SPA Modeler

So far, this is the only Tamiya model plane I've finished (out of about 45 built since 1989). It was built about four years ago and was posted on the previous site. I wanted to get her "entered" here though, so here we go. The upper color is MM medium gray and the lower color is MM gull gray. I used the Tamiya decals and had no trouble with them at all. I built an oil tank and another inter-cooler but they are almost impossible to see when finished. I also did a bit of detailing on the engine and made a harness for the 'pit. Here are a few pics of the Wildcat, taken at the airport. Thanks for looking!
Gary

















a shot of the engine:



And finally, here's a pic I found of the actual aircraft in World War Two:

Sharp, real sharp

Nice one Tex!

Very nicely done...I wish there was a decent Wildcat in 1/72nd available...

nice job!

you should pick up a couple more Tamiya kits. Some real jems to be had!

Manny1943 wrote:Very nicely done...I wish there was a decent Wildcat in 1/72nd available...

Doesn't Academy do a nice 1/72 F4F?

Tex, she is a beauty! But I think she would look more at home on a carrier flight deck or some Pacific Island airfield revetment rather than the airport in this case... I have got to build the one of these in my stash one day. It is such a beauty of a kit to see built

Stikpusher wrote:
Tex, she is a beauty! But I think she would look more at home on a carrier flight deck or some Pacific Island airfield revetment rather than the airport in this case... I have got to build the one of these in my stash one day. It is such a beauty of a kit to see built

Thanks Stik! You are right of course, she would look more "at home" on a carrier deck. Uh, she just flew into Cameron for a quick refuel before headed to the next assignment? I just gotta get another base for pics; some builds just need a more primitive look, ie. a dirt field and runway (my Russian P-39 for example). And a carrier deck about 2'x2' would be great. Any suggestions on how to get that?

Thanks to all of you fine folks for your nice replies! I love having great modelers such as yourselves take a look at my planes. I know they can't compare to some of the great work I see here, but really, ya'll are the only other folks who ever do get to see them as I have no close friends into this hobby.

Ms. Owl, I do have several other Tamiya kits in my stash...all I need now is to get my butt in that study and hammer a few together!

I have seen some good carrier decks out there in 1/48, but not 2'x2'. Most are in the 12"-15" range I would guess. Verlinden makes a nice resin one you can paint up, and there are a few more out there but I dont recall their brand off the top of my head. I think one was even wood planks and brass for the ultimate in scale replication. I bet one could be scratched from similar items for a lesser price using basswood strips and plastruct. Yes, a Soviet P-39 needs a nice austere setting as does anything in North Africa, CBI, SWPA... Your F4F could be at some nice Stateside NAS between sorties...

Stikpusher wrote:

Manny1943 wrote:Very nicely done...I wish there was a decent Wildcat in 1/72nd available...

Doesn't Academy do a nice 1/72 F4F?

A hot-link would be kinda nice...

Manny1943 wrote:

A hot-link would be kinda nice...

Here ya go Manny. a whole bunch o' them :