SPA Modeler

Thanks so much for the comments on that little part. Losing it threw me for a loop. But after sitting down, formulating an idea to make a replacement and having the idea work out fairly well, I feel much better about moving on. I was really worried about having a small exterior detail inconsistency that would be noticeable if it were pointed out. It really irked me. It's interesting to think about a scratchbuild that simply gets you back to the original model as opposed to an enhancement.

jkim wrote:Thanks so much for the comments on that little part. Losing it threw me for a loop. But after sitting down, formulating an idea to make a replacement and having the idea work out fairly well, I feel much better about moving on. I was really worried about having a small exterior detail inconsistency that would be noticeable if it were pointed out. It really irked me. It's interesting to think about a scratchbuild that simply gets you back to the original model as opposed to an enhancement.

Bro, I’m with you 110% on that. That kind of thing troubles me to no end. And if I can’t resolve it and I move ahead and it is pointed out later, oh man- I gotta smash it with the hammer. I’m very temperamental about such things.

That said, I really like how you not only worked through the emotional aspect of it, but you also engineered yourself a solution and built it and employed it. That was fantastic. No wringing of hands, no shelving the project, no smashing it with a sledgehammer, none of that for you. Just a plan, and a well-executed solution.

I honor you for that. Good show, my man. Good show.

KennyX wrote: That said, I really like how you not only worked through the emotional aspect of it, but you also engineered yourself a solution and built it and employed it. That was fantastic. No wringing of hands, no shelving the project, no smashing it with a sledgehammer, none of that for you. Just a plan, and a well-executed solution.

Thank you Kenny, that is just what I thought while gliding through John's posts. Focused like a Zen Master. Unflinching on his way to the best possible result. I admire your patience, John.

I don't think I'm as tranquil and zen-like as you might think but I take that as a compliment! So thank you! I definitely see the benefit of taking a deep breath and walking away from the modeling desk when bad things happen. And luckily, I have lots of real life getting in the way of my modeling time so those breaks can come often. That keeps the plastic stuff in perspective.

The glue mishap created a weird dimple texture that need filling as well as sanding.


After the surface work, some careful re-riveting and I think we can move on.


The outer wing control surfaces have been added so these are done.


All control surfaces will be posed in the closed or neutral position so I am not bothering to paint any of the interior portions of these areas.


The wings slide into position and the fit is very good. I'm still hoping to make the wings removable for transportation purposes.



Here's a closer look at the bottom of the wings. I've glued my scratchbuilt replacement fairing into place.

Nice save on that glue mishap and great work on scratch building that piece! I had to do that with the A-10. One of the inboard PE wing fences disappeared and I had to scratch one out of plastic sheet.

Good save on that glue mishap!

John, once again, stunning work on all this. You are moving along very fast and doing fully amazing work!

Finally pushed myself to get some wiring done on the Corsair wheel wells. And it's not like it is elaborately complex and mind-blowing either so sorry if you expected more! A very basic level of detail added. I just need some time to think about the order of how this was going to come together. After the wiring along the wheel well sides are done, I am going to paint the wells.


I'll then paint the other components and install them afterwards. The final wiring connection between the central hydraulic junction (which I've pre-wired) and the gear door actuators (which I've pre-drilled holes for the wiring) will have to come after the gear doors are attached. Unless I separate the actuators from the doors, which I am thinking about doing.

Very nice - I like the hydraulics. Were they part of the kit or SB?

That’s nice work in the hydraulics, John!

Even in 1:48, those wheel wells are barren. I was surprised that Tamiya didn’t dress them up more in 1:32. For Pete’s sake there’s plenty of space in there. I guess there’s only so much we can do with these molds. And real wire does end up looking nicer. Anyhow, I’m glad you took the extra step. They’ll look really nice in there when finished.