Jim Sullivan Memorial Build, F2A Buffalo
Hi All,
This is my first contribution to the Mr. Jim Sullivan Memorial Group Build. I did not know Jim personally but have read many of his books and enjoyed seeing his models here on iModeler. His talents will be missed. I hope my small contribution brings him honor.
In keeping with the rules of the group build, the build had to be a subject that Jim authored or modeled. My Brewster Buffalo F2A-2 build was based on a picture in the book, Golden Wings 1941-1945, co-authored by Jim Sullivan.
A co-worker gave me this kit a few months ago...Thanks Dave C...and the JS Group was the perfect opportunity to move it from the stash to the display case.
Build:
Except for adding the windscreen periscope sight I tried to duplicate the Golden Wings picture.
Tamiya, 1/48, Brewster Buffalo F2A2
Primer, Mr. Surfacer 1200, Gray
AK Real Colors, RC220, Light Gull Grey
Mr Surfacer 1500, Black
Moderately weathered with artist oil washes, AK Pencils and Tamiya Pastels.
Created the wing tip nav lights with stretched clear sprue and painted with Tamiya clear red and green.
Insignia and markings were painted using masks I created with my cricut cutter.
The external fuselage camera mount was scratch built with soldered brass tubing.
EZ Line-Fine was used for the aerials.
Thank you Louis Gardner, who set up the group for all to contribute and honor Jim.
Thanks for stopping by and checking this out. If interested, you can check out the build progression over at...
https://imodeler.com/groups/jim-sullivan-memorial-group-build/forum/topic/1-48-brewster-buffalo-f2a-2/
As always, until next time KEEP IT FUN!
A somewhat close comparison..
Your Buffalo turned out absolutely terrific, Gary @gwskat. Very painted and just the right amount of weathering. Look’s just like the one depicted in Sullivan’s book.
Thank you for your kind comments, Eric!
Great looking Buffalo Gary. Overall paint finish looks very realistic.
Thanks, Dale
Gary, @gwskat, you have indeed hit this one out of the park! Great scheme, your soldered brass is an excellent touch, the painting is sublime, and the photography and presentation awesome. Well done, and thanks for sharing!
Thankyou, Andrew. I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
This looks great ! The weathering looks perfect: not too much , not too little.
Thanks, Jay!
One beautifully done build Gary, looks great!
Thanks, Robert!
A fantastic result, Gary! A great contribution to Jim's memorial GB.
An equally excellent build thread too, a joy to follow!
Congratulations!
Thanks, Spiros @fiveten
Thanks for following and the comments. Much appreciated.
@gwskat Very nicely done, Gary!
Thank you, Robert
Wonderful work on a white subject. Just enough weathering to look authentic. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Matt
gary sausmikat (@gwskat)
The word INCREDIBLE immediately comes to mind. Thank you for contributing to the Jim Sullivan group. I'm sure he is looking down right now and smiling.
You have nailed the look of the Buffalo in the picture. I think it was a very good idea to come back and repaint the "09" on the fuselage sides. Had you not done this, it would have bothered you every time you looked at it.
The last picture looks really cool, and shows us just how close you captured the look of the real plane. I have been wanting to build up a few Buffalo's myself. There were two that were based at NAS Miami in particular. One was supposed to have a red vertical fin and the other had several replaced wing panels and ailerons, so the paint didn't match. A US Army Buffalo that was based in Australia is another one I have plans to someday build. Time will tell if I get to them or not.
There's plenty of time left should you decide to build some more for the group. You are more than welcome !
Thank you again for the continued support. I'm definitely going to be clicking on a few of the "like" buttons for this one... You nailed it buddy ! Two thumbs up from the Peanut Gallery. The gun camera mounting frame is like icing on the cake.
Thanks, Louis! Your comments are always an encouragement.
Really excellent paint job Gary. Particularly the canopy. Great result!
Thank you, Tom. Don't look too close at the canopy, that was the most troublesome part of the project for me.
What more to say, Gary @gwskat
This Buffalo looks really amazing. A wonderful tribute to Jim.
Paint, weathering, detailing, all is done perfectly.
Well done.
Thanks, John!
Amazing piece of work, Gary! The canopy is particularly impressive!
Thank you, Felix.
Looks great, Gary, a lovely finish and the canopy work really sets it off, nice photography as well
Thank you, George!
That is a really good looking build Gary, @gwskat. I think you pretty much nailed all the way around. Great choice of color and just the right amount of weathering to highlight panels, but show it was a well maintained field plane. I have one of these in my stash and every once in a while get tempted. Your build does make it more tempting. Congrats on a great build and enjoyable build blog.
Thanks, Walt. I think you'd like building this kit. If straight out of the box it's a pretty simple build and there are plenty of paint scheme options as well.
Excellent build and finish - a fine looking Buffalo!
Thank you, Chas!
That is so good, Gary. You've managed to bring such life to a fairly straightforward scheme. Love the scratched camera mount! Brilliant!
Thanks, my Friend!
Excellent build and a cool looking model Gary
Thank you, Rafi
A beautiful Buffalo - love that scheme! Well done.
Thanks, Gregg.
Excellent Buffalo, superb paintwork and pictures as well.
As a Finn, Brewster Buffalo's are always close to heart, even though we had a bit different version in use (Model 239) during WW2 (https://airforcemuseum.fi/museum%2520objects/brewster-model-239-bw-372/).
Hi Jarmo and thank you. I'm glad you appreciate my Buffalo.
My wife's family are of Finnish decent. I should do a Finn version.
@jp
Beautifully built. I like it very much.
Thank you, Milan @milantesar