Dogs are much better my 6 year old 100 lb. "puppy" never used to come into my workshop beyond sticking his head in to see what I was doing -- used to call him my foreman. He has gone on to his reward now and all we have is the evil cat aka Belzebub. Need another dog. Got working on the motorcycle and now I'm mising two wheels. I'm thinking about waterboarding the cat until she gives them up...

Everyone looks to be moving along nicely.

First I want to welcome kondorcee aboard. Sounds like you have everything figured out on your Priest. Since you didn't mention it I want you to know about Hardcorpsmodels, great site for USMC items and info. HardCorpsModels This is the reference for M7's at Okinawa.

Thanks Calvin for the update.

Jon, I have to use my magnifiers working on 1/35, more power to ya, those are some tiny items, I do notice that the details are very good. PE for something that small, I guess it's a bit out of my league

Russ, great work on the P40 and Hellcat and the Stuart is progressing nicely. Sorry to hear about those screens. Rule of thumb for me is if the hatch is open put a guy in it.

John, get the dog and send the cat in for electro shock treatment!

Thanks everyone for the updates,
Bob

Hey Russ:
Nice P-40 and F6F, did you really buy two kits for the wheels ? Wow and I thought I was hopeless. Any way the M5 is looking good, hope my M3 will not look too butchered when I start cutting off the rear deck.



Robert

Finally got started with my build, I am doing the USS Samuel B Roberts DE-413. She fought bravely and was lost in the Battle off Samar during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She had a very short career (much less than a year) so there is really only two pictures of her.



Here I am getting started on the hull and superstructure

David,
Thanks for the update. As an old Tin Can Sailor I can honestly say I'm looking forward to your updates. My time was spent on DDG's and FF's. I have run across the Robert's name a couple of times. Sure would love to see a larger scale for these ships, just too small for me, 1/350 right?
Thanks again,
Bob

Thanks, she is 1/700. I'm curious to see how she looks next to my Fletcher class destroyers and my Perry class FFG.

I have a question,

I've been looking at this Campaign over the last couple of weeks and thinking of a project I've had in mind for many years. It woud fit perfectly into this concept. Rex Barber's P-38 and Yamamoto's G4M on the mission where he was shot down. I have several books and the older Mustang International book and decals in 1/48. Maybe it's time I got to it, and given the great builds here so far it looks like just the place to do it!

However (there's always a "however"), I've started on the Betty, having a fair amount of interior painting done but no actual construction. Given that the Campaign is over 3 months on, do you all think this would be a problem?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Michael

Michael,
I don't see a problem letting you join in the campaign with just some of the interior painted on the Betty. Looking forward to seeing some of your work. If anyone has a comment please let me know. If not then welcome aboard Michael.

Well I have a bit more accomplished;





If someone sees anything I'm missing or wrong please let me know.
Hoping to see some more updates,
Bob

Bob, the wading trunks look great. One day I'll have to pull my M4A2 back out of the pile and finish it off. Robert, I actually wanted to do both versions, one Marine and one Army. The road wheel issue just happened to work out conveniently that way.

I'm almost finished with the Hellcat. Only 5 or 6 more decals to go. The solvaset is eating the Future and Tamiya spray paint, which I have never had happen before. I'm almost ready to start painting the Stuart. Still waiting for the tracks to come in on the late version, but I've got plenty to keep me busy.

On a side note, anyone know if "Lucky Legs II" is a mid production M4 or a late production dry stowage? I've now been told both.

OK, I'm gonna give it a shot. My primary reference as far as the actual aircraft is:



As far as background goes, I have (in no particular order) "Attack on Yamamoto" by Carroll Glines, "Lightning Strike" by Donald Davis, "Get Yamamoto" by Burke Davis and "Lightning Over Borgainville" by R. Cargill Hall. As you can see, I've been collecting on this one for quite a while. The general consensus seems to be that Barber was the actual shooter.

I have the Mustang International decals in 1/48 for both Barber's P-38 and Yamamoto's G4M1. Now all I need to do is decide whether to build the Hasegawa or Academy P-38!

Looking forward to it!

Michael

@ Bob: there is just something wrong about having (2) 55 gallon drums stuck on the top of your tail Actually Bob, your M4 is looking good. What is the base kit and the aftermarket the builder in me likes to tinker with modification.

@ Russ: I am still stuck on whether to rebuild the rear deck or just file it round school starting tomorrow has me a little stressed out. Going back with all of those teenagers is just a little strange. When do we get to see some photos of the F6F?


Robert

Russ thanks for the comments. On the solvent, I’ve never had a problem when I used Future first then applied the decal then the decal set. After that I even put on another coat of future just to seal it. Of course I might be matching apples to oranges, Tamiya Paints no spraying involved. On Lucky Legs have you tried a search at Network54, Plenty of info on Bougainville can be found there. Hopefully you can add in some photos.

Michael, Great to hear. From what I remember there were a group of P-38’s in the flight and since it cannot be determined beyond doubt who it was that fire the fatal shot you’ll just have to make the entire flight. Just kidding. Sounds like it should be an interesting set, are you planning on trying to have them flying in a diorama? Remember build photos are always encouraged. Never know who you might help, like me for instance.

Robert Thanks for the comments. The base kit is the Dragon M4A2 Tarawa kit. Aftermarkets are the Formations kits-F018 Pioneer Tools, F046 Siren assortment, F047 Track skids, along with the Tank Workshop 55 Gal drum Waders, (I wrote a review on that one) and Tiger model designs Tie down cleats, Hull hatches and a few other parts from the spare parts closet.

Thanks everyone for the updates and comments,
Bob

Moving along on the Okinawa USMC M7

I'll post photos soon on the F6F. Finished 24 more decals on her. Of course now is the time that someone says al the stenciling wasn't used. I've been tied up doing things for the wife. She got tired of the dirty carpet in the living room so I've been laying laminate. Used the tax return to buy a camper trailer. The wife told me if we got it and used it I could bring some models along in the cupboard space and do them at the kitchen table. I've also nearly finished the grousers on the M5A1.

Robert, you know if you do a really great, time consuming scratch build on the M3A1, as soon as you've completed it somebody will announce the kit in plastic. Maybe even with the Satan conversion. Dragon? Tasca? Miniart?

[snip] Robert, you know if you do a really great, time consuming scratch build on the M3A1, as soon as you've completed it somebody will announce the kit in plastic. Maybe even with the Satan conversion. Dragon? Tasca? Miniart? [snip]

That is ok Russ, I will still have enjoyed my build and putting my stamp on it.


Robert

Hi Bob and every one in this campaign.

I want to joing this campaign with a scratch built LVT "Doodlebug" with the ramp that was used in the White beach landing on Tinian but not sure if accurate. I have posted on a few DG asking for pictures and information and David Harper replied with a few pictures. So far I have used my artistic licence to built it to this stage.

I do not know if they used an LVT-2 or an LVT-A2 does anyone know?

All comments are welcomed.

Kit Maker will not let me register or recognise my old password. To see any pictures go to my web page.

http://community.webshots.com/user/scratchbuilder

Best regards,

Ralph

PS: I have made some changes. I need to update the pictures.

Ralph,
First welcome aboard. This is another vehicle near and dear to my heart but sadly not much info available. I emailed you what I had.

Definitely a LVT 2, and the photos from Dave Harper to show what we were talking about;



I was planning on trying this sometime in the future, making 2, one that had dropped the ramp already and one just in the process, with maybe a tank driving up the one already dropped. Looking forward to seeing your build and I'm sorry I missed your post looking for info.
Bob


Excellent LVT 2 build. When did you start your build? Still have to go by the rules for everyone else in the campaign. Was this mostly scratch or just PE used? Reallt great job on the construction. Very impressive, looks like the kit was just the base and you replaced alot.

Ok, bob I will be expecting an indepth review and many photos from the build by the time that school is out this June For real, I will be patiently waiting for your build when you accomplish it.

Robert

Me? Ralph is doing the LVT Ramp, I have enough to do with the M4 and I still have to start the Type 97 and M4 Composite, not to mention gatherring the itemss for the diorama base, and on and on......

I just caught that Okinawa M7 build, pretty good start, I have to pay closer attention I guess, eyes going bad.

Bob

Bob it is not just your eyes, mine have already gone bye bye. My apologies Ralph, but the same goes. I will be expecting an indepth review and many photos from the build by the time that school is out this June For real, I will be patiently waiting for your build when you accomplish it.


Robert

OK, I'm changing up. Having gone through all the campaigns out there, I've come to the conclusion that a P-47N would fit into at least three of them, this one, Nose Art, and the new Dressed to Kill on P-47 Heaven.

Thus, Trumpeter's 1/32 P-47N 2 Big and Too Heavy/Short Snorter. Zotz decals and photos from on-line and Osprey's Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces of the Pacific and CBI. Bare metal and bare girls, whoo hoo!! How can I miss?



Michael

Hello Michael, the only problem is that it will only be accepted into one of the Campaigns not all 3. You'll have to pick one.

And for the News in the Pacific for March;

March 2, 1945 - U.S. airborne troops recapture Corregidor in the Philippines.
March 3, 1945 - U.S. and Filipino troops take Manila.
March 2-4 1943 - U.S. victory over Japanese in the Battle of Bismarck Sea
March 4, 1942 - Two Japanese flying boats bomb Pearl Harbor; ENTERPRISE attacks Marcus Island, just 1000 milesfromJapan.
March 5, 1944 - Gen. Wingate's groups begin operations behind Japanese lines in Burma.
March 7, 1942 - British evacuate Rangoon in Burma; Japanese invade Salamaua and Lae on New Guinea.
March 8, 1942 - The Dutch on Java surrender to Japanese.
March 9/10 - Fifteen square miles of Tokyo erupts in flames after it is fire bombed by 279 B-29s.
March 10, 1945 - U.S. Eighth Army invades Zamboanga Peninsula on Mindanao in the Philippines.
March 11, 1942 - Gen. MacArthur leaves Corregidor and is flown to Australia. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright becomes the new U.S. commander.
March 15, 1944 - Japanese begin offensive toward Imphal and Kohima.
March 18, 1942 - Gen. MacArthur appointed commander of the Southwest Pacific Theater by President Roosevelt.
March 18, 1942 - War Relocation Authority established in the U.S. which eventually will round up 120,000 Japanese-Americans and transport them to barb-wired relocation centers. Despite the internment, over 17,000 Japanese-Americans sign up and fight for the U.S. in World War II in Europe, including the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit in U.S. history.
March 20, 1945 - British troops liberate Mandalay, Burma.
March 23, 1942 - Japanese invade the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
March 24, 1942 - Admiral Chester Nimitz appointed as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific theater.
March 27, 1945 - B-29s lay mines in Japan's Shimonoseki Strait to interrupt shipping.
For a more detailed listing go to;
1942
1943
1944
1945

Bob

Hi Bob

Sorry for the late reply.

Thank you very much for the compliment and you are doing an excellent job on your M4.

I started this build in the second week of Jan. Do I qualify?

The base kit that I used is the LVT-A1 and scratch built it with no photo etch to the LVT-A2 version. I might have to scratch a basic interior for it because of the large door opening from the cargo area. I have scratch built a lot of parts and refined the quick release mechanism that works since I posted the pictures on my web page and it is closer to a finished stage without paint. I got to take new pictures and post them.

David Harper sent me some photos and that's what I based it on. He recently sent me an email confirming that it was built on an LVT-2. I do not know if I'm going to scratch an LVT-2 or buy one if the price is right and do a total new build. But with no detailed photos I will have to use my artistic licence again for the small details. Here in Canada they want $47.00 plus 13% tax for the LVT-2. The LVT-A1 go cheap on EBay usually with shipping $15. to $21.00.

Does anyone have a cheap LVT-2 for sale?

The week after I posted the new scratch built LVT's on my web page I got over 3,423 views and no comments. I was surprised.

How do you guys post pictures here every time I try it rejects them with red X's.

Thank you very much for any help,

Ralph

Hi Ralph,
No problem on the reply, I have things popping up all the time.
Jan is perfect, the Campaign started in Dec.
That was the long hard way on the LVT conversion. Italeri is the way to go for the LVT 2 and the Edward PE is almost a must. Price is always a problem. It sounds like you have done a number of scratchbuilds; maybe you can keep what you have started? David Harper has helped me numerous times also, really great guy, I hope he’s doing alright.

To get the pictures when you respond to a post and the type box comes up, just below that are little white boxes, hit the img one and Just copy your location of the photo in the http part leaving the two ends that say img and when you post the photo is there. I’m sure someone with the proper terminology can restate it properly but hopefully this helped.

I finally finished the construction on Adamzapple and got a good start on the type 97;




It’s been pretty quite this last week hope everyone is still working on their projects.

Thanks guys,
Bob

Bob, Adamzapple looks great, as does the type 97. I have been doing a lot of work, but no pictures to show. Maybe tomorrow morning . . .