Mark Harmsworth

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

When you make a post the bar at the top has a load of symbols. Select the one that looks like a pair of handcuffs (not really sure what it is) - that opens another little window. Copy the link into that and you can also add your own text - like what I've just done here: Your text appears here over the url

Oh. There I was thinking we built models and then shared photos of them. Didn't realise you were judging my photos. Are there prizes?

Welcome. I had a similar journey back to building models and I'm sure you'll enjoy being here. My main area of interest is also WW2 and mainly planes as well. Feel free to ask for as much advice as you think you need - there's usually someone able to provide a mildly relevant response pretty quickly. Good luck with your next build - and how about sharing some pictures? all the best Mark

An alternative method would be: - make the cut in the wing tip - use a piece of clear sprue glued into that (probably using CA glue for strength - sand and polish the clear sprue until it matches the wingtip As an extra you could drill a small hole into the back of the clear sprue (where it is to be attached to the wingtip) and fill that with red or green paint. This works. The difficulty with pva or white glue is that it cannot be sanded or polished to shape. Good luck Mark

I've found this site - which suggests that it is still possible to download MS Works. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-run-microsoft-works-on-windows-10 There's this : Microsoft Works has been discontinued and development was stopped in 2009 – but you can still use it on your Windows 11/10 PC by installing it in Compatibility Mode. I have no idea whether this will work or what might happen - but it looks slightly positive. Others may no more. Good luck Mark