USMC DH-9a

[mike in calif]

Lance, Mark, thanks for the votes of confidence! As was pointed out in an Albie thread, we sometimes are just too close. I'm trying to get some wee bits done, and then to add some wingy parts.

[dr 1 ace]

OraCon, Saturday Oct 5, 2013, at Student Union Cal State Fullerton

[mike in calif]

Sorry for the delay responding. Ed, if I get there, this would be my first OC.  I'd like to show it at least once, so OC might be my best bet.
 I'm at the point where I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. Lots of details, not much measurable progress. I should get the tail together soon, but am waiting for my Nordland order to arrive. I have to puzzle out RAF wires also. This kit is a bit more complex than the Junkers, but I think it may come out OK. Some pics soon.
 I don't comment a lot here, but sure do look at the work shown, and I have to say, each build seems to raise the bar. I don't think there is a finer kit to start with on the market in 1/32, and the work displayed is just outstanding

[KONG]

Been otherwise detained, preparing to move house, but came in for a quick look.

Awsome  Love th eway you have done the frame shading. Excellent. I've bookmarked
you Mike . . . . Its gonna' be a good one

Cheers

Dave

[mike in calif]

Thanks Dave! I've a couple days off soon, and hope to make a little more progress, and get a couple pics up.

[Epeeman]

Mike -

Just catching up with your build - coming along great - shading is superb.

Regards

Dave

[mike in calif]

Dave, Dave,
Thanks for the support! It has been very hot, and unusually humid, so I've just got back to this build. I got a semi-gloss clear coat on, so glued up the wings. This will sit for a day, but I should be able to work on sub-assemblies. Here is a couple of pics of my set up to true the wing height, side to side. They were off by a fair bit. ( am I the only one?) The first two are the hi-tech set-up, and the last is an overall view. Apologies for the back ground clutter.

 

[KONG]

Ive got the same clutter Mike, and that Ninack is looking awsome 
What a great job Mike, I am impressed 

Cant wait fro the next installment . . . .  May the Force be with you 

Dave

[mike in calif]

Dave, thanks for the comments. I can't seem to get to far from this look on my bench. Model builders must be the weirdest group on the planet, with little wee bits and pieces floating around...."for use someday".
 Anyway, here is a bit of progress. The fuse is almost done. I had to modify the gunsight post with a bit of wire. I went at the fuse with some pastels chalks, just to break it up a bit; all sealed now in a satin finish.


 Test fit of top wingy part.  This is just sitting on the four inner struts; very positive location once set in place. The wing is complete, and sealed top and bottom, again in a satin finish. I'm working on the fuselage MG, tail, and struts.  All require their own time, but once done should assemble nicely. I'm at the point where I need to start planning a base. I'm leaning towards a simple flat base, painted earth tones, and maybe with some clumpy bits of grass; I may also go with a similar base as used for my Junkers J-1. I'd like to add a WWI EGA to the base as well. Aynway here it is so far:

[Ernie]

Mike, the DH is looking good!  Nice to see the pieces coming together.
Good job.

Cheers,
Ernie

[mike in calif]

Thank you Ernie! The standard is so high here that if I get close, I'm happy. Thanks for looking in.

[Zabu]

Beautiful!! Very nice paint jod and detailing Mike.

Cheers

[mike in calif]

Zabu
 Thank you! I'm glad to see this coming together.
 -One other note: I was really not looking forward to trying to decal the tail/rudder. The decal as it comes fits perfectly and I just soaked it in Microscale microsol as I worked on other bits. Basically just kept the decal wet; when done, the edges had wrapped around the rudder. Next day, I did the other side, same results: the decal wrapped around the edges and completely covered the rudder. NO paint touchups, no bubbles, just as good as it gets. You can see the stiches under the decal. All I have to do is satin coat, hit with some pastels, and then seal it.
 Sorry for the long-winded explanation, but I've never seen a decal do this. It's exactly the right amount oversize.

[coyotemagic]

Excellent progress, Mike.  She's looking awesome.
Cheers,
Bud

[quentin]

such a nice and big plane! what kit is from?