Monogram Blue Thunder 1/32

Post by **Coen** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:36 am

So, Day one of the SIG, and I've got two vids to post, and nothing built in either.
That's a great way to start the day.
I did manager to rewatch the movie this morning so at least I'm up to date on the subject matter haha.

So here's the two vids.

[youtube]Ww0RDiKX-4Q[/youtube] [youtube]uMWxN-JuzVc[/youtube]

Post by **JDMMODELS** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:39 am

Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Post by **Coen** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:56 am

Hopefully not pitch it straight in the bin... So far its not to bad.

Got the cockpit nearly built,then I'll paint it and start the rest.

Post by **Coen** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:02 pm

Here's this mornings work.
I don't think that I've completely pooched it.

[youtube]wuM_ctQShXk[/youtube]

Post by **Lysion** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 4:08 pm

I think it is coming along nicely.

Will be interesting to see the challenges you will meet with this kit.

YouTube · Post by **ManCupboardModels** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 8:31 pm

Ahhh.... the memories! Great start!

Post by **DC87** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 8:34 pm

That looks great Michael, nice to see you scratch building too

Post by **Coen** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 8:41 pm

I don't think that there's a kit that I've built in the last 4 years that I haven't had to scratch something.
I guess I'm never happy with anything... always gotta change things.

Post by **kiwigav** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:36 am

top progress

loved that movie, I thought that Blue Thunder was the coolest chopper there was.

Gav

Post by **wappynutter** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 10:46 am

Lots of thumbs for the start Mike, love the added wires... Due to You tube crashing out on my tablet again ( android and YouTube app are pants, got a 30 gig connection and still suffer buffering akin to dial up days !)...... So wondered as I didn't watch till the end.... Are you scratch building some lap belts/harnesses or sticking with the moulded ones on the seats?
Good luck again matey and well done so far..

Just wondered though...... How do you keep focused on one build as you have so many active???
Plus video making and editing..... And forum catch up ... Wow.... Then there's REAL life...

On a non modelling question, how's the decking build going? Will we be seeing posts from the "outside" studio real soon?
Happy modelling Sir..

sat watching patiently....

Post by **Coen** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 12:33 pm

Jeese Andy... ask a question why don't ya hahaha!!!!
And thanks to you guys too.

I thought about scratching some harnesses, and I still may before I button up the canopy. The moulded on ones are complete cheese.
I've got the originals painted a bit for now until I decide.

As for how I do all that crap?
I hardly sleep. Haha. I'm up about 2 hours before everyone and I'm up about 3 hours after everyone has gone to bed.
So I have some time to my self.
Last night I was in bed early though. My Dad and I were working on the deck all day and I was pooped.
As for the deck. It's nearly done now.
Last weekend my buddy Dave the Carpenter and I built the frame (we also discovered that there isn't a straight line anywhere in my house), and this weekend my Dad and I are doing the decking and railings. Should be done by tomorrow..... I hope.

So heres' this morning's work.
The vid was still processing when I embedded it so if it isn't working it will be shortly.

[youtube]eU8g-6cv0AE[/youtube]

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 1:48 pm

That cockpit looks ace mate. Really top draw.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 5:47 pm

Wow that cockpit came out very well

Post by **Paul** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 5:59 pm

Great job michael

cockpit looks great

Post by **Coen** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:39 pm

Thanks guys.
If I wanted it to look like the movie cockpit I'd have to gut the kit version completely and scratch the entire thing.

I'm not even close being able to do that.haha.

Post by **gosselin2112** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:14 am

Nice stuff, Michael. I made my comments on the Tube. Offer still stands if you need to vacuum form.

Post by **Coen** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:20 am

Thanks Russ,
I just checked and the canopy looks salvagable.
However... I'm going to hold on to that offer for just a bit longer if I can.
I don't know what will happen when I try to mask a 30 year old canopy.

Post by **gosselin2112** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 6:32 am

I have complete confidence in your abilities, my friend. As for me, I am keeping my canopy under lock and key. I don't want to lose it like a did with the Avenger ventral canopy. Check out my canopy container

Post by **Coen** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:29 pm

This is the work that I managed to get done this morning.
I got nothing done last night.
After working on the deck all day with my Dad and a big family dinner I was pooped.
I embedded it while it was still processing then I went outside to start working on the deck again... so it might be a few minutes until it's ready.

[youtube]WI2WRJAyT2Y[/youtube]

Post by **spruecutter** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:28 pm

Looking good, nice work on the cockpit.

Post by **Coen** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:53 pm

Thanks Pete!

Post by **Coen** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:54 pm

A wee bit more work today.
I managed to mate the fuselage halves. It's going to be a filler queen I think.
I had to glue an clamp it (snaking) 4 or 5 cms at a time. Slowly mating the sides together as I went.
It's done now and I'm just waiting for the glue to harden up before sanding.

At Nigel Wells' suggestion, I've drooped the blades to what look like the same level as they appear in the film.
I decided to leave them connected though.
The plastic is very old and brittle as hell, so I decided to leave them as they were and try to work around them.

Here's a few shots of her in one (sorta) piece.

Post by **DC87** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:01 am

Great update, looks like your coaxing the old bird into life

. Have you considered making some temporary bracing for the blades while you handle the model?

Post by **Coen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:40 am

Temporary bracing?
How do you mean Dan?

Post by **DC87** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:48 am

I was just thinking you could stick some card running the length of the blades to keep them stiff, or make a foam upside down bed (

if that makes sense) so you don't knock them, or make some struts going from the blade ends to the underbelly to stop them bending. May not be necessary but I can imagine they are rather brittle and fragile.

Post by **Coen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:01 am

Ah... I see what you mean.

They're certainly brittle... but brittle in the sense that when I take the sanding sponge to the plastic it crumbles a bit instead of ... well sands.
It comes off in chunks sometimes it's more like a brittle rubber than styrene now. That sort of brittle.
The canopy is a different matter... that is really brittle. If I drop it on the floor it would actually shatter.
I'm guarding that closely just in case.
Thanks for the idea though... that was good thinking.

Post by **greg74** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 1:20 am

That is a BIG AND BLUE MACHINE - i Love that - You can make any parts of any quality and any material - then there is only one problem - where to put it?

Post by **gosselin2112** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:06 am

We need a little Blue Thunder theme music to go with this thread. OMG! I had no idea that a young Dana Carvey stared in the TV series

Enjoy

Russ

[youtube]LxuNtxBBEkE[/youtube]

Post by **Paul** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:18 am

Really taking shape now buddy, I need to catch up on your videos yet again though

Post by **Coen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 10:34 am

Thanks guys...... Theme music!
Haha. Cool.... I'm afraid that I don't know who Dana Carvey is.... I'll go look it up though and watch some of the episodes to refresh the ol' memory

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 10:52 am

Really awesome build! Big and beautiful

loving every bit of it!

Post by **Coen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:00 pm

Thanks Frans!

Post by **chief5437** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:09 pm

This is really looking good Coen! I love blue thunder. Whisper mode and all that, lol.

Can't wait to see the finished article!

Keep up the good work buddy.

Post by **Coen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:22 pm

Thanks Chief... can't forget JAFO... hahha

Post by **gosselin2112** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 6:29 pm

Hey, where did the Blue Thunder theme video go? The gods must be crazy. Anyway, Dana carvey was a big hit American comedian from the 1990s. He starred on Saturday Night Live for quite a while. He played garth in Wayne's World. I was a little stunned to find out he was co-pilot of Blue Thunder.

Russ

Post by **Lysion** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 6:35 pm

Wow, you have really come along way in this short time. Great cockpit & looking forward to the application of the paint scheme.

Post by **Coen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 6:36 pm

I've never watched Saturday Night Live, but Wayne's World I know.. and Garth I remember... Wow .. the years have not been kind to that guy.
But hey... look and me... I used to be hot and sexy. hahahahaha!!!

Post by **Coen** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 6:37 pm

Thanks Lysion... yeah I kinda got hooked on it for a bit.
haha

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:50 pm

Right... Here I am, Always thinking that Airwolf was the only one with a whisper mode and everything...
Never heard of Blue Thunder before untill now...

So who's is better than?
They better fight over it...NOW!

[youtube]pF6gpDypqMY[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/user/longlance67 · Post by **longlance67** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:00 pm

Hey Micheal, cool subject something a little different, Blue thunder was a little before my time, but I remember Air Wolf though hahaha

cool stuff mate

Shane

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:55 am

So I put BT aside for a week so I could finish my Isherman for the Israeli GB by Aaron Newlands, but I got back at it the other day.

I haven't taken pictures of her yet, but later today I'll be shooting the Isherman in daylight, and BT.

Here's the two latest vids.

[youtube]HHfyhcxqcgs[/youtube] [youtube]5BeMr4jd9-I[/youtube]

Post by **Tamiyasnob** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 8:00 am

Looking good there Coen, you say you put this back a week, blimey you build fast I wouldn't,t be surprised if you are one of the first to finish. Really looking forward to the Isherman as well. Top work buddy.

Post by **Coen** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 8:53 am

The ISherman is all done now Snobby my man!

I posted some shots and a vid in the Land Gallery yesterday.

Blue Thunder is about to get her details painted and clear coated.
Hopefully decals soon too (if the decals have survived the last 30 years, but hey... that's just one more issue with this kit from hell haha)

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 8:54 am

She is looking damn fine mate

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 9:10 am

Really great looking chopper!
Very nice paint job

Post by **wappynutter** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:04 am

Now that's how you take an old brittle piece of plastic and make it look damn fine mate..
Your just getting too good at this modelling malarky now....

I think you need to find a 1980's KITT from Knight rider to compliment and maybe start an 80's TV show shelf in the man cave?
Maybe some StreetHawk, A-Team van and Airwolf too ?
Does a StreetHawk kit even exist ?
Hmmm...... Plenty of annuals,books and Streethawk the movie but no kits on eBay UK...
There's your first YouTube group build right there mate....
"Coen's 80's classic TV vehicles"
Lol...

Good luck and once again well done on a cracking build mate.. Look forward to seeing it finished.

Post by **Paul** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:11 am

wappynutter wrote:

Now that's how you take an old brittle piece of plastic and make it look damn fine mate..
Your just getting too good at this modelling malarky now....

I think you need to find a 1980's KITT from Knight rider to compliment and maybe start an 80's TV show shelf in the man cave?
Maybe some StreetHawk, A-Team van and Airwolf too ?
Does a StreetHawk kit even exist ?
Hmmm...... Plenty of annuals,books and Streethawk the movie but no kits on eBay UK...
There's your first YouTube group build right there mate....
"Coen's 80's classic TV vehicles"
Lol...
Good luck and once again well done on a cracking build mate.. Look forward to seeing it finished.

Man I used to love street hawk

[youtube]CCItnKrXvMM[/youtube]

Post by **Wayne** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 3:13 pm

[youtube]1aHTL1V0FOs[/youtube]

Post by **Radzy** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 3:41 pm

Nice update buddy, great work on that chopper. It finally starts to turn blue... now we only miss thunder

Post by **Coen** » Sun Oct 27, 2013 9:27 pm

Thanks guys,
Sorry if I haven't been around much these last few days, I've had a lot on the gone around the homestead.

"Coen's 80's classic TV vehicles"
You know what? I think you may have just solved a problem for me there Andy. I've been wondering about doing a GB lately, but I had no idea what to do.

Maybe that's exactly what I'll do in a few months.
That was an awesome idea.

Street hawk. Now there's a scratch build. Haha I loved that corny show!