Jasper dog

Good luck! Great subject but for me, call me a coward if you wish, I'll wait for the Tamiya release. (Surely it must be Mr Ts "to do list?" )

Looking really good Keith, I particularly like the exhaust. Hope that the kink I the fuel pipe doesn't cause problems though....😉 Really nice work. Darryl

As incisive as ever Bob, like a laser straight to the point, why didn't I think of that! I'd been so proud of myself I hadn't bought a kit this year....(well since Bolton Show) and they where second hand bargains so don't count, in my opinion. However I stumbled upon another AFV Club Churchill, on Ebay whilst looking for tracks. Apparently it's due to arrive on Monday..

That's because they are German cows put there for cover. I suspect the cow, the one with the spots if anyone's interested, isn't actually a cow. Its Hans and Klaus in a pantomime cow outfit gathering intelligence... I'm absolutely positive the same cow is in both pictures, under the wing of the Horsa and again lying under the wing of the Hadrian.

You've done it now! I'm going to have to venture into the loft to have a nosey at the Meng kit. I do wonder why I have so many flippin kits....

I was, never had it, or the airfix boxing. Apparently the Hellcat they did was supposed to be ok too. Some of the panel lines on the wings should have been filled and the surface painted a pale grey colour but....🤫

Another escapee! I built the Hasegawa P51 "back in the day", different boxing, can't just recall which and I really enjoyed it. The only other option was Tamiya, way before, Meng, Eduard, new Airfix kit etc. Even oob i thought it made a nice model, first evey nmf finish too, using Vallejo metal colours. Good luck!

Superb modelling Nenad, really impressive combination. The build, paint and weathering are first class. Inspiring! Darryl

Nice work Dan, all the detail takes time but it'll be worth it in the end.

Sorry to hear that mate, I don't think it's particularly uncommon, unfortunately. I get very little time to model these days..... never mind making plastic kits.... But, I can still enjoy annoying others, especially with helpful asides. Every so often I might stick a few bits of plastic together, sometimes without even leaving gluey fingerprints. Building the Tamiya Comet oob proved to be a real mojo restorative, it was only once I was well into the build that I even looked at any reference pics for it. So why not try slapping something together just for the sake of it without any reference? Or ignore the modelling aspect if it's the research that works for you and see if anything inspires. Not every model has to be winner. Young Keith might have a point here, I've a few sitting on the shelf unfinished... (Thanks for the reminder!)

Thanks John, it will, hopefully...🤞 If being honest I've never actually used the DS tracks. The detail always looks ok but I do have sets in unbuilt dragon kits that have already turned brittle and shattered. Cheers

I'll try and pop in too, make sure everyone is behaving. I seem to remember you questioning the contents of your kit before now John. Never had you down as a Sherman builder though....

Hey Keith @Keeff it's Tru.............!!! Super tight paintwork Dan, I'd have so been spending ages rolling blue tac worms! Great work

Well spotted that man, just don't give the game away 🤫 (Good choice of word, btw, shenanigans!) Doubt you'll spot an aeroplane crossing my bench! So really Dan, an aeroplane indeed..... Anyway, I thought you built aeroplanes until you qualified for armour??

Some folk, I guess, are just happy to have the convenience of a one piece track, and poss aren't aware of the reputation of the DS. (Obviously they were fine at the time and hadn't gone brittle). I've no idea....it looks like a holder for something. Thanks Ivan! Not sure about beat, maybe a one all draw! Thanks Keith, that imagination of yours though..... 😉 Thanks chaps, very kind, just don't look to closely though! 😉 Well that's a thought..... Thanks fellas, always appreciated! Darryl

Lovely work Graeme! Obviously the whole build is brilliant but I love some of the great touches you've included on the build. Inparticular I like the tracks and unditching beam. The wood effect along with its metal work is superb. Great modelling! Darryl

Just for the sake of it thought I'd try the kit supplied bands. Can I get the things to stay glued together....TET, now't, Black CA, pulls apart while attempting to mount. I've just tried normal CA, haven't tried fitting those yet.... As for your track issue, why not just buy a set as and when they are required rather than all in one go? Other cheaper options might come along at some point. I've sold DS tracks before now on Ebay, got about £10-£12 a set for them. Thanks Stef, too kind, the camera can be quite flattering! Thanks Roger, always appreciated!

Just stunning work MD, I'd wondered where the bridge had got too! I love the super fine and realistic chipping you've achieved not just on the MG shield but all over. The mud effects are incredibly realistic not just on the Hetzer but on the road surface too, brilliant! Superb work Darryl

And you did that with the TR- 1 using a 0.3? Exemplary work, as if I expected anything other. Showing far my restraint, amongst many other things, than I would, in so much as you've avoid the temptation to paint everything in one go. Outer wings, tail planes, etc. Brilliant modelling Darryl

As promised an update: Track guards assembled, these remain loose to allow the tracks to be fitted after painting. Turret mostly assembled and the supplied metal barrel fitted. The barrel required a few swipes of a file to fit the socket on the breech. Inside of turret has been sprayed black incase the commanders hatch is left open. Not sure/no idea what the cylindrical object on the side of the turret is? The kit provides clear parts for the commanders cupola, I'll fit these once painted, also, in clear plastic, the interior element for all periscopes. I didn't see the point in fitting them as they can't be seen. AFV provides a lovely slim plastic circular aerial base on a separate little sprue. Even though I'd held it over the bench whilst clipping away from the sprue and thought it had just dropped the inch or two onto the bench it disappeared, how??? Anyway after much hunting, cleared the bench, now't, hands and knees with a torch under the bench, now't, on the floor, still nothing. Anyway decided it had gone and time for a consolation brew.......and as if by magic it appears. Unfortunately the foot isn't perhaps the best thing to find a fragile part with.... Hopefully it'll straighten...🤞 A few "glamour shots".. AFV provides the option for all hatches to be openable, however, there's now't inside apart from the engine. Which, when compared to photos of the real thing, needs a lot more work. That said, it's still a good kit and actually, as said earlier, goes together really well. Cheers Darryl

Thanks Bob @Retired Bob that's just what I needed to know. Would have been pointless going for Fruil if they'd been designed to fit the Tamiya kit which might not have suited the AFV offering. (Before anyone asks, no I haven't ordered any!). That said I've found the AFV Club workables a little more reasonably priced than my earlier gander. Despite my early trepidation I'm actually rather enjoying this kit, must be getting something wrong, somewhere! Update with pics asap. Just off to try and get some jobs done outside before it starts raining....again.

Chaps, I've found him! Fancy sneaking off like that.....

Got ya! Dear God, what's happening man, get a grip! Perhaps I'm still asleep and I'll wake up soon! Speechless...

Don't think this is just the place to elaborate on your proclivities but suffice to say, spoil sport! Right I think one needs to make this clear.......it wasn't a matter of choice! The pub had run on of Cruzcampo, Madri and Stella so it was a case of Coors, Carling or going home! You keep telling yourself that Dan. Now't to do with finding at a certain age the volume of liquid requires relentless trips to the facilities. And another one! Hey, Lee, think we might have infiltrated the wingy-things builders, but 🤫 Just need now to introduce the foodie section into the shenanigans. Small aside, once saId to the wife, not recommended, nice work on the Spad! Looking very impressive. 👍 Darryl

I disagree, they'd love it. All the good humoured "bants" and getting to see real modelling, be an education. Think I've spotted Lee's problem (are at least one of them 😉) it's a wingy thing you can't shake it like an AFV, you have to throw it, like a frisbee. You say "take the bits off the sprue" can we explore this please. I assume its nowt more fancy than twist and tug till the little blighter comes? Or are we taking all posh like and using a teeth? (This is on the assumption we are still talking aeroplanes, obviously for afvs we have the dspiae or God Hand side cutters, razor saws etc). Hang on, has Lee just revealed he's a Mustang on the go??? Off to have a search......