Tamiya 1/48 F2A-2 Buffalo

[stikpusher]

I completed this one last year, Tamiya’s mid 70’s vintage F2A-2 Buffalo. Aside from adding a 3-D decal seat harness, the kit was built out of box. Paints were a mix of Tamiya Acrylic & Lacquer, Model Master Acrylic, and Testors enamel 1/4 oz. square bottle. Decals are a hodgepodge mix of kit decals, Microscale, and Yellowings. The antenna wire is EZ Line. I chose the markings of 3rd Section leader, VF-2 “Flying Chiefs”, flying off of USS Lexington in late 1940. Period era photos show that pre war USN aircraft were very well maintained, so I kept weathering to a minimum.

[tcoat]

Beautiful.
I have one of these in my stash but it will be displayed like this:

[dupes]

Mmmmmm...yellow-winged goodness. Looks great on that carrier base!

[Medicman71]

Love that one Stik!

[stikpusher]

Many thanks guys!
TC, I thought about the VF-3 scheme. I love their Felix the Cat squadron badge. But I don’t care for the white tail of the Saratoga Air Group, so I went with VF-2 and Lexington. Those were the only USN squadron that flew the F2A in Yellow Wings colors. I’m looking forward to seeing your bent nosed Buffalo
Dupes, the flight deck base is made by Eduard. I just painted it up in the pre war high visibility colors. I have more Yellow Wings projects in progress or planned for soon.
Mike, you and me both!

[deafpanzer]

You really nailed it with the minimal weathering for pre war fighters. I have same kit in my stash and it is on my top five to build this year or so. WHY? Because I grew up in Buffalo so anything with that name gets me excited! Outstanding build by the way and I will be hollering for your help when I am ready to build mine.

[stikpusher]

Andy, whatever help you may need on your Buffalo, ask away. I’ll do what I can. And thank you for your kind words in this build. I still have two more,of these to tackle in the future, one will be Dutch in the East Indies, and one a F2A-3 conversion for USMC at Midway.

[handiabled]

All around perfect. I love the yellow color on this! It looks like the MM chrome yellow I use on Luftwaffe aircraft

[deafpanzer]

May 30, 2023 21:29:28 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Andy, whatever help you may need on your Buffalo, ask away. I’ll do what I can. And thank you for your kind words in this build. I still have two more,of these to tackle in the future, one will be Dutch in the East Indies, and one a F2A-3 conversion for USMC at Midway.

It would be awesome if we can do a joint build whenever you are ready to build those. Of course not too soon!!!

[stikpusher]

Thank you Brent. It actually is Model Master Chrome Yellow. I painted the wingtops flat white first, then flat insignia yellow, then lastly Gloss Chrome Yellow, to get that nice vivid shade.

Sounds good Andy. My plate is pretty full for the rest of this year. I'd likely build the Dutch one next, as that one will also be minimal additions/changes to the kit. The Midway F2A-3 requires surgery to add a conversion kit, and Im not in any state of mind for such a project right now. I'm already doing enough surgery on another kit currently.

[deafpanzer]

Next year is even better for me. Thanks man!

[stikpusher]

May 31, 2023 14:16:38 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Next year is even better for me. Thanks man!

Deal! There’s just something about the Buffalo.