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I started building models of all types when I was around eight years old, but had stopped building by the time I got to high school. I returned to the hobby after college, and now build 1/48 scale US Navy and Marine Corps subjects exclusively. I have a long -term project to build as many US Navy MiG-killers as I can.
The Hobby Boss 1/48 F4F Wildcat series are good kits that come close to being great, but don't quite make it. I I built the F4F-3 'early version', which I converted to an F4F-3A.
Highlights are good surface detail, a two-piece canopy, [...]
Here's my 1/48 AMT S-3A Viking, which I built several years ago. The kit, which is still available under the Italeri label, appears to have accurate outlines and shapes based on my few references. Overall, the fit is OK, but I had to use [...]
I managed to complete three kits this year, which is pretty good output for me. All are 1/48 scale. First was the Eduard F6F-5, finished in the markings of VF-27 deployed aboard USS Independence in July of 1945. Second was a [...]
My last build was an extensive reworking and upgrading of the 1/48 Monogram F-8E Crusader. The kit fought me the entire time, plus I made a lot of frustrating mistakes. So this time, I wanted a quick, relaxing, trouble-free build, before [...]
My latest effort is the old, but solid, Monogram 1/48 F-8E Crusader.
This classic from Monogram features average fit, with (mostly) accurate outlines and shapes. It has raised panel lines, which also appear accurate compared to drawings [...]
Here's my latest effort, Eduard's 1:48 scale F6F-5 Hellcat 'Weekend Edition' (which, ironically, took me six months to complete.) The Eduard series of 1:48 scale Hellcats were hailed as the best in scale when they were released in 2008. [...]
Here's my latest build, hot off the bench - Hasegawa's 1:48 F6F-5, the "10,000th Hellcat" boxing.
The Hasegawa kit can be made into a fine model straight from the box, but I made a few additions and corrections. Good points are [...]
I used the terrific 1:48 scale Tamiya kit to build "White 23", the F4F-4 that Lt. Cdr. John Thatch flew on June 4, 1942 during the battle of Midway. Thatch flew this plane, BuNo 5093, when he shot down three Zeros in one of the [...]
Here's my rendition of the Arii (originally produced by Otaki?) 1:48 scale F4U-1A Corsair. Even though it's well over thirty years old, the Arii kit builds into a nice Corsair. The good points are very accurate outline and shapes, finely [...]
Since everyone is posting their Monogram F-8's, I decided to throw mine into the mix. These have been posted before, so I apologize in advance for the re-runs.
First up is a Monogram F-8E converted to the later J model. I used Superscale [...]
