PaulR

Thanks for the all the feedback chaps! Looks like I'll head for the Academy kit! Cheers, Paul

Hi all, well, my theraputic Tamiya Beaufighter TFX build is coming to an end, and I am browsing the stash for something with nice bright RAF markings . . . and my eyes alight on the MPM Meteor FR9 in 1/72, complete with rather spiffy 8 sqn markings. Am all set to build, but a nagging doubt has entered my head, because while the kit indicates PRU blue undersides with Dark Sea Grey/Dark Green topsides, I am sure I read that many FR9s were finished in PRU blue and Light Slate Grey/Medium Sea Grey topsides. Would anyone know what the deal is on this? Is there a serial/colour scheme tie up available? The plane in question is WZ603, of C flight, 8 sqn Sharjah circa 1959. Would be grateful if anyone could shed any light on this. Best regards, Paul

Afternoon all, Topic title says it all really . . . what in peoples' opinions is the best 1/72nd P-51B/C? Have seen the Revell and Academy ones floating about, but looking for the most accurate option. Cheers for any comments, Paul

Evening! I too have been experimenting with Tamiya acrylics in search of a close match to Camouflage grey. I took the advice off someone on this site and tried XF-19, and as a 'scale' (i.e. slightly lighter than the real thing to take into account of scale) match for camouflage grey I think it is fantastic. The trouble with Xtracrylix/color and similar is that while they are exact matches to the original paint, on scale kits they often simply look far too dark. I have a medium sea grey Harrier GR9 done in Xtracrylic MSG and it looks completely wrong, whereas the medium sea grey GR4 I completed with Tamiya 'Medium Sea Grey 2' looks spot on to my eye. Would definitely recommend you give it a go! For what it's worth. Paul

Cheers for the comments chaps! Paul

Evening all,to finally finished my Italeri 23 sqn build. Xtradecals, Paragon wheels,thrust reverser mechanism, pylons and fin correction, scratchbuilt Phimat pod and flare dispensers, Aeroclub ejector seats, Eduard photoetch, Hasegawa sidewinders, and Master pitot tube - think that's it! Have long thought that 23sqn's marks were the best looking of the F3 squadrons, and after reading about their role over Bosnia that was it! Was intrigued by the mix of fueltank colours from photos of the time so chose a mix of grey/green and desert pink for variety. Am generally very pleased with it, but can't help but think I overdid the fin staining on the left hand side. Pictures of fins show them even dirtier than this, but I am not convinced I got an accurate pattern. Anyway, for what it's worth . . . Link to build thread. Best regards, Paul

Evening all! Been fixing the vacform canopy. Generally an excellent fit, but with a tiny but perceptible ridge were the windscreen touches the fuselage. I filled this with white milliput to smooth this off; here are a couple of photos of that process. Now, I am by no means an expert modeller, but it always raises a bemused eyebrow when I see people apply filler with what looks like a trowel and then complain about the amount of sanding and rescribing. To me, less filler = less hassle, so . . . I add masking tape around the area to be filled; apply the minimum amount of filler and smooth off with a wetwipe, the second most useful accessory apart from Tamiya masking tape. Removal of the tape shows a virtually finished application of filler with only the bare minimum of sanding to do... at least, that's the plan! More updates this weekend. Regards, Paul

Evening Harry, Good work so far! Am a little further down the road with the same kit; it really is outstanding value for money isn't it? Although I think I am lucky in that mine doesn't have any flash at all . . . Regards, Paul

Looking good! Am looking forward to seeing another RAF jug on the 'finished' gallery! Paul

Super pit - the seatbelts look very effective! Paul

Evening all! Seeing all the superb work on this group build has provided a great impetus to get on with mine! Just one photo tonight; I've added wine foil seatbelts and closed up the fuselage. I have also painted the wheels and finished off the undercarriage, so basically it is now on to clean-up and prime. I have really enjoyed this kit; it is the first kit in absolutely ages where I haven't used filler, and the engineering is very clever, especially for the price. F'instance, the tailwheel assembly is able to be added after the fuselage is closed up and painting is completed, which eliminates awkward masking. The only aftermarket I've gone for is the Squadron vacform canopy, which is as we speak taped down and drying. More later! Regards, Paul

Evening all, I recently got lucky at the Tornado build and got myself a TSR 2 fuel tank set as a prize - must have been a sympathy vote! Anyway, was naturally compelled to buy another Airfix TSR2 to go with it, and was casting around for possible schemes. I have in mind maritime photo reconaissance or possibly even a Falklands emergency escort fighter modification for TSR2 raids from Ascension island. What would people suggest? Am drawn to Hemp and light aircraft grey, but that might be too early for a late 70s/early 80s timeframe. Anyway, what do people think? Regards, Paul

Just checked out this build in the completed section! Top effort! You don't hang about, do you? Regards, Paul

Some sharp decalling! Looking forward to the final stages! Paul

Evening all! Thought I'd better get a move on, so here are a couple or three pics to show progress. I've put the major parts of the airframe together, and painted lots of the fiddly bits like the prop, cockpit and so on. I've used tamiya paints for the cockpit (XF-58 green) and yellow/green (XF-4) for wheel wells etc, and Vallejo oily steel for gear legs, engine etc. I am really impressed with the detail Revell has managed to cram in, as well as the fit of the parts; for the price it's an absolute steal. The only bit of aftermarket I have resorted to is the Squadron vacform canopy; while the shape of the kit one is good, there was some distortion. I've futured the canopy ready to cut out, and that's about it really. Next steps are too give all the completed sections a pin wash with oils and a drybrush, Then to get it all together! Paul

Hi again! I am also sure that I have the two seat Italeri Eurofighter lurking in the loft at my folk's house. I'll have a look at the weekend and if I do, you are more than welcome to them. I don't recall how big the 4 nation roundels are though. HTH, Paul

Evening! Might be able to help out reference the four nation markings. I have built the exact same machine with 43 sqn zap using Revell kit and prototypre IRST and pitot from the Italeri kit. I ended up getting the 4 nation roundels from the Revell 1/144 Eurofighter kit - the old one, not the new tool Typhoon. I am sure I have seen it on sale recently, so you might still be able to pick it up. The 4 nation roundels are fractionally too big, but they are close enough to work convincingly, especially against the black background. Hope this helps, Paul

Bit of update. I have finished the base. This was coated in modroc, and the road given a coat of playsand over PVA glue. I used a mix of scatter grass for the slopes, and airbrushed dark earth over the sand to darken it and blend it all in. I also added a couple of trees left over from another project. The white plasticard sides were airbrushed matt black. I have added on the tank plus a couple of figures just to give a sense of what it will look like, You'll see that I have changed the two part barrel for the monobloc barrel; looking at the tank I want to model I might have to change it back again! Oh well . . .

Evening all, I've long been mildly obsessed with the Battle of Britain, and now have more books on the subject than I care to mention. I think what kicked it all off was my father telling me about it when I was about 6 and couldn't get to sleep one night. That, and the blue Battle of Britain activity book by Dennis Knight complete with rub down decals - anybody else had/have that? Anyhow, I recently read the Last Enemy by Richard Hillary of 603 sqn. In it, it details his friendship with Peter Pease who was to lose his life in Spitfire XT-B X4324 mid afternoon 15th September. I found an account and painting of his last action in the Alfred Price book in the photo. The model used was the 'old' 1/72nd Airfix Spitfire, which is still a very good kit despite the release of the new tool edition, and is in fact the kit I would like to be buried with! It was actually painted and more or last finished apart from decals, and had sat in my cabinet in 'delivery colours' for a while. After reading the account of the heroic (in every sense of the word) last action of Peter Pease, I had to do his plane. It's not my best model; but for all sorts of reasons - the Battle of Britain, the links back to childhood and the story of the pilot who flew it - it is one of my favourites. A tribute to a very brave man who died exactly 71 years ago. Paul

Cheers for all the helpful info chaps! Paul

Hi all, I have never built a P-47 before, and am a little confused reference internal colours. Am I right it thinking that the landing gear doors and bays are that yellow zinc chromate colours (for which I would use Tamiya XF-4) and the cockpit is a shade of dark green? It is with regard to the latter I would particularly like some expertise, ideally a close Tamiya match, as these are my fave paints. I'm also unsure about the inside of the cowling. I think its silver, but I'm not sure about the part where the radial engine attaches to, nor the curved part that sits at the bottom of the cowling. Shoud these be zinc chromate, green or silver? Any guidance would be really appreciated! Best regards, Paul

Cheers! Paul

Hi all, just wondering if where to find the banners for this GB? I like to fly the flag if possible! Cheers, Paul

Cheers for the comments! Ref. the machine gun team - they're probably be going to be under a tree for cover, but I'll play around it with it to see how it looks! And I know what you mean about the Matchbox Firefly - probably my favourite matchbox model as a kid, particularly because of the ruined bridge! Regards, Paul

Cheers Mike - wasn't aware of that! I'll have a go at that later! By the by, am I correct in thinking that there were Porsche King Tigers in Normandy with the two part barrel? If not, I've still got the monobloc barrel in the box! Best regards, Paul