them.

Thanks for posting that. For visual interest and if Bruce approves, I'll paint the interior of the gear doors in white.