No Way, Eh!

I actually got the airbrush out and threw some primer at the Hellcat.  Things look ok with almost no remedial seamwork needed.  Heck, at this rate it might turn blue before I depart for Seattle next week.

I tried the new Testors Model Master Lacquer Primer for the first time. It sprayed okay through the Powercat and left a nice flat even finish, but did string a little when sprayed. I was able to remove most of the strings with a quick brush of a large paintbrush and a polish with a Kleenex.  This finish is not as smooth as Mr. Surfacer, but I liked it better than my one experience with the Alclad gray primer.  Overall, Mr. Surfacer and Tamiya Fine Surface Primer are still my primers of choice, but this is an acceptable alternative when they occasionally disappear from stock.

This Kinda Rocks

The Bomber Command Museum of Nanton, Alberta has a running Bristol Hercules.  Now they just need a Halifax to hang it on...

Flying Heritage Collection Part 2

A few photos from the "old" hangar.

I still think they need to remove the spinner on the Hurricane.

The early Ki-43 is airworthy, but not flown.

I'd love to see the Polikarpov I-16 in the air.

The Tomahawk looks really good in Robert Neale's colours.  (It is interesting to note that Mr. Neale was a native Canadian; born in Vancouver, B.C.)

Ahh, Spitfire.

The Fieseler Storch.

Flying Heritage Collection Hangar Opening

On Friday, I was lucky to attend the Grand Opening of the Flying Heritage Collection's new hangar at Paine Field.  Here are a few pictures.

The newly restored Hellcat had its first flight only a few weeks ago.

I know the scheme is slightly controversial, but I really like the look of the A6M2 Zero.

The MiG-29 is back on display.

This is not a common sight in US flying museums. (The IL-2 is having a little work done on the flying surfaces.)

More of the IL-2. Some inspiration for the new Tamiya kit.

One Piece Tomahawk

I'm really flying on this kit.  Will need some seam work on the wing roots, but fit is better than expected after the dry fit.

Tomahawk Rolls On

Still no Hellcat or Zero progress, but the Tomahawk now has horizontal stabs, a seat with belts (masking tape with Sharpie belts...I'm high tech...), and is about ready to join up.  Then the dreaded seam work...

Airfix Tomahawk

While progress is still being made on the Eduard Hellcat...man, it is hard to clean up the fuselage seam without destroying the beautiful scallops, I have also added an Airfix Tomahawk to the mix.  So far the fuselage and wings have been assembled as separate components and the cockpit has been painted and washed.  The fit of the nose parts wasn't stunning, but the rest of it has fit well.  Now I just need to apply the decal instrument panel, make up some seatbelts and assemble the two subassemblies.

Right this minute I'm leaning toward a 414 Squadron Tomahawk, but don't count 400 Squadron out quite yet...  (Not to mention, the date of this post makes me think about an OD/NG USAAF aircraft...)