Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: CSMO on August 28, 2014, 01:03:32 AM

Title: Hawk 1/48 Gee Bee racers. "Army Mule" & "Devil Dog".
Post by: CSMO on August 28, 2014, 01:03:32 AM

In the U.S. civilian racing planes blew the doors off of the military aircraft in service. In 1933 The Marines and the Army juggled some funds to contract with the Granville brothers to build one improved Gee Bee Model R Super Sportster per service . They would be competitive racers and speed record machines. The Secretaries of War and Navy said NO! They ended their days flying at exhibitions and airshows or as static displays for the recruiters at state and county fairs.

(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/ArmyMuleampDevilDog002_zps9a6a9c25.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/ArmyMuleampDevilDog002_zps9a6a9c25.jpg.html)

These kits date from 1960. They are original Hawk Model Co. releases. I removed most of the engraved and raised panel lines and re-scribed the control surfaces. I added a couple of pilots from two trashed Monogram Wildcats. Construction is OOB.

(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/ArmyMuleampDevilDog001_zps0ff16613.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/ArmyMuleampDevilDog001_zps0ff16613.jpg.html)

The Devil Dog is brush-painted Citadel Games Workshop Yriel Yellow, Testors Flat Red and Silver with two brush-coats of Future. The Army Mule is the same hand-brushed Yellow, Humbrol Gloss Orange, and Pollyscale OD with a double brush-coat of Future.

(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/ArmyMuleampDevilDog003_zpse3d5f708.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/ArmyMuleampDevilDog003_zpse3d5f708.jpg.html)

The Rudder stripes on the Marine plane are painted, the Army plane are painstakingly made piece by piece from scrap red and blue decal material over a white base. The rest of the decals came from scraps of decal sheets from about ten different models.

(http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z390/CSMO/ArmyMuleampDevilDog004_zps6fd1ae49.jpg) (http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/CSMO/media/ArmyMuleampDevilDog004_zps6fd1ae49.jpg.html)

I am very happy with the results. I am contemplating doing some more of the old Hawk 1/48 racers as "What-if?" builds.

Adios, Larry.

Title: Re: Hawk 1/48 Gee Bee racers. "Army Mule" & "Devil Dog".
Post by: elmayerle on August 28, 2014, 01:46:01 AM

Gorgeous work!!  The name of the USMC aircraft reminds me of an old 1930's Republic serial, FIghting Devil Dogs which had all sorts of interesting bits, including a USMC version of a Douglas Dolphin doing na inflight link-up with a trans-Pacific pasenger dirigible.

Title: Re: Hawk 1/48 Gee Bee racers. "Army Mule" & "Devil Dog".
Post by: Brian da Basher on August 28, 2014, 02:32:02 AM

These may be some of my favorites of yours yet, Larry!

You really have a wonderful talent for those bright, U.S. inter-war schemes.

Well done!

Brian da Basher

Title: Re: Hawk 1/48 Gee Bee racers. "Army Mule" & "Devil Dog".
Post by: GTX_Admin on August 28, 2014, 07:41:01 AM

Nice

Title: Re: Hawk 1/48 Gee Bee racers. "Army Mule" & "Devil Dog".
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on August 28, 2014, 07:43:30 AM

Shiny!  I recall someone building a fighter version of the GB but it was no where near as nice looking as your work. 

Title: Re: Hawk 1/48 Gee Bee racers. "Army Mule" & "Devil Dog".
Post by: Tophe on August 29, 2014, 11:04:04 AM

I like them both!

Title: Re: Hawk 1/48 Gee Bee racers. "Army Mule" & "Devil Dog".
Post by: apophenia on September 07, 2014, 09:16:35 AM

Great concept and I love the backstory  ;D