Airfixer

A treat to behold! Clean build, great camo and subtle wear and tear - great job. Cheers, Erik

Excellent build and great attention to detail. A truly inspirational model, Sir. Cheers, Erik

Really nice and clean build - impeccable. Cheers, Erik

THE 100% accurate model has yet to be built, Didier. When all is said and done, your F-4F is what it is: An exceptionally well executed and truly inspiring representation of the real thing and a treat to behold. Cheers, Erik

You're right, Gary. The F-4F didn't have the wiring and launching mechanism to carry or launch the Sparrow. Furthermore, the F-4F's simplified APQ-120 (V)-5 radar was lacking any ability to guide the AIM-7, neither was it able to track multiple targets nor to engange targets in look-down/shoot-down mode. This gap in capabilities was closed with the ICE modernisation programme - installation of the APG-65 radar and clearance to carry AIM-120. Another unique feature of German F-4F is the combination of slatted wings and unslotted stabilators. The F-4F's stabs are also lacking the distinctive arrow-shaped reinforcement plate. A similar reinforcement plate was installed late in the F-4F's career. However, only very few F-4F received them. Cheers, Erik

Great dynamic presentation of the F-4F! Excellent and wonderfully nuanced rendition of the 1980's "Norm 81A" scheme - IMHO the most attractive scheme worn by German F-4F. You really did a phabulous job on your Phantom II. By the way, the F-4F was the "hot rod" and most agile member of the F-4 family, being almost 1.500kg lighter than a "standard" F-4E. Cheers, Erik

Thanks, Jason. Usually, I'm applying extensive post-shadings to my models in order to "texture" the overall paint application. In the next step, I'm spraying another thin and highly diluted coat/layer of untinted paint over the post-shaded ares to blend them with the coathing underneath. Sort of homogenisation. Layer-wise blending the post-shading with the subjacent colour - layer-blending. Depending on the models designated colour scheme, the actual procedures and colours involved may vary: Single-colour, multi-colour, etc. On this one I used the lightest shade of grey to both blend the post-shading and to fade the decals' brilliance: Same here: Cheers, Erik

Gentlemen, Despite being an old build, I nevertheless wanted to present this model for a few reasons: My first contribution to "Ready for Inspection" A British subject Basically being an AIRFIX kit I do love Griffon-powered Spits One of my favourite builds to date Once Eduard had released the "Limited Edition" of the Spitfire F.22/24, I found it extremely appealing to purchase a few of these kits, allegedly combining the "best of both worlds" - IMHO one of the best kits ever released by AIRFIX along with some very nice goodies provided by Eduard. Supermarine Spitfire F.24, No. 80 Sqn, Hong Kong, 1950 Eduard provided a comprehensive range of accessories to beef up the AIRFIX kit straight from the box, however, the finished model features some further aftermarket items: KMC propeller spinner and Rotol blades to replace the kit's parts and a vacuformed canopy from a Falcon Clear Vax set. The kit's canopy is somewhat thick, streaky and it needs a decent application of force to have it glued in proper open position, hence running the risk of sustaining hairline cracks. Installing the resin cockpit was quite a challenge - fitting it into the fuselage halves requires a serious amount of sanding and test-fitting over and over again. Eduard's assembly guide kept compelety shtum about the way it was actually conceived to be installed - cutting out some areas of the fuselage halves to have the cockpit assembly being properly implanted. Anyway, I eventually managed to fiddle it into the fuselage - swings and roundabouts. Painting, decals and weathering: The model was painted using Gunze Mr.COLOR paints. Once I had accomplished the actual paint job, largely applying post-shading and layer-blending techniques, I applied a thin, yet homogenous coat of gloss clear in order to have a proper foundation for the decals. After the decaling was done, another coat of closs clear was applied to seal them. It's much easier to wipe off any washing residues from an evenly glossy surface than from a coarse one. Besides, in case one might have applied some thicker decals, proceeding in the described manner minimises the risk of residues piling up on the edges of the decals' carrier film. Finally, the model received an overall coat of semi-matte clear varnish. If I recall correctly, it was a mix consisting of Polly Scale flat varnish and Future in a 50:50 ratio. I'm hoping to tackle a few other Spitfire-related projects in the near future: the Seafire FR.47, the PR.XIX and Tamiya's 32nd scale Mk.XVIe - god/SWMBO-DCA willing... Thanks for taking your time. (Comments, critique and questions always welcome!) Cheers, Erik

Maybe it's time to have my eyesight tested... I'm so sorry, but your Dornier looks pretty much like a Spanish Do 24T-3 in its corrosion-protective semi-matte alu coating. At least from my point of view you did her justice. The entire ensemble looks spot-on to me. Just in case I may be able to subsequently track down any major flaws: my lips are sealed! I really like your Dornier "as is". Cheers, Erik

Great project! I'm firmly convinced that your WIP will be a treat to watch, so count me in closely following it. Cheers, Erik

The vertical twins at their best. Good job. I'm toying with the idea to build one, so yours is truly inspiring. Cheers, Erik

Stunning paint job and excellent, yet subtle weathering! Congratulations. Cheers, Erik

For sure no contestant "au concours d'élégance" but I do have a particularly soft spot for the "Hoover Model 89". Well done and great job on the entire collection! Cheers, Erik