Paul Bradley

Cheers, guys! Thanks, @fightersweep! The windows - I've accumulated a lot of spare clear parts from kits over the years; I just cut/sanded down some spares. The openings, chain-drilled then filed, were made exactly the same size as the existing ones, such that I could have used the the kit ones in those positions - that's how I knew I'd made them large enough. It was then a question of masking all the windows to the same correct size. As for the decals, they were OK. They are colour laser printed on clear decal paper, which means the colours are very translucent, so I wouldn't want to use them over any colour except white - luckily, that's the base colour of this aircraft, of course! It's continuous carrier sheet, so they need to be cut individually from the sheet. I laid them down over a Future coat, then Future coated them after they were dry. Unfortunately, the colours appear very patchy in places, and I don't know if that's a product of the decals themselves, an issue with the Future coats, or silvering - decal solution didn't help. The colours of the stripes are a little off - too bright, I feel - and the size of the airline titles, emblems and registrations are all a bit off. The stripes also didn't match on the top and bottom of the model, but that might be because they weren't created for the new Airfix kit. On the other hand, they are the only decals available for these aircraft, and I'm generally pleased with the results. I'd reservedly recommend them.

Cheers, guys!

Just completed these for the Colourful Dakotas GB over at UAMF - the Italeri kit as a post-war Swissair machine and the new Airfix kit as an Air Atlantique example. DC-3s01 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr 03 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr 02 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr 01 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr aadak01 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr aadak02 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr aadak-3 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr Decals by 26 Decals - the colours are a little off as was the size of the titling and emblems, but they behaved well. Not too keen on the Airfix kit - had some unexpected issues with fit, but it does look nice now that it's finished. Interior was re-arranged from the Airfix kit to better represent the layout, with aded seats from the ESCI kit: IMG_0167 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr Back in July 1985, I made my first and to date only flight in the classic Douglas DC-3, and treated my brother to his first ever flight for his birthday. This was at an airshow at HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-Solent, and the aircraft carried special markings celebrating the 50th anniversary of the type. 35 years on, I finally got around to making a model of that aircraft! daedalus85-02 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

This is very sad news indeed; we knew the end was coming, but this is too soon. I last flew on one last October on the PHX-LHR route, one of the last of BA's North American 747 routes. Sadly, while I appreciated the space in the cabin, they were looking very worn at the end there - no investment in the cabins for some years and they were very outdated inside. I prefer to remember the flights I made to Australia back in the 80's - being allowed into the cockpit of a Philippine Airlines a/c over SE Asia between Karachi and Manila; Cathay Pacific's 400 winding between skyscrapers on final approach to Kai Tak; seeing the Arabian Desert oilfields at night, for all the world like galaxies scattered in the cosmos. I will miss the old gal; the 747 carried me on so many adventures over 30 years and the cramped, soulless Spam tubes of today will never have the same cachet.

...and here is the link to the appropriate page on the HKM website which shows that price https://www.hk-models.com/hkm/shop/wwii/1-32-scale/ I expect it'll turn up for less at the usual FE discount retailers.

$75 at the HKM website, so 60 squid sounds about right.

Still burning tonight:

Oops! That won't buff out...

How delightful! Wonderful idea and great work!

You mean you won't be building one of these?

Seconded, and that applies to anyone dissatisfied with current magazines. I'm not an expert, but I know how to read and where to find information, and I'm happy to share. I'd rather not think I'm wasting my time contributing to magazines if all people want nowadays is 6 pages of over-weathering porn and no description of how to actually build the model and what might be wrong with it. Research-schmesearch, eh?

I think your weathering looks good - nicely understated, it's there without drawing undue attention to itself. Less is more.

Nice one, Chris!

Sorry to say that I don't feel it represents good value for the international customer.

Cheers, Jan - I wish I'd known that when i was building it! I followed the instructions - fitted the wingroot fairings, then the centre section, then the upper wings.

As an aside, Steve, I'm currently building the Airfix kit with the seats from the ESCI kit in Air Atlantique markings as G-AMSV, as well as an Italeri kit in post-war Swissair markings, as part of a group build over at UAMF. My choice stems form my first and on;y DC-3 flight in G-AMSV at HMS Daedalus Open Day back in 1985: daedalus85-02 by paulbradley109, on Flickr daedalus85-01 by paulbradley109, on Flickr As you can see, white wings. Unfortunately, I didn't take any interior shots so I've had to use some educated guesswork on the interior, but this is what I came up with: IMG-0165 by paulbradley109, on Flickr IMG-0170 by paulbradley109, on Flickr I'll be using this set of 26 Decals: G-AMSV-50th-Anniversary by paulbradley109, on Flickr I've found that the Airfix kit is finicky on fit and I had nasty seams and steps on the wingroots which needed shimming to correct. By contrast, I've had no such issues with my Italeri kit!

"In space, no-one can see you care; do U?"

Sure, stick me on the list. I've a Special Hobby Boomerang that needs to be built. 😁

Well, technically, I'm American now as well......😛 Not that I boast about it at the moment.....

OMG, that was my error - I was the one who worte Pot Noodle rather than Cup Noodle. Sorry, @Julien - I'll be more careful about my Ramen nomenclature in future....🤣 I've had issues with Colour Nazis before but now the Noodle Nazis are on me........🤣

You rivet counter, you.......😋

Rivet Counter. Or should that be 'Rivet Joint' Counter for modern RAF...?

Thanks for sharing, Martin - a great trip, recorded well!

Eight more of 'em and you've got the new Red Arrows......

Who are they kidding? There's never that many 'accessories' on top when I open up a Pot Noodle....