Antoine

I can answer with one word: It's Tamiya!

I've added the missing front light, after a quick mod to figure a broken glass. I'll try to add some wires later. It's primer time, and I choose a rottbraun acrylic-polyurethane from Vallejo. Perfect to make a difference with the light gray of the sprues, and the final colour of Kure arsenal gray (kind of German grey), as indicated by Tamiya. And beside, I've one bottle in my primer collection!

All the sub-assemblies are put together, and I've added one front light. So far, so good. Only little drawback are the sprues attachments to the tracks, they're a bit difficult to clean-up Ready for the paint!

The build is really straightforward, and take about a single day. I've decided for three sub-assembly, that is the hull, the dozer blade and the tracks. Here's the hull, nearly finished. I'll spare the seat for the end, to ease the paint job. I've got small mods to do with the front lights, too. But I won't go into extensive modifications or detailling, as I'm poor on documentation.

Hi there! As a lot of us, I've started 2020 with a full bag of good resolutions, and among thoses, trying to finish one (or more) build. After a quick glance at more than a dozen false starts from the last decade, I've decided to go for a fresh kit. My choice? The unexpected Komatsu G40 from Tamiya, released a few years ago, a very very nice little 1/48 kit, perfect for a little vignette together with an aircraft. And this is exactly what I plan to do, but let's concentrate on the bull only for the moment. Let me take you on a quick visit inside the box. Starting with the sprues. There are two, if I'm not wrong. Instruction sheet. Only one camo option. The decals. All those stencils... A handfull of metalic dry transferts. And... that's all!!!

Welcome! Nice to see you here, HP!

See that determination in Tomcat's eyes?

You're talkin' to me?

And here's Diane, intrigued by this Smurf's village she found in the garden. Lucky shot, this one!

Remember? Five kitten, a male and four female. I'd gave one to my sister, and kept the other four. So here's black & white Tomcat, with one of his sister, Blue, both checking the comfort of my Windstopper jacket!

Thanks! Funny, I've just found this.

In cm, whow!!!! Appreciate that. Any pics together with any of your lattest build? So that we can have a clue about the size (I know, size didn't matter, but...).

Thanks Mike Funny, As these days, I was wondering how a "kit" like that would look like, due to an Egg GB happening right now on a French forum. Got my answer, and you know what? I might have a go at it!. By the way, I suppose that there is no aftermarket for this, no decals ? Which scale would suit them best? 1/48 maybe?

Here's a link that may help.

That's simply the NATO camouflage... With a difference, as colours used by the French Army were a bit different. IIRC, there are two sets on the market, from AK and MIG. Neither are said to be 100% accurate, but I think they're good enough to start with.

They're five, born on the 9th, the first one at about 9:00 PM, with the rest following at the rate of one every 30mn. All are in good shape, I even witnessed a kick boxing session, two of them fighting for the same tit.

Proud mom

Hi Larry, I've heard that there's also a lenght issue with the tanks. Can check if you like. About the paint, if you did check the link, you've seen that the Etendard did get at least two schemes in its early life, the one with EDSG being the first. So make your choice. This one is also cool. And as Sikkens is still in existence, you can even contact them about 59278, they might send you a sample! As usual with French paints, it's difficult to find the equivalent FS, and each modeller over here will make his own kitchen. You just have to do the same!

As for the paint... Better check the camouflage section, down this link.

So, everything seems to be already set? A few points, if you don't mind. There's no such thing as a middle pylon, as each wing has only two points. I'll try to find and check the instructions, as I suspect a mix-up from KH with the Super Etendard. - Inboard, to be set either with an Alkan 504 for heavy load (fuel tank), or Alkan 257 for lighter load (bombs up to 250kg/500lb) - Outboard use Alkan 257 only. For your choice, neither fuel tank nor LR Matra 150 for 18 SNEB 68mm rocket need an adapter to fit under the Alkans As you know, the refueling pod is a Douglas D-827-A, replaced in the early 80's by a Intertechnique D-827-B (under licence). Honnestly, I don't know the difference... All the IVP (and PM) can play tanker, but for the IVM, you start from n°51, plus n°5 as it was used for trials. Also, there's a need to have the IVM fitted with the "chassis engin" to carry the Douglas pod. "Chassis engin" is used with A/G missiles and contain all the wiring and switchology needed for AS20/30. In this case, and so for aerial refueling, the aircraft carry no guns, as they come with the "chassis canon", which is more common, and used for A/G work with bombs and rockets. Beside, the IV is a bit short-legged, so there's no room for AAM or bombs or rockets when the pod is present. Fuel tanks and that's all. Sidewinder WAS a common fit. Outboard pylon only, Alkan 257 with an Aero adapter.

I've got the big Bible in two volume for the Etendard, and with this I'll be able to answer all of your questions (hopefully). But. Do you want to read about ALL the weapons cleared for use with both aircrafts? That will be a huge list. Or do you want to know about those found in the kit's boxes? If so, I'll try to find a picture of the sprues. Maybe you're interested by the aftermarket option? Please tell me, so that we can reduce the scope of our search. About the AIM-9, it's still an option to me, it's just that the aircraft never used it in combat.

For sure, as the IVM was no longer in service when they were first delivered to the Aéronavale

Thanks, and do not worry, as I don't give it too much importance, there are other things that really matter in real life. The only thing annoying to me is that I kind of let you down.

Hi guys, Just a few words to let you know I'm out of this. I've to admit that I haven't glued a single part so far, and for this I've a truck load of bad excuses you don't want to hear about. Whatever, the fact is that I just can't build anything at the moment. I know the mojo will come back, the question is: When?