Dug-362

Just to say, I haven't forgotten about this, I just have a lot going on right now and no time for any model work of any sort. I'll have updates when I can.

Taking a look at the instructions for the Hawk sent to me by Raven Morpheus against reference pictures of MH-60Ls and in particular the Corgi replica of Super 62 (the one I settled on after a chat with my cousin, it's thanks to him that I learned about and took an interest in the event and Black Hawks). It would appear that I can do this mostly OOB with the addition of correct decals and M134 miniguns. The only parts I can see that I need which aren't supplied are the two domes on the nose (the Army cast pack appears to only have the upper one) and a little box near the tail root, which I'd guess is a second flare system or similar defence mechanism? I'm also thinking I'd break personal tradition and add miniatures to the model. I've heard Caesar do a pack which will allow me to get Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon, so I'd just need the pilot, Mike Goffena. Suggestions?

I saw a couple of interesting vehicles out back but I didn't go in I'm afraid, I will do one day. I was rather limited by the sparse buses and if I missed my bus it's about two hours until the next and it was already getting late. The Sword XVI is regarded the best plastic version but it's very expensive for an apprentice. I've heard that the AZ one isn't too far and is a lower price.

Phew, this weekend's been busy! I was helping an event in Herne Bay yesterday which I thoroughly enjoyed and photography at the museum today - it's not easier getting there without personal transport. I got a lot of good reference material on both planes today, for colour placement and stenciled details. Most of those are featured with the Hurricane but I suspect I'll be stuck when I come to the Spitfire. They had the Heller kit in the gift shop, but I didn't get it because I've heard bad things about it and I'm set on an AZ one. I did make a donation though Work will continue tomorrow evening!

Quick update, I've put the grey underbody and green top coat down, I'm going to Manston on Monday for reference. I'll take pictures when I can.

CedB I would but I don't know how to change the picture size in posts, I use the mobile version of the forum. kev67 blew up the original pictures but I don't know how to do it.

Good to get back to this So here's a quick progress shot. Those cannons are so thin, I snapped one of them off just slotting it in the gap! The propeller hasn't been straightened yet. I will be painting in subassemblies eventually. EDIT: the Hurricane is two PE parts short of being paint ready. These parts have something to do with the legs and wheels but the instructions I have aren't clear. I also have canopy handles to glue on, they are a real pain though.

OK, I have a craft knife now, as well as a cutting mat so I can work with the photo etch properly. I won't be bothering with the Belfast for a few days, I want to work on this project and it's my birthday tomorrow. I'm hoping to have pictures up tonight of progress.

I've had a meltdown following a paintpot spilling and hitting my HMS Belfast in the port midsection (it was on its side at the time), so I'm not in the mood for any work on BN230 tonight. I don't even have a craft knife to start scraping the caked paint away I'll get back to it when the mood returns.

That's exactly what I was thinking johnd, after reading Beard's reply. From what I remember at some point in that plane's life - either war career or restoration - it had repairs that effectively converted it into a IId. It was also repainted as a replica of BN230, not the original. I'm not savvy with the differences in variants and I'm only a beginner so I'm not worrying too much about about total accuracy, just getting as close as my skill will allow. Yes I will be doing TB752 soon, once I buy the parts. I'll be using an AZ kit with decals coming from fundekals, they've made the wartime set. I'd prefer to go with Airfix for the kit, but AFAIK an IXe has never been made and the XVIe (what TB752 is) kit is like gold dust on eBay, plus AZ is one of the best kits out there. May get photo etch for it if a set exists. I need to schedule a visit to the museum, I'd like to get photo reference of both birds. You can only get so much from online pictures.

I didn't think so, I can get them easily enough though

That's good to know, thanks I'll take a look tonight. I wasn't aware of these errors, but I don't have the parts or skills to correct them. I could take a look around online and get a spare light, but the elevators are glued on now and I imagine not as easy to change.

OK, let's see if this works: I forgot I even had a Photobucket account, the only other stuff on there are some five-year-old renders of a Leman Russ tank from Warhammer 40,000 that I was working on (five years, really?!) I made a start last night but had to stop because of tiredness, I haven't been sleeping enough lately. I got the upgraded prop and spinner built and then realised that one of the blades was bent in casting; the fuselage is in subassemblies, nearly ready for paint; and I haven't looked at the photo etch yet, as it's something I've never used and I don't have appropriate tools to hand. Does anyone have any advice on straightening that prop blade? I don't have a heat gun and I don't think my gf has a working hair dryer (I could be wrong). It's a brittle, dark grey resin. I think I've experienced this resin before, in what turned out to be a knockoff recast of a Forge World kit, I didn't like it then.

Yay my first build log Well, the first half of a build log. I'm going to be building the Spitfire and Hurricane from the museum in Manston. Since Airfix have supplied the correct decals for the latter, this makes building it a lot easier. I will be using the Hurricane IIc box along with the two upgrade kits supplied by Valiant Wings. Once I get the hang of uploading pictures I'll do that.

I'm making headways on this project - helicopter aside, ArmyCast make an A/L pack and miniguns I can make use of. Don't know if miniguns are in the Italeri kit already (probably not), or how much of the other pack I'll end up needing, I want the nose dome if nothing else, since it doesn't appear to be in the box. The AC kit's designed for Hasegawa but with enough adjustment I can make it work with Italeri, right?