Silverstone 2

Some More Photos, Lights Off - To see the Model itself

Star Destroyer is completely removable from the Stand & has integral A/C input socket Stand Lighting adapter fit:

Is Flickr the better option? Phil

Just trying to paste the link. Is that working now? Phil

Some More:

Lights ON

Strange, They appear on my PC even when not logged in..... I'm uploading them from MS OneDrive Phil

Some More before the lights go "ON"

Long time ago.... I built The MKI version of Randy Cooper's ISD. Always been a huge admirer of the Star Destroyer ever since EPVI and the famous FLY-OVER chasing the Blockade Runner. Decided to model the latest rendition, as featured in the Film "Rogue One" This is the most recent and more accurate MKII version, which is actually longer than the original. Now 43" (110cm in length) Model features 2 Additional Blockade Runners & 2 Millennium Falcons Built this during Lockdown last Year - 3 months work Aluminum 40mm Tube runs 3/4 length through the fuselage supports for strength. Custom made stand with integral A/C socket for the lighting adapter. This time the Model has Lighting & a host of Shapeways 3d Printed upgrades for the ultimate finish. Lots of pictures to come, here is the first: Phil

This is the same Moulding as the Nice N Model resin kit. Steve told me he was working with Round 2 to release the injection moulding version. Also a good thing really as I’ve built the resin version and the new offering looks to be more accurate with crisper detailing too. A lot more wallet friendly too. As the resin will set you back £300 + shipping and customs charges. Only snag is that Steve halved his actual Studio model offering and labelled it 1/350 scale. A big debate on this but at 350m long according to the research this Ktinga is actual more like 1/537. Klingon KTingas are longer thAn the Enterprise 1701/1701A (305m) if you don’t believe me? Have a good look on the web and watch the Undiscoverd Country. the KTinga’s & D7’s have 2 decks on the head unit. 1/350scale at 24” depicts a single deck so the Klingons can view at foot level or a thin slot above eye level. 1/537 @ 24” measures out to have 2 decks in height. So as you’d come to expect 2 rows of windows. if you want a 1/350 Klingon to go with the Enterprise. Than the 1/350 Bird of Prey seems correct scale comparison. my 200 pennies worth.

Changed over to Flickr

Been off the site for a while and just realised that i need to find another place to host images!

Straight edges and hull geometry are key for this to work

The Hull and it's integral geometry when built are extremely strong. The shape and structure is very tough and not too much extra support is required. Although some additional vertical support is required later before the superstructure buildings at the rear are mounted, this will prevent any sagging of the main hull where there is no support. Also the front section needs a rib too. As do the buildings need a few roof beams, due to sagging and warping of the relatively thin resin here. Once completed and all wrapped up, the ISD is strong as you'd ever need it to be. Trust me i've accidentally banged into almost every door frame in the house and it doesn't even care. The vertical braces ensure the superstructure can lay flat on the main hull without any gaps, just the way you need it to be!

I think it is important on this build to get the Geometry of the Hull correct before the build. All joining lines - Centre/Front/Middle join to need to square first. Basically the ISD is 2 Isosceles Triangles each made up of 2 Right angle triangles. These 4 major hull pieces need to be built up first in order to ensure they are completely flat on the surface detail side. This way all major seems/gaps & joins can be avoided. Then they simply lie on the internal structure, which yes did need a bit of reinforcement.

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments

I did finish this a while back at the End of January, just didn't get around to taking any photos. The 4 Arado 196 are all painted as well as the Ju88 A4 but i haven't completed the decals on those yet. But the Bismarck is Finished:-) The build can be seen here:

Oh yes, forgot to mention; I've actually flown in a Lancaster and a B-17G. So if you really want critique on Accuracy then I might be the right person? Truth being I'm just happy that HK are releasing amazing kits in this scale of these wonderful aircraft. Hopefully, everyone else will be too? No Critique required!

It's not about patience. It's about enjoying modelling! the Band of redline people you mention, perhaps should be more appreciative of what Model companies release. I'm quite sure modellers buy models because they enjoy the subject, and hopefully don't get dissuaded by critics. HK will do a good job as they have always done. There are a number of people that take this far too seriously and there really shouldn't be a need for it. life is too short!!! Sure accuracy is very important but not if it brings too much hesitation for model manufactures to actually release subjects. Talking of appreciation & Patience!!! I've been flying real aircraft for over half my life, I'm one of the very few people in the UK that flies the B747-8. I'm also a Type rating instructer and Examiner on 3 other types. Trust me when I say, There is enough people who love to over complicate things in aviation. There is really no need for it in modelling I hope you agree that modelling should be and needs to remain fun & interesting. A big thanks to Trumpeter, HK and others who are bold enough to take on these projects. Otherwise fans and hobbiests will eventually loose interest again! Like before. Then we will be back to the dark ages of 1/72 spitfires and 109s in cellophane bags. Plenty of RED LINE opportunities there for the critics!

I am not in agreement! the Lancaster was announced long ago. This Lancaster would be a real hit for 1/32 modellers. there is no such thing as a perfect injection scale model. No matter how popular the subject there is always someone to find a fault. for me I'm not that concerned with minor imperfections. The subject matter and 95-98% accuracy is more important. The Lancaster will be a great model if it has the attention to detail similar to the B17. Which no doubt it will. Trumpeter's new 1/16 Jagdtiger is a good example. Not 100% accurate! But who else is going to tackle such a large model subject. if we wait for a 100% perfect Lancaster we will wait too long and it will loose interest and momentum. All models present a work around for minor issues. And all advanced modellers are happy with this as it presents a bit more of a challenge. I hope it's released this year

Wow, good news I was hoping for an update on the Lancaster for a while. Renders certainly look promising👍 I heard rumours that HK were looking to release the 1/32 Lancaster in Spring/summer this year? I really hope so, been looking forward to this release for a few years now. 😀😀

Revell Aqua colour could be an option? How durable is the paint after curing and do you need to prime? I find Tamiya can go straight onto plastic without priming and sticks very well, which is what i want for small painting areas. Also do they all dry matt or is their any hint of Satin finishes?

Some progress on the BF-109 G6. Cockpit interior was XF 63 Tamiya 'German Grey' close to being a bit too dark. but OK after dry brushing. Revell really do make great models now with very crisp detail and good fit. Although i wish there choice of grey plast was not so light, almost white under the light. A medium-light grey like Trumpeter would be much better IMHO!

Decided it's time to clear out some of my old stash, instead of selling perhaps i should build thes as that was what i originally intended......I think? So here goes: BF-109 G6 will be the late variant. He-111 H6 will be KG26 1H+GP ? JU88 will be a C-2 perhaps 4D+FH ? My problem for the outset is going to be finding RLM paints. I have all the required Luftwaffe RLM colours: 65, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76, 81 and even 02 but these are all MM enamels. I really would like to use acrylic even if its lacquer based like tamiya and Mr Hobby Colour (gunze). But i am skeptical on using MIG or Mr Hobby Aqueous. although they do RLM colour ranges. Vallejo is a non starter as i think there colours for RLM especially the model Air range are not that accurate. also i want paint that is tough after 24hr of curing like Tamiya. Open to suggestions.... Is the Mr Hobby Colour the way to go as it's probably tough and durable like tamiya?

Looking good, particularly the placards on the firewall. Guess the clean look will only matter if you really see the interior that well through the removable roof, if you bonding the hull halves together? If not a good wash here and there using the god old panel line-capillary action should work a treat! JT definitely a good deal longer than the KT! Had a quick look at my one for a comparison, the 128mm/L55 dwarfs the 88mm/L71 too