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Showing content with the highest reputation on 23/05/20 in all areas

  1. Just about finished, a few pics of the 1/144 C-74 Globemaster, as painted in fictitious Chinese markings for the film 'The Italian Job'. In progress build in link below:
    27 points
  2. Estonian aviation from the thirties. I used a old edition of Airfix Bulldog, all parts looks near perfect not like in the second kit I build now from the 1995. I add seat belts from Eduard, instrument panel from Yahu and made some cockpit details from scratch. Decals from old Blue Rider edition, glue doesn't work any more. Radio antennas diden't look good but....
    26 points
  3. Finished today- COVID number 26. Decals from Kagero printed by Cartograf, very good quality. On the model are tail warning antennas from the AN/APS-13 missing, I will add them when I finished next P-51D with this system. Kit is OOB only antennas on fuselage and between undercarriage legs and resin gunsight are added.
    25 points
  4. Hi all, here some pics of my Eduard/Revell Tornado F3 in 1/48. Used the PE´s/Brassin sets OOB and add a Master pitot and deacls for an Italian Air Force version from an older Italeri Kit. From the original aircraft I took some nice pictures while the NATO Tiger Meet`98 at German Air Base Lechfeld.
    24 points
  5. My take on the Airfix Heinkel He-111 H6, lovely kit - goes together well, except the side windows seemed oversize and the fit was very tight.. Out of the box with the exception of an Eduard Mask and QuickBoost German gun barrels. Few mistakes along the way, mainly forgetting to paint the insides of the side windows and some glue stains on the canopy. The top gun canopy has now been corrected as it's reversed in the images.
    22 points
  6. Alclad paint with Xtradecals markings for 23 Squadron. Some Airwaves pe was used as was a resin seat.
    21 points
  7. Here is my Tamiya Spit converted from a 'c' wing to an 'e' wing. It's done in the markings of 318 Sqn in Italy 1945 I used the eduard cockpit and lots of wiring to detail the engine. All markings were masked and sprayed. Hope you enjoy... DSC_4756 by Phillip Loughlin, on Flickr DSC_4813 by Phillip Loughlin, on Flickr DSC_4775 by Phillip Loughlin, on Flickr DSC_4764 by Phillip Loughlin, on Flickr DSC_4762 by Phillip Loughlin, on Flickr Thanks for looking
    20 points
  8. Good day, ladies and gentlemen! Let me present you my next model.
    19 points
  9. Matilda T6943 ‘Filibuster’, 49th RTR, 35th Army Tank Brigade, UK 1942 After a couple of complicated builds I was looking for something that would be straight forward to assemble that I could then experiment different weathering techniques on. The Filibuster option in SCC No.1A/ SCC No.2 Brown also fitted in with my goal of building a representation of all the AFV's used by the British, showing as many different camouflage schemes as I can. I can see why the Tamiya Matilda is so popular as it is very well engineered and goes together so well that it only took a couple of evenings to complete the building stage. The model was then painted with Mister Paint's MRP-345 and MRP-346 Everything was going along nicely until I reached the decalling stage when I managed to destroy one of the Filibuster decals. But I was also very disappointed with the Tamiya decals, the carrier film seems to be very thick. At this point I also discovered I had a photo of Filibuster and was dismayed to see that not only are the red squadron triangles supplied by Tamiya clearly not red on the original tank but it also appears likely that she was painted all over in Khaki Green No.3. I couldn't face repainting the whole model but I did decide to remove the offending decals, which I have to say had stuck very well. I made stencils for the Triangles and the number one (I guessed yellow was the right colour), the 'Filibuster' name that I had damaged and the brigade signs. I also changed the bridge weight sign to better match the yellow I used on the triangles and added a WD number to the number plate as I had seen photos of this practice on another Matilda. I decided to alter the front fenders by filling in the kits cut out ones with plastic card to match the original. I couldn't be sure looking at the photo if the front lockers are the vented ones but decided it was too late to alter them anyway, but I did add a couple of handles. I'm not sure if the kit has the right gun mantlet for Filibuster either. I added a few rivets and some wire to the smoke dischargers and thinned out the end of the tubes. The number plate was replaced with a scratch built one for better scale thickness ( I know it's wonky I kept knocking it off) and I added some detail to the aerial support (not sure how accurate it is but I copied one from an A10 cruiser). I also wanted to try making my own stowage for the rack so I made some tarps and bed rolls from miliput and a camo net from some old plastering scrim tape. I know heavy weathering isn't to everyone's taste but I wanted a dirty but dry look similar to the photo of the original. I tried to achieve this with a combination of thinned paints, oils and pigments. During the first photo shoot I managed to break both tracks and try as I might I just couldn't make a satisfactory repair so I ordered some of Bronco's workable tracks which I found to be much better than the link and length ones supplied. I decided not to post the comparison with the original photo as I'm not sure about infringing copyright but the original one that I found is in the Squadron /Signal publication British Tank Markings and Names by B.T. White. Comparing my black and white photo with the one in the book you can see why it is difficult to ascertain exactly what colour scheme 'Filibuster' is in especially as she is covered in mud and dust. As always critique and any advice is more than welcome. Wayne Edit. @Ian C pointed out on his Matilda Mk.III build that British based Mathilda's didn't carry the external fuel tank. I can't believe that after all of the studying of photos that I did for this build I missed such an obvious thing. I have now corrected the model but I wont photograph it again apart from the one below taken with my phone.
    16 points
  10. Corgi issued two styles of packaging for some of their diecast aviation models. Usually they came in a sturdy box, and would contain a display stand and alternative bomb bay and undercarriage options. They would also have a numbered Limited Run certificate as these models were only produced to a limited production run. A selection of their aviation models were also issued in an economy clear plastic blister pack at a lower price, but these models tended to be of a lower standard of assembly and did not include optional position undercarriages as these would be glued in the down position, display stands or Limited Run certificates. My Lysander came in one of these economy blister packs. It came in Western Desert camouflage scheme. I decided to take it apart and add detail to the cockpit and paint the interior. It became the most difficult dismantle job I had attempted on any diecasts, the challenge was removing the main wing assembly which was supported by the cockpit canopy and had the lower fuselage, struts and undercarriage permanently attached, it became a bit of a Chinese puzzle to take apart, and my worry was that I would struggle to get it back together again later. So here we have the main components laid out. It has a very nicely detailed instrument panel wth the rear of the instruments included which you can see through the very clear canopy. I have added some wing supporting structure to the cockpit. It looks like I may have replaced the pilot's head with an Airfix one, this was quite a few years ago now. The canopy is very thin so must take care with that when trying to force wing/undercarriage/lower fuselage structure into position during reassembly. I did eventually get it back together, and then I repainted it in European Theatre camouflage colours and found some suitable decals in my spares. And here she is. This economy model did not have the external ordnance-carrying stub wings so I added these from my spares, I think they came from the old Matchbox Lysander, and also added a suitable bomb load. Corgi usually add some working features to their models and on this one the variable-incidence tailplane is pivoted and moves. I lost the cockpit gunsight during my battle to reassemble it, and there was no way I was going back in there ................ so the pilot will just have to point the aircraft in the direction of the enemy and spray away. Nicely detailed Bristol Perseus XII engine. The propeller spins freely. Exercises with the army on Salisbury Plain. Variable-incidence tailplane in engine start-up position. Airfix AEC Matador truck in background Somewhere in France in 1940, preparing to set off on an armed reconnaissance of the front line. That has been my Corgi Lysander, hope you like it. regards, adey
    16 points
  11. Hi, everybody! It's my next model
    15 points
  12. Took advantage of of the Hobbycraft sale last year and bought the Revell 1/32 scale Phantom F-4G only to discover you can also make an F-4E. (If I`d known that, I would of bought more...). Anyways, always looking to do something away from the norm, I choose an inflight diorama involving a QF-4E. It`s not perfect by any means but I think it captures the look of many QF-4`s that met their fate hight above the missile ranges.
    15 points
  13. There is a build thread on this model here.......... the inspiration is explained therein. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235070561-hurricane-mk-i-arma-hobby-inspired-by-a-painting/ It is from 451 (Australian) Sqn, flown by PO Ray Goldberg and used in the Tactical Reconnaissance role. The only modification is a camera on the lower left fuselage. The Arma Hurricane is a really nice kit and an enjoyable build. I will certainly do another one. [mg]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49924522928_c549efb9ca_h.jpg[/img] Thanks to people who offered advice on this one.
    14 points
  14. Here's another build I did over on the 'In the Navy' GB, an Airfix new tool Swordfish. Build thread is here; A straight forward build, had to lengthen the Pavla Radome a bit but apart form that just the rigging was tricky with my fumbling fingers! The extended exhaust, bigger oil cooler and wing aerials are from the Pavla set which also includes the cockpit hood and seating for the |Mk III. This is a machine featured in Xtradecal sheet X72144, all Swordfish aircraft. Apparently this is a Mk II airframe brought up to Mk III standard but retained the standard cockpit and 3-man crew, so I used a fair bit of modellers licence as to where to put the radar gear, eventually deciding to install it under the pilot. The observers scope can be seen under the coming behind the pilot in one of the shots. Paints were the usual Vallejo ModelAir with Vallejo and Galeria Varnishes. Uschi thread for the rigging. Weathering kept to a minimum, just a bit of dry-brushing to bring out some detail. Comments and critism welcome. Davey.
    14 points
  15. In 1988, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 was still little known to the West. Monogram released its 1/48 kit of the type based on information that was available at the time. I recall comments that the size was off a bit, and of course, many details were just speculation I suppose. I’ve been a denizen of scale modeling message boards for many years and I don’t recall ever seeing one built and presented. Probably lot’s of good reasons for that. 😉 All it’s faults and shortcomings had prevented me taking pics of the model until the Wednesday trip to the airport. She accompanied other photovirgins for their day in the sun, in front of my camera. I had not been out there in three years and it took a while to get my mojo working (shout out to Muddy Waters there! 😎). The sun was really bright and glare in the viewfinder was a big issue. I prefer slightly overcast days out there but once committed, I was hell bent on getting some good pics. The model, so much larger than her two companions, the Howard Ike and the Komet, was hard to position. I did get a lot of photos and would have taken more to choose from but when turning the model for a new perspective, the SB main landing gear collapsed and also dislodged a missile pylon and part of the front gear too. Arrrgh. 😬 Well, that tore it; I packed up and came home where the MiG-29 was immediately restored. Can’t have her laying over that way! This model was built during that so productive period for me of the early 1990s to early 2000s. I wish I had documented start and completion dates for all those old builds but now I can just guess at the dates. My knowledge of weathering was pretty sketchy in those days but I did add some details. Actuator arms for the rear brakes between the engines and a drag chute cover were scratched out as well as a couple small scoops. I added some “imagineering” to the cockpit rear deck and few details inside. I also added a few antennae bits and pieces. And oh yeah, I detached the horizontal stabilizers and reattached them with pins that allow them to pivot up and down. I have no idea what colours I used, other than MM flat gull gray. Again, no build notes from those bygone days…😪 We are accustomed to having models that are usually quite accurate and then strive to make them more so. Here’s a look at what was available (to most of us) back in 1988 if you wanted a MiG-29 in 1/48 scale. I still think they are really beautiful aircraft, whether modeled or the actual plane, and regardless of accuracy issues, I like having mine in the display. So, here she is with all her warts and faults, trying to be photogenic at our little airport! Thanks for your interest and please feel free to comment!
    14 points
  16. Inspired by the recent posts by @adey m I have decided to upload my own conversions of diecast models. These are generally known as Code 3 models, something not created by the original manufacturer. The Corgi TSR-2 is a lovely, solid piece of metal and displays really well. All my conversions were of what-ifs had the aircraft entered service. Every model was a commission build. It;s quite sad that I have none myself. Phil
    13 points
  17. Mengs Shilka in the markings of the Russian Armed Forces in Afghanistan Hope you enjoy... DSC_4797 by Phillip Loughlin, on Flickr DSC_4781 by Phillip Loughlin, on Flickr DSC_4789 by Phillip Loughlin, on Flickr Thanks for looking
    12 points
  18. Probably my favourite airliner, to me the Pan Am 707s represent a cool Americana image, and the American dream. Station wagons on the drive of 50s dream homes, neat gardens and pastel yellow cardigans, glamorous stewardesses and all the retro cool of that era. For this model I used the Airfix British Airways 707, pretty much out of the box but with the superb 26 Decals so kindly donated by @stringbag.
    12 points
  19. Yokosuka D4Y3 Judy captured. Fujimi 1/72
    12 points
  20. Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII RAAF A58-303 High-Speed High-G trials RAAF Laverton Eduard 1/48 You can find the build thread here: Ray
    12 points
  21. Another great story John - keep them coming! Someone should model that… Thanks Adrian - good to know I'm not alone The knuckleduster? Bill will tell us… Thanks Bill Yep, that's a brush stand free from Sphere Products - love their stuff. How's the vac forming? Buck prepared: Untitled by Ced Bufton, on Flickr I've learned that it's best to carve away the Milliput to a rough shape first - I clogged a sanding stick first of course. It's in the bin now Polished with MicroMesh and wiped off with a damp paper towel, then into the machine: Giorgio's card insert to save PET - works well. This time I moved the tray towards the element as it was heating. Not too close mind (thanks Tony). This is only the second canopy I've done - last time the plaster bucks weren't good enough. This time: All went well. I did have trouble removing the buck but was able to cut off the back of the canopy and prise it out: That black stuff is Milliput. No idea why. I'm hoping the bit at the front (which seems to be melted into the PET) will be on a frame. Now I need to cut it to fit. Gulp. Wish me luck…
    12 points
  22. Are you sitting comfortably. This is a sort of follow on from the story about throwing bombs out of Sunderlands from a few threads back. Harry eventually moved on to Shackletons where he spent the rest of his time in the RAF, and the squadron spent a lot of time on detachments to Malta ( I think ) where lots of cheap goodies were to be had. Unfortunately each time they returned they had to shut down on a taxiway where the gentlemen from HM Customs were waiting to search the aircraft, including the bomb bay, and charge the duty on their ‘ presents ‘ until one day one of the crew came up with a solution. He had seen an empty container in a hangar which was roughly the size and shape of a depth charge, so he had a hatch made in the top and some fittings made so that they could hang it in the bomb bay painted green with a red stripe around it. Needless to say, it was always left alone and they supplied the squadron with cigarettes and other items for some time before being told to remove it. Jhn
    12 points
  23. This is my conversion of Academy's 1/72 North American OV-10D to the earlier YOV-10D Night Observation Gunship System (NOGS). 2 OV-10A's, 152660 and 155395 (note there is one of many typos in the Squadron Gunships book with lists 155660 in one place and 152660 in others). These had a lengthened nose with an FLIR turret and the sponsons removed and an M-197 20mm Gatling gun turret added. There is a MPC kit purporting to be of the YOV-10D but it is inaccurate as far as the M-197 and FLIR turrets and is pretty crude so I set it aside and used the Academy kit instead. I did use the M-197 mount from the MPC kit. To start I have to say that the Academy kit was a pleasure to to build with mostly good fit and finish. Removing the sponsons was fairly easy. I fabricated the m-197 turret from some 9mm brass tube and Master Models' brass 3 barrel M-197 set. The Academy FLIR turret is the later Texas Instruments one so I made the earlier one using the tail end of a multiple rocket launcher. Also note that the Academy kit uses the later type engine exhaust but includes the correct early type too. Other then all that it is pretty much OOB 😀 except for some Eduard seatbelts. I was going to use the MPC decals which were for 152660 but the Academy kit came with decals for 155395 which they say was used in Desert Storm. The only issue was that the type decal said OV-1D instead of YOV-10D but, the MPC decals had the same error so I decided to ignore it. The camelflage was roughly the same 3 color gray scheme used on the AP-2H. So here it is: Next up is the Fantastic Plastic (Anigrand) P4M. This will be the start of my blue period since the next 4 kits (P4M, AF-2S, TBM-3S and P2V-5) will all be painted Dark Sea Blue. Enjoy
    11 points
  24. Here is my 1/72nd Airfix Spitfire I PRF, X4498 of No 1 PRU in 1941, using the Airkit conversion parts . The PRF variant of the early photo recce was designed as a long range version with extra tankage and no armament. The build thread is here https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235072377-172nd-scale-spitfire-pr1fairfix-airkit/ The Type 300 should not be too far behind. Thanks to the group build leaders for a great GB. Share and Enjoy Martin
    11 points
  25. Thanks Adrian It's this stuff from cad-4-designs on eBay: It does have protective film on both sides but I take that off before heating. How are you heating yours? (Fnaar!) Thanks Giorgio Hmmm. I posted the buck image 17 hours ago… and the vac forming an hour ago so I would guess about 15 hours? Milliput does cure pretty quickly though. Now the scary bit - cutting the vac. Oh wait, I can always form another one! Not too worried then. Remember the front of the plastic was a decent fit? I decided to 'scribe' that out to use as a guide for the cutting - it'll also be good if I need to re-form the part: I also poked that black bit on the front and it came out, only leaving a little hole (ahem). Lost confidence though so we're here now: Hopefully I'll feel braver later.
    11 points
  26. Hi all, Finally, time has enabled me to get my Skyraider across the line 😊. As you will have seen in the WIP (below) she is one of the former Armee de l’Air (French Air force) machines that were acquired by the Groupment Aerient Presidentiel de Gabon (GAP). Eight aircraft were on GAP strength over time, with four machines, colour-trimmed red, blue, green and yellow, being the longest serving. They flew as part of a broader and varied GAP fleet that included, at the time, other types like the Banderainte, L-100/C-130, Harvard, Fouga Magister and others. These were the last active and armed Skyraiders world-wide, being retired in the 1980s. For those who are interested, TR-KFP “green” is now F-AZDP in France, TR-KMO “blue” is G-RADR in the UK, TR-LQE “yellow” is in France and TR-KMP “red” now resides in The National Museum of Naval Aviation in the US, having been impounded by customs. A sad end for the old girl . Of the others only one was lost – TR-KFR on 14th July 1978 in Lome. They were flown by contracted French pilots, the most well-known of these being Jacques Borne. Jacques was the flight commander and was an ex-Armee de l’Air mechanic (on H-34/HSS-1) and pilot, having amassed more than 6,400 hours on a number of types, including the Fouga Magister, T-6/Harvard, Mirage IIIB/C/E and IVA, and T-33. He maintained a nickname through his career of “Sarcife”. You can see more about him here, albeit in French: http://www.pilotedechasse.org/2017/06/en-vol-avec-sarcife.html and search "sarcife". Google Translate is a great thing! 😊 The subject of this build is Jacques’ machine, TR-KMP “red”. She was an AD-4N. She is built from a Hasegawa A-1H Skyraider kit, supported by some parts from a Sword AD-4W. The latter is a spare ship for this and other builds in the future. For this build I used the side doors, leaving one “ajar” so that it has a little more detail interest, plus the main wing pylons. For the build I have been supported superbly by Jacques’ son, Fred. He provided me with many images of these aircraft, some of which are also available online, and answered questions along the way. Here she is in a shot taken during her Gabonese career: What did I do/use? Well, here goes: a. Inserted the starboard side door section from the AD-5W, cutting the port side door aperture (slightly too low ☹) and used the AD-5W door b. Built the internals for the rear cabin in a generic sense. Used Kristal Klear for the side windows. c. Added different antennae top and bottom of the fuselage. d. Removed the “pitot” and light from the fin tip. e. Used a F-84G wing tank (thanks @Wez) for the belly tank and made the AD-4 shackles from Plastrict rod. f. Built T10 rocket rails and cables with Plastruct rod and wire. Used the AD-5W main wing pylons. g. Used an Aires cockpit set h. Added static wicks with wire i. Re-scribed per AD-4N j. Painted the red trim rather than using decals k. Here and there, as appropriate, I dry brushed with aluminium, black and red. I also left the Flory wash more intense in places to mimic the dirty(ish) conditions of the aircraft. Unusually for Skyraiders she did not have much oil or exhaust staining, as you can see from the above photo. l. Added the foot steps behind the wings, using brass rod. m. Drilled out the cannons and exhausts - Thanks for the prompt Stuart @Courageous 1. Kits – Hasegawa A-1H Skyraider (00780) and Sword AD-4W Skyraider (SW 72126) 2. Decals – Zotz Skyraiders over Africa set (72026) for the national insignia, lion motif and stencilling, Modeldecal French numbering set (No.63) for the “MP” ID letters, Xtradecal black lining and red lining for the walkways, etc. 3. Extra parts – Aside from the side doors – I used a modified F-84 underwing tank to represent the large belly tank used by the French, various antennas and dorsal intake from the spares box, Plastruct rod for the rocket rails, belly aerial poles, belly tanks saw braces, electrical copper wire for the rocket rail charging cables and static wicks, and a few other little bits and pieces. I used an, Aires A-1 resin cockpit. 4. Paints – Humbrol Metalcote Polished Aluminium (27002), Colourcoats Matt Black, Insignia Red, Interior Green, plus various other paints for small details. Humbrol Glosscote and Satincote. 5. Weathering – Flory Dark Dirt and Light (mixes), Tamiya Weathering Powders, Prismacolor Silver pencil (PC949) 6. Colin @Colin @ Freightdog Models kindly donated a couple of Aero tanks but I needed the larger belly tank. I'll keep these, with his agreement, for a later AD-4B build. Thank also to Mike @72modeler for some valuable data. The WIP is here: I hope you like her. Having got this build done I am now working on Jacques’ Fouga Magister and will then add a Harvard/AT-6D to the Gabonese fleet in my display cabinet. 😊. I hope you like her. Martin
    10 points
  27. Well here she is my version of the Airfix Hellcat. It had to be in the Fleet Air Arm scheme as my house is a solid RN only household. I used the Airscale cockpit set, Master gun barrels, Montex Mask set, HGW seatbelts, Anyz engine dress up set and a brass and resin undercarriage. Happy with all of that except for the cockpit set as it just isn’t that visible on the finished kit. I have a spare set of the undercarriage as I ordered 2 by mistake if anyone wants them. Thanks for looking.
    10 points
  28. ok friends here my second recently project, a F-104 cockpit in 1/12 made by ESCI/ITALERI in late 70th i think.The age is everywhere to see, not really crisp details, soft plastic partically bad moulded. Long time it was already in my stash, i get it from ebay for small money. The seat cover as the belts are all red coloured made as self adhesive fabric, i really dont like this material. To be a bit more realistic i paint it in other colours. All in all the fit was not bad for a kit from the 70th and i addition some scratch work, i covering the pedals and build a wall behind the seat with some details. Also i addition two lamps include the wires. Many bottons and knobs are seperate which are very difficult to cut out and clean it.
    10 points
  29. Well I’m going with this reissued classic: I know that it’s terribly inaccurate and not particularly nice to build, but it was less than a fiver on EBay and it has the classic box Art. I’m going to do this one OOB. Yes. Really! Regards, Adrian
    10 points
  30. Some more steady progress. I don’t usually pre shade silver but I figured I was doing a light pass so what the hell. The pipe. The fire wall. The pipe bit. The pointy bit. The intakes. And the two engine bays. side one. And two. I painted the engine bay with a dark black green colour. I’ll pick out some silver/Alu later on. The engine got some blasts of metallic. Different paints and different tones. I don’t know if you can see but the subtle variation was a test with the mottle stencils. I really like that. I used the same on the pipe. This bit was mottle free. While that lot dried I found something to glue. The wing tips needed assembling soooo. I needed a little metal hat for the Wing light. ta daa! And in. And drying. 🤩 Unfortunately the problem with rubber pegs is that sometimes TET leaks. 🤦‍♂️😫 Not to worry though, soon sanded off. As I’m guessing these panel lines should be? Guys? some last minute masking. To bring in the black to the silver. The mottle really stands out in that shot on the intakes. I’ll have to do some tests with the different sizes. So as @NAVY870 pointed out the Aussie Venom might not be an option. Could I do the FAA without the shark? just a thought. Thanks for dropping by. More tomorrow. Johnny.
    10 points
  31. Next up from the Wednesday trip to the airport is another Testors kit from Hawk, this time from 1960. My Testors kit was issued in 1982. The aircraft is the well-known rocket-powered interceptor, the Me163 Komet, in 1/48 scale. This kit had only about 25 pieces and the instruction sheet had good four-view drawings for four different color schemes and some actually pretty good decaling and weathering tips. I chose the simplest of the four: Me-163B-O V-41, Eprobungskommando 16, Bad Zwischenahn, May 1944. (flown on first operational Komet mission according to the instruction's notes) I believe I’ve read that the all-red paintwork was done as a tribute to the World War One ace, the "Red Baron", Manfred von Richthofen. The only addition I made to the kit was adding the two cannon barrels. Other than that, it was straight OOB. I remember building this in the winter of 1989-90 at the kitchen table of my grandmother’s house where we lived while our house was being finished, and she was living in a nursing home. Again, I added a poorly painted ground crewman (never thought he would see the light of day...), from the Monogram Me-262 kit to add a sense of the true size of the little “power egg”; a plane that seemed as dangerous to its pilots as it was to the enemy. I knew a former WWII top-turret gunner in a B-17, here in our hometown. I once asked him if he had seen any of the German jets or rocket planes. He said he had but they were so fast, he was never sure if he had hit any! The wind played hob with the Komet at the airport. It wobbles on its take-off dolly anyway and the wind kept it moving up and down. I expect some pics might be a bit blurry. I expected her to actually take flight any minute, lol. That photo session was cut pretty short and I only got a few pics but that’s okay. The model isn’t really worth too many pics at best and I had one more plane to photograph. 😉 So, with no further ado, here’s my Komet at the Cameron Airport. Thanks for looking in and please leave comments, good and bad! 😀
    9 points
  32. Here is at last finally completed the model of the Chilean airliner that journeyed the long distances of its South American adoptive country. And a long building journey this was too, given the fact that the Italeri kit is just a hasty and half-way effort to provide the features of the real civil version. All the mishaps and necessary corrections/additions can be visited in the step-by-step building article: The companion Airlines of Australia plane is here: A full interior was provided, and the original short tail had to be modified into a long tailcone. The box art of this kit will completely mislead you into believing that you are acquiring a long tailcone version. Bummer. The most blatant mistake of this old kit is that the two sets of windows were staggered in the original plane, a fact ignored by Italeri that takes a lot of time and some skill to correct. Other many modifications were needed, and of course the addition of the aftermarket Kora set that provides resin radial engines and nacelles plus the decals for this version. On that, I can comment that the fit of the Kora nacelles is not, let's say, comfortable, and if you don't need the decal sheet it provides or the other bits, you are better off buying the radial engines and long tail version offered in one of Italeri's releases (4260). If I had noticed that before, I would have done exactly that. On a secondary note on the decals, the ones provided for the prop blades seem inaccurate, since all photos of the radial versions show invariably a Junkers triangular logo on those blades. Photos show at least two different liveries, the one provided by Kora and another that has a more stylized lettering for "Línea Aérea Nacional" above the windows, instead of on the aft fuselage. Other features can be glimpsed in photos: a LAN big lettering under the right wing, and at least in one machine an anti-glare panel on the nose. I drew immense pleasure from the conversion of a machine of sinister origins and use, into an airliner that happily is not wearing despicable symbols, but instead had a good use transporting civilians and goods, and being useful for peace, not war. LAN (Línea Aérea Nacional) had four of these Junkers, starting flying them in 1937-8 (depending on the source), they were capable of carrying 10 passengers in relative comfort with the necessary sturdiness for the rough conditions that many times the airline industry of the time had to operate in. This old kit as said is not very accurate and it is devoid of cabin detail, having also raised panel lines, but the fit is quite good, and the engineering uncomplicated, which is appreciated. As many other old vintage kits, it can be converted into a fair representation of the original withy some love and time. I would say that the skill required for this conversion is within the reach of committed modelers that had already ventured into some kit-improving and detailing. Provided you invest some time and effort, you can obtain a large number of civil airliners from this kit. As stated in the building article, Kora Models has some sets that cover a few of the choices (not sure how accurate they are, mine had some glitches), but combining different issues of the Italeri kit (radial, inline, short tailcone, long tailcone) and doing your decals you are also set for a nice ride. Since there is so little material about this Chilean machines (I have all what is to be found online, by the way), I am eager to know if fellow aviation enthusiast from Chile could come forth with more photos. For what I can tell, no registrations or logos were painted on the upper surfaces of the wings,. and only one photo hints at "LAN" painted underneath the right wing.
    9 points
  33. Tank, Infantry, Valentine Mk.IV Tamiya | 1/35 scale Tank, Infantry, Valentine Mk.IV in 1/35 scale from Tamiya with RB metal barrels and Masterclub metal tracks. Painted with Tamiya acrylics; weathered with, Vallejo acrylic weathering effects, Ammo and Mig Productions enamels; Ammo pigments and dirt from outside. Comments and criticism welcomed!
    9 points
  34. I remember seeing this plane in the Science Museum in London as a kid and always wanted to build the model. This has been in the stash for as long as I can remember, so now's the time. I see I got the AM etched stuff which may complicate things, I'll use the seat belts if nothing else. Cheers.
    9 points
  35. Here is a kit I built back in 2011. It's Revell's 1:72 Aeritalia (Fiat) G.91R/3. It reperesents 32+75, of Le.KG 4, Luftwaffe, at Husum in October 1979 during the "Bulls Eye 79" exercises. The kit was built very much OOB. It was painted by brush and varnished with airbrush. I had to touch up the sharkmouth decals with paint in some areas. Thank you for looking and all comments are welcome as always Miguel
    9 points
  36. A prototype from 1917 two were built this is the second in its penultimate form. The final machine had staggered wingspans on all four wings. Scratchbuilt in 1/48. The Pup is also a scratch build shown for comparison.
    9 points
  37. That's the rear end done. To my surprise I didn't break the thin resin parts anywhere. As a reward for my hard work I also fitted the shock absorbers and brakes.
    9 points
  38. Disaster struck just before lunch! I forgot to dab the excess Tamiya Extra thin off the brush and it flooded the rudder and right horizontal stabiliser. The stab then stuck to the box and was covered in paper. A new one was fabricated from .020 styrene sheet. Cutting mat scale for scale? Ready for putty and paint! Not pictured - repeatedly sanding, rescribing and reattaching that RH stab...
    9 points
  39. This is actually a bit earlier then I'd intended, but it's light, I'm awake* so might as well. I hope you noticed the clock? No cheating possible, it's Radio Controlled and linked to an Atomic Clock somewhere, totally accurate! Anyway, first cuts. Nice plastic, not too hard or soft. And look at that lovely little control column, which you probably can see. Its great! * I think the being awake is linked to the ill-advised late night dram of Talisker whisky. Cheers!
    9 points
  40. Ok. Here we go guys. Managed to do some very intensive building and painting over the last couple of days and this is what I've managed to put together. It looks complete but it is not. I still have to include the overhead crane, a couple more extra details, corrugated sidings at both ends with some details, and a welder figure. But so far, things are looking good. What do you think?
    8 points
  41. I have my 1973 Matchbox Walrus kit washed and ready to go. I tried a sample of the original decal sheet (in Roobios tea!) and it came off well and didn't crack so may use that decal sheet just for old time sake. The reason I've titled it wading Walrus is that it will be waterlined. I will do basic stringing and one or two extras. Watch this space I also have an aftermarket decal sheet so will see which looks best. Some hints of whats going to happen 😉
    8 points
  42. Whilst my 1/48 Airfix B(I)6 is in a holding pattern, I though I'd post some photos of the finished Gun pack on my scratch built servicing stand. John
    8 points
  43. Woohoo! Finished! Off to bed for me! Unlike last year, I'll try and remember to put it in the gallery tomorrow morning! Happy building everyone!
    8 points
  44. Thanks for all the comments Oh they both gave me trouble all night. The left one had to be super glued back on twice more. Same for the left landing gear. Then right at the end the clear red for the right nav light flooded the wing tip. A little thinner and some white that luckily brushed on just right was able to save that one. Will do, thank you! Time to sleep, good luck and have fun with all of your builds
    8 points
  45. Thanks Roger - a little help was given! Thanks Rob Thanks Giorgio Thanks Keith Er, no… I thought that was just for plaster bucks I'll try to remember next time. Feeling braver, I cut and sanded and cut and sanded and sanded and… Dipped it in Aqua Gloss. It's not in the tweezers, it's just standing on its own. Once it's dry I'll stick it on. I've been trying to see what the windows were like and I'm seeing lots of variances in photos of PBY-5As. I think I'll go with the scheme diagram - central 'roof' ending in a 'V', four small and two long windows on each side of the top. Mostly glass so I think I'll mask up for the central roof and use Filmoplast for the rest of the frames.
    8 points
  46. Thanks Jeroen. The research is half the fun in these cases; it brings so much more to the build. Thanks Pete. They were racing for over seven hours, so a little bit of comfort might have been a good thing. In the time of the race the leaf springs were wrapped with thin rope or cord, probably sisal rope. First I thought a visit to sewing shop would be called for. Then I remembered I should have rigging thread from Amati for sail ship models that I bought some years ago, that could be just the type I was looking for. Sure enough, in the stash, in the 1/150 Heller Preussen kit, there were a number of different sizes added to the box. I bought the thread from Cornwall Model Boats when I built Airfix Vasa: https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/amati_rigging_thread.html I thought this one would be worth a try. First I cut a piece that was too short and had to start again, but after a bit of work I had this. I have to cut some 55-60 cm thread for half a leaf spring to be able to work it, and about half of that ends up on the spring. A surprising amount I think. I have to do a few tight turns, then secure on the backside with a tiny amount of CA before continuing. It would have been nice to do this on separate springs, but that is a luxury I don't have in this case. Dry fitting to see how it looks. Good enough for my needs I think, so it's one half done and only seven more to go...
    8 points
  47. Goood moorniiing Viee.... Britmodeller! This is my latest build, literally finished just now: Shenyang J-5, Vietnam People's Air Force, 932 Fighter Reg. Red 3020 (Le Hai) | Tho Xuan August 1969 Kit: Airfix Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F 'Fresco' (Shenyang J-5) (#A03091) Scale: 1/72 Aftermarket: None (T-antennas were taken from Hobby Boss MiG-15UTI kit) Paints: Vallejo Model Color, Model Air & Metal Color, Tamiya Acrylics Weathering: Flory Models Wash, Mig weathering Products, Tamiya Panel Liners Really enjoyed this kit, mostly has good details - only thing that is obvious that is missing is the T-shaped antennas under the wings. But I was building Hobby Boss MiG-15UTI at the same time and luckily it has a set of two so I used the other set. Fit was great, only in the nose some extra care was needed. Painted with Vallejo Metal Color first (Semi Matte Aluminium) followed by Tamiya Clear Coat. Thin layer of Vallejo Chipping Medium applied to selected places, followed by thin layer of Vallejo 71.2289 US Dark Green. Camo spots painted with Tamiya XF-27 Black Green. Chipped the paint using small stiff brush, applied the decals & weathered lightly. And some comparison shots with F-105 Thunderchief: Hope you like it! Comments & constructive criticism welcomed
    8 points
  48. A few hours in and its snack time! So, up to now I've assembled most of the interior. Here's the main cockpit parts: Then I attached the inlets. Luckily I read through some views so I knew to expect that these would put up a fight. I got there in the end, but this is looking like a prime location for filling and sanding. Paint for the cockpit started with black, then a mist of ocean grey over the top. Other details were then hand-painted in a few Tamiya colours. Finally, a dark wash. After I finish this coffee, I'll add the instrument panel decals, then paint the main wheel-wells and close the thing up. I *think* I can attach the main gear after the fuselage is closed, which will vastly improve the masking and painting experience, but the instructions say not to. Test fitting will ensue.
    8 points
  49. Hello all, Here is my recent completion, a 1/72 Airfix Beaufighter using DK Decals to show a 455SQN RAAF machine. I didn't lash out on this one, just masking tape for the seat belts and EZ line for the antennae. I also learnt that it is very difficult to mask and airbrush straight lines. I've only done this once on a 1/72 Typhoon which I did a few years ago, but with a bigger aircraft comes more paint (and finger prints). Also here is a handy tip. If you airbrush yellow paint make sure the airbrush is super super clean before your spray your gloss cote, even if you have cleaned it thoroughly. Otherwise after a pass over the white invasion stripe it may or may not end up with a yellow tinge to it (so I have heard from someone ). But after a little bit of weathering it blended in. I like how the colour turned out which is lucky because I just started the Airfix Phantom FG.1. I also have another Beaufighter which will be a 31SQN RAAF aircraft from the same DK Decal sheet and in the same colours. Thanks for looking, stay safe and wash your hands! Jay Gee.
    8 points
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