I'm now confronting something which has been growing for some time: the need to significantly add-to and replace some of the aircraft - requiring, as it turned out, 32 more castings to be prepped - so far having canopies/windows masked, then "purple-primed" and unwanted options removed - as shown in the following pics:


Click on Image for FULL RESThere are (by now) two reasons for this: the first is that substantial improvements have been made to some of the Matt Stein Models castings, which - especially on such a high-visibility place as the flight deck - really should replace 14 of the older versions (see below), as of course I want the final build to showcase the very best I can do (for my friend Frank) - as well have to offer, through Matty's Models (the pics later to be posted to the website - thus killing two birds with one stone). And secondly, because I was recently inspired by the packed-deckloads in Paulo's Midway-class pics, and so decided to add 17 more aircraft (see below) to the deck park.

I won't lie to you: these are taking a long time - but, in defense of the castings these are also production "seconds" - variously having defects (note, for example the missing wingtip on one of the AJ-2s) disqualifying them for sale as standard, unblemished product stock. I like to salvage these, as I'm sure you can imagine, for use on my own builds - not only to avoid having to raid Matty's Models' supply of parts, but also to prevent perfectly useable parts going to waste - which is, of course quite satisfying. As many of you already know, I will also make Special Offer sales on these parts - generally at half-price (or less) - to any customers looking to do the same - for whom this build will also provide a graphic demonstration of just how excellent your results can be. (Really every bit as good as using the "angel-perfect", stock parts.)

Improved-version replacements include HSS SeaBat helicopters and (two variants of) "Long Canopy" SkyRaiders:


Click on Image to Enlarge
FULL RESSorry for the graininess of this pic (shot heavily back-lit, indoors - always a bad combination), but I hope you can get at least a feel for the 18 improved SeaBats, completely replacing the earlier complement of 12: the new versions are improved appearance-wise by having smaller, more accurately-proportioned tails. However, construction-wise they offer a major advantage in that all their landing gear - main struts, arms and wheels, as well as tailwheel and its strut - are 100% molded-into the casting, from the get-go. Thus eliminating all scratchbuilding of what were by far the most difficult of any landing gear - making these castings not only far easier to prepare/complete, but far faster to do so!

At left you can (fuzzily) see four of the (six) improved SkyRaiders: two replacement AD-5Ws (identifiable by their belly radomes), plus two (of four) new, additional AD-5Ns - in fact probably not accurate for Boxer at that time, but which I am adding nevertheless - just to show them off (see below).

At right, among the S2Fs note the second-furthest has a port wing broken right along the fold-joint - making zero difference to the final appearance, in which its wings will be folded anyway: I only tacked it back on here for convenience (especially in subsequent painting).

The following are some more and better views of the fixed-wing planes:


Click on Image to Enlarge
FULL RES---------FULL RES----At left, note three AD-5Ns have under their port wings smaller-sized pods: decent approximations of their radars (though I think on the real thing these may have gone under the starboard wing). They were very easily modified from the full-sized drop tanks which come already-molded into (both wings of) the improved castings - and I showcase these by leaving at least one, unmodified, on five of the six.

The five S2Fs remain the same, original-version casting, to add to the earlier complement (not shown) already in progress, bringing the total number of S2Fs to 19. (Plus or minus one C1 Trader COD plane - I haven't yet decided.) The excessive up-sweep (dihedral) in a some of their wings - which could easily have been bent back down, after soaking in boiled water - was not even corrected, as again all these wings will ultimately be folded, completely hiding any such difference(s). Likewise, already you probably didn't notice, at left, that the second-furthest had its entire tail broken off - and on the finished build I will defy anyone to identify it, from among the others!

Finally, the K/AJ-2 Savage tankers - what can you say about them - except that everybody loves 'em, not least of all me! The number of these on the flight deck will now be these three (up from one, as planned earlier).

All togther, the above are going to make for significantly more aircraft than planned earlier - the flight deck is going to be crowded - and I think you'll like it! So, stay tuned...

Cheers,

-Matty