WWII era float plane GB feeler

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I am still feeling new here and I’ve only managed to get 3 planes done since coming on board and 2 more in process. I have agreed to take part in 2 GB’s which are starting soon and come mid-December I will have ample time for many builds for several months. So that leads me to think why not do more?

One of the trends I have noticed here is that many of you really prefer / love to GB. Although there are many, many builds outside of that, I still feel like the GB environment must be something quite special and it attracts several builders to these kits.

That being said, I have also noticed that there are almost no float planes being built in the threads. I personally find many of those planes to be quite lovely. I can’t explain what it is about float planes that I find appealing, but something is special about them beyond the fact that they float. Anyway, why is it that no one seems to build them?

My question is this, is anyone truly interested in doing a GB on, let’s say, single engine float planes used during WWII by any country? I think the US, Japanese and Germans all had great examples. I would love to put a few in my collection and it would be great to build one or two in tandem with you guys.

So, what say you? Any real interest? I’m thinking about Jan 1, 15 - Dec 31, 15. Any country, any kit, any scale, AM or OOB, build how you want. Only limitation is WWII era single or multi-engine float planes. I am totally open for ideas as well. I’m looking for interest. I would also need help it doing this as I have never even participated in a GB, let alone led one. [:S] And someone to design the emblem as well.

Speak up folks.

2

Ok, well you have asked people to speak up, so I hope you will take this in the manner in which it is intended.

You say you have yet to take part in any GB’s. Might I suggest that you take part in a few before staring your own. Running a GB seems easy, start a thread and away you go. But it is far from it and it does really help if you get a good feel got GB first. All to often we get GB’s started on a whim without any thought as to what else is going on, or without any planning, simply because they want to build this or that kit. And while we have nothing against new members, of course we try and welcome all, like with any group, it does help to get yourself known. Many of us were on the site for a couple for years before starting our first GB.

As for your subject, its a great idea, but I think to limited. You are right in that we don’t see many float planes, and there may be a reason for that, and its not simply that there is no GB for one. Some subjects can be very narrow. take the Bf 109 GB, there are probably more 109 kits that float plane kits of all kinds, so the 109 works with a GB for itself. But floatplanes are less common so a wider choice might be better. rather than just single engine, how about all float planes from all era’s.

And finally, I am a huge GB fan as I am sure you can tell. But over the last couple of years the forum has gone from being diverse, with a mix of both GB’s and WiP threads to being very GB heavy. The large number of GB’s is, in my view, not only detrimental to the rest of the forum but to the GB’s as well. Surely quality is better than quantity. The large number of GB’s means that many don’t enter because they show restraint and decide they are already in to many, or they over commit and simply don’t build for many which spoil what could be a good GB.

Fortunately on this forum we are given the freedom to run GB’s by ourselves, but we should show some responsibility in this. We do have a lot og GB’s ending at the end of the year, but we have 5 or 6 starting on 1st Jan, and yes, I know, one of those is mine, so maybe I am being a hypocrite. But at the moment, we are looking at getting the GB numbers down going into next year which I think will be a good think. And for the sack of your GB idea, I would suggest putting this on the back burner until later next year. take part in a couple of GB’s, hopefully the numbers will thin out a bit, and you may be able to host a successful GB. And if its opened up to all float planes, I will certainly be in.

3

I’m with Bish, if later in the year and open to multi engine, I’d be in with either a PBY or one of the Martins. Would be an OOB build.

Maybe start around May or June??

Got a lot to learn and big fumble fingers

4

This is exactly the type of response I was looking for. Thanks for helping me know a bit more of what I don’t know. I am gonna kick this can down the road till sometime late next year. Like Bish says, not enough choices so it will be ANY float plane.

Bish, thanks for the great feedback and wise sage advise here. It is just what I wanted to hear. I think it will be a great one, but it needs some serious lead time and planning. So, late next year as a maybe at this point. At least it gives anyone interested plenty of time to think it over.

5

Float planes are my favorite subjects, so count me in when you someday get this GB off the ground.

that will give me time to purchase a camera and learn how a Gb works.

6

Jay Jay, GB’s are pretty simple, but to give you a guard, you might find this useful that I posted last year.

cs.finescale.com/…/154045.aspx

Brandon, no problem. I am glad you took it in the spirit it was intended. Its so easy for people to take offence or come across as trying to tell others what to do.

7

Thanks for the info Bish. i have read most of the post you sent and am interested in joining a GB as soon as I get a camera like I said.

I tried to access Gb’s on here but get very few results searching for "group builds ". I know there are more going on but I can’t find many. maybe I’m looking in the wrong place ? ( I searched in the forums )

8

Just typing in Groups Builds could be awkward. There are a number of GB’s that are on going, close to 30. But a number of those are not very active, one of the results of to many GB’s. Your best bet is to look down the GB page.

cs.finescale.com/…/29.aspx

You can see the ones that are active or due soon and hopefully something will take your fancy.

9

Hey Brandon,

Bish is a great guy and always has sound advice. As for your GB, later next year would put me in the oh yeah! category for it! I think it is a great idea for a GB!

Eagle90

10

Brandon - I would participate as well but I, too have a couple GBs planned for next year as well.

If and when you decide to post a GB feeler and a date for your GB, count me in. I have a couple floatplanes on my wish list to participate in.

11

I will be in on this one too, think we can expand this just a wee bit more to include skids?

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I’m thinking late next year we can really start nailing this one down for sure. I think we are better served by planting the seeds for it now and laying down the details closer to the end of the year so everyone has ample time to decide, plan, etc.

Jugjunkie, I like the idea of skids also. Perhaps we can make it “Non-wheeled” landing birds, ie, float and skid. I like it. That also adds a few more birds to the options as well.

13

I think middle to late next year would be spot on, already looks like there is enough interest. If you include those aircraft which normally have wheels but are converted to ski’s or floats, that would really open it up.

But be careful, None wheeled could rule out a lot of float planes which also have wheels, such as the Catalina.

14

Any float plane is way too broad. WW2 maybe but exclude seaplanes.

Nice subject I have a Seiran.

But no way to run a successful GB unless you’ve done at least 4 or 5 and finished.

Figure 2-3 hours every day answering questions. Doing the admin to post up stuff and promoting general esprit. Darren ran the all time GB 11000 posts.

Day walker, HVH, Bish, Stikpusher, Armornut, fightingJoe.

Big shoes to fill

15

Brandon,

I got the same speech, and it’s sound advice. I will be starting one in mid June, a “Boeing Build”. I had a good response a few months back, but I’ll send out a feeler again in Apr of May to see if there is still interest, if not, it may have to wait for another year. Like Bish said, there are several starting in November and January, a few starting in January are very large.

As far as a seaplane / floatplane build, I’d be interested, later. I just picked up a Rufe a couple weeks back and would like to work on it.

There are several builds starting / have just started. Look in the Group Builds forum and look for the dates, Bish’s own Star Wars build is going to be fun, The Bf 109 build will be epic, Marines starting in mid Nov, The Airliner and Hunters of the night Nov 1. The MiG GB just started, Aces and Aerobatics may startup as well. There are a lot of options.

Steve

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Honestly, I don’t care if I run the build or someone else does. It’s just a subject I see being neglected. We’ve got lots of time to learn, debate and figure things out. When we are much more ready and peeps are lined up ready to role with it, then we can look at proceeding with something like it. Till then, we learn, build, learn some more, you get the picture. I love all the ideas you guys are tossing out there. Thanks, and keep it up.

17

Tnx for the info Bish, I Bm’d it

18

Mid year sounds a lot better so you can count me in. I have several float thingies to choose from.

19

I’d be in on this. Lots of floaters and flying boats in the stash.

20

splitter,

Hang on to them. Brandon is looking to bring this up again next summer with me as co-host.

There are just too many GB’s right now for this to get any real traction, but it will happen.

Steve