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Hello ladies and gents, Kit manufacture: Hobby Boss Scale: 1/72 Type: P-51C Mustang Extras used: Xtradecal set X72-093 Paints and colours used: Primer Stynelryz Grey; Paints Tamiya XF-82 Ocean Grey, Tamiya XF-81 RAF Dark Green & Mr Hobby Aquaeous H335 Medium Sea Grey; Flory Dark Dirt Wash; Tamiya Weathering sets Other info: the full build can be found here Untitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrUntitled by Neal, on FlickrThese photos are quick snapshots taken with my iPhone as I have not had time to get my DSLR out.Thanks for lookingNeal

Another one that I have cleared off the shelf and finally finished. The lovely Airfix Supermarine Swift FR.5. Built as WK281 and flown by Flight Lieutenant Nigel Walpole, No. 79 Sqn, RAF Germany, Gutersloh, April 1956. I am almost reaching the stage where I can start building for myself and actually keep the model....!!! Cheers all, Phil

Kit manufacture: Airfix N° A73009 Scale: 1/72 Type: Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1 Extras used: None OOB Paints and colours used: Primer AK Black Primer and Microfiller, Paints MR Hobby Aqueous H332 Light Aircraft Grey, H331 Dark Sea Grey & H330 Dark Green, Humbrol Clear Gloss, Oil pin-wash Other info: I built this kit for the #brit72 group build held on Facebook, the kit went from primer to finished in a matter of hours in order to get it finished for the deadline, you can find the build thread here 20180103-01.jpg by Neal, on Flickr20180103-02.jpg by Neal, on Flickr20180103-03.jpg by Neal, on Flickr20180103-04.jpg by Neal, on Flickr

My first Airfix kit for a long while, really impressed by the improvements in surface texture and no more trench-like panel lines! Regards J A

Hi guys, another year, hope you're all fighting fit and raring to go. This is a pre-production build of the new Airfix B-25C/D Mitchell that I finished in November for the January issue of Airfix Model World magazine. A great little model of a very impressive aircraft. There were a couple of issues with this example though, one possibly to do with the pre-production nature of the kit, the other more a simple fix really. On this example, the height of the right side of the rear fuselage where the tailplane sits was some 2mm higher than the left which meant that the horizontal tail sat at an odd angle. Some simple, but careful filing of the fuselage top surface was needed to bring everything into line and hopefully, this problem is only restricted to this example, but it's something to look out for. The other issue concerned the location of the main gear legs which is a tad suspect as the leg just clips into a shallow trough on the undercarriage roof which led to a decidedly wobbly assembly, especially with those big balloon tyres. The easy answer was to add a couple of brass rods to each leg to stabilise the parts. Thankfully these are hidden inside the nacelles and can't be seen from the outside. I realise this doesn't sound ideal for a new release particularly in regard to folks new to the sport but hopefully, full production kits will improve on things. The rest of the kit is good though as ever some details aren't quite correct such as the fact that Desert Warrior had a .50 cal position in the lower right position in the nose glazing meaning that I had to drill out the glazing and fit a gun from the spares box. The canopy pilots side window had a noticeable flow line so was removed and an acetate replacement added. This, in turn, meant I could have the window open adding a bit more interest. Decals are good and went on without issue and the choice of markings was definitely interesting. Optional parts are included for the two versions including engine nacelles, dropped or raised flaps, positionable flying surfaces and different windscreen framing. The bomb bay is nicely rendered as are the four 500 lb bombs complete with stencil markings. Look forward to the RAF Mitchell II later in the year... Hope you like it. Cheers Melchie

Finally it's done. Tough build but turned out decent. Hard to take pics inside glass case with 2 mirrors too. The owner is picking it up today, well later today as it's now 1:40AM and I'm happy to see it go.

4. Ignore 'em and slay the first man to question you.

Special Hobby kit. Bu-181 I did my best to match the color Alley Cats specified for the Spitfire prototype Revell 410 converted to an Me-210 using the Planes of Hungary resin conversion Great Wall T-33 to model a plane here in South Carolina owned by Fowler Cary and the late Randall Hame. Planet Klemm 25 Fine Molds A5M2B Revell F-84 Alphaflight resin CANT Z.506b Tamiya He-162 Airfix BP Defiant ARK Polikarpov I-185 VacWings 48 Brewster Buccaneer/Bermuda Last one for the year, Roden He-51

Good day, ladies and gentlemen. Let me present you my next model. Made "just from box" plus brass exhaust pipes from Rexx.

I hesitate to ask but..... Have a gander! Really digging down into that tin of goodness earlier I discovered just how much more there was than cos buried away hendie - discs, dials, panels of all sorts, almost to the submillimetric. Believe it or not this even has a toothed gear on one end: This cog's about 3mm in size but many are smaller: Loads of these perforated strips to that will doubtless turn up useful one day: You're right that the console/pedestal between the two seats being in my sights - particularly the forward section with the throttle and flap controls - we can certainly do some things there to make that look a tad more meaningful. I'm still thinking about the IP itself, whether that exaggerated top profile can be salvaged or whether it'll require doing from scratch.... Ain't no Plan B. if it don't... Hi Adrian - nice to hear from you! Yes, I had considered the vacform route but I'm after nice sharp angles in the geometry of the side panels and windscreen so for now have decided to follow a more 'piecemeal' approach to fabricating the individual runs of glazing. Those, plus a slew of curly intercom leads dangling from the rafter are also occupying my thoughts from time-to-time. For the blinds themselves I'm currentlyeyeing up the idea of foil folded in a zig-zag shape and having the top ones half-open. It'll need some more experimentation nearer the time with different materials I reckon before finding the most successful route to that. Curtains, cushions - it's all gonna be one hell of a batchelor pad in there when it's finished.... I can't get my hands on the cockpit for a while for reasons that will become apparent below Ian but there seems a big separation between the seats and pedals already, more I'm thinking than even the leggiest USAF buckaroo if I stick the pedals any further forward. It occurs to me to check tomorrow if the kit 'as is' had the seats pushed back and in fact I need to move them forward (from the manual both pilot and co-pilot seats are shown to be re-positionable back/forward/left/right. This needs looking into further... Oh - that's tedious: is it a big chunk or can you vacform? As you are well aware James my threads are a model of sobriety and good taste at all times so... ...no wait a minute that's not right is it? I fear I may have perjured myself earlier in the month when sigining the new terms of use agreement for the forum, as I noticed it forbade the use of vulgarity.... Quite so - considering how much would usually be seen through the transparency James there is more than enough satisfying detail moulded here to stand up to scrutiny, and it is sharply-formed. Delighted to have you along Simon. Thank-you! 'Lipstick on your Collar'...reveals that you have yet to fully master cross-dressing. My analyst calls it Detailicus Psychopathualis.... You said that in Morgan Freeman's voice didn't you? Great narratives btw Crisp. The helicopter stills seems a cousin to sorcery for me ( having only ridden a Sikorsky once to the Scilly Isles in the late 70s - @71chally, would your dad have been involved in seeing me off?), the idea of choosing to try and land one on something going up and down in a chaotic rhythm in the middle of an ocean strikes me as A Challenge to the Gods.... And hopefully the result will eventually be a Cool Box... OMG. That sounds almost vulgar. Thank God the mods never read this stuff eh? At my glacial pace he's in line to inherit most of my stash anyway! His brother gets custody of my Gay Ellis talking doll: Yeah. It'll be bleedin' Disappointed of Earth too if it don't! Having looked at the ghastly old tat that I'd tried to palm off on you as a radio installation back in the summer, I was embarassed enough at the quality to rebuild the radio and DF racks from brass and submillimetric discs punched out with the RP punches. During this operation I managed to snap the top of the bulkhead off for the third time. Learning from experience I added metal pins to the joins before epoxying them into place: Freezing cold and damp today so that's sitting on the kitchen stove now for the day: That of course put the kybosh on any more cockpitting today so I switched my attention to the void that used to be a canopy: As you can see, the only remaining kit part now is the upper window section containing the overhead control console. You see the two lower windows below this as well? Looking at photos I'm not convinced that Italeri caught the size of the taller one quite correctly; the height is fine but I think width needs to be extended forward by about 0.5mm. I'm going to add custom glazing to these windows as well so it won't really add much in the way of extra work. Feeling it would be one of those jobs that I'd be tempted to put on the long finger, I just plunged straight in to the task of building new transprencies. Raw material is just the packaging from some species of Christmas frippery: As you've probably found yourselves these look clear from a distance but generally they tend to pick up scuffs and scratches in the service of capitalism, so it pays to examine them before cutting off the parts you want (guess how I know this...) Pays also to have the bits taped down on a non-abrasive surface rather than a dirty cutting mat (first attempts I messed up horribly) and also with transparency mark your measurements out on tape so that you can then just tape the piece over the marks and cut: Essential dimensions look ok, but it will need shaping of course in order to follow the inward curvature of the fuselage: Tacked on to the upper glazing with WT: And to port: Fixing such parts to each other securely presents a real challenge of course: epoxy seems to me to offer the strongest bond, plus reinforcing the join with a strip of metal tape that will double as framing a swell as keeping the parts in place whilst the Araldite cures. looking at the above shot I will need to carefully thin-down the front of the kit moulding as well in order to lose that big fat lip along the top. Not a huge amount stuck together today as this is one of those slow stages involving lots of cutting, testing, thinking.... My feeling at this early stage though is encouraging in that the canopy can be made a better job of, but slow and patient will be the key. Thanks for looking. Tony

Just finished my Nimrod AEW.3 to go with my collection.

Have I mentioned what a great friend I consider you, Cookie?

#2/2018 Zoukei-Mura kit, painted with Gunze and Tamiya acrylics My dad thought it would be a shame to hide all the nice detail, so he decided to keep it naked and show a fictious not yet finished prototype. Besides that, the fit of the panels isn´t so good. Gonna do a clothed one with the old Dragon kit in the nearer future. Build thread here DSC_0001 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0002 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr 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_0019 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr DSC_0021 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr

Hi all and here's my first finish of 2018, built for the Flying Boats GB here. This is Revell's 1989 boxing of Monogram's 1957 issue Grumman Hu-16 Albatross finished in US Coastguard markings for S/N 7240. According to the Coastguard Aviation Association, S/n 7240 began it's career on 25th August 1961 based out of San Diego before moving to a number of different bases. She was detatched to NAS Quonset Point for 4 months in 1967 and would have worn the scheme of that time with a hi-vis orange nose. (I went for the later scheme she wore) After 2 years in storage at Davis Monthan in the early 70's, she was overhauled and re-entered service at Cape Cod in July 1972 and then Miami and San Francisco among others. Her last flight was 10th August 1982 out of Cape Cod. The build thread is here but to recap: Kit: Revell 4280 Paints: White from Halfords spray can. All other colours Revell Acrylic, brush painted. Klear, Flory Models Wash, pastels. Decals: PrintScale Grumman Albatross 72-136 Extras: All rivets sanded off, panel lines rescribed. Basic interior added to cockpit. 20g weight in the nose. If you look beyond the simple details like the engines and overscale landing gear, the millions of rivets and lack of any detail on the inside, she's actually quite a nice simple build. My efforts at rescribing were ok and I'm really happy how she turned out in that iconic USCG scheme. Definitely one of those aircraft that's in need of a 1/72 re-tool. Revell_1_72_USCG_Grumman_Albatross (2) by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr Revell_1_72_USCG_Grumman_Albatross (1) by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr Revell_1_72_USCG_Grumman_Albatross (3) by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr Revell_1_72_USCG_Grumman_Albatross (5) by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr Revell_1_72_USCG_Grumman_Albatross (6) by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr Revell_1_72_USCG_Grumman_Albatross (7) by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr Revell_1_72_USCG_Grumman_Albatross (8) by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr And with my Hobby Boss Jayhawk. Revell_1_72_USCG_Grumman_Albatross (9) by Dermot Moriarty, on Flickr Thanks for looking and enjoy your modelling! Cheers, Dermot

I was also going to ask if anyone had actually built one yet. And if you have and used Xtradecals on it I would love to see pictures and with your permission use some on our web site. It's been a truly inspiring thread and I would thank everyone who has spotted any errors. I think with one exception they have all be silly errors to the instructions which with one exception have all been corrected before the instructions are printed. We are still waiting for six more sheets to be printed, they are on our web site, and when this is done we will have covered at least one aircraft from every Phantom squadron. I don't think it has affected parcel packing, but we had a tree blown down in the gale yesterday the roots of which managed to get round the gas supply and it's been cut off so our packers are having to work twice as hard to keep warm! David Hannant

Much as I would like to take the credit, the kit is very good indeed I added the spidery little etched part which represents the cowlings stays: The cowling is only pushed in place for priming but everything fits perfectly - it is however, very important to keep all the engine parts oriented correctly in relation to each other or it won't work. I haven't glued the parts yet so I can apply the Khaki then dismantle the engine assembly to paint the cylinders and exhausts afterwards. I also primed the other maiin assemblies: The good news was that the painting all went according to plan, the bad news is that I knocked off one of the lifting lugs on the top wing and the pilot's step from the fuselage and I doubt I will ever see either of them again. I may raid the etched parts from the twin-set edition of this kit I have in the stash and replace it later. I used Tyre Black again as I don't need a primer as such, just a base for the black-basing. I'm working on Saturday this week but hopefully later I can get the underside blue on the wing and tailplane undersurfaces, maybe on Sunday. Cheers, Stew

The Bisley cowlings just need to dry and then can be assembled: 2018-01-18_10-51-13 by Edward IX, on Flickr The tailplanes are also on, reinforced with grey gloop after the photo was taken: 20180118_221119 by Edward IX, on Flickr About what you can hope for with a butt join. Tamiya Extra Thin has slain its thousands, but Humbrol cement slew its ten thousands here; its adhesive properties were remarkable. Stash photo time! 20180118_221835 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221819 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221423 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221541 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221430 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221508 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221535 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221549 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221602 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221612 by Edward IX, on Flickr 20180118_221625 by Edward IX, on Flickr On some level this all represents a profound failure to find completion within myself as a human being.

My nickname at work is "Actually", because that's how I begin every third sentence. I know I have a problem and I'm working to fix myself.

My first build of 2018 is going to be the Amodel 1/72 Mil Mi-10 Harke. Here's the box top and contents: Pretty much standard Amodel fare: Fuselage in multiple parts that will be interesting to align, nice surface detail that I'll do well not to obliterate, no locating pins, and lots of flash. Should be fun! I have all the aftermarket I can find for it - a set of KV masks and some PE intended for an Mi-6. There's still one bit of aftermarket to decide on though - something to sling underneath - building an unloaded Mi-10 would be just plain wrong. There don't seem to be an awful lot of photos of operational Mi-10s out there - lots of photos of prototypes carrying things (particularly one of the prototypes carrying a bus at a Paris air show) but not much more than that. There are a few pointers out there on what some options could be though: A MiG-15: As Thud4444 noted in the chat thread, there's this photo of a Mi-10 which looks like it's just offloaded a MiG-15UTI: A truck or armoured personnel carrier: Seems obvious that the Mi-10 would have carried these sorts of things around and Yefim Gordon's book "Mil's Heavylift Helicopters" refers to crews in East Germany practicing with these kinds of loads. Then there's the Mi-10RVK with the Zil-135V missile launcher (which would have to be scratch-built): Or the Mi-10PP with this big ECM device underneath: Then there's the Mi-10GR which carried a Grebeshok ELINT device underneath, but I can't find any remotely useful photos of it. There's also mention online of a Mi-10 airlifting a woolly mammoth encased in ice - but of course I can't find any photos (there's a video on youtube of a Mi-26 carrying one though). Right now, the MiG-15 is the frontrunner - I like the look of the missile launcher, but don't think I'll have time to scratch build it. So I think I'm going to order an Eduard MiG-15UTI. Can't wait to get cracking tomorrow!

Hiya Folks, Many people assume that the Bolingbroke was simply a Blenheim Mk.IV which was built in Canada but there is a lot more to the story than that! It would take a whole book to explain the Bolingbroke story but in a nutshell Bristol in the UK were building the Blenheim Mk.I bomber while Fairchild in Canada were building a derivative known as the Bolingbroke as a maritime reconnaissance aircraft to serve with the RAF, RCAF and RAAF. The most distinctive part of the design was the longer nose with a scalloped upper glazed area which gave the Navigator much more room to work in as well as a chart table and Bristol in the UK liked this so much that they introduced it onto the Blenheim to result in the Blenheim Mk.IV. The rear fuselage of the Bolingbroke also housed a fourth crew member in the form of a dedicated Wireless Operator rather than the combined WOP/Air Gunner in the Blenheim (who had his radios mounted behind the turret) and he was given a circular window at his position in front of the turret. Development of the Bolingbroke took longer than expected so the RAF and RAAF left the project (both ordering Hudson`s from the USA instead while the RAF also ordered more Anson`s) but the RCAF stuck with it. Due to its maritime role the Bolingbroke also had a dinghy mounted within a lengthened engine nacelle and as a cold weather oil system was also fitted to cope with the harsh Canadian conditions this caused the other nacelle to be slightly bigger than that of the Blenheim too. Another modification made for the cold weather was rubber de icing boots fitted to the wing, tail and fin leading edges and the exhausts had tubes fitted to the front, (which should be removed from the Airfix kit if building a Blenheim!). So that is the basic explanation,....Ever since I watched the film `Son of Lassie' I have always fancied building a model of a Canadian Bolingbroke as this film features the type (plus Ventura`s and Kittyhawks) in glorious Technicolour and although the film itself is a bit ropey, the aircraft shots are superb, with RCAF Patricia Bay doubling as `Somewhere in Scotland'. The white `sea scheme' on the type has always interested me and as it will fit in nicely along side my white RCAF Digby and Ventura I went ahead with this having been sent some amazing reference photos,.....and for anybody who wishes to look at the Work In Progress thread including a view of the real subject aircraft, here it is; http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234979317-airfix-blenheim-mkiv-into-a-rcaf-bolingbroke-mkiv-conversion-finished/ Onto the model,......here it is,.....built to represent Bolingbroke Mk.IV, 9140/P (ex 115 (BR) Sqn RCAF) serving with Western Air Command at RCAF Patricia Bay in 1943; DSCF4903 by Tony OToole, on Flickr DSCF4906 by Tony OToole, on Flickr DSCF4904 by Tony OToole, on Flickr DSCF4901 by Tony OToole, on Flickr DSCF4898 by Tony OToole, on Flickr DSCF4896 by Tony OToole, on Flickr The white was applied using a Tamiya rattle can but the upper surfaces were brush painted using Aeromaster Dark Slate Grey and Tamiya Dark Grey acrylics while the decals were a combination of spares box and DK Models from their excellent Blenheim/Bolingbroke sheet. I`m a bit disappointed with the twin Browning turret guns from my spares box which were added to replace the incorrect twin Vickers K Guns so I`m looking out for a better set, Hope you like it,..ad a very big thank you to Jim Bates, Terry Higgins and, Carl Vincent for all of their help. Cheers, Tony PS- The clear DF loop cover which was distictive to most Bolingbrokes was made from a pair of clear bulges from an old Matchbox Mossie kit fitted together and mounted upon an old brass radio blade antennae. PPS- I meant to say that the clear bubbles on the cockpit side windows were grafted on from vacuformed items supplied with an old MPM Blenheim kit as the Airfix kit does not supply these in the kit for some reason! Edit; As requested,...here is an underside view; DSCF4970 by Tony OToole, on Flickr

Thank you Bill, Keith, Chris, Simon, Jon, Tony, Johnny and Cookie - you're all very kind Benedikt that tree fall looks nasty! I hope none of the branches went through the windows? In to town this morning for a haircut, purchase of a Senior Person's Railcard (groan) and renewal of the 'Discovery Card' that gives us residents free access to some of the museums. Nice to have a wander around. Popped into Maplins and just resisted buying one of these. It won't last. Mrs B was out too so I took advantage of her absence for some 'real food'. There are lots of food places in Bath but I wanted food so I headed for the bottom of town and selected 'somewhere with chips'. Naughty of me. In my defence, I was left unsupervised (I must get one of those T-shirts). I dithered over Pieminister but they don't do chips so I plumped (apt) for a pulled Pork bun and fries in the Grillstock Smokehouse. Yum. It has to be said that, sometimes, junk food hits the spot. You know, the big one just below my chest. To be fair to them they did have a sign by the till that said 'Go Large' and offering to SupersizeTM me. As I said to the young lady behind the counter, too late for me, not required thank you. Nor did I accept the 'lunch deal' that added a sugary drink. Oh, the strength I exhibited sticking to my principles (and saving the need for another, larger wardrobe of clothes). I also visited an old 'Engineering' shop in Bath to get a quote for a threshold plate so that Mrs B can continue to pull off her Wellies on the doorstep without rotting the wood. Great place Bowlers, now part of Avery Knight (sadly). Old Mr Bowlers workshop has been preserved at the Museum of Bath at Work. Odd name that... sort of implies that work in Bath is a past activity... oh no, wait I remember the old shop, now a car park. You could go in there with a lump of metal and Mr Bowler would say "Looks like the lower bearing from a Hotpoint 1234 washing machine. I'll have a look" and he'd vanish into the bowels of the shop and there would be much clattering of drawers and boxes. If he didn't have the part he could make one for you. No, really. Great discussion with the lads in the shop about how I missed this but how could they survive when I can get a pair of (dangerous) clippers shipped from China for £2.30? Strange world, but some nice people. I also asked Maplin and Avery Knight about needle files, small ones. No joy. I already have these: File collection by Ced Bufton, on Flickr ... but I'd really like some tiny ones for jobs like the pitot. Any ideas chaps? Back to the bench. You know that feeling that us lesser modellers get when we ignore stuff? Sort of a niggling guilt. There are some seams I missed that I was going to put down to panel lines but then saw these: Had to be sorted, especially the locating marks for the gun pods. With a mix of chiselling and Micro-mesh I got rid of the plastic and 'feathered' the paint then applied the first thin coat of Azure: Lovely coverage this Colourcoats stuff. I've also masked and painted the walkways and blobbed the black in some other places. Progressing.

PK-122 Thunderbirds F-16 General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon 'Thunderbirds' USAF Display Team The support rod is just pushed into a temporary block of wood but this is how it'll be mounted

I shall declare this one finished - for now The support rod is just pushed into a temporary block of wood but this is how it'll be mounted

Just been having a look around my old photos, these might be of use I took these about 6 years ago and these are all I can find of the TSR 2 Hopefully of some use to you, keep up the great work ! Dan

Four days it’s been, aching joints, snot and sore throat. Today I eventually succumbed to the terror of the “Lurgy” Mrs Spadgent insisted I stay home from work in the warm and do nothing. Well I began doing that, then got bored and crept to the Grotto for some light action, nothing too strenuous you understand. now the colours had been decided upon I planned on hand painting the first grey and masking for the green. I marked out lightly with a silver pencil the camo lines and then got to work. note to self and anyone else planning on doing this. If your going to free hand in grey first, prime in white. as you can see it’s a bit difficult to see. Especially if you’re sneezing a lot “Achoo!” Now I’ve done a few different methods of camo masking since returning to Modelling but I have never tried blu tac. Well here goes. it’s more difficult than it looks as the tac sticks to my fingers, cocktail stick, tweesers, anything really rather than the blasted lighting. After much fiddling I have some bits done. The middle bit is fiddly too, less fiddly, but fiddly. eventually we are masked up baby. i hope it’s going to be worth the effort. in honour of my runny noseI shall paint this jet bogey green. Zap! POW! I’m digging the pre-shade under there. I let that dry for a bit and made some soup. Nothing like soup when you have a cold eh. *munch, slurp. Achoo! Right back upstairs for some unmasking. Fingers crossed. you know what? I’m going to do that method again. Really happy with the look, proper 80s just what I needed. even without weathering she’s looking good to my eyes. Runny weak eyes. next up was to mask the anti glare and canopy ready for a gloss coat. So I did it while I was in mid delirium. and made a @CedBtm over spray mask. I tempted fete by writing some funny words in an attempt to anti sods law sods law. and went at it with some black! left it to dry for a bit and ZING! that’s it I think I’m lucked out. No over spray.time for drying and I’ll gloss in a bit. I had a bath and built a fire, went back to the grotto and glossed. She is left in a dangerous looking state on the end of an old paint brush, hanging out of a tin, held up by some grit in a box. What could possibly go wrong? I have now lit the fire and am sitting down writing this. I’ll pop another coat on before bed. I think that’s it for today. Thanks for dropping by to see the madness. I’ll put the kettle on and we can have a brew. Take care dear chums and as always. Happy Modelling. Achoo!

Here is my SU-27 that was meant to be one of five a/c for the Flanker GB. Very old Italeri kit with raised detail but easy hassle free build. Although an old version I have went with a current scheme for red 93 of the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet at Chernyakhovsk air base in Kaliningrad.

All done, apart from the decals and extensive stencilling!

I ordered a Silhouette Portrait cutting machine today - a decision heavily influenced by @CedB and @giemme. The machine won't come for few days, but I downloaded the free version of the drawing software and whipped up some BPF Roundels and the codes needed for the Hellcat builds. Like anything, it took a little time to get up to speed, but I think they're lots of possibilities here. I'm sure there will be another learning curve when the cutter arrives and I actually attempt to cut the masks!

I would like to enter with this Short SC.5/10 Belfast in 1:144 scale by Welsh Models: It is a good size kit for 1:144 scale and should give me lots of hassle, frustration and pleasure building it. Mike

Hi Ladies & Gents,I have entered a buddy build on Facebook that has been organised by a chap called Martin Lamont, it is called the "Hawker Harrier 50th Anniversary Buddy Build".Now I want to build a variant of all the types of Harrier flown by the RAF and RN, i would like to build these in the order that they entered service. So after building the Harrier GR.1 that can be found on here, I decided to enter the 1/72 Airfix Harrier GR.3 into the buddy build.Here are the traditional box, instructions and sprue photos:Sprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSprue shots and instructions. by Neal, on FlickrSo that is the introduction to the build, I will post up the same updates here as I am doing on the buddy build. And to start that off I did a bit of video for you.Thanks for looking and all feedback is welcome!

This will be my entry for the 10th Anniversary GB. It's Bronco's offering of the British Cruiser Tank A10. It'll be a struggle to finish it as I'm doing another in the M3/M4 GB, so having said that, I'm going to go against the grain for me, and build it (almost) out of the box to save time. I haven't decided which version I will build yet, I'll decide once I get started. John.

Eduard just released a Weekend Edition of the nice Avia 534 III Series in 1:48 (No 8478). This kit offers Czech and Luftwaffe FFS decaloptions. As far I can remember the first biplane I ever build.....

Looks good Jon; for masking gaps like the turret openings I recommend a cut-off piece of old washing up sponge; incredibly compressible it will spring back to fill an opening and can be removed with tweezers afterward... bit late with that information, I suppose, sorry Cheers, Stew Edit - good for landing gear bays and the like too...

This is really a poop kit. It would be better to throw the wing into the trash, the some with the kit. So but it is the only De Monge on the market and only one was flown in Polish service so I must built it. In two days it was done.

Had an hour today so masked up the front office, a bit fiddly getting the parts glued in place with no gaps. Some need filling as I couldn't quite get rid of them all, I’ll drop some Micro Krystal clear into the gaps and hope for the best. Cheers for looking in chaps Dan

Another shot of same - taken in the wash hangar. Glad to see you are "lurking" Jon and taking notes and pix for future reference. Once power stays on there will be quite a bit more. I need to talk yo you about your Victor sheets by the way. Don't forget that I still owe you a favour from the Harrier sheet !! HTH Dennis

Meanwhile, back in Blenheim land: Untitled by jongwinnett, on Flickr Masking, even with the Eduard sets, is tedious. So many tiny panes to protect. Another coat of clear to seal the masks on the Mk I an the turrets and then it can dry overnight. Last of the interior green tomorrow night perhaps.

I hope this fall's into the could be useful category? John

A friend sent me these. I never tried to clean them up as I think their age says it all.

Coming to party late, please excuse the tardiness OK, having heard good things about the Heller 1/72 Sherman, went ahead an bought one on ebay back before Christmas and before the start of this GB, it arrived yesterday, so immediately got stuck in, trying to catch up. Now a warning, I'm no armour builder, I build aircraft, with the very occasional foray into the dark side, so don't worry about pointing out any huge mistakes I've made, or even little ones, as I know nothing much, and have no references at all, so after you pull yourselves of the floor from so much laughing, please let me know what I did wrong. First up the box and sprue shots, which is the same as @Foghorn Leghorn, I'm not sure, but hope I'm not doing the same version, but blatantly stealing some of his ideas. DSCN0920 by qfa_tsv, on Flickr DSCN0921 by qfa_tsv, on Flickr Now, first up, are the Instructions, which I am slowly getting used to, but have made some rookie mistakes along the way, I had originally planned that I wanted to make the b option, but I made the a front end and stuck it on , so big change and now i'm making the a option because iot's the only one with those flange thingies on the front, and also is the box art. So, the instructions call out paint numbers, but don't say whose, figured out they are Humbrol, then found the main green is 86, and I didn't have any, so went out and got some, my initial idea was to brush paint the underneath and rollers, but this new Humbrol is terrible stuff , has no opacity at all, so had to spray, and boy are there some rollers to do, in fact I cut off and cleaned up both lots, then found I only needed one lot, told you I was lousy at this, then found I had to turn them over and do the other side, good thing I worked out you only need to 12. DSCN0924 by qfa_tsv, on Flickr Now i'm putting on different fittings on the engine deck, and it seems you have to use part D9, which is the one for the wading kit, and I definitely don't want those, is it possible to use the D3 option instead, or are there differences in them? or on the other hand can I just fudge it? no one will know right? I have no idea if I will get this done in time as another GB starts tomorrow, but hope I chose something fairly straightforward for that one to give me a chance at this, and then there is the 737 STGB starting on 1 Feb, so I'm going to be very busy, but I would dearly love to finish this one.

1/48 ESCI kit , It's not an accurate Hellinic A-7 but it was fun , I used HATAKA paints for the first time and they are pretty good , there is some touching up to do here and there and the nav lights need to be done. Weathering was a mixture of pastels and airbrushing and a wash , this is an old kit so the fit was not brilliant but with patients and plenty of dry fitting to see where all the gaps are you can get a reasonable Corsair but not an accurate one ! I got this kit ages ago think it was only a fiver so it would be rude not to get it. I would like to try a Hobby boss 1/48 two seater don't know whether it will be more accurate? Anyway it looks like a Corsair 👍👍

The kit bit looks OK to me, it was quite thin compared to the depth as it was only filled with electric string and stuff :- HTH Dennis

I'm honoured that my efforts have inspired you to complete your first Spitfire (I've had a peak at your WiP and it's very good) bit I can't help with what to do about the missing cannon. PS. We don't mmention the Daily Mail in these parts. Thanks and there are a lot more Spitfires to come (the last stick check revealed 90-odd in the stash. Thanks to everyone who has commented and liked so far. I've been eating around with a Matchbox Tempest on the Matchbox Group Build but have made some progress on Spitfires. The MkVI needs a pitot to be made and the MkIX awaiting a Matt or satin coat (I can't decide which) and the MkVbs have had are gouache wash: which is then (no sniggering at the back) rubbed off: I've also made some seatbelts. Firstly, I got some Tamiya tape: then cut it into thin strips: (Yes, I do use my scalpel to spread putty. That's the way I roll.) painted it with Tamiya Buff: cut the strips in to shorter lengths and stuck them together: and using an Edding pen: a very fine Edding pen: made some marks to represent holes in the harness: (with some Tamiya Chrome Silver for buckles.) Not perfect or accurate but they'll do for me. Because the KP kit is used for the MkIb, MkIIb and MkVb, there are some holes to drill to fit the lower cannon feed bulge: That's all for tonight. Thanks for looking.

Wow! That’s serious history you have there. Send it to Airfix and tell them to issue a 1/24 Gannet AEW 3 pronto. (I don’t think your daughter looks scruffy, but she’s clearly unique and treasured!)

Undercoat on and orange topcoat on I used a mix of Tamiya orange X-6 and clear red X-27, the orange on it own was just to light.

Can you detail in a bigger scale @perdu ?! This is an original Fairey model of their then freshly announced Gannet AEW.3, it is made of solid hardwood and is beautifully made. The condition has suffered, and my intention is to reconstruct the tailplane trailing edges, fin top and various other small areas that have taken a knock. I also need to make a new spinner and a windscreen and canopy, which I will try and hot form from some acetate sheet and a buck. The paint has delaminated all over which is a real shame, the choice is to leave as is or strip and try and faithfully reproduce the colours and scheme. It is pictured here with original Fairey scale drawings and paint directives for newly produced AEW.3s, the model happens to be the same scale as the drawings, and also the same aircraft, XL449 the first production Gannet AEW. It is also seen with an original photo depicting the model ready for display for an SBAC show (guessing 1958). Daughter shown for scale (thinking around (1:24th)! gannet model by James Thomas, on Flickr gannet model by James Thomas, on Flickr gannet model by James Thomas, on Flickr gannet model by James Thomas, on Flickr gannet model by James Thomas, on Flickr It's a bit scruffy now, but a unique and treasured item. Hope you don't mind the interlude, just keeping the Gannet fire burning!

Must be Australian; they have a healthy tendency to be somewhat direct with their words. The Brits would have called it “Adheres Somewhat In The Manner Of D*ng”, which just doesn’t have the same punch.

A perfectly good word, "actually." I actually use it all the time! Although down here in The Lone Star State we tend to pronounce it "ack-shully."

Just viewing all this on my iPhone John ( @canberra kid ), but looks to be ‘yet another’ quality post packed with normally unobtainable information. If there was ever an award on BM to be given to those that continually serve the modelling gentry, you’d certainly make the shortlist of selfless contributors. Cheers and big thanks.. Dave

if you find yourself using hand cream and lip balm when changing your car tires you know you've gone too far down that path..... oh.. oh.. center console... cogs n wheels... looking at that kit console, and knowing that you bought a bunch of cogs n wheels, and are thinking of getting into casting, and have a lathe, are proficient in soldering, and are thinking about PE.... I can see that center console in the kit already cowering in trepidation as the Baron's butchery blades approach