Spitfire31

Just the one: "Good ideas have a tendency of being transformed into unforseen amounts of work." ;-) Fifteen years ago I started a project to convert the Airfix 1:24 Spitfire Mk I into a PR Mk XIX. I made a fabulous propeller and spinner from scratch. I made an awesome cockpit – a pilot could have done his checklist in it! Then… er… well… that's still the current status 15 years later… /Joachim

A heroic victory in the face of almost impossible odds! A really nice model that shows the clean, elegant lines of the Fantôme to their best advantage. I suppose you're planning to add the rigging at a later date, after catching your breath? ;-) Best, Joachim

Very clean and good looking build, I must say – especially considering that the kit is somewhat less than state-of-the. But you'll want to change that ugly Dymo label to something a little bit more in keeping with your nice work! /Joachim

Totally charming and evocative of the roaring, er… thirties. A joy to behold! /Joachim

Very evocative Mustang! Possibly the gunpowder residues look exaggerated because of the photography – more like the Israelis had used black powder in their 50 cal:s… ;-) The base gives a new meaning to 'hardstand' – or should that be 'softstand'? :-D Really nice model! /Joachim

'Superb' would be a massive understatement. How about superbly superb? Great respect! /Joachim

That's the pic of Douglas Bader that I was referring to above (without knowing the name of the suit… )/Joachim

The experts around here can probably give authoritative answers about flying clothing, but if you portray a pre war or WWII trainer, I'd make the guys wear either a brown sheepskin Irvin flying jacket or a thick, tan flying overall (there's a famous Douglas Bader snap showing him wearing one of those). Moth cockpits are draughty places! That's also why the box art is a bit funny in that instructor and student both have their goggles pushed up. Except on the ground awaiting engine start, they would certainly have the goggles down! Likewise on the ground, the cockpit flaps would probably be open, so that the pilot(s) could lean out to see where they were going while taxying. The rear cockpit would always be occupied for reasons of centre of gravity (the passenger/student in the front cockpit would be sitting right at the COG and so wouldn't influence the trim. Depending on the scenario you want to portray two occupants or just one in the rear cockpit would be equally correct. But never a single pilot in the front cockpit! HTH a little, Joachim

Very nice and unusual livery! Reminds me of when I was standing just beside a Confederate AF T-bolt during engine start and warm-up. A cloud of smoke, a belch of fire and a most satisfying roar after the whine and clattering of the starter. Some things you never forget. /Joachim

Impressive resurrection! It certainly has that look of 'right' that can be so elusive. /Joachim

Excellent work on that Spit, Tommy! When I was 7, I certainly didn't com close to that quality or bothered with painting, let alone an authentic camouflage. We're looking forward to that Fulmar! /Joachim

That is certainly a Würger with a difference and a real eye opener! Inspiring build! I agree – the 'KEEP OFF' sign is a must. Also, Preiser has a very nice 1/48th kit of USAAF/USAF officers and ground crew (Art.Nr. 67003) that would be ideal for fleshisng out a diorama. /Joachim

Very convincing build, especially the Rata. Weathering is quite realistic and not overdone – top marks! The Hurri paintwork is a bit shiny to my eyes – nothing that another coat of matte clear wouldn't cure… Inspiring builds! /Joachim

Hard to believe it's an old Matchbox. Plenty of good ol' modelling skills in evidence – congrats! /Joachim

Looks very convincing on this one picture (hint, hint…). The weathering looks just right and very realistic on this one picture (hint, hint…). /Joachim

Very impressive and inspiring modelling! To my eye, the pre-(?)shading of the panel lines looks just a trifle obtrusive, especially on the first pic. May well be an effect of the photography, of course. Great work! /Joachim

Looks every (fraction of an) inch a Hurricane! Superb work and tasteful weathering! /Joachim

Very convincing rendition! Did you leave your lens hood on while using built-in flash, by any chance? ;-) Been there, done that… /Joachim

Excellent work, Sir! Unusual camo scheme and they look suitably beat-up for a pair of (probably) somewhat tired warhorses under new owners. Enjoyable! /Joachim

I don't think so. Airfix doesn't do aircraft in 1/32, to my admittedly limited knowledge. They used to do sports cars and soldiers, but aircraft?/Joachim

Looks like a Mosquito, sits like a Mosquito – it IS a Mosquito! Excellent work! You might have a word with the armourer about the harmonisation of the port machine gun, though… ;-) /Joachim

Looking forward to a review in due course. But most of all I'm looking forward to a (hopefully!) upcoming PR MkXIX! /Joachim Has anyone heard anything more about the 1:24 PR MkXIX that was rumoured a year ago or so?

Totally OT: we once had a Seagull outboard on our rowing boat. It needed (it's true!) 12 per cent two-stroke oil in the petrol! On our excursions we left a huge cloud of blue smoke in our wake. The Evinrude that eventually replaced it specified 2 per cent oil in the fuel… /Joachim

Very 'Bf-ish' looking model! Seriously nice work there. Minor nitpick: since the flaps seem to be fully deflected, both ailerons should be dropped a bit also (down, both of them!), since they were in fact interconnected with the flaps. /Joachim

Every now and then you come across a model that is just 'right' in every aspect. The old adage "shrunk reality" fits this Fishbed perfectly, I think. Totally impressive modelling skills in evidence! /Joachim