Inverted

Hi all.... Right a day and a half worth of work update.... Mainly working on the fuselage. First, as i am not going to open up the nose i chose to remove the front section of the cockpit assembly to make space for the much needed added weight i've heard many talk about: In this space i have some fishing lead shot, stuffed and glued into the nose cone, and i had some rusting old screwdriver bits that have quite a weight. I arranged these in the front section so daylight can still be seen through the navs "windows". Next was to add the top coming and added a tiny bit of detail just to busy up the rear bulkhead a tad so its not completely baron: (by no means accurate!) Now the fun part. The fuselage pretty much fits itself together. I spent a fair bit of time alligning and glueing the cockpit assembly into place however, still a little filler was needed to smooth it over. I have also started to back fill the panel lines to make them much shallower/remove them. finally i have added some spacers to the bomb bay as it sets a little narrow for the part that fits at the base. some final bits of sanding of the fuselage tomorrow then on with the wings Chris

Well thought i'd better start my first GB on BM. There are so many choices as to different variants and colourschemes, but in the end i decided i wanted a PR9 in a standard scheme, as often the "specials" get built too often. As such and as a last minute decision decals from Alleycat have been ordered this morning for XH135. I will be painting her as she sits now at kemble in the Hemp scheme: I wont bother with box shots etc, as its been done lots before. I will be using the fantastic cammet control surfaces set as well as a little surgery to get rid of the kit panel lines. as hardly any can be seen on any photos i've looked at! I have started by filling the "nav windows" and repositioning (first time if cut appertures in a kit) A little tidying to be done and a second layer of filler as i have a slight recess at the moment. Not much done, but off for a few days so see what happens! One quick question.... what would be the correct bomb bay piece for 135 in 2006?? Regards Chris

Just a typo me thinks.... My subscription copy came around the end of Aug

Thanks for the help everyone! Discovered this excellent webpage. CLICKY video 2 actually shows the nose gear extending

Always good to know.. in fact the reason i asked is that i actually think the extended leg makes the phantom look pretty ugly..... short leg with associated scissor links it will be. Looking forward to it, only my second phantom, again with the aires 'pit, and i've replaced the hase decals as they look pretty thick and prone to silvering with that kinda scotch tape finish to them.... regards

Brilliant that confirms what i thought. Great pic! any others that might come in handy?? Regards Chris

Hi all, Just about to embark on a couple of RN builds, a brick and the latest hasegawa release of the navy FG1 phantom. I'm no phantom expert but just want to pick the brains of you all. Seeing some pics of the FG1, i have seen the main nose gear both extended and in its length seen on FGR2's etc. I'm guessing its only extended for the launch... is this correct? I intend building mine "at rest" with intake plugs, canopies open etc so am i correct in not using the longer nose gear? Regards Chris

Oh dear.... i discovered the website this morning. SE5a ordered. two problems: A ) I dont build WWI B ) I dont do 1/32 But just look at them! they look truly amazing! Now, time to figure what to use for the PC10 paint (aware of colour variations, fading, weathering etc) and whether i should get Mr Bob Buckle's's buckles?? Chris

Beautiful build! Inspired me to put my order in! £37 delivered cant go wrong for that kinda quality!

Thanks for the comments everyone.... i too think its a rather pretty jet! Hi, i used Xtracrylix Dark and light compass grey in the main......

Hi all My latest: Fantastic kit, superb fit and detail, probably one of the nicest revell releases! Go get one! I sourced some replacement decals from www.smds.ws who specialise in French subjects. The decals are MUCH more accurate than the kit ones, which on comparison show some major errors in size and colour. (sorry for the number of pics!!! )

Thanks for the info/tips Wez, one can but try without the knowledge

Pretty much an HC2A can be built out of the box... HOWEVER... the lumps and bumps along the sponsons arent in the kit and the IR scatter sensors? (orange parts near the rear) aren't included, so if you want the full suite either scratchbuild or you need to buy the set. Phil scratchbuilt, i haven't the skill so took the plunge. Thanks everyone for the comments! Much appreciated

Sorted!:

Oh bottom! no worries though... minor surgery should be able to fix... thanks all

Hi all.... Well following on from Phil at Promodeller's superb Wokka build, and taking so much inspiration, i decided to get myself the Italeri D kit AND the italeri detail set ( stupid price though!) and have a play with lead wire detailing and airbrushing the wash. Sorry no WIP shots as i had a slight disaster with my 4FTS hunter and dug straight into this as a therapy build Kit manufacture: Italeri Scale: 1/48 Type: Chinook CH47-D Extras used: Italeri Chinook Detail Set Paints and colours used: Vallejo model air 016 US Green, XF54 DSG, PM sand wash I detailed up the side walls as Phil did and airbrushed a sand wash over a flat base (first time i've tried this) .. have to say i think it works superbly, with a nice sandy gritty texture as well Model is of the only HC2A i can seem to find actually deployed in Kandahar at the moment ZH891 "HF" from 1310Flt. Any comment or criticism gretly received On with the pics : Regards Chris

Hi.... exactly what i'm working on at the mo The D kit will make a pretty good HC2A (not 2 easily) as it has the updated sponsons (90deg lip either end). with regard the aerial fit, the kit parts are pretty easy to modify I learnt all this over at promodeller.com Phil Flory has just finished his with a load of scratchbuilding. I'm sure the videos will be out on DVD soon, but you can subscribe to the site to get unlimited use of the vids , reference photos and the forums..... very usefull if your doing this project

Hi Martin, I was asked that further up the thread. I had heard about the potential for a poor fit, but i stumbled across a solution to the problem somewhere on the interweb. After you have built up the intake trunking, DO NOT glue it into the fuselage just sandwich inbetween the two halves. This way, when the wings are added it is allowed to move and adjust, thus helping the fuselage to wing joins. I didn't need any filler whatsoever on them Chris

Thanks for the comments everyone

I had read about that before the build. The way around is not to glue the trunking in place in the fuselage. Just let it sit there. This allows it to adjust around the intakes when installed! Top tip of the day I had no issues at all. Thats good.... starting cutting plastic on Revells 1/32 FMk6 to be painted in 4 FTS colours Thanks for the comments everyone

Uprights aren't broken, the instruction call out for them to be set at that angle. ...... whether this is correct or not is another matter! will be looking to make some FOD covers anyhow.... fiddle fiddle....

Hi All, Heres my latest off of the bench today. Kit is the 1997 Academy moulding with the aeroclub correction set (V152). This corrects the tail pipe length, gives a 1/48th bang seat and replacement cockpit tub, correct Dia. wheels and vacform canopy. I haven't used the canopy as masking an unmarked vacform is way beyond me! So i duly corrected the injection canopy by polishing out the rear most frame.... Any criticisms or comments greatly received! Painted with xtracrylix, Tamiya and Alclad....

Hi all, My first posting of pics rather than models! Headed upto Lossie today to see the goings on of the CQWI, as they have been buzzing our offshore heli's all week! Just a few Heres one to give an impression of the 14 (YES 14!) GR4's that launched within 15 mins Regards Chris

Thanks everyone for the replies........! Do you think the EDSG needs to be a little more faded? Chris

Yup its chipping... the silver after being toned down with some pigment doesn't stand out so much......