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here's a few views of my first AZ Bf 109 G-6 (1:72) - this is the one with the 'weedy' nose, but I'm reasonably happy with the way it looks. Lots of detail & optional parts in the box (this was the 'limited edition' Udet boxing) but no spinner spiral on the decal sheet..plenty of stencil decals though, most of which I can't see and haven't applied!

Here we have my build number 9 since re-addicting myself to this plastic hell. And by gumbo this fought me all the way. I'm still not sure who won this one. But why oh why do Trumpeter Lightning? I'm not knowledgeable about all the details, but even I could tell it wasn't particularly accurate with that the abomination that is its tail. So.. Yes.. WHY?! Well it had been a nice present from the girlfriend, so I did have to build it. With all the new kits coming out from Airfix an Sword I also thought I'd better get it out the way so it was done and ready to get dusty on the shelf. I decided not to fix all that could be reasonably fixed, but thought that surgery on the back end by fitting a better shaped resin part from Aires was good practice for me. What almost caught me was when I forgot to compensate for the added weight sitting that far back. I nearly had a tail sitter, but a dab of liquid gravity super glued into the nose cone saved the day. Oh, yes.. And more NMF practice for me.. As if the Mig 15 I'd done previously wasn't enough punishment. Finished off in a main covering of Alclad Aluminium, a few spots of polished aluminium, airframe aluminium and a dab of Tamiya titanium (which was a bit too subtle tbh). Some Model Alliance decals slapped on with the usual chemicals. All done with most of its inaccuracies intact. I didn't have any drawings so those fins are still the kit shape even though it's a simple fix. It has the air brakes open because after 7 rounds with it I couldn't face closing them up and dealing with any seams. I'm glad it's over... So let's just move straight on to my 'interpretation' of a Lightning F6. Please feel free to laugh at, commiserate or sympathise with another Trumpy Lightning builder. LightningF6_150514_08 by IrritableRabbit, on Flickr LightningF6_150514_02 by IrritableRabbit, on Flickr LightningF6_150514_10 by IrritableRabbit, on Flickr LightningF6_150514_09 by IrritableRabbit, on Flickr LightningF6_150514_07 by IrritableRabbit, on Flickr LightningF6_150514_06 by IrritableRabbit, on Flickr LightningF6_150514_04 by IrritableRabbit, on Flickr LightningF6_150514_03 by IrritableRabbit, on Flickr

Here's another one for RFI! Hasegawa's 1/72 Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryu (AKA Peggy) with markings from Rising Decals and painted with Humbrol throughout. I've had this in the stash for years, so I thought I'd dig it out and build it. One under the camera flash: Here's a clue as to how long I've had the kit: It's still got it's Beatties price sticker on it!! Comments welcome, Mike.

This is my first build for the Korean GB, the Tamiya F-84G Thunderjet finished as s/n 51-10460 of the 8th FBS at Taegu, 1952. Great kit finished with Tamiya, Lifecolor and Alclad paints and using the kit decals. Thanks for looking

Hi again This post is all about trying to complete the actual Instrument panel...and I think I have done it! In my last post I mentioned that I had to replicate the right hand side of the IP.....well here is my effort before attaching it to the IP... .........and bellow that on the right hand side there is a Inter cooler Temperature box....so here is my attempt at that.......... I then glued both those pieces onto the IP and into the cockpit...here it is....................... To finish off the detailing of the IP I scratched the the buttons and switches on top of the panel and wired them all up........ So that's the IP sorted!.......of course there is all the other controls and switches (throttle quadrant etc) to do as yet but I will start over on the pilots side wall next...followed by the Co pilots side wall. I have visitors coming to stay for a few weeks so the posts will slow down a bit!....but will come back as soon as I have done some more work! Thanks again for looking in Fozzy

Here are a few pictures of my finished Air New Zealand Hobbit 777-300ER i have done using my own made decal Richard

Here is my bete-noir of the last 6 weeks! The utterly brilliant Gloster Pioneer from Special Hobby. Utterly brilliant because of the subject and the historical significance but not an utterly brilliant kit...this put me through the mincer...glad to have her on my display shelf though. If you are going to build this, have plenty of patience and reference drawings available. Typical short run SH fit...lots of dry fit and filler/sanding especially on the wing/fuselage joint which was really frustrating and took multiple iterations of the process before I got a satisfactory finish. Other problems were the fit of the splitter in the intake - no guidance. Also the complicated main wheel arrangement gives no clue at all as to the 'sit' of the mud guard parts and it took a lot of dry fitting while lying on their side until I committed to CA them into place. Canopy is nice and clear although a little thick. The decals were good though. Thanks for looking and all comments welcomed.

Hi Guys, I'm calling the Airfix 109E3 in 1/48 complete Yellow 64, flown by Adjutant aviator de reserva Tiberiu Vinc, Grupul 7 vanatoare, Stalingrad 1942/1943 I've gone to town on the weathering, as the photos I've got of contemporary airframes look battered! I've using various techniques and tools, with some new AK pigments. I hope you like her!

I vote to extend the deadline to 2020 with polls every 6 months

Enough of this fascination with what I may do with my HMS Victory kits, back to my current build (if I may). Something's Gotha Give - Day 15ish After all my charity baking efforts tonight I was rather late picking up the reigns. For the panel wash I mixed some white with my usual Payne’s Grey as most of the colours are light and I didn't want it to be too harsh: Some of the panel lines were too washed out to take any of the wash but overall I didn't think it looked too bad: The instant grab characteristics of my Gorilla glue made assembly of the undercarriage an absolute doddle: Next I have to paint up some of the lead wire for the brake pipes but I might call it a night for now: So its bye for now, Nigel

Wright Flyer, 17th December 1903 Kit: Revell 04576, 1/39 scale Build thread here

The latest off the bench, Amodels's Yak-18 M-12. The Yak-18 was the primary trainer for the Soviet Airforce from the late 40's. Brush painted with Humbrol enamels, a couple of coats of Klear, then kit decals, which went down really well. I had spotted this on E-bay while browsing one night, and something about it made me want to get one. One of the few kits I've paid full price for on E-bay, and I'm glad I did. While perhaps not the most sophisticated kit out there, it was never the less a very satisfying build. From the photos I have, these planes did not seem to have any code numbers or letters, just the stars applied. Thanks for your interest, Sean

Hello, this is my last finished model. I hope you like it. CIAO! Piero

Just a few drops of white spirit / turps substitute. Something's Gotha Give - Day 16 Here is an early evening mid-week update for a change. I actually painted the wire for the brake pipes last night so that it was fully dry for tonight. After a quick squirt of metal primer I brushed on some dark green: I have seen all sorts of colours for Luftwaffe brake pipes; silver, black, brown and green. I just fancied green. Here they are installed: I also fitted the pitot tube: and the DI loop: Now I can get some matt varnish on it. I always think models look better with some matt varnish on them. The only tricky hurdle left between now and completion is unmasking the canopy. I have though a lot about the Vallejo RLM02 undercoat it has with its zero adhesion properties (on highly polished plastic), I hope it does not end in tears.

Some more progress to report (or should that be regress...?). I wasn't happy with the frame for the ball turret, which looked very clunky. So, after a bit of surgery, here's the elements for the amended version: Assembled and painted: And test fitted in situ: It still needs some fettling and detailing, but it's better than my first attempt. More progress soon... Cheers Simon

Well gents, I'm calling her done. I'll take some proper shots for an RFI thread later in the week when the light is better, but here are couple of sneak previews of the finished article. Mostly she's been a pleasure to build and your help along the way has been much appreciated. I'll add a link to the RFI when it's up, but in the meantime may I present you with the best build I've done so far: Hope you like her. I certainly do. Richard

I've got the cockpit finished and the canopy glued. All the seams have been sorted but a coat of primer revealed some need more sorted than others... Sean

Build #1 Kit and Scale: 1/48 Tamiya F-84G Thunderjet Built as: s/n 51-10460, 6th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Taegu AB, South Korea, 1952 Built using: Kit decals, Alclad, Lifecolor and Tamiya paints Build thread: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234959623-148-tamiya-f-84g-thunderjet-finished/

Slouching towards Bethlehem:

CMR/The Pits of Hell Itself, Seafire FR.47, HMS Triumph. Airfix F-51D Mustang, 77 Squadron RAAF, AIMS "Commonwealth in the Korean War" decals.

Okay, you know what? The canopy, hand-painted, looks terrible. And I got a Future thumbprint on it, too. But I don't care anymore. Screw this kit. It's done, because I say so. Stupid freakin' vacform canopies.

Thanks for all the praise and support during this project. I'm calling this done for now. I have left the wooden edges of the base for now and just varnished them. I'm still thinking about black but, as usual with these things, I'm indecisive and need to consider it for a while. It's been great fun and I got so much more out of this kit than I ever thought possible. More photos are found in the gallery.

He everyone! This is my next model. From Ukraine's "A-model" firm. Who are familiar with the products of this company - he knows that it's actually not a model, and the workpiece. Model is still necessary to release the excess plastic and work a bit like a sculptor)).

Remember that Dornier Flying Pencil found languishing in the Channel? Well this was found next to it. Thunderbird 2 studio scale fibreglass halves that I snagged from a friend back in 2004. Just used the fuselage fibre glass carapace halves as a blank canvas. The wings, tailplane, pod, hydraulic stilts, greeblies and all other components all scratched. Pod panels were cut out and reinforced with walls formed from fibre glass and skimmed with filler. Used ¼ inch brass to allow me to raise/lower ‘roof’ to make it flush with the lifting body. I started in Feb 2013, gave up mid-year because of work only to drag myself back into the Danger Zone a few weeks ago. This is an almost impossible model to get right as the fuselage cross section was way, way off– wanted to make it as close to the first ‘launch sequence’ 32 inch version so the shape was modified/filled/ extended/ skimmed/ re-fibreglassed several times that I managed to get a Christmas card from Halfords. Anyway loads of photos will post representative group of images at a time so as not to overwhelm – currently making detailed parts and heat forming the windows etc. Excuse the mess in back garden – clearing up after major house renovations. From this: To This......although she nearly ended up skipped several times..... Re-shaping and sanding and cutting out pod panels…

Hello There! Here is my latest finished build. It depicts the ground attack version of the Mirage 2000 as seen in operations above Mali in 2013. I used the Ialeri/Kinetic boxing with Wolfpack cockpit and Renaissance exhaust nozzle. The wing tanks are replaced with my resin casting. Decals are from Italeri and Carpena/berna. Paints are Humbrol hand sprayed with my 0,15mm Infinity. Clear coats are Microscale Gloss, Satin and matt. Washes with oil "sepia". Dust is done with pigments. Hope you like it. Cheers Romain

Well guys I am calling these four done, just over 9 weeks from start to finish and I have to say this is one commission I wish I could keep. Each airframe has been based on a specific image/images as per my customer¡¦s requirements, we must have exchanged a few dozen emails since then ironing out specifics. All four are based on the standard 1/72 SR-71 and YF-12A kits with the addition of various Eduard etch detail, Wolfpack Seats and the Kiwi Resin Conversion Sets for the A-12 and M-21. Hope you all enjoyed the WIP reports. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234957317-a-12-to-sr-71-titanium-quintuplets-wip/ Helped keep me sane that is for sure. Would not even like to have a guess at the hours put in but it allot that's all I know. As usual all painted with Tamiya acrylics. It was a big project so lots of pictures. A-12 YF-12A M-21 SR-71, this has proved tough to photograph, the weathering is a little stronger in reality, allot of the softer detail does not show up to well. Still another 2 to do these were recent additions to the project and not part of the original plan, A-12 Trainer the Titanium Goose with Kiwi Resin Conversion. This is going to be tricky as the 2nd cockpit is completely different to the SR-71B and will need to be scratch built. The second bird is the SR-71B, going to have a few days off and then get stuck into these two. Hope you all enjoy them, been a great project for me. Thanks for looking. Danny

Gentlemen and Ladies. May I present you with my take on Hasegawa's Heinkel He-111P2 from KG55. She's OOB with a few very small scratch built bits in the cockpit and on the outside. The paints are a halfords rattle can primer, citadel nuln oil wash for the preshading, Vallejo model color for the camouflage and citadel satin for the top coat. Everything apart from the primer and varnish was applied with a hairy stick and this was my first attempt at preshading with a brush, inspired by my friend Stix. The build has been fun most of the time, although I had some real issues with the under carriage and I'm really annoyed that I missed the internal framing on the canopy before I closed it up. There's a WIP thread here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234956005-hasegawa-he-111p-172-finished/ You'll notice that the tail has been slightly doctored. The kit provides swastikas but, as I explain in the WIP my girlfriend's grandmother was an Austrian Jew whose entire family were murdered by the Nazis during the war and at her request I don't display swastikas in our home. So, without further ado, here she is. I'm generally pleased with how she came out bit as always, criticism and suggestions are actively encouraged. Damn you photobucket! Thanks for watching. Richard

Hello Britmodellers. I recently finished this Thunderbolt...one of my first builds. It's the Academy 1/48 bubbletop. Decent kit (although there are some accuracy issues) with pretty trouble-free asembly (excepting the wingroot, which gave me some headaches). The only extra's used were Eduard seatbelts and M2 gunbarrels from Master. I must say that the academy decals were a total mess, so I tried to avoid using them, as much as possible. Consequently, the engine cowiling and the invasion stripes were painted. Anyway, this is the final result. All the best,

Hello all, Here is my recently finished Revell F-15E converted to an F-15l Ra'am of the Israeli Air Force. All conversion parts were pinched from a spare Academy Ra'am I had lying around. Extras included resin seats, FOD covers and Eduard remove before flight tags, all from the spares box. Build thread is here I wanted to try and depict a heavily bombed-up and weathered jet but I may have overdone the weathering slightly! Alongside my Kinetic F-16D Barak: Fiddling about with a new camera so the pictures are a bit iffy! Comments welcome, thanks for looking. Dave

Hi folks last entry for the under a tenner GB,great kit to build.This was the starter set boxing so I don,t know why no serials were supplied on the sheet maybe they were not present on the photographs used by Airfix during the preparation of the kit,Wolwe sent me the photo this model is based using the "firewall" scheme(I did not add codes) also the upper wing decals are different to those supplied and there is some basis for the aircraft not having the yellow leading edge bands.Many thanks for looking.

Here is my go at Airfix's 1/72 North American F-86 Sabre. Its an OOB apart from the pilot which is resin. This was my first go at using metalizer paint which was from Mr Hobby ( I will give Alclad ago next time to see what that is like) and bending acrylic rod which I used to make the stand. Any way here are a few photo's

Following the crash of the DH110 at Farnborough in 1952, the Air Ministry cancelle further work which left the RN without a new all-weather fighter and Gloster as the only game in town..... The RN insisted on side-by-side cockpits for Pilot and Observer so Gloster came up with the Trident FAW1 (a naval Javelin ) Anyone spot the Squadron connection? Not perfect, constructed because I could, not because I should! (Based on a Dynavector Javelin that had been on the shelf-of-oom for a year, the Alley Cat Sea Vixen FAW1 conversion (I hacked the kit nose so had these parts spare), Airfix Sea Vixen cockpit interior generously donated by Cockney Col, And lots of milliput etc etc) Peter

I think you are right Pete, it should be DF as in direction finding not indicating as I was thinking. No need to go away, all input is welcome. Here it is with the varnish on: I will have a go at the canopy after dinner.

At my current rate of output that'll be 386 builds from me then!

Probably exacerbated by the fact it was only worn for one sortie and pics in the public domain are as rare as rocking horse poo! Try searching for Operation Warden or by aircraft serial number, I find I get much better results. It's also worth searching for 'Harrier GR7 Incirlik'. There is a thread on here somewhere with some pics of other Op Warden jets, but I don't have time to find it and link it just now. Mark.

Not if you've got a bottle of masking fluid and some cocktail sticks. Spray your base colours where you intend to weather, allow to dry, dip cocktail stick in masking fluid and apply randomly. Spray topcoat, allow to dry and remove masking blobs to reveal chips of base colours. Simples! In the old tool Airfix Harrier GR5/7/T10, the underside colour was quoted as Humbrol 120. Not a million miles away from Lichen Green, but should be close enough if you're only wanting to expose a few chips of it. Not sure if this is available in the Humbrol Acrylics range though. Mark.

Yep - the Stbd No1 'di-electric' panel on GR1's was composite and painted black - rather like old radomes were on F4's etc. By the GR3 stage the gubbins inside was removed, so they just got painted over.

A new 'work in progress', this is the ancient Revell 1/32nd Lockheed F-104G Starfighter. This kit has been around since the 80's I am sure and gets reissued every now and then, usually with a bright and interesting colour scheme. It is an easy simple build, is cheap (this cost me a total of £6.90 on eBay) and best of all has raised panel lines I started this build about 18 months ago, it was going to be in Canadian markings but I lost interest and moved on to yet another Phantom so it has languished in a box since then. I am taking a break from an HB F-111A so this is a nice one to pick up and play with again. I want to return to using metal foil to try to continue to learn from the Revell 1/48th F-89C Scorpion which I completed a couple of years ago. This is the state of the build as of last weekend: The idea - at this stage - is that she will be completed as this: She is F-104G 63-13269 which 'starred' in the film 'The Right Stuff'. I have wanted to build this for years and she will be a good opportunity to try out applying metal foil to achieve a polished metal finish as well as differently shaded panels. These are the raw materials: Both sheets are ordinary confectionary foil, most likely chocolate bars from Lidl. The sheet on the left has been pressed and cleaned with white spirit, the sheet on the right has been likewise cleaned then polished with Brasso, then cleaned with white spirit, this has given it a slightly darker and more blue appearance. Some of the tools and discards of the foiling process: The foil is applied with Micro Metal Foil Adhesive. I use cheap disposable knives from B&Q to cut the foil because they go blunt very quickly! This is where I started, I had already constructed the fuselage and sanded the joins then applied Halfords grey primer which seems to help give the foil better contact. You cannot expect to apply foil to every surface because it will cope with some curves but if over-applied it will wrinkle which will spoil the smooth metal effect. I therefore airbrushed some areas with Humbrol Metalcote 27002 'Polished Aluminium, for example the tail fin leading edges, the ventral strake and the grilles around the undercarriage doors, also the inside of the doors. I have also applied Humbrol 85 Satin Black to the air intakes and the nose area. The dielectric panel behind the cockpit is yellow mixed with a drop of olive green. And then start applying foil! I started with the least visible panels underneath, if I make mistakes I want them to be here: Fortunately the technique quickly comes back to me and I develop the confidence to start foiling the more visible panels on the upper fuselage. The result to far is not perfect but the different metal hues are clearly visible. This is achieved by cutting panels from the two foil sheets, also placing some panels at right angles which also gives a slightly different effect. I wanted the airbrake to stand out so I used a piece of kitchen foil for this area. Kitchen foil is thicker and a slightly different hue so I hope this has the desired effect. You are looking at an afternoon's work here: I am encouraged so far... Going to keep at it. One good thing about the Revell kit is that it does have the 'short' tail fin for the F-104C so I can keep my options open. Also, if it is not good enough for my preferred option I can make her into an early silver Luftwaffe F-104G. Will post more when I get to the air intakes. Michael

ok this is what I'm taking about; I don't know how accurate I got it as I have not been able to come up with any good detailed photos. (the big hole near the light isn't meant to be there nor the blank of the nav light either, bugga these closeup photos!!)

I use the following method to imitate wood - apply base colour, usually "Radome" or "Flash" - imitate texture using short hard brush and brown paint. I don't draw each line but rather use technique similar to dry brushing with little more paint - once dried - airbrush with mixture of transparent red and yellow Overall - just four paints

I'm doing a Gnat like that.....

Yes, I love that model! I have to say I agree with Steve, I think you've got the fading and tonal variation in the paint about spot on to me, it's something I always tend to end up with over done, but yours is spot on. It's just enough the break up the monotony of the colours (IMHO of course!). One to be proud of Val

I have been sticking on the various bits and pieces to complete the Jag. In re-drilling the angle of attack probe I skilfully broke the drill bit off........hmmm.....however my solution is to leave the bit in situ as it's the same size and is so small you'll never know!! Cocktail stick point for scale... You can't tell from over here! Question time.......I've seen some model Jags that have an area of black on the starboard wing (I've marked the rough area with tape) would this be appropriate for this model? If so does anyone have a picture looking down on the wing so I can get an accurate view.

Repair is excellent, and the details are coming on nicely. If you have a separate box for each turret, you're going to need a good few boxes when you come to the AA armament!

Yup - spring is here Tim! View from my workbench 10 mins ago: Should be able to get the airframe out on the patio in the evenings... Now - about that Sea Hawk? Iain

Another small update, not lots done but thought I would add some pictures of what has been done. Hopefully im not bombarding you all with too many pictures too often. I am kind of jumping back and forward in the instruction manual rather than following their steps. Lots of little parts cut off, cleaned up and ready for spraying. Its amazing how long it actually takes to get all these little bits ready Bit of work on boat deck and more tiny bits added More photo etch added to flght deck Turrets in varying degrees of build

Starting to look like the pointy one. Graham

Have to agree with Martin and Duncan. You at best have a stashette or a demi-stash. Until there is at least one closet full of known models and you are resorting to placing new forbidden acquisitions in hidden places do you qualify for a stash. It's very name implies secrecy and stealth at hiding your accumulation of kits. Can't have a stash out in the open, that's just a build pile!!!

Chapter 361 from the Book of Montgomery Coming Together or the Happy Ending Is In Sight. Dear all, And so it came to pass that the bits required finally have come together. And we all know there is nothing better than coming together! I started this on the 19th of January last year and the climax happened this morning. So did the end of the build. The front and back legs were inserted into their domicile and the doors also were attached. This was when I wheely started to get excited as I could see the end approaching. Next came attaching the weapons to the wings and these went on like a bad wife putting on a chastity belt. No problems at all. The exhaust snapped into place but not without quite a bit of manoeuvring so that the notch lined up correctly with the flange opening. I am not saying anything about flange openings at all. Top and bottom view LANTIRN's added and they slotted into place easily. Got to hand it to Tamiya for their fit. Bordering on perfect. Before it all came together, I did have to build more Rockeyes as the previous idea of having the Bumkerbuster and Rockeyes on the external pylon TERs did not work. More painting and decal work required and dismantling of the TER's load. So the centre pylon has 6 of these little fellows. Some more low hanging fruit added to the bottom of the beast. It started to remind me of a bad case of piles. Even more firecrackers added. If there was a gap it was going to be filled. Ah for the days of my youth! The front and the wings added. Nearly there as SWMBO would say. From a different perspective Canopy added Air brake attached and we are so close to the end I can feel a welling up inside. Then finally the small fiddly bits had to be taken care of to ensure a very happy ending. That was fun and I am exhausted. After 16 of the worst months of my life, something that should have taken about a month is finally over. The actual kit is a masterpiece in terms of precision and fit. The only downside was the poor quality of the decals which I assume is due to the age of the kit. Thank you to all who have provided the most encouraging comments and endured my monotonous ramblings. I really do appreciate it. I shall post some shots of the completed raptor on the RFI page. Now I am off to an appointment with some Maharajah fellow from Jodhpur who wants to discuss some type of riding garment he has come up with. I doubt if it will ever catch on. Poor fellow. G&T's all around before the next chukka! Montgomery signing off

I have closed today the fuselage. It's a pitty that there isn't much to see after that is done. Here are some pictures. After this it will be a little bit more quite. I am also working on some other projects that will need some atention from me. front seat Back seat. witch is almost nothing to be seen. In the fuselage. And the fuselage closed. That is it for now. Cheers,