Jon Bryon

Yes. At the time the speculation was that it was in 1/32, but I think this was because people misunderstood how big a Buccaneer is in 1/48. Using the designer's hand as a scale it was clearly the same size as Airfix's 1/48 Bucc. Jon

That's very kind words I'm working on 4 1/48 F-4 Phantoms at the moment, simultaneously, so it will be a while before the next update...hopefully before Christmas. From my perspective, there are two main disadvantages to contributing to a magazine: 1. You lose control of the content. I like having my stuff available on the internet, mainly because I like occasionally viewing my collection from wherever I happen to be! 2. The need for in-progress photos. I don't have a dedicated area to take these, and setting up and tearing down the photo equipment is very time-consuming. I'm not sure the small financial rewards available outweigh these downsides. Cheers Jon

Good info. I meant to call them today, but ran out of time. I wonder what effect this has on their business? The next issue is due out 2 weeks today! Jon

Still not in Smiths either, as of yesterday, so I'm assuming this is a repeat of the printing problem. When the editorship moved to Spencer, I thought that was a massive step forward and made me subscribe. Content seems to have tailed off of late - I'm not particularly interested in Mustangs or Fw190s - and the writing style has become a little grating. There is a general overuse of gerunds. Before someone wonders if I can do better, I did offer when contributors were solicited in an editorial, but never received a reply... Jon

Skyknight also saw service in Vietnam, so might move up the list.

Has anyone who's a subscriber received their copy of this yet? I've seen the front cover online and see that there's yet another build article of the Eduard Fw190. The diet of this magazine is becoming rather thin... Jon

Yes it does but I don't put weapons on my models in general. Jon

They do, but this one was from 2011 when they had been in service for only a year... Jon

Nope, the fit is excellent! Jon

If you go for the AMK in 1/48 you need to get the updated one with this boxart: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/1104745-amk-88001-a-israel-iai-kfir-c2-c7 They changed the fuselage from the original boxing to make it more accurate and updated the ordnance. Jon

Thanks all Nope, and sadly the canopy is the weak point of the finished article. There's some kind of fogging on the inside of the canopy which has highlighted a fingerprint or two. No CA was used (I use Tamiya Extra Thin) so I'm not sure what has caused this fogging Cheers Jon

This is Kitty Hawk's 1/48 AH-1Z in kit markings for HMLA-367. The only aftermarket is Werner's Wings resin gun turret. The paint is Mr Color 308 and 337. The contrast between the panel line wash and the paint scheme is a little too stark for my liking, but I'm calling this one finished. A full build article and more photos can be seen here: https://jonbryon.com/kitty-hawk-1-48-bell-ah-1z-viper/ Cheers Jon

Thanks Daz Jon

Thanks Dennis and Giorgio, much appreciated! I really like this scheme, so will stick with what the kit provides and call it an N. I note that Academy got some of the decals around the canopy wrong (the ejection triangles and there should be some lettering under the RIO's cockpit, and the position of the 'S' on the intake ramp is wrong), but at least I know what I'm building now! Cheers Jon

Thanks Dennis! I don't suppose you found any good photos online...? Cheers Jon

Hi all, I am going to be building the Academy 1/48 F-4B soon and was intending to use the kit markings for the VF-111 '200' 151000 option. However, some googling has left me very confused. Most images I can find of this aircraft suggest it is an F-4N without the ECM ducts on the intakes and with a different under-nose sensor compared to what Academy recommend in the kit. I've found one shot '202' that looks similar to the boxart and appears to be an F-4B with VF-111 on Coral Sea. Did Academy get the kit decals wrong? And if so, can I simply follow the instructions, swap out the under-nose pod and call it an F-4N? Thanks for any help Jon

Thanks! Jon

Thanks. But just be clear, an AJ37 can be built, right? Cheers Jon

I'm trying to understand what comes in the box of this kit. Can any versions be built from the box other than the SK37? (Excluding decals, which I can always get from elsewhere I imagine.) Cheers Jon

I wish Mars Models would get on and release their 1/48 kit! Jon

Looks good! I've just started mine too. What's interesting is that my copy is moulded in a different colour plastic to yours - mine is a very pale grey. It's also very soft. Cheers Jon

Thanks chaps! The rivets are set AR88014 Cheers Jon

Hello All, Just finished this. It's the Monogram 1/48 AH-1S, with Isradecals decals, Werner's Wings resin exhaust and a ton of scratchbuilt additions by me. The kit has been rescribed and all the rivets are Archer Fine Transfers. The final finish is Tamiya XF-59. A full description and more photos are here: https://jonbryon.com/monogram-1-48-bell-ah-1s-cobra/ Comments welcome. Thanks for looking. Jon

These are Sky Decals: https://jonbryon.com/hasegawa-1-48-vought-f4u-7-corsair/ I found them very nice to use. I exclusively use Mr Setter as the only decalling agent. My main issue was that they really cram the markings on the sheet and because of this they are not easy to cut out. Jon

That video is fantastic - thanks for sharing! The Catalina, Harpoon and Neptune look particularly striking. If only someone made decals for them in 1/48... Jon