ian1485

p.s. Also appreciating the P51b - the malcolm hood looks great.....

Love this! The sheen and the colours look just right. Also, thanks for the photos and link - I was surprised on one of the photos of the real aircraft how poorly fitting some of the panels on the nose were. Re green or blue - definately green. I've read the Dana Bell article and this seems really different to debates on things such as the tone/origin etc of the blue spitfires on Malta which are based on evidence. Dana Bell seems to base his case on little more than wishful thinking (sorry, controversial I know!). Some greens are slightly more blue anyway, an overpaint of some areas in a different green, an overpaint in a poorly mixed green, those on the squadron insist they were green. The evidence is pretty conclusive, but at the end of the day, people can paint their models in whatever colour they like - whatever makes them happy!

The oil staining near the spinner is just brilliant! I will try to steal that idea myself.... I just wonder about the fading - amazing skill to produce this, but I've never seen an operational aircraft that faded (i've seen A LOT of photos, but perhaps someone will make me eat my words!), except perhaps in the med. The only other time I've seen aircraft that faded is when they have been outside at museums for many, many years without refurbishment. I've definitely seen operational aircraft that dirty, paint peeling, extensively chipped - just not that faded. If it were me (and if I were that supremely skilled!) I'd dial it back a notch or two... Hell what do I know. The staining is just immense.

Like it a lot! Especially the very subtle weathering. Very realistic. Like the colour matches for the upper surfaces as well.... I just like it!

Thank you all so much! This have given me loads of books that I can follow up on. Now to start the online search.....

Thank you Graham, much appreciated

Thanks for all the suggestions - they certainly give me something to work on! Graham - if you do happen to come across any more details, particularly the titles of the books from Communist side, that would be really helpful. Thanks again all

Hi all Having just read the novel 'the Hunters' I'm interested in reading more about the air war in Korea, either factual/history or novels. I'm particularly interested in the air-to-air war - F-86v Mig 15, F80, B29/B50 etc. I would be really interested in any recommendations that anyone has..... Thanks in advance.

Thanks for your input gents. Dominik, I've had a look at the Hataka ones but haven't got much information about them as they're so new - they look promising though - has anyone tried them for brushing? How are the colour matches that anyone has tried? Giorgio, I've heard lots of good things about lifecolor paints - I've read that it said that the mid-stone is too yellow (though I've never seen them on a model, so can't say myself) - how did you find the colour match? Thanks again.

Hi all I'm going to start working on the Airfix P40 new tool in 112 Sq markings and was wondering about paint - acrylics to brush. I've seen a Valejo set of paints for RAF desert aircraft which seems to include what I'd need - any comments on their accuracy? Any alternatives that are recommended? Ideally I don't want to do too much mixing of colours, though adding a drop of this or that I could manage! Thanks in advance

Thanks Graham, I'll have a look at Hannants.

Thanks for the input gents - I'm glad that my eyes weren't totally deceiving me! Good idea to get around it with the open canopy Tony (like the 85sq Hurricane with the narrow yellow roundel ring BTW), but I want to model mine with it closed. Does anyone know of anyone who makes a vacform one that will fit without too much fettling? Thanks again all

Hi all I'm currently working on the 1/72 new tool Hurricane. At the risk of looking very foolish, I think that the canopy look wrong somehow when I compare photos of other people's new tool models against the real thing! I'm not sure what it is - maybe the horizontal metal bar is too high? I'm not sure but would be interested if anyone had any thoughts on the subject. Thanks

Thanks Ed, it's really useful! Graham - I'm still trying to work out PM!

Thanks for the pointers Ed - thanks for the link, I shall have to spend some time working through this - loads of info! Kev & Graham - thanks for the advice about acrylics. They seem reasonably priced so I might just get some of the xtracrylics and lifecolor and see which I prefer Graham - I've looked at the decals on Hannants website and the selection is amazing! I would have killed for that sort of choice back when I was modelling originally! If you have a spare two-blader that would be gratefully received. I'll just see how to work the PM.....