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The floor layout plans are now on-line: https://ipmsuk.org/ipms-scale-modelworld/smw-floor-plans/ Time to start planning my routes about the Halls!

Many thanks everyone for the info - and the warnings!!

Does anyone know if this publisher is still in business? I think they were a Czech company and covered (very well!!) some of the Cold War USSR airframes.

Tickets for November2023 now on sale: https://ipmsuk.org/scale-modelworld/scale-modelworld-2023-tickets-now-on-sale/

Spotted this article using the Airfix Hotspur 1/600 kit: https://www.davecov.org/modelling/reference/airfixmagazinearticles/warships/pdfs/October_1969_Flower_Class_Corvettes.pdf

Lovely model of a lovely aircraft in a lovely scheme!!

There is a set of 1/76 plans for the German two-wheeled fuel trailer in the IPMS(UK) Magazine of July 1971 - looks identical to the trailer in the photo above except the plans include mudguards.

HMS Cumberland in 1938 - I have a Word version of that article which I downloaded years ago - has the photos and the diagrams embedded in it. I downloaded it as I live part of the year in Spain where I have no internet access - lack of internet is the best way to ensure that plenty of modelling is done!! Message me with an email address and I will happily pass it on!

If you can have a look in the recent IPMS(UK) Magazine for an article on a Siskin which won the Branch Champion's medal at Telford in November.

Hi Nenad I checked in my magazine and the article is by Mike Startmer. There is no separate subscription option for the IPMS(UK) Magazine - it is included in your annual membership fee. Mike

Have you seen the article 'Churchill III tanks of Kingsforce' in the IPMS(UK) Magazine September/October issue 2021 - a very good article covering the colours and modifications to these Churchills? The author has identified each tank's unique colour scheme from photos. It was awarded the prize for the best IPMS magazine article of 2020/2021 at the awards ceremony at Telford!

The Alynbank is mentioned in an article in the 1989 Warships entitled 'RN Anti Aircraft Ships' and there are a couple of photos of her in the article. Message me if you do not have this article.

Mike One of the LCM Mk.9 still seems to be about - she is now the Severn Sins and based at Bridport, Dorset - some modification especially a new engine: These links may be of use: https://www.keynvormorlift.co.uk/vessels-equipment/severn-sins https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060044448 https://hastingscountrypark.org.uk/2016/08/27/ovendens-storm-the-beach The last listing of her position was in Nantes, France - see https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:188156/mmsi:235007657/imo:0/vessel:SEVERN_SINS which has some more photos of her Have a good Christmas!!

Mike - a couple of points - The Airfix Bloodhound kit is 1/72 rather than 1/76 - it was first issued as part of the Airfix aircraft range in 1960 before they started to produce 1/76 AFVs in 1961/2. There is a softback book called "Build and Convert Airfix Military Models" by Tom Cole, published by SAM. I remember looking at it at SMW (2000ish??) when it was first published and, if I remember correctly, it had notes on how to improve the kit - I don't have the book so it might be my memory is going!! Perhaps someone on the AFV pages here can verify if there is such an article. Mike

In his book "V & W class Destroyer" (1971) Anthony Preston has the following notes re HMS Vampire: October 1916 whilst building Vampire's armament was increased to two x triple torpedo tubes to match current German destroyer design October 1916 - Vampire and all other new leaders - a high-angle 3-inch gun to replace two 2-pounder pom-poms.

There is a very good article with lots of scale drawing in the January 1968 IPMS(UK) Magazine by Bill Matthews explaining the various versions of the Boeing 707/720 family - the scale drawings show the various wing forms, fuselages, tailplanes, etc. I can scan it if of interest - PM me if wanted.

Max Decals sheet 4403 in 1/144th scale has decals for Air Lingus DC-3s EI-ACE or EI-ACD and quotes Humbrol H3 Brunswick Green as ideal for the upper fuselage, silver for rest of airframe. No mention of interiors. I will scan it and send it on to your email address tomorrow. I also have instructions and decals for Welsh Models DC-3 in BIA Cargo colours - again will scan and email onward! Welsh Models did a number of DC-3 schemes if I remember correctly - a check back in their adverts in old copies of SAM should show them - perhaps others on here built the kits but didn't use the decals - have a try in 'Wanted' in case anyone has them stored away.

Had our jabs yesterday (Sunday) morning at 0915 - administer by an ex-pupil who lives just around the corner from us - then it was home for bacon baps!! Last time I met an ex-pupil in a medical situation I was on the receiving end(!!) of a colonoscopy - again a delightful young lady but who seemed more interested in catching up with news of other old members of staff than the task in hand!! No reaction to the jabs but a serious lack of bacon baps today - just 'healthy' muesli.

Dated 12th January: Due to the recent decision in the UK to make shippers collect a 20% VAT tax for packages sent to the UK and pay it quarterly, we regret that we have no choice other than to suspend any further sales to the UK. Current open orders will be filled and shipped, and we hope for the best for their safe delivery. This is a very unfortunate decision by the UK, and we wish we had a way to avoid it. We have many great customers in the UK, and we will miss you all. If you are a citizen of the UK please plead with your lawmakers to change this unfair tax collection.

Hi everyone I am told that the major difference between the 215 and the 415 is that the engine nacelles for the kits are attached at the same point whereas in real life the 415 has the nacelles shifted inboard. A French modeller says via Google Translate: Heller has maintained the attachment points of the nacelles corresponding to the CL-215. As a result, the new nacelles are about 5 mm too much outboard. To correct this, you must: Cut the bonnets (triangular shape) to the nacelles. Bond structural reinforcing plates to solidify cut parts. Swap the previously cut pieces to bring the base of the basket 5 mm inwards. Untranslated he said: Heller a conservé les points d’attache des nacelles correspondant au CL-215. De ce fait, les nouvelles nacelles sont environ 5 mm trop a l’extérieur. Pour corriger cela, il faut : Couper les capotages (de forme triangulaire) de raccord aux nacelles. Coller des plaques de renfort de structure afin de solidifier les parties découpées. Intervertir les morceaux precedement découpés afin de ramener la base de la nacelle de 5mm vers l'intérieur.. About the Heller 415 engine nacelles via Google Translate he says: The profile of the engine nacelle is a bit too flat, which gives it a tendency to have a high nose once installed. The first modification consists in making a notch behind the side access hatches to the turbine. This will lean down the forward section of the nacelle so that the propeller plane is tilted -3 degrees from the vertical. The back of the engine nacelle will receive a piece of Evergreen 6mm wide and 22mm long. The perimeter will be connected with putty and all will be shaped by sanding. The junction of the propeller spinner with the front cowling of the engine casing is a little too broken. It is necessary to refine the cowling to have a less abrupt junction. Untranslated he said: Nacelles moteur: Le profil de la nacelle est un peu trop plat, ce qui lui donne une tendance à avoir le nez haut, une fois installée. La première modif consiste à pratiquer une entaille en arrière des trappes latérales d’accès a la turbine. Cela permettra de pencher vers le bas la section avant afin que le plan d’hélice soit penché de 3 degrés par rapport à la verticale. Le dos de la nacelle recevra un morceau d’Evergreen de 6 mm de large et 22 mm de long. Le pourtour sera raccordé avec du putty et le tout sera mis en forme par ponçage. La jonction de la casserole d’hélice avec le capotage avant de la nacelle est un peu trop cassée. Il faut affiner le capotage pour avoir une jonction moins abrupte. NOTE : Je n’ai pas encore procédé à la jonction nacelle/aile, mais les assemblages « a blanc » montrent qu’il y aura du travail de masticage surtout au raccord avec l’intrados. There are a couple of illustrations of the wing modifications - PM me with an email address and I can forward them on to - I can't get images to appear here for some reason!!

The Trumpeter USS Blue Ridge is a modern amphibious command ship which came in to service in 1970 so very different from the ship your uncle was on in WW2.

Electronic copies of all the Warship Profiles are available for free(!!!) at: https://boxartden.com/reference/gallery/index.php/Modeling-References/Warships

Airfix Magazine Guide 27 has the plans for a Runway Controller's caravan which I can scan if you want - PM me. The Scale Models magazine also had plans drawn by Ian Huntley for another Runway Controller's caravan based at "RAF Steeple Clayton" - again I can scan if you are interested. I scratch built for my father the Controller's Caravan he spent many an hour in during 1942-44 based on the latter drawings - as he pointed out that caravan was 'knocked up' by the Station carpenters to a general plan but modified during building to suit the Station's needs. He was very envious of another caravan he saw on a USAAF base which used the nose glazing of a B-17 instead of the drafty sliding windows of his - it also had a better heater inside instead of the 'pot-bellied stove' that he had managed to scrounge for his caravan.

Dermo - there are photo walkrounds in the IPMS(UK) Magazine: Issue 4 of 2014 has a walkround of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources CL 215 (ex-Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) - the markings are easily amended from a Leading Edge Decal sheet. Issue 5 of 2017 has a walkround of a French CL 415. If you don't have these issues but are at Telford in a fortnight have a look in the "Give an Old Kit/Magazine" section as you go in to the Kit Swap area - there are often sets of old Magazines there in return for a donation to the chosen charity. I also have a copy of an article about correcting the CL 415 kit - drop me a message and I will email it on to you.

Talking with friends from Eire, Germany and Spain they have no worries over getting to Telford from Europe although perhaps with a slight delay. For a visitor from the USA via Heathrow there should be no difference from existing immigration arrangements - just the normal long queue so wear comfortable shoes and visit the loo before joining the queue!! As an overseas visitor your big advantage will be that your US$ will be worth more in Pounds due to the decline in the value of the UK£. Make sure you change your money at your bank or at a travel agency (perhaps the AAA) - you will get a very poor rate of exchange if you change your cash at the airport especially at Heathrow!!