Helldiver Mojo Build

[Bear43]

After a long bout of health issues I am getting back to my models. Pulled this relic out of the stash and got started on it tonight. Not much to it and definitely lacking in detail but most of us grew up with kits like this.

 

[Bear43]

This kit is hilariously, gloriously awful and I am having a great time with it.
It really gives you a better appreciation of the quality of today's molds. It's still nice to go back to basics once in a while, though.

 

[TimM63]

After a long bout of health issues I am getting back to my models. Pulled this relic out of the stash and got started on it tonight. Not much to it and definitely lacking in detail but most of us grew up with kits like this.

View attachment 194051
View attachment 194050

Welcome back brother. Good to see you here.

 

[BOATMAN]

YES glad you feel better sir an getting back into modeling well done
chrisb

 

[Holz44]

Glad to see you using modeling as a recovery technique! Happy to hear you're doing better.
Love the old style wing fold mechanisms!!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Sometimes some of us get spoiled. We forget that the wind can be your friend just like a new tube of putty

 

[Holz44]

And there can be no genius without a touch of insanity.....................

 

[Littlemarten]

Happy healing!

One advantage to a kit like this—you cannot be disappointed in how it turns out.

 

[Edbert]

This kit is hilariously, gloriously awful and I am having a great time with it.
It really gives you a better appreciation of the quality of today's molds. It's still nice to go back to basics once in a while, though.

I understand what you are saying, I recently started a Korean-War era F4U-4 in 1/72 from Revell that is the worst thing I've touched since a Lindbergh or Matchbox kit in the 1970s.

I'm not able to make it a net positive the way you have, I admire you for that!

 

[Bear43]

Getting some paint slapped on this pig. Neutral gray on the bottom, Faded PRU Blue topside. My decal sheet arrived today too.

 

[the Baron]

If you're striving for accuracy, though, you'll want the bars that were added to our national roundels. The prototype XSB2C had those roundels, but by the time the Helldiver entered service, the markings had evolved. That sheet is for US aircraft in the Battle of Midway.

 

[Edbert]

That sheet is for US aircraft in the Battle of Midway

I think the rainbow propeller tips are another clue that this was a 1942 version.

 

[Bear43]

There isn't any accuracy going on in this build No, I know it's wrong but the whole purpose behind this build was to get it done quickly to get back in the groove. The kit in general is terrible. No cockpit, horrible gaps everywhere, wonky parts in general and horrific clear parts. It was always going to be a prettied up pig and nothing more. I could have gotten a more accurate decal set but I would have had to wait 4-6 weeks and I really didn't want to drag it out that long. I went with this set as it also gives me a reason to buy more kits to use the rest of the decals on. The proper kits, I mean.

 

[the Baron]

No, that's quite all right. "Build what you like, the way you like."

 

[the Baron]

I think the rainbow propeller tips are another clue that this was a 1942 version.

The most obvious clue is the name of the sheet, "USN at Midway"

 

[Edbert]

No, that's quite all right. "Build what you like, the way you like."

I dislike the term "I'm 110% in favor of xxx/blaaa" But here i cannot agree more!

I routinely choose option A/B/C/D in a kit based only on the colors, details, markings that I think look better.

I totally respect the guys who build specific aircraft/wehicles/events as shown in historical photos. But that is just not me.

 

[Bear43]

Bit of an issue here. The framing for the canopy is molded on the inside of the clear parts. I am not sure what to do with that. Any thoughts?

 

[Tommergun]

Bit of an issue here. The framing for the canopy is molded on the inside of the clear parts. I am not sure what to do with that. Any thoughts?

View attachment 195135

Yep, those old molds. I would just eyeball it with thin strips of tape.

 

[Bear43]

That's pretty much what I was thinking. Not like it's going to be a prize winning build

 

[Edbert]

Yep, those old molds. I would just eyeball it with thin strips of tape.

Paint the tape blue and adhere to the outside?

 

[the Baron]

The way the canopy frame is done reminds me of Aoshima's 1/72 airplanes from the early 70s. Some of the single-engine fighters have canopies with a huge ejector pin mark on the INSIDE, with no good way to remove it.

 

[Ron2]

This kit is hilariously, gloriously awful and I am having a great time with it.
It really gives you a better appreciation of the quality of today's molds. It's still nice to go back to basics once in a while, though.

View attachment 194610
View attachment 194611

I think the old kits are fun. Enjoy!

 

[Bear43]

I had a delay as I had to wait for some Aluminum paint and some supplies. No longer have a local hobby shop. I got back to it last night.

 

[RocketRanger]

This looks like a rebox of the ancient Aoshima kit. I built one of these about 25 years ago and a Google search indicated that it might be the worst kit ever molded. That was all I needed to hear! So I built it with the intention of making EVERY feature and moving part work, and there were a lot of them. I have to say, it kind of looks like a Helldiver when completed but mission accomplished; ALL of the features worked and a weird bonus benefit - it turned out to be finished in one of the best tricolor Navy camo paint jobs I've airbrushed so far.

 

[Bear43]

I looked it up on Scalemates and the kit I'm working on was released by UPC sometime in the late '60's but it was originally a 1964 Aoshima tooling. And yes, it is a horribly molded kit.

 

[Edbert]

a Google search indicated that it might be the worst kit ever molded.

My Revell 1/72 F4U4 (I got for free) should beat it

 

[Bear43]

My stepdaughter is coming to visit the end of next week so my wife has been in a deep clean frenzy. That has been keeping me busy as well. Sometimes domestic duties are required

 

[Bear43]

I got a coat of Faded PRU Blue on the top-side of the plane last night. I forgot to take a picture, though. One more coat and I'll be close to done.

 

[Edbert]

My stepdaughter is coming to visit the end of next week so my wife has been in a deep clean frenzy.

That is why I hate having parties at our house anymore, the entire week leading up to it is unpleasant.

 

[Bear43]

Snapped a pic of it with the first coat of blue. No time to work on it tonight though.