Warbird Information Exchange

Has anyone built customized models for individuals? I like to see other kits made into something other that "out of the box". Ive built a custom P-51 "Rednose/CAF" and a F-105, B-26.

past threads w/pics of mine: http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=6247

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 96&start=0

Sorry Im at the office and proxy settings has my photobucket blocked.

Lets see what everyone else has built!

_________________
Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

http://www.390th.org/
www.LSFM.org

Trae

I've done a few for clients:





Anthony Palipoli- 78th FG pilot of "Little Joe":

Custom postwar Mustang:



Tommy Hayes- 357th FG pilot of "Frenesi":

"Miss Ellen" 353rd FG:


-Len
www.p51mustangmodels.com

They look great Len!!! Which Mustang kits do you like using the best?Im thinking about doing another Mustang for myself. Nice website by the way!

_________________
Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

http://www.390th.org/
www.LSFM.org

Trae

Hi Trae...

I use the Tamiya 1/48 kit for most- along with resin seats, exhausts....

For inflight models- I use Hasegawa (flaps up and a bit cheaper)

Thanks!

-Len

Len,

I love the photos of the men and their machines--I built a B-17 for a customer that frequented my shop years ago, and there is no better feeling than handing the model to the man who fought in it. I will never forget the smile on his face, just like in the two photos you posted. Thanks for bringing back a great memory for me.

Scott

totally agree Scott....wish I had pics of them all that I have given models too...

-Len

Thats what I like when I build models to suit for the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. The night of the induction walking through with the Veteran and seeing their face when they see their aircraft in the display.

_________________
Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

http://www.390th.org/
www.LSFM.org

Trae

I was just thinking of starting a thread on this. How do you get or make the markings/decals for custom models? I'm talking about the ones that aren't available in a kit.
What got me going this direction was a feature in the newest WD on B-17's used for crop dusters. I'd like to build something like Thunderbird like it was, stripped of turrets but partially painted in warbird markings like when Lone Star first acquired it. Ditto the crop duster 17's.
Where to you get decals for the markings?
Anybody have an opinions good/bad on different brands of 1/72 kits?

Doug.

One option is making your own -

http://www.decalpaper.com/category-s/2.htm

All you need is Microsoft Works, Word, or any graphics software.

Here's a link to the instructions -

http://www.decalpaper.com/Articles.asp? ... directed=Y

Hi all,

Im almost afraid to post my stuff on here. You guys are seriously excellent modelers. Ive been modeling all my life but not too much lately. I have been focusing on 1/72nd Luftwaffe. I dont have an airbrush (well no compressor) setup so bear with me

I built this one out of a JG-26 Hasegawa kit. I painted it as a 109E of JG-5 because I acquired a 109 wheel cover that had been in the ground for 60+ years in Oslo Norway where JG5 was based at one point (obviously its shown below the model).


This one I built out of an Academy kit. I painted it as a 190F that was captured during operation Bodenplatte and later operated by the 404th FG.


I probably should have made a new thread for this since I built them for myself but I guess I am my best and only client

Thanks CAPflyer.

CripesAMighty, I'm with you on the 1/72. Modelling is fun. Build to suit. If you are the client, why not be creative. I've been thinking of building Addison Pemberton's modified razorback, canopied Stearman.

Doug

Canso-
Yeah when space is an issue 1/72 is the best. To answer your questions. As far as B-17 kits go I I built the Hasegawa 1/72nd and it went together wonderfully. It was my centerpiece until my cousin smashed it to a 1000 pieces

And custom decals.......I just have a box full of un-needed decals and pray I have the ones I need. Usually I have to cut and splice several decals just to get one. Its a ton of tedious work but better than driving all the way to the hobby store when you just need a couple of decals.

I don't have photos of any models I've built on commission, but I was asked to help with a Medal of Honor aircraft display for the Dallas IPMS Convention back in '99 or 2000. This project was the tipping point for me becoming interested in the B-24 in all it's variants, and eventually led to last year's thrash on Ol'927.

This is the aircraft flown by Horace Carswell on his final mission:


I thought I had a few more photos of the MOH aircraft loaded on my Photobucket account, but I'll have to snap some later to add to this thread.

Scott

Thats cool! The one thing I like about building models is that you sort of get to know the aircraft a little bit more and the aircraft type gets a little more interesting. Next thing you know you're doing your homework on the type when you might not have looked at it in the first place. Ive always like the F-105 but really didnt look at it in detail until I built my custom one for a Vietnam Veteran.

_________________
Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

http://www.390th.org/
www.LSFM.org

Trae

When I started with the B-24 project I only had a passing interest in the Liberator. If you want a good research project, that airplane will give you many years of digging. All the variety of manufacturers, variants, etc. really got under my skin after a little while. I'm still learning stuff about the Lib all the time, and I've gotten to know some of the folks who've been researching it for many years. And it all started with me getting "stuck" building B-24s for that contest!