Stu

I’ve always had a soft spot for Indian 21’s for some obscure reason and after seeing how to alter a PFM to an FL had a go using Eduard’s 72nd 21PFM. Now if you want to find out how to do it properly look here https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235080088-indian-mig-21fl-conversion-eduard-172-19apr21-still-working-on-the-canopy-started-again-plus-the-pitot-and-nose-antenna/page/2/ https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235092905-adampur-aggressor-–-eduard-mig-21fl-composite-pfpfm-of-the-indian-air-force’s-tactics-and -combat-development-establishment-tacde-172/ Ridge Runner details the differences and did a superb job on the alterations. I was tempted with a colourful TACDE finish but in the end decided to go with an operational fit of Atoll rails and GP9 gunpod. I notice KP list a 72nd 21FL so would be interested in opinions if anyone's built one. Thanks for looking Stu

Thanks to everyone who's responded. Dave, FWIW I sprayed the whole airframe Tamiya Chrome, picked out a few panels using enamel metallics then a coat from my diminishing bottle of Kleer. Then slathered it in MIG P220 enamel dark wash and when dry cleaned it of to leave the panel lines. I think the wash leaves a thin coat all over that tones down the chrome so it looks a tad more metallic. This may fly in the face of conventional wisdom but it works for me. Cheers Stu

Longshot but he 90's Heller 48th Mirage 2000C had an Indian option. Someone might have that in their spares box. Stu

Firstly thanks to everyone who has responded, been a bit taken aback. Ernest. Make sure the cockpit/ nosewheel bay are joined correctly and have a solid join between fin and fuselage.....! Any problems I had are undoubtedly of my own making Would now like to do a Djibouti one Stu

Israeli Mirage III by SH. It's a nice kit though nearly managed to screw it up by misreading the instructions. Impressive selection of stores included so have a bit of space in the spares box. Tamiya Chrome Silver as main coat with a few panels picked out finished with a MiG panel wash. . Box decals that went on fine. Thanks for looking Stu

Israeli Mirage III by SH. It's a nice kit though nearly managed to screw it up by misreading the instructions. Impressive selection of stores included so have a bit of space in the spares box. Tamiya Chrome Silver as main coat with a few panels picked out finished with a MiG panel wash. . Box decals that went on fine. Thanks for looking Stu

I've used Precision paint on railway stuff for longer than I care to admit. Agree with Heather; good white spirit Building the Dapol Deltic ? Stu

That's very good. Having built one can appreciate the effort you've put into this. Well done! Stu

Looks very good and nice to see an early version swing wing SU. Stu

Thanks, and no they didn't, they came out the spares box and think it was originally from an Eduard MiG 15 sheet Cheers Stu

Aah, thanks, I find the Romanian/Bulgarian/Hungarian markings of the Soviet era confusing 😞 Cheers Stu

The only upside of having covid (quite mild thankfully) recently and staying out of everyone's way was getting some aircraft modelling done. There's been plenty written about these kits so no point repeating things my only comment being I found them a bit fiddly in places but otherwise a nice kit. As for the plane itself always thought the PF/PFM sharper than the slightly bloated looking MF. The Bulgarian PF is one of the few attempts at NMF I've done recently and is a mix of Tamiya and Mr Hobby and while it's far from comprehensive I'm content with the result. The MF is my interpretation of the Egyptian "Nile" scheme which I've always liked which was also Tamiya and Mr Hobby with a home brewed light green. Used a MIG wash for the first time on both and was very impressed. Apologies for the iffy photography. Thanks for looking, Stu

The Aviation of Japan site has already been mentioned but this page might be useful. http://www.aviationofjapan.com/2008/08/zero-colours-again.html Tamiya XF-76acrylic, also avalable as a lacquer. Hemp is apparently more suited to the post Pearl Harbor nakajima built Model 21's HTH Stu

Oh yeah, just saying !! , That got me looking around and I've now found Special Hobby did one https://www.super-hobby.co.uk/products/PV-2D-Harpoon.html with a sea blue or bare metal (??) finish, now sadly out of production though that might well be a blessing in disguise. But something to keep an eye out for. Thanks Stu

What comes of having a grandson who's Marvel Mad....! Thanks to all who have tagged or commented, appreciated. Hyperscale in box reviews http://www.hyperscale.com/2021/reviews/kits/sw72137sereviewgc_1.htm http://www.hyperscale.com/2021/reviews/kits/sw72135sereviewgc_1.htm Would add I did get the Peewit masks for the canopy, worth the extra expense. Stu

There’s a number of notable WW2 planes that went on to have careers into the Cold War era in various guises. You could easily do a collection of Mustangs and not go anywhere near the 1940’s. Plus many ended up looking very different to their wartime service like jungle camo’d Corsairs. I’m don’t really have a rational explanation as to why I chose this model , it just seemed like a good idea though a couple of recent in-box reviews on Hyperscale may well have got me thinking. Not a whole lot of experience with “limited run” kits, Sword or otherwise, but nothing in this really caused any major problems. I did build the wings and tailplanes first to check their fit in the fuselage halves, fortunate as there was a certain amount of work to get them half decent plus I built the cockpit in-situ as the instructions would have you do it separately which would have involved a bit of a balancing act getting them in the right place. Interior is pretty basic but once the canopy is on and painted surprisingly little to see. Enjoyed doing it which is, after all, the whole point and think I might try a couple more of their kits as they do some interesting subjects. Thanks Stu

Hi, I prefer the 767 version as well, the 892 fin flash looks all greek to me. (sorry!) Thanks to everyone who has commented or tagged this, appreciated. The stencil sheet gave me a bit of a fright when I first looked at but it is worth persevering with as it worth it in the end. Took me about 4 days to do doing 1/2 here, 1/2 hour therewith time to let things dry off. They are logically laid out on the sheet and that makes it a bit easier. Thanks again Stu

Hi, Been some time since I posted anything so........ There've been plenty of reviews and builds by those far more knowledgable than me regarding the kit so I'll keep it quick. Went together quite well though had a short-shot non-RWR fin that needed work plus I personally found the 2 piece nosewheel leg rather fiddly to get (somewhat) right. I probably should have spent longer reading previous builds but what would be the fun in that! The decal sheet alone would probably be worth well north of a tenner if sold separately but doing all the stencils tested my eyesight and patience sorely hence photoing it on the instruction sheet. Got there in the end though and felt quite smug crossing off the last one. There's a small prize for anyone spotting the upside down NO PUSH ! Stu

All were built "air smoothed". Stu

Nice 7mm model, which make ? Space Ranger, which model do you have ? You mention Airfix in the title and AFAIK they only did a British Railways version. Dapol did numerous re-pops of the kit with a range of decals including SR though the accuracy of some are a bit dubious. Depending on how far you want to go there is aftermarket stuff out there such as buffers, etched nameplates etc. Replacement decals:- https://modelmaster.uk/24-4mm-steam-locos https://fox-transfers.co.uk/transfers If it is malachite green you need have an idea that a Tamiya acrylic might be close but can check if needed. All the "air smoothed" pacifics whichever class they were were nicknamed Spamcans. The first Merchant Navies were built during WW2 hence the nickname. This was my take on the kit and there's a short thread somewhere on here with the pics photobucketed out Stu - who has fond (!) memories of 34102 Lapford in '67

That's come out well, the Tamiya 72nd Zero's are good kits and your's is very nice. Kit decals ? Slightly off subject any thoughts on the Hasegawa Rufe ? Stu

Hi, Thank you those who've taken the time to comment or hit like. Got a Dragon Tiger 1 to do, lots more bits but would imagine it's a good kit. One mildly curious thing. I've ended up with pots of both Gunze and Tamiya "dark yellow" and surprised how different they are. Any thoughts anyone? Cheers Stu

Picked this up at OnTracks from a Dutch dealer who had stock of their kits. As a marque they seemed quite popular judging by the number left at the end of the day. Not sure whether these kits rate as mainstream, short run or something in between. It was complete with a small etch and turned barrel, the latter a first for me. Built pretty much OOB apart from replacing the solid moulded grabs with fine wire. Construction was quite straightforward apart from the tracks. The instructions show continuous single piece tracks, like Dragon DS ones but there were a couple of link and length sprues in the box. The tracks are therefore something of a bodge as the longest lengths appeared to be for a different kit, they were somewhat short for any logical fit. Anyhow done my best with my limited experience. As it's a what-if the finish is my interpretation of a late war scheme. Finished with Tamiya acrylics and AK washes. I did add a suitably focused commander to give a bit of scale. Enjoyed building it in spite of the tracks. A couple of phone camera pics, not sure it's coped well with the bright sunshine. Cheers Stu

Excellent work. Stu

I like that a lot, you've done a good job there. Stu