chuckb1

Well here it is, nearly 4 weeks later fitting the build in between physio and gym sessions.This became a labour of love in the end, so much so that I will build the aircraft of Squadron Leader Roger Bushell N3194. GR_Z and display them as a pair. My plan was to use the Revell kit and build the following aircraft, Supermarine Sptifire Mk1a N3290 GR-U. Aircraft of F/O John Gillies, shot down whilst operating over Dunkirk with 92 Squadron on the evening of 23rd May 1940. I have to say this build really stretched my skill set as this was my second big forray into using aftermarket resin, white metal and brass, Such a learning curve, so please bare with me and my mistakes. I have to say that this came out better than my VB from last summer. Also a bit of a family chuck up as well, a neigbour has also asked me to build him the Flying Tigers P40 in 1/32 as he is a huge P-40 fan. So here it is, I also took some black and white, sepia and bleached out tone pictures to test my lack of digital photograpic skills, the A Level Art and Photography from 198erherm was brought into use for this build. Face slap moment was when I realised I applied the camo in the A scheme not the B Scheme so from that point it became an exercise in weathering and applying grime, I tried to create a weary look from the summer of 1940. Bushells aircraft will be more pristine when the time comes. Also I wanted the challenge of the hardest BoB underside finish used. It became Tamiya and Frog tape sticky hell!! First pictures are of during build with final parts to be fitted and painting to be done. So here it is in all its summer of 1940 glory. So there it is warts and all Thanks for watching all

Be it an SE5A, Sopwith Camel, Spitfire MK IX, or a Sea Vixen FAW the risk elements are still the same. Vintage aircraft are a rare breed and require a unique touch to maintain and fly. All thorough breeds with their own idiosyncrasies. any aircraft can claim a life look at the loss of the Hispano Buchon piloted by Mark Hanna, the man was a superlative pilot. I was fortunate enough to meet him and his father at NAS Yeovilton in the 80's. Amazingly skillful and talented pilots. One thing I took away from talking to them was their respect and love for what they flew and both men knew the risks of flying vintage aircraft. No matter what the aeroplane, if it goes wrong it will and the outcome is normally tragic. So all the nay sayers need to consider the UK's safety record since 63 and think on that fact. It was a tragic and awful incident. Enough of the what if or what happened. If this thread goes down that path then maybe it should now be locked out of respect.

11 guests reading this thread, interesting......................

Rgr that Royal, totally agree. Some respect should be shown to those who have passed and the families of those who are still missing. As I said earlier, we rise above we do not surmise we leave that to the scene investigators. We demonstrate our respect to those involved by demonstrating deference and respect. Consider this, The pressmongers and gutter snipes will look at communities such as ours and worst comes to worst lift comments from the forum and use later for social comments possibly. PERSEC is important to us, we rise above ladies and gentlemen. If you want to banter go do it over a couple of wets and a game of arrows.

I am abhorred and disgusted at the 'Armchair experts' on the television this morning, with programs such as the Wright Stuff procrastinating and running a telephone call in session on his so called current affairs show. The word "Stunt" flying is being bandied about far too much by the media. Stunt flying is the remit of something harking back to the interwar years. All US county fair and barnstormers. The clueless media rears its ugly head yet again. My heart truly goes out to all that have been affected. Nothing can prepare the personnel from the Emergency Services to have to deal with a major incident such as this. Many of us on this forum are ex forces or emergency services. I feel that we have a genuine affinity for those involved as we have all had to deal with major incidents at some point in our careers, whether we are ex serving or serving. The aftermath and post incident debriefs for those involved will be time consuming and stressful. This also applies for the public, If any are feeling traumatised by what they saw I can only pray they seek help. There are support organisations and mechanisms in place to provide after care for those involved. A sad and tragic incident.

Truly heart breaking. My thoughts are with the deceased, injured and all who witnessed this tragedy. My sincerest condolences to their loved ones and families.

Ok update time, three weeks into the most enjoyable build I have done in years, stretched my lack of skill set to the max. My intention was to do the pictures at each stage, however I got too carried away. Things I have learned; Working with resin and brass etch is skill in its self. I have learned to beat the carpet / oak floor monsters. I truly have pork sausage fingers. Found a use for that A level in Art and Photography that I did way back in 198eherm. Sworn a fair bit Smiled a lot more as this took my mind off my knee replacement. So to serious business, the Barracuda resin parts are beautifully made, I had to do a fair amount of filing and trimming on the air intake and oil cooler but if careful you are rewarded with the perfect upgrade. I have used all the parts in the cockpit set, radiator and cooler, flaps and wheels. Im nearly completed, more matt varnish for the underside prop, oil streaking to be done, final clear parts paint and fit, and add colour for the nav lights, rig the aerial, glue down sliding canopy and paint the pilot when he arrives. I am donating this one to the father in law, he is ex RAF and a huge spitfire junkie. Anyway to pictures, I have had a play with the settings on my camera and on my phone to try some effects I hope you like, however........... there is a complete punch myself in the face massive error. Only a true Spitophile will pick it up straight away. Due to this monumental cock up I am going to build this again once I have finished the P-40 which is next on the list. I decided to make this one look really war weary it my artistic licence I thought that if this aircraft was operating during the Dunkirk evacuation it would be non stop so I decided on a really war weary look. My next take on this will be Squadron Leader Bushells aeroplane, I will complete that one with a lot less wear and tear.

Been a while since I have had the opportunity to start a new build, everything has had to go on the back burner due to work and family bereavements this year. My year has culminated in a knee replacement operation last week, therefore courtesy of SWMBO and permission to spend money on a new build "That you must finish" I have decided to build the following aircraft, Supermarine Sptifire Mk1a N3290 GR-U. Aircraft of F/O John Gillies, shot down whilst operating over Dunkirk with 92 Squadron on the evening of 23rd May 1940. So this is what I have amassed since returning home from my operation at Nuffield Hospital Oxford. Its time to get gluing, sawing, sticking sanding and painting. Made a start on the cockpit today. i throw myself at the feet of the Spitfireophiles on the forum, its going to be a brave attempt!

That is a hoofin build. Before I re mustered for the green machine I did my second sea draft on the Cleo. She looks like she is coming into Guzz after another patrol in the "Gap". 9 knots, optimum sonar speed tail wet and rolling like a dog on wet grass for two or three weeks. The TA roll, never something I enjoyed. Wedging your pit with your steaming bats and either poaching alive in the showers or freezing as she rolled. TA Leanders, definitely an acquired taste. Would I do it all again Yes! You brought back some good memories looking at this, thank you!

Alongside at Fountain Lake by the look of it. I remember passing her in 85, 86 when I was on Glamorgan. Big ships even compared to a County. Wonder which one is outboard of her in the picture? Damned defence cuts, some things never change.

Old Ships. Really done her justice, saving pound coins for her

Hi all The Revell Ventura is on sale there for the princely sum of Ten English Pounds had about 8 in stock on Sunday, needless to say. Bought one and did not get told off! Like any good wife she pinged the SALE Sticker and the reduction Love the SWMBO

Absolutely the mustard. Well done feller.Stunning Spitfire and nice choice of decals.

True it is really expensive, also scratch building would be easier on the wallet. in 1/32 there must be loads of options out there where you could adapt parts.

Hi Andy This chap has these every so often, Also conversion kits and canopies. There are also decals available else where http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-32-Beaufighter-Photo-etch-detail-set-ONLY-4-left-gone-for-ever-/111555553237?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item19f93aa7d5 Regards Chuck B

Hi all, Well thanks to Mrs B and her understanding of my fetish for all things P40 related I am now the proud possessor of the VFS 1/24 P40. The kit arrived from France yesterday. A belated birthday present. So I have now ordered the following. Eduard placards set Eduard Guages and dials Novoscale RAAF decal set Eduard Early USAF Belt set Purchased Various brass rod, strip, and plate 1/24 RAF Pilot figures (set of 3) Thanks to ebay there Brass .50 cal gun barrels and jackets Brass .303 cal gun barrels and jackets x 2 sets Canibalised the 303 Browning's bulk heads and ammo boxes from an old 1/24 Hawker Hurricane Prying apart the wings on a 25 year old build was interesting, CRACK!! as the wings parted!! I will post up pictures after Christmas day.

HAPPY AS A SAND BOY! Skint as a church mouse come a years time. MUST haves Defiant, Dornier (already there with that one) Cheers Santa Whitley Beaufighter Wild Cat Heinkel Spitfire Mk1 and the Hurricane. Obviously the sumptuous gawjuss Shackleton Dont tell the wife

My LMS has Both Blenheim and the Dornier, well it did have the Dornier up until 1400 today. Oh it also did have the Re boxed by Revell MPM Wellington MkII

Or HMS Cossack, "The Navy's here"! What a line. Sums up the finest traditions of the service

My old ship, D19 GKBH HMS Glamorgan. Took and Exocet to the hangar that proceeded through the Hangar deck and down into the Galley Flat. Her ships company fought the fires, pulled out her dead and treated them with reverence and respect. Rigged Tarpaulin's over the damage. Cracked on and got herself back on station.

Up the Andrew! Another, the media darling that was HMS Kelly

USN has to be USS St Lo, taking on a cruiser with 5" Guns, especially when St Lo was a CVE. That is bravery Kriegsmarine Bismarck hands down, the ship that would not die. Fought to a standstill.

Factual has to be HMS Amethyst. No matter what really happened for her to make her way back down river was an outstanding feat of seamanship and courage Second HMS Campbeltown. Operation Chariot. Combined operations finest and most futile example Fictional HMS Compass Rose, the work horses of the fleet, manned by weekend warriors and HO ratings with a nod towards a couple of regular service matelots to bring experience. "Snorkers good ho"! MGB 1087. The heart of a ships company is the ship.

Never would be just one so my starters for 10 are Mk1 Hawker Hurricane De Havilland Mosquito Curtiss P40 Warhawk P51D Mustang Messerschmitt BF109E Handley Page Halifax Focke Wulf 190A Messerschmitt Komet Handley Page Heyford Avro Lancaster Narrowed down to the Curtiss P40 Warhawk Stalwart for the Allies fought in all theatres, Not the greatest performance but got the Allies through their darkest hour until more powerful aircraft came through the design development and flight phases. Case rests for me

I have the 1/32 new tool MKII, I have decals for a MK1, and the dude in the red suit is bringing me the Big Ed set for the same for Christmas. I have purchased new wheels and metal landing gear so far. Im tackling mine next spring as I have just finished 2 x 1/48 Mk 1's for a friend and a VB so need a break from Spits for a while. Will give it a damned good go and do a thread on here in about March. Pros its a big step up over the predecessor that is older than me and that is old! Shape wise honestly ignore the hand wringing nay sayers, to me it looks like a Spitfire, smells like a polystyrene Spitfire and I have looked at 3 different builds of one. Honestly, I think its ok, if you want to go the whole hog you could sand away at the wing roots, re scribe heaven or hell, then skim all the rear fuselage and then buy strips of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180842932760?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Honestly I could not be CBA'd to go to that extent. Best builds I have seen one did this, one didnt. Oh got this for my birthday from Mrs Chuck B http://adhpublishing.com/shop/store/products/new-how-to-build-the-revell-132-supermarine-spitfire-mk-iia/ Personally go for it. I am and stuff all the ones that say "Burn Chuck hes a warlock"! He speaks in evil tongues and spouts the word of the devil. My next mission is going to be the 1/24 P40 from Classic Arframes, mission and game on for the group build.