npb748r

amazing skill to make this.

I know it's 7 years away (no time at all - think back to 2013), but the RAF really don't look ready to fight a war and these are new designs !!! When you look at these type of pictures you get a real sense of the pace of development that conflict brings. Whilst there are things about living at this time that are not that good (eg climate change, etc), we have been lucky to have been alive during a period of an amazing leap in technologies on all fronts. What will the aircraft look like at an airshow in 2032 I wonder ????

I did notice he has a low tolerance level for his compressor - I think I counted at least 3 angry exchanges with it !

that's perfect, really helpful, thank you

Unc, thank you, this is really helpful, looking forward to having a proper read and try out. Much appreciated neil

Hi all, I recently got the trumpeter 1/32 SU-30MKK flanker kit - it's massive, I can't wait to get started on it. I'm hoping some of you can give me some advice though as in all of my decades of kit building this will be the first for me where the engine covers remain unpainted. I just wondered what the best approach to painting the engines are and how you get those colourful blue (I assume) heat stains randomly across the covers. Understanding how those of you have mastered this aspect of painting would be appreciated, how you do it, paints and colours used, etc and if you use any additional weathering products. I have to say, I am slightly shocked that in 50 years of modelling I've not built an aircraft with this characteristic before, or at least never attempted to replicate it as per real life. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or pointers, I did try searching in the tips section but there is so much info I couldn't see what I was looking for ! neil

where do you find all this information, it's amazing !!

thanks Graham, this is helpful, some I knew, a lot I didn't. I have no idea what his actual aircraft was, he could never recall but thought he was in B flight. Makes me realise have have much more research to do. As I retired last year I have no excuse and this will prompt me ! Just worried about that FM kit as every review and build report indicates it's a bit of a pig to build.

I am planning a build, I need to get my finger out though !! I have the FM 1/48 kit but have held off starting in the hope that someone brings a 1/32 kit - I doubt this will happen though. My dad died 2 years ago so I can't get anymore info from him unfortunately. To be honest he never talked much about what he did in the war but when he did talk it was mainly about the aircraft and his turret and guns which is why I know he had .303's. He joined 298 in late 44 after d-day and was based at Tarrant Rushton, headed out to India. Thankfully the war ended shortly after and he spent the next year or so dropping supplies to Burma before disbanding. He joined the London FireBrigade in the early 50's and left them in 1977 so I grew up listen to all sorts of adventures and all things dangerous. It's only after he died that I started to properly realise the meaning of what he did during his war/working life, I'm very proud of him and what he stood for and the kind of man he was. I will pick up Merrick's book - thanks for the tip off. At the moment I'm building his brothers ship - he died on HMS Mourne a River Class corvette that was sunk just after D-Day, Sterling models bought out a 1/350 kit last year.

the A.VII rear turrets had the standard 4 0.303's (or at least my dad's aircraft did, so I'm assuming they all did).

my dad was a rear gunner in 298 squadron and went to India with them until they disbanded. Their aircraft had no mid upper turret - as you mention it's most likely a B.III. I'm biased for obvious reasons but the halifax is the best looking 4 engine bomber and is shown off beautifully in this photo, thanks for posting Finn.

Jure, you are brilliant - thank you. It's really clear how they work, I need to change what I've done already but that will be easy. Much appreciated. neil

just started building the ICM 1/32 gladiator, so far it has gone together well, it's really great kit and very good value for money. I've been search the interweb thingy and my reference books for pictures of the seat belt attachments without much luck. I wondered if anyone knows or has access to any pictures showing how the seat belt is attached to the aircraft behind the seat. I've seen a few kit builds where the builder has attached the belts behind the actual seat and others where the belt is threaded in from the area behind the cockpit. So far I've only managed to find one picture that vaguely shows the area behind the cockpit but not in enough detail to really work out where the harness attaches to the place. Would be grateful for any help. thanks in advance neil

the weathering on that top photo is amazing, it looks just like my car which is also black and impossible to keep clean !!

my kit was delivered today, looking forward to following this before attempting it myself to see what I can learn. regards neil

hello all, I've been lurking for ages but thought I should properly join you all. Have been building kits since the late 60's, I was a prolific builder until the mid 80's, went missing from the hobby for the next 2 or 3 decades and picked up again about 8 years ago, albeit only 1 or 2 completed kits each year. My interest is 1/32 aircraft with the odd ship build on the side. I'm not that good a modeller and not a rivet counter, as long as what I build can be seen for what it's meant to be I don't worry too much as accuracy. Looking forward to learning much from all of the great builds posted. neil