JamesP

A very impressive build. This kit kit seems to have rather forgotten.

Gobsmacking work!

Not to take anything away from the General but though the Skeeter is not much more than a cockpit with a tail a rotor attached, the cockpit is bigger than most 1/72 fighter aircraft. So it shouldn't put anyone off having a go at one. Plenty of modellers cram extra plastic, PE and resin into 1/72 cockpits,it's just that in this case you can see the excellent work that the General has done.

The main issue with the kit is the appalling fit of the the recessed pod. You need to sand a good chunk off the top to get it to fit as it should. Also note it's not a true NMF but had a clear lacquer over the metal AFAIK. I replicated this with a coat of gloss over Citadel Mithril silver.

Indeed, thanks Stew. BTW the pilot in the old Defiant kit was not the standard WWII chap, this guy had a a moustache!

Not sure why the guy on the left has massive hands and feet and the one on the right "has woman's hands" and feet.

They initially planned to release a 1/48 F-5 but I believe they got beaten to it by others (AFV Club and Kinetic) and so they never released it though they did release the decal sheet they had drawn up. Tiger Hobbies released an F-5 last year, which is possibly from the Tanmodel tool.

I and it will be be at Huddersfield next month if you are going.

Going to love to see what you are going to do with this. I built mine a few years back and like you plan to do opened up the upper engine bay. This was actual on the CBK table opposite Bomber Command at SMW ;-) Will be interested to see what I missed and the scheme sounds intriguing.

I will take the opposite stance in that it is basically a sound kit and a good basis for further detailing. I would show you my completed but after 18ish years I still haven't finished it. Rescribed+Airwaves PE. Has some paint on it but has suffered a tumble since.

Check out the Coastal Command SIG they hang out on http://uamf.organd TomW who is a member here is the SIG leader.

Thanks guys, forgot to mention the Fury makes a small appearance in the current SAMi, Classic Plastic section.

Stunning work. I've been up close to the one at Brooklands and it's an airliner with bags of character which you build certainly captures.

Not a stellar year build wise due to the little one making demands on time and mental reserves. Matchbox 1/76 PzKw-V Ausf-G Panther, bought by mistake when I was looking for the Ausf-L but decided to build it as it was very simple and I could practice some freehand airbrushing. PM 1/72 Beech C-45, yuk but I was swayed by the GSB scheme: Aircraft in Miniature 1/72 MD300, Resin and PE, the master was evidently done using 3D printing, it was a shame that they didn't make the effort to remove the "lego artifacts" from the surface. Unimpressed for the price. Pegasus 1/72 NA FJ-1 Fury, picked up cheap at SMW2013 kitswap, not too bad for the limitations of the moulding but a bit short in the nose. Airifx 1/72 Harrier GR3, old tool starter picked up in a junk shop. Decided to do it OOB for the little one to play with, hence lack of sticky out bits. Used the kit paint (OMG it's as bad as they say), brushes and glue. I quite literally slapped this one together with the haste and enthusiasm of an 8year old!

that'll this one ...Panzer III Ausf-L It has probably been already mentioned but MB fans should check out http://www.matchboxkits.org

Why don't you simply sign up to UAMF (we don't bite) and PM JRatz for some larger ones, I'm sure he'll be happy to oblige.

The undercarriage on the Airfix Puma is a working feature, this was handy for SMW as it allowing me to fit it into the travel box.

I think you should always treat PE as a pick and mix, use some all or none as you see fit.

Thankfully I did buy mine at that price! Look forward to seeing someone else build one. I've only seen a couple of other built up.

Just seen the Aurora TR3 sprues and definitely not the same as the Lindberg kit, a lot better more on par with their AH3000.

Christmas comes early then

Goes on the Chrimbo list then!

Gorgeous!

Like another poster I'm not only excited and amazed by your build but also that there is an alternative to the Mach 2 kit. The British Army Air Corp used them do I want one to squeeze along side my hover fly and skeeter.

It looks like the paint has gone on rather thick. Did you spray it all in one go or build up a few light layers at a time? As white primer and paint is such a poor coverer of varitions due to filler etc I really have to fight hard not to make them all go away in one session. The alternative is to provide a uniform base first with grey primer and then the white stuff.