F6F-5K Drone

John Thomas
New project up today. I am planning to build several aircraft from VU-1, Utility Squadron One based at NSA Barbers point Hi. VU-1 supplied target tow aircraft and drones for missile tests. I will use the Academy F6F-3/5 kit. I will add lots of details to the cockpit and wheel wells. More photos up soon.

Thomas Bischoff
Will not miss this - have also cats in the stash for the utility scheme 👍

Thomas Bischoff
That cockpit looks nice

John
Add a couple of F-89s shooting at it (and missing) and you've got yourself a diorama. But seriously, nice job!

John Thomas
Thomas and John Thanks. The Academy Hellcat is a basic kit dating back to 1990's. I am have fun adding the cockpit and wheel well details. VU-1 flew many types of Navy aircraft that I am planning on doing. In photo one you can see the Skyraider which I am going to do. Also the F9F Panther and Cougar, Fury, T-33, F-8, S-3 and some A-4's. All with very colorfull markings.

John Thomas
A few more photos up today.

John Thomas
More photos up today

John Thomas
New photos up today. Most of the painting is done. Starting to work on the small bits. I have also started doing my reference work on the AD-5U. The one in the photos way be a target tow aircraft. I have the old Monogram kit that I will use.

Thomas Bischoff
Nice colours 👍 - the orange band on the wing looks a bit too broad to me?

John Thomas
Thomas, Thanks. You are right. The wing band is to broad. I am going to redo it.

John Thomas
New photos up today. Thomas pointed out that the wing bands were to wide. So I removed the wing bands and resparyed the Yellow color to prepar for the new red wing bands.

Lawrence Landis
Great work on the Hellcat. I look forward to seeing it finished.

Robert Podkoński
Beautiful work!

John Thomas
Lawrence and Robert Thanks. The project is going slow. I am moving to a new house and I need to move my modeling work area to it's new location. I hope to be in my new work area in late summer. I have a lot of stuff to move, my stash is several hundred kits and going thur stuff tools and paints. BTW I just got the C-45 for the project. I now have all the kits to complete the project.

Lawrence Landis
As far as the moving situation, I think we have all been down that road. Over the years, my building has slowed down and I spend more time on my projects, which is a good thing. The problem is that my appetite for kits didn't slow down until I retired 5 years ago. While my disposable income has decreased, it doesn't matter because I have more than enough kits to last me.
I know that is more than enough info.
I will look forward to your next installment on the Hellcat project.
When building turns to collecting, it can get ugly quick.
Have a Blessed day.

John Thomas
Lawwrence Thanks. I know it's easer to buy kits than it is to build them. I hope to get more build time at my new work area And yes I have more kits to last me several life times. I have a young cusin I hope to get into modeling. I have given him a few kits some tools and paints. he has finished one kit not bad for a 9 year old.

Lawrence Landis
Where in the US are you located?
I'm in York, Pennsylvania

John Thomas
Lawrence, I am in Pittsburgh.

Lawrence Landis
That is great. Some times I come to Pittsburgh for the IPMS contest. I haven't for a few years but I do enjoy the competition and fellowship. I think that we share some similar interests and some similar items in our stashes.
We both have an interest in aircraft and automotive subjects.

John Thomas
Lawrence that would be nice. I am a member of IPMS Three Rivers and I help Judge at the contest. I think the 2024 contest may be in April 2024, I dont know the date yet check the web site. The contest will be at the same location. It's a fun contest, lots of cool stuff and great modelers. I see you like cars. I have done some cars in the pass. I like F-1 and Drag Cars, mainly Top Fuel and Funny Cars. I like the big scale ones the 1:12 and 1:16 cars but have some of the 1:24 scale cars. I have not done a car in years.

Lawrence Landis
I haven't done an aircraft in a few years, but have some unusual kits that I would like to build. For me, the car models transport more easily than the aircraft, but since I did the resurrection album, I have discovered the use of rare earth magnets, I may give some aircraft kits a try. I would use the magnets to attach the wings, which would allow me to pack the models more compactly and more safely.
Maybe I will see you there. Please keep me informed of the date when you know.
Very glad to have met you.
Have a Blessed day.

John Thomas
Lawrence, I will let you know the date when I know. I dont know if magnets will work on wings but on drop tanks and weapons yes. I build 1:72 aircraft so transportion is much safer.

Lawrence Landis
Apex magnets make larger more powerful magnets than the 1mmX2mm that I used to attach the lower body panel on the Sizzler. On that application it provided a more precise location of the part, much like mounting the drop tanks and under wing weapons on your aircraft.
It's only an idea and who knows if it will work.
The bigger issue would be for a contest model how cleanly the joint would be rendered.

John Thomas
Lawrence at a good point.