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As a thought about using the flash on this camera. Does it have a "Red Eye Reduction" setting? If so you may try using that as i think it offsets the flash timing just enough to eliminate glare while still giving the proper amount of light for the picture.

Like I said, it is possible that they might replace the guns or perform some other maintenance with the wings folded that would require that the gun hatches be open. The big exception would be the laying of the belts of ammo, (At least in my opinion) The F4F was noted as an aircraft that had some problems with the guns jamming. Ask Mark to be certain, but I think outside of head space and timing, problems with jams on the M2 is the belt feed system, so laying the belts into their proper location to insure proper feed was one of the critical needs in reloading the guns and would be done with the wings extended and the ammo bays horizontal. I think that with all of the extra detail you are already adding that having the gun bays exposed would be just a matter of extra frosting and would not be missed as a required detail.

Nice progress Denis. Glad to see that you were able to get a new camera you are happy with.

Here are a couple of possibilities based on almost total ignorance Mike. First off, I think the plate behind the engine is mostly an air deflector, designed to direct the air around the cylinders in a way to maximize cooling, especially when the cowling flaps are open. In addition I suspect it acted as an oil shield, keeping excess oil out of the wheel well that is located just behind it. Radial engines are notorious oil leakers. As such it was probably just a stamped out aluminum plate and probably not painted at all. But painted ort not it would more than likely be heavily oil stained and possibly blackened as well from various engine stuff or even dirt from landing and taking off from dirt airfields when not using the carrier deck. As for reloading the guns while the wings are folded, I'm not certain this is possible. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the guns, are located on the outer portion of the wing, (The part that folds) and the access doors are on the top of the wing. On the Wildcat that upper surface is almost completely vertical against the fuselage when the wing is folded making it almost impossible to lay a belt of ammo to feed each gun while fully folded. There may have been a more built in crank style of ammo reload system on the F4F to allow this style of reloading but I don't think so. Remember that the F4F was so old of a design that even the landing gear retract system was a hand crank operation as I believe so were the flaps. There was not much that was all that sophisticated about the plane at all. The early versions didn't even have folding wings I believe. Having said all of that, I suppose one COULD replace guns or perform at least some maintenance using the gun doors as access while the wing was folded. BTW, I think your pictures are of a F6F model not a F4F.

I will have to take your word for it Jack. It SOUNDS like yours was worse! Other than tiredness, pain, (That the meds handle pretty well, and I'm kind of used to anyway) and limited movement, my stuff seems to have gone pretty well. Much better than constipation, vomiting, cramps, and who know what. After the hip replacement they kicked me out the next day, did the same after the pacemaker even though I was in full AFIB for a full seven hours after the surgery. Everyone was telling me that they would have to keep me an extra day except the doctors. They said "Kick him out" less than 24 hours after the surgery. I kind of got a giggle out of my follow-up Orthopedic visit a couple of days ago. I had a kind of laundry list of things to cover that to me were not going as fast as they indicated they surly should before the surgery. Going by what they said I almost expected that I would be climbing alpine mountains on a daily basis by now. She kept coming back with the comment that it can take upward of a year for full recovery and besides I have pre-existing back issues to take into account! But of course this is AFTER they have sent their bill to the insurance company!

Paint is a building skill as well PR. Your painting is truly top notch! Using only the pictures it is hard to tell that the model you are building is not wood, a sometimes difficult effect to achieve. Thanks for fixing the pictures. It shows that you are building a very impressive model. It is hard to believe you have only been at it for a few weeks.

Your post sounds like something I would write right now Jack! Even though I don't think my situation is as serious as yours. Keep up the good work and try and keep the spirits high. (Or down enough spirits to act as a counter! Something that is apparently a NoNo when they put a pacemaker in you. )

You are doing some pretty nice work Mike. It looks like at this point that this will be another masterpiece that you will be proud to show. Keep it up!

Only the last picture came up for me.

You should build it Denis. You just reminded me that I also have one in my stash as well. But it is WAY down on the list of builds to come.

Wishing you the best of luck in your recovery Patrick. Hope you stay healthy enough that you can stay home and even do some more work on your fantastic Bounty. Please keep us up to date on how you are doing with the CORONA.

Outstanding craftsmanship Mog. Those are possibly the most realistic torpedo tubes I have ever seen, at any scale!

Very nicely done IJN. It is hard to believe it is 1/700. I think you should reconsider not doing a build log on your 1/35 Mikuma.

If you are looking for quick then this should fill the bill. I think if it was me I would be forced to replace almost everything above the main deck with thinner plastic and PE. Looking at the Scalemates out of box reviews it is clear that all of the smaller parts are somewhat clunky and simplistic. Aftermarket guns, depth charge racks, railings, and other assorted parts like the canvas/splinter bag covered bridge wings would be a must in my opinion. But even out of the box it would still look every bit a Corvette. Looking forward to your build. Are you planning to do a diorama or just a static stand?

Welcome back from the far side Craig. Oh yeah, you have A LOT of shelf space to fill in now! It's going to be fun watching you do it!

Scalemates gives the kit very high reviews and if you can get it at $24 it should be hard to beat. The only model I know of at 1/350 would be the HMCS Sackville at Iron Shipwright at $65, almost three times the cost. Also the iron shipwright model is resin and if you have never worked with the stuff can be a hassle. Of course there is a ton of aftermarket that would make either one a jewel. Question though. Why 1/350? there are very nice versions in 1/144 and of course 1/72 scale.

Same here Mark. Heck, sometimes we didn't even bother with seats! And doors? Who needs stinking doors? (Well I do have to admit that we didn't often actually take them off.) But the two times I did fly in a Sh**hook it had not only jump seats just like these but belts as well. You also have to remember that as this is an OC build it is British and will be properly shipshape and Bristol fashion at all times! Looking nice OC

It seems like the Spray has become a popular model as of late. Nice progress so far Don and great attention to detail in the effort to get it right. It should pay dividends later. I am looking forward to following your build.

Nice work Josh I was Lucky enough to get the Laughing Whale version of what appears to be this same kit from Ron here on the forum. I have known of Joshua Slocum and the Spray since my teen years when I read his book "Sailing Alone Around The World", and it made me a life long fan. I will be following Tom's and your builds with considerable interest.

Hope things are still going in the right direction for you Jack and you continue to get better. It doesn't sound like it has been a really fun month for you.

Looks like you have your work cut out for you with those .50s. Luckily you only have to do six of them. With a box of 25 that makes a lot of spares if needed. I personally would need all 19 of them! Have you looked at Model Monkey for more detailed replacement 5" turrets? Unfortunately Micro Master does not offer any.

Brings me back to my old RC tug days. I'm in.

Done

Boy are you lucky Jack! I was in two times in he last three weeks and NO VISITERS allowed. One of my attending doctors would not even fully enter the room until I put my mask on and like all of them he was wearing both mask and face shield! I suppose the good thing is that now I have been tested twice for COVID in as many weeks! Like you the drugs linger though! Hope you are feeling better and getting around freely.

Nice work Sam. I know how hard it is to try and build a static correct model of a ship and still accommodate the requirements of operation and RC gear. You look like you have mastered both. It is a shame you feel unable to finish your current two and I hope you are able to locate someone who can do them justice.