Junkers JU88 Rehab - July 20, 2020

This is the third twin engine Luftwaffe refurbishment of 1960s/70s model kits from the Blecke storage box.  I have placed it in a Power Point Slide presentation format (I am used to doing it so it is in my comfort zone).  You may have seen the other two rehabs in the Blog - the HE-219 and the Dornier Do 17.  Here goes!

Well there you have it.  Now here is the Luftwaffe Twin Engine Trilogy!

On the Bench - Name that aircraft. 7/17/2020

On the Bench: Raiden! 07/14/2020

My ADMD pulled out the "Jack" (no relation to the AC/DC song) and spent some time on the unique prop and annular cooling fan arrangement, and the pilots (2 provided).

Once I get one in the cockpit, it's paint booth time

Also, masked the ME410. More spray booth backup. 

We'll see how far I get today.

Aircrew completed!

Big greenhouse.

On The Bench - Higgins Boat 07/12/2020

I've been meaning to get back to this for a while. This Heller 1/35 LCVP needed a change to it's bow ramp to make it more D Day correct, and dome retsil painting and weathering. A 30 man boat team would be nice, too...

I took the "pyramid" off of the ramp, and because I have that modeler's OCD, I need to hinge it somehow so it can be open or closed.

That will take some figuring, as there's not much room to work with. Close up of the new "hinges"

Held in with PVA in case removal is required later.

Stay Tuned.

I was going to take a day off but....

Started a new Fitness challenge and smoked a 10 lb brisket on the charcoal smoker today, so there was not supposed to be any UH-1 updates or other On The Bench activity. 

Then this B-52D decided hanging from the ceiling was boring and chose to make an unassisted landing. Like its ageless Boeing brethren, it demonstrated its near indestructability, pancaking in, only damaging flaps, one wing tank, and cleanly detaching a wing. 

So she's down for a good cleaning and some touch-ups before I more securely return her to a high altitude overwatch position once more.

Follow-up: The flaps on this old Monogram kit were positionable, and rather than just glue them "down" like a sensible person, I decided to repair them in a way that preserved their function.

So far, so good. There's still a loose 500lb GP Bomb in the room somewhere ...

And now, she sits, back on gear, flaps extended.

A bit more cleaning and she'll go back up.

I wonder where that bomb went?

That is a big bird.

The Enemy Below - The Ocean - July 4th, 2020

Happy Independence Day to all Americans wherever you are.  And good health to everyone.  It finally time to wrap this project. Coat after coat of Vallejo Water Effects have been added along with additional tissue for water volume.  It just so happens that the Movie The Enemy Below is playing on FXRetro, and I am watching as I type.

Vallejo has arrived.

Just like paint I stipple in the clear water effect.

I can squeeze and then spread/stipple.

Bits of toilet paper are put in my tray along with Vallejo.

Dip and ....

....Place to create wake and waves.

Getting better.by adding more toilet paper and coats of acrylic water.  I can add about every 12 hours.  I stopped after about 4 or 5 coats - a three day process.

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