• Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
    As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering.
  • PRE-ORDER SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!

    The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
    Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.

    NOTE THAT OUR FIRST ISSUE WILL BE JAN/FEB 2026

My 1/72 scale aircraft

Corsair said:
Still think you need a Cutlass just because of the unique shape. :)
Click to expand...
It was definitely unique! ;)
RussF said:
Don't forget about the U-2 and SR-71. Of course you'll need a little more shelf space, but at least you'll feel like you're building in 1:48 again! ROTF
Click to expand...
I have a SR-71 Blackbird and B-58 Hustler on my to buy list. Also some more WW2 bomber aircraft. So once I get into the larger aircraft, those will be added.
I do currently have a B-17 and B-25.
 
F-9F Panther update…
It doesn’t look like I have accomplished much…but, I finished painting the blue.
Then I painted and assembled the rear landing gear, hydraulic cylinders, doors and bay.
Next was the nose gear doors…and the rear arrestor hook door.
Then I painted the silver on the wings. Somehow got that on the canopy and had to clean that and do touch up paint…sigh!
IMG_1619.jpeg
On silver wheels, I typically do a wash to bring out detail.
Now the airplane…

IMG_1621.jpegIMG_1622.jpegIMG_1624.jpeg
Next I will be painting the silver on the leading edges of the rear wings and rudder. Then I can start decals, my favorite part. Then add the ordinance and their pylons.

See ya next time…
 
Roger Pellett said:
Nice work! Metal paints are a PITA. They have a habit of mysteriously appearing where you don’t want them.

Roger
Click to expand...
Thanks! The good news is water based paints easily scrape off the clear plastic with a toothpick, without scratching it. The wood is soft enough to prevent scratches.
Sometimes I use that technique on the canopy. I paint the frame with a brush, then run a sharpened toothpick along the raised edge of the canopy frame removing any paint outside the frame. You want to do that prior to the paint fully drying, otherwise it wants to chip. ;)
 
Last edited:
I watched a documentary on the Thunderbirds, flying the F-16C…I knew I had to add one to my collection! ;)
I decided to go with a very nice diecast version. The eagle underneath would be very difficult to pull off well! Anyway, I did add some extra detail on the wheels and landing gear.
IMG_1649.jpeg
IMG_1648.jpegIMG_1650.jpeg
She’s a beauty!
Current jets…

IMG_1656.jpeg
My Jet category has now caught up with my WW1 category in numbers built. WW2 still has the most by far.
And next I decided to build a SBD-2 Dauntless. I have a SBD-3 I built, but the two is different and was on a carrier with yellow wing aircraft. So I think it will be a nice addition. Besides, it was such an important part of the success at Midway that more than one variation is warranted. ;)

Now I am at 75 aircraft on shelves and growing…

IMG_1657.jpeg
My admiral says I need intervention…and she could be right! ROTF As more boxes of models are on the way…
 
Corsair said:
In addition to the Cutlass, you also need a Skyray. Another unique plane. :)
Great collection and all very nicely done !
You can tell her that on the positive side, the shelves are not full of unbuilt wood ship models. ROTF
Click to expand...
Thanks Jeff! She gives me a hard time jokingly, she doesn’t care what I do in my man cave, as long as I don’t try to display models anywhere else in the house! ROTF

On my list to purchase is also:
T-38 Talon
F3H Demon
F4D Skyray
F7U Cutlass
F-9F-8 Cougar
SR-71 Blackbird
B-58 Hustler

After those jets, I am redirecting my focus to WW1 and WW2 aircraft.
 
Last edited:
Corsair said:
I did see a model of the YF23.
Click to expand...
Only kits I have seen thus far have been 1/48 scale.
Here is a 1/72 diecast that will be available this year…
IMG_1663.jpeg
I would rather have a model, but if I can’t get one, I will settle for a diecast so I can have one in my collection. No rush, as I am more concerned with getting old kits. New stuff will be available sooner or later.
 
Dean62 said:
Only kits I have seen thus far have been 1/48 scale.
Here is a 1/72 diecast that will be available this year…
View attachment 570853
I would rather have a model, but if I can’t get one, I will settle for a diecast so I can have one in my collection. No rush, as I am more concerned with getting old kits. New stuff will be available sooner or later.
Click to expand...
Testors and Dragon/DML both make it in 1/72 as does Italeri.
 
Last edited:
Next was a SBD-2 Dauntless from the Lexington carrier…in pre war yellow. It was a very nice diecast I found that had a lot of promise, so I embellished it with some extra painting and detail…
IMG_1677.jpeg
IMG_1680.jpegIMG_1679.jpeg
And next to the SBD-3 Dauntless I built from a Flyhawk kit, representing one flown in the Midway battle.

IMG_1676.jpeg
I think it makes a nice addition to my collection.
Next I have decided to build the TBD-1 Devastator to go next to these.
To be continued…
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top