MikeR

If i remember correctly, the American Volunteer Group adopted the sharkmouth after seeing it on RAF aircraft in a TIME magazine article covering the war in North Africa. They were based near Rangoon in Burma at the time the units were being set up and trained before their planned move to China. The start of the Pacific War derailed those plans, however! "American Volunteer Group 'Flying Tigers' Aces" as released by Osprey Publishing covers the subject. Mike.

I suspect it's probably the "World of Tanks" effect, the Kpz.70 can be obtained in that game. I have noticed that a fair number of the Chinese manufacturers more esoteric releases have featured in one or more computer games, particularly the "World of xxx" series. I wouldn't be too surprised that there's a fair bit of overlap between gamers and modellers in the Chinese domestic market. Mike. Edit: Grammer.

One thing I dislike about the way that one's been engineered is the very visible joint between the leading and cab splashers. The cab area is plastic whilst the boiler, leading splasher and footplate are metal, unpainted prototype images HERE. The fact that the plastic area is very slightly narrower accentuates the issue. I know 4-4-0 models are a bugger in terms of getting enough weight in the right area, but EFE/Bachmann could've done the same as Hornby did with their LSWR 700 Class and NBR/LNER J36 and just made the majority of the body in metal. It would've avoided that unsightly join. Mike.

Latest addition to the library: Published by Helion & Company: LINK. I've conversed with Tom a few times on X/Twitter, lovely bloke and very passionate about the subject. He also has a website set up with extra information to supplement what's in the book: LINK. Mike.

Started with the manga a few years back, so I'm delighted that they decided to do an anime adaptation. I prefer the more serious tone CinGray had compared with the earlier entries in the Umamusume franchise. If anyone's wondering, it's based on Japanese horse racing. With a very Japanese twist! Mike.

Can't really help with your question, but I know who your avatar is. Mike.

No problem! Mike.

HMS Polyphemus, an experimental Torpedo Ram built in 1881. Mike.

Depends on the size of Border's home market, which is China. I wouldn't be too surprised that the call for 1/35 aircraft emanated from an extremely vocal part the Chinese modelling community. So a Chinese manufacturer will pay attention to Chinese modellers, particularly since that market is relatively young compared with us in the West and therefore, presumably, isn't as entrenched in it's view of which scales are used for certain subjects. Mike.

Lots of 80's Lego here, which I still have. It's now been augmented by a few of the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings sets, though the majority of the post-Covid releases haven't really wowed me. I have the LoTR "Battle of Helm's Deep" set, which took me about four hours to put together. Though that was after working a ten hour nightshift! Mike.

At last! It'll make a nice companion for the Zvezda Yak-130 I built a few years back, I'd be up for the Polish option for starters. Hopefully the decal guys produce sheets for the other operators, the Turkmen ones look interesting. Mike.

Now, where's that gif with Leonardo DiCaprio? Mike.

Main airframe components plastic, smaller details and the interior 3D printed resin. BM review of the first hybrid kit, 1/48 Avia S-199 HERE. Mike.

I've had this before but only when I've used an acrylic clear coat, or with Humbrol's own Clear. Enamels are unaffected. The Decalfix does have a reputation of being a bit strong, so it may be something to do with a reaction between it and whatever brand of paint you've used. Generally I use a mixture of water and the Decalfix when decalling, my own techniques is thus: use water to soak the decal, a light brush of the area required with water to moisten, then a touch of Decalfix, place the decal, let the 'fix suck it down onto the surface, then dab down the area after 24hrs, dealing with any issues at that time. If required I'll lightly brush the decal with more Decalfix in order to help it settle on any detail, be it raised or recessed. Altogether this means the Decalfix isn't going onto the surface "raw", thus hopefully counteracting it's strength. Mike.

I see what appears to be a short-shot at the top of the fin on the port fuselage side. Might be something to keep an eye out for, but hopefully it's a one-off on the review sample. Mike.