Stew Dapple

@Cookenbacher hey Cookie, have you seen this? Cheers, Stew

Wow that came together rather suddenly Roger Cheers, Stew

Thanks gents It's a nice model, but see below... I attached the little lenses for the gunsight: ... and masked and fitted the canopies: So far so good but wait! Both the sliding sections of the canopy overhang the fixed part behing them... I've never noticed it before, can't see any definite evidence on actual Hellcat pictures and as most people seem to build theirs with the cockpits open I can't tell if it's meant to be assembled this way. Is this normal? Look: ... and here: The fixed front part can't go any further forward and the fixed rear part can't go any further back, the sliding section is as long as it is long so I guess it must be meant to be like that, but it is the first time in this build where something felt like it didn't fit precisely, in fact it felt a bit of an awkward fit which made me wonder if I have overlooked something. The hood is definitely facing the right way forward... so I dunno Cheers, Stew

Somehow, another one of these: Which I apparently put on pre-order with HobbyLink Japan some time ago but do not recall doing so. This suggests either that I was drunk at the time of placing the order or, more likely, very drunk To make matters stranger, at the bottom of the packing box was a strange plastic document folder: No documents in it, I think it was just placed in the box to further mess with my mind... Cheers, Stew

Sorry mate, yes 1/72 of course, look forward to seeing you there Cheers, Stew

Nice, very nice, and fast too; I look forward to seeing her at the weekend Cheers, Stew

Ah, welcome back Ian, just pick up where you left off, I'm sure the other fellows will be along shortly Cheers, Stew

For extra hold? Looking very smart Jamie - the Mossie I mean, not the haircut, though I'm sure that's looking reasonably smart too Cheers, Stew

I missed this too - lovely job Basu, she has a strange beauty Cheers, Stew

I think all modellers should make the Pilgrimage to Hannants at least once. I've never been anywhere quite like it - perhaps the 'new' place lacks the ramshackle charm of the old place and both could be quite overwhelming as there is really too much to look at to sustain your attention; after a while you find you are just scanning rows and columns of boxes without really seeing what you are seeing (that could just be me though, my brain is not a powerfully-developed organ)... but as an experience for a modeller, it is probably unique, certainly within the UK. Also agree regarding the customer service, very friendly and professional staff who somehow seem to know where everything is Cheers, Stew

Nice work Lanmi Did you replace the wingtip lights with some kind of clear material, or is that just very clever painting? Cheers, Stew

I'd stand by that for the 109s in the film, for want of a better suggestion anyway, but the Yugoslavian 109 and the Romanian one - if indeed that one has the cover painted a different colour - do appear to be considerably lighter than we might expect RLM24 to appear on photographs Fin, as I said, personally in the case of the Yugoslavian and Romanian 109s I'd go with RLM02, but as Joe points out there is no definitive answer at present so if you wanted to go with RLM65 or even RLM04 it would be your call and it would be hard for anyone to contradict you without providing concrete evidence... Cheers, Stew

I'm not sure Fin, the first one could just be light striking the front of the supercharger cover. The sun seems to be directly in front of the aircraft but it's difficult to say for sure. The second picture is more obviously a different colour, from the tone I would guess RLM02 or RLM65; if it were my model I'd probably go with the former . I'd use RLM02 on the cowling gun troughs too. Cheers, Stew

You're going to build a Telecaster instead? Cheers, Stew

Even though I disgraced myself with the balloon last time My god, the steaks I'm very glad to hear that Ced, it would be lovely to see you when we have a bit more time, it was all a bit of a rush at the show. Jamie I do believe you might actually finish your Mossie by Saturday, it doesn't even look like you rushed it either... Cheers, Stew p.s enjoy the fish supper