Stosh65

Love that bus.

Great year there, it was a joy to follow many of them. Here's to the next lot!

If you're only going to have one, make it a good one. Nice job.

Great numbers and quality make for a very good year!

On review I haven't built anything this year that wasn't for a group build. Kind of an accident, the first few months of the calendar were packed with everything I wanted to do and then work went mental in the second half of the year which has left me with little time and energy for building, though the Skyrim special edition hasn't helped that either. So I'm left with a grand score of 5 for the year but I am at least satisfied with how they have come out. First off was the Made in Britain build at the start of the year and the airfix Shorts Tucano in 90s training colours. Not the best kit and it wound up wheels up after I forgot to put in nose weight. Photobucket is not playing ball on that one, the links are going to other pics. If you want a look the build thread is here. Then there were two at once, the Hawker Hurricane STGB and the Starter Set build. Can't remember which was finished first. For the starter set I did the airfix E-type Jaguar which is clearly an older tool but it was a fun build and a good learning experience, mostly about how many coats are required when you over thin your paint. This was a great build and I encourage everyone to jump on if another takes place. The Hurricane was the AZ models mkIID. Again an older mould and more challenging build but I was happy how it turned out though I had some trouble with the varnish which slightly upset the finish. Next finish was for the blitz build GB in August, an old mould airfix Hawker Typhoon completed as a Fleet Air Arm Whif. Great fun over a couple of days, again I highly recommend taking part in 2017. Finally completed the Academy JU-87D Stuka for the Great Patriotic War build. This was a great kit, probably the best fit of all I've done so far and though I had some problems with the decals I'm very happy with the weathered effect and the way it turned out. There's also a Mustang going in the STGB which I thought might squeeze in but the last week has been busy socially. Hopefully should get some more time as work settles down again over the next few months. Also, the GB vote did not go well in favour of my picks this year so it'll mostly be my own choices, which will be a nice change.

That is brilliant. A herc in 48th, that must be some size.

Steady progress has been made over the last few days. Finished interior painting, not the neatest job on cockpit walls for example but they won't really be visible anyway. Sat down last night and did the main assembly. Slotted the pit together though the stick now rests with the carpet monster. High quality clamps used to seal get rid of some small cracks in the fuselage fit. I'm now in the green Tamiya club following Scale Scotland. Magical stuff. Main assembly finished. Great fitting kit, just fell together apart from the mian wing which needed a little persuasion to join the fuselage. Dropped the flaps, I like the look and it'll be different on the shelf. A few touch ups required and then some primer and the painting shall commence. Its good to be back at it.

A late start to this as I've been moving to a new workspace in the spare room. Its the wives old desk but she needed something bigger as she's now working on the dissertation for her masters in education. So now I have my own space to spread out and I'll stop getting complained at for mess in the living room. As you can see, its the airfix mustang we're working with as with what feels like everyone else. Decals kindly donated by RobG for an RAF bird as I don't fancy going for the NMF. Weak and cowardly but I can live with it. This is the box art if you want a look at the scheme. Interior painting has been started but photobucket is being awkward this evening so pics will have to wait. Glad to finally be here.

I don't care just so long as I can procure several...

I was in SF for fleet week 4 years ago and I thoroughly endorse the air show. I wasn't in SF itself, was over the bay in Sausalito so saw everything in reverse but it was a great show. The 747 was a particular highlight and it was good to cross the Blue Angels off the seen list. The F-22 is astonishing as well. A guy sitting by me had a radio tuned to the show channel, the 747 pilot asked permission to come in under the Golden Gate bridge, which was unsurprisingly quickly denied. He came in between the pylons instead...

That looks great. I used the excuse these things undoubtedly got properly filthy for my build so I'm very much with you.

Hi gents. Been a bit stuck for a subject recently but I fancy coming to play in this. I have an airfix 72nd in the stash but it's the red tails one and I don't fancy the nmf. Does anyone have any camo or olive drab decals they won't be using and fancies donating? Happy to meet postage costs.

Someone has to step and do a twin, if only for novelty value.

That is beyond superb! The best detail work I've seen. Awesome.

Not jealous. Not at all. Just might kill you in your sleep given half a chance. Some good shots of what must have been an awesome experience.

Love that. The pose in flight is a great idea. Miss harrier displays so much.

I was trying to figure what it was it looked like and you have hit the nail right on there.

You really should. Great little kit. Although I say little, I didn't realise how big the Stuka was. Its far bigger than the Spitfire/Hurricane/109. Almost doesn't fit on the display shelves.

That is indeed the plan. But I'm very happy with it as is. Easily my best of the year so far.

That looks superb. Great job.

Chinooks, Chinooks everywhere. Nice change from the normal light aircraft pleasure flying out of Dundee airport.

Built for the Great Patriotic War group build here and finished off the other night. OOB build, brush painted with a mix of Humbrol and Revell enamels and finished with a couple of washes to pick out the panels and dirty it up as it is a Russian front bird after all. Had a problem when I left the first wash on for about 24 hours (somehow just managed to completely forget I'd done it) which led to some damage to the decals but I can live with that, I doubt there were many pristine aircraft in that area of operations. The landing light and ariel post went the way of the carpet monster. I'll sort them out later, this has been a lengthy build and I really feel the need to move onto something new. The Academy kit is great, brilliant fit and lovely detail, it was an absolute joy to work with. The pics are not the best, apologies for that, only had my phone to work with. Thanks for looking.

Academy 1/72 Junkers JU 87G Built OOB, hand brushed with a mix of Humbrol and Revell enamels. Ariel post and landing light lost to the carpet monster. Build thread can be found here. Thanks for looking.

Final touches competed and we're at the finishing line. Took longer than I hoped but it was lost momentum when away on holiday. I am .happy with the result though I have no idea where the ariel post has gone. That and the landing light were lost to the carpet monster. I'll sort something out for them at some point but I need to move onto something new for now. More pics in the gallery. Thank you all for the support and encouragement. Been a bit of an epic timewise.