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Hi guys! Well, Cosford was a few days ago and I managed to come across a wonderful Airfix 1:48 Canberra PR.9: (amongst other things >_> ) I was inspired by Navy Bird's excellent 1:72 Canberra PR.9 "End of an era": ...and thought I should probably have a go myself. So, the plan of attack is as follows: -OOB apart from a fair bit of scratchbuilding -Scratchbuild the cockpit -Scratchbuild the Navigator's "cupboard" -Scratchbuild the flare/bomb-bay -Open up a few panels, if possible? -Gear down, flaps down, flare/bomb-bay open -Scratchbuild the cameras -*Anything else that needs editing/making (The chosen scheme) What I could do with are some good reference drawings/photos of the flare/bomb-bay. Also, could I ask what panels on the Canberra could be removed for maintenance, I would be particularly keen on modelling panels that gave access to the cameras or perhaps a reference showing the engine cowling removed (who knows, I could have a go at scratchbuilding an engine!). Thanks for dropping by! Kind regards, Sam -Oh and an update for those following my application for medicine= rejected. Nevermind, Biomed it is!

Hello lads and gentlemen. Im going to build a 1:48 mosquito by tamiya, it will be good to have you along. I started this on the 29th march 2017 (you can check the picture dates) but have only just got around to uploading! Heres a photo of the kit and a couple of items I've acquired, Aries wheel bays. Decals Not sure which one to go for I've ruled out the silver one though . The green/grey F*EG is just a classic mosquito. The night fighter green grey black will be a good exercise in painting black (never done before...) And the Banff strike wing just look cool with all them rockets!!! Let me know what you guys think i should go for! I've also got a little bit of work start, Thanks for looking more to follow soon (: Joss

Hello chaps Nice to be around this one, the wait is over... I am pretty sure this is going to be a pleasant and entertaining group build, as it is usual here on BM... I'm in with a colorful F-111E carrying a nice noseart. Not sure about its role in Libya, all I know it was the commander of the sqd. flagship and that the noseart brought luck to the pliot back from the days of Vietnam. Hopefully someone can add some info o the subject, I'd be very happy to hear. Initially I was thinking of a downed F-111F 70-2389 callsigned Karma 52, but since I don't have the decals for it, I'll stick with the E version. Plus I've heard the IP in the Verlinden set is to match the E and not the F version... I cannot confirm it yet, I will have to take a look at both of the panels and then compare it to the resin one... Anyway, here's obligatory stuff: classic Libyan raiders markings... eduard etch old Verlindern set, still very useful a must too bad both afterburners are open, but still better than the kit offering this last item is very nice, but I sincerly doubt I will use, as my place on the shelf is limited and this beastie's wingspan is not a joke... that's about it for now... cheers, Vasko

Hello chaps. Finally this one has come to an end. It is a Kopro kit with tons of aftermarket and many corrections made. Check more on the build in this topic : work in progress The kit is made for a friend and blogger R.S from the very well known blog on SyAAF airplanes. Here it is... for more photos check this site: http://militaryaviation148.blogspot.si/2017/03/su-7bmk-syaaf-1973-ramadan-war.html

Pitot Probes and Guns for Mig 25’s, Mig 31 and AH-64 1:48 Master Models The latest releases from Master Models in their series of replacement pitot probes have recently arrived at BMs London offices. They are well up to their usual standard and very sharp, so care should be taken once fitted. They are so much better than the styrene ones found in the kits. [AM-48-125] – Has been designed for all kits of the AH-64A Apache and contains the M230 Chain gun barrels pitot probes and tail antenna. [AM-48-129] – This pack includes turned brass pitot tube and resin element for the ICM Mig 25 Foxbat kit. [AM-48-130] – This pack includes turned brass pitot tube for the Kitty Hawk Mig-25PD/PDS(Foxbat E) [AM-48-131] – This pack includes turned brass pitot tube and resin element for the AMK Mig-31 Foxhound Conclusion Master Models must have a tremendous machining set up to be able to produce so many different pitot probes and to produce them with such finesse. The always look great on the finished model. Review sample courtesy of Piotr at

A week on the bench and done. Not too much to say, a very quick and easy build. [/font]_zpsyclxwxva.jpg.html] As ever thanks for taking the time to look-in. Feel free to make any criticism, comment or ask any questions. More soon. Ian.

My third completed kit for 2017 (but started in late 2016) is the F4U-5 by Hobbyboss. I found the build to be fairly pleasant and easy. Fit was near perfect, but I used a lot of filler to even out the outer wing panels. Hobbyboss gives you fabric covered panels, but the -5 model had metal skinned wings. Hobbyboss did right on the rest of the kit though. Details throughout are nice, and I love the wingfold engineering. With a few simple parts, Hobbyboss gives you a sturdy, and busy looking folded wing. The flap actuators have to be cut to build the flaps down, but that was very easy. I also added harnesses made from tape and wire. I really wish the kit came with HVAR rockets. Painting was done mostly with Tamiya. The photos don't capture it, but I did a lot of clear coat effects with various levels of gloss to break up the solid wall of blue. Weathering was kept to a minimum, as this was not an aircraft that saw much combat. The markings are from VF-14 in 1952-1953, when they were on-board the USS Wasp and later the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt., both times in the Mediterranean Sea. I'm seeing conflicting info though, as some sources say that VF-14 flew the F4U-4 and not the -5. Sigh....it's only a model.

Hi again, recent completion number 2 from me! This time its the Airfix 1:48 Seafire Mk.XVII, finished as one of the box options, a plane from No 1832 Naval Air Squadron, RNAS Culham. The kit is a little bit chunky in places, closer to the standard of their Mk.XII than their most recent kits. I spent some time thinning various items such as the wing trailing edges, radiator housings and prop blades, which I think helped the overall look? I have seen comments elsewhere on this site about the prop blades being too narrow but in the end I went with what Airfix provided. Panel lines and cowl fasteners are a bit deep too so I tried putting a thick coat of primer on and rubbing it back to reduce this a bit. On the whole though it was still a nice straightforward build and i think it looks quite smart all together, I hadn't looked much at Seafires before this build but the lines of the Mk.XVII have really grown on me, with the short griffon nose, low back and large tail. Other additions were replacing the cowling scoop with thin sheet aluminium, the ends of the cannon with brass tube, drilling the exhausts out and adding a whip aerial from fusewire. Paints were Tamiya throughout and dark grey (which I thought looked a reasonable match for EDSG), also Alclad armoured glass for the windscreen insert and quarter panels. Finished with a light grey oil wash and light weathering, as with my Pr.XIX I thought they would have been fairly well looked after. As with my last build big thanks go to PeteW for the lovely photos, on with the pics and thanks for looking, Stu!

Hi All, Long time since I got anything finished and posted but here's the first of my 2 recent completions. Its Airfix's 1:48 Spitfire PR.XIX, finished as one of the box options, PS888 based at RAF Seletar in 1954. Theres not much I can say about the kit that hasn't already been said by others, it builds great from the box, nicely rendered detail and fit was good. The only additions I made were; a set of brass seatbelts by Lion Roar, replaced the solid moulded intake on top of the cowling with thin sheet aluminium, drilled out the exhausts and added a bit of fuse wire for the whip aerial. Paints were Xtracryics for the PRU blue and Tamiya for the rest. I finished her with a light oil wash and minimal weathering as I presumed they would have been kept fairly clean then dulled down with Xtracrylics matt varnish. All in all a very enjoyable build and I can definately see more of these in my future, quite keen to use it as a base to try one the many options I have seen on here to a Mk.XIV conversion. Hopefully if I do then someone will wake up and offer one straight from the box :)!! Last thing to say is a big thanks to PeteW for the lovely photos that show her off far better than my phone camera, thanks mate! Anyway on with the pics, thanks for looking and any C&CC always appreciated, thanks, Stu.

Kit - Kinetic 1:48 Paint - All enamels - AK Xtreme Metal, Tamiya & Xtracolour Decals - Kit Extras - Eduard Zoom set & Tamiya LAU-3 pods. Northrop F-5A 'Freedom Fighter' 522nd Squadron, 23rd Tactical Wing Tan Son Nhut AB Late 1967. Mostly the kit was an easy and rewarding build - I say mostly as the fit of the intakes was laughable, not so much as a gap at the rear, more of a 'yawning chasm' - however, I've wanted a 1:48 F-5 in this exact scheme since I saw a 1:72 model at the Nationals when it was held in Stoneleigh !!, yes I'm that patient. On the shelf it looks very comfortable alongside my other Vietnam builds. Would I build another ??, well probably a two-seater with a full load of three drop tanks like we used to see at the Mildenhall shows back in the day. Please feel free to ask any questions, make any comments or criticisms. AFN, next something in 1:72. Ian.

here is My current build, Academy F-4C , Robin Olds USAF markings. Box and parts plus two Eduard sets and Aires resin cockpit. First I started with armarment... ... than some cockpit details, (Aires resin is great) Here some estra paint work need to be done, ..and front wheel bay, still work in progress..

Kit - Hasegawa 1:48 Paint - All enamels Decals - Aeromaster & kit Extras - Ultracast resin seat. All major markings masked & sprayed. Mitsubishi A6M3 'Zero' Tainan Air Group Late 1942 Believe it or not, I started this way back in 2008 and almost immediately it took-up residence on the 'Shelf of Forgetfulness' until I rediscovered it a couple of weeks back. Please feel free to make any criticism, comment or ask any questions - before anyone posts it, I KNOW when I took the pics I hadn't painted the exhausts under the cowl - they're done now !! AFN Ian.

I'd like to present my Prowler, 1:48 scale from Italeri box. I added some PE of Eduard and modified one wing.

The 1980's produced some fine aircraft designs and this is one of those that went by the wayside. In an effort to improve the F-5 family and also generate a lightweight, agile and most importantly, cheap fighter aircraft, Northrop designed the F-20. The West required something akin to the Soviet MiG-21 i.e. mass-produced at low cost and could be thrown at an aggressor in sufficient numbers so as to not need to be "bleeding-edge high technology" but also "budget-blowing". However the F-20 WAS a high tech aircraft introducing computer technology, HOTAS, electro wizardry, etc, etc. Subsequently its real competition was the F-16, from where its engine originated. The initial production order was from Bahrain. In this “whiff”, additional orders were placed by Singapore, Brasil, Taiwan, Australia, USN and the RNZAF, enabling it to actually go into production and enter service. This being an operational example based out of Ohakea in the attack/fighter role in a similar manner to the A-4K Skyhawk filled. The Euro 1 scheme is a homage to that worn by Scooters of that era. Introducing the FA-20K Tigershark. 20170119_164840-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr 20170119_164644-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr 20170119_164547-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr 20170119_164602-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr 20170119_165159-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr 20170119_164712-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr 20170119_164804-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr Underway... 20170116_133902-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr 20170116_133812-1 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr It is nice to see thought put into those who want to open up panels (gunbay here) and find the inside of the mouldings already done on the inside of the access doors. Really intelligent design! 20170102_121509 by Arthur Dent, on Flickr I'm really quite surprised with my first experience with a new model company. Freedom Models have done themselves proud with this kit. The fit has been exceptional and I have used a pin-head amount of filler on the entire build! It is that good! Two small issues that I would have to note. First, the lack of seatbelts on the ejection seat. These could be moulded in (like an Aries unit, which I prefer) or with photo etch. Second is the fins on the smaller droptanks. These are simple rectangular "blocks" which have not been shaped into aerofoils. Perhaps the designer went off for lunch and forgot when returning? These are the only points I would raise. Everything else has been a complete joy to encounter and has kept me interested from the start (1 January) until now. Hopefully you enjoy. Right. That's probably going to make the rest of my year very quiet, with attempting to get the P-61 completed, then on to the Airfix Buccaneer. Images copyright of the owner.

I know I received this for an Christmas present last year but I can't for the life of me remember when I started building this and why I stopped. Anyway when I was going through the stash recently I rediscovered this: http:// http:// http:// http:// I have come away for New Year and negotiated some car space and time to try and move this on. The first session was this afternoon which I will post in a short while. All comments very welcome. Cheers Dave

When I built my Air-Sea Rescue Avro Anson last year as part of the "Aircraft my Father fixed" series, I did a lot of research on the underwing dinghy stores that it was supposed to have carried. Lacking any definitive pictures of the Anson so equipped I relied upon some photos of Lysanders with pylon equipped dinghy stores. It seemed an obvious extension to then get hold of a Lysander and build one equipped the same way! So I did... I managed to get hold od an old Testors/Hawk kit: Which, although basic was IMO good enough for what I wanted to do. Elsewhere on this forum you'll find a quite awesome upgrade of this kit from hendie over here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235001898-148-lysander-mk-ii-1960s-hawk-version-can-i-have-a-transfer-please-bob I can't hope to match that level of craftsmanship, but here is my little contribution to the subject. I replaced the figures in the kit with one from PJ Productions for the pilot and another from the spares box for the gunner. The dinghy stores were scratch built. I opened up the landing lights forward of the wheels and capped them with some shaped acrylic rod. and I replaced the propellor with a photoetch prop-blur to add some visual interest. So here it is... I can't say its one of my best, but after the stress of the Oil Platform and Eagle Transporter builds over the summer leading up to Telford, it was nice to get back to something simple and pleasing!

Hi, some of you may have seen them in Telford, now my new T-38 wheel sets are ready to order through my web shop as well. I've made two separate sets, an early and a late type, the early is applicable for T-38A's (through to the 80's), the late to more recent T-38A's and the newer T-38C's. Both are mainly designed for the Wolfpack kit, but may fit (or adjusted to) other kits. Dimensions true to scale and detail is extremely fine, especially on the brake assemblies. The early type set: The late type set: Both types of nose wheels are included in each set: Many thanks Jeffrey

I realised that I've been lazy in sharing my builds on Britmodeller, so thought I'd add my next one to the forums. Then I stumble in here and discover this group build, which fits perfectly a kit I have in mind to finish. The kit is a Monogram 1:48 Black Widow. The kit itself was purchased in the 80s and I started work on it some 20 years back, only to give up on it and consign the box to my stash. I've pulled it out quite a few times but never really got the urge until now to have a go at it. What greeted me in the box was a somewhat assembled fuselage, an interior coated with lashings of zinc chromate and the usual horrible glossy monogram decals. First task will be to dis-assemble most of the parts and start over with the interior paint job, and proceed from there. If I can finally finish this one I'll be a happy man. Wish me luck!

Albatros D.III Eduard 1:48 Weekend edition The line of Albatros 'D' fighters began in 1916 with the D.1, which represented a great step forward in German fighter design. It featured a streamlined semi monocoque plywood fuselage and synchronised twin Spandau machine guns. Quickly revised into the D.II variant, with the top wing lowered to improve visibility from the cockpit. Both featured wide chord wings of similar planform. The next revision was the D.III, which was influenced by the highly manoeuvrable Nieuport 11 French fighter, with it's sesquiplane wings. The fuselage was pretty much the same as the D.II, but the lower wing was of much reduced chord and noticeably much smaller than the top wing, which were connected with 'V' struts. Although this arrangement provided the desired increase in manoeuvrability, the lower wing was fitted with only a single spar. This was not really substantial enough and remained a weak point right through to the later D.V. The aircraft had a frightening tendency to shed it's lower wings under heavy loadings such as in a dive. Another problem was the radiator mounted centrally in the top wing, connected to the engine by pipework. One bullet hole could release a stream of scalding water into the pilots face, so it was offset to the right on later production variants, and many were converted in the field. However the aircraft was the mainstay of the German air force throughout 1917, largely contributing to 'Bloody April' of that year when their allied opponents suffered dreadful losses. The Kit. Eduards kit has been released before in various boxings and it is nice to see it available once again. The mouldings remain as crisp as ever and show no signs of wear, although the plastic has been changed from Eduard's old style sandy/olive colour to the more usual grey. Two sprues contain all the plastic parts, but as this is a 'Weekend' version no etch is supplied. A nice touch is that Eduard provide two complete upper wings, one with the central radiator, the other with it offset. The two colour schemes in this release both require the central version. Also on the sprues is an optional OAW style fin and rudder, but again this is not required here For a small model, and impressive amount of interior detail is provided, covering just about every item that was fitted in the real thing. The lack of etch means that no seat belts are there, but a set is provided on the decal sheet. Likewise the twin Spandau's are solid items without the etched jackets. This is not a problem if you have any of Eduard's separately available generic sets, or there is a specific set for this aircraft (Cat no FE793). Alternatively there is a Profipack version of the kit which also contains it. The Mercedes D.IIIa engine is a little beauty, simple but accurate, and provides the basis for superdetailers to go to work on. Tucked inside the close fitting cowlings I suspect most modellers will be happy as is, unless you decide to model the Richthofen version with cowlings off, as shown in the painting guide. Note that the instructions do not mention removing these, and they are moulded integrally with fuselage. But anyway, it would be perfectly valid to build Richthofen's version with them on. The only suggestion I would make concerns the wheels. On my first kits built some 10-15 years ago, I felt that they look a little on the small side. Comparing them with the wheels in Eduard's Albatros D.Va kit shows the difference. Aftermarket wheels have been available, or if you happen to have any Eduard's Fokker D.VII kits, they come with 2 sets of wheels so you can make use of the spare ones. It may require some simple mods to the valve covers (or not), depending upon which ones you use, and which D.III you are making. It's up to you, but I include a comparison of my model of Herman Frommherz's 'Blau Maus' with the kit wheels, and Voss's 'Red Heart' where I substituted some Fokker D.VII wheels. Options A.) Leutnant Werner Voss, Jasta 2, Proville, France. May 1917 B. Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen, Jasta 11, Harelbeke, Belgium. June 1917. Decals are clear and sharp with good colours. They look like Eduard's own production, which have always been excellent in use. Fine details are provided, such as instruments, serial numbers that were stencilled on struts & undercarriage legs, and some very nice little Albatros logos for the rudder. Having built several of these over the years I can confirm that it goes together very well, with precise fit and no real problems. The lower wings require care in fitting, as each side is separate and has a pair of little lugs that fit into corresponding holes in the fuselage. If you have got a few biplane builds under your belt, this one should present no problems and makes into a little gem of a model. I built a previous release of the same kit about 12 years ago; Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hello, Someone asked me to detail the steps to modify the Eduard Mirage IIIC undercarriage legs to achieve a proper sit of the plane. Here you are . The Eduard kit : As said, it was acclaimed when released, setting a new “modern” standard for the Mirage IIIC in 1:48 scale. Yes, indeed; but fit is ranging from bad to terrible, in the windshield area (a common weakness of Mirage kits, Heller has this issue as well), the air intake area and wing to fuselage upper wings seams. But the most outstanding issue (at least to us frog-eaters Mirage buffs) is the kit kit long legs, giving a “Missus is on 2.5 inches stilettoes” stance to the plane. That came out of the Eduard team coming to France to measure the real McCoy in a museum, which was a real smart move of the design team. Even the best led plans can fail and as goes the saying devil is in details … Quite a big detail in fact, as the museum bird as no engine installed and no radar, hence the oleos were in full extended position. Oops ! To a profane eye, indeed that’s not obvious, once fit issues are overcomed, with a good paint job, she’s a beaut ! (let’s be clear, the Mirage III is the sexiest jet of the early 60ies !!!) How to fix that issue : Main landig gear legs needs to be shortened by a good 3,5 mm by cutting immediately above the compass and removing plastic from the remaining leg. You then add a section of paper clip to strengthen things a bit, a quick drop of CA glue, sand round once dry and you’re done. Pics : Main UC comparison : grey one Eduard, silver ones Hobby Boss. Measure thrice, cut once ! :) Eduard legs cutted to good length and paperclip section inserted The front leg is a bit trickier. The pivot is on the wheel arms axle, so you need to assemble the whole U/C leg and then have the arms cleanly sawed off. Just close the angle to obtain the proper look. Next, on side view, the front leg have a slight rearward slant; to achieve that you need to reduce the length of the retraction rod. Pics : One can see the fully extended front leg Here are the cuts that need to be done on the wheel "arms" ... and the retarcting rod is shortened Front leg reassembled Et voilà, you’re done, one properly sitting Mirage on your shelve ! :). Pics : Proper angle and proper slant, yippeeee ! Should you like to see the complete building album, it's here : Mirage build ++Hope this little summary was useful, and if it's placed in the wonrg section, please, Boss, feel free to move it where it should belong Best, Stéphane

Hello gang, Still in my Mirage sery, this one is the Eduard kit. It's an harder built than the Hobby Boss kit of my last effort, fit is ranging from bad to terrible, especially around the windshield area. Another noticeable flaw of the kit is that it's very long legged. Measurements were taken on a museum machine, with no engine, hence the oleo were fully extended. I had to cut a good 3,5 mm from the main legs and close the angle of the front LG wheel arm. Still, the plan is still having a high sit, with rear-up stance. Paints are Gunze acryls, which a re a bit too light, too pastel. Another issue is the Pitot probe, which need to be properly cut and repositionned. As usual your comms and critics are most welcome and seeked. I hope you'll like her. Best, Stef (#6) On to the the piccies

Most of my model kit I have built only with a foto copy of this type. Some times ago I get the kit from MODELSVIT in scale 1:48, a Yak-1 early series. I was happy by first look and also to I have had a opinion that will be not a problem to find some interesting foto copies. This is the first Yak-1 in scale 1/48 I have now in my collection, only for 21€uro incl. post fee.

Hello Guys, I hope you enjoy the pictures of my F-16 from Spangdahlem - Germany. The kit is from Tamiya and I used some aftermarket stuff to get the best results.

So good friends bought me this for Christmas last year, and I have been saving it for a good period of leave. I have never made an Eduard kit before. I wont say it was easy, some of the parts were pretty fiddly, but it was very satisfying. The kit comes with huge range of markings (31 in all). I settled on a bare metal scheme, as I have always wanted to do a Spitfire this way. I chose A58-379 flown by F/L David Glaser, 549 Squadron RAF based at Strauss Airstrip south of Darwin in September 1944. The main scheme came from a Tamiya rattle can (TS17 Gloss Aluminium), with all other detail painting being done with brush painted Tamiya Acrylics. I made her a little dirt with some watercolours (but hopefully not too dirty), sealed that in with Humbrol Mattcote and then wiped on a thin coat of floor polish to give slight sheen (it seems F/L Glaser's ground crew kept his aircraft polished, I thought a full gloss finish though would be too much). Many thanks for looking. And here are a few pictures taken during the build:

Kit - Hobbyboss 1:48 Paint - All enamels Decals - CAM (Squadron markings), Aeromaster (all stencils) Extras - Quickboost resin seat, Weapons from Hasegawa weapons set & spares box. McDD F/A-18A Hornet VFA-15 'Valions' USS John F. Kennedy 1991 Built for the 'Desert Storm' Campaign/GB over at Modellers Alliance. Thoroughly enjoyed this kit but surprised at 'generic' cockpit details and total lack of transparencies for nav & formation lights - very odd. Exceptionally detailed landing gear which surprisingly dropped in to position without a fuss. No not as well fitting as the Hasegawa kit but not nearly as expensive either. Please feel free to make any comments, criticisms or ask any questions. Ian.