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The RAAF is replacing their AP-3C(EW)s in the next year or so with a new fit-for-purpose ELINT platform based on the Gulfstream G550, a number of air arms operate EW and AEW variants based on the G550 including Israel, Italy, and Singapore. I am slowly modifying a Sova M Shavit kit as an MC-55A, it is the kit that is closest in configuration to the proposed MC-55A So on to the build, I started with some quick assembly of the wing and rear fuselage Some mocking up with my yet-to-be-finished GIV I moved on to sorting out the tail area and cockpit, I wasn't sure how to tackle it and then decided Milliput was the way to go. A few sessions refining the shape then occurred. Initially, it was too long and it was shortened by about 5mm, and the shape of the tip refined. It still needs some filling and possible further refinement. The cockpit was straightforward with some nice detail. The paint stage has now commenced on the cockpit as well. And how it looks taped up with the new tail section.

Gidday All, Earlier this year for the Falklands 40th Anniversary GB I commenced a model of HMS Glamorgan, converting an Airfix HMS Devonshire kit to do so. But as the GB is now well and truly over I've decided to continue the build here. But firstly I wish to say a big THANK YOU to @Enzo Matrix for running the Group Build. I won't repeat the trials and tribulations of the build to date, the build thread up to this point is below if you wish to see it:- https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235108448-hms-glamorgan/ Here is the state of the model now. With the exception of the turret and the large Type 901 radar mounted at the rear of the aft superstructure everything on the model is now fixed. About the only items I haven't modified or replaced are the rudders, the Exocet tubes, the whaleboat and that small radar scanner next to it. I scratch built the entire forward superstructure (except the fwd funnel) and modified the aft superstructure. On the wood block in the foreground I modified the three launches and davits (there's eight in total) and I scratch built everything else - the Exocet blast deflectors, bridge wings, foremast, double bedstead radar, SCOT domes, the gunnery and Seacat directors, the screws and quite a bit of extra stuff already on the model. I've still got to make the two 20mm Oerlikons, two Seacat launchers, two Corvus chaff chuckers, bollards and fairleads, the Seaslug launcher, finish the masts and busy her up a bit. Still quite a bit to do. So that's it for now. Stay safe, and regards to all, Jeff.

I managed to pick up Resicast’s Sherman BARV conversion for Tasca’s sherman III. While i have the base kit needed in the stash, I dont want to sacrifice a great kit for this build if necessary due to minimal use of parts. A quesion for the shermanholics out there, can I use Tamiya’s M4 Sherman Early Production kit 35190 as a base donor kit? No engine hatches or the rear deck/hull will be exposed as seen in the images below. https://www.ultracast.ca/Resicast-351126-Sherman-BARV-Conversion-for-TASC-p/res35.1126.htm

I've not done historical models for a long time, mainly doing fantasy and sci-fi stuff for various RPGs and table-tops over the past 25 years. But recently I've decided to do a naval diorama, you can see my thread on that here : I need a merchant ship for this, but there's not many kits available. So I need to convert the Trumpeter 1/350 liberty ship to the older "Sunderland Steamer" class, this was the design used as the basis for the much more numerous and famous Liberty, Victory and Park classes mass produced during the war. As a pre-war merchant vessel "class" there's no real single design for these. Four holds, central boiler and turbines. Super structures varied but mainly had the bridge forward of the funnel and passenger accommodation. I've decided this will be an unspecified vessel of the Blue Funnel line in late '41, she's seen multiple North Atlantic convoys and is now en-route to the Pacific. She has been DEMS armed but not fully re-painted from her line colours, this seems to have been not un-common for lines that had colours which pretty matched the Admiralty rules for north Atlantic convoys. You can see my research and decisions in the thread above.

I acquired the PM Model Spitfire Floatplane kit and planned to build it. That decision didn't survive the first hour... the kit is crude and lacks any detail, it also looks undersized when compared to a completed 1/72 scale Spitfire in my collection. My first thought was to use the new Airfix Vc as a basis, then looking at my books I realised that the only Mk IX version, MJ892, might be more interesting. I will use the floats and rudder / under fin from the PM kit, the rest will be the Airfix Mk IX. Colours will be standard grey/green as the aircraft flew in 1944, but the question is the undersurface. There are few photos, but IWM HU 1675 shows the aircraft clearly with a yellow P in a circle between roundel and tailplane, and the tone of the P matches the underside colour on the lower fuselage. So I'm going for Yellow.... More as it happens...

Hello fellow modellers. I have a plan, to build a breakdown lorry for a 1960s garage; in a rural or edge of town diorama that I am constructing. Having done some searches, as to what kits could match a British breakdown lorry for this setting, this ex-WD Chevrolet CMP vehicle came up, although, this version might be better suited. source photo: @richellis I have managed to source this kit, which is by IBG Models, as it looks fairly close to the vehicle I wish to build. Obviously, there would be a fair amount of conversion work to be done here and, as I know next to nothing about vehicles, this is going to be quite a challenge. Now, for a little apology. I was so keen to get started on this that I forgot to take any startup photos. By the time I had realised, the chassis was fairly advanced in construction. I hope to provide better updates in future! I have a query, as I could do with some help with the crane unit for the back of the vehicle. Does anyone have the Emhar 1:24 scale Bedford recovery truck kit? I could do with getting measurements of the crane that comes with the kit, in order that I could scratchbuild one to 1:35 scale for this build. Can anyone help please? cheers, Mike

Although I love building German aircraft I try not to do Swastikas so in looking for a suitable scheme I came up with various Do17Ka’s or A Hungarian Do 215. Both require a conversion. So I’ve decided to go for the Ka-1, which only needs the main canopy and nose changed. First off a comparison to scale plans. Actually pretty good, the leading edges of the horizontal tail needs reshaping but other than the new nose a good match. Next up a little surgery

Having gotten the Titanic for Christmas and not being too keen on modelling a subject that so many lost their lives on ( generally I don’t like to model subjects where I know someone died). I’m going to convert the kit to the Olympic, the only one of the White star trio to have a long career before being scrapped in the thirties. With the added distinction of having sunk a German submarine. I’m going for the Dazzle camouflage the Olympic wore while serving as a troop transport. Sprues. Even with the small scale it’s a fairly large kit. Step one will be to figure out the best way to modify the A Deck ( the most obvious difference between the two ships) then get a proper handle on the rest of the modifications needed.

An update with figures included and additional pre-diorama weathering... Just completed a Horch conversion to depict Rommel's Kfz. 21 used in North Africa. It was based on an Italeri Horch. I used the Plus Model conversion but this needed converting itself as Rommel's car had some differences to the interior and exterior. The only other example I have seen of this conversion is in Landscapes of War, Vol. II, but this vehicle is incorrect in some areas, such as the jerry can position on each side. The original vehicle was found and has been restored. This link tells the story - https://www.erwinrommel.info/headquarter-vehicles Here are a few of the references I used... The model, which is for a diorama with figures under construction...

Here are some photos of the finished build.

Well, time for the usual year-end roundup. 2021 has been an odd year, but I got some more done: First up, the 1/72 F4H-1 Phantom Prototype conversion, using no aftermarket parts: A few challenges, but worth it. For those interested, more pics HERE which will then link to the build thread proper. Same process will be repeated for all the models... Next up, the Curtiss A-18 Shrike resin build: More pics HERE Next, the F3H-1N DEMON conversion: More pics HERE Next, the Lockheed YF-97/YF-94C kitbash/conversion: More pics HERE Next up, the diminutive XF-85 Goblin: Build thread HERE Next, Lt Guy Bordelon's F4U-5N Corsair night fighter, all gussied up with aftermarket goodies: More pics h Next, LF Model P-30 resin kit: More pics HERE Next the P-26 Peashooter, also all gussied up with aftermarket: More pics HERE Next up the Lockheed YF-94D conversion, my personal favorite: More pics HERE Next, the Lockheed T-33 Twin-Tail conversion, also called the TV-2: Build thread HERE Next the Platz Shiny T-33 squadron hack: ore pics HERE Next up, the resin Consolidated TBY-2 Sea Wolf: More pics HERE And finally, the last and most difficult of the year, the Lockheed XP-80 conversion in the garb of it's initial flight: More pics HERE All in all, a challenging but rewarding year, whittling down the bucket list a bit! Thanks for looking and a great New Year to everyone! Ed

Well guys, I'm breaking one of my own self imposed rules, which is to start a new project before the current project is done. My other project is nearly done, it's a dio, but it still has lots of small steps to go, but they are more about painting and so on, than actually building anything. So, a guy decided it was time to get going on something new. Some of you might remember this rig, as I posted it in the "spot of the day" section a few months ago, it's a 1941 Chevrolet Canopy Express, and as I have come to learn, it's something of a rarity: Quite an interesting truck, which I was otherwise not aware of - my dad told me that as a kid in San Francisco, he remembers produce men traveling through his neighborhood in these, selling produce, and, that scavengers would come by in them calling for "bottles cans and rags!" - remember this was wartime. But this truck is parked in my nhood. In order to learn more, I did some research and found: I discovered that while not common, this was a rig you could buy from a dealer. I also figured out that these were built over the course of several years - note the headlights, with older versions mounted on top of the fenders, and newer integrated into the fender, which as it turns out, my local version has. And, my interest is to build and modify this somehow - specifically into an off-road capable truck: None of the above are what I want to build - If I wanted the LRDG version I'd get the Tamiya 1/35 version, and the regular 4x4 conversion doesn't interest me - as I've built these before. So, looking for a new challenge, I decided on a rock crawler, with a Chevy LS3 engine, inspired by these (note the Corvair Station wagon conversion): What's not easy to discern about these trucks is how the suspension works. Some of them have traditional leaf springs (you can see U bolts in some pictures), while others have front and rear four link systems, which is what I will build. The four link system allows for quite a lot of vertical travel on the axles, while the frame sits relatively flat, and you won't have leaf springs to invert or pull off the chassis. Now, on to the model: Of course, I could find a 1941 Chevy pickup, but only a 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery - so for starters, merge the two and make a Canopy Express truck: Of course, that's easier said than done. While much of the geometry is similar, much of it isn't. The biggest problem being where the roof (s) come together, as illustrated in the area with the red dashed circle. The roof on the pickup truck cab, curves downward toward the rear, where the panel sweeps from the windshield toward the rear. So, I decided to notch the two together, first tho the two kits: Again, some things appear to match, others don't. The plan was to cut behind the yellow tape on the cab, then once to the roof, cut forward and over to accept the Ford body. So, a guy took out the razor saw and knife, and went about the conversion: At first glance, this looks a bit horrific - note the less than perfect shape of the "shoulders" of the two bodies and gaps. So, in went some evergreen plastic, and lots of filing followed: For relative brevity, above you can see three key steps to this. On the lower right plastic plus putty, the lower left, adding primer and more putty, and the upper right, starting the rework of the rear fenders. Oh - a couple of other key points, obviously, the Canopy Express opening is added, and importantly, various strips of body trim and drip line - added before the putty work began. I did this so that I could get the the pieces to attach firmly, before the sanding, filing and so on associated with the body work. Still plenty to do, but the toughest parts are almost behind me. This work is slow going, so while I was waiting for glue and putty to dry, I began thinking more about the suspension and engine: The photos above (screen shots from the Fab Rats youtube channel) illustrate what I want to do with this project. Staring in the upper right you can see he added a Chevrolet LS engine to a Toyota FJ 45 - and the rest you can see the front and rear four link setup. To be clear, these are not big monster trucks - and are purpose built 4x4s. I admire this guy's work, so much so that it inspired me to give it a go. I'm only at very early stages with the suspension and running gear. I will cut down a Ford Longbed F100 chassis, add the LS3 engine, and build the suspension. For now only a truss added to a Dana 44 front axle: That axle has a long long way to go. The peripheral photos represent what is still to come. I'll add mounting tabs for the links, towers for Ori struts, and workable (posable) steering knuckles and links. And on we go..... So, thanks for having a look - I'm looking forward to this project - Cheers Nick

So for my first (kind of) build since I moved to uni accommodation and started using my much reduced models setup here, it'll be a Vulcan B1 of course. If you've seen my Mk1 Vulcan threads before you'll probably know that there is no available kit of any Mk1 Vulcan, only 1950s kits that are long since OOP and not remotely accurate, so the only option is to convert. Despite it being my favourite variant, the standard Vulcan B1 is one of the few missing from my collection (I do have a couple of vintage Frog kits but neither are completed). Of the 45 Mk1 Vulcans, 40 were initially built as standard B1s with the Phase 2 kinked wing (the first 5 were initially fitted with the original pure delta and at least three of those were refitted with the Phase 2 wing's leading edge). It is this variant which I will be building. It'll be quite an extensive task to convert this 1/200 scale Cyberhobby Vulcan B2 to a B1, but I'm confident I can manage it. I made a model of the prototype B1a (an ecm upgrade on the B1) a few months ago, now one of my favourite models in my collection. This will be a fairly similar conversion with the main difference being in the tail, I'll have to remove the ECM tail and build a new one, which also means I need to extend the rudder, but I'll get to that later. Anyway, I started with just marking out where I need to cut the wing to hack out the rough shape of the Phase 2 wing from the B2's larger Phase 2C wing. You can see just how much is to be removed. Chop! Now we have a much slimmer Vulcan Chop! More bits chopped off... and half a Blue Steel Missile? A surprisingly useful basis around which to build a new tailcone. By cutting off the fins and most of one half of the missile, it fits perfectly in the inside of the upper half once the ECM tail has been removed. Milliput will be used to make the new original tailcone. But first I'll need to work on refining the shape of the wing. I will be painting this in the original white scheme with full shade markings, possibly as XH481 which carried very few if any Sqn markings at one point. A list of tasks to do in this conversion: Cut wing shape - done Refine wing shape and smooth out leading edge - Remove all B2 specific panel lines - Rescribe control surfaces - Maybe rescribe wing panel lines (probably not) - Build new tailcone - in progress Extend rudder - Remove TFR from nose - Shorten jetpipes - Replace landing gear (unlikely, probably going gear up) - Remove air scoops from under the engines - Add air scoop for bomb bay cooling Fill the holes meant for attaching pitots and other aerials - Make the intakes narrower - not worth it in this scale

All: finally over to RFI! Here's a kit-bash for you. I reverted the JB Models tactical aircraft refueler to its original civilian status with some drastic alterations, and used bits from both of Airfix's WWII airfield refuelers to fashion the trailer. To get the tires to be in scale, I used ROCO's 1/87 heavy rig wheel/tire set.

Hi everyone, the glue's still drying on this but it's finished. 1/32 Revell Mosquito B.IV (the ancient 1970s kit) resurrected and converted to an FB.VI using Grey Matter nose conversion, AMS resin slipper tanks, Special Hobby RP-3 rockets, Master .303 guns, Quickboost exhaust pipes and decals from Aviaeology and Xtradecal. Paints were all Gunze Mr Color lacquers for the camouflage, interior mostly MRP lacquer. Base was built by me from some offcut wood and a carbon fibre rod. Spinning props were made from the kit spinners, clear acetate sectors cut using a rotary cutter and painted with thinned Colourcoats enamel. Canopy was adapted from the kit B.IV canopy using more of the same acetate sheet and Tamiya tape strips. The Grey Matter nose was a very nice piece and fit quite well. the gun camera port needed to be drilled with a Dremel. The kit stands up pretty well despite being older than me, it just needs some help It's just a beautiful aircraft - I've already got the HK Models B.XVI to build as a photo-recce, and I'm saving up for the Tamiya FB.VI because I need more Mossies in my life! Anyway, one more! Here's the build thread which might inspire anyone else to try this conversion: Hope you like viewing it as much as I enjoyed building it! All the best, Alan

Here's my 1/144 Zvezda Ilyushin Il-76, converted to an Il-76LL engine testbed. The test engine is the Aviadvigatel PD-14 intended for the Irkut MC-21 and was 3D printed and decals for the Gromov Flight Research Institute were custom printed. You don't seem to see a lot of the Zvezda Il-76 kits built which is a shame, it's an interesting aircraft. I've seen others comment that it's over-engineered - perhaps it's not as simple as many 1/144 kits, but it's a nice kit and I enjoyed it. Build thread is here. I have another Il-76MD kit and a Beriev A-50 in the stash. Might have to have a go at an Il-976SKIP next. thanks for looking Julian

I came across an interesting paper project in a book I was reading last week on German supersonic research. Apparently In 1943 the RLM asked Messerschmitt if a single jet engined me 109 was feasible, some discussion must have taken place but Messerschmitt chose not to pursue it favouring the P1101 instead. Focke Wulf pursued the idea as the Project I but it was eventually canned as the Technisce Amt didn’t think the concept was practical, ironically the Soviets used it in the Yak 15. So basically a 109G6 with a 262 nacelle ( I happen to have two in the spares box) a new nose and wing centre section. As it would have been a 1943/44 project I’ll base it in a Hasegaea G6. More to follow.

I came across an interesting paper project in a book I was reading last week on German supersonic research. Apparently In 1943 the RLM asked Messerschmitt if a single jet engined me 109 was feasible, some discussion must have taken place but Messerschmitt chose not to pursue it favouring the P1101 instead. Focke Wulf pursued the idea as the Project I but it was eventually canned as the Technisce Amt didn’t think the concept was practical, ironically the Soviets used it in the Yak 15. So basically a 109G6 with a 262 nacelle ( I happen to have two in the spares box) a new nose and wing centre section. As it would have been a 1943/44 project I’ll base it in a Hasegaea G6. More to follow.

Now that construction of the FROG Bristol 138A has completed and she is being prepared for her colors, I decided to start another project while I wait for my basement to become available for spray painting again. Recently, I have taken something of an interest in the British Airspeed Company - some of you will know I am searching for a kit of an AS.5 Courier. A few months ago, I purchased the FROG kit of the Oxford, as well as Print Scale Decals with which I intended to build an early Indian Air Force aircraft. On inspecting the decals, the Indian roundels and tail flashes were either poorly printed or seemed to have been poked with a needle, so this was a non-option. Then, yesterday I came across this image - It's a photo of an Airspeed Consul, a post-war, nominally civilian airliner version of the Oxford. Some, however, were refitted with military equipment and sold abroad to several nations including Israel and the Union of Burma. The aircraft in the photo is one of the latter air-forces birds, and is outfitted with the Oxford Mk.1 / Anson style Turret, Machine Gun Pods, and what I believe are 25 or 60 pound rockets. In the background is an Avro Ashton, an interesting aircraft itself. Immediately I knew what I wanted to model. The Print Scale sheet also includes Burmese roundels and serials, and my aircraft will be UB345. The only thing I need is the larger UB codes for the underside of the wings. At first, I was worried about how I would obtain a turret, but then I remembered that I had a spare one left over from a failed attempt at building the Airfix Anson. Using this, I cut out a hole on top of the fuselage. Then, I found an even better solution - the Tasman Models Oxford / Anson turret update set. Now, my model budget for the summer was supposed to have been used up, but I knew I would kick myself if the set got away, so I purchased one. It should be here in 3 to 5 weeks, but considering both of my last 2 packages from down under were both rejected by customs and had to be sent twice, there is a chance they'll instead make for a pleasant Christmas gift! As a bonus, I'll be able to use the second turret for another Airspeed project I have planned, and the engine and other parts will be used for the second Anson in my stash. Right then, how's the progress so far? Some of you well know how barren the inside of the FROG kit is - a (too small) floor with 2 seats and 2 pilots. That's it, and of course, that wouldn't do. So I looked up @Heather Kay's build of the Pavla Oxford and used sheet plastic and rod to add a floor, framing, instrument panel, and bulkheads. The original seats were used, as well as a spare from the bin. The left-side door was cut out, and a replacement was scratched. Finally, new props were taken from a Heller DH.89, and gun pods were sourced from a Heller Texan. These will be trimmed down and the twin barrels replaced with a single one later. There is still quite a bit to add to the interior before I dare start painting, including more framing, a raised floor beneath the turret, a control stick, belts, and likely more. On the outside, I'll need to source or produce additional intakes on the bottom of the cowlings, better wheels, and the rockets. On the topic of the rockets, does anyone have any recommendations? I was thinking about using spare rockets from a Tamiya Mosquito, but I'm open to other (likely better) ideas. That's all for the moment. Thanks, Tweener

The Nene Meteor was one of the most highly modified of all the test and trials aircraft as it had an F4 style nose, F8 style tail and in addition to the PR10 style long span wings, an increase in the span inboard of the huge nacelles, giving it the longest span of all Meteors. The Nene engines were mounted forward of the wing and modified to enable some thrust to be diverted downwards through a separate jetpipe under the nacelle. It was used for trials into reducing the stalling speed., with only a 10 knot reduction being the best achieved. The model was produced using left over parts from some of my other Meteor conversions and consists of a Frog F4 fuselage, Matchbox NF11 fin/tailplane and wings, together with scratchbuilt nacelles and additional fins. The markings are home printed. Thanks for looking. Steve

So the second of my bookends a G series converted to a Buchon the last 109 variant to be manufactured as late as 1954. Haven’t decided on my intended victim yet, it’ll either be an italeri or a Hasegawa G-6 or possibly a mistercraft G2 or if they turn up a KP S199 which are in the post. More to follow.

Let’s start at the very beginning ( hmm sounds like a cheesy song) I have eleven 1/72 109s to build for the GB so I’ve decided to build two bookends so to speak, V1 the first 109 and a Buchon the last to be built and operated by an airforce. I’ll be basing this on an Airfix E ( the closest airframe in the stash) it’ll need a new nose, canopy and sometimes mods to the oil coolers and small detail. More to follow.

Good day, colleagues. I present to you for review the conversion of the BT-7 from Tamiya with the use of the tower from the КомплектЗип - BT-7A artillery support tank. Out of box build with small cosmetic modifications and a pickled anti-aircraft turret from a microdesign There is no prototype, it turned out to be a collective image of the tank. The tanker is assembled according to the principle "I made it out of what was there" Coloring - Gunze and everything Oils and Pigments-AK and Co. Enjoy your viewing, thank you for your attention!

XA897 of 230 Operational Conversion Unit circa 1956 at RAF Waddington.

@TimLucas kindly supplied me some mirrors after I accidentally threw mine away in a tidy up (yes, I know) so can now publish the finished conversion of the Revell Mk 2 rally Escort into a 1.1 base model. This took a lot of work and involved scratch building most of the engine - you can see what was involved in the build thread I have noticed after taking the pictures that the bonnet isn't on quite tidy in some of them but I had already packed it away and couldn't face getting it out again - it does sit properly normally! Last few pictures show it sitting with some VW contemporaries that I built during the first lock down, showing how dated the Ford was getting by that point. Hope you like it - similar treatment to a Mk1 Escort may follow at some point! Chris \