Antb

lol, hadn't ever looked at it and thought wimp, but now you come to mention it.... ha ha @Spitfire addict have just noticed your post about the finish, you've had some good info. For this one, I undercoated in grey and then sprayed Matt black all over, weathered with some silver paint on a sponge and dabbed across the leading edges of the wings, a little on the spinner and the props. I didn't want to go too weathered. After all that was done brush painted on some Matt varnish and that left a really nice effect that I was happy with. Id never done a nightfighter scheme before so it was just a case of have a go for me, but I'm happy. Yes there are probably loads of improvements I could make but it's good for me. I'm tempted to do another at some point as I have decals left for 3 other night fighter defiants and it would be a shame not to use them.... just don't tell the wife. Let us know how you get on with yours, it's a great kit to build and something a little different. thanks for the kind comments again guys, very much appreciated.

Thanks for the info on the kit, might be tempted in the new year depending what Santa brings looking forward to seeing your progress. Keep up the good work

A great start so far Plasto. Ive been looking at the ICM Kits as they seem good value for money but a bit too good value for money, if you get where I'm coming from, and wondered how they would go together so nice to see one being built. Will keep my eye on this one.

A great build joss. She looks awesome!

You're too kind, thank you

Superb work john. I love all your builds, for me they're really informative and I've learned a few things from your posts. This 109 is going to look stunning when done, as do all your builds. Top work!

That is one awesome build and finish. Super work!

Thanks for the comments guys, pleased you like it. @stever219 ha ha, I hope you don't either. Please share your pics if you do decide to give it another go

Thank you for the comments guys. billy, I didn't have many when I gave up in my mid teens, it's only since picking up wargaming and painting those figures did I discover how to use shades, for example. Before this, which was only a few years ago I just used to paint things with no real clue other than to slap some paint on and that was about it. Discovering the Forum has helped massively too. Without it I would have had no idea about simple things such as decal solutions. There's so much good stuff on here. As as I say I'm learning all the time and it's great fun.

That's a fair point. Had the 109 not have been around who knows how good the defiant could have been. I love the fact it is a turret fighter, very clever really. Tempted to build another to keep it company

Thanks for the comments guys, they are really appreciated. I have decals cal s left for three other Defiants so am tempted to do another night fighter version. There's something about a night fighter. @stever219 I actually used canopy masks, forgot to mention that, they're a nightmare to get right as you have to mask both sides of the clear parts but it's well worth it. I really recommend them. Give your canopy another go, am sure you will crack it.

Thank you chaps

Hi Steve, yes thats my inexperience, unfortunately. I didn't realise until later on. Thanks for your comments though. @polo1112 thank you for the kind words.

This is the aircraft that got me back into modelling, picked this up at flying legends in July for a really good price. Ive discovered more techniques and aftermarket stuff since this kit so this has been built out of box as the Duxford version. Sprayed with Humbrol metal one that didn't buff.... As ever, happy to receive tips and advice so fire away. Enjoy the pics.

Hi all, i have finally managed to get some photos of my builds which were completed before I joined the forum. Here's the first one. Thoroughly enjoyed building this, was really great fun and something different. Only us Brits could think putting a turret in a fighter would be a good idea model was completed using ROP os decals and Eduard PE RAF WW2 seat belts. I am learning all the time and so am Grateful for any feedback you can give. Cheers

@Joss thanks for the comments. I knew I modelled fairly quickly but as this is the first time I've ever documented a build I've surprised myself. Im lucky really though, as I manage an hour or two most nights after the kids have gone to bed and when the Mrs sits watching soaps, strictly and the X factor I have a hectic job so it's nice to sit and paint to relax whenever I can. My next project might not be so quick, the 1/24 typhoon.... have had the box open and it looks lovely, just hope I can do a decent job on it. Need to remember that patience is the key. @Blitz23 thank you. The original picture I found seems to show a battered old bird and I wanted to try and replicate this. It might not be accurate but I like it ad it's more subtle than the photos suggest. Cheers guys

Looks great so far, love the cockpit and in particular the IP. Looking forward to seeing you paint her up.

1/48 Tamiya P51-D 359th Fighter Group East Wretham build is here:

Good evening, Have been plodding along this week grabbing time as and when I can and then this happened before I knew it. Apart from a gloss cote BABE is finished. Apologies for the the number of pictures, I got a bit carried away. It's not perfect but I'm quite pleased with it. Will add add the pics to the gallery

So am I.... It's going to take a fair while I reckon but I bought it as a long term project have never done anything this size before or with this level of detail so it will be interesting

Thank you Chris, that's great. Its a a long way off but want to get the scheme sorted so I have something to aim for. Thanks again

Hi guys, Im sorry if this is a bit of a dumb question but I want to ask to get clear in my mind. Ive recently purchased the very marvellous 1/24 Typhoon which will be a long term project to start after Christmas. Looking through the marking options the one for 247 squadron ZY-N caught my eye. Reading the blurb it states that in September 1944 247 squadron changed the colour of their spinners to Red and removed the D Day stripes from underneath the fuselage and wings. Can i therefore, model ZY-N, as a September aircraft with the red and yellow spinner and it still be an accurate representation of the aircraft you can build out of the box? Thanks in advance

Hi guys Managed to get quite a bit more done yesterday and a little this morning too. Doesn't seem like we're far off being completed now. Yesterday saw the decals go on, they were a little tricky and didn't really want to settle despite copious amounts of solution but I've got them to where I'm happy with them so it's all good. The decals got a clear coat and were left overnight. This morning the model got a wash of flory dark dirt Ive never used the flory washes before and have to say they're actually quite good. This was left left to dry and was then wiped off. I've left a bit more on than maybe I should but this aircraft seems to have seen some action despite the pilot not scoring and I wanted to replicate this. The olive drab has been cleaned up since this photo was taken And an overall shot from the top and finally one of the underneath flaps are to go on, prop and nose cone has been painted, then wheels and about done I reckon. Cheers

Good evening fellow modellers, I have made some further progress with the build this week. My first job once the fuselage was together was to drill out the exhaust stubs to make them look a little better Wheel wells have been painted and shaded I have undercoated in grey, then gloss black and then sprayed some aluminium out of a rattle can. BABE Doesnt appear to be natural metal judging from the photo I posted in my first posting so I'm happy to run with aluminium for now. This is the current state of play as of this evening. I am going to spend some more time this evening and hope to get quite a bit more done with a view to getting some decals on this weekend. Oh and this arrived earlier in the week too.... oh my what a gorgeous kit Thanks for looking this this far if you have done cheers

Cheers guys, made a a little more progress last night. Managed to get the sidewalls painted and shaded, got no pictures sadly, and the pit is in position. Here it is glued into position on one side And here we are all buttoned up waiting for the glue to dry. After building a P47 I had forgotten just how small the mustang was. More to follow during the course of the week, hopefully. Cheers