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To put an end to my FAA model show, I am finishing with the old but still very good kit from Airfix, using Cooper detail resin sets and montex masks! Thanks again my modeller friends for being so encouraging, cheers, jean; DSC_0007 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0001 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0002 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0003 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0004 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0006 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0007 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0008 by jean Barby, sur Flickr

#19/2017 Some hype and non-hype about the new Tamiya G-6. My dad will definitely build one but he still has a bunch of good old Hasegawa kits in the stash which have to roll out. So here´s the first one, painted with Gunze and Tamiya acrylics, EZ Line for aerials, plastic rods and lead wire for brake lines and cockpit fuel line, decals from the kit and the Kagero book "Bf109G/K Vol.II". The model shows an a/c of IV/JG54 on the eastern front in winter 1943/44. DSC_0003 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0004 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0005 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0006 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0007 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0008 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0009 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0010 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0011 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0012 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0013 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0014 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0015 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0016 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0017 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0018 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0002 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0001 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr

Ok so this is my third and final upload this week! I've had three kits all at the same stage since May so am on a concerted effort to get them finished. Eduard 1:48 F8 Crusader, VMF235, 'Deaths Angels' , Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam 1968 Very enjoyable kit this one and the Furball decals were very nice indeed and by and large a good fit although the intake took some doing! This is one of Eduards limited edition kits so has the canopy masks and various Brassin parts to go with it. Paints are Tamiya and Gunze and Alclads for the exhaust. Highly recommended Chris

Hi peeps, Since I've been redoing all the images in my various BM threads I though I'd add these two old pre-joining BM models: The SEAC Mossie is the Tamiya 1/72 FB Mk VI with, I think, Paragon Designs tropical filters whilst the RAAF one is the Hasegawa Mk VI converted to represent a PR Mk 40 as operating out of the Darwin area in 1944-45. Mike.

My very first try on WWI subject/Biplane - It wasn't that hard ( as I expected) to be honest I really enjoyed this build!

Finished at last! My Wingnut Wings 1/32 Bristol F.2b Fighter, converted into a Sunbeam Arab-engined version and painted in the colours of 37 Training Depot Station, RAF Yatesbury December 1918. Build progress in the WIP section. The model is a combination of the WNW kit, with various scratch-built bits to turn it from a graceful V12 Falcon-engined machine into a pug-nosed V8 Arab boneshaker. Scratch-built parts: - Sunbeam Arab engine & cowlings - Exhaust headers & exhaust pipes; associated brackets etc - Trailing aerial - Gun camera - Spent shell case container - Reversed propeller rotation (modified kit part) Hardware: Taurus Models: - M0002 0.35mm Round Head Screws - M0003 0.42mm Round Head Screws - M0044 Wingnuts with Threaded Rods - M0510 0.9mm Bolts with Hex Nuts Bob’s Buckles (rigging): - 0.5 OD x 2.5mm tube - 1/32 eyelets Uschi van der Rosten (rigging): - Item Code 4005 (UvdR-3 Standard) 0.005 OD “Rig That Thing” Elastic Rigging Paint: Mr Color acrylic: various Decals: Ventura Decals: - VA 4898: RAF and Commonwealth 1919-1939 serials. 8" b&w with white outline. - VA3279: RAF and RAAF 8” Serial Letters white

Hi all, some photos of my recently finished StuG III from Dragon. Build out of the box with no problems. "Finished" means i have stopped at the point when Dragon stopped producing this kit. It needs spare tracks, towing cables and some stowage, while it looks like a new and unused in this condition i have kept the degree of dirt/weathering low. Anyway here are the photos, hope you like this one.

Thanks Jaime. Some work on that to follow. Radiation levels to increase shortly hendie...in a good way! My thanks for that Ced. I've taken today off basically to be around the missus and keep things ticking over with the boys as well. Seemingly the mater-in-law had a better night so all you can do is see how events play out really. Being able to tickle away at things on the bench from time-to-time isn't the worse form mental engagement meanwhile. Too ashamed was I to show the other sheet with 15 doors on 'just to be safe'... I'm sure that there are valid engineering reasons but the internal framing on the doors - like certain other structural details of this aircraft - are oddly angular and reminiscent of German expressionist cinema. Shades of Doctor Caligari... My thanks to you for that Z! Glad to have you along. Right. You shall have radiators. Here's ein squiggle to indicate the main parts I'm going to build: The coolant panels themselves (one each for front and rear motors), curved retractable doors on either side, mounted on to angled arms which radiate outward from a vertical pole running down the centre of the opening. There are some small control cables at the bottom of the rads for operating the doors, but are simply too small to consider adding and keeping in scale. Using the kit panel as a sizing reference, I cut out a block of 1.5mm thick sheet and added the central divider: Producing the necessary corrugations for the cooling surfaces simply involved a ruler and a standard Stanley blade to score the striations inL After adding some metal foil down each side to give a slightly raised lip, a hole was drilled in the motor room floor in order to attach some 0.8mm brass tube for the central pillar to which the arms of the retractable doors are attached. The radiators were propped-up here temporarily with White Take to help support that pole whilst it was being CA'd into the correct orientation: The rads were then glued into place and the both sides of the room closed for a test-fit: Purely as a comparison I've bunged the original kit part above my own effort in that photo to show (I hope!) the improvements that it's possible to make quite simply and quickly to the original components. To produce some door panels with the required curvature, I found a piece of plastic tube slightly smaller than the curve of the front of the motor room, knowing from an earlier attempt that using a smaller tube (than the part you're aiming for) with thin plastic means that any residual 'spring' when you release it from restraints will more likely spring it backto the diameter you actually need, rather than bigger than you'd hoped for. I've explained that clumsily but hopefully you get the drift. To actually mould the curvature I tightly bound the plastic sheet to the tube with Tamiya tape: ...then left it in a cup of boiling water for a minute or two. After this I whipped it out, ran it under the cold and hey presto: Door material. These were then glued into the required alignments on either side of the radiators: The actual doors themselves extend back a little more then the widths of the pieces I've used, mine are shorter simply because of the lack of space width-wise in the motor room generally. Once closed-up you can't see any further back anyway: The arms which angle out from the central pole I'll add at the end - they'll be so thin in cross-section that they will get inthe way of painting the radiator regions at this stage, and more than likely will get flicked off during subsequent handling anyway. It makes sense to keep them for the final fiddly stages when rigging and adding aerials etc. This build is teaching me more and more about the sense of confidence that having proper manuals and handbooks gives for such work. I think I've said it before but it is no harm to reiterate that I could never pretend to have 'the eye' that many people on this forum experienced with aircraft and engineering have when looking at photos and translating that visual information into their modelling. Lacking those instincts which only experience can develop, I can anticipate a growing number of APs and handbuchs fighting for virtual shelf space in future. Tony

I have made a start by giving the parts a spray with black paint. This will aid me in identifying when to stop sanding off the residue plastic. The aim is to sand down until the white edges disappear. This view shows the residue has been filed away and no white edge is left. This means I have reached the correct shape for that part. Once the parts have been filed to shape, I then give them all a light sanding with wet 'n dry to remove the black off the surface. Here, the fuselage has been done and the wings are partially sanded. Note that this can be useful as any panel lines and windows are left with a pre-shaded effect. That's it for now. I hope to be able to do more after the weekend. Thanks for looking. Mike

Hello Dears, Here's one of the RFI, Aaaaand one more Spitfire (Should have changed my alias) A legend or not ?? I don't know but seemingly, these Aircraft is not registered as a Spitfire ! It is said that she has been built with parts from différents aircrafts, and was not armed. This I will not believe... An unarmed Spitfire, not a recce one over the channel and Normandy ??? So I let the cannon on. Eduard Spitfire kit are pretty good, I really like it Unless, the engine cowling and exhaust ... Invasion Stripes are painted with Kife Color There once again has been a chemical reaction with the Tamiya flat varnish.

After yet another round of masking, I sprayed the invasion stripe areas in flat white and masked out the black parts after that. Then I sprayed flat black in the appropriate areas and removed the masking tape. As the AML decal sheet provided vinyl masks for the roundels, I sprayed them too. Some touching up to be done but they generally came out alright. Mark

Just finished Takom's FV432. Great to finally see some British modern armour available other than tanks. It's a great kit which was a joy to build with an excellent instruction booklet with some good colour photos. The separate link tracks were a first for me but the jig supplied with the kit was brilliant and they are much easier to paint than the standard rubber types. This was a number of firsts for me. My first outing with Hataka paints using their Modern British Army & RAF AFV paint set. In the past I've used Tamiya, Vallejo and AK colours on modern British vehicles, but without doubt they have to be the most accurate NATO green and NATO black I have seen by far. Also the first time masking with White Tac ( a big thank you to The Salisbury Model centre for that tip). Also a first attempt at weathering with pigments and still some learning to do there but I tried to replicate a 432 on exercise somewhere in Salisbury plain, which for those who are familiar with being sent to play there will know, in summer everything gets a nice coat of dirty white chalk dust. The Gimpy is the kit one (which is actually pretty spot on) with a Accurate Armour ammo box and belt and the cam net is one I had in the spares box with the addition of some oregano and chopped chives (don't tell the wife) Still need to add ariels but I've got the time to post now so here it is, hope you like it? WT

Hello all , I recently finished my first (well first one with airbrush ) spitfire after building over 50 models ! I am now trying my best to correct this travesty by assembling another couple of eduard spits . This is a weird little model from airfix - the landing gear legs are molded with the doors and I am not sure what purpose this serves ; the panel lines are also on the heavier side though acceptable . I weathered the model to replicate a sun bleached airplane and intentionally exaggerated the colour fading than I usually do . BTW , the decal sheet didn't provide any roundel for the lower wing surface even though it had an extensive selection of stencils including a dozen for the lower surface . Is this true for the real thing as well or a glaring omission from airfix ? This model is part of the dogfight duel boxing , the other kit being the bf109e . ps: I painted the camo freehand as I didn't feel like masking and spraying ; the weathering was done with airbrush only laying down different tones of the base paint . Regards , Basuroy

Here's the Hobby Boss VK 4502 (p) with the forward turret. Its an excellent kit but the tracks are hard work as you can see. It has a fully detailed turret which is completely hidden from view so I didn't bother. Paints are Model Air and AK for the red primer. I've made the colour scheme up entirely but am reasonably happy with it. Story goes that one cam out to fight the advancing Russians at Kummersdorf in April 45 but no real evidence exists. As always would welcome your views. Thanks David

Cheers lads made me feel like a right drama queen Sorry for moaning... Anyways whilst I decide what to do about the varnish situation I did a bit of weathering, trying out something new (for me anyways) so if it goes wrong (sorry) then no biggie. So these are water based acrylic washes, having used enamel/oils for the past 5 years this is alien. I bought these two a while back but not got around to using them yet (scared?) I bought a dark grey and dark brown, two colours which should prove versatile and/or generic enough for most applications and if I like them can get more shades... They are surprisingly thick out of the bottle, (compared to enamel panel liners say) and don’t flow nicely untill thinned with a touch of water. For the bays I brushed it over the whole area, then using a fine brush drew and swiped it away from the flat areas as it was drying to avoid tide marks. Strange working in small sections at a time with this as opposed to oil washes where you can do the whole model inside and out then go back at your leisure and blend it in. Guess its all down to the drying times. On the exterior I only used the washes here and there to bring out certain filler ports and bolts etc, as the main panel lines are prominent enough, apart from the undersides of the tail planes which are surprisingly shallow, and in the exhaust flow, so these were darkened. Another area I used the dark grey was along all the hinge lines of the control surfaces top and bottom, as they were quite wide and showed alot of green in them. The dark brown was used on the U/C legs, with the dark grey on the oleos. A few pics to expand on all that waffle: U/C bits. Bays. Control surface hinge lines along topside of wing: Thanks for looking. Ps got an idea to fix the finish, will try out later/tomorrow and go old school with some alclad enamel clear coats 👍🏿

Thanks Simon, Keith, Giorgio, Johnny and Joe - almost done (see below) so time for a Spitfire soon Thanks TT - don't be afraid to agree! Thanks Benedikt - is it the colours that are 'Norm 72' do you think? Thanks John, Nigel, Giorgio, Keith and Jaime for comments about me in the bath (as opposed to in Bath, where I live). For those that have met me I can only assume that the image is causing envy rather than nausea... for those that haven't I'll understand any peculiar looks I get when we first meet Thanks Jon Some progress today (hoorah!). Apart from switching the Broadband to another line and supplier (nervousness not required as it turned out) I have done some things on the Ju... The matt coat has caused silvering on the idents: Slivering - gaaaah by Ced Bufton, on Flickr I sorted it on that side by cutting away the carrier film, but the corrugations made this hard so on the other side I've just pricked it and applied Micro Sol. Engines next. The main ones were easy, but the front engine is, er, complex: ... so I thought I'd share my 'method' - please feel free to add copious amounts of Anglo-Saxon as you go through. The lug on the nose obviously goes into the slot in the engine back: ... but there's no indication where the exhausts fit. After several dry fits with bits falling off all over the place, I think they go like this: Yes, there is lots of glue. No it wasn't my first try. I also replaced the knocked-off sticky-up thing in front of the canopy and fitted the engine cover: The rear gunner, gun and mount and windscreen got stuck in: Note that the gunner's hands go under the mount, not on the gun. Sensible I guess. Ladders fitted to drilled out holes and here we are: Canopy framing and touch ups tomorrow (including repainting the ladders 'upper colour') and then she's done. I'm out to the pub with an old colleague tonight so, actually, it may be later tomorrow or even Saturday. To be safe.

zZUMmmm, zZUMmmm zZUMmmm zZUMmmm zZUMmmm (uneven hum of unsynchronised engines approaching) – hear that? It must be a one of theirs! “…Messerschmitt!...’Einkel!…. Messerschmitt!...No, it aint, it’s an ’Einkel!….”argue two small boys, knee deep in the river below (remember the scene from the film B of B?) Dornier Pilot “Teufel - ve are lost! That looks like the wrong river down there. Where is the iconic Forth Rail Bridge (mit der painters) that we were told about? I can only see a bridge which looks like it has taken two attempts to build.” Dornier Co-pilot “Kapitan, the compass is kaput, not that I can see much of it from this new seat position! Or through these big goggles!” Controller “Bandit, Angels Zero, over the River Tay. Johnny, you are nearest – can you please intercept?” JE-J “What?? I’m at 25,000 feet over the Channel! Where did you learn your Geography?” Controller “Sorry Johnny. The only other aircraft available is a ‘Lizzie’ and he has been out all night on a spy mission. You’re all we’ve got. From your height, you should be able to see him from there?” JE-J “OK Control, but it will leave me short on fuel and I don’t know how much ammo I’ve got left…….I see him….going down now………..(VVvvvvrrrrrrooooooowwwmm …..sound of loud Merlin) ……attacking from port…..BRP…..!?!?” Dornier Observer “Achtung, Spitfeur!!” Dornier Pilot “Hans, your aircraft recognition is excellent but now the guns man!!” Dornier Top Gunner “Kapitan, I can’t move – I’m stuck to the seat and can’t reach the turret or the guns!!” Dornier lower gunner “Kapitan, I can reach my gun but you are flying too low – the Englander is above us!!” Dornier Pilot “Donner und Blitzen! No compass and no guns! Men, if we make it, it is half a bottle of beer for each!” (my favourite line from ‘Das Boot’). Wry smiles from the German Crew, each thinking of a gallon of Alt Bier or even some of the local Tennants ‘Export’. JE-J “Blast! Out of ammo. I might have got one shot away though! He’s not dropping bombs and he’s not firing back – let’s take a closer look!” Dornier Co-pilot “Verdammit, we are hit! A small .303 bullet has bounced off our under-deck armour plate and hit the compass – but it is working again!” Dornier Top Gunner “Mein Gott, the Spitfire is flying alongside – look at that shape! Now he is looping over the top and back again!” JE-J I thought that victory roll would impress them. Super splinter camouflage job, though. Love the greens and those swastikas on the tail really make that Dornier look the business! Dornier pilot This reconnaissance mission is a washout! I’m waggling my wings to let the Englander know that we are packing up out of it! Look at that speed……I wish we had Spitfires in our squadron! That’s funny, he has a green maple leaf under the cockpit – the ones I’ve seen before are red – I wonder why? Drop long range fuel tanks and set course for home! Dornier Co-pilot Jawohl Kapitan! Tanks away! Heading East! Two small boys, still knee deep in the river below “Fuel tanks… mini-subs!…fuel tanks… mini-subs!” Dornier Top Gunner Next stop Norway! Wait until I get my hands on our ground crew – the modifications to the flight deck are great but the paint still wasn’t dry when we climbed in. It must have been done by Helpie Helperson, the world’s most helpful Norwegian (On the intercom…”Hello!”) – Not now, Helpie! (That Plusnet radio ad always has me in stiches!) Dornier Co-pilot Kapitan, I need steak and Guinness but since there is a war on, I’ll settle for Zigeuner Schnitzel mit Pommes und Mayo! Dornier crew (in unison) …and a half bottle of Alt Bier!! Controller Bandit moving away. Divert to the nearest landing field in Dundee, Johnny. JE-J Roger, Control. Breaking off…..out of fuel…I see a patch of grass in front of a house down there and there is a boy giving me the thumbs up from a window. Home for tea….what’s on the menu in the frozen North? Controller It may be Wallaces’ ‘Peh’s’ or even Forfar Bridies! JE-J Good egg! I believe I’ll ha’e an ingan ane an’ aw! (Only a Dundonian will understand this!) Controller Eh? You are breaking up, Johnny! Boy at window in 1969 Wooowww!! What are they dad? Dad Let’s check these aircraft recognition cards, son… Boy Whoa…. Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX – that’s got a 1600hp Merlin engine, two 20mm cannons and can do 410mph! It’s squadron letters are ‘JE-J’ so it must be Johnny Johnson (all useful info from the Airfix Header Card!) - but that twin-engined aircraft doesn’t match this card for a Heinkel He111! What is it? Dad It’s a Dornier Do217, known as the ‘Flying Pencil’. I learned that when I was your age! zZUMmmm, zZUMmmm zZUMmmm zZUMmmm zZUMmmm zZUMmmm…... The undercarriage did come down again after all but it looks like the aerial wire took a hit! The whole point of the build was to 're-construct' the photo from 1969 (see the middle of this sequence). Original photo is in the build thread here: The build was great fun, re-creating the picture was a stretch and I got carried away in making up the story but I was really keen to incorporate all the input from Britmodellers from the build thread! Many thanks to all!

Ah that Muromets. You had a flying palace full of detail there to contend with iirc Ian! Thanks for that Johnny. Like an idiot I just spent a minute or so thinking: 'I've never heard of a plane called a Schmitt, let alone seen Johnny making one on the forum.' I really need to get some brain-oil... My thanks for that Martian - those words mean a lot. A wave of the lace hankie to you dear man! Brilliant! Just love that kind of acquisitive model-building - what a clever idea. I think in this case that ribbing would be on the chunky side for the Dornier rads, but I'm going to keep secrete that in the memory banks for future usage. Ta for that reference. I saw a very nice foil seal on a jar of coffee recently in the canteen at work that had a perfect soundproofing quilted pattern for a 1/48 build. Damned if I can remember the blasted make of the coffee. I'll have to ask. Not that I make things in 1/48 of course... Ta for that Nigel. I suspect there will be fun building those thin radiator door arms, but that'll get worried about at a later date. Rotter! Just you wait til I fill it with scale coolant... Thanks for those good wishes btw Keith - much appreicated. Trench Warfare Here's a thing: Shades of the Italeri Sunderland - there's no overlooking the fact that this beast has a particularly butch grid of panel lines to contend with is there? In the photo above I'd just carved off some raised lines curving around the base of the gondola - intended to be the handrail running around this region but another instance of Matchbox having a bash at projecting what are raised parts down onto a flat surface. I reckon later we can do something more useful with some thin brass tube. For now though, I just want to get rid of them thar troughs. I'd a vague notion of having bought something especially for this job some weeks ago but I couldn't for the life of me remember what it was, so against my better judgement I thought I'd flood the seams with Mr. Surfacer: Having waited for that to dry the results were disappointing to say the least, so I swabbed all that back off with some cellulose thinner and cotton buds, tossed the Mr.S into the bin, and had a proper rummage around in the various containers now strewn across the bench.Tucked away in a padded envelope that I'd actually forgotten to open was some Humbrol model filler that iirc @CedB had mentioned many moons ago, and which I'd decided to trial. Happy Days: Having liberally pressed that into all the seams with a scalpel blade, once dried it was out with the Pound Shop ladies' nail files hugely expensive and manly sanding sticks for a vigorous reduction: The nice things about these cheapie jobs is being able to cut thinner strips off of them to get into narrower curved parts without the feeling that you're slicing up an expensive piece of gear. Even by this early stage I was hugely impressed by the quality of the Humbrol stuff for such a filling task, so Humbrol shareholders can 'anticipate a healthy dividend going forward' as they say in that makey-up biz-speak... After a first pass with the sanding sticks, I hauled out my homebrew Micromesh sticks and some smaller scraps to get into the awkward smaller bits: After 15 mins of TLC with these, the motor room was nice and smooth again: Together: Never having used Humbrol filler before, I'll be interested (to put it mildly!) to see how that takes a scribing line when I redo the panel lines later - to whit I've smeared some onto an old Schmitt (© @The Spadgent) wing as amule to have a dig around in the Humbrol stuff with various scribing implements. Utterly necessary last thing you understand to pop that up on the fuselage for a...err..well I just fancied a look at progress to be quite honest: Is Dornieresque a thing? Night all. Tony

Thanks TT - "blue carpet"? I'll try to find some... and maybe I could spread some flour or something to make a wake... Safely back from the pub courtesy of the local taxi firm. Great night! Thanks Giorgio - I hope you enjoyed the 'Royale' Thanks Keith. Don't worry about the thread highjack; always interesting to see what others are planning Thanks Benedikt, great reference. I guess Airfix got their scheme wrong then. Not the first time for me either! Thanks Jaime Nearly done. Thanks Joe, very kind Thanks John Yes, it'll be a TR.9, of course. I'll have to wait and see which one I get to fly in. Exciting! Looking forward to seeing yours. Thanks Zebra The old kits to brush up with a bit of TLC but, to be honest, I prefer the newer / better kits! A bit too fragile to attempt the Filmoplast at the moment. Perhaps more later.

Hello! Finally I've finished this project, my Dominican OH-6 is ready, please wellcome it. The vuilding was not an easy ride, no parts were fitting and the details were a li'l bit sci-fi. You can read further h e r e . First I show you some shots about the progress. Lots of slef made parts was required to make myself setisfied. Almost totally new tail rotor: Seat : Somehow they writen ID insted of FAD. Just... how come?? Anyway I found two A-s and converted two E-s to F: The liquid mask was too old maybe and it was too thin, gooey and easy to tear. Sometimes it made such a thin film that i had to look up photos, where is it. So more and more layers needed to picking it off. Anyway I won, this is it:

So while I was doing the weathering with those washes, the plane was growing on me again and I was trying to think how to smooth out the finish. As mentioned in previous post thats when I remembered I had enamel alclad clears in the drawer. These should smooth out better rather than have the risk of ‘tearing’ an acrylic varnish when sanding. So it had several dryish dusting type coats of flat, probably more to build up the surface. Ended up being quite rough and matt, sucking all the light in to help hide the flaws in the acrylic varnish underneath it. Plus it seemed there was enough material built up over those blisters and bubbles to allow some sanding too. Flat clear on, two angles. This below is the most sheen I could catch with the surface. Then it was out with the 4k micromesh, and it had a good sanding all over, ended up cutting right through on each side next to cockpit on some bad blisters. Overall looks quite windswept from the sanding. So then it was time to break out the colourcoats again and do some touch ups over the damage shown above. I got the RLM81 out too and did some spot repairs to hide some of the smaller blisters over that colour, and also to make it more brown as where I had ‘faded’ it a bit too much with some shading at the end of the main paintjob it had gone rather pink. Damage now touched in with my 0.2mm needle. So now it had a very inconsistent finish, which for a beat up old plane looked quite cool, with matt ‘streaked’ paint from the sanding of the varnish and the fresh satin touch ups. But seeing as its a late war plane and a small scale I wanted a more uniform finish. So it was out with the alclad semi-matt to level it all off and give it the slightest sheen to look like a metal surface. I think dead flat luftwaffe planes look boring. As it stands now in its semi matt coat. I’m back in love with it (gay!!!) Will leave it to cure (it’s probably got half a mm of enamel varnish on it!) for a few days in airing cupboard over the weekend for final assy early next week. Thanks for looking (and your patience!)

In the 1970s and '80s, the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS) used the A-37B for both aircraft performance test and departure/spin test instruction. For the performance test portion of the curriculum students would collect test data to define takeoff and landing, cruise, and climb performance. To make it interesting, all the up and away testing was accomplished single engine. For departure/spin instruction, the A-37 was used for demonstrating departure entry techniques and handling peculiarities of wing-loaded (as opposed to fuselage-loaded) aircraft. Spin instruction began with glider flights using the Blanik L-10. Instruction then moved to the A-37 with TPS instructors in the right seat for student test pilot flights, instructors in the left what for student flight test engineer flights. Student test pilots would then progress to the YA-7D to demonstrate departure, spin, and spin recovery techniques. The spin program is the reason for the black stripe on the right wing. This was to aid ground-based optical trackers determine aircraft attitude during the maneuvers. The A-7s had black triangle outlines on the wing upper surfaces to distinguish between the top and bottom of the aircraft during tracking. Hasegawa/Minicraft issued the A-37B kit in the late 1970's with TPS markings. As I remember it, the markings in this kit were pretty crude and did not include the Yaw and Pitch Sensor (YAPS) boom that replaced the nose-mounted air refueling probe. Ready to take Runway 22. No mini-gun muzzle outlet - flight test instrumentation has replaced the mini-gun in the nose compartment. Cruising to the designated spin area. Fuel jettison the aid ground-based optical trackers acquire the aircraft on the run-in to the spin area. Good views of the nose mounted YAPS boom. Return to base. Over the north shore of Rogers dry lake looking south. Lakebed runways and compass rose (bottom of image) are marked with a black oily mixture. Thats the approach end and "last chance" area for Runway 22 to the right of the left tip tank. Thanks for looking, Sven

6/10 update. Working on the turret basket and the turret. I got slightly sidetracked by the Abrams tracks, couldn't resist taking a closer look after all the bad press these tracks got on-line. They don't really "fall together" but the detailing is very nice It will be boring putting both tracks together though. Finally printed two sets of Crush Kill decals for CK, will mail them tomorrow.

Thanks, Colin. Finn, yes, that is interesting, but notice that the bottom point that they're measuring to is different, and (if I see it properly) is aft of that joggle on the second (Merlin) drawing. I'm frankly a little surprised that they updated the drawing that well- there are certainly examples of recycled drawings that do NOT update some features. So, either a coincidence, a shrewd plan to have that component still have the same overall depth (to fit the existing crates?), or perhaps even an overlooked dimension that is not, in fact, correct. Probably not the last, but one can't assume! Now, off to see if I can find a thrustline reference- I wouldn't have thought that it would be obscure... OK, from A-36A and P-51D/K Erection & Maintenance Manuals (sorry, no pictures this time): A-36A distance between Fuselage Reference Line and Wing Reference Line: 23.5 inches Thrust line 1.5 inches below (I think!) FRL, parallel to it. And also noticed... FRL to top of fin: 67 9/16" FRL to nominal ground plane (level): 73.5" P-51D distance between: 26.5 inches Thrust line: no standoff from FRL shown (to center of mass of engine?) BUT 1 degree 45 minutes downthrust FRL to top of fin: 69 9/16" FRL to nominal ground plane: 76.5" So, the FRL doesn't change position (I'm sure it is defined somewhere, but I didn't happen to see that), there are 3 inches difference both to the wing Reference and to the ground (tire), and the fin is (apparently) 2 inches taller*. I wonder where those two inches come from? [Yes, I know that's been discussed before, also...] *EDIT: However, the fin and rudder part numbers are the same in A-36A and P-51D Illustrated Parts Books, which makes me think that the fin and rudder are actually identical, and only the measurements (numbers) have changed. Curiouser and curiouser.

That's what simulators are for! If I remember right, I crashed the Merlin on trying a deck landing on a (virtual) deck that was well out of limits. The combination of loads of movement and the fact that the visuals close in are pretty limited, so refs for things like DLs are dodgy, ended up with me in the sea. Great fun; I was only in there because one of the Sim instructors was a mate of mine. It was only a few weeks before I left the RN.

I think it would be harder to change the engine and force the prop to stay in the same place! Look at early vs. "late" P-40s- two generations of Allisons, very different geometries between core engine and prop-shaft. There is no doubt about the 3" change for Merlin Mustang wing position. Another bit of visual evidence is the "joggle" at the aft end of the wing root fairing- hopefully I can make a photo appear to show what I mean: That's because the longeron aft of that is in the same position it always had been. Loosely speaking, the aft fuselage structure is unchanged (there ARE detail differences to structure). Some people have said that the spinner is also a different diameter between Allison and Merlin Mustangs, though (superficially) they look about the same to me. I don't think I've gone looking for measurements to confirm that, though it is quite possible it came up on the SIG.

And now, some photos for the family album The Eduard's family And All togheter now ! 7,8,9 !!! And a sailor ! The XVI is coming soon with the XIX on her dead six !! Will try some daylight photos tomorrow if it don't rain. Will be in the Made In Asia with the kids saturday but hope that I will make some modelling in between ! Hope that you enjoy my Maple leaf Spitfire ! Open to any comment, Thank you so much for watching ! Sincerely. Corsaircorp

Hello all! With this post I will have finished with my Fairey aircrafts! The "Stringbag" is the most famous of them all and the Tamiya model is a breathe. The specific photo etch from Tam was used for the rigging and they work like a charm!Best regards from france an again thanks for your very encouraging comments on both the Fireflies and Albacores! DSC_0010 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0011 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0012 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0013 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0014 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0015 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0008 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0009 by jean Barby, sur Flickr DSC_0010 by jean Barby, sur Flickr

McDonnell-Douglas (McAir) and the Naval Aviation Test Center (NATC) deployed to the Edwards AFB to conduct stability and control flight test near Rogers Dry Lake. While a relatively rare occurrence, it was possible that engines might "flameout" due to compressor stall as a result of high angle of attack and/or yaw disturbing the airflow into the intakes. The Edwards airspace had four test areas designated within flameout landing distance of the local dry lake beds (Rogers or Rosamond) should the need arise for an emergency landing. While the "spin areas" might also be within flameout landing distance of the Edwards 'hard' runway (R22/04) The lakebed landing areas allowed greater tolerances for approach and landing. Images from from four safety chase missions All are fitted with a spin recovery parachute assembly on the tail... 7 May 1984 - On this mission, the jet has mounting pads for cameras above the wing roots, just inboard of the flaps. 8 Jun 1984 - Cameras installed on the mounting plates. Confirmed that the cameras are facing aft to record a planned deployment of the spin chute. Note the loads distribution strap running along the aft fuselage from the spin chute assembly to the wing root... 13 Aug 1984 - Cameras and mounting plates removed. Lower light grey areas repainted white? Previously camouflaged upper wing areas now painted white. 19 Jan 1985 - The orange-red and white scheme is to aid determining aircraft attitude by ground based optical trackers. Note the stripe on the lower right wing. An image of the AV-8B spin chute assembly taken at the 1884 Edwards Open House: Thanks for looking, Sven

This will be my subject for this group build: There are three sheets of vacformed pieces plus a set of props, wheels and struts in white metal: The letters on the decal sheet appear to be black; however, other references show these to be blue. I may have to make my own decals in the correct colour. I have a set of Aeroclub engine cowlings which I had set aside for this build and will hopefully enhance the model. This kit has been stored in the loft for quite a few years so the first thing to do is give the plastic a thorough wash with warm soapy water, to clear and grease and fingerprints etc. Then comes the tedious phase, to cut out and sand off all the unwanted residue around the parts before I can start any gluing. Mike

Hi everyone, Here's my first attempt at an AFV kit in ages, the 1/35 scale Dragon kit built OOB: It may not be the best, but it made for a great Mojo restorer! Mike.

Seen so many great builds of this tanks thought I would have a go,not in the class of many I have seen but this is my best and I'm happy with it,Painted with acrylics weathered with pastels and oils,build was very easy as I have found the Meng kits all this way.Cheers.

Hi everyone, Well, it's finally been beaten into submission! This has been one of my more drawn out builds, but it's more due to work commitments than any real issues with the kit. On the whole, I'd say it's been something of a learning experience as this is actually my first proper foray into building a limited run kit. There have been times when I've enjoyed the "problem solving" aspects of the construction, but I've also been completely scunnered with it and haven't touched it for days! Now, the BIG question: Would I build another? Possibly, but at the moment I only need one for the collection. I would certainly tackle another MPM kit as it's given me enough practice! WIP thread HERE. Comments welcome! Now, where did I put that Hasegawa A6M2.....? Mike.

Why I LOVE the archives - interdesk Materiel Command memo dated 28 August 1942 [sic]: Left by Alec Burton together with the dope on the Griffin 61, this date. "Dutch" Kindleberger says the Merlin 28 is out for installation in the P-51, but they are going full blast on the Merlin 61. About all the re-design necessary is to move the wing forward 3 inches and down 1 inch; also, the nose will be dropped a little to give better visibility than in the P-51. If the aerodynamics isn't ruined, looks like they might have a pretty good airplane. The last line may be one of the greatest understatements of the war, even if the repositioning of the wing was slightly different in the production. A later memo on new models of the P-51 notes that the P-51B will be the standard airframe with the Merlin added, while the P-51C will have the Merlin added AND the wing repositioned. In the end, of course, the wing was moved on both variants.... Cheers, Dana

A nasty fall resulting in an injured tentacle has kept me away from the bench for some weeks now. Following words of wisdom from Mrs Jockney, I finally consulted my GP. She decided that what I thought sprain was more likely a fracture but happily, an X-ray yesterday showed that this is not the case and that we are dealing with some kind of soft tissue injury. Its still painful but I did manage a short session at the bench this morning. It only consisted of spraying a coat of black Stynylrez over the cockpit framing and giving the rotor assemblies a couple of coats of Halfords White Primer but its a start. I hope to get the main airframe fully primed tomorrow and will get some pictures up then. Clearly, I should have not put my tentacles out when I fell and let my head take the impact. At least there isn't much to damage there! Martian

So do i,when it comes to replying to a build to me it's pointless replying if you're just going to say the same as other posters so a like does the job...

Just means that someone agrees with you and if they don't add to the duscusion it means that they either haven't the time, or they think that you have said it so well that nothing they can every say will improve on it. Take it as a compliment – I do. (It's always nice to have someone think you are right, when your outnumbered by women)

And diagrams from the NAA Technical Manuals showing key dimensions and weights, including the diameters of the propeller spinner for the Allison engined versions and the P-51B/C Merlin engined versions. Merlin engined was bigger. P51 Dimensions by Colin Ford, on Flickr P51 BC Dimensions by Colin Ford, on Flickr I have yet to find the appropriate diagrams in the relevant NAA technical manuals, to be able to identify if there has been any change in the quoted thrust line from the fuselage datum line between the Allison engined Mustangs and the Merlin engined P-51B/C. My search continues.

I wasn't one of the original signatories for this GB, but after rummaging through the stash I came across this Revell T2 Buckeye, and I hope that it is an acceptable candidate for me to join in with. According to this Scalemates Link, it is a re-boxing of the Matchbox kit and looking at the panel lines I am not going to argue with that fact. I also have a Pavla resin set to throw into the cockpit area.

Tonight I finished the oil wash and weathering then sealed everything under a coat of Gx-100 clear. Now on to adding the canopy frames. I used the technique I first tried on my Bf 108 from earlier this year. Cleal decal paper was painted RLM 02, then gloss black, and finally Silberweiss. This time I embossed the screws using a Rosie the Riveter with 0.065 spacing. A few of the frames have been applied to test the effect.

Freelancer getting its clothes! Got a day off at short notice so went full retard on this and did a monster session. The two main greys were mixed 50/50 with the transparent medium, thinned as per recommendation plus a few drops of polymix added for a smooth finish. Colour was built up to allow the black and white to show through. Top done in medium/blue grey first, then it could be masked for sides, fins and lowers which were all the same (dark ghost grey) 1st pass with the paint - just starts to soften and blend the pre-work. Complete! Took a few overall coats then some spot painting where the black was coming through too strong still. Next was masking the demarcations, once the other colour was done I then went back over and softened the joins. Skunk stripe in 36118 gunship grey (fin caps too) This was built up in the same way as the tps greys. 5mm tamiya tape for curves. No other masking needed because the mission paint sprays that tight. Great stuff Missiles done in straight light ghost grey. Then it was wells and bladders. Strips of tape and maskol. Next after a few touch ups and details like ecm bumps in radome tan it was on with the aquagloss. So now its ready for decals over the weekend 👍🏿 Alot of the colour variation is lost with the sheen at the minute, apologies. Once back to matt it should be restored to glory (hopefully he says) Thanks for looking 👍🏿

Excellent.....Many thanks! Thought I might draw the groups' attention to the proposed Panzer IV STGB.....We currently need just six more names to get another armour only GB thread opened up: It's always nice for a Sherman to have a target!

No problems mate 👍🏿 @Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies Will be most pleased with your decision Hopefully at some point that I keep threatening about in the future I will get some more done in tamiya, vallejo, and the still to get mission and mig shades then there will be in total 10 spits all side by side in raw solid camo before their decals for the mother of all paint comparisons. One day...

so, the big lady is completed now ready for Telford. Here are the closing stages of the build Although this kit is based on the Avenger class ISD from ESB and ROTJ, I've added snippets of the the features seen on the original Devastator ISD that featured in ANHope. The engine baffles being the major visual addition as this offered a really good means to deflect light back up into the engine nacelles using some metal foil on the insides of the engine baffle as a mirror hey presto - 9 little mirrors really do amplify the glow - and this was using an almost flat battery pack It has its own "little" carry box that I knocked up for £17 using some 6mm ply and timber strips - just need the rope for some handles now THE FINAL FURLONG and finally, this little chap (just 10mm high) will be hanging down from the forward hangar from a very fine thread of fibre cable - Vader on his way to the Death Star Thanks for following me on a fantastic and enjoyable journey - a resin first for me and one that has not put me off working with the stuff. Randy's Sandcrawler is not far off from reaching the work bench now.. John

Very dear Harvey, as Hannes and CC, I have missed the infos about your health (I was so focused on the other thread!). Glad to see you feel OK now, take care of you. And congrats +++ for your great work done in such conditions!! All the best my friend Olivier

At first glance it looks like 2 x AS.12 Missiles on the starboard side but on closer inspection it is actually a mix; an AS.12 on the outer pylon and a AS.11 on the inner! Were the RAF Wessex ever armed beyond a GPMG in the cabin ????? Good wind up when HMAS Melbourne's cat was sick.

Just pulled the masking tape off, not quite what I wanted to begin with but I am happy enough with it. Some work to go yet though. The nmf is salt weathered alclad, semi matt over polished aluminium. The port wing needs salt weathering with o/d next.

Hi folks! As a follow on to this thread that I started on the subject, here's the finished result! Humbrol colours used throughout, with DP Casper decals from this set. Very good decals, just be careful how you place them - they stick like limpits! Thanks to the guys to helped me with the colours etc - much appreciated! Constructive comments welcome! Mike.

New recipe launched in 2012, sort of dark blonde, not too strong (7.5°), made with Withbread Golding hops. Tastes slightly lemon-ish, very well balanced - I love it! Ciao