SPA Modeler

I don't see any "BS" in that thread,,,,,,just Dana Bell talking about some of his findings at the Archives, as he got his first Corsair book ready for publication by Steve Wiper's company. (There is now a second book, just recently released)

I guess if one doesn't know who Dana Bell is, that thread could look like "just ARC crap",,,,,but, if you do know his work, then you follow along with almost everything he types. Think of his posts as "free stuff" that he didn't include in one of his books, sort of like Tommy Thomason does, both publish for profit and post extras for free.

For what it is worth, Dana is the guy from the Smithsonian that verified my Federal Standard color work for me, taking time out from writing his 40th or 50th Aircraft book as he did so. For a quick peek at the scope of his work, Google "Air Force Colors" in multiple volumes by Squadron. (he also is the holder of the notes and info that Elliot used to produce his 4 volume set of USN painting guides)

Chances are very high that the producer of your decal set, Roy Sutherland, consulted with Dana when he made the artwork for the decals.

Yeah, Dana is up there with Steve Zaloga, when it comes to US color research for modelers. Simply Outstanding info. He is not the condescending sort that I am referring to. As a published author of who I have read a few of his books, I take him at his word for having done the research. But when a forum member of a place like that has an only claim to fame of a high post count there, I am less likely to take their opinion or input as anything more than that. Especially depending upon how it may be delivered.

Rex, the first time I heard the term was in model railroading. I had no idea it started there, just figured it was a universal term.

I refuse to join any of the clubs here, simply because I don't feel like having a confrontation, (trust me, I'm Italian AND from New York. I tend to be a wee bit "vocal" ). So I find a nice forum, like this, where I can enjoy everyone's skills. I've learned from pros and amateurs alike. I'm humble enough to know my skills can always be improved. I'm in it for the fun. It's not really a hobby if it causes stress. For every person that enjoys something I've built, I'm very grateful. For all those who can build in anything smaller than 1/48, I'm amazed!

RexCag wrote:Haha, Miss Owl.

If you build Hasegawa new tooled 1/72 Phantoms, you know that there are "common sprues" in the boxes, to cover all the variations that the kit could be released as. The company then just switches out the fuselage and wing parts, and pylons,,,,,,,,for the differences between USN, USAF, Recce, or Israeli, etc.

I have always wanted to deliberately pick out the "wrong detail parts" and put one together with, for example, the F-4D fuselage parts, but, thin wings of the F-4B, the thick wheels of the F-4J, an F-4B tail tip, F-4E engines, an F-4C nose, USN nose gear door,,,,,and paint it up as an F-4G Wild Weasel.

haaa, that sounds fun! I just might do that......



and yeah, my MiG was free

Great thread Jim and lots of great reponses.I guess I try my best to be accurate,but I don't beat myself up over any of my shortcomings.I appreciate any and all comments and criticism about a build I post.I'm not just looking for attaboys.If the suggestions suit my modeling abilities,I will try either on that build or keep it in in for the future and improve myself.No offense will be taken by me.

Thanks for this thread and the comments.
I have not completed my first build. Getting started I read as much as possible and then wondered
how was I going to achieve all these standards put up by faceless wonders and their .
This puts it all into perspective. Do your best and enjoy it while doing it.
If not to their standards "SO WHAT"
I have now signed off from the "The Way You Are Doing It Is Not Correct - Anal Set" set and will settle down, relax and enjoy myself.
Will now go back to my build and do it "My Way'.
Thanks
Phil

Skil Phil wrote:Will now go back to my build and do it "My Way'.

Fantastic news, Phil.
That is one of the benefits of being able to talk to each other in a thread like this without fighting about the subject.
By reading all of the different viewpoints, you've reached a decision on how you want to go on with your modeling.

Good onya, Jim, for starting this thread,,,,,,,,and I enjoyed reading some of the different approaches to this hobby.

Okay, back to making Paint Cards, I just got 125 bottles with 33 new colors in them.