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Yes I am that idiot and yes I am going to build it. As I'm sure most of you are aware the Hobby Boss 1/48 J-29 Tunnan has come in for a fair amount of stick, mostly because it is fact not 1/48 scale as Hobby Boss made a bit of a boo boo with their calculations which means that it actually comes in at around 1/51 scale which as far as I'm aware is not one which is used a great deal, at least not intentionally. Aside form the scale issue it actually isn't that bad a kit, it is certainly a lot better than the AZ kit and is well engineered and if it's anything like other Hobby Boss kits it should go together with too much trouble. there are other issues such as the intake, which is too large but I am going to live with them, if anyone can point me in the direction of a 100% accurate kit then please feel free to share it. The decals in the kit a bit of a joke as the crowns on the Swedish markings are rounded instead of being poointed and the stencils are written in gibberish so to that end I have bought Moose Republic sheet which also covers camouflaged aircraft which should make painting a bit quicker than a NMF aircraft. Lets have some pictures shall we? Starting with the ubiquitous box lid and untouched sprue shots; And the decals from Moose Republic next to the instruction sheet; And a closer look at one of the fuselage halves which hopefully shows the nice surface detailing of the kit; I'm off to make a start on this one as I'm way behind everyone else's builds and would like to get at least one other project underway. Thanks in advance to anyone who decides to look in on my progress, and all your comments and criticisms will be gratefully received. Craig.

Hello all, Here is my recently completed 1/48 Revell (Hasegawa) Phantom FGR2 in the markings of 92 Squadron, based at RAF Wildenwrath. Built as part of my 'RAF QRA through the years' project, you can see the build thread from page 5 onwards here Extras used included Quickboost seats, Eduard & Airwaves etch, QMT FOD inserts, New Ware mask and a Flightpath ladder. Decals are a mixture of Xtradecal and Revell. Paints are from MRP and the missiles are all from a Tamiya F-14 kit. Beside my F-4F that I completed several months ago: Thanks for looking. Dave

Hi there! This is my first output of 2020. Bf-110E2 in 1/48 scale from Dragon Models. A very nice kit with tons of detail. Fitting was not an issue. Built OOB. Oil drums and Jerrycans are from Bronco. A highly recommended kit!

I had in my stash a Revell/Monogram Me410B but then along came Meng's Me410s of which I acquired two, so R/M kit was pushed to back of stash! However whilst trawling the net I came across, on the FSM site, a question about converting R/M's 410 into a 210, I followed this and came across an article in, the now defunct Quarter Scale Magazine, by Ian Day with this conversion in. I managed to print off a very poor copy of this article retrieved my R/M Me410 from the stash and set about adding the Me210A-1 to my Luftwaffe collection. It looked a relatively simple conversion shorten fuselage alter outer wing incidence and shorten engine cowlings REALLY!!!!!! To begin with I had intended to convert the R/M kit to a Me410B-2/U4 with the Bordkanone to this end I had acquired the Schatton model conversion set with resin fairing and metal BK5 cannon (long before Master came along!!) to which end for some reason now long forgotten I had removed the rear of the nose fairing supplied with the kit which I needed to model a 210!! I then discovered the canopy windscreen was broken and I only had windscreens for the 410 with bulges for the later models so had to repair the broken one as best as I could!! Anyway to cut a long story short after much cutting,filling with Milliput and DeLuxe plastic putty, plastic card and an awful lot of cursing, my probably, not terribly accurate 1/48 210 emerged! I should add I used the Aires resin cockpit and Eduard mask for the canopy. The canopy unfortunately did not come out too well being a bitch to stick together and didn't get the usual coat of Kleer! The aircraft is a Me210A-1 of 3./SKG210 possibly 1942. I had difficulty finding decals for the codes which are probably too large and also ended up painting the yellow band too wide 🤬 . The following photos show the modifications and amount of filler required. I have also added photos showing the different dimensions between the Me410 ( the Meng kit) and the Me210. The model was finished using AK Real Colours and washes, decals from my library and that's it 🙄. Oh well back to some easy builds where did I put those Eduard 109/190s ??????????/ Cheers Andy

Well, last year was a bit of a disappointment from the modelling completions point of view. One! I ask you, was I really even trying? There were several other models started but none reached completion in the calendar year. However I did buy the new Airfix Mark XIV a couple of its weeks after it came out, and built it within a month or so. I just didn't get around to photographing the plane before. Its come out very nicely, a sensible prop (which works) and robust undercarriage mountings, nice decals with just a reasonable number of stencils, and no real complexity. It was well received in the club and got a couple of certificates. Once I'd glossed over the decals, I decided I rather liked the glossy warbird look, so I chose not to satin varnish. I'd have a couple of criticisms about the kit, though I'd happily build another, if only I didn't have so many Spits waiting in the queue / stash! The trailing edges are rather thick as two edges meet; the fuel tank armour - to scale it would be only need a thin layer of tape to achieve at 1/48, I found it hard to get the part to fit consistently with even overlap and there are also gaps which i used some sheet card to fill. The exhausts seem too thick to fit under the cowling blisters afterwards, if set into the fuselage correctly (as per instructions) - its support needs a lot of trimming to fit (this is a similar problem I have had with Eduard VIII, IX and XVI, as its easy to pop the top cowling off those too when adding the exhausts). Cheers Will

Hi! I would like to present my new project. I choosed model of Aero C-3A (Siebel Si204) from czech producer SpecialHobby in 1/48 scale. This will be a very long project because I don't have much free time, but I would like update this topic every week. This will be my first model after five years break. So lets go! With model I bought resin pilot´s seats from CMK and photo etched parts from Eduard (photo etched parts are for model Siebel Si204 so i will use only a few parts).

I've reached an impasse with the Phantom as I wait for the tailplanes to arrive and try to find some underwing serials. So, I may as well start another kit to be going on with, and what better than the familiar and rather fabulous Tornado? Again, a type that seemed prematurely withdrawn despite so many commitments abroad, it was only a few years ago we had eleven squadrons of these! I'll be doing it in grey/green camo, as I don't like the bland overall grey, which to me signalled the beginning of the end not only for the type in service (along with the Jag, Buccaneer, Phantom and Harrier), but also my interest in spotting. As the colours and variety diminished, so did my interest in hanging around at fences and crash gates with a big camera. But, to bring back those halcyon days of the RAF, this Tornado will probably be a 27 Sqn jet from Marham, although I have a nagging possibility of a fully armed RAFG one! Let's see how it goes. It was an ebay bargain, so no box! But all the parts are here, and I've a random selection of markings to choose from:

Detail for correcting the belly of the fuselage of the Su-17M4/Su-22M4 model in 1/48 scale manufactured by Kitty Hawk. Cast from polyurethane resin.

Inspired by Big X's Kubelwagen build, and my idea to mix up the decals, I've put my money where my mouth is and I have a build of my own on a similar theme. In my case it is a Kubelwagen and Schwimmwagen captured and given new markings by my pet unit, Polish 1st Armoured Division in NW Europe 1944/45. I've gone with Tamiya 1/48 because I've already got a few in the cabinet and they suit me the way 1/35 never really has. The kits: European Kubel, there's an Afrika Korps version too, which may or may not have the balloon tyres. Decals are irrelevant here as I won't be using any. Sprue shot. Some nice detail and nothing too taxing. The figures will go straight in the spares box - maybe that map was upside down The Schwimmwagen has much better box art, shame mine won't finish up looking anything like that. Again, there's some lovely detail. Hope I can do it justice. Finally (for now) the decals and their instructions. It's quite hard to see anything there as the instructions are in black and white and the actual decal sheet is mostly white on pale blue backing. Fortunately Toro do everything in full colour on their website - see here Toro Decals. I've got an AB41 on the shelf that could stand a refurb, an Sd.Kfz 250 on back order to do that option and I could always find room for a Greyhound, so quite a useful sheet That's me for now. Construction to start over the weekend. Andy

Inspired by the outbreak of Desert Storm, or Gulf War One, I built this MiG-21MF in Iraqi markings and camouflage. Although it’s close to 30 years old now, I had never really taken “proper” pics of it. I finally took her over to the Coffield Regional Airport in Rockdale, Texas for a photo-shoot a few years ago.. It is the ESCI 1/48 kit that was originally released by OEZ. The kit had two different top fuselage inserts for three versions of the fighter. I’d like to think that I have the skills now to avoid that awful step behind the cockpit, but I guess I was satisfied to leave it back in ’92. The Fishbed was built along with a Philippines Air Force Northrop F-5A “Freedom Fighter” as a sort of “export fighter” theme project. Both were popular planes enabling Third World countries a high-performance jet, representing both East and West blocs. I also note in the pics that the front LG was somewhat loose and is crooked in some shots too. Grrrrr. Oh well, she’s posed in all her flaws and defects here. The dark paint was Pactra enamel, long gone now, the other colors are Humbrol and ModelMaster enamels, sprayed with my Paasche H. Decals are aftermarket and represent an aircraft in the Iran-Iraq War of the ’80s. If you squint a bit, and tilt your head just right, it does look sort of like a MiG-21. Thanks for stopping in and having a look at the old girl. All comments are appreciated!

Built many years ago pre-AFV modelling and photographed now as it needs to go inthe bin to make some room in my cabinet. I used Flory panel wash which I was pleased with. Thanks for looking Rob

Hello. Here is my F-15E Strike Eagle in 1/48.

Captain Ernest Fiebelkorn named June Nite LC-N after his wife. He flew with the 77FS, who first flew their P-51s on 21 July 1944. 411161 was lost on 13 June 1945 when it crashed on take-off from King’s Cliffe. Fiebelkorn finished the war as 20th Fighter Group’s top ace with 11 kills.

Yesterday, my mother in law arrived and presented me with this: Prowler 2 by phil da greek, on Flickr She saw it in one of the charity shops in town and thought i might like it! Very nice of her, i offered to pay but she refused saying she could the £1 she paid for it! I know it's an older kit, but opening it up and looking at the very simple instructions it appears to all be there and nothing has been touched. Prowler 1 by phil da greek, on Flickr Apart from the decals looking tired it all looks good, i know there are a ton of aftermarket decals and i'm trying to decide on a scheme, but a question if anybody can offer advice. The cockpit is totally bare of detail, i see on ebay some Aires aftermarket cockpits, some specify for the Kinetic kit and others for the Revell kit both early and later ICAP versions, does anybody know if any of these will fit this Airfix beastie? Or can be persuaded to fit with the minimum of swearing, sweat & (probably) blood? Thanks for any knowledge you have to share.

Started as part of last year's 50s NATO v Warsaw Pact in Europe GB and completed as far as it will get, this is the 1979 vintage ESCI 1/48th scale North American F-86F Sabre operated by the Spanish Ejercito Del Aire from 1955 onwards, built OOB using the original kit decals. I have added "illusion" to the title because all is not what it seems with this kit, ESCI marketed the kit as an F-86E but supplied decals for the F-86F, the kit itself is most likely a Canadair Mk.5 or 6 with a 6-3 wing with leading edge slat and no outward wing extension. I rapidly learned much about the various Sabre wings! On to the photos... 20200123_195255 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr 20200123_195532 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr 20200123_195215 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr 20200123_195617 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr 20200123_195820 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr This 40 year old kit goes together well with engraved panel lines. The kit decals went on very easily indeed. I painted her with Halfords Aluminium from a rattle can and sealed her with a coat of Humbrol acrylic matt varnish to give that dull aluminium effect. I made a complete mess of the wing tanks so they have been left off for now. The wing walk decals are inaccurate, that is my fault as I managed to destroy the originals! Oh, and the canopy isn't sitting right so needs attention tomorrow. On the plus side this is my first 1/48th Sabre and I love the lines of this pugnacious looking swept wing fighter, I would like to make a few more this year and look forward to the Airfix offering later this year. Here's hoping 👍 Michael

I'm going to attempt to make the second of the three of these in my stash as an FG1. The only major issue is those slotted tailplanes, but I'll worry about those later. It might be a case of cutting into them, or just leaving them and pretend slats aren't a thing on FG1s! However, I'll do my best on the rest of it, including these extra decals I bought especially a while ago (before I came on here and learned of those damned slats!). So she'll be camo, and my usual everything hanging out and down or open, regardless of the realities of hydraulics, etc, just because I think they look cooler like that. The box, familiar to millions: Extra decals! I'll need to add the red/blue roundel over the red/white/blue as I'm doing her to represent the early 80s colours. Furniture assembled and painted. Added my usual masking tape straps. I'd forgotten that Revell didn't include cockpit decals. Ok for some of you on here with your fancy painting skills, but I need decals! Did my best with a black biro anyway.

Having a spare Eduard (Kinetic) F-16 available from the Ltd Edition "Top Falcons" boxing, I'm going to use spare decals from the "NATO Falcons" boxing and build it in the 338th Sqn "Tiger Meet" scheme as worn at Kleine Brogel in 2009: This probably won't get started for a couple of weeks but will post the sprue shots when I do commence. Before that I need to get a coat of metal on my two Mustangs! Mike

Hey everyone Since my Tamiya Spitfire is coming to an end I decided to have a look through my stash to see what I could build next and at the bottom of the pile I spied an Eduard 1/48 Spitfire with quite a lot of AM, these being the Brassin engine, gun bay and brass undercarriage legs I don’t have the Brassin cockpit for this kit as I really don’t think it adds very much to it and its more than adequate straight out of the box and because I have the Profipack version (8282) you get photoetch for the cockpit included. Since I’ve been looking at period photographs I have a hankering to build a desert camouflaged bird that’s heavily weathered. I haven’t made a start yet as I’m concentrating on getting my Mk.1 finished but I’ll post some pictures later of what I intend. cheers all Iain

This is MJ966, flown by Denys Boudard of No. 340 Free French Squadron (code GW), 1944. The squadron was moved from England – where it provided covering fire for the Normandy landings – to France, Belgium and back again. Apart from all its wear and tear, another distinguishing feature of this Spit was the 50 gallon drop tank it sported. This is Eduard’s 1/48 tooling of the Mk. IX, and It’s hard to imagine a better spitfire at this scale. Eduard attempt a 1/32 level of detail in a smaller kit, minus the engine. Perhaps some sub-assemblies do seem more complicated than they need to be; the exhaust stubs and wheel wells, for instance. But it seems as though Eduard want you to get involved - to problem solve and build at the same time. The smallness, delicacy and precision of fit makes you slow down and appreciate not only this version of the plane, but the plane itself. The Mk IX is a thing of beauty, and this kit does it justice on both a small and large level, from rivets to elliptical wings. I added an Eduard harness - this being the weekend edition - plus their resin/ PE drop tank, and I used Tamiya paints throughout. The codes and roundels were applied using Montex masks, and the stencils were all another aftermarket addition from Eduard. Thanks for looking!

Having recently done a conversion of the Airfix 1/72 kit to an A I thought I'd go again for the group build only in 1/48. Sounds extremely exotic but basically the German government sold two JU87 A-1s to the Japanese for evaluation. I'm building the Special Hobby (I think ) kit which will be more or less oob in three colour splinter camoflauge but with hinamarus (which I ordered from ebay today) the kit, has a nice resin interior and a vac formed canopy. Not too shabby. My main reference.

I see we have a couple of the wonderful looking Airfix Ju87B already in the GB and I wonder if i can join with the same. I intend to build the boxed Condor Legion option. I started this last week at my local modelling group as it was a build night, so here is starting pic and progress to date. Obligatory and excellent box art! Interestingly 'designed and manufactured in the UK' - surpise and welcome. To prove not started! Cockpit progress on build night - I take my time! Main cockpit parts painted. Matt black primer then RLM02 light spray to hopefully pick out the detail Seems to be a step up in quality from other Airfix kits I've built. Now waiting for aftermarket pilot seat with seatbelts.

Hello all; I normally stick to Allied air forces but this paint scheme has been a bucket list for a while and I finally had a go at it. The full story of the multiple approaches and repaint can be found on my site. As usual, comment and corrections welcome. Cheers; Mark.

Hi all for this ju 87 group build, I am planing to build a ju 87 d-1/3. Using the airfix ju 87 b-2 kit and cross kitting it with the italeri ju 87 g. And possibly bits copied from the hassegawa g kit. Some of the references used will be

This is the third kit I've built from this manufacturer. For limited run resin, their gems. They do a nice job of using different types of resins to accommodate the build of the kit; hard with fine lines for certain parts, softer to allow for some flex on others, etc. Unfortunately, one of the landing skids was broken from the start. So I tried soldering on this kit. I think my results were a bit mixed from the perspective of fine detail, but no doubt the parts are much stronger and able to absorb handling. BTW - all these pics were taken with a Galaxy s9+ phone and several photog lights. In less time than it usually takes me to set up one shot on my Canon DSLR?!? I'm either dong something right with the phone, or VERY wrong with the Camera. this is a jig I used to get the rotors lined up. It was a scrap piece from a previous project, and made lining up the blades pretty easy. Drilled holes for the brass rod in preparation for the new landing gear Getting the angles correct for the legs. you can see the solder at the bottom. You can also see the the one good skid just to the right. Test fitting the struts to the airframe. You can see the high quality finish on the resin parts (I have no affiliation with the company, I'm just impressed with the finish and fit of these kits) Skids are bent and matched for solder Still some final sanding and shaping, but not too bad for my first try!!! Cheers, Mark

Hi guys, I will be building the 1/48 Hasegawa Saab J-35 F/J Draken kit. I will convert it with a Aires set to the S-35 E recon version. I have got some extra goodies for it. I will place some pictures later. Cheers,