Mark Harmsworth

All sorts of stuff in the outside air. Dust from the sahara (and closer - like nearby builders, tree surgeons etc), pollen from trees (a single tree can produce millions of floaty things) and from flowers and grass plus teeny insects, spores from fungus, smoke particles. Think I'll stop now - but you probably get the idea.

Interesting idea and your build looks great. I had thought about showing some partial camouflage scheme on that side but in the end I'm going for a complete transparent side. Mark

Yes, that's what attracted me to this kit although I am aware of some of the deficiencies as well. I've seen one build (can't remember where unfortunately) which had the pilot's 'pedestal' cut away and replaced with a more appropriate structure - that was one of those 'now why didn't I think of that' moments. Too late sadly. That clear fuselage half should be great - I'm currently digesting how to deal with the internal detail on that side as the back of those panels will be visible through the clear side. I'm interested in the idea of one of those Trumpeter display cases - I'd been thinking about one of those. Is the plastic as clear as the box image suggests? all the best Mark

Thanks - my remark was intended as slightly humorous but maybe I missed.

There's plenty of equipment inside a Lancaster. The kit provides p.e. backing plates for three of the pieces: I had a good look at the wireless transmitter /receiver in the kit and thought that it was a fair representation. I hope @marvinneko will like this. So I've kept the Barracudacast resin upgrade for my next 1:32 RAF bomber (wishful thinking I suspect - but you never know). This is the kit part underway: But what I did do is pinch the decals from the Barracuda set: Those decals make a huge difference. And installed: Another view: There are some instruments and other bits to be installed inside the left fuselage half so I decided to get that painted first. A strange experience only painting one side (the right being transparent). Here's a couple of pics. Primer: Dark Green and Dark Earth done and masked. Night Black applied: Slightly difficult getting a good shot of black on my bench. But you get the idea hopefully. Masking off: Looking at this I think maybe my lens filter could do with a clean. Masking coming off the transparencies: This part of the build is where I'm partly excited to see the result and partly worried about the result. But it looked ok. A little touch up needed here and there but fairly happy with that. The two rectangles, still with masking on, are the pilot's windows, which I intend to show open (there are gaps in the main canopy which don't really show in the image) plus there's the blister for attaching to that large window just behind the pilot. And thankfully the transparencies look clear enough after my varnishing mess. Lastly, for this post, some work on the navigator's position - with chair and equipment added (chair in the middle facing away from camera): Starting to look appropriately busy in there. Another view: I need to find some papers etc for the desktops. Onwards Mark

This has been my understanding since I returned to the hobby over ten years ago. And I have built my P-51s to show this. However . . . . (maybe others have seen this as well - but I think it is worth repeating here) the Eduard CEO made the following statement on 18th March over on Hyperscale relating to a similar question about their forthcoming P-51B/C (i.e. would it have filled panel lines): virtually all wartime Mustangs had visible wing panel lines. Putty in the panel lines was virtually non-existent on most aircraft in service. He (as you'd expect) was queried on this - and doubled down on it. Surprised? Yes. Me too. Mark

I have used their decals and was very happy with the result. I didn't have the right size dull red code letters for a 68 sqn Mosquito build and they had them available (68 sqn had a strong Czech connection). It was @Hornet133 that pointed me in their direction. I would happily buy from them again. Mark

I've been working on the area around the pilot's seat. The seatbelts were the one remaining detail for the seat. So: A slightly different view: These are 3D decals from Kits World. I found them very easy to apply - dip briefly in tepid water and they gradually free themselves from the backing. This was the first time I'd used this type of product and I was a little worried about whether the thickness of the belts would limit them adhering to the curves and bends in the seat - but they worked perfectly. I found the complete lack of documentation frustrating though. First I checked on their website for how to use them - there are instructions there which tell you to treat them as normal decals but not to use any setting solutions. Which was fine. The bigger problem for me was that there are 7 different types of belt on the sheet. With no indication of what goes where, I resorted to a bit of research (are we used to being spoon-fed perhaps?) and then made some guesses. If you do a search for 'Lancaster seat belts' you arrive at a series of different images. I also did some minor surgery on them - you seem to get a lot of belt for your money. My final thought on them though is wondering about scale thickness. Maybe I've been looking at them too much. Move on. I then tried a final test fit of all of the pilot's thingies. Here's a few images. That red on the ejection seat handle (I'm sure that's what it is) is still not quite right for me (third attempt at that) and once I've actually attached everything in place I'll make it all slightly grubby as well. The airscale instrument panel has definitely been my best addition to this kit and I think it is a vast improvement on the kit part. Just to make me happy about it, here is an image of the original kit part against a reference image of the real thing (which is a part of the airscale package): There are no instrument decals in the kit so that is what you have to work with - and I think it is an easy decision to get a replacement. Onwards Mark

I've had another go at this. I deleted the images from the album created by imgur and then also that new album. Those same images then also disappeared from the album that I had 'saved' them into - exactly as you said. But, rather strangely, those two images are still visible in the thread I posted here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235133226-whats-your-latest-purchase/page/17/ My post is shown on Monday at 12:45. There must be a way around this - otherwise we can't delete those 'new' albums.

This is what I do. - Upload new images to imgur - which automatically creates a new album for them - Open the album I really want them to be in - Select 'Edit this album' - Then 'Add or Remove Images' - Then select 'All Images' - the new images uploaded in the first step will appear at the top - select them and click 'save'; this will copy the new images into the preferred album Then think about whether to delete the uploaded images in the new album created by imgur - I'm cautious and do that a day or two later Sorry if this is all obvious but thought it might help. It works for me - after a bit of trial and error. Good luck Mark

I had a delivery a few days ago which frustrated and amused in equal amounts. I won't name the company but they used to be called Hermes. - First a series of emails telling me how super excited they were that my package was on its' way to them from the supplier. - Then they had received it and it would be out for delivery soon - Then that it was out for delivery - Then that it was to be delivered that day between 7.30 and 8.30 pm (tough being a delivery driver I know) - Then sorry but there's a problem and it won't be delivered today and that it would be rescheduled - Then it had been delivered that day (mid afternoon that same day - several hours before 7.30pm) and that it was in my shed Well, the shed is in the back garden so I thought that last one unlikely. But there was a photo - showing a package on top of what looked like a waste bin. My waste bins are at the front and not easily viewed from inside but, sure enough, there was the package. Clearly walking all the way to my door was just too much. Oh yes and I should say that 'on top of the green waste bin' is definitely not one of our alternate safe places. And I was at home. Thinking about this as I type - I can't remember the last time that this company actually delivered to my door. In the end as long as I get the delivery I don't mind too much - I just have to figure out where it has been delivered to. Mark

Use the 'Direct Link' from imgur rather than the 'Image Link' option. You may have to select that more than once for reasons I don't understand. I too have used a spreadsheet for my models and references for many years. Although mine is in Open Office - as it's free. Mark

I may well not know what I am talking about (surprising, I know) - but weren't there examples of Luftwaffe planes returning to northern France during the BoB decorated with dozens of little bullet holes but no real damage? Or is that just a myth? Mark

A box arrived in time for the Easter weekend - I'd used the gift vouchers my daughters gave me for Christmas (plus a little bit more of course). First a 1:72 Bf110C/D from Eduard - which comes complete with some resin bits, canopy masks and p.e. And. A 1:72 Short Stirling Mk. III from Italeri. I also got p.e and canopy masks from Eduard plus some lovely brass Browning .303 barrels from MiniWorld (new for me - from Ukraine) Rather crazily, I continue to buy slightly more than I build. These two were definite gaps in the stash though - so I'm very content. all the best Mark

From my (very limited) understanding that is a distinct possibility. Here: https://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/

Thanks for the kind comments - much appreciated. Yes, I used the dot as a mask. I had looked at a few reference images and it seems that the yellow dot varied in size a little so you can't really go wrong. I had sprayed Xtracylix Trainer Yellow first. I've since also seen images of yellow dots on the rear of the pilot's head armour - but probably going to pretend I haven't seen that 😉 I'd add that you won't be disappointed with those airscale panels - to be honest my images don't do them justice. thanks again Mark

Welcome. I'd suggest posting your queries in the Aircraft: WW2 area (that is what it is for). Here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/forum/23-aircraft-wwii/ Good luck Mark

Now why didn't I think of that? One of those simple but brilliant ideas. Next time.

Welcome. This any good? https://hobby.uk.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&limit=30&order=price&q=balsa&x=15&y=12

It's been a while but I am back to it and have some progress. The transparencies cleaned up nicely with isopropanol alcohol (after I'd made a complete mess of them). Started to apply the Eduard canopy masks and carefully wrote the kit numbers on to the little ones. Masked the inside of the transparencies with Tamiya tape. The complex curves have been masked with Copydex - slightly scary as it dries clear. But I know it's there. Probably. The fuselage halves have some chunky bits to remove - including these two handle type thingies. Not seen that before. Grey/Green applied to the big parts. And some masking ready for the black. Interior parts ready for the grey/green. The four panels that sit vertically have sink holes in them. Some would not be visible in a normal build but, with the right fuselage half being transparent, I've been cautious and filled them all (25+). And painted. Next, paint some black onto those forward transparencies and then start to work on the interior detail. I also have to think about how I'm going to paint the exterior with half of it transparent. I may well do that as a separate piece before I attach the cockpit floor. Onwards Mark

What he said. My understanding too.

Seen this? https://boxartden.com/reference/gallery/index.php/Aircraft-Profiles/USA/WWII/Brewster-Buffalo

Welcome. But what??? You might want to explain that if you are after some info.

Welcome. I'm sure you'll enjoy it here. To answer your question about image hosting I use imgur and can happily recommend it. all the best Mark

Welcome. It's great getting back into the hobby again (having done the same myself) although I have a small suggestion. That C-130 sounds like a lot of plastic for you to start with - how about something slightly less daunting to get you going? Lots of flying things have only one engine - just a thought. Good luck Mark