Peter Roberts

Just wanted to say ‘thanks’ for the short Wingleader films that pop up from time to time. Highly interesting and informative - your recent Christmas special a good example, and timely. Well done guys.

Well, I’m going to stick my (circular?) nose in here, for what it’s worth. (Ok, not much, but…) If you look closely at the photos Troy has posted, my eyes see a slightly larger gap around the bottom of the spinner to the nose opening, suggesting that the fuselage opening may be very mildly oval, ie. the height may be marginally greater than the width. But if so, by how much? Looks like a poofteenth of a milliwoofal. Mr V Line mentions a 1/4 inch, though I’d suggest in this case it may be slightly more. Whatever, to me, this is like saying ‘there are 50 rivets along that panel line, but you have 49’. And then you have to scale that difference down to the size you are modelling - what’s 1/72 of, say, 1/2”? Not much. Then again, I’m becoming more of an ‘if it looks right…’ modeller, so others will have a different opinion. Personally, I am happy with a circular nose on my Hurricanes.

Note the differences in aerials on the profile vs the photos Troy has posted for Kepford’s aircraft. I believe the small silver (apparently) rectangle on the upper cowling is where the forward aerial was removed.

She’ll be right mate

From the forgoing I think I know the answer, but I’II ask anyway. What is the diameter of the Hurricane Mk I and Spitfire Mk I/II noses, and the ‘Spitfire Rotol’ spinner? Edit - found a post from the late Edgar Brooks (RIP mate) who stated that the Spitfire Mk IX had a 25” diameter spinner backplate, based on the Montfortin info. I presume this would translate to earlier Marks - ?

I have now received this kitset, and an email from Kotare alerting me to a small issue with the kitset. They have discovered that a small brace is missing from one of the seat supports, an issue apparently not seen in the first test run, but found in kitsets since distributed, and have offered apologies and a replacement part. This is the first time I know of a model making company doing this - alerting customers to an issue with a kitset BEFORE they got the kitset (at least, in my case). The missing bit is very tiny and easily replaced by a small piece of stretched sprue. BUT, so good to be told of it in advance by the manufacturer instead of later by other modellers who came across the issue when building the model! Personally I wont need a replacement, but appreciate their ongoing excellent communication with their customers.

Brilliant! Thank you very much!

Yep, my thoughts too. And plenty of variations within (the Mk I Hurricane, that is).

What an amazing build - over an hour but didn’t feel like it. Does anyone know where he gets his custom chrome name scripts done?

Thought I’d read the Mk V has been pushed back to 2024

I’ve found nail file and polishing pads very good too.

The treaded tyres are available as after market parts - what yet scale are you building in?

Interesting idea and approach Spiny, I hope it works out. Any thoughts on disguising the edges of the bare metal foil?

Glad to see you’re not only still with us, but kicking as well Peter! Looks like you venture in parts of the forums I don’t…. 😯 Have I misinterpreted photos? In not only the ones you have posted, but others I have seen, the white used for the identification markings seems to weather more than that used in the national markings. Was it a different paint, or perhaps a poorer quality? Surface preparation? I have read of distemper being used for temporary markings, but I didn’t think that was the case with RAAF aircraft here. Have I got this wrong? If not, do you have any thoughts on this?

I am thinking of having a go at using chrome decals for the chrome name logos and badges, ‘cause trying to paint the raised detail in my case is impossible. Thoughts? I know not as good as etch, but a lot easier to apply, and may be a good compromise?

Another small detail worth looking out for on SEAC bound Spitfires (And Aussie bound) are small serial stencils on some components. These can be items such as aerials, armour plate, cowlings, wing root fairings and prop blades. They were in yellow, about 2” high, and enabled the proper components to be fitted to an airframe when it was re-erected.

Wot ‘e said. I was searching some of Pete’s posts here as Troy posted but no luck. Maggie has all the info on this, but I haven’t seen any posts from him for a bit, so hopefully he is okay.

Starter trolley point for the later Marks was in the port wing root, beneath the cockpit?

Does any one know where I can get chrome or silver decals printed? I believe the ALPS printer can do these?

Great photo, thank you. Interior green structure, but looks like black between that structure on the inner frame - fuel tank?

Bonhams sometimes do some extraordinary walk around coverage of upcoming lots - a great site to visit. Most recent of my visits to them was coverage of a Mini Cooper.

Just a heads up that Mark (a legend in my books!) at Motobitz has created pressed steel wheels for Minis in 1/24 scale. Long story short, I was after a set and asked if he could cast them, but he is now 3D printing by the look of things and very kindly offered to print up a couple of sets. These are standard wheels, with tyres (I think). I think he’d be able to do the wider wheels used for racing. If you asked nicely…. 😉

Ah, yes, but does it have ‘Bond’ on the box? You know, 007, a licence to print money….. (says me with ‘Bond’ kits in my collection. 🤫 )

Does anyone have a lead on Blenheim wheel well colours? The undercarriage legs and wheels look like they were often black, but an occasional pale colour appears too! If they were initially built as bombers with black lower surfaces, would this have applied to the wheel wells and bomb bay too?

Richard has been known to say in an interview that the Spitfire would need a companion, but I don’t think he mentioned which Mark! It did sort of point to a next subject though. Now, let the wishing begin!