Post WW2 both the Navy and Marine Corps adopted glossy sea blue (ANA 623 ) as their predominant color.
Bill
Bill
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Oops, I didn’t know that! Thanks for correcting me.
Roger
Roger
I ordered some missiles and bombs...
Today the above set arrived that has cluster bombs and some air to air missiles. There are more of each kind than what's shown above, typically 6 each.
This set is on the way, which is air to ground missiles.
The main reason I purchased these is that I have 22 jets still in boxes., and I looked at building my A-10 Warthog next...and it comes with a lot of pylons, but no ordinance at all in the kit! Also my F-15 needs to have the pylons filled, as I only have 2 sidewinders on it right now. So this will probably be my next project, to build all of these and have them ready to add to aircraft as needed.
Today the above set arrived that has cluster bombs and some air to air missiles. There are more of each kind than what's shown above, typically 6 each.
This set is on the way, which is air to ground missiles.
The main reason I purchased these is that I have 22 jets still in boxes., and I looked at building my A-10 Warthog next...and it comes with a lot of pylons, but no ordinance at all in the kit! Also my F-15 needs to have the pylons filled, as I only have 2 sidewinders on it right now. So this will probably be my next project, to build all of these and have them ready to add to aircraft as needed.
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F7F Tigercat update…
After building the engine and cowling sub assemblies, I built one wing assembly that has the engine nacelle and landing gear.
I am currently working on the other side now.
Once both sides are done, I can start final paint and decals. I will add the engine and cowling assemblies during that time.
See ya next time…
After building the engine and cowling sub assemblies, I built one wing assembly that has the engine nacelle and landing gear.
I am currently working on the other side now.
Once both sides are done, I can start final paint and decals. I will add the engine and cowling assemblies during that time.
See ya next time…
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Visitors came to our pool the other night…good news, they didn’t steal my granddaughters bicycle! 
As you can see it had just rained…
Anyway…update on the F7F this evening.
As you can see it had just rained…
Anyway…update on the F7F this evening.
F7F update…other wing assembly is completed and glued on, and I started painting. The cowlings are done, and the propellers are done. Preliminary paint on the rest of the aircraft has begun. Then decals and clear coat will follow…
See ya next time…
See ya next time…
F7F Tigercat update…
First let’s look at an image…
Based on this and many other images, I made a few deductions. First, the panels where the exhaust exits on the engine nacelle were silver on many of them, but not all. Second, the panels around the nose machine guns were silver, again, not always. And I have seen black walkway designations on the upper wings next to the fuselage. And also the nose painted, and the tail, etc.
So…I decided to incorporate all of those things and add red paint to the nose, upper tail, and front of the engine nacelles. I also added the canopy after painting it. And finally I painted the top of the fuselage nose black for anti glare.
The blue will change some after I add decals and clear coat. But you can get a good idea of how she is going to look now.
Once the decals are on, I’m sure it’s all going to come together nicely.
See ya next time…
First let’s look at an image…
Based on this and many other images, I made a few deductions. First, the panels where the exhaust exits on the engine nacelle were silver on many of them, but not all. Second, the panels around the nose machine guns were silver, again, not always. And I have seen black walkway designations on the upper wings next to the fuselage. And also the nose painted, and the tail, etc.
So…I decided to incorporate all of those things and add red paint to the nose, upper tail, and front of the engine nacelles. I also added the canopy after painting it. And finally I painted the top of the fuselage nose black for anti glare.
The blue will change some after I add decals and clear coat. But you can get a good idea of how she is going to look now.
Once the decals are on, I’m sure it’s all going to come together nicely.
See ya next time…
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Quick reference photos for comparison …the F7F Tigercat next to my P-38 Lightning.
Both beautiful aircraft IMO!
At this point I am finishing the final pieces to complete the assembly of the aircraft. After which I can put on decals and clear coat. However the kit decals are horrible and they are lacking a lot of key stuff, it just has insignia and white numbers and letters. So I ordered a decal kit…another $30…sigh! Oh well, just trying to make a really nice version of the F7F.
If you notice, there are some red decals that look like they cross, those say propeller and danger. In addition there are some other important decals that were not on the kit decal set, such as ones for the propellers. So I felt in order to do the model justice, it needed all of the decals that would represent the aircraft properly. Those arrive within the next week. So this build may stall for about 5 days. That will give me time to start building some of my missiles and bombs.
See ya next time…
Both beautiful aircraft IMO!
At this point I am finishing the final pieces to complete the assembly of the aircraft. After which I can put on decals and clear coat. However the kit decals are horrible and they are lacking a lot of key stuff, it just has insignia and white numbers and letters. So I ordered a decal kit…another $30…sigh! Oh well, just trying to make a really nice version of the F7F.
If you notice, there are some red decals that look like they cross, those say propeller and danger. In addition there are some other important decals that were not on the kit decal set, such as ones for the propellers. So I felt in order to do the model justice, it needed all of the decals that would represent the aircraft properly. Those arrive within the next week. So this build may stall for about 5 days. That will give me time to start building some of my missiles and bombs.
See ya next time…
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Fantastic appearance Dean, especially with your engine upgrades. The propellers seem to extend a little further than normal from the cowling, but it shows that way on the real aircraft as well.
Thanks Daniel!
Good observation, the propellers are not fully pushed into the engine, as I have not glued them in yet. So they will sit closer to the cowling when the
model is completed. I just put them in for the photo.
Ref photo of proper distance…
I’m looking forward to getting the decals on, then it will truly come alive. That’s my favorite part of the build!
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F7F Tigercat finished!
The decals came today, 5 days earlier than expected! So I got busy right away. A little disappointed the decals were prone to silvering despite me taking all precautions and using Microsol and Microset.
Anyway…pics…
On the shelf between my P-38 Lightnings…
And finally the current collection…
The decals came today, 5 days earlier than expected! So I got busy right away. A little disappointed the decals were prone to silvering despite me taking all precautions and using Microsol and Microset.
Anyway…pics…
On the shelf between my P-38 Lightnings…
And finally the current collection…
Beautiful Work on your Tigercat Dean!
Bill
Bill
Thank you Bill!
There were a few times I wondered about doing her justice with an antique kit, but aftermarket components saved the day!
That is a great build. Looks like you'll need a bigger display area.
Jan
Jan
Thank you Jan!
I actually have it all planned out as far as shelf space goes. I have enough to get by for at least another year.
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Your F7F turned out fantastic Dean!
Your F7F turned out really nice, very impressive.
That’s looking very nice, Dean.F7F Tigercat update…
First let’s look at an image…
View attachment 576553
Based on this and many other images, I made a few deductions. First, the panels where the exhaust exits on the engine nacelle were silver on many of them, but not all. Second, the panels around the nose machine guns were silver, again, not always. And I have seen black walkway designations on the upper wings next to the fuselage. And also the nose painted, and the tail, etc.
So…I decided to incorporate all of those things and add red paint to the nose, upper tail, and front of the engine nacelles. I also added the canopy after painting it. And finally I painted the top of the fuselage nose black for anti glare.
View attachment 576554View attachment 576555View attachment 576556View attachment 576557
The blue will change some after I add decals and clear coat. But you can get a good idea of how she is going to look now.
Once the decals are on, I’m sure it’s all going to come together nicely.
See ya next time…
Regards, Peter