TEXANTOMCAT

Thanks Malc 🙂 am enjoying the usual Avis ‘challenge’ with the Cygnet- more soon!🫡 ATB TT

Doing some digging around and mindful that Red Roo have recently announced one - I came up with this from 2021 - looks like it might be under their Planet Models brand, will be 1/48 and resin https://www.specialhobby.info/2021/05/new-kit-from-planet-models-dh94-moth.html

to be followed - almost certainly by an RAF/ IAF boxing or two and possibly a combo with the Bomber resupply set...but yet again it seems to have an integral nose so I guess a 'D would require a new fuselage... TT

This is the standout release for me - £28.99 seems pretty reasonable for what you appear to get. In both their Scalextric and Corgi videos they have both said that there will be surprise releases throughout the year so I think they have taken the positive feedback from the biggies from this year and run with it as a marketing strategy. As such suspect your 1/72 Jaguar and a vehicle of some sort will be 'flash' released during 2024 TT

No probs mate, I saw the post, I honestly don't know for sure but if I was a betting man given what I know about the Throttle Benders Union et all - I wouldn't disagree! TT

I think a Venom could work but probably not so soon after the Vampire release? TT

I'm an unabashed Stirling fan but I suspect that the fairly recent Italeri tool may give them pause....same with the Sunderland. I'm convinced a 1/48 Battle will be produced which is why I flogged my CA ones - that and the vac canopies were yellowing. There has been a pattern of them releasing 1/48 kits which had previously been done by Classic Airframes- Blenheim, Anson, Vampire, Meteor, Defiant, Gannet, Walrus - thats a pretty long list! I also suspect they wouldnt have known that Trumpeter were going to announce one and in any event might have stolen the march on them. If you buy that argument then a 1/48 Attacker would be nixed by the Trumpeter one - a Scimitar on the other hand...but mass market appeal? In 1/72 I also think there is an powerful argument for an Anson C..21 - loads of marking options and no real rival (Aeroclub in the 80s) - I'd like to say the Prentice too (only rival Skybirds 86) but I think it's just too obscure and a more likely candidate for SH (they did a Balilol) or KP/Amodel etc. TT

The 1/48 Battle would be good but I’m convinced Airfix will do one first and this will be quietly shelved …

Nothing stopping a new sprue of parts being added to the original analogue sprues hough I wouldn't have thought which they would need to do as a new canopy at least would be required. Given the original kit seems to be north of £200 on ebay these days - and we know that Airfix DO keep an eye on what second hand kits go for... TT

Thinking a bit bigger...what about a re-release of the 1/24 Mossie its been what, over a decade? Bomber version? TT

Might be perfect for a Quickbuild with a sponsor tie up... TT

Super work - its a stunning looking aeroplane! TT

That’s a fair point- a reissue of the JB Bedford Refueller would be welcome I think as they seem to go for a fortune on the ‘bay. the closer we get the more I suspect we will see a 1/48 Fairey Battle

Speaking of which and as an easy conversion that ‘everyone’ does- how about an AC-47 from the existing Dak kit- would only need to be a small additional sprue and no new tool competition… TT

Super job Rocketeer memories! TT

Great stuff I had fun doing mine - I stuffed a pipe cleaner up its chuff for display on a stand! Fit isnt as good as it should be and even though I thinned the seat as best i could I still needed to shave the pilot in half to make him fit - have fun! TT

Well I think it’s bloody lovely! 🫡

This is a tricky kit which only gives you the basics to work with and you’ve done a super job there! 🫡 TT

Utterly brilliant 🫡👍

Many thanks chaps 🫡👍

100% 👏

Hi all This is my latest build of one of the superb Lawrence Design Models white metal kit series from the 1980s - sort of! The Chilton, a delightful little racing aeroplane, is one of their most elusive kits but fortunately George at Retro Toys has come to the rescue and recast it. Now it is NOT as sharp as the original casting which is I suppose to be expected and there are no decals or a screen - it retails at about £30. IMG_4766 by Ben Brown, on Flickr It is however a lovely little model and George includes a Gipsy type front cowling so with a bit of work you can make a more modern Mikron engined machine as Matt has done see here for WIP. The kit took a fair bit of cleaning up and there is a separate lozenge type insert underneath the wing which took me much filling and sanding to fair in until I was happy. I scratch built a cockpit (stringers etc and moved the P compass and added decal instruments from the spares box and belts) using the supplied seat and stick insert but in fact this was the wrong one, it was for the Mew Gull. George will supply the correct one if you buy the kit but I made it work. IMG_4767 by Ben Brown, on Flickr I drilled out the cast exhaust 'nubs' and replaced them with Albion Alloy tubes - something well worth doing IMHO. After a coat of Rustoleum grey primer I gave her a coat of Humbrol aluminium Metalcote which went on nicely and then dropped her. Hence she isnt as pretty was she once was. Humbrol 89 mid blue was selected (some debate over the original colour as light blue or turquoise) and then used Aeroclub letters from the stash. The screen wasnt provided so an Airfix 1/72 DH88 comet one was used and cut down, I polished it as best I could, the fit is as good as I could get it. Couple of coats of Klear, detail painting and Mig Blue Black PLW in the control surface and door lines. Scratch built pitot and tail skid. Prop was Tamiya Tan, Matt 29 then clear orange. IMG_4768 by Ben Brown, on Flickr IMG_4769 by Ben Brown, on Flickr A lovely machine and I'm delighted to have her on the shelf - I have two more and one will be a Mikron engined machine and the other will be G-AESZ. She sits nicely with the LDM Comper Swift I built earlier this year. IMG_4772 by Ben Brown, on Flickr Happy New Year! TT IMG_4770 by Ben Brown, on Flickr

Final chapter on the Chili! Thanks to Matt's tip I raided the spares box but couldnt find a Gnat canopy -what I did find was an Airfix 1/72 DH88 canopy. Now those that have built that kit will remember that the thickness of the clear plastic is actually to 1:1 scale so it needed thinning as the edge was far too thick. I chopped it and polished it as best I could and got a pretty close fit I think - it isn't as clear as I'd like but it's good enough for Government work. IMG_4764 by Ben Brown, on Flickr I ran a black Sharpie round the bottom which helps stop it looking toy like. Then several coats of Klear, affixed with Gorilla grip PVA which is excellent stuff and once on a bit was mashed into the join and wiped off with a fingertip. Finally I scratchbuilt a pitot with two pieces of brass wire glued together then smeared some Mr Surfacer between them for a fairing then added some Mig Blue Black enamel panel liner in the control surface lines and door gaps. I think it works well but you be the judge IMG_4765 by Ben Brown, on Flickr So that's her done - thanks as ever for sticking with me - I don't normally do WIPs (as is pretty obvious!) and to Matt for his help and his own WIP which was very helpful IMG_4768 by Ben Brown, on Flickr Now she's off to RFI...... 1/72 Hawker Cygnet next! Happy New Year! TT IMG_4770 by Ben Brown, on Flickr

Fab! TT

👏 👏 😆