Some time ago I posted a diorama depicting a scene on board the Essex just after the sinking of the USS Princeton (CVL 23).

Leyte Gulf; the Orphans of the USS Princeton.

On the day the Princeton sank during the Battle of Leyte on 24th October 1944, nine Hellcats were airborne and all found a temporary new home on board the USS Essex. The remainder of VF 27's aircraft were lost. So, after initially thinking I'd do this build as a 'black ops' mission and just do a headline after finishing, I've decided that I just can't help myself from posting a build (surprise, surprise). I wanted also to support Jaime's brilliant Nose Art Group Build but for some time couldn't decide what to contribute. All of VF 27's Hellcats were painted with the Cat Mouth nose art, one of the most instantly recognisable and iconic squadron emblems in aviation history. So, inspired to some degree by Paul Barber's build of his Storch... http://imodeler.com/groups/battle-of-kasserine-passtunisia-campaign-build-group/forum/topic/rommels-taxi/ I have decided to go with an 'organic' approach to this build, which I hope will bring something a bit 'left of field' to the party. The initial work gets right to the heart of this build, with the nose art up and centre from the beginning. I'm thinking initial traction will be a little slow on this one but we'll be full steam ahead after my Kasserine Pass build is completed. As has been the case with my modeling projects recently, I'm trying something a bit different to try and stretch the comfort zone a little and maybe develop the skill set. As Jeff Bailey might say, "your mileage may vary..."

2 additional images. Click to enlarge.

Thanks, Craig. You'll possibly see where this is going in these shots...

It's a strange thing how easy it is to break a thing. Much easier than building something. Such is the way of man, and, I guess, the universe, as all things edge toward entropy. It's slightly disturbing how much I'm enjoying the destructive act...

The 'blobs' are done with a heat gun and glue sticks. And no, this is not where we are going with this...

Hi Greg. Just glad to get something in on the Nose Art GB - a great idea but I was lost for any inspiration. I'm quite excited about this project. I can't be the only one to see that everyone seems to be upping their game here and one of the by products of that seems to be that I'm finding it hard to get motivated by just making a kit. Rob P was saying a similar thing recently.

Normal service will be resumed. Maybe.

What ever the end game, It's gots to be good.

Louis, well done. Only six posts in and we're well and truly into the bizarre and esoteric.

"What hump?"

Spent some time installing the Pratt and Whitney 2800 - the details are a bit soft, but I'm pretty happy with the way it's turned out.

It is beautiful - a wonderful, and very ambitious idea if I am reading it correctly. If so it is a bit of DLS typicality, and the elasmobranch will be very much at home. If not I can only suggest that the Trolls (of Sunshine in My Pocket ilk) have been at your aircraft...

Just began viewing this blog and when I saw the blobs I told myself it's a wreck under water. Now how is he going to pull that off. Then I see the shark and the submersible, and it all makes sense! And why not , this hobby is all about imagination, and replication, along with learning new skills. Way to go David.