[Ara1]

Before I ceased modeling to focus on drawing and painting, I completed this Wildcat. The USS Enterprise was the first carrier to receive the -4, taking delivery starting April 18th, 1942.

Now I collect 1/48 diecast and haven't looked back. Well, I look back a little but not for too long

The plane is a little dusty in these pics. She was built in 2002 and now resides in the basement, along with the other planes and tanks from my previous life.

Enjoy the pics, guys.

[Hornchurch]

Ara1, you made a nice job of what is regarded as the best kit available.

I've never been keen on those over-size roundels & always preferred seeing the next version (no red dots), over later schemes.

Nice job though.

[mustangdriver]

That is one sharp looking model. I love the weathering.

[Ara1]

Thanks Hornchurch. Before I get to that 1942 scheme, I want to tell you that I appreciated your contributions to the Eagles Int'l P-61 thread and the Franklin Mint B-26 thread. You gave a lot of data. I am new to this forum, been here about a couple weeks, and I've enjoyed bantering about. Never thought I'd meet guys into diecast.

The model:

I am a big fan of the US marking scheme of Jan 42 - May 42, due in large part of what my country was going through. And how we had to pull together during very dark days. Those 6 months fascinate me, I cannot learn enough about what was going on, how we had to ramp up, sacrifice, design, build, etc.

So when I see the oversized markings I immediately envision the timeframe and the circumstances. And I'm involved.

See you around the forums!

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

That is one sharp looking model. I love the weathering.

Thanks mustangdriver. The weathering is a result of brush painting enamels, then acrylics of the same color, then applying alcohol washes and pastel powders. A spray of Dullcote sealed everything.

A lot of what I said to Hornchurch ^^^ also applies to you, mustangdriver. Your contribution to this forum is huge, you've made me feel welcome. And that game room of yours is inspiring!

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Ara1

The weathering is a result of brush painting enamels, then acrylics of the same color, then applying alcohol washes and pastel powders. A spray of Dullcote sealed everything.

you've made me feel welcome.

Man, you certainly have patience, weathering that beast.

That's why as you get older/fatter/lazier !!! (like me), ya tend to lean towards (decent) Die-cast models......... straight out of the box & wham !!!
It's sitting there, done & dusted, (but not yet weathered = that comes after a few months of dusting 'em down ).

Thanks for the kind words & thumbs-up I'm sure M.D. feels the same.

[Ara1]

Yeah HC, diecasts are for me, diecasts and WWII books. Modeling was great, I've made over 200 models in my life, but as time went on, I got so enveloped in research, building stopped being very fun. I was putting a lot of time into something maybe a half dozen people would appreciate.

I discovered that I really enjoyed the plane (or tank) above all else. To sound completely nuts, I enjoy the company of planes, tanks, and images of such during my relaxing times. Yes, diecasts lack certain details and authenticities but they make up for it in durability, availability (as you said, open the box!) and handlability. I love to handle diecasts, ---I have my 1/48 FAA Hellcat nearby right now--- and in comparison, scale models are decidely NOT to be handled.

I really feel that until you've handled the wing of FM's 1/48 C-47, you haven't fully lived. It's a gorgeous shape and texture.

And dust is not a problem with diecasts, they clean right up! Scale models and dust, however.... don't mix.

[mustangdriver]

Originally Posted by Ara1

Thanks mustangdriver. The weathering is a result of brush painting enamels, then acrylics of the same color, then applying alcohol washes and pastel powders. A spray of Dullcote sealed everything.

A lot of what I said to Hornchurch ^^^ also applies to you, mustangdriver. Your contribution to this forum is huge, you've made me feel welcome. And that game room of yours is inspiring!

Hey thankyou. I treat people the way that I want to be treated. There are also a great group of people here that treated me just as nice when I posted my first post. I do appreciate the kind words though.

[hworth18]

Great job on that Wildcat!!! Very nice and I like the way you've done the stand..

[Cavtanker]

That model looks marvelous!