Jonny

Hi, VS322 may I ask - someone suggested you use aftermarket Engine cowlings - the kit apparently includes Mk. 2 Beaufort ones. The aftermarket set he mentioned includes the oil filters. They need cutting the ones in the kit wings away. Are you using the aftermarket set or sticking with those in the kit? Just wondering! Jonny

My FD.2 kit flew in this morning! It looks good. The instruction leaflet would have us paint the cockpit black - everything. Granted not much can be see through the canopy but has anyone any idea what colour the seat is / was? Just wondering! Best wishes to all, Jonny

I recall Chris Ellis ... I think he edited the old Airfix magazine and wrote a book about plastic Modelling.

I did have some Meccano bits & pieces but rather gave up after my oldr cousin built a working model of a vast earth moving machine built by Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries in Ipswich - I realised I could never emulate that!. A bit more interesting was something called (I think) TricityTrix. Quite like Meccano but unpainted and intended to make (battery powered) items like windmills, doorbells, lighthouses, etc. I also enjoyed 'Sculptocraft' - rubber moulds into which one poured wet plaster of paris, and after it had dried the result could be painted and then gloss varnished - I recall birds, animals and the like. Happy days!

Thankyou, everyone for your speedy replies! I'm pleased to say that I contacted Albion who advised a Google search which led me to a supplier. Suffice to say I ordered a kit and it's on its way to me! Thanks again, Jonny

Nice to see your YAM photos. Nice shots of the Halifax, too. Is it me or have they corrected the propellors on the Halifax? The last time I was there (for a walkthru of the Halifax) the props were the wrong way round. Your photos make it look as though that's been corrected. I do hope so. Good to see the Newark shots, too. Some of the exhibits have been reposed since my last visit. It's one of my fave. aviation museums ...I often think those run by volunteers - e.g. YAM, Newark, Tangmere - outdo the 'big' ones such as the RAF Museum (Hendon) and IWM Duxford. Thank you for sharing!

I hope I am in the right place to ask this, and apologies if not. I'd rather like to buy the Dora Wings 1/48 Fairey Delta FD.2 kit. Unfortunately I've looked in our Big H website, the well known online auction site and a well known second hand kit website but none list the kit. The horrible thought occurs to me that the company might be 'down' thanks to the ongoing situation in the Uktaine. I do hope not (another company operation there seems to be thriving). Doers anyone know the position with Dora Wings? All replies gratefully received, Jonny

Welcome back, Heather! Good to see you.

You have had a rough year 2025,;and my sincere condolences. I have lived through three deaths over the past years, my dad’s, mum’s and more recently my wife’s. For the first two my wife was a tower of strength but when my wife died I had to rely on my own resources, then realised a whole raft of friends, old and new, had materialised! I hope & pray you experience the same - certainly there are LOTS of us here in BM rooting for you. I hope this helps you in some small way. So, best wishes for 2026. I very much look forward to reading more postings from you this coming year. Take care, with very best wishes from me, Jonny

I emailed the RAF Museum, Cosford to ask whether their Wellington has a floor or not. I have just received the following reply: - "All I can give guidance on is what we have in our Mk 10 aircraft. If does have a wooden floor fitted above the bomb bay area as this is a training aircraft so lots of aircrew onboard. It also has some tables for the trainees to work from." It came from the boss of the MBCC too! It then occurred to me that the Brooklands Museum has a real live Wellington, 'R Robert'. I have just emailed them to enquire whether or not the aeroplane has (had) a floor. When (if) I receive a reply I shall pass it on. I hope this helps, Jonny

For what it's worth, everyone, the Kindle edition of 'Consolidated Mess' is available via a well-known online bookseller for £13:50 in the UK. I presume in other countries too. I have just ordered it and believe the online transfer to my iPad is happening noww! I hope this helps. I originally looked for the paperback edition and the price looked a bit like a telephone number! I hope this helps, Jonny

I have the airfix mk. 1 and the mk. II kits. I have started the former but not yet the mk.II. Something is bothering me: the fuselage is portraid correctly as of fabric covered geodetic construction and the bomb bay has an internal walk way. It’s otherwise open. It seems to me that with the bomb doors open there was probably a heck of a draught through the rear part of the fuselage! I once read somewhere (can’t remember where!) that there was a fabric covering over or rather under the geodetic structure. Can anyone confirm or refute this? I’ve seen the Weybridge ‘R Robert’ but much of the airframe is not covered and to my recollection the bomb bay has no such fabric. I’ve tried to find photos of the bomb bay but so far the photos I have seen aren’t clear enough. Any and all comments welcome! Thanks as always, Jonny

Thank you, Tony, Woody and Chuck! I found them on Amazon UK and bought them. Quite cheap too (UK postage is almost the same as the purchase price!). For good measure I bought a "Creative Craft Scissors Multi Pattern Paper Edgers Scissor Kids Card Making" from eBay! Post free too! I've been trying for ages to cut masking tape with a craft knife but it's never quite how I want it. So, thanks again! Jonny

Hi, Tony - any chance you can give me / us a steer as to where you found them? i've searched a well know auction site but didn't find anything like the ones youve decribed! reply to me privately if you prefer! Many thanks, Jonny

Seconded! What a nice looking cat. I love the way that they can sit with everything 'tucked in'. I'd like to to have one (or is that 'I'd like one to boss me about'?) but am away from my home a fair bit which wouldn't be fair on him / her. Thanks for this thread, Heather. Please kep it going! Jonny