fightersweep

Hi Ramesh; I'm afraid the bus got sold two weeks after my first post early last year. I hadn't even considered selling it as I had only just finished it. Didn't even enter my head, but someone popped up out of the blue and made me an offer I couldn't resist. Thanks John! I grew up in Westcliff (Electric Avenue and Southview Drive). Haven't lived in the area for over 25 years now. My parents are still there, and I'm always shocked at how overcrowded and busy it all seems now. I do miss the place, but only the place that I grew up in in my memories. Cheers; Steve

They were originally toys as these Hobbyboss kits are the ex Century Toys 1/18 pre built/painted models (with a minor amount of assembly required): Now available in kit form. although I think they are a bit overpriced. My boy had the Fw-190D-9 many years ago, and to be honest, it wasn't that bad. The boxed "toy" versions fetch silly money now. So as long as you know what you're getting into with these, they can make a good canvas for something pretty special. Lot of elbow grease though. Steve

I do like MikroMir and their subject choices a lot. Don't usually do 1/48, but I'm definitely having this to go with my Lufthansa Ju 52. Can't wait!

I'm not familiar with Air Graphics, but if they do release an Anson T/C.21, I'm having it! Fingers firmly crossed! Steve

That's entirely subjective though. Mundane to you, but not others. To say it's "still a Spitfire kit" is being a bit disingenuous. Sure, it's a Spitfire, but if I want to build a Mk I, probably the most famous mark and the most recognisable, then the only choice up until now is the old 1967 Revell model. I've got a 1/32 collection of Battle of Britain types waiting in the wings. The most obvious hole in the stash is the Spitfire. Heck! I've even got a decent Hurricane in the shape of the Fly kit. The only other obvious gap is the Do-17 and Defiant. Sure there's the Tamiya Mk VIII, IX and XVI, but it isn't a Mk I. Same could be said for the Griffon engined variants. Practically ignored except for the old Matchbox Mk 22/24 and the hen's teeth Pacific Coast kit. Maybe for some, perhaps any old Spitfire kit isn't what is wanted. Don't get me wrong, I love the pre war and WW1 stuff too. But is a Martynsyde Elephant a good choice for a fledgling company's first release in 1/32 scale? I doubt it. Whether we like it of not, WW2 sells, and I'll be buying this Spit because I want it, and secondly, because strong initial sales may lead to Kotare releasing that Defiant, and maybe that DH 5. This really isn't about imagination, or lack of it, but sales.

The previously mentioned Southern Expo 1/32 Hornchurch sheet has Brian Carbury's markings included. Steve

Thanks for the info. I only managed to pick up one WNW kit, the Sopwith Snipe, and that was fairly early on. I'd been under the misconception that you could only order direct. Steve

That's kind of the price I had in mind too. I wonder if, like WNW, these will only be available direct from Kotare?

...And a great decal sheet it is too, especially for a RAF Hornchurch nut like myself. Still got my 1/32 sheet. I've been lovingly guarding it for the right kit to come along. I had my hopes on the Revell kit, but I think this Kotare Spit will be getting the Expo decals now.

Totally agree! I'm still surprised that Tamiya didn't fill the Mk I shaped gap in the market. I had a lot of hope pinned on the Revell announcement, but felt totally underwhelmed when the kit arrived. If only it had been up to the standard of the P-51 that followed. Looks like that gap in the market is about to be filled at last. Time to get saving!

Sweet! I know it's another Spitfire, but we don't have a good early Spit in 1/32. The Revell kit leaves a lot to be desired, and I have a feeling this new kit will sit well next to the Tamiya VIIIs, IXs and XVIs. Al Deere's "Kiwi" as well! Naturally. Think I'll need at least two. Steve

Nice job sir and also nice to see an Arado 96 too. Always had a soft spot for the aeroplane. Not long ago finished the Heller Ar-96B myself and currently have an Special Hobby Ar-96A on the go. How did you find the fit of the Special Hobby kit? I'm already discovering some potential issues after trying to dry fit the fuselage halves together with the cockpit in place. Steve

Don't see my name on the list, so sign me up please!

Fantastic B-17G with a lovely finish, and nice to see a 381st BG ship from Ridgewell. Used to explore the place back in the 90s. Still got some of the bits found there, including some 1944 dated Coca Cola bottles. If I remember correctly, the only 8th heavy bomb group to stay in Essex throughout the war. Steve

Wow! That's stunning and beautifully finished.

Well, if the overall shape is close enough I might consider one for some scratch building/super detailing fun.

@2996 Victor I do recall those Heller kits. Glad to hear you've discovered the joys of Heller nostalgia. There's a lot of gems amongst their back catalogue along with some unusual types and some downright munters to add a touch of fugly to anyone's kit collection. The Amiot 143 is a given, and similar to the LeO in what to expect in the box. The Bloch 210 is a gem and the new boxing is well worth picking up, especially at the £14.99 I've seen it for regularly. Must admit that I hadn't realised what an impact Heller had on the impressionable young me back in the very early 80s, but I'm very glad to have re-discovered them. Glad we're staying en Anglais! My repertoire of schoolboy French is equally limited and what I did learn would be utterly useless, unless I want to find the local swimming baths or declare that I'm 13 years old. Then again, perhaps I haven't actually grown up that much. I did however manage to learn all the naughty words which we often threw into the mix in French lessons for another well earned detention. Steve

Did someone say Heller? I'm onboard for this one. Strangely, the Leo is one Heller kit missing from my stash. Probably because I got dazzled by all the other slab sided, barn door beauties in their bomber range. I'll be following the build with much interest and probably getting my wallet out (again!) at the end of it. I'll even try and keep up if the thread goes all French language, although all I can remember from school is how to get my dog to the town hall to buy him a ham sandwich. Oh! And if the page count goes over 10, I'll be lost. Cheers! Steve (That LeO build on Heller Forever is stunning!)

Thank you for the extra information gents. Much appreciated. I've got photos of the aircraft from late August 44 sans the AS27/AN5, but the next clear photos I have are from May/June 45 with the antenna fitted. So if I can find out when Deenethorpe changed systems, I'll be about right for the mod date. Edit: I've just been informed that Deenethorpe had a SCS-51 landing system fitted in late 44/early 45 replacing the Air Ministry SBA installation. So that answers my question as to roughly when the AS27/AN5 would have been fitted. Thanks all again! Cheers; Steve

@72modeler Thanks for the info and help. The B-17G I'm building is a block 35 Douglas built aircraft. I've got photos of her up until August/September 44 without the antenna, but photos taken in May 45 with the antenna fitted. I guess this would have been a field mod, and was wondering if it was done ad hoc, or if there was a general order to have these fitted at some point. If I'm right in thinking this was for the use of localiser and glidescope,, then I wonder if new systems being installed at the airfields necessitated the modification. Cheers; Steve

Hi all; Quick question. Just been looking at the photos I have of the subject of my 1/48 HK B-17G build. I noticed that in photos taken towards the end of the war, the B-17 I plan to build had a boomerang antenna fitted on top of the fuselage just aft of the nose blister. This fitting wasn't evident in photos I have of the same aircraft in August 1944, so I was wondering when the antenna would have been fitted. No doubt as part of an equipment upgrade, but I would be interested to know when these upgrades took place. Thanks in advance; Steve

Hi all Up for pre-order from Buchon Scale Models, a 1/24 scale Spitfire Mk IX and Mk XVIe conversion set for the Airfix kit (and possibly Trumpeter kit) Link to the Mk XVIe set here: https://www.buchonscalemodels.com/products/1-24-supermarine-spitfire-mk-xvie-resin-conversion-kit Progress can also be found on the Buchon Scale Models Facebook page. What's been shared so far looks to be very good! Also been told that a 1/24 Buchon conversion is on the cards for the Trumpeter 109G. Steve

Fantastic job! The Bluebird looks amazing and really appeals to my love of 70s Japanese cars. Great finish and choice on the colours. Red with a vinyl roof. Just how I like em! Damn! I think I need to buy another Bluebird now. Steve

I didn't mean to say that the Tamiya kit is in any way less refined than the Airfix kit, only that Airfix gave the option of dropped flaps and got the wheel well right. Two things I would have thought Tamiya would have picked up on. Despite that, it's still the nicer kit in many other ways. Either way, there's still room for another new kit. Nice Pony by the way! Steve

For it's age, the Hasegawa Mustang is still pretty decent kit in my books