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Maginot

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Everything posted by Maginot

  1. Very nice. Camo must have been rewarding to paint.
  2. I'm tempted to use the two-bladed wooden prop on this rendering. Speculative as it is, it would reference possible individual pilot preferences, like that you cite, and acknowledge the variety of experiments and field modifications applied to machinery in service.
  3. Thanks very much, Mr Boak. Heartfelt appreciation from a once fellow Lancastrian (born Nelson)... sadly lapsed as I now am 🤓 Very interesting what you write about the possible use of wooden props on Sea Gladiators. The trick would be to find a pic or two of Sea Gladiators aboard HMS Glorious equipped with such. Pictorial evidence might also help me sort out 802's squadron code for N5520. N5519 was G6A; could N5520 be G6B? Picky picky my foot! How could I forget the elegant F.5/34 monoplane fighter so quickly? Oh right! It's a forgotten aircraft. No excuse! I watched this excellent video not so long ago: Time to grit my teeth and review another excellent albeit sickening video of HMS Glorious to see if I can spy some footage of Sea Gladiators:
  4. That's bad news. Poor John. Thoughts his way. Having experienced a serious health setback, I can attest that this ageing business manifests indiscriminately and ain't no fun. Thoughts his way and profound thanks to him for providing such appealing and high quality accessories. I also have his excellent Bf 109G-4/R3 aufklärer (reconnaissance) conversion set. And thanks very much indeed Pete for the invaluable information you have gone to such trouble to contribute to this project, both here in the thread and in my messages.
  5. Chief Brody: (The men are comparing their scars.) What’s that one? Captain Quint: What? Chief Brody: That one, there, on your arm. Captain Quint: Oh, uh, that’s a tattoo, I got that removed. Hooper: Don’t tell me, don’t tell me… “Mother.” (He roars with laughter.) Hooper: What is it… Captain Quint: Mr. Hooper, that’s the USS Indianapolis. (Hooper immediately stops laughing.) Hooper: You modelled the Indianapolis? Brody: What happened? Captain Quint: I built it for a GB and once she was done, I was done, into the cabinet she went and I didn't need any 2D reminders on my arm.
  6. When I had mine some years ago, I certainly didn't stretch myself during the procedure and it was up the the surgeon to see what was possible, impossible and implausible 🤓
  7. Thanks @PeterB. That's brilliant! This makes for fabulous reading. You've answered most of my questions and fed my situational awareness of the period in which this modelling project is set. Great insight into the peculiarities of Fleet Air Arm supply logistics, too. Thanks ship-loads for your help, Pete. "The assembled fighters were subsequently fitted with armour plate behind the pilot's seat and with variable pitch, three-bladed propellers." Interesting. This to replace the fixed-pitch three-bladed propeller. So the one I'll be modelling will have the fixed-pitch three-bladed prop. By the look, ICM have reproduced the fixed-pitch three blader in the kit. Not so good if you want to model N5519 in Fighter Flight, Hal Far guise as per out-of-the-box mode. Note: ICM provide a decal for the black flight leader's fin marking for N5519 as used when stationed aboard HMS Glorious, but not the other markings nor a paint guide to the pre-war version. From reading Pete's extract and other sources, I conclude that the moniker Sea Gladiator Mk.II is not of the period. As I understand it, the Sea Gladiator was derived from the Gladiator Mk.II; 38 were modified from land-based airframes and 60 built as navalised versions, but all were called simply Sea Gladiator. Ordered a set of cockpit bling today, as the enabling pension payment trickled into the coffers. This will be my first time using glam additions 🤓 like these, cos I follow @Bertie McBoatface's principle of: just what can you see from a sensible viewing distance? After all, I'll likely submit soft-focus completion images taken from conservative viewing angles and distances in subdued light. This approach worked wonders for David Bailey, who used to smear Vaseline on his lenses to achieve those blemishless, intimate portraits in Vanity Fair. And I'm not catering for some exhibition judge with clipboard and fiber-optic camera ready to probe and score the model's most private parts. However, I'll give it a go this time just to try it out. I picked up the AIMS decals today, which look great but are unfortunately slightly damaged due to slack packaging. I couldn't be bothered waiting for another set from who knows where (last in stock) and will make do. Interesting to note a noticeably different shade of insignia blue between the ICM and AIMS roundels; the former very dark blue, the latter a rich medium blue. Did these tints change after the outbreak of war? Sad to report the otherwise helpful and informed young fellow behind the counter looked blankly at me when I asked; "Have my Gladiator transfers arrived from the warehouse?"
  8. Located and ordered AIMS decals today through the preferred local supplier. Last set in stock and on special! Off to a flying start 🤓 Circled: Sea Gladiator N5519, 802 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Glorious, June 1939.
  9. Well, off we go. I've had a soft spot for the Sea Gladiator since my Dad told me the story of Faith, Hope and Charity, and the part taken by the aircraft in the defence of Malta. Some decades ago, I spent a memorable 10 days in Malta which included a visit to N5520 Faith resting in the bowels of Fort St Elmo. I'm afraid I must confess that I gave her a tender kiss on the cowling and shed a tear. Fortunately, there were no witnesses. The kit comes with decals for N5519, another of the Malta Sea Gladiators, but it didn't survive the war, being destroyed in an air raid on 4 February 1941. This was Hope, coincidentally the name of my favourite Aunt. Either N5519 or N5520 would be most satisfying to model due to these connections. I'd like to finish the aircraft in prewar silver dope. AIMS Models offers a decal set which includes markings for N5519 in this style, serving aboard the ill fated HMS Glorious as war clouds gathered in June 1939. I wonder if N5520 was similarly aboard HMS Glorious or another carrier? According to an article published on The Scarf & Goggles Social Club website (credible source?); " ... in March 1940 ... 18 Gloster Sea Gladiators, believed to have consecutive serial numbers N5518 – N5535, were unloaded on the Island (Malta) in packing cases, bound for the carrier HMS Glorious." As HMS Glorious was sunk on 8 June, these aircraft were assigned to other stations; HMS Eagle, Egypt and Malta. The crated airframes raise a question or two. According to Wikipedia; "Of the 98 aircraft built as, or converted to, Sea Gladiators, 54 were still in service by the outbreak of the Second World War." So none of the airframes in crates were fresh from the manufacturer. But were they sourced from storage? Were they repaired or refurbished airframes? Had some/all already served aboard aircraft carriers? And is it Sea Gladiator Mk.II or simply Sea Gladiator? All help, advice and constructive crits most welcome. May all our builds be 'on the top line'.
  10. Ahoy, Tony. Can't believe there's no Gloster on the build list. Coming aboard with this little beauty. Please add it to the list. Good building, everyone.
  11. Thought I'd better check in with progress lest you thought I'd gone AWOL. Getting there, but ever so slowly. For some reason, drawing up and painting this multicolour camo pattern is doing my head in. The kit illustration is inconsistent through the different views, converting 2D to 3D and going over the same colour patches to rub back and apply another coat is mentally exhausting. I'm only able to paint section by section. Just as well I'm doing short, sharp sessions because the weather is not exactly suitable for hand painting acrylics; 38°C and low humidity today, meaning rapid drying and sweaty body parts (I don't like using air conditioning). It didn't help that the fighting compartment lid fell off during the process and I glued it back on 180° out so that the colours didn't match with those on the hull (stupid!). Still, progress is apparent and I'll get a bit more done today while listening on the wireless to the Aussies thrash South Africa in the Boxing Day test here at the MCG (gagging for a close match that goes into the 5th day; Labuschagne run out at the bowler's end... Yeah!). I hope Santa brought you something cool. I got a Gecko Daimler scout car that no one else wanted, hence 40% off. Season's Greetings everyone.
  12. Ladies and gentlemen. I'm calling it a day on this construction... for now. Apologies to those who took an interest in this potential build and were looking forward to some progress. Special apologies to Col. Thank you for your support. As this year races into next, I realise that I'm not going to get the CA-15 completed by the closing date, not least because I anticipate a few trickinesses. I will save it for another GB before I approach the 25% constructed cutoff rule. Something of an ambitious gap-filler while I waited for suitable weather conditions to paint another GB entry, I started late. Painting that other model has proven more challenging than I anticipated and I've simply run out of time. I guess I could rush finish both, but I don't like working like that anymore. Season's Greetings to you and your families and friends, and may the New Year be filled with modelling success.
  13. It's interesting the path that modelling has led you down. Do I remember you finding it a tad challenging getting hold of this kit? Ever since you started the project I've fancied one. Over the months, I've found it difficult to locate an affordable one. But today, one popped up on the universal etrading platform (in country, too) so I grabbed it. Can't rely on Santa, you know? Thanks for the inspiration.
  14. Change of pace? From when the skies were filled with biplanes and... seaplanes. Hard to miss a very young Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys. Merry Christmas Britmodellers.
  15. I attach this cool tune to Christmas emails to my friends and colleagues. All's well with the world when you have a happy bass player. Season's Greetings to you Britmodellers and may your New Years be full of fabulous models... completed 🤓 Merry Christmas.
  16. Congratulations on making the grade for 2023. As you would expect from Mr McBoatface, there's lots of comms, lots of scope and lots of fun in this proposal. The thread is so long and convoluted that I've only read bits. Not sure if I'll participate, but I did wonder if, as a modeller showing signs of advanced entropy, I should join in on principle... before it's too late 🤓 Signing off as Shipwreck Shirl's worn-out old boyfriend.
  17. Another opportunistic buy. The favoured local supplier is still in bonkers mode offering 40% off this kit. It's a re-release of a fairly old kit (1996... doesn't seem like that long ago) and there are better kits around according to the pundits. But it's an opportunistic job, like I said, so beggars can't be choosers. Favourite version of the 109, attractive colour scheme and always had a soft spot for Hans-Jochim Marseille (figure provided), though some of his claims are far fetched (says he safe and sound at home in the 21st century).
  18. Nice example chosen as subject. Good looking model.
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