Stew Dapple

I can't speak for White-tac but I have a tub of Blu-tac that I must have used for camo masking half a dozen times, as Sean says if you knead it for a little while afterwards the paint breaks up into tiny fragments which don't stop the blu-tac from serving its useful purpose - in fact I think up to a point it works better for being ever so slightly less tacky. I don't imagine that White-tac would be much different Cheers, Stew

That tractor... I would say that you cannot make exhibit B look like photograph A... but I bet you will so I will hold my peace Stiletto's looking sharp... and very pointy too Cheers, Stew

Hi Ed, Interesting, but I wouldn't allow too much credibility to a bloke who joined a forum to make one post slagging off a book for its 'incorrect or fictional' facts and information, then doesn't quote a single one except to state that the town of Gove is printed as 'Grove' which isn't really technical information so much as a misprint. Could just be the kind of bloke who draws red lines on photographs on internet forums and claims these prove his strange and convoluted arguments, if you know what I mean? Everyone who reviewed it seemed to think it was a useful reference work apart from this anonymous expert - however those sort of experts are common enough on the internet and he did not take the opportunity to express his case when offered the chance by Jessie on Aeroscale in the comments section of the review you quoted... I don't have any affiliation or obligation to Valiant Wings by the way, though I got the Whirlwind book and have the Blenheim book on pre-order Cheers, Stew

Hi Mitch, Yes, you are pretty much right about the Kora decals being the only game in town for most of these markings, but I have ordered the Lift Here Decals set for the Hurricane and will see how they look when they arrive, if they seem more substantial I will probably use those. They might make a set which includes the Fury too, I can't remember, but most of their sets seem to be discontinued anyway Cheers, Stew

Hi PC, Easier said than done I'm afraid, Tamiya paint is not cheap over here and for the price of two enormous jars of clear red and yellow I could probably afford to get a room panelled Glad to hear Blue Rider have got on the case, hopefully they will send replacements before you drop the kit again Cheers, Stew

Nice work Rick and thanks for that link; I looked up the Goods Depot in the 'A' Series and remembered why I liked it so much - you can drive your train right through it Ah... memories... Cheers, Stew

Hi Bill, Your (unpatented, I gleefully note) Retention Device is a cracking idea I have filed that in the 'Will Come in Handy One Day' section of my fevered brain, thank you The little lamp - now that's just showing off However if I could do that I would show off too Cheers, Stew

Hello Paul, I don't use them myself, I tried them and thought they were nice paints but the colour names and matches were too much like hard work - there is a lot of 'discussion' on the various forums regarding which of their colours best represents which RAF colour. Briefly, my understanding is that the 71029 Dark Earth is an acceptable match, but the Dark Green 71016 as supplied with the RAF set is not (too light/too greyish) and should be replaced with 71013 Yellow Olive which, despite its name, is a good match for RAF Dark Green - however if you are prepared to scour the internet you may possibly find opinions that differ I doubt that you will find a definitive answer though. Hopefully a more committed Vallejo user will see this and advise you more effectively but if not I hope this helps Regarding the Valiant Wings book, here's Mike's review of the Westland Whirlwind book which was their last release, it contained more detail pictures and drawings than I will ever be able to make use of ​ I expect that the upcoming Blenheim book will follow the same sort of format and will probably be reviewed on BritMo too. ​ Cheers, Stew

Hi Paul, There is a new Valiant Wings book due out shortly which, if it was anything like the Westland Whirlwind book that preceded it, will be a valuable resource for the sort of detail you might be looking for... here If you fancy a cheaper option, typing 'Blenheim Restoration' in google images takes you here which might give you what you need. Cheers, Stew

Crikey Rick, that's a blast of nostalgia, the village chemist where I mostly grew up was a railway enthusiast and sold that range in his shop... I made a few of them (I remember the goods loading depot with a vague fondness) but after a while the damp must have got to them and they warped... Cheers, Stew

I've seen this kit about but I don't think I've ever seen one built, so I'd be interested in hearing what you think of it as you go - as well as being interested in seeing your build Cheers, Stew

Well you've made me laugh already PC, I doubt that was your primary intention but thanks anyway Shame about the roundels, is that the original issue Blue Rider sheet or the recent reprint? If the latter I'd send them that picture and ask them for a replacement, that really should not have got through QC (it isn't just your eyes). Failing that your solution using the Xtradecals is a good work-around but I'd still go for the replacements if you can get them. Your interior woodwork looks lovely, you've certainly got that technique mastered. That's the sort of panelling I would like in my library. I'd like a library too, but if I ever get one I'd like panelling like that in it Cheers, Stew

Smart work Mitch, she's going to be a beauty. I thought I had my internet memes down, but what is a S.W.A.G.? I'm doing a Yugoslav Hurricane myself, with the Kora decals... they look a little thin and disappointing to be honest Cheers, Stew

Ah, this might be the nub of it; I have a dominant left eye, (and was a lefty for shooting) so I wonder if your airbrushing hand is dictated by your dominant eye... if so, I can predict... JasonC should be dominant right eye, Jonners and Paul Little-Cars should be dominant left eye ...or am I barking up the wrong tree? Cheers, Stew

I'm pretty much the same as Jonners, leftie for writing and painting and airbrushing... most stuff, in fact, though I was a right-handed bass player back in the day Come to think of it I might have been less rubbish at it if I had tried that left-handed Cheers, Stew

Be careful what you wish for, Richard Cheers, Stew

Better than my first model by miles, good work Shane Cheers, Stew

Jonners, you might have linked to the wrong pic there, or else the 410 was very much different to the 406 than I expected Cheers, Stew

That is part of the armour plate that Edgar refers to. Prior to the fitting of armour plate it appears to have been doped fabric. Cheers, Stew

In the interests of avoiding confusion Popeye and Jean are referring to the wheel hubs being painted black like this Cheers, Stew

I can't seen anything wrong and I can see a lot to be proud of. Good job PC Cheers, Stew

Hey Woody, Airfix do a Jeep here - it's listed as a British Airborne Jeep but I think it has a standard set of parts - JonP built a British and American one here from the same kit. It's just less than eight quids on the Airfix site. Cheers, Stew

Yeah, I like it Pete nice work and a great result. Cheers, Stew

Hat duly doffed PC good luck with the cabane struts - hint: probably don't use your teeth for this Cheers, Stew

Hi Bill, I'm surprised Special Hobby aren't on the 'phone to you every week... "...we've got a stack of 1/72 British Aircraft we need shifting, if we send you a free one will you build it on Britmodeller and then Stew Dapple and Bobster will buy them too and we'll be rich, you hear me Bill, rich!!!" They might add "Muahahahaha!!!" Good call on the seatbelt too. All looking very nice indeed Cheers, Stew