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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/08/20 in all areas

  1. I'm more at home in the armour or the diorama section, but every now and again I build an aircraft or 2. The insignia on both builds are done using paint masks, both aircraft were washed with flory grime. be gentle,
    36 points
  2. If I wanted to find a positive out of this crappy situation it's getting more bench time. Another finished for 2020 1/48 Airfix De havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth - 25 Sqn RAAF Cunderdin WA. The build is pretty much out of the box with some seatbelts from Eduard and EZY Line rigging. Decals are from Southern Sky Models and the paint is the new Trainer Yellow from SMS Paints. Lovely kit and I'm happy to have a 1/48 Tiggy in my cabinet after a long wait. Thanks for looking in.
    32 points
  3. Good morning, I thought i'd share a kit that was completed a couple of weeks ago after a couple of months working on it. I got this kit in 2017 for my 18th birthday off Ebay, its a Return of the Turkeys boxing so it came with two kits in one box and had a lot of PE parts to go along with it; this included a PE cockpit set, landing flaps and bomb bay as well as an aftermarket decal sheet. I opted out of using the bomb bay after deciding to have it closed up and may use it for the second if I get round to building it anytime soon. Due to struggling with painting Insignia white previously and having never used a lot of PE parts in a build, I opted out of builidng the kit for just under 3 years but wanted to give it a go and finish it for my 21st birthday ( I ended up getting it done just a week after my 21st). The model was really enjoyable to build except for a couple of issues around the canopy areas, specifically, the fit of the ball turret and it being moulded in two parts meant getting a proper fit was a struggle. Im guessing there were easier ways to go about it but I might have found the most awkward way as I ended up resorting to Zap CA glue, which despite being the best CA I have used for models, it can be a bit of a pain where it is so thin and flows even with the smallest amount. I resorted to creating a canopy cover for the ball turret; this is something I had wanted to try before on a 1/48th B24J due to the way the clear part of the turret fits together but thought it would be a good opportuity to put the covers to the test to see if they looked any good. I am actually quite happy with the result of this even if it is not entirely accurate. I painted the model with AK interactive model air using the US Navy set and reallly enjoyed airbrushing with them, im trying to improve my airbrushing in general so I am learning and growing my techniques to something I am happier with. The only paint I stuggled with a bit was the Insignia white and am thinking about trying a Tamiya rattle can for the white base next time and building up layers over the top of that first layer, I think the white either always looks too thick or too patchy. Finally, I wanted to test out new some more oil weathering with some post weathering with an airbrush. I have since bought a new needle for one of my airbrushes as I didnt really take enough time or have enough patience to do so which resulted in a few silly mistakes that could have been avoided. Overall I am quite happy with the finished kit, there are a lot of little things that could have gone better all to do with me rushing at the end after taking just under two months on the kit, I had another kit idea in my head, hence why I rushed the build at the last stages which is something I will not do again. If you have any tips or suggestions let me know. Even though I have been making models for around 4 years now I still feel as though there is loads for me to be learning, I think this is due to my lack of consistency between build quality, some I am very happy with and others not so much. Thanks for looking, I hope everyone is doing well with the current situation going on, its kept me from being bored for the whole of pandemic. 👌 Ryan
    25 points
  4. Great kit...nothing more to add. HGW and Eaglecals decals. MRP paints. Could have been a bit more dirty on the undersides but for now I leave it as it is.
    24 points
  5. Hi...my last model....marvellous 1\48 Tamiya plus aires cockpit and same other small improvement.....largely painted:national insegna serial codes,walkaway,fuselage band....Ciao from Italy
    23 points
  6. Here's my Airfix 1/144 BAC 1-11, converted to a 1-11-500, which I've just finished in the A Kit You Built As A Kid group build. Build thread is here. It's a pretty simple conversion - main jobs are to extend the fuselage and wingtips, mostly done with plastic card and milliput. Other, smaller jobs included reprofiling the nose cone with milliput, replacing and moving the wing fences, adding an APU and reprofiling the flap track fairings. Decals are from TwoSix - I chose G-AVMR because I flew on it back in 1981. thanks for looking Julian
    23 points
  7. Spitfire Mk IXc, in Yugoslav Air force, one of 3 that was in use until the early 50's. After the war, they have been overhauled and painted in Yugoslav colors that were similar in tone to Russian AMT-7 and AMT-11. The kit is Eduards Weekend edition, Lift Here Decals (Serbian manufacturer of decals), paint MRP Paints.
    18 points
  8. Special Hobby's 1/32nd scale North American X15 A2 Apart from a few scratch built additions in the cockpit, and a pilot figure from Shapeways (3D printed), it is an out of the box build. Various shades of black, dark greys, and metallic tones from various manufactures. Shapeways X-15 pilot. 3D printed. The version I ordered was the "basic quality" one & higher quality versions are available, for an increased cost. This one was rough, but workable. Head/face replaced with a Hornet Heads resin item. He needed some adjustments to get a better fit in the chair & cockpit. Thanks for looking, Angelo
    16 points
  9. Hi all, Just finished this exquisite little 1/72 gem. It really is a delight to make - it’s basically a really nice 1/48 kit shrunk 😬. Can’t think of anything in this scale to match it tbh. I’m on a roll of starting a mini collection going of 1/72 eclectic biplanes that take my fancy. Mostly they seem to be older kits though. Can anyone recommend any other well designed kits of that nature? I think I’ve seen most of Eduard’s offerings in WW1 and, obviously Airfix, Tiger Moth, Gladiator and the Vintage Classic range, but anything else? Guy
    16 points
  10. All know about Eduards P-51s. Rather troublesome build, few minor things caused by myself. Built as Kit Carsons Nooky Booky IV. Alclad metalics, Gunze paints and Eaglecals decals. My Bad, should be in RFI
    15 points
  11. Just finished this one, build out of box, a rearly good kit fit was nice so no big issues, Cheers Jes
    15 points
  12. I don't wish to alarm anyone unduly but I actually sat at a bench and played around with physical matter today! An excuse also to play with the Pixnor tweezers which had been sulking disconsolately in the background since @CedB got the entire forum to buy a set at Christmas... The mailbag first though: Ta Chris - always a worry when wot the screen showed had to turn into actual atoms.... Nurse! Mr. Bufton seems to have some saliva on his chin.... If I wasn't previously, then such compliments from a bona fide miniature maestro certainly does! Thanks Steve. Oo-errr - rumbled! 😁 Hang abaht - you saying it looks as dog-rough as the Frog version? Don't forget eye of newt... (for an unorthodox landing light...). 😁 At least I've a year or two's grace before I need to consider that phase of things Giorgio! Currently reading some interesting stuff about her in Geoffery Cooper's Farnborough and the Fleet Air Arm - I must check to see if the NMM prints section has reopened yet.... In my case Alan I think it has to be suction/surface tension causing a meniscus to form in such small enclosed spaces as the bits concerned would have been pointing downwards during the print. I'm going to be enlarging a number of them next time anyway so hopefully this will cause the problem to diminish somewhat. It is a tempting object compared to prices of similar kit! Much obliged Benedikt. Stick with it Jason - the childlike sense of wonder when shapes on a screen become objects in the world is worth it! Thanks Michael! It takes all forms doesn't it and the one constant is its evolution through time. Stasis is the death of creativity in my book... Thanks CJ - I have to say there is an undeniable pleasure in coming to understand how the real thing works in order to make such small replicas. If it's any consolation Alastair, both my sons come in from time to time just to check I still have motor functions and the power of speech... I have to remind patrons that I'm not responsible for any injuries. 😁 Nowt but bleeding rain here again today Pete. Sending several plastic bags' full by courier. You don't like those places? Better a wow than an ow... (Thanks Keith) Oooh the language on yer one. 😁 (cheers Simon) Spent some time then fiddling around at the bench this morning, firstly joining the radius arm to the main gear shock absorber: The joints top and bottom were pretty much bang on i terms of a good fit and although the lower one wasn't fully realized in the print, using resin to form the join should introduce the required strength back in to the structure. The bulk of the weight will fall on the main shock anyway and that has a good solid core for strength. Outer wheel half added for visuals and the Maxaret detailing looks quite nice: It occurred to me at this point that I've no idea whether or not this aircraft is going to be a tail sitter and will need some weight adding to the front section? Main event today though was to mock up the detailing the wingfold would pan out and I'm pleased to say that my speculations about the suitability 0.3mm brass tubing and fuse wire for the plumbing and hydraulic lines at this scale seem to have borne fruit: Bear in mind that she's still missing the middle linkage anda few PE bits around the pin-pushing bits and that the actual latching pins themselves have been omitted. As these latter elements seemed to print quite happily as part of the actual latches themselves on the rear element, I'll modify the design to include these on the middle and forward latches too. Their presence should in fact also help in mounting the 'pusher' parts for those sections, as adding them later as separate elements makes them stand out quite nicely (as well as being more faithful to the run of the connecting rods between them): This and the following handful of shots are magnified using an old projector lens from the 1950s in front of the camera lens, so my apologies for the variable quality: That cable tray up at the front I'm going to abandon producing from resin and replace the part with brass strip - as I think I mentioned yesterday it looks too visually 'soft' for my tastes. I'm also conscious that although the hinges at present provide adequate support between the two wing halves, there will be a much greater weight involved when the full outer wing section is in place and a metal support up front will help considerably in supporting this. Another useful result of today's work was to clarify my thinking about how to deal with the number of small entry holes for fuel pipes etc. Instead of trying to add these into the design to any depth, I'm going to just put dimples as pilot holes, as drilling them out fully after printing (as was done here) is easily the most effective way of producing good sharp entry holes of just over 0.3mm diameter: Well, that all seems to work. Tony Addenda: Quick snort of primer on the doorstep to visually unify the detail a bit:
    15 points
  13. Hello everybody, This is 1/32 Hasegawa Focke Wulf Fw-190 D9 with the markings of “White 12” W.Nr. 500408 in Bad Langelsanza Germany- May 1945. Cockpit modified by YAHU instrument panel and AMLA seat. Other additions are: Quickboost Gun cover and gun barrels. MDC Fw-190 D9 Wheel set Eagle Parts propeller blades Quickboost exhausts Decals : Eagle Cals EC#32-061 Paints : Gunze Sangyo acrylics and Alclad lacquers. Happy modelling
    14 points
  14. Mornin’ you lot. Thanks for all the kind words. Working from home we do get to see some of the visitors to our garden during the day. 🦊 having a snooze. 😇 I’m glad the girls are locked up nice and tight. 🐓🐓🐓 A few more bits and bobs on the shark mouthed beauty were completed. Almost at the finish line now. 😇 The pie tin belts are done I just have to paint and weather them. Time to uncover the ghost and hope there was no under spray. Gators grip is great for temporarily hoding bits in place. 👍 All good. 🙌 I fixed up where the glue had been and added the band. Looking carefully you can see that I also added the air brakes. I need to sand more off the tyres to get them sitting flat. little glass detail added to the IP. the glue is still wet. Nearly almost time for the 4x4😝 just this left. Visited friends last night. I had to take this for our dear @corsaircorp ❤️ a lovely drop. 😇 hope you’re all having a lovely weekend. Take care. Jont. 🦈
    14 points
  15. This is the Hasegawa A6M5 1/48 kit with some Eduard etch seat belts with the decals from Rising Decals Dying Sun sets. The kit itself was rescued from the shelf of doom, I can't remember why it was put there as the model itself isn't bad. The decals are also top notch. ATAIU-SEA stands for Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit -South East Asia and a number of Japanese aircraft wore these markings post war while being the subject of evaluation by the RAF. I believe that the centre section of this aircraft is now in the Imperial War Museum and the only section of the ATAIU's aircraft to survive.
    13 points
  16. Whilst on furlough, I had a play around in Photoshop. I don't really know what I'm doing in there, I just press buttons and pull levers until it does something interesting! One of the levers I pulled made some arty changes to the images which looked pretty cool so thought I'd share them as something slightly different yet still RFI photo's. The first two are of the recent FM 1/48 Halifax This one is the Blackbird 1/72 Manchester conversion on the Airfix Lanc This one is the Sanger 1/48 Stirling done last year An old one this, the frog 1/72 Whitley The CMR Lanc B.II Lanc Conversion for the Revell 1/72 Kit The Hasegawa Grandslam 1/72 Another oldie, the Airfix 1/72 Halifax in 347Sqn markings Another Blackbird conversion, the 1/72 Lincoln The Italeri Stirling as McRoberts Reply Yet another oldie, the airfix 1/72 Stirling And another from this years output, the Airfix 1/72 Lanc straight out of the box Hope it's brought something a little bit different. Thanks for looking Neil
    13 points
  17. Hallo again Well, this is my first MIG-21 F-13 in a bigger serie of 21s. With Eduard etched parts, Master probe, Russian decals etc. Well, so I will start my next one. PF from Eduard. Happy modelling
    12 points
  18. Thanks Chris It looks like the AML mask DO mask the DE? Rats. I have those (after one of your previous posts I think) but didn't look! John, Pat and Ben - enjoy the curries! Thanks Johnny Yikes. I would be useless in those temperatures. 23.2º now in the fan breeze so bearable, just I've checked my stock of Colourcoats and I've two DEs and a DG in the stock so I'm OK for now, but it does show the DG gets more use DG on:
    11 points
  19. Hi fellow modellers, I just finished my third build after coming back to the hobby after an absence of more than 10 years. It also counts as a Covid build since we were in quarantine for a long time… I had to pause the build when we got infected with Covid in april, Its what they call mild infection but we were pretty sick.. my wife is a nurse and she got it at work. Three weeks ago I got to go back to hospital because I got memory problems and its a good chance that it was Covid related… took me out again for some time… modelling is what kept me going in between sick periods. But now I am better and was able to finish the build. Sorry its another Tamiya P-38F.. but I hope you like it!
    10 points
  20. I have found the paint/thinners consistency to be crucial. Too much paint and you get a splatter, too much thinners and you get a blob. What worked best for me was the minimum, or thereabouts, air flow, just tweaking the trigger enough to get paint just flowing, and gently drawing squiggles and circles, keeping the brush moving all the time. Every now and then, as paint seemed to dry on the nozzle, a quick squirt of full trigger on some cloth or towel, and back to the model again. Which gets me to here. Fairly pleased with that. I’ll probably do a final light overspray of sand again on the Freccia, just to blend things in better. A similar job could be done on the Falco, but some careful tidying between the green and maroon squiggles might not be amiss. Inevitably, some retouching on the undersides is going to be required, but I can live with that. Now, I need some yellow for the cowlings. I’m thinking of mixing my own, as funds don’t currently allow for the large order I’d like to make from Jamie.
    10 points
  21. Crisp, Giorgio, Terry, Jamie, Michael, Michael, Johnny, Benedikt, James, Ced, Keith, Alan, Ian, Phil, Bill, James, Steve, Alastair, Bill: I had in fact almost finished replying to you all individually just now and haplessly managed to delete the whole screed in the process of cutting and pasting - usually stuff remains after a page refresh doesn't it but on this occasion the forum software seems to have regarded my banalities as unworthy of a recovery efort. Anyway: deeply to all of you for your kind comments. This was the state of play last evening with all the necessaries in .stl format ready for orientation in Chitubox: The Elegoo software has definitely improved in the latest version - with regard to supports in particular. In the past I've tended to use far too many light supports and ended up with a plethora of contact points to tidy up afterwards - on this occasion I used a modified version of the medium support structure which, in combination with the software providing you now with visual hints regarding potential placement sites, needed far far fewer supporting elements. The iPhoton FileValidator software also discovered less 'islands' that I'd missed first time around, so I must be getting a tad better at judging angles... Put the resin on overnight and up about 5am to check results. This btw is what the W. of Ireland looked like at dawn this morning - a singularly lurid inflammation swiftly transforming into a torrential gunmetal rain: Very John Martin. (No, not that one with the 'y' - the 19thC apocalyptomaniac): Anyhow in the dawn light I did see that a bunch of shapes had emerged successfully from the goo, so after a thorough washing in IPA I dunked them in a tank of water/detergent mixture and shot of back to the scratcher for a last couple of hours of blessed kip. After about an hour under the UV map and picking off the remaining supports with a thumbnail, here we are: As per previously. nothing sanded so this is them in their raw state as they emerged. I'll go over them in more detail at the weekend in order to make notes about anything that needs changing but initial observations are positive as a viable workflow, saving the following: Offsets for all holes all need to be bigger: whether it's suction or just resin accumulating in the enclosed space, the holes simply aren't big enough (though main ones for the wing hinges seem fine, so only small round/square/slits need expanding by I reckon 40% in size.). Same issue with holes for front wheel axle and arrestor gear hook- may be possible to thicken these sections it slightly w/o wrecking the visuals. The radius arm of the main gear is too thin to support the required weight so will be replaced with a brass PE part. Idea of using brass rod as locking pins for main fold linkage (which I forgot to add to the print list dammit...), latches and main gear will be discarded as impracticable at this scale. Latch pins will be printed as part of structure as those visuals work fine for the rear mechanism whilst two former items will be bonded to surrounding structures using resin. I was pretty pleased with how well the structural integrity and level of detail held up - the only real 'failure' was a slight warping of the outer wing section at the rear: I'm not overly alarmed by this tbh as the section printed here is only 6mm wide whereas actual print will run out as far as rib 8 (where the wing fence is located) and am not anticipating this problem to recur with a large supporting cross section. Certainly that hasn't happened with this section when printed to this extent on a previous occasion. To pick out the level of detailing a bit more prominently, I rubbed some dark whiteboard marker into the parts to help with the photography: Here's just a selection of views then to give a sense of how certain details have performed. Firstly the inboard wingfold: Even bits I didn't think would appear have remained 9such as those thin perpendicular triangular bits behind the rear latching mechanism. Printing that mechanism directly onto rib 4 seemed to work fine with no intrusiveness from their rear support structures, and a pleasing level of detail remaining in the hinges. Outboard counterpart: A couple of shots of the forward latching mechanism and cable tray: Pleased that the latch structures will work mounted separately - I'll have a play around at the weekend tacking them on (along with some brass rod) to mockup the visuals, as I expect some fun getting things aligned: The cable tray I feel looks a bit 'soft' compared to the original, so I'm likely to replace this with brass strip bent into shape. Necessary also I feel to give some supporting strength up at the front of the wingfold. Arrestor hook and commensurate recesses in the rear exhaust fairing I've no complaints about: Aagain, I think I'll need to replace the upward-pointing actuator with some brass tube for strength when mounting into position - these kinds of decisions are I think indicative no how no single material is really satisfactory on it's own in representing so many diverse elements in three dimensions - especially where strength as well as appearance is at a premium: Although I won't do it on the actual model (for reasons of painting access),I printed the Microcells as part of the front wheel bay and it worked quite handily: @hendie's frustums worked a treat: Front and main legs: Actually looking at that radius arm again, the short thin section of it isn't a main load bearing section so I may just get away with keeping it. It's not all that evident but the front oleo was the only place I cocked-up putting a couple of supports too close to the main vertical so that there was no physical separation to cut them away - I need to watch that next time! The wheels. These satisfy me in a profoundly inexplicable manner.... With hindsight there really was no need for me to have printed them in two halves - with just a few contact points on the wheel rubbers to deal with, printing them whole shouldn't result in much heartache at the cleanup stage: Nosewheel axle will need re-drilling though but again, no real angst. Quick donk of the oleo into place for a gander at the visual: Sits a bit high but that's due to mounting hole in the roof of the well needing to be a bit deeper - you can see above as well those two supports I mentioned that I got too close to the stbd side of the oleo. As I was taking the last few photographs, a strangely radiant disc miraculously appeared in the sky so it was a good opportunity to dab some resin on to the hinge mounts to cure in the sunlight (in bright sun, usually less than a minute). The wings here are tacked together quickly before the sun disappeared rather than carefully positioned, hence the gap between the two halves: From the front to give a sense of the surface relief involved: Clumsy tacking together of parts excluded, today's results give me confidence that the design process is working. Before moving rearwards to look at the RAT and beginning to confront the frankly intimidating decisions needed in regard to opening up the engine bays and building the Avons, I need to collect my thoughts about what bits in today's haul need adding to the PE list and what bits needs alterations to their size/depth before proceeding onward. Thanks for looking-in: have a great evening! Tony
    10 points
  22. Evening all, A very enjoyable, if not complex build of a WWII legend, the Boeing B17G, or lesser known as the RAF variant of the Fortress Mk.III. I am not normally a fan of building "non UK built" WWII aircraft, but as my current theme is along the lines of Coastal Command, I couldn't overlook this airframe. Finished out of the box using Tamiya and Vallejo paints, some gun barrels were replaced with Quickboost versions. The base is by Noys Minatures from Hannants and the ground vehicles is Airfix's wonderful Bomber Supply Set. Model was built with the wings detachable in order to allow for better storage.
    9 points
  23. Quite enjoying having a break from trucks...
    9 points
  24. 9 points
  25. 9 points
  26. Thanks Gents, much appreciated Especially with the lack of mojo recently, it does help to regain it when you know others are gently nudging in the right direction! It's a holiday weekend here so I've had 3 days at this Needless to say that hasn't resulted in much progress! I did a light wash on the wings and dull coated them. It should really have been a gloss coat but I dull coated the underside of the upper wing so the rest has to match. Oops! Yesterday morning was spent making up a high-tech jig (plasticene squished to the right height!) and the lower booms were fitted. I decided against the epoxy I'd bought as I don't know how it will affect the plastic. I'll try on something unimportant first! So back to Gator's Grip! The rigging lines were attached to the boom undersides and trapped between boom and wing to secure them then it was left alone until late afternoon when I added some thin CA to the joins to reinforce them. This morning showed them to be secure so I continued with the upper booms. Here's where she sits now, until at least tomorrow afternoon! I have also decided on the next model. The Taube will wait as I won't get the engine for it until Christmas. I was undecided until I looked at my display cabinet and noticed a big gap - no 1915 Allied aircraft! So as a teaser, this is what will follow.... Thanks for looking in and stay safe! Ian
    9 points
  27. Thanks Pat, Mark, Simon and Rose for the kind wishes Thanks too to Giorgio - 24°C in the basement! But I guess you're used to it eh? Too hot for me… Before I go to bed I thought I'd check out the Arma templates in preparation for painting. Schemes for all three are the same pattern: Should make it easier? I remember PC commenting that he wished the templates allowed you to mask the DE rather than DG and I thought 'The Spitfire patterns are a mirror of each other, so why not use the other masks?'. Because the Hurri patterns are NOT a mirror, that's why: Rats. Not a problem as such but I have two tins of DE and only one of DG. Time Jamie got another order, soonish I think.
    9 points
  28. Eventually finished my first build, 1/700 Titanic, not perfect but Happy enough for my first foray into model building for 60+yrs. One or two mishaps along the way, some fiddly bits and a couple of things sent on a magical trip jumping out of the tweezers and sent on a journey to another dimension🤔 never to be found again. Decals were a bit of a nightmare, the gold coloured lines I decided to do without, they were a bit reluctant to come off the decals sheet, the one that did come off easy went everywhere except where it was meant to. The Titanic decal for the bow of the ship is so tiny as is the stern you can hardly see it but they are there. The main decal RMS Titanic for the base stand went on ok but idiot me when I went to move the finished ship somewhere safe my clumpy fingers touched the wet decal by accident and ruined the decal.🤬 If anyone knows where I can get a new Decals sheet or even the RMS Titanic one for the base plate it would be much appreciated. I have been using Humbrol DecalFix for the decals, is this ok? Images below, feel free to critique, I'm, still learning and I have thick skin.
    8 points
  29. Hiya Folks, I was so pleased to hear that Valom were releasing the Vickers Valetta as a 1/72nd scale kit and as soon as it was released I bought `a few'! The kit is lovely and I can very highly recommend it, although the instructions can be a bit obscure in places and photos of the real aircraft are a real bonus. The decal sheet is quite limited too as the roundels are the wrong size and there are no wing walk stripes, which were prominent on the real aircraft....... hopefully a decal manufacturer who specialises in post war RAF decals might help fill a void,...I have dropped some hints and provided some info! Here is my WIP if anybody is interested; The Valetta which I have modelled is VW202/C of 84 Sqn which took off at daybreak from Nicosia, Cyprus along with 17 other Valetta`s from 30, 70, 84 and 114 Sqn plus 14 Hasting`s from 99 and 511 Sqn`s to take part in Operation Telescope, the Airborne Forces element of Op Musketeer, the Anglo French operation to regain control of the Suez Canal. These aircraft were to drop 668 men of the 3 Para Group consisting of 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment plus attached arms onto El Gamil airfield on the 5th November 1956 while French paratroopers along with British Royal Engineers and The Guards Independent Company `Pathfinders'also took off from Tymbou, Cyprus in their French Noratlas transports to jump nearby at Port Fuad, the plan being to hold both flanks of the invasion beaches for the troops coming ashore next day. Each Valetta carried 20 paratroopers and 7 of the Hasting`s carried 30 paratroopers while the remaining 7 carried a smaller number of troops plus the heavy drop consisting of Jeeps and trailers/anti tank weapons which were mounted under the fuselage on special beams. As the formation approached El Gamil a Canberra dropped a smoke bomb to mark the DZ and help assess the wind which was critical as the troops were jumping along the runway and there was water on either side. This forced the pilots to fly directly into the low rising sun but this had already been accounted for and tinted screens had been erected inside the windscreens to prevent the crews from being dazzled and the first troops jumped over El Gamil right on time at P-Hour which was set for 0515hrs. Small arms fire from the ground was encountered and a number of aircraft received hits, as did the men under their parachutes including the battalion doctor who was hit in the eye and wounded,.... but the entire drop was completed within 10 minutes and all of the aircraft returned to Cyprus safely while El Gamil airfield was swiftly secured within 30 minutes following heavy fighting. A follow up drop arrived later in the day consisting of 2 Valetta`s and 5 Hastings bringing in 3 Para`s D Company and more supplies including an ammunition resupply. The British Para`s fought along the narrow istmus where the airfield was located and down to the main beach defences in Port Said which were captured and held until the amphibious landing the next day, the 3 Para Group lost 4 men killed and 32 men wounded during the assault and subsequent fighting and the amphibious assault was a great success,..... including the very first use of helicopters in an amphibious assault. Although the military operation was a sucess,... the politics were not and the British and French were forced to withdraw under the threat of nuclear attack from Russia and financial ruin by the USA and the Anglo French built Suez Canal remained in Egyptian hands. My father in law was one of the men who stormed the beach and I am proud to know a few of the men of the 3 Para Group who jumped at Suez,.... the last time that British Airborne Forces have parachuted into action in large numbers. Here is the aircraft that I am depicting; And here is the model; And seeing as I ws asked,......here is a comparison between the Valetta and the Dakota too; All the best wishes, Tony
    8 points
  30. Sorry for the lack of updates everyone, running out a steam as of late. @CedB I understand how the hot weather can sap the mojo, 39°C here yesterday, but 'cooling off' to 37°C today. My apartment is older and only has a portable AC unit that does its best, but definitely difficult to concentrate on tiny plastic parts right now. I really appreciate all the encouraging comments, thanks everybody, and here's a small update resulting from the little bit of puttering around the bench I've managed the last few weeks. I noticed that KD431 no longer has a gun sight, but it does have two, well I'm not sure if they're thingamabobs or doohickeys, on the coaming, so I added them with plasticard. Ah, the Detail & Scale book calls the one on the left "the 'eyebrow' armament panel", I assume because it looks like an eyebrow over the instrument panel, not because it arms the pilot's eyebrows. You may also note that I've begun the daunting task of adding the wing fold mechanism. I've already got it backwards, the two 'prongs' should be on the inboard section not the outboard, but I don't think it will make too big a difference when all is said and done. Dang, look at that ejector pin mark ahead of the new 'spar'. Well add that to the list. 'Eyebrows' painted. I've also painted the Sea Blue on the fabric portions, to be masked off before beginning work on the metal sections.
    8 points
  31. We better scratch a replacement horizontal tail. Here, @TheyJammedKenny! :
    8 points
  32. This one started off as a quick built to test pattern painting on a smaller scale. Then I added some PE, bit more detail, then a base, then why not another vehicle and some figures! First time playing with plaster for the base, static grass and scratch building for the (slightly wonky) stepladder. Plenty that could have been done better but a lot learnt too!
    8 points
  33. 8 points
  34. Gents, Having gone back to work in the last couple of weeks I haven't been able to put the evenings in at Wattisham as I was during June, but I popped up for a couple of hours last night to catch the activity associated with the finale of Exercise Talon Hydra. This exercise has involved the Stamford training area (STANTA) in Norfolk. As well as the resident Apaches yesterday saw up to four Chinooks and two Pumas working out of Wattisham, to and from STANTA. Started well when I found out that they were operating a Apache FARP down at the Western end on the North side with a couple of AH's lifting right in front of me, but restricted to a very narrow view with the camera at the gate. The two Pumas came out after refueling and headed back to STANTA. Unlike Chinooks, you rarely see them around here, and I haven't photographed one for a long time, but really surprised as too how 'murky' and dark they look when compared to a Chinook. Two of the Chinooks had left as I arrived and turned for STANTA, so I was guessing they would come back sometime to refuel, and sure enough the first, a solo, came up on the box inbound. As there was already several guys at my usual spot by the memorial fence I decided to head down to the 23 approach and take a chance on them turning and banking towards me as they turned onto the runway heading from a North Easterly approach. Trying to second guess helos is always risky as they never seem to keep to predictable tracks. 'Pegasus 1' timed it right. No sooner was he on the deck for a running refuel the remaining three also called up as 'Titan' section. Well I figured if the first had timed it well, I was in for a chance with the others. My luck was in again. Note the different external configurations between the various Chinooks. I'm not really up on my current Chinook variants and marks. So, with the sun getting lower and all four refueling it was back up the Western end again to hopefully catch them coming out in some golden light. This time they went off as two pairs, heading home to Odiham. Not too shabby for just a couple of hours! Gary
    8 points
  35. Again another fantastic Battle of Britain GB, thanks guys for setting it up and all the words of encouragement. A lot of new skill practiced and learnt, now what to build in 5 years time?
    8 points
  36. Sorry for the radio silence, chaps, I'm not dead, I just have children and I was managing a $5,000 paid social media ad buy, which is peanuts in normal terms, but is the most expensive project I've ever directly controlled, for the least together and...is blivious a word? Anyway, least together internal clients I could possibly work with, for the highest profile event my org does. Oh, and my deputy was on vacation for two weeks, too. But I'm back now. Winston has made a friend, a little boy named London, whose dad was apparently a pioneer of House music in the UK (hence the name) before moving back to the states to be my neighbor. Yet again I have a neighbor with their own wikipedia entry (I used to live next door to a prominent Chicago sportswriter). Am I intimidated? Yes, even though London's dad is super nice. (I suppose it's only natural a Winston would get along with a London, name a more iconic duo.) London is six, but he and Winnie are very, very sympatico, which is why I found them running through my house with wiffle bats having a lightsabre fight last week. When Winston bit London, I tenderly explained to him that I loved him, but biting was wrong, and he'd need to go to him room. We hugged, to show I'm a Loving Dad, and then the little so-and-so bit me as hard as he could. Ho ho ho. Winston's also befriended a ten-year-old girl named Payton, sort of. She mostly I think comes over for our excellent wi-fi (since I'm working from home through 2021, it has to be good), but Winston was very excited when she showed up and cheerfully informed me that "it's so good to finally have someone nice around here." Mrs P has been the only woman in Winston's life for the last four years, so how is she taking this? Not well. She's not a fan of Payton. It's delicious. I could never make Mrs P jealous, because she's so beautiful and I'm a lumpy troll, but she can't really compete with Payton, who's in the long stretch of life where you don't need to nap during the day, which Mrs P is not. Anyway, the strain of having four or more children in the house all day every day last week was too much for Mrs P. ("I feel like I'm at work still," she complained to me, a person who is actually still at work and remains so every summer that she has off.) So on Saturday she decamped to Michigan at short notice to avoid all the extra children, leaving me here alone to get some work done without having to come upstairs and yell at my children for putting the hose in the sump pump pipe while Mrs P spends ninety minutes "putting Grant down for a nap". Nobody is fooled, but still we play the game. Anyway, today I finally had time to do a little modelling. I airbrushed the resin seat: And started laying down some interior green: The size of the kit is a little daunting, but there really aren't that many more parts than a modern Eduard 1/72 Spitfire, so I'm hoping it's not going to be too tricky. In other news, in a quest to make myself look like a huge idiot, I'm collecting bits of MTP Osprey IV kit for my own nefarious purposes, and my UBAC came in the mail today. Sort of exciting? It's the privilege of middle-aged men who can afford it to make fools of themselves.
    8 points
  37. The engine gondolas are tidied: The way the engines may go: An idea of the size: The vac has the correct cross-section, with the flat area in the middle at the bottom: Spacious, no doubt. 32 passengers.
    8 points
  38. Fokker F.32 The Mighty Behemoths (Image from the SDASM photostream) Once in a while, to commemorate the Sanding Festival that was celebrated at the Shaolin Modeling Temple every time someone would complete a model, I build a Vacuformed Gentle Giant. Here you may see the Zeppelin Staaken: The HP42/45: The Blackburn Kangaroo: And the Sikorsky S.43, among others: Execuform subject choices are very exciting, and the Fokker F.32 is no exception. Execuform vacufomed kits are just a starting point for a modeling project. They do not provide details in the form or resin, metal parts or decals, although earlier issues did have white metal parts. They do provide the very basic parts you will need to build a model as clean slate. You may then add surface detail and accessories as much as you please or like. For me, and for many others like me, they provide the opportunity to build a model not represented by mainstream companies, and in doing so Execuform allows you to have in your case or on your shelf a replica of an out of the ordinary plane. I do build from time to time vacuformed kits, and I truly enjoy them. They give you the opportunity to learn, improvise and generally improve your modeling skills, besides the satisfaction of a more involving participation, beyond just gluing parts together. Since when I want a model of an out-of-the-ordinary plane it is more likely that I will have to scratchbuild it, I am grateful I have vacuformed kits around that reduce the building time considerably if the subject coincides with what I am looking for. I also in the process learn a lot about the plane, its history and details, since I have to fabricate many interior parts and exterior details, which I do with satisfaction and pleasure. And even in the case when there is an injected model of the subject, I may go vac, since for me it is far more exciting. Information on the Fokker F.32 is fortunately abundant, but you have to invest the time to find it. As a starting point have a look on the AAHS Journal of Spring 2012 article, the one on the Summer 1966 issue, and the online Flight Magazine archives. But always, always, always, cross-reference: the said AAHS Summer article has a photo of the interior of "Anthony Fokker cabin Air Yacht", that is actually the interior of an HP42, a very serious research blunder. There are photos and even drawings of that specific plane, NC342N. Beware that there were, as it is usually the case, differences between the seven machines built. The first one had only two vertical tails, and the elevator was balanced, plus the wheel pants were much clunkier than on later machines of the series. Following airframes had three vertical tails and an unbalanced elevator, and as said more kindly streamlined wheel pants. Details in the engine gondolas also varied, having different exhaust arrangements and in some cases a sort of Townend ring on the front engines. Back engines also seem to show in some photos some kind of cowling, although unusual and tighter. The Beast had four Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp originally, later P&W R-1690 Hornet. The props of the four engines (two blades in front, three blades pushing in the back) rotated anticlockwise, if you were standing at the front of the respective engines, which means that standing in front of the airplane the back props will be seen rotating clockwise. The windows on top of the cabin were tinted green (according to a Flight magazine article). Wheel pants exhibit slightly different designs and surface patterns, besides the difference stated above. Interior arrangements also varied, depending upon company and service schedule (day or night, the latter offering sleeping bunks). One notorious Fokker F.32, the one used by Tony himself, had a very luxurious, unconventional interior. Wing was plywood-covered. Front tip of fuselage, cockpit sides and roof, engine nacelles and wheel pants were aluminum-covered. Most of the fuselage and tail were fabric-covered. Doors were located on both sides of the fuselage. Landing lights also varied. One was located in the chin of the nose, and two on the wings, although in some planes they are on the leading edges and in some others they are flat under the wing and deploy before landing, as they do nowadays. Why the F. 32 didn’t quite make it? It was born during the depression, had problems with overheating rear engines –a common situation on similar tandem arrangements, like the Farman F3X Jabiru and Farman F.220/2/3- and later suffered the “no wood wings” syndrome catalyzed by the publicized crash of the F.10 where famous coach Knute Rockne and others perished. It was also reportedly a bit tail heavy. But for sure it had other remarkable qualities: the number of passengers it could carry (32) and the comfort of its installations (ventilation, a galley, supple seats, lighting, two restrooms, wardroom, luggage compartment, and more). It was no doubt a precursor, a pioneer in its own right. They served basically for four years, from 1929 to 1932 and one ended up on Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, as a gas station, but no doubt this 99’ span behemoth was a sight to behold. The F.32 was surely noisy and exposed to the whims of the weather, and yet I would travel on it any time, instead on the intolerably uncomfortable sardine cans of nowadays. In one way or another, the F.32 left its mark on aviation history, being one of the earlier giants of its time. Here are some newsreel clips that would give a good idea of the portly design: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/men-push-airplane-away-from-hangar-pan-row-of-men-news-footage/1130782236 https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/fokker-f-32-passenger-plane-is-christened-as-several-news-footage/893312492 https://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675027465_men_F-32-Fokker-airplane_Men-stand_men-watch-the-plane https://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675027464_men_Fokker-stands-at-airport_men-gather_plane-takes-off A PDF in Spanish http://bibliotecavirtualdefensa.es/BVMDefensa/i18n/catalogo_imagenes/grupo.cmd?path=68203 Of the seven machines built, and in order to study my potential choices for a specific scheme, I started to group references for the prototype, NC124M, and the machine furnished in luxury for Fokker, NC342N. A very interesting detail found during research is that one of the prototype's characteristics was a twin vertical tail, whilst the series machines had three. Photos of the prototype show it bare, then with a Universal Air Lines scheme, then with an earlier Western Air Express one, and as it happens, I found an image of the prototype with three vertical tails in a completely different scheme, of which unfortunately not all the lettering can be read, but it states "Inauguration of the N.Y.N.H.& H Through Havan...", "The Everglades" and some obscured additional text. The acronym seems to belong to New York & New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co., perhaps one of those plane-railroad joint ventures. Link to image: https://www.ebay.com/itm/8x10-Print-Fokker-F32-Airliner-1930-Boston-Airport-2203/201080125367?hash=item2ed14f37b7:g:Ec4AAOSwtC1dt2Xy Not sure I would call the F.32 a beauty, as this publicity suggest, but I could call it "interesting": Here is what you get: I would perhaps scratch the vertical stabilizers, as it may take less time than sanding and shaping them: The plastic is thick, something you need for this specific model: Again, you only get the very basic shapes:
    7 points
  39. Hi, To make a change from the German planes I hope to build for this GB, I thought I would throw this in. I built my first Hampden in about 1968, just after it was released , though this is a 2010 re-boxing. The Hampden entered service in late 1938 and at the start of the war on September 3rd 1939 equipped 8 RAF Squadrons, and on the next day Hampdens of 83 Squadron made their first albeit abortive attack on German ships in the Schillig Roads. During the Battle of Britain they joined in with attacks on various targets as far afield as Germany, and I have decided to model P1355, also of 83 Squadron which took part in an attack on invasion barges at Antwerp on the night of September 15-16th. It was hit by flak on the way home and caught fire. Although two of the crew baled out, the wireless operator Sergeant John Hannah fought the fire and eventually put it out, the plane making it back to base. For this act of bravery he became the second Hampden crew member to receive the Victoria Cross, the first being Pilot R A B Learoyd of 49 Squadron in August – the kit comes with markings for Learoyd's machine. It will be a little while before I make a start as I have 3 kits to finish off in another GB which closes in 2 weeks. Hannah was severely injured, and not long afterwards caught tuberculosis, probably brought on by his weakened condition. He left the RAF, but sadly died in 1947 aged 25. A sad end for a very brave man. This is the recommendation for his award. Cheers Pete
    7 points
  40. F-16A, USAF s/n 80-0550, was allocated off the production line to the F-16 Combined Test Force, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB as a stability and control, loads and flutter test airframe. I say flutter as one of the flight test disciplines, though in the '80s, the adage was that "the F-16 did not experience flutter" but, instead, limit cycle oscillations (LCO). So when you saw that wing tip vibrating away, it was the digital flight controls unable to keep up with the aerodynamic forces that were bending that wing - still looked like flutter to me. October 1982 - fitted with engineering mock-ups of the LANTIRN navigation and targeting pods testing aircraft flying qualities with the pods fitted and the airframe structural response. A lucky shot as we barrel rolled over him to set up for a test point. Gives a good view of the arrangement of load distribution straps and attachment fittings for the spin recovery parachute quadrapod. January 1983 - Continued LANTIRN pod effects testing. October 1983 - After being fitted with an F-16C vertical tail. February 1990 - Deeper pylons to accommodate AIM-7 Sparrows for testing compatibility with the F-16C configuration. January 1991 - Fitted with the spin recover parachute quadrapod Not '550 (she is in the background), but an image of the full spin recovery parachute apparatus. The red and blue canister contains the parachute and the deployment mortar. The parachute attachment harness comes out of a slot beneath the red canister section and attached to the quadrapod. The attachment fittings and straps on the fuselage distribute the forces from the deployed parachute so that the aft fuselage doesn't get ripped away when the chute yanks the tail up while the aircraft is falling through the air out of control. Thanks for looking, Sven
    7 points
  41. Stunning. I hope you’re writing all this down for the instruction booklet (he said hopefully) All this has me looking at printers again 🙄
    7 points
  42. Hoorah...tank crew done not entirely happy with them but i need more time with more and different figures if i'm going to improve...the driver of the jeep did get lost in the post so the people i ordered from have dispatched a replacement...should be here soon. That's all troops ....stand at ease. And have a great weekend
    7 points
  43. I think that’ll do. It’s basically Xtracrylix white with enough RAF Trainer Yellow added to make it bit more lemonish in aspect. The only thing I completely forgot about was a white fuselage band on the Falco. I really should have painted it first, then masked it for subsequent doings. It’s probably best I leave paint to properly harden before I tackle that game.
    7 points
  44. ...a complete and utter shambles. There was no intelligence. Everything appeared to be ad hoc. Flight Lieutenant Frederick Rosier, May 1940 My long suffering Mrs Putty often remarks upon my apparently odd fascination for creating miniatures, and how cruel it is that this urge should choose to manifest itself in a person so innately clumsy as I (but you walked into a door twice today darling... I saw you!). Whenever I stand thus accused, I usually just square my shoulders, raise my chin a little higher and walk haughtily away. More often than not catching my toe on a protruding piece of furniture or tripping over the lounge room rug as I retreat back to my designated safe zone... I've been working away at the Magister over the last few weeks, but at times have been spectacularly uncoordinated which has slowed me down quite a bit. Making the most of my time in lockdown I endeavoured to get some paint on the interior. I dragged the compressor and associated bits out to the balcony to spray the green. I was all thumbs that day and was dropping things and making repeated trips back inside to retrieve things which I had forgotten. At one point I was squatting down next to the compressor, peering closely at the model and trying to deliver as precise an aim of paint as possible to the area between the seats. I went to stand up, not realising that I was standing on the airbrush hose. As I straightened up I was suddenly halted by the short length of hose that protruded from beneath my foot, which caused me to loose balance and drop back down abruptly. The cup full of well thinned Tamiya XF-71 suffered no such inconvenience and continued on its upward trajectory to meet me on the way down... Nasty, horrible tasting stuff. In my efforts to get cleaned up I also managed spill the remaining paint out of the airbrush, and tip over the still-open jar of paint onto the timber deck. Forcing me to use the best part of a $30 bottle of levelling thinner in trying to scrub it off before a curious Mrs P came out to see what I was up to... Below are some shots of the interior with the green on (didn't take any of the green on me). The rear walls were in situ and hard to reach, which left a lot of paint on the outside that had to be removed later. Still some fingerprints there from my paint soaked hands. After making the floor, seat, instrument panel and spars and bulkheads, I had grand plans to add plenty more detail over the coming week. Alas though, I had to admit that if I did, none of it would really visible at all. So I did a bit of shading and contented myself with two sets of seat harnesses made from painted cigarette paper. Working in 1/144 scale, one packet of these should last me a lifetime. Or rather less if I ever took up smoking again. Got the headrest on too, which makes the whole thing look a bit more identifiable. Need to tidy up a bit now and start thinking about the wingroot and tail feathers...
    7 points
  45. Good luck with that. We only just survived the last one.
    7 points
  46. The fuselage completely lacks -as the rest of the kit parts- any surface detail, but corrugated sections and protruding stringers are a very visible feature of the original. Skinning and/or adding stringers may be a way to solve this shortcoming. The edges were of course much sharper, an undesirable consequence of using male molds to vacuform the parts: The wing (L.E. on top) is of a considerable size in 1/72nd, as the original span was 99'. The shape of the tips is slightly inaccurate, and the ailerons protruded a bit in the series planes, but not on the prototype. Once more, careful study of the intended airframe is a must: Potential engines, props and right diameter wheels are scrounged from the spares: Once the engine gondola halves are carefully sanded to a circular cross section, they are glued: The wheels are sanded, and a cap provided: They will be mostly hidden by the pants:
    7 points
  47. I'm calling this one finished. I attached the whisker's last night and touched up the paint this morning around half-7. The decals are not so shiny so i am not going to add a layer of varnish. I really need to move along! Still, I am quite pleased with this wee beastie! That's a surplus artillery tractor being lifted out of harms way! Phew! Done. The rest are in the gallery...
    7 points
  48. Enough of other builds I needs to get the venom over the line first. UC flappage next. you can just see the wheels together and the doors are drying in place. 🤩 held up with blu tac. wheels assembled and in place. Other ice doors got added after hinges were made. What seems to be a camera? Thing was added. I drilled a hole added some diver foil and popped some Krystal Klear on it. Next in line was to add the rockets. two on first. While they dried I added extra hinges to the flaps and the actuators. Not 100 accurate but good enough for me. And tother side. Rockets, rockets everywhere. 🙌 im really happy with those now. aerials were also added. Not the extra ones yet. Wing ones. Arrestor hook added. And there she sits. Lovely. I have started adding the scratch belts to the seats. I can foresee a bit of tweezer action In my future. 🤪 I’ll have a go at getting that lot done tonight. Thanks for all the help and kindness. See y’all laterzzzzz. Johnny. 🦈
    7 points
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