SPA Modeler

You’re building a German aircraft!? It just got dusty in here, oh man. No, screw that, I’m choking-back tears of joy!

KennyX wrote:You’re building a German aircraft!? It just got dusty in here, oh man. No, screw that, I’m choking-back tears of joy!

An old Frog kit! You must love a challenge.

The first static Frog models where actually not polystyrene but acetate. They where called the Penguin series. More information at: http://frogpenguin.com/introduction

Ken, I saw your comments as I was preparing to go out the door at 7 am, so I thought I would wait until I hit a free patch o’ time to respond with a massive “Thank you, sir!” You officially made my day with that thought.

Regarding Do 17 5K + AS8, KG3

I tried to process an enormous amount of unit information and so far have not been able to find out anything specific. According to Lord Google at least, the unit records are incomplete. Honestly I find that difficult to believe. War records have been kept and studied since the earliest days. Who knows? I don’t know yet where to place this aircraft, though. Any ideas for research?

Carlos, Borg, anyone at all, do you know how to locate where this bomber was kept, and in what operations it was used? My notes are chaos.

speedgraflex wrote: Carlos, Borg, anyone at all, do you know how to locate where this bomber was kept, and in what operations it was used? My notes are chaos.

Perhaps Thomas and Torben could Google with German search words ?

- Kari

Hey... where did my response go? Oh well... I was just commenting on bringing out an old Frog kit. I don't know whether to congratulate you on a brand new challenge or give you a bit of a flog for being such a masochist. You've never taken the easy route so this should come as no surprise. I'm looking forward to seeing you meld a vintage kit with some modern aftermarket pieces.

BorgR3mc0 wrote:An old Frog kit! You must love a challenge.

The first static Frog models where actually not polystyrene but acetate. They where called the Penguin series. More information at: http://frogpenguin.com/introduction

Borg! Thank you! Your knowledge is always a boon and I am truly grateful. I have read two sections of this excellent publication by Peter Van Lune, the introduction to the book itself and his biography. Both are extremely well written, sourced and full of the common joy shared by those who build scale models. This work, in its intentions, suggests to me that this may be more than simply a hobby for those who appreciate the allure of a set of sprues alone. The appeal of the miniaturization of real world materials, and its translation into a new medium, does generate a form of excitement. Plus, my father saying to me, “To know something is to build it,” certainly seems to be generated genetically amongst us. One might say, “These are toys,” and shrug off what I wrote above, but there is something here which travels beyond our ability to play and relate. There is the link to history—a personal time machine—and the link to building our understanding of history.

KSaarni wrote:

speedgraflex wrote: Carlos, Borg, anyone at all, do you know how to locate where this bomber was kept, and in what operations it was used? My notes are chaos.

Perhaps Thomas and Torben could Google with German search words ?

- Kari

Thank you for your thoughts, Kari! I ordered the Valiant Source Book on the late model Do 17 last night. Squadron is having a sale. This relates more to what must be built—cockpit and landing gear—from scratch. Sample:

jkim wrote:Hey... where did my response go? Oh well... I was just commenting on bringing out an old Frog kit. I don't know whether to congratulate you on a brand new challenge or give you a bit of a flog for being such a masochist. You've never taken the easy route so this should come as no surprise. I'm looking forward to seeing you meld a vintage kit with some modern aftermarket pieces.

John! Thank you! I do like old kits. I may be “a bit” of a masochist, but the juices flow when the limits are in place. This kit will definitely be a challenge. Whenever you mention having built an old kit in the past, I am happy. I often speculate what the results would be if everyone I know who builds models was given a Monogram 1:48 Tiger Shark, bottle paint, brushes and tube glue. I know the results would be brilliant. I keep trying to find a stash of old kits of the same subject because this is a project plan I would love to actually put in motion one day. Everyone builds the same classic kit, with the same paints, brushes and glue. Well—that’s one of those ideas that are fun to think about. Perhaps one day it will be feasible!

I was also thinking about building models to transform box art into what should be the contents of the materials inside. I am sure there are examples off in the shadowy corners of the internet. I was thinking of audience with that idea. That would be a very small group initially but it could grow into a larger series.

speedgraflex wrote:I often speculate what the results would be if everyone I know who builds models was given a Monogram 1:48 Tiger Shark, bottle paint, brushes and tube glue.

I'm in! :-)

(disclaimer: the old kit in the background just as background)



- Kari