Tail-Dragon

I noticed that too, but it appears on only some of the photos (and on a view of all the Spits lined up, it looks to be on only one airframe). If it was a VHF antenna, it would be on all the airframes, not just one. It is something particular to one airframe, and is not seen where MK297 is clearly identifiable. Also, in the 'taka taka taka' scene where both aircraft are in view, the rod is clearly in view on the aircraft marked AI*H, not on AI*A, but in the scenes where only one aircraft is in view, the rod is now on the aircraft marked AI*A! Filmed on a different day, with the markings (tape applied every day) reversed!

They are a real mix of Fundekals (codes and Squadron leader pennant), Scalemaster/War Eagle (roundels, tail flash), BarracudaCals (stencils), and Fantasy Printshop (kill markings).

Thanks! I'm finishing off 2 HA-1112's next. I do have to consider a CASA 2111, but that's a much bigger project! Movie aircraft are an interesting genre, I'm torn between 'Tora Tora Tora' Harvard-zero's, 'Where Eagles dare' Harvard- Focke-Wulf's, and a 'Catch-22' B-25. So much to choose from!

This is the ICM 1/48 Spitfire IXc, modified into Spitfire Mk IXc, MK297 was the aircraft marked as AI*A, flown by Squadron leader 'Skipper' {Robert Shaw} in the 'taka taka taka' scene. It was built at Castle Bromwich in late 1943. MK297 had also appeared in the film 'The longest day', and the series 'A piece of cake'. It made its way eventually to Hamilton, Ontario, only to be destroyed in the same hangar fire as G-AWLW (Diemert Hurricane). ... again, thanks for all the advice and suggestions on this website! build log ... ICM SPIT build log Cheers, Colin

Sigh ... when I started to add up the cost of a aftermarket cockpit, exhaust, weapons, masks and decals, I realized there was only one logical course of action. I ordered a GWH MiG-29 9.13 "Ghost of Kiev" kit. (their spelling, not mine) I did try to resist, I really did! (as I practice for when SWMBO finds out!)

I particularly like the handheld Garmin GPS stuck on the panel! Not to mention the Teddy bear!

I've found some good 5 views of a 9-13 (labelled Fulcrum S) in the 4+ book, with cross sections, so I'm considering modifying the hump, would there be any other mods I should look at?

I have both the Academy 1/48 MiG 29, and the MiG 29UB in my stash. I would like to build them (if possible) as current Ukrainian Air Force MiGs. I know that there are newer, better kits out there, but I can't afford to pursue them at this time and would like to use what I have. What mods would I need to achieve reasonable accuracy, and what aftermarket is recommended? (I have the Foxbot UB decals and mask set on order) Also, what would be the appropriate loadout? Thanks, Colin

I can't vouch for the accuracy, but this is what I have ... Colin

Yep, these are the most interesting schemes!

Well, I finally got around to weathering the Hurricane! To round out a Battle of Britain movie build, I just had to have a Hurricane. So, I modified an old 1/48 Hobbycraft Hurricane Mk IIc into a Canadian produced Mk IIb, with a lot of scratch building, detail parts from a scrapped Ark Hurricane Mk 1, and various parts from the spare parts bin. It is * F, H3418 flown by Squadron Leader Harvey (Christopher Plummer) in the opening airfield staffing scene. The Bob Diemert restored aircraft (CCF c/n 42012, registered as CF-SMI, C-GWPH, and G-AWLW) was in fact a CCF Hurricane Mk IIb. It had the 3 stack round exhaust (not fishtail), it did not have the Mk II style 'kinked' tail wheel, but the earlier Mk I style tail wheel, blanked off generator cooling pipes, no oil collection channel on the upper cowl behind the spinner, A Hamilton Standard prop, and the unique 'Canadian' spinner. Also, I've discovered that this Hurricane made its way eventually to Hamilton, Ontario, only to be destroyed in the same hangar fire that destroyed Spitfire Mk IXc MK297 (another BofB movie vet, marked as AI*A in the 'taka taka taka' scene), an Avenger, an Auster, and a Turb-Commander, Feb 15, 1993. Many thanks to all on this site that offered info, suggestions and critiques. WIP - WIP build posts I know, too many photo's already. well, just one more ... After the fire, the Hamilton aviation museum replaced (?) the lost Hurricane with this fibreglass mockup, a very realistic 1 to 1 scale kit! (I want one!) Thanks for looking, Colin

Beautifully done, congratulations! Terrific weathering. Colin

I've always been partial to the almost schizophrenic color schemes of the pieced together airframes in the last few months of the war.

That was one of the things I tried to capture, a straight line on the top surface, but a taper to a smaller diameter circle (effectively 'tipped' up, the keep the top line straight)

I wasn't happy with the C-130 pods, so I redid them. While I was at it, a friend told me he wanted some in 1/48. Then, I couldn't stop myself, I had to do 1/72 CC-137 (B-707-320) RCAF pods! Now, I just have to learn resin casting!

Blackbird models is talking of releasing a 1/48 Lancaster II (radial) conversion, also. Eagerly awaited! Is there an issue with Blackbird and Britmodeller? First I've heard of it, and it would be most unfortunate.

Well, I have build the CA Blenheim IV, and been happy with the result. I just wonder if there is a shorter, less bumpy road! I guess nothing comes easily!

Has anyone looked into the feasibility of using the Classic Airframes transparent nose and required cockpit parts on the Airfix Blenheim Mk I? Were there other differences on the airframe aft of the cockpit, wings, or engines that would complicate this? Seems to me that the BofB memorial flight Blenheim had the Bolingbroke (Cdn built Mk IV style) removed and the Mk I nose installed. This should be do-able in reverse. And of course, Classic Airframes did use the same airframe for all of their Blenheim's

This was done by painting the collector Tamiya titanium silver, masking the forward ring, and fogging on thinned Tamiya dark earth. Finally, fogging on thinned Tamiya dark iron to the rear. For a more burnt appearance, thin blotches of blue and purple could have been added (next time)! borrowing one of Dogsbody's photos ... apologies, previously shown build ...

OK, some may view this as heresy, but as a matter of curiosity, I dragged out an original issue Monogram B-25J (Panchito), the original issue Accurate Miniatures B-25B (Doolittle), and the AM B-25G conversion set and did some measurements and comparisons. First impressions on the cowls - the AM cowl opening is smaller, yes. But only by 0.5 MM or less! Monogram - 17.89mm, AM B-25B - 17.65mm, AM B-25G - 17.72MM. The impression of a 'choked' AM cowl comes from the fact that the Monogram cowl lip tapers more rapidly to the front - giving the impression of a thicker cowl lip to the AM cowl. When measured at the first panel line (where the cowl lip meets the cowl sides) Mon - 27.81mm, AM 28.38mm. The Monogram lip tapers flatter (more like a cone) than the rounded AM cowl. Which is more accurate, I don't know, but I feel the problem has been miss-identified. The Bombardiers glass nose that is 'supposedly "squashed"' - the AM is actually taller! The "squashed" impression comes from several factors - in cross section, the Mon. top and bottom are flatter, while the AM is noticeably rounder in cross section. In side view, the 'roof' line on the Mon is flatter, while the AM is much more 'bulged' at the top, bring the front down more sharply than the Monogram. However, when you measure from the bottom front of the solid nose to the the top of the glass (extrapolating a straight line up from the front the solid nose) the AM is actually taller Mon. - 25.38mm, AM - 26.17mm. The Mon. and AM nose glass would be interchangeable, but for the different cross sections. The last part of the "squashed" appearance is that the lowest frame line on the AM glass is misplaced too low, giving a "squashed" look to the first line of windows at the front. In an ideal world, a correction would be to sand and polish the top bulge down on the AM and reposition the lowest frame line to more closely match the Monogram, if one assumes that the Monogram is correct. Note - these are first impressions, and I have not attached the nose to the fuselage to see if there are other issues. A Heretic

The one thing I noticed on the Hawkeye pods, they seem to have missed the significant taper at the rear of the pod, to a smaller diameter circle (if that makes sense) RAAF B-707 ...

For a future project, I've been working on scratchbuilding the unique refueling pods on the RCAF C-130H aircraft in 1/72. They are quite different than the pods used on USAF and other Hercs., and as far as I know, have never been available as an aftermarket item. I'm going to try resin casting them, and see how that turns out. I think I'll carve a master, and vacuform the basket. Hope you like, Colin

The DO-17z was trimmed with a moveable horizontal stab - pivoted at the aft spar, and had a sliding 'elephant ear' type panel below to fair with the fuselage. What appeared to be trim tabs on the elevator was actually balance tabs to assist elevator movement. They move in the opposite direction to elevator movement and function almost as a 'power assist' to elevator inputs.

Without any conflicting info, I went with the colors of the real camera photos. Light grey camera and film cannister, with an aluminum data plate, and a black inner barrel for the camera.

Looking forward to seeing this, (hope the fuel tank cover suggestion works out for you). Not sure if you need this, but I have some photos of the recon camera ... different lens fit , but I believe the same body...