Hi there

Here's a reminder for our old hands - and a heads up for newcomers - that the Gary Beebe "Flattops" Campaign is underway.

Although it's listed under Warships, the build is open to Aircraft modellers too - basically, any diorama or vignette featuring an aircraft and flightdeck is valid.

It's be great to see a good turn out from everyone for Gary's memorial Campaign; he's sorely missed as a good friend to the Aircraft section. Jean-Luc's already signed up with a D4Y "Judy", while I'm pitching in with an F6F-3 Hellcat. There's a thread started in Warships for the build. I hope to see you there!

All the best

Rowan

Thanks Rowan!
Let's make this an extra special campaign!
Gunny

Ok ok.....I'm in too.
I'll be building an SB2U-2 in 1/48 scale from the USS Ranger.

This is the plane my Uncle flew before joining the Flying Tigers. Are you all getting sick of hearing about my Uncle yet? :-)

Hermon

........................anyone have a piece of flightdeck laying around that I could have? I'm reeeeeally running up my credit cart buying models lately.
Hermon

Hi Hermon!

We are all in the same boat! :-)

Jean-Luc

That is a great idea, Rowan. Now you've got me thinking of all the carrier planes in my collection, and it's probably a third of my overall stash of aircraft! How about a, Claude on the Shoho, or a Type10/97 (Finemolds 72nd) biplane on the Hosho, or the Accurate Miniatures F3F3 on the Saratoga.... the list is endless....

Frank

Et moi aussi! I've made a few serious dents in my credit card lately...

I'm afraid I don't have a spare either, but Eduard are selling their deck sections at a discount price.

All the best

Rowan

Hi Rowan

Found this Picture of Jim Flatley in his Hellcat. After rechecking some of my reference books.


This picture is used for the title page of U.S Navy Air Combat 1939-1946 By Robert Lawson an Barrett Tillman.
This book give a brief but good account of USN aviation in WWII. All the pictures are period colour photos.
Amazon link

David

Wow! Thanks David

I've actually got the same pic in a couple of books - but the colour and detail are much clearer here! I knew there was repainting around the fuselage star and bar - but it's even more elaborate than I'd guessed - and the cowling and fin look like they've been re-painted too... Does anybody have a theory what that warmish pale grey might be?

This is going to be a great aircraft to paint!

All the best

Rowan

I had already signed up with the intention of building a Aichi B7A2 Grace but I'm slowly changing my mind after i spotted a 1/48 Hornet carrier deck, which would be ideal for another kit i have got. Oh decisions, decisions :-) .
Andy (++)

Hi Rowan

I would guess that the grey colour was ANA 602 Light Grey.

David

Edit: It also seems that the inner machinegun has a fairing over it.

Hi David

Thanks for the colour clue and, yes, Jim Flatley's a/c had the early style gun fairings and landing lamp.

All the best

Rowan