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I really liked building this one, classic Matchbox Noorduyn Norseman (Revell boxing)

Calling this one finished after a few months. Could not be bothered to weight the nose instead using the supplied stand from the clear sprue to keep it sitting right! Enjoyable build overall, great fit and no issues. Kits World decals (great) I am staring to have significant challenges with display space 🤣

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 of Fw Heinrich Bartels, 11./JG 27, Kalamaki, Greece, November 1943.

Hello all, Here is my recently completed 1/48 Tamiya F-14A Tomcat in the markings of 'Ghostrider 114', the infamous mount of Maverick and Goose during their stint at the Naval Fighter Weapons School 'Top Gun' in 1986. The build thread is below. Extras used included Quinta cockpit set, Quickboost seats, Quickboost TCS with bullet fairing, Hasegawa ACMI pod, Tamiya etched mirrors and pitot tube along with Fightertown decals. Paint is from MRP with the heavy weathering coming from a mixture of paints, Abteiliung oils, Flory wash and Tamiya weathering sets. Thanks for looking and stay safe. Dave

Hi all! I rarely post photos of stuff I've built as I'm not exactly the greatest modeller being endowed with fat fingers and failing eyesight! Anyways, here is a couple of Academy 1/72 P-51Bs I've just finished. I fancied building the Arma Hobby kit, but they proved to be a bit outside of my price range, so I opted for the Academy kits instead. The Academy kit proved to be a very enjoyable build. Both built in my usual old skool way of mostly out of the box except for Eduard seat belts and a Falcon Clear Vax canopy on "Salem". First time I've tried using a vac canopy and it scared me lots. Both brush painted with a mixture of old Gloy paints and Humbrol Authentics but for the silver, I tried Vallejo Metal Colours white aluminium. Must say, very impressed with that paint! Now if only I could get to grips with an airbrush!! (I've since tidied up my sloppy aerial attachment on Shangri La. Funny how photos magnify every error!) I guess no introduction needed to the mounts of Don Gentile and Ralph Hofer! Also, a bonus 1/72 Italeri Ju 52 that I recently finished. Again, all brush painted and finished with Printscale decals. The combination of very thin decals and a corrugated surface saw me sweating buckets when applying the markings. Somehow, I got them more or less where I needed them! Cheers for looking! Steve

Hello all!!! This is my new model. This is a well-known set. The quality of the plastic is excellent. As aftermarket sets, I used photoetching set from Eduard, gun barrels from Master and wheels setfrom Reskit. Paint AK Real Color. Decal set from Eagle cal. Weathering oil dots, washes and pigments.

An old Yakovlev Yak-42 joined to the Aeroflot fleet. Brings back my old memories about an era of the civil aviation. Simple OOB - Eastern Express 1:144 kit. Not the best kit ever so far. But unfortunately there is no other available kit released recently. Rusair's resin kit looks like not exist anymore. 😞

That’s a powerful memory you’re in possession of, Bill 👏 The cardboard originals reside somewhere in the attic. There does seem to be a switch conveniently labelled ‘Eng(ine) Start’. But I do recall that it was just a tad more complicated than that How quaint the image of a bunch of Hawk students,, sat in their rooms in the Valley officers mess staring at cardboard cut-outs, touching printed switches and endeavouring to memorise their checklists, now seems. There was indeed a life before personal computers/tablets/synthetic training programs Still can’t recall what all the buttons and switches are tho’. “Lift for stand-by, close for main’? Tell you wot tho’. It’’s a nicely laid out ‘office’ from the latter days of dials rather than glass. That one’s way down my list of excuses Kieth Paint session on the printed undercarriage doors. Dunno why the Hawk had to have so many doors (altho’ in fairness, in this picture there are twice as many doors as needed so that I’ve got spares in case of breakages of delicate bits).. We have Tamiya Acrylic (as a primer) Humbrol acrylic (Light Aircraft Grey), Revell Acrylic (Fiery Red), Colourcoats enamel (Dark Green and Dark Sea Grey) and Tamiya lacquer (semigloss coat). We is now fed up of cleaning the airbrush! And the turbine face mock-up has been alcladed and washed. I’m not quite sure why I painted 6 of them when I only need 2. They’re not exactly fragile or in danger of being broken. These are probably the least accurate bits I’ve drawn and printed; but frankly anyone looking up the rear of the Hawks with a torch only deserves an approximate facsimile to satisfy their excessive curiosity…. Need to weather the doors and think about sticking the legs on the Hawks.

Well, in that case, I'm glad you sold it and got the cash, rather than wasting a perfectly good kit on me and paying for the privilege. That said, Please do! I am over a barrel here in the stupidest and most self-inflicted manner. So, on the etch front, it would seem the F.2 (included in my boxing) and F.3 etch are very similar: The main instrument panel for the F.3 (parts 1 and 2) differs somewhat to that for the F.2 (parts 1 and 2 as well), as do part 9 for the F.3 and part 20 for the F.2. Unless I'm very much mistaken, part 6 for the F.3 has no analogue on the F.1A/F.2 fret. So I suspect, given how etch-dependent all the cockpit detail is, it wouldn't be possible to steal or swap that and still be able to build an F.3 and look at yourself in the mirror. Well, probably you could, you magnificent man, but you know what I mean. The F.3 instructions, at least, are online, so once can see that the etch does a lot of heavy lifting for the cockpit. https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/2/4/2/535242-56-instructions.pdf I mean, look at it, Terry! Just look at it. It looks like the jet Dick van Dyke would fly in Mary Poppins. In fact, I'm covered for virtually any other squadron, that's the damnable part. I have pretty much any decal I would need to do any Lightning. Just some tiny thin pieces of metal stand in my way. As the cat discovered in pretty much about the way you'd expect, hedgehogs are very difficult to eat. I have indeed had a succession of hedgehogs, having purchased my first, an aged store pet no longer small enough to easily sell, for $1 and the price of his house and appurtenances for a further $99, in 2005 after calculating that if I ate nothing but peanut butter toast for a week, it was eminently affordable. Phillippe was followed by Edith, then Oliver, and finally Madeleine, who passed away two years ago. The boys were very fond of her and still remember her. I'd love to have another, but it wouldn't really be fair to it, as my children consume almost all of my time and I would be unable to give it the attention it would merit. They're delightful little creatures. I have not, though I did email them recently to inquire if the kits were coming back ever, and they did say they were reissuing the kits this coming year. So I just have to work very, very slowly. Afraid not. 56 still had F.1As at the time. In any event, no updates on the build over the last two days, as I had to help prepare and participate in the first Thanksgiving held at our house, including, but not limited to, eating the worst cherry pie in the world and claiming the reverse, for which vile deceit I subsequently received a reward beyond my wildest imaginings* in the basest currency possible. As mentioned, we normally spend Thanksgiving with my family, since they don't celebrate Christmas**, and we'd thus be fools not to spend it with the people who do, ostentatiously and enthusiastically. This year, we chose to start some family traditions of our own, which I expected would end in a series of small disasters culminating in possibly one or two larger disasters, but aside from a single bottle of Corona that's been in the fridge since before Madeleine was conceived taking a header out onto the basement floor and exploding like a grenade, the day went horribly, awfully right. Mrs P, who has never before in her life cooked a turkey, a bird which, as far as I can tell, is only cooked on special occasions because it gives us time to forget how hellish the experience of attempting to get it to an internal temperature that won't kill the person eating it while somehow also imparting some flavour is, decided to attempt to cook it in our slow cooker, with an untried recipe sourced from the internet and selected over its confreres on the basis that it had the fewest ads between steps. This proved to be an amazing choice, and it was by far the best turkey I have ever eaten. Normally turkey is only a vehicle for gravy to me, but this was actually quite good on its own. The scotch tape on the table is courtesy my idiot children, who've never met a flat surface they wouldn't waste a roll of tape on. They were astounded when I refused to give them any more. A good time was had by all. We also managed to sort out presents for the boys. Grant has been on a gardening kick, and is getting two Playmobil sets, one of a farmer's marker, and one of a garden and toolshed, and Winston is getting, after much deliberation, a 1/35 Tamiya Churchill and the Haynes Icon book on same. I had considered getting him the 1/350 Prince of Wales, long and hard, but the box is nearly as big as he is, and I worried it would be too daunting a kit for him, and never get finished. At his age, the building is probably less than half the fun, whereas for most of us, we have to be furtive and surreptitious about zooming our planes and such about and making engine and cannon noises, so the build approaches 90% of the fun. * I have a very limited imagination. ** You know those killjoys who fall all over themselves to let you know that Jesus was probably born in October? That's my family, with maybe a bit about the excruciating pain of taking the spear of Longinus in the side, and then, unless you move away very quickly, something about those Freemasons, always up to summat.

Hello. I'm happy to present my newest project. It is the Scammell from Thunder Model with US Tractor D7 (dozer version) from Miniart. All in 1:35 scale. Cheers

Finish no10 for the year is Dream Model's Chengdu J20 Mighty Dragon (beast mode), I got this from Hannants at a reduced price due to the box being crushed and when it arrived I found that the sprues had been warped but this didn't effect the result. Unfortunately the extra missiles and wing pylons supplied are resin printed rather than cast and broke up when cut from the print tree's, but fortunately I hadn't drilled the mounting holes in the wings. The kit also has some brass etch for the cockpit but I found this very soft and it didn't bond well so was discarded. The plastic used is soft and flexible until joined with other parts, without the main weapon bay in place the lower fuselage was particularly flexible. The canopy had a nasty seam that needed a lot a polishing to remove and at certain angles is still visible. I was hopeful for this kit as I was after the AH1Z Cobra but after this one I don't think I'll bother. Built OOB and painted with Mr Hobby Colour, I went for the splinter scheme as this is the less common one pictured. Not my best result for the year but ok from a metre, as usual all comments welcome. J20 is a big aircraft, much larger than the F35 I built earlier this year.

59fordpop by Matt Farmer, on Flickr austin10lichfield by Matt Farmer, on Flickr countach by Matt Farmer, on Flickr ferrari400i by Matt Farmer, on Flickr europajps by Matt Farmer, on Flickr interceptorIII by Matt Farmer, on Flickr 32fordrod by Matt Farmer, on Flickr dtypewoodbuck by Matt Farmer, on Flickr lanciaflamina by Matt Farmer, on Flickr maseratibora by Matt Farmer, on Flickr And finally this showed up as I was leaving visitingjag420 by Matt Farmer, on Flickr Hope you enjoyed Matt

Well, here we go with the brand new, all singing, all dancing Spitfire from Airfix. No out of box review or anything like that. Just get on with building the damn thing I'm building it as the BBMF MkIX serial MK356, when it was painted in the colours of Sqn Ldr "Johnny" Plagis. So it'll be a bit of a hybrid, coded 5J-K but with a serial of MK356 not ML214. I was seriously considering doing it in NMF but I bottled it...and I'm a sucker for invasion stripes. I've taken a few engine bits off of the sprues while I'm finishing my Lancaster build and I've got to be honest, the fits aren't as good as the HK kit but the detail is stunning. I'm not rushing because as of now, there's no Airscale IP available. I asked Peter at Airscale and he said Airfix didn't make any details available to anyone pre launch so he's looking at 8 weeks min to get a product to market. As he says: "it is frustrating". Still, there's plenty to go at with the engine alone while I wait. Should be starting this build in earnest at the weekend. Thanks for looking in til then

I think I've decided on my entry for this - as a kid I couldn't even dream of a big airfield diorama but now I have the various US ground equipment sets (all pre-90) and am going to do the most over-serviced early-mould F-4E you ever saw....start-carts, weapons carts, crew vans, ladders, floodlights, swarms of ground crew - just like in the pictures in the instructions!

This is the 1/35 Academy M3A1 Stuart "Honey" in the correct 'Caunter' scheme (not the incorrect 'blue' scheme that Academy showed). Custom mixed Tamiya acrylics using Mike Starmer's formulas, RAC insignia painted, kit unit decals. Lots of small details added, all tie downs replaced with brass wire, latches and hinges added to stowage boxes, rack for water cans scratch built, tow cable from fine solder, etc. Last two photos are with Dragons Valentine tank, another Desert warrior. Thanks for looking, Colin

The model has been finished for a long time and it is also high time to take photos for the gallery and post them on the forum. I treated it as a typical rest and straight out of the box. It's just a pity that the extras for it are not available from Eduard. That's the way I would have gone over it a bit and pootled it. The model itself was very pleasant to build, well-fitted, the very pluses. By the way Italeri has just reissued it in their range, only the decal is for other camouflages. Gallery below, enjoy. The workshop is here:

Engine bay painted panzer grey and the engine mounted in situ. A few more bits and bobs to fit in yet, air cleaner, steering box, exhaust etc so should be busy enough. Doubt much will be seen once all buttoned up, pretty dark in there, which is fine with me. I'd forgotten what a build like this would be like, assemble - mount - paint, assemble - mount - paint and so on. Reminds me of doing aircraft.... Anyone any suggestions on interior colour? I've seen various options, restored ones showing grey interior with interior white from the front seats forward, to overall dunklegelb (obviously not applicable here). A period b&w photo showing all over grey. ICM are advocating interior white for the front part which I quite like as it'll make it more interesting but That's all folks! Darryl

On to the red. That's getting left until tomorrow and I'll do the blue and see how it comes out. Thanks for looking, Cheers, Alistair

Right here we go. Thought I'd try the easier ones first. Masks on Followed by a splash of white Then some ColourCoats Roundel Red. And, finally some ColourCoats WW2 Roundel Blue/Oxford Blue. Then the masks came off. Now, in the interests of transparency. I was too quick between colours yesterday and some of the red lifted when taking the mask off and in trying to sort that the blue lifted. The red was allowed to dry overnight and then remasked for the blue which was sprayed this morning, giving the result above. Lesson learned. I am thinking this may take longer than I thought but it will be worth it. Thanks for looking, Cheers, Alistair

Loving it! At the moment I'm loving this project. Big exciting shapes are coming together and steps that I thought were going to be difficult are proving easier than expected. At the end of the last post we had this... I was unsure whether to round off the forward fuselage / cockpit section at this stage as to do so would further weaken the forward structure and I was hesitant to attach the air-intakes because I had convinced myself that that was going to be difficult. But then I realised that any serious attempt to litho-plate this thing can really only happen once the main shapes are finalised. So I pressed on; the first job was to round off the forward fuselage... using chisels, files, Stanley knives, sandpaper - all the usual suspects. To my delight it all went quite well and the 'thinner than ever' slither of jarrah under the imaginary pilot's imaginary seat was still easily strong enough to hold the whole front in place with no real worries - assuming I'm reasonably careful and don't drop the thing on its nose! Then my attention moved to attaching the air-intakes. I was unsure of the geometry of the ramp / fillet thing between the main structure of the air-intake and the side of the fuselage. Then I found this view on-line which proved that there are three forward-pointing bits in this fillet and not just the one sometimes depicted in cut-away drawings. So I did some measuring and some guesswork and came up with this template. Which allowed me to cut a single piece of 3mm MDF to the required shape. I then split that one shape into two identical 1.5mm-thick halves. I then looked more closely at my previously-made air-intakes and decided that their interior voids were too restricted. As a result I spent a pleasant 30 minutes or so deepening them with a chisel. If you look closely you can see that prior to assembly the inboard side of each air-intake now has a brass panel added to complete the 'D' shape. I used PVA to attach the ramps to the side of the fuselage and cyanoacrylate to attach the air-intakes to the ramps. This all happened with no issues at all. MDF and all kinds of different glues play quite nicely together it seems. Unfortunately due to some lax measurements I made more than a year ago, there were three vast gaps left on the underside. I'm not exactly sure how I got this so wrong; but there was really only one thing to do... 🤔 Fill the gaps with some lumps of wood. Viewed up this close the woodwork is as rough as guts but after a bit of carving and sanding... It did not look quite so bad. in fact -over all - I've got to say. I'm loving how this thing looks at the moment! 🥰 I'm not sure what's next - but I think it will be some work to the lower rear of the fuselage and once that's done I suppose I have to start on the cockpit! I hope you lot enjoy reading this half as much as I am enjoying making it! Bandsaw Steve

If you are of a squeamish nature, look away now... I bang on a great deal about being true to the subject and history with regard to all the details on my models. This model must be the most botched, inaccurate depiction I have produced since I first started modelling, many years ago. The car number is incorrect to the body/mechanics etc; wrong stripe, wrong windscreen, wrong air inlet trumpets, wrong mirrors etc etc. In my defence Tamiya's description and painting/decal instructions are woefully incorrect and/or misleading. However I will support my tentative 'showing' here, by my builds redeeming feature... When I first started this model my immediate reaction was what on earth was Tamiya thinking when they modelled the exhaust system. I spent untold hours bending solder and puppet wire to try and improve the 'look' of Tamiya's 'dangling' pipes. A chance conversation with Malc2 on this forum and an introduction to Nick of 'Unobtainium', led to the development and production of a most fabulous 3D printed solution (available from Nick's online shop). Anyway, enough waffle - just look at the photos: Tamiya's system for holding the front cowl consists of some pretty big obtrusive screws. I experimented for the first time with some micro magnets superglued to the inside and the corresponding superstructure of the chassis - they seem to be holding. The seat is covered in a lovely thin real leather that I seem to have acquired. I've no idea now, from where, but together with some PVA glue and a dressmakers pin marker to represent the stitching, it has given a reasonable representation. Not sure of the accuracy of the shape of the seat however, absolutely no reference available. The brake calipers, front and back, are 'borrowed' from 1/12 Italeri Alfa Romeo 179 and a little scratch work; they are not terribly accurate. Nick's 3D exhaust pipes are completely hollow, all the way through. Bodywork: Tamiya TS7 Racing White from the can, no clearcote, and polished with micromesh cloths and Tamiya polishing creams. The crimson stripe and circle are Tamiya TS86 Pure Red with masked outlines, Tamiya TS14 Black. The engine is a variety metallic paints - Alclad, AK interactive Xtreme metals, Tamiya X range. I also used some Bare-Metal foil in places. Tyres had a variety of AK interactive 'dust effects' enamels and even some grains of sand pushed in to the treads. Any number of rivets and bolt heads were used, both metal from Top Studio, and resin from Plus Models (Czech). Compression fittings from Detail Master. Jewellery wire, fuse wire, Model Factory Hiro fuel line, hand coloured optical fibre, Zsus fasteners from replicas of Maryland, self adhesive mirrored sheet - and probably more that I cannot now recall. Nothing fancy with the photography - iPhoneX, daylight ring light on an anglepoise arm, black card, white card disc.

Careful there Giorgio. He may just have time to squeeze in another holiday or two before the final curtain.

For every cat owner ...correction, for every cat slave/servant https://www.gocomics.com/garfield/2022/11/24 (I would post the image here but it might break copyright laws)

I am glad you had a decent Thanksgiving meal. This is a bit of a closed book to us on this side of the Atlantic, my only experience is vicarious, when my daughter did a semester of her history degree at Kansas University and had Thanksgiving with Mrs T's cousin in St Louis. In Britain, turkeys are for Christmas (although if you get a big enough one, they can last until New Year at least), although traditionally goose was eaten. In my home town (Nottingham), there is an annual fair in October called Goose Fair when geese were sold to fatten up before Christmas. It is just a very big funfair these days. Mrs T is very much taken by Madeleine, in a way that only mum's can be. Talking of all this has reminded me that is past time to put the sprouts on to boil, they will now never be ready for Christmas (memories of driving to work listening to Terry Wogan).

I benefit from almost unbelievably low expectations, which I frequently struggle to meet.

Hi all! Another Israeli build complete as part of my little project (Next up is an F-4E). WIP below: This is Esci's A-4M/N kit from 1979, its not very accurate to the A-4N at all (wrong canopy shape, wrong exhaust- the list goes on) but it looks like a Skyhawk so it does the job. Apart from some minor warping to the avionics hump and wing slats the fit was pretty good considering the kits age. All OOB, though I painted the canopy frame to resemble the A-4N's more closely. The kit even comes with a fictional IAF squadron. Painted with AK's 3rd Gen IAF paint set and they were superb to brush paint with and the colours look pretty spot on. Thanks for looking in!

I’m currently making,attempting to finish off a 1/24 Wave resin kit of the JPS black Lotus 79,then realised I have this Tameo 1/43 kit buried in the pile. It’s the Martini car,in a nice green used in 1980. I can’t even remember how long I’ve had these 2 kits! Anyway here’s a couple of pictures to kick off with. There’s a pile of bits,and the body sprayed with Mr.Hobby primer,my favourite. Chris.

A good weekend up at the Wings over the Illawarra Airshow 2022. Saturday was sunny at first then got very claggy in the afternoon. Horrendous for photography, but good for vapour from the F-35. Sunday started off drizzly and with threatened storms later they brought the displays forward to try and mitigate with the F-35 on at 1330 instead of 1600. Of course it cleared up just after 1330! I'm not having much luck capturing the F-35, every time its cloudy. Anyway a really good mix of warbirds, what was surprising was the dearth of currently operational aircraft from RAAF/RAN/Army Aviation. We had a static Herc, a static EC-135; the Roulettes and the F-35 were flying. No fly ins from Hawk, Herc, C-17, Spartan, Poseidon, Wedgetail, Chinook, Blackhawk, Taipan etc. Quite disappointing for what is the biggest Airshow in NSW.

This is a selection of lots from Historics auction at Mercedes benz world. Couldnt get many pics of the indoor stuff, but hopefully something for everyone. citroends by Matt Farmer, on Flickr merc420sl by Matt Farmer, on Flickr mgmetro by Matt Farmer, on Flickr bmw633csi by Matt Farmer, on Flickr bmwm535i by Matt Farmer, on Flickr etypeIII by Matt Farmer, on Flickr bmw635csi by Matt Farmer, on Flickr merc450slc by Matt Farmer, on Flickr rangeroverwp by Matt Farmer, on Flickr mgbv8 by Matt Farmer, on Flickr More to follow

He’s got even less idea than me! It’s available for hire. Hirer to collect and return. Reasonable rates…. Oi. Nothing else; just Oi Ok So. The canvas bag on the rear bulkhead of the Hawk cockpit. Which I think was for carrying the F700. Or the rear seat apron. Or both. Or neither. It’s not a terribly important feature, mostly hidden as it is behind the rear seat, but it’s there and it’s worth reproducing. I found several photographs with partial views of it; but the best image I found was of how Guy @geedubelyer did it in his fantastic 1/32 scale Hawk build from several years ago. So if I get it wrong it’s Guy’s fault And as I said in an earlier post, it was principally an opportunity to have a bash at learning a bit about the sculpt options in Fusion. And without really knowing quite what I was doing I ended up with this: Which prints out as this: And will sit here once painted (sorry for the poor photo; I don’t think it’ll show up properly until painted and given a dark wash). Bit of fluff and nonsense; but helping me get further acquainted with Fusion.

Allrighty I'll run a few more experiments with the Molotow, but it wasn't for shifting off this model. I may end up feeling the same way Still, if I can empty and clean up the pen, it could be used for paint Thanks. I thought so too, but since the Tamiya build will be just plain grey, I thought I'd mess around with plan B(lutack) Undercoated with something from VMA resembling Dunlkengelb then blobs and sausages applied and sprayed with Olivegrun Left to dry for a bit before daubing Copydex randonly After that had cured, I sprayed with Rotbraun Finally, stripped off all of the masking 'tain't too bad Now, the crew need to be painted like I would've done in the 70's More soon(ish) /P

merc230limo by Matt Farmer, on Flickrdatsun240z by Matt Farmer, on Flickr jagmkII by Matt Farmer, on Flickr falcon by Matt Farmer, on Flickr 55cadillac by Matt Farmer, on Flickr jagxj6sII by Matt Farmer, on Flickr capri2.8i by Matt Farmer, on Flickr 50chryslernewport by Matt Farmer, on Flickr jensenhealey by Matt Farmer, on Flickr escortmk1 by Matt Farmer, on Flickr More to follow

Cool, twin seat. They need a bit of work in the cowling area - both in detail and fit - but otherwise make a nice, compact model.

Found this. Go to 1:50 for about 10 seconds. Hilarious........... This is me!!!! My analytical mind (yeah right) has often led me down a path of understanding why I lose my mojo, and that one comes up repeatedly! Like your cardboard cockpit, I could play in that for hours 🥳. I once had an actual section of a JP Mk5a IP, given to me by BAC at Warton for my perseverance as their MOD project co-ordinator of the then avionics upgrade programme of that fine aircraft. It was sort of dark gray plastic with holes where the dials went. Not sure what happened to that but as my first wife seemed to leave me with barely a shirt on my back, it could now be in her attic. Shortly after that I got a bit of time in the Jaguar project programme but they wouldn't let me have any bits from one 🙄 Can't wait to see all those superb little bits hanging from the Hawks! T.

The few parts fit very badly and have many sink marks. The transparent parts are all, except for the rear lights maybe, so horrible that I threw them in the bin in disgust. And another issue: the front air intake! The 2nd problem area appeared to be the fake vents above the front wheels. Their thickness of the plastic made it impossible to open them up, but they were sanded down an reshaped! Thanks for watching!" Cheers Andreas

Yes they would and yes they would.... And don't try the excuse that you'd have nowhere to display them, there'd be open warfare among quite a few IPMS branches to host them....!! Keith

Everyone has a Lightning recollection. Mine is singular, and very late in the aircraft's career. With only months left in service I was a 8 or 9 year old passenger along for a fun ride in a Cessna piloted by a relative who was doing archaeological aerial survey work. We were returning home back over North Lincolnshire when he told me we had been instructed to climb to avoid 'traffic'. A few moments later a brace of Lightnings came howling past what felt like touching distance BELOW us. It was the most exciting thing I'd ever experienced. Look forward to following the build. Will

Hope to be a relatively easy and quick build for this Airfix 1/72 P-40B kit. No optional parts or PE to add, just OOB. Watch a number of online video and build log, it should really be the case. 2x sprue with clear parts and decals. First of all, give the sprue a soap bath, toothbrush treatment and let it dry.

Out Of Box with prescribed panel lines

Hi folk's as soon as I saw this was to be released in the Airfix classics range I knew I had to grab one; well over forty years since a much younger me ran from the Hardware store home to stick it together on a Saturday morning and hang it from the ceiling by afternoon.Probably a bit better finished since that last build.Thanks for indulging me in yet another bout of nostalgia!

Hello again. Lately, I've working on some bucket list type projects, some perhaps more interesting than others. This time, I was looking to build a Vought AU-1 Corsair, as it is one of the last two Corsair types that I plan on building, to complete my own collection. As the actual build is mechanically almost exactly the same as my earlier F4U-5N detailed build, I will forgo repeating all the details, and give you a link to that build, instead: F4U-5N Last Propeller USN ACE? There are a few detail differences between that build and this, and I will try to provide a little information in that regard also, but because of the above-mentioned "duplication" of work, this won't really be a "build thread", but more of an "information thread". And, while there will be a few photos of the finished model, this also more than a real "RFI thread" -- maybe we need a new category...🙂 Briefly, the AU-1 was based on a desire by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines for a better ground attack aircraft, since during the Korean War, we discovered that prop aircraft were better suited for this role than the then current crop of jets. The Navy started out by taking a Vought F4U-5N, BuNo 124665 and creating what would originally be designated as the XF4U-6, which featured among other things, a new engine, removing the high-altitude supercharger, and adding more armor and armament. At that time, the Navy became enamored with the "Attack" designation, and soon, the effort was renamed the "A" (for attack) "U" (for Vought) with "1" as the model number, and of course, since it was a prototype, we have to have an "X", hence "XAU-1". I don't know whether there were many other differences between this prototype and the later AU-1 models, but a lot more useful information can be found on the internet, if you are interested, starting HERE I started with the old tried and true Italeri F4U-7 kit, which has the parts for the AU-1 as well. Despite the fact that it's nose cowl/engine area has been criticized, it is workable: However, it was because of this criticism, that a firm called Hi-Tech made a nice conversion set, which adds a boat-load of detail: As I was not originally going to do any thread on this kit (after all, it's basically a basic AU-1), after finding photos of the XAU-1 prototype, I decided to back-track and post this. That explains why the bucket seat, cowl flaps, and trim tab actuator rods are all cut out of the PE fret shown! Anyway, more detail on the included items are shown below: Top-to-bottom, left-to-right, these items are (top row): wing flaps, underbelly weapons pylons; (second row): vac canopy, metal "paddle-style" prop blades, resin cockpit, and F4U-7 style cowl, which needs to have the lower chin inlet filled and sanded down for the AU-1 variant (basically and F4U-4 cowl without the chin scoop). Next row, the rudder, 10 new wing pylons, the tail-wheel well, and thick/thin tires -- as always, the Navy craft of the era used thin tires for carrier use, thicker tires for land use. Since the AU-1 was used on land (I think the tail hooks were also omitted), the thicker ones are needed here. Lastly, the detailed PE fret, sans the afore-mentioned items. A lot of detail is included for the landing gear, all of which is a bear to figure out (see F4U-5N build, linked above). One last thing here, these Hi-Tech kits are scarce as hen's teeth, and getting more so. If you are a 1/72 scale Corsair fan and one of these goes by, grab it! I've owned three, built two, and the last one I found on-line was a painful $42.00 US. It is worth every penny! Of course, all these problems would vanish, if anyone made a stat-of-the-art new kit, but I'm afraid they are going to F4 and F-15 us to death instead -- all of which is good, but, hey, kit makers, spread the love! Now, I guess it's time to show you what the real thing looks like: Under the horizontal stabilizer in the last pic above, it appears that they just left the original F4U-5N, and NAVY marking alone, so that's what I did, using the kit decals, and modifying them with needed tiny white numbers from a Gold Medal Models 1/350 WW2 USN Aircraft Markings Sheet (Korean War, 1947 to present) sheet. As far as I know, they still make this sheet and are available on-line or by direct mail, Gold Medal Models, PO Box 670, Lopez, WA 98261,USA. At least, I hope they still make them, as they are the perfect size, thickness and font for 1/72 USN blue aircraft. Thank you, ship modelers everywhere! Perhaps I should note that I jumped on this particular scheme, because 1) I needed an AU-1, and 2), it's a prototype -- a two-for-one opportunity! One last thing before showing the finished product. The "TEXT" and "XAU-1" were hand-painted, and vary from standard USN stencil specs, especially the "E", "S", and "U". I'll let you figure out how they vary, but they do. So, I had to load up the USN Stencil font into my ancient version of Photoshop, and make the needed modifications by hand, a pixel at a time. Then, I had to reverse the colors to end up with white letters, and massage the blue background color to match as closely as I could the True North Gloss Sea Blue that I used on the model. After a few tries, trying to compare to color on a computer screen to the painted color, I decided "close enough" and quit there. As with my XB-40 build decals a new years back, I had to slightly feather the edge of the decal after they were applied on the model, with a slight over-paint of the decal edges, which also hides the white edge of the decal paper. I only have access to an Epson Ink-Jet printer, so that's the way it goes. To rant just a bit more -- IF ANY PRINTER MANFACTURER would just give us an inexpensive modern version of the Alps printer, all would be well. In any event, for your edification, as well as possible use, here are my versions, which are free to use for anyone, for any non-commercial use. First, one you can play with, if needed, and second, the actual 1/72 scale image I used: Even though the bottom image seems large for 1/72, it is a 350 DPI, rather than the usual 72 DPI used to display on computer screens (I think). In my case, the dark blue background was still a shade lighter than the paint on the model. See if you can tell the difference, after my touch-ups, on the real models below: Because my home-made decals are painted on "thickish" white decal paper alone, they appear a little darker than the white of the star. I could have backet them up by applying white deal paper first, and then my actual decal over the top. I did not do so, because that would have made the decals even more thick, so I considered this the lesser of two evils. Or, I could just blame it on the guy who painter the real aircraft, and say he used cheap paint... Anyway, that's what the model looks like. Not perfect, but as always, much better than the "one I had before", and I'm glad to add it to the collection. Perhaps I should have titled it "And Now For Something Only Slightly Different"? Thanks for looking, Ed

Latest off the bench is the wonderful Meng kit of the F/A-18F. What a great kit. Very nearly Tamiya quality. A real pleasure to make. Not cheap BUT from a time taken to finish and quality point of view good value for money. My only snipe is that the decal instruction sheets are a bit on the small side for someone who is getting on a bit. They should have gone to Spec Savers. Any way on to the pic's. Please feel free to comment etc. Thanks for looking. Dick

roverp4 by Matt Farmer, on Flickr excalibur by Matt Farmer, on Flickr citroentraction by Matt Farmer, on Flickr t2pickup by Matt Farmer, on Flickr sovereign by Matt Farmer, on Flickr roverp6 by Matt Farmer, on Flickr lanciafulvia by Matt Farmer, on Flickr tr8 by Matt Farmer, on Flickr merc350sl by Matt Farmer, on Flickr capr2.8i. by Matt Farmer, on Flickr bmw2002tii by Matt Farmer, on Flickr 70mustangmach1 by Matt Farmer, on Flickr More to follow

On to the trickier roundels. Masked and a splash of white. Next up masking for the red. Thanks for looking, Cheers, Alistair

The end is in sight.... Ciao

Prepare the cockpit and main gear wells, a coat of GSI black #1500 primer, followed by green - I found this green from my inventory, it is actually meant for Gundam (GSI UG series) but seems to be quite match with the box suggested color. Cockpit floor is black primer, followed by Gaia 1001 silver, and a light coat of the same green. Next is to add some color to the buttons, Tamiya enamel black, white, yellow and red. Also tried to use masking tape to make the harness. After glued the tape in position, I mixed a bit of yellow, black and white and brush it on the belt, and use black and silver to highlight in different area of the belt. I did not add any metal part or wire this time. Dry brush silver and a wash with AK weathering liquid. First of my WWII project, it is fun so far ! Thanks for reading.

Nice Churchill, mention it to the fellow will you. Oh yes, posted. A fixation on photoetched oddball things for modelling, I just cannot understand such a fetish. The only time in history that I get and understand etch is when it nestles on the fuselages of a pair of Hawks, presently of this parish. Oh yes and when perpetrator of said etch made two million vortex generators for a project I had, years ago... Also, nice turkey, s'lookin' good.

Hi All, I've been working on bits and pieces on the Mossie this week - anyone who has built one of these will know there are a lot of bits & pieces to occupy oneself with! This has been mostly detail painting thus far, although I did start on the cockpit assembly yesterday. First of all I attacked the bomb bay - although HR405 will not be carrying bombs, I shall pose the doors open on the pretext of maintenance/arming the cannons. Here's the component masked up after the fuel tanks had been sprayed red-brown: And here after detail painting: That'll look okay after an oil wash! Next I turned my attention to the nose machine guns. After I'd laid down a black base coat I remembered that I needed to drill out the barrels: A bit difficult to see but you get the idea! Next I tackled the cockpit glazing - more specifically the internal framing, with a cocktail stick: Again you can just about pick out that they have been painted internal grey-green (on the internal surface!) 🔍 Next I started on the cockpit itself - here's the bulkhead with the fire extinguisher and flares picked out: Macro photography is not kind! Here's the main assembly coming together: It does look rather naked at the moment so I shall probably add in some wiring and other detail. Here's the instrument panel assembly: Again, not a kind photo - it's not as bad as it looks! Here;s a final shot showing the state of progress: I've still yet to add the PE ammo chutes, weathering, wiring, oil wash so a fair bit more yet to do. As a final note I've found another photo of HR405 which shows some interesting detail on the upper paintwork. You can see quite clearly on the photo that there is a much lighter patch of paintwork ahead of the tail. My theory is that this is due to the overpainting of the invasion stripes: My theory is thus: when the upper portions were overpainted, no EDSG was available, so the next best thing was used. I am guessing that this could be Medium Sea Grey, as many of the Banff Strike wing aircraft were painted in the 'standard' Mossie MSG/DG camouflage? Then, when the lower portions of the stripes were painted out, fresh coats of Sky and the now available EDSG were applied to the relevant areas. This would explain why the EDSG portion is darker than the rest of the upper surfaces, which would have worn and faded. The 'MSG' portion corresponds well to the position of the stripes, so I think it's a viable proposition. Now if I am correct the upper wings will require the same treatment, which will make this a very interesting paint job! Happy to hear any alternate theories or have this one critiqued! Thanks for looking, Roger

Getting there with the innards. I added a bit of scratch detail to the port sidewall, and will also have to scratch some seatbelts. The i/p decal looks pretty decent. It might stand an open canopy…