Author Topic: Bent Wing Birds (Read 2131 times)

Saxman · « **Reply #30 on:** May 05, 2007, 01:06:36 AM »

Here's a preview of "White 883" of VMF-214. Among his many quirks, Boyington was well-known for picking the worst-looking bird in the lineup so the younger pilots wouldn't feel so bad about the banged-up and jungle-abused aircraft in the base's inventory. White 883 CERTAINLY fits the bill as one nasty-looking bird, and is one of a number of aircraft Boyington was known to have flown in combat (he scored at least one kill flying this aircraft).

The aircraft is HEAVILY faded, and had received touch-up paint in a number of places. It appears that at some point significant parts of the upper fuselage had been oversprayed, however that TOO had heavily faded by the time the picture was taken. In addition, fuel leaking from the main tanks has largely eaten away at the paint around the cockpit on the starboard side (I added similar patches on the other side, and will likely do some on the wing tanks, as well. The ONLY two pictures I have of this bird are from the port side. If ANYONE knows of more that show the other side PLEASE let me know!)

The patterns of old and recent over-spraying give a number of areas a distinctively mottled appearance, which will be magnified once the actual weathering is completed. Near as I can figure this is a VERY dirty bird. The modex numbers on the front landing gear doors appear to be entirely obscured by mud. Oil and smoke staining on the upper fuselage appears light, however the only photo showing the cowl area is heavily shadowed (again, more pics PLEASE!)

To do:

Fade the roundels. While the modex numbers appear to be relatively fresh(ly repainted) the roundels on the sides, and particularly the upper wing, will need to be faded.

The wings and vert/horizontal stabs need to receive the same "overspray" treatment. And as I said, there will be at least some of the same removed paint on the wing fuel tanks.

General weathering. This bird may rival Marine's Dream one the grunge-o-meter.

Panel lines will also be faded.

Saxman · « **Reply #31 on:** May 09, 2007, 06:07:26 PM »

Some more of Pappy

Once again, still haven't gotten to the point of actually WEATHERING this bird yet. Everything here is effects in the paint, specifically varying degrees of fading in old touch-up work.

Krusty · « **Reply #32 on:** May 09, 2007, 07:40:21 PM »

I really like what you've got so far.

BaDkaRmA158Th · « **Reply #33 on:** May 09, 2007, 09:48:36 PM »

Very impressive!

Keep up the good work.

"You too crusty "

Saxman · « **Reply #34 on:** May 10, 2007, 01:55:46 AM »

Thank ye, gents.

The F4U skin lineup would just be barren without Boyington.

Saxman · « **Reply #35 on:** May 13, 2007, 02:00:22 AM »

I think the screens speak for themselves.

I may still muddy up the underside of the fuselage more, but other than that I think she's done.

~~Pappy~~

Saxman · « **Reply #36 on:** May 14, 2007, 06:22:36 PM »

Currently working on getting O'Connell's bird (VMF-321) done, and will be finishing up Marine's Dream. however I'm also planning on starting this one:

Note that while the underside of the right wing has the later star-and-bar roundel, the lower left wing has the older, barless roundel! I need to see if there's a pic out there showing whether the upper-right wing is similarly marked.

Saxman · « **Reply #37 on:** May 18, 2007, 08:50:04 PM »

JJ O'Connell's White 042

This aircraft was embarked aboard the USS Kwajalein in 1944, and SOMEWHERE on the net there's a photograph of this particular bird. The skin was based on a plastic model painted based on that photo, unfortunately the guy who built it no longer has the picture and is unsure of where it is.

In the photo, 042 is in remarkably clean condition for an F4U in the Pacific, likely owing to being aboard a carrier, rather than stationed at a land base at the time. Kwajalein was an Escort Carrier, so it's possible she was ferrying VMF-321 into the warzone, which could account for the cleaner paint job on this aircraft.

VMF-321 launched from the Kwajalein for airstrikes against Rota, after which the squadron relocated to Guam and likely from there developed the more ubiquitous faded and banged-up appearance of USMC land-based Hogs.