Oh I’m sorry lol. It is the F-105G. 1/48th
Tcepilot, you are now on the roster! Once again welcome aboard!
Ken
Hi Russ,
Thank you for the well wishes. Yes, it is a real mess. The water got up to 5.25" deep. One of the big losses was a large stack of reference books I had sitting on the floor. The majority of them were hard to find out of print books. My heart just sank when I saw them.
I am just lucky that my insurance is covering the damage since the water came up through the sewer. Unfortunately, I have a $1,000.00 deductible, which is going to really be hard for me to come up with. The furnace has already been replaced (and it wasn’t even two years old yet).
The next major task I have is to start itemizing everything that I lost. That is going to be a lot of work.
Ken
Time for some more “This Day in History”.
Yesterday, April 11th, 48 years ago, the Battle of Xa Cam My took place. Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:
The Battle of Xa Cam My was a battle of the Vietnam War fought over two days from April 11–12, 1966.[1] Originally planned as a U.S. search and destroy mission intended to lure out the “crack” Viet Cong D800 Battalion, Charlie Company soon found itself fighting for survival in the rubber plantations of Xa Cam My, approximately 42 miles (68 km) east of Saigon. During this battle 134 men of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division were ambushed by the Viet Cong.
The entire story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Xa_Cam_My
Also on this day, April 12th, 1975, was the beginning of Operation Eagle Pull. Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:
Operation Eagle Pull was the United States military evacuation by air of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 12 April 1975.[1] At the beginning of April 1975, Phnom Penh, one of the last remaining strongholds of the Khmer Republic, was surrounded by the Khmer Rouge and totally dependent on aerial resupply through Pochentong Airport. With a Khmer Rouge victory imminent, the US government made contingency plans for the evacuation of US nationals and allied Cambodians by helicopter to ships in the Gulf of Thailand. Operation Eagle Pull took place on the morning of 12 April 1975 and was a tactical success carried out without any loss of life. Five days later the Khmer Republic collapsed and the Khmer Rouge occupied Phnom Penh.
The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Eagle_Pull
Ken
Wow, Ken! Over 5 feet of water…didn’t realize it was that bad. I wish you the best in your recovery efforts!!
Thank you Dave but fortunately is was just a little over 5 inches instead of 5 feet. But definitely deep enough to cause a lot of damage since I had a lot of things right at floor level. When I rebuild the basement, I will build stands or shelves that are 6 inches from the floor to help prevent this from being as devastating if it happens again.
Ken
Hi Everyone,
Time for another “This Day in History”.
42 years ago today, April 13, 1972, the Battle of An Lộc began. Here is a short description from Wikipedia:
The Battle of An Lộc was a major battle of the Vietnam War that lasted for 66 days and culminated in a decisive victory for South Vietnam. In many ways, the struggle for An Lộc in 1972 was an important battle of the war, as South Vietnamese forces halted the North Vietnamese advance towards Saigon.
Here is a link to the full story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_An_Lộc
Ken
okay, I guess that is a little better!!! Still, what’s the chances of all those rare reference books getting taken out all at once??? Hope things are better today!
Hi Dave,
Well when it rains it pours. My Mom is in the hospital now. She had a small stroke. Now they are trying to figure out what caused it. I will be glad when this month is over.
Ken
Hi Everyone,
Time for some more “This Day in History”!
46 years ago today, April 19, 1968, Operation Delaware began. Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:
Operation Delaware was a joint military operation launched during the Vietnam War. It began on Friday, April 19, 1968, with troops from the United States and the Republic of South Vietnam (ARVN) moving into the A Shau Valley. The A Shau Valley was a vital corridor for moving vast amounts of supplies from Communist North Vietnam into South Vietnam through Laos and was used as a staging area for numerous attacks against the coastal cities of Hue and Da Nang. Other than small, special operations reconnaissance patrols, American and South Vietnamese forces had not been present in the region since the Battle of A Shau in 1966, when a U.S. Special Forces camp located there was overrun.[
The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Delaware
Also on this date, 42 years ago, April 19, 1972, the Battle of Đồng Hới took place. Here is a short description from Wikipedia:
The Battle of Đồng Hới was a clash between United States Navy warships and three North Vietnamese air force MiG-17F fighter bombers, several torpedo boats and shore batteries on April 19, 1972 during the Vietnam War. This was the first time US warships faced an air raid since the end of World War II.
The Battle for Đồng Hới Gulf in fact involved fierce fire fights between Navy ships attempting to stop North Vietnamese troops and supplies transiting the coast highway in North Vietnam from reaching the battle front in Quảng Trị Province. The air raid described here marked the end of daylight raids by the Navy. Within a few weeks, however, all North Vietnamese resistance at Đồng Hới was suppressed.
The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dong_Hoi
Ken
Hi Everyone,
Today’s “This Day in History” took place 47 years ago, April 21, 1967. It was “Operation Union”. Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:
Operation Union was a military operation conducted by the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. It was a search and destroy mission in the Que Son Valley carried out by the 1st Marine Regiment. The object of the operation was the 2nd Division of the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN, often in US sources “North Vietnamese Army” or NVA). Launched on April 21, 1967 the operation ended May 16.
The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Union
Ken
Hi Everyone,
On “This Day in History”, April 23, 1975, “Operation New Life” started. Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:
Operation New Life (23 April – 1 November 1975) was the care and processing on Guam of more than 111,000 Vietnamese refugees evacuated from Saigon by Operation Frequent Wind in the closing days of the Vietnam War. The great majority of the refugees were transported onward to be resettled in the United States. A few thousand were resettled in other countries or chose to return to Vietnam on the vessel Tuong Tin
The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_New_Life
Ken
Hi Everyone,
On “This Day in History”, “Operation Birmingham” began, April 24, 1966. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
Operation Birmingham was a military operation of the Vietnam War in War Zone C, north of Saigon. The US 1st Infantry Division and the ARVN 5th Division conducted operations on the eastern flank of War Zone C. The goals were opening Route 13 from Saigon to the north and engaging the Viet Cong 9th Division. The Viet Cong successfully managed to withdraw beyond the Cambodian border, after having only 100 soldiers killed by US and South Vietnamese forces; along with that are 500 tons of weapons, ordnance, rice, salt and other foods seized by anti-communist forces.
Ken
Hi Everyone!
Exciting news! Fellow modeler Russ (aka Striker8241) brought to my attention a new kit that has just become available. It is the Roden C-123B in 1/72 scale. Say goodbye to the poorly made Mach 2 kit. This kit is a much needed improvement over the Mach 2 kit. And I would not be at all surprised if Roden comes out with a C-123K version (with the jet pods) in the near future.
Here is a link to a review of the kit:
http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/rod/kit_rod_0056.shtml
Thank you Russ for bringing this kit to my attention! [:)]
Ken
Hi Everyone,
Time for some more “This Day in History”.
59 years ago today, April 27, 1955, the Battle for Saigon began. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
The Battle for Saigon was a month-long battle between the Vietnamese National Army of the State of Vietnam (later to become the Army of the Republic of Vietnam) and the private army of the Bình Xuyên organised crime syndicate. At the time, the Bình Xuyên was licensed with controlling the national police by Emperor Bảo Đại, and Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm issued an ultimatum for them to surrender and come under state control. The battle started on April 27, 1955 and the VNA had largely crushed the Bình Xuyên within a week. Fighting was mostly concentrated in the inner city Chinese business district of Cholon. The densely crowded area saw some 500-1000 deaths and up to 20,000 civilians made homeless in the cross-fire. In the end, the Bình Xuyên were decisively defeated, their army disbanded and their vice operations collapsed.
The full story can be read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saigon_(1955)
Another event that happened on this day, April 27, 1964, was Operation Sure Win 202 began. Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:
Operation Sure Win 202 (Vietnamese : Chiến dịch Quyết Thắng 202) was a 1964 Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) operation carried out with US support. ARVN commandos were transported by U.S. helicopters behind entrenched Viet Cong positions, attacking them with shoulder fired rockets and flame throwers. Sniper teams then tracked the fleeing rebels and engaged them.
And finally on this day, April 27, 1974, the Battle of Svay Rieng began. Here is a description from Wikipedia:
The Battle of Svay Rieng was the last major operation of the Vietnam War to be mounted by the South Vietnamese army against the Communist VPA forces.
The operation began with a major thrust against the North Vietnamese 5th Division by the ARVN, the South Vietnamese Regional Force established blocking positions on the southwestern edge of the 5th Division as the South Vietnamese air force conducted strikes against base areas of the 5th Division. The ARVN 40th Infantry Regiment and the 7th Ranger Group, under the command of General Thuan, pushed around Duc Hue towards the Cambodian border. On April 28, the VPA 275th Regiment and the 25th Sapper Battalion launched a fierce attack on the Long Khot District Town as eleven South Vietnamese Battalions were preparing for a major assault. The VPA offensive did not deter the movement of ARVN forces. On the morning of the next day, ARVN armoured forces smashed across the Cambodian border west of Go Dau Hau directly towards the VPA 5th Division Headquarters.
The movement of the South Vietnamese forces was such a threat that the North Vietnamese were forced to defend their logistical installations with units from Long Khot. The 275th Regiment was threatened with isolation when the ARVN advanced into the Elephant’s Foot. As part of the operation, the South Vietnamese army penetrated 16km into Cambodian territory with surprised attacks on Communist positions, with some ARVN units conducting sweep operations between Duc Hue and Go Dau Hau. By the time all South Vietnamese operations were seized, VPA communication lines and logistical installations were severely damaged. Due to the nature of secrecy, speed and accuracy of the operation, South Vietnamese casualties were kept to a minimum, while the North Vietnamese suffered heavy losses in terms of manpower and equipment.
Ken
You’re very welcome, Ken! [:D]
Russ
Time for an update. It’s been a while, but I’ve managed to put some time into the F-4. After finishing the cockpit, I went to work on the exhaust and afterburners.
I used Gunzo’s metalizers of the cans, but I painted the inside of the exhaust off-white, and then airbrushed a very subtle tint or thinned green.
Then came the main assembly. Everything went in okay, and taped up the wings to ensure a good fit, and used Revel’s cement to seal the deal with the wings and the fuselage. The fit was really good. I also started to add additional details in behind the WSO’s panel with copper wiring.
I also began painting the outer portions of the cockpit Testor’s Interior Aircraft Black. View of the jet exhaust after assembly.
Bit’s and pieces of the landing gear doors.
The biggest problem with this kit were the intakes. It took forever to try and line them up, endless filling and sanding…and it still doesn’t look good. I am not very happy with this part of the kit, and I didn’t feel like investing in some weird convoluted replacement. Maybe I’ll find some intake covers. Regardless, the fit is not good. I guess I need to work a little better on my building skills…
I also began some preshading, and painted the nose cone with its initial coat of black. I also painted the interior of the air brakes, Insignia Red.
Filling complete. Tried a little experiment and hand painted some of the Gunzo metalizers…and see if there is a way I can use that…maybe…I don’t think it’s going to work, though! But, the sanding, filling, pre-shading and masking is complete.
Well, paintjob turned out okay. I started with the underside with light gray, waited 24 hours, then went to work topside. Starting with Brown, but I only painted were the paint was required, not over the whole things, and I did the same with the other two colors. I did the entire thing free-hand, no pattern masking. I used Mr. Color paints, with a 50/50 ratio of paint and Mr. Color thinner with a few drops of mild retarder. I used a very low PSI so I could get close with the airbrush, and a nice tightly feathered pattern. I angled the airbrush close to the surface and spayed inwards towards the pattern. When the job was complete, I went back to touch up a few spots, the gave it a few coats of Future.
I also completed the wheels and hobs. The wheels and hubs are separate so painting was a breeze.
(Note). I built and completed the tail section by itself…but tested the fit first before I did this, and it fit like a glove. I’ll try to get a pic of that. Next up is the nose cone, small exterior details, attaching the tail to the fuselage then decals.
By the way, I failed to notice the instructions to drill holes in the wings for the weapons mounts and external wing tanks. Any suggestions on how I can remedy this?
Hello All,
Although not quite done with my other GB, I figured that it was time to start the process for this one. I will need to go back and see all of the great work you all are doing here.
At present, I’m very early in the build process, and have just started surgery for resin. I’ve also laid down the preshade and first coat on the cockpit and wheel well components. I have neither painted any details nor done a wash yet on the cockpit. There are some good shadows starting allready however.
This image is of the replacement AMS intake mated to the kit intake and the (oversanded, note the shims) Aires front wheel well, all glued in place. The Aires exhaust isn’t fixed, and I made a major mistake by gluing the can to the tube before fixing it in place. the white ring is an attempt at making a mount that will hold the assembly. Don’t think this method will work, had a different idea the other day and need to see if that will be effective.
The Starboard fuse from the outside, showing how the AMS nose fits. A bit of filler will be required, might have been my cutting technique. Also note the first steps in creating the discolored rear of the aircraft where engine heat burned the paint off. The entire process fills me with dread, but that is what modeling is I guess.
Not much, but a start. Next steps are to start the detail painting in the cockpit, and assembly of same.
Thanks, Marty
Hi Beckyhead,
Great work so far!
Hi Marty,
Great start so far! [Y] [Y] Yes, I think we are all gluttons for punishment when we start using the aftermarket resin to detail our models! But that is the only way we will be satisfied when it is finished. The pre-shading on the area around the exhaust looks really good!
Ken