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  1. MIG-21 PFS, 1/72. Kitbash from two Eduard kits: - fuselage and canopy from PF kit; - tail is a mix of the two - mostly PF with lower part removed and replaced by parachute container from PFM; - wings and almost all the rest - PFM. Eduard resin cockpit (PF), resin engine, modified MF resin speedbrakes, resin missiles (R-3S). Small alterations to jetpipe cone (thinned walls, added internal structure). Roundels and fin flash from PFM Profipack kit, tactical number airbrushed with homemade viny masks. All comments are welcomed, Iulian work on the specific PFS Tail detailing the jetpipe Eduard resin engine
  2. I am a late starter for the GB as I could not decide on my build. So here it is The box contains two kits, one part started and the other untouched, I may do both if I have the space. As you can see I have decals for both QANTAS and the RAAF. I also have another QANTAS sheet for the later ochre cheatline scheme which I am tending towards.
  3. With the Fokker in its later phase, it's time to look at a second build for this GB. After getting clearance from the group admin, I've opted for doing another float plane (as I have a few), a Savoia-Matchetti S.55 torpedo bomber of the RAI in 1/72 using the Dora Wings kit. In my view, this aircraft fitted nicely into the 'twins' GB nicely, it had twin hulls, twin booms and twin engines, the only question was whether it fitted into the 1935-1945 window but after looking at reference, it looks like these aircraft were in their endgame from 1935 and consigned to reserve by 1939. The stuff... The box Lots of plastic Glazing, decals, PE and resin engines. Glossy instruction booklet Never built anything from this manufacturer before so it will be interesting to see how this goes. I do have a civilian version of this also in the stash , so this'll be a pathfinder. I'll start this as soon as the Fokker is all but done, so shouldn't be too long. Stuart
  4. Found while searching my stash for Tigers, I had completely forgotten buying this. Haven’t decided on a scheme yet but (if applicable) I fancy something in camo not another NMF.
  5. I was initially going to treat this as a stretch goal, but with the new Airfix range imminent I decided the wisest course of action was to build it rather than risk returning it to the shed. I need that space for a couple of newly tooled 1/72 Javelins! I’d wanted an Axis twin to accompany the Mitchell, and this was an immediate draw when I saw it on the shelf. The box art looks fantastic and I was ready to build that one, but then read the blurb on the colour guide for the other scheme. I tend to search out ANZAC subjects whenever I can, and this one ended up in Canberra, after surrendering at Fassberg, in The Netherlands. There’s an excellent overview here, including photographs of the original paint it still displays. Werk Nummer 500200 was built as the Jabo fighter bomber, and served with JG51. I rather prefer that I can build the aircraft as it was when surrendered and in Allied hands, somewhat diminishing the association with the evil from whence it came. I won’t be trying anything too clever here, so it will be fully out-of-box.
  6. Back in 1964 Frog issued a kit of Alcock and Brown's record breaking civilian Vimy as part of their "Trailblazers" series. For some reason, in 1974 just prior to their collapse, they reissued a slightly modified RAF version, still as F.163 and that is the one I bought secondhand. Perhaps they were desperate enough to try wringing a bit more income out of the old mould? The plastic is a bit strange - quite thick but in some cases almost see-through so I hope it takes normal plastic cement! It seems remarkably free from flash though it may be that the previous owner had cleaned it up - certainly some parts were off the sprue and he sensibly put them in a separate bag.. I still need to check all the parts are there - I can probably cope with missing struts if needed but If anything too vital is not there when I check it will probably not get built - I will know by the time the GB starts. Like the DH 10 the Vimy did not quite enter service before WWI ended so orders were drastically reduced. A relatively small number served at home - most went to the Middle East, particularly Egypt. The first few were finished in the then standard PC 10 over natural linen or maybe overall NIVO, but from then on they were finished in one of two types of aluminium dope, the Middle East ones having a different more heat resistant variety according to Bruce's Windsock book. Frog provide both a PC 10 version used for experimental work at RAE Farnborough and a "silver" one from 70 Squadron based at Heliopolis in Egypt. The box describes the aircraft as a Vimy Mk IV though there is some debate about the nomenclature. Some sources say that planes fitted with Hispano Suiza engines were Mk I, with Sunbeam Maori engines Mk II, with Fiat engines Mk III and with R-R Eagles Mk IV, though other sources suggest this was not official and that this Eagle powered plane was a Mk II to the RAF. When Frog modified the moulding they added the front and rear guns, and the nose skid but left the large long range tank bulge behind the cockpit which service versions did not have. A conversion article I have also mentions that both the upper rear gun position opening and the fuselage side windows are in the wrong place and that various other modifications will be needed. This will in all probability be the most complicated of the 4 Frog biplane kits I have so if I do build it I will make a start on it early. Pete Later. Amazingly all the parts are in fact there as far as I can see though one or two will need replacing, particularly the "seats" and control wheel.
  7. The Northrop F-89 Scorpion is an all weather twin-engined interceptor designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Northrop. It was the first jet powered aircraft to be designed for the Interceptor role from the outset to enter service,as well as the first combat aircraft to be armed with air-to-air nuclear weapons in the form of the unguided Genie rocket. First flew in 1948 and entered service in 1950. For this GB, I plan to build Revell’s 1/72 F-89D/J kit. I will be finishing it as the aircraft shown on the boxart, a F-89D from 61st Fighter Interceptor Squadron from Ernest Harmon AFB, New Foundland, 1957. Why this one? I like the look of the aircraft with the large wingtip rocket pods (containing a 104 ‘mighty mouse’ FFAR rockets) and more importantly it has a big smiley face on it.
  8. With the Jet provost done and the other activities out of the way, it’s time to get back in the saddle and do some more modelling. For a bit of a mojo boost, I watched Top Gun, Top Gun Maverick and The Final Countdown on DVD’s. So tonight, out came the Airfix F-14A Tomcat (blueprint box) and the Revell F-14D Super Tomcat from the stash - both 1/72. I’m going to try to build them both together stage by stage (rather than build one and then the other). The Revell is better in detail as it’s a much later kit, but the Airfix one still has a certain charm to it - even with the raised panel lines which I’ve decided to leave to see how it turns out. So, the first stage was to build the two cockpit tubs. The Airfix one is much longer then the Revell and both have raised detailing in the some consoles in roughly the same depth. The ejection seats are worlds apart in detail, so I might see if I can 3D print something a little more interesting for the Airfix kit. Otherwise the offices are fairly well detailed considering….. Both tubs were painted with Tamiya XF-19 Light Grey (as it’s what I had to hand) and are drying off. They will both receive other colours to highlight the consoles and IP’s. I’ve also bought an extra set of Airfix F-14A decals which offers two options - TopHatters and the Black Aces - to go with the Bounty Hunter and Grim Reaper options for the kits.
  9. I had been intending to have this as one of the second round of builds I hoped to do for this GB after getting the Blenheim and Me-410 done, but a combination of my very poor impulse control and a morbid curiosity to find out if we’ll bring Enzo out in hives if we hit triple figures on the number of build threads proved too hard to resist. I grabbed this one a couple of weeks ago as Hobbycraft started to stock Airfix, and I had a 25% off voucher: It wasn’t the only Airfix kit I grabbed that day, so thanks to the voucher this one was technically free Scheme-wise, I’m a little undecided. I do look the boxart scheme, and coming out of the Desert GB I’m still drawn to desert schemes: However, I also have an Eduard 110 kit, with this rather unusual scheme on the boxart, which is a nightfighter with a temporary application of RLM 72 to the upper surfaces for its role in Operation Donnerkeil. And it has a shark mouth: So the final scheme might be a bit of a coin flip come paint time. Roll on Saturday! James
  10. A good few years ago whilst on an outing to the Vale of Glamorgan, I wandered into a "Toy Shop" and saw this. Having already built a Lindberg kit and then replaced it with a not particularly good Airfix version, I thought I would buy it, particularly as it seemed rather cheap for a Tamiya kit. It was not until I got it home that I noticed the "Plastic parts and decals made in Italy, other items made in Japan" on the box. In fact it is a reboxed Italeri kit with resin extras which I don't remember buying myself and rather think were made in Eastern Europe so what exactly was made in Japan I have no idea, but not to worry! The instructions are in Japanese only, so I will have to do a little research before deciding what exactly this is, but it seems to have a ventral fairing for a 37mm cannon. The colour of the plastic suggests that a desert version was planned at one time but the markings all seem to be for Russia. Looking at Scalemates Italeri did release it several times and it was also reboxed by Revell. One of the Italeri boxings did indeed included markings for a desert version and it has been sold as HS-129 B-1, B-2 and B-3. Pete.
  11. Greetings, and welcome to part 2 of my contribution to this GB. [The GB is amazing. I just can't keep up with all the different threads. So much industry and good modelling going on. And how the guys looking after it all manage to encourage everyone is almost super-human. Well done chaps and thanks. ] Anyway, to reprise the initial photo in the first part and set the scene, I am doing 2 older Airfix twins; and doing both as the big gun variants sort of balances things out I think. I started the Hs 129 thinking it was a lot simpler and hence quicker build. It's not bad but my penchant for being a little ambitious compared to my skills led to a few pensive moments, shall we say. Anyway, it's almost finished but as I'm awaiting some paint to dry I thought I'd fire up this second thread. (First one here if you haven't seen it https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235134900-flying-artillery-part-1-hs-129/) Since I first saw this picture in a book (included here from the IWM collection (© IWM CH 14113)) I've wanted to build it. So when I saw a re-boxing of the Airfix Mk II/VI/XVIII in 1982, although I'd almost given up modelling by then due to career/family etc, I couldn't not buy it. But it's lain dormant in the loft for 40 yrs, so now's the time to do it. I believe it's the 1972 mould standard. I will be leaning very heavily upon the excellent restoration build by Charlie @Johnson which is here https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235131297-freemans-folly-mossie-restoration-2/ a Master-class in my opinion. Hope you don't mind Charlie, but I will be borrowing a heck of a lot from you on this. Unlike Charlie who built his 50 yrs ago then totally restored it very recently, I will be trying to to start the kit from original bits and then use his modern input as well and compress the build time down to a few weeks. Well that seemed to make sense when I was typing it .... I'm, starting here It doesn't seem bad in outline but there is a gaping void under the canopy behind some dodgy looking seats. At least there's an IP of sorts but I think I will cheat and make use of some of these bits I know the Eduard set is for the bomber variant but sure I can make the cockpit look a bit more busy than it would be OOB, if not entirely accurate. And it hopefully saves me printing too many of my own decals as Charlie did. Whilst I can do them I find them a challange, so I swapped the decal challenge for the PE challenge instead . I couldn't get the same set of wheels that Charlie used but taking a hint about the hub (spoked vs solid) issue I found this set from Brengun that gives the option of either, as well as having the block tread. I am in no way comparing my skills with Charlie's but I hope to get something that looks about right and if I do so I'll be well pleased. But the fun is in the trying. Will just go and give the sprues a bath. Thanks for looking. Rob
  12. New Polish company decided to release new tool plastic kits of PZL W-3 Sokół helicopter. Firstly in 1/48 and then later in 1/72. Company have normal site, but it is empty now.
  13. Hello all from the shed. First finished model of 2024. So, there I was making Chinook HC1 BN for a friend when crack went the canopy while I was giving it a little polish 😧. Nothing for it but to buy another Chinook model for the canopy. As the HC1 was the Airfix kit I thought I would get the Italeri kit for a change. However, it was remarkably similar (in fact identical) to the Airfix one apart from the decals. Just as well I suppose as I was swapping bits between kits. The HC1 built in parrallel has lots of Black Dog resin on it, as I enjoyed using those parts I bought Black Dogs snow shoes for this Italian cab build. I also added a little bit of scratch work in the form of aerials and the decals are a mix of Airfix, Italeri and Model Allience. Its finished using Xtra Color paints and varnishes and is panel lined and weathered using Flory wash and Tamiya powders. Not the best fitting kit but I do like doing a helicopter (two in fact) for a change. I'm looking forward to seing how the new Airfix moulding of the Chinook is in comparison to the old moulds. The model depicts a Chinook CH-47C of the Italian Army. 1 RGPT. “Antares” based at Viterbo in 1992. Here are a few pics. Hope you like it. Thanks for looking. Bravo November soon. Pete
  14. My last Airfix Mustang in the stash. I found some goodies too. Although the red-tail markings are attractive, I once fell for the luxorious design of these Exito decals, and I somehow need to motivate that expense, so this will be the choice this time: It’s a P51D-25-NA operating as long-range escort out of Iwo Jima towards the end of the war, and since I have 5-, 10 and 15-NA since before it complements the collection. Some tweaks will be needed, regarding radio equipment (I distinctly remember they had a different set of boxes, not to mention the different set of antennas) and tail-warning radar. I now have one week to find that vac form canopy and Quickboost exhaust stacks I remember buying but cannot find. I now understand how squirrels feel.
  15. some 1/72 AFVs are escaped from its box, and running on my desk.😆 May-2022 from left to right: GMC CCKW (Academy), Stug III Ausf.B (Trumpeter), STURMTIGER Early Prod. (Trumpeter), KV-85 (Trumpeter), FV4030-4 Challenger I (Trumpeter) A34 Comet Mk.1B (Vespid), T-55AM -w KMT-6 (Revell), T-10 Object 730 (Trumpeter), Merkava Mk.IIID (HobbyBoss), Flakpanzer VIII MAUS (Vespid) M4 Hi-speed Tractor(HobbyBoss), SA-6 Gainful (Trumpeter), Churchill Mk.III (Italeri), Sd.Kfz.184 Ferdinand (Trumpeter), Land-Wasser-Schlepper Early Prod. (HobbyBoss) Sd.Kfz.251_10 AAusf.D -w 37mm PaK (Red Dragon), M992A1 AFFSV (Riich), Pz.Kpfw.V Panther Ausf.G -w FG1250 (Vespid), Sd.Kfz.181 Pz.KpfwVI Ausf.E TIGER I -w zimmerit (Red Draogn), Panzerfahre (Red Dragon) Jun-2022 Sd.Kf.223 Leichte Panzerspahwagen x2 (Red Dragon), Neubau-Fagrzeug Nr.2 (Red Dragan), PLA ZTL-11 (Red Dragon) Soviet SS-23 Spider (HobbyBoss), Chieftain Mk. 5 (Takom), M1A1 -w Mine Blade (Trumpeter), PLA ZTZ-99A (Trumpeter), FV432 Mk.2_1 (Takom) Aug-2022 Scimitar Mk.2 (Ford), JGSDF 106SP x2 (Aoshima), PLA ZTQ15 (Meng), M103A2 (Red Dragon), MK-I Female (Master Box) Renault FT-17 x2 (Flyhawk), PLA ZTZ96B (Transform Colors), JGSDF Type 10 (Aoshima), Type 4 Ka-Tsu (Riich) D9R ARMORED BULLDOZER (Sabre model) Middle East 2DR -w ZPU-2 x2 (transform colors) M1114 HMMWV -w GPK (T-model) M1240A1 MRAP (Galaxy Hobby) Sd.Kfz.231 8-Rad -w 20mm KwK & MG34 (Red Dragon), JGSDF Type74 x2 (Fujimi), Pz.Kpfw II Ausf J VK.16.01 (Flyhawk), Sd.Kfz.7_2 37mm AA-Gun Flak36 (Orange Hobby) Sep-2022 20mm Flakvierling auf Fahrgestell (Vespid), T-54B (Takom), Pz.Kpfw.IV Aust.F Munitionsschlepper (HobbyBoss), LEOPARD 2A7 (Takom), T-14 Armata (Trumpeter), T-Stoff Tanker, Schwimmwagen & Bomb Cart (Academy) Oct-2022 Cute Tiger-I (YuFan Model) 1/16 Type 94 Tankette (Takom) Nov-2022 T-35 x2 (S-Model), Jadgpazner IV (Trumpeter), SU-152 x2 (S-Model) Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B x2 (S-Model), Vanatorul de Care R35 (S-Model), BMP-2 x2 (S-Model) Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.C x2 (S-Model), Somua S35 x2 (S-Model), Crusader Mk.I, III x2 (S-Model) M551 Sheridan (Early Prod) x2 (S-Model), BMD-1 x2 (S-Model), BRDM-2, BMP-1 (S-Model) SU-85 x2 (S-Model), Matilda II x2 (S-Model), BPR-60PB x2 (S-Model) Dec-2022 T-90MC (Zvezda), BMPT Terminator (Zvezda), 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV (Zvezda), Bumerang (Zvezda), TBMP T-15 Armata (Zvezda) Jan-2023 T-28(Zvezda), RAAC Centurion Mk.5/1 (Vespid), BM-21 Grad Multiple Rocket Launcher (HobbyEasy), 2S19 MCTA-C (Zvezda), IDF Merkava Mk.IV (HobbyEasy) A-222 Bereg (HobbyBoss), 9P117 SS-1C Scud-B (R17 Elbrus) (HobbyBoss), 4K51 Rubezh Coastal ASM with P-15 (HobbyBoss), S-400 Triumf SA-21 Groeler (Zvezda) 1/16 Wiesel A1 Tow (Takom) Rheintochter 1 w/ E-100 Body (ModelCollect), 128mm Flak 40 Gun w/ E-75 Body (ModelCollect), E-50 SPG with 105/L62 (ModelCollect), 1/43 UAZ-3909 (Zvezda), Wiesel x2 (S-model) Mar-2023 Type94 Tankette (IBG), Bedford-QL Refueller (IBG), 3Ro 90/53 -w 90mm AA (IBG), Diamond-T 969 Wrecker -w M2 (IBG), Scammell Pioneer (IBG, actually count as trailer in below) Topol SS-25 Sickle (Zvezda) May-2023 152mm ShkH DANA vz.77 (Hobbyboss) M109A7 Paladin (Fore) Sd.Kfz.173 SchweiBhund X-66 (Blackdog) M11XR7 Stryker Snow Beaver (Blackdog) Aug-2023 M1117 Guardian (Trumpeter), JS-7 (Trumpeter), E-75 Flakpanzer (Trumpeter), E-100 Salamander (Trumpeter), M1070 Gun Truck (Takom) 9k58 Smerch MRLS (Hobbyboss), 9K52 Luna-M, Frog-7 (Trumpeter), 2K11A TEL, SA-4 Ganef (Trumpeter), M1132 -w LWMR (Trumpeter), AS-90 (Trumpeter) Sep-2023 M1A2 SEP TUSK II (Meng), M60A1 -w ERA & M60A3 (Takom), French Char B1 (Trumpeter), Sd.Kfz 138_2 Hetzer Late Prod (Vespid) Oct-2023 Waffentrager Auf E100 -w V1 (ModelCollect), Sd.kfz.186, Jagdtiger (Henschel Prod) (Trumpeter), Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E, Sd.Kfz.181, Tiger I (HobbyBoss), SU-122 (Zvezda), BTR-80 (Trumpeter) Feb-2024 P.500 Gunguir (Modelcollect) Mar-2024 1/35 Sandland Tank 104 (Bandai) Does your favorite AFV in here? you built similar AFV before? have cool camo / classic color scheme could suggest? you plan to build / buy same AFV too? Since I'm not a diehard fans of AFV / military stuffs, I just enjoy the mechanical aesthetic & camouflage of it, accuracy of the model kit is less important for me. 😅 So, if you have interesting story, history, hint / tip for any of them, please share your experience / builds with me, maybe, just maybe, I would shift the schedule and paint that one first. Also, i have a question. Which brand of 1/72 do you like? For those I have assembled, I prefer (Dec-2022 ver.) Group 1, which are good QC, some may expensive: Zvezda > FlyHawk > Takom = Vespid ; Group 2, which are standard QC, low price, wide range of choices: Trumpeter = HobbyBoss > Meng > Transform Color > S-Model ; Group 3, which are good QC but little choices: Orange Hobby > Airfix > Academy ; Group 4, which are low QC: Revell > Riich > Aoshima = Fujimi > Red Dragon > IBG > Master Box > Hasegawa > Italeri > T-model . The rest of "monsters, i.e. trailer series" are locked firmly under my bed, can't get out. 🤭 Sep-2022 began to let those "long" AFV out 😋 Dampflokomotive BR86 (HobbyBoss) Rail Transporter fur Karl-Gerat (HobbyBoss) Morser Karl-Gerat 040 (HobbyBoss) K5(E) Leopold (HobbyBoss) 1/150 SOYUZ (GoodSmile) JASDF 7t tractor & MIN-104F Patriot PAC-3 (Aoshima), MAZ-537G -w CHMZAP-5247G (Takom), FAUN SLT56 (Takom) M1070 + M1000 cum D9R (Takom) Scammell Pioneer -w TRMU30 (IBG) M25+M15 Dragon Wagon (Academy) Armoured Locomotive Panzerlok BR57 (HobbyBoss), Kommandowagen BP42 (HobbyBoss), Kanonen und Flakwagen BP42 (HobbyBoss), Geschutzwagen BP42 (HobbyBoss), Panzerjager Triebwagen 51 (HobbyBoss) Schwere Plattformwagen Type SSyms 80 (HobbyBoss) Panzerjagerwagen BP-44 Gun Carriage
  16. About 20 years ago I picked this up second hand. The kit supposedly represents the Westland PV 6 which together with the PV 3 was part of the "Houston Everest" expedition, becoming the first planes to fly over the summit of Mt Everest in April of 1933, and was issued in 1964 as part of the Trail Blazers series. Following the end of WWI the RAF used surplus stocks of DH 9A for many years, initially as a bomber but later as a "general purpose aircraft". When they finally ordered a replacement in 1927, they stipulated that as many DH 9A parts as possible were to be used so the Westland Wapiti initially used DH 9A wings and tail surfaces, but over time new metal replacements were incorporated. In 1930 Westland developed am improved all metal version as a private venture, hence the name PV 3. This was longer and had various improvements and a more powerful engine, and was followed by the PV 6 which incorporated a few other changes. The PV 6 went on to become the prototype of the Westland Wallace I which the RAF initially ordered 12 of in 1932, to be converted from existing Wapiti's A further 56 were converted from Wapiti's, and in 1935 orders were placed for 75 of the more powerful Wallace II, In 1936 a final 29 were ordered bringing the total to 172. Of all metal construction and fitted with wheel brakes and a cowling ring for the Bristol Pegasus engine (unlike the Wapiti), the Wallace had a fuselage length of 34ft 2inches compared with the 31ft 8 inches of the Wapiti. The wing and tail retained the same outwards appearance to the earlier plane, and besides the cowling ring the most obvious difference was that the wheels on the Wallace but perhaps not the PV 6 had spats, and therein lies a problem! I had intended to convert the kit to a production Wallace Mk I by replacing the enlarged and glazed rear cockpit with a smaller one fitted with a Scarff ring and Lewis gun, and providing a blast trough for the pilot's fixed Vickers MG, which should not have been too difficult, but I have now realised that Frog completely forgot the wheel spats! This could be a real pain in the backside as although I have made many different parts from scratch over the years I have never made anything quite like this, but is should be possible. I was thinking of card sides and maybe a slice from old engine cowlings plus filler when I remembered a couple of old Frog Ju-87G wheel spats in one of my many my spares boxes. I don't have much in the way of plans to hand but they might work if cut down and re-shaped. I do like a challenge - but not too often😀! We shall see. The Novo box art of course shows the front gun trough, rear gun mount and wheel spats , together with both the civilian registration and RAF fin flash and roundels, so is a work of fiction. Oddly it seems to be based on the "Air Lines" boxing from the 1960's as shown on Scalemates. The original Frog boxing was more honest. I suppose I could take the easy way out and built it as the PV 6. I am going to have to think about this. Any suggestions will be welcome. Pete
  17. Greetings! Now that the beautiful F-16 is being replaced by the less beautiful F-35 within the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) my thoughts went back to the late 1970s, when the beautiful F-16 replaced the even more beautiful F-104. When the purchase was final the official magazine of the KLu, 'De Vliegende Hollander', published an F-16 special in 1977: As I pulled this copy off the bookshelf again, an article I had long forgotten about caught my eye. It describes ('especially for modelers') what the F-16 in Dutch service would look like. I won't translate the text, but you can see from the illustration that the initial camouflage pattern is quite different from what it eventually became! However, as you might know KLu F-16's eventually got the somewhat boring three-tone grey scheme. The reason is that the grey and green paint, applied to the NF-5, caused a lot of trouble (corrosion, for example) and to avoid more mishap the grey scheme was chosen instead. I thought it would be fun to build a model in the original scheme, and to capture the zeitgeist even better I purchased a 1980 Italeri kit. Apparently, Italeri also didn't yet know exactly what this new fighter jet was going to look like, as the instructions are rather basic. No proper colour codes for example, just 'light grey' (twice?!)... I found the correct camouflage pattern and colours in this brilliant book. However, just when I wanted to start I came across a kit from Revell, who somewhat prematurely released an F-16 in the grey-green scheme back in 1977! I could remember this box, as a 15-year-old I had held it in my hands many times but never bought it, and this time I could not resist the temptation. The contents are rather to my liking, to be honest of a better quality than the newer Italeri kit: Now, it is my intention to make the Italeri kit like the illustration in De Vliegende Hollander, i.e. from the Leeuwarden 322/323sqn pool, wheels retracted, on a stand, and the Revell kit standing on tarmac, from 312 sqn, to honour the last squadron within KLu still flying this wonderful machine. To be continued! Rob
  18. Joining you with this kit, costing £3 at Lyneham last year. Which carried stripes after D-Day. Which is how I intend to complete the build.
  19. While waiting for paint dry on the Ki-45 and the latest round of filler on the Canberra I’m building in the Frog Squad II GB to set up, I made a start on this MPM P-70 Nighthawk which will be finished as “Dusty” operated in New Guinea. The sprues: Lots of parts as several versions of the A-20/P-70 are catered for. So far I have cleaned up the fuselage and wing halves. Little or no flash, but quite large sprue gates and the plastic is very hard. Dry fit is good but the wing attachment tabs are about .5mm thicker than the slots in the fuselage and required thinning. The tailplanes have been assembled but are camera shy and have gone into hiding. Thanks for looking. AW
  20. My build rate has been abysmal of late, but I've really been looking forward to this STGB, and have been un-packing my stash after a recent house move revealing my enthusiasm for the 1/72 Arma Mustang: Now, I knew I had ordered two of the F-6C sets based on the lovely box art alone, and the MkIII has already been built, but upon inspection, it had full sprues inside! Wow, three high back Mustangs when I thought there were two! What a day. Further rummaging revealed two more sets of sprues swaddled in bubble wrap - five?!? Well, what to do with such a bounty? I'm going to try and build them all. I'll almost certainly fail, but who could say no to such an adventure? Spent Sunday evening pre-painting some parts on the sprues: I think I'll try for "My Buddy" of the 332nd FG, and an attempt at the French subject on the box art of the F-6C, and then we'll go from there.
  21. In the spirit of the era of pushing boundaries, I'll push my boundaries in this GB by building by far the largest model I've yet attempted - Airfix's 1/72 Handley Page Victor. Inside the box there is a LOT of plastic! Bottle of Mr Color for scale. Will really need to clear the bench to build this, both figuratively and literally. Plan is to build it out of the box, using the box art scheme - B.2 XL512 of 129 Squadron at RAF Wittering in the anti-flash white scheme circa 1963-64. So a late Boomer, but one that to me really encapsulates the bigger, faster further spirit of the early jet age. This kit would have been built dozens of times by Britmodellers, so all tips and pointers welcome. I've always loved the Victor's evocative shape and form, it really must have looked like the future when it first emerged in 1952. Hopefully I can build a decent representation of it, plus find a place to display it! Thanks for having this baby of baby boomers in this GB! Cheers, Gerard
  22. This will be my entry in the GB: A look at the sprues: Looks and feels very much like Sword kit. Decals and Master brass pitots: I will be doing the second option with the red diamonds: I wont be starting straight away as I’ve still got builds underway in the Frog Squad and WWII Twins GBs. AW
  23. Hello everyone. 401th Tactical Airlift Squadron - Komaki Airbase 2020. With my other project progressing to the finishing line it’s time to start thinking about the next subject. Having come back from S.M.W. 2022 I now feel I’m in a better place, my head feeling more planted for the future modelling days. For a little while I’m going to juggling two models in a bid to maximise productivity. 💯 Thanks for looking. 😉
  24. Hi everyone, This is a kit I was not supposed to enter. In fact I was not even supposed to join this GB... And then I realized that it may be a very long time before I can build a good-fitting kit with panel lines already scribed. So here I am, hoping to find this kit ridiculously easy and rewarding. First, a few photos: This is the box art: And now the plastic: And last, the decal sheet: I will not be using this sheet, but a Xtradecal decal sheet. More later on that one. Have fun, all of you. JR
  25. So I was swithering whether to start this build now or wait for three weeks for the 60's Group Build over on What If Modellers. Its Fairey obvious that I have decided to start it now as I intend to have this finished by mid to late April in time for the Scottish Nationals and with my build rate, the sooner I start the higher the posibility of finishing in time. So what is this Project 75, which by itself sounds like something from a cheap sci-fi novel of the 1950's. The answer is the first kit in 1/72 by Aerocraft, the Fairey Project 75 to GOR. 339 which ultimately led to the TSR.2. The model is a nice and clean high resolution, 3D printed hollow model in multiple parts with lots of printing supports as you would expect from a kit in this medium. The fuselage parts look like this when removed from their supports. Here they lack any interior or the nose and tail cones which are cleverly designed only to fit into the relevant part due to a key printed into their ends. The above picture was taken on an A3 cutting mat to show the scale which is comperable to a 1/72 scale TSR.2. The undercarriage, seen below, is well designed, allowing the tyres to be painted separately from the rest of the bicycle style main undercarriage. The face that there are outrigger wheels in each engine naseles reminds me somewhat of the Sud Aviation Vautour. The Print Supports I have kept as they may be useful for any sci-fi project I may undertake in the future, we shall see. More later as it's too cold outside right now to prime the nose section prior to painting. Gondor
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