tippe

Hi Jim, I got my JS-Models stowage box from Kuivalainen 3 weeks ago. And yes - definately, it is spot on when it comes to accuracy. And when speaking about the turret itself, when comparingboth of them to photos, I still got the feeling they can't beat the JS-models one. The box I've measured by myself, turret - it's only a feeling.

Hi! I've purchased the SBS-set and I'm a little bitt dissapointed with it. Please check the photos of my review at http://www.pienoismallit.net/kirjoitukset/arvostelu_646/ (Sorry - in Finnish). The turret stowage boxes are far too short. SBS is the grey one and JS-models turret and box has the cream colour. Latter box has exacy dimensions compared to a real one (measures taken by myself when I was duing my national service with those things 20 yeaers ago.) As Demiles metioned, Finnish T-72's has retangular lihgts, but they hasn't always been fitted. The pictures taken at the Andreas Lärkas website above are from a T-72 purchased from ex-DDR stock. They were manufactured either in Poland or Tsechoslowakia (Finnish serial numbers Ps.264-200.., Ps. 264-300...) The original Soviet T-72's received early 80's had serials Ps. 264- less than 150 and Ps.265- for command vehicles. Most of the Soviet ones had original 8-spoke wheels as Tamiyas kit, but the later ones had T-80-style 6-spoke wheels mostly. Cheers, Tippe

this could be 1/48 as well - excellent paint and weathering

My first kit this year is ready for inspection after 6 months love-hate relationship with the project. (I've posted a couple of photos to FB and in to another forum too) . This is a Revell Do 217E-4 with Lone Star Models Do 217N-2 conversion kit. Basic kit looks quite a nice in the box, but the there is a challenge with the twisted fuselage. The horizontal stabilizer is not aligned with the wings. To fix this problem I did cut the fuselage with a saw, align the stabilizers, fill the gap with plastics and putty and rescribe the panel lines. The LSM conversion kit didn't contain any transparent parts, so I did modify the original ones by removing the mg-mounts from the side windows and making new side windows from the scratch. Polishing was done with sand papers grid 1500 - 12000 and after that by dipping the part in to the Johnsons' AIMS decals are my favourite ones and they were nice to use - thin and in register. Eduard photo etched parts were used as well, but they are practically speaking not to be seen when completed. FuG 202 radar array borrowed from Dragon's TA-154 and "Schräge Musik" is from Dragon's Ju 88G. the model is painted with Xtra colour enamels Revi 12 gunsight is a Quickboost one. I hope the scanned picture from Meyer - Stipdonk's excellent book "Die Deutsche Luftwaffe: Zerstörer- und Nachtjägerverbände teil 2" page 203 does not violate any rules, but it is to show the goal only. The model represents 3C+HR of 7./NJG 4 during winter 1943/44. cheers, Tippe Green putty is useful... Model with the reference material: The real one and the model The board and starboard side windows are different Family portrait with Revell's Bf 110G - Dornier is quite a big plane...

I'm about to start the same project. I have the Ozmods conversion kit, but unfortunately it's the blades only which seems to be quite useful. The wing tanks does not have round profile and compared to the photos the dimensions are not correct either. At Hyperscale there is a review of CE's kit and it still contains photos & other useful info. The original nose is easier to modifiy than clean the Ozmods one. The wing pylons are missing completely and I try to cast my own based to the P-80 wing pylons. Masters are ready - courage to cast needed. I have the Tamiya's A-1 Skyraider and those pylons are much too small. cheers, tippe

Hi! I was lucky to get Classic Airframes Meteor F.8 (early) as a second hand model. The only thing missing is the decal placement guide. Would anybody be so kind to scan me one page (77 Sqn RAAF "Halestorm")? Thanks in advance for your help, Tippe PS. I hope it's ok to post this here

Hi Jimmy, I do have the very same model on my desk. Somebody has just cut the big sheet in 2 pieces, but the small one is still in the original bag. I'm going to built a Germany-based bird with Airdoc decals, so if you're interested in, please let me know. Location : Finland Cheers, Tippe

Thanks Bob for the info, cheers, Tippe

Hi Edgar, actually this seems to be more complicated thing than I first tought. Still I think it's better to rely on photos and drop RB188 out of my dreams this tim Thanks for the help once again. cheers, Tippe

Thanks Edgar for your prompt and detailed reply. It looks like I have to find another airframe to make because the wings are already converted to "e"-configuration. Better this way - I don't like to find out this kind of mistakes after the model is completed. Graham, 2nd TAF vol. 4 page 607 claims that some Mk IX has been converted from "C" to "E". Modification 1029 .50 gun conversion kits were delivered to 135 Airfield residents as follows: 60 kits in January '44 to 129 Sqd and 350 Sqd, in February to 66 Sqd and 504 Sqd, by mid-March 485, 222 and 349 Squadrons. These all were equipped with Mk IX. Production of Mk XIVe's has stared in April '44. The same source says that the modification of Mk IX spitfires with wing bomb carrier facilities (Mod. 1209 250 sets) together with .50 gun installation has taken place at Air Service Training at Hamble the first deliveries taken place in mid June '44 to 125 Wing. And to make things even more complicated, please check this link: http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/...88&start=60 cheers, Tippe

Hi! I have decided to built a 1/48 model of Spit XIV. I have combined Aeroclub's Mk.21 fuselage with Hasegawa's Mk IX wings Actually they fit quite well together. The one I'd like to built is RB155 DL o K from No. 91 Sqn. flown by Flt Johnny Johnson. The only pictures of this particular aircraft I do have are from Osprey's Aviation Elite Units: 91st Nigeria Squadron. Unfortunately the leading edge of the wing is not completely shown. However, there is no sight of .303 Brownings side by the 20 mm cannons. The book says that this airframe has been sent to Air Service Training for modifications in May '44 before returned back Johnson. Would it be possible that 1) this airframe has been originally fitted with the "e"-wing or 2) it has been modified from "c" to "e" -standard in May? RB140, RB150, RB156, RB159 and RB 167 has been delivered with "c"-wing (photos found) RM 701 has been fittted originally with "e"-wing. These are the closest airframe numbers I have found photos... Zotz's decalsheet ZTZ32/033 claims RB188 as XIVe, as well as all the Osprey books I have. Thanks for your help in advance, Tippe

If still needed - I got the original boxing and I can scan a copy as pdf if needed. just give me your e-mail address. Greetings from sunny Finland. - tippe -