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Hi All, As per usual on BM someone else builds and finishes a model that i'm building JUST BEFORE i do, so get beaten to the posting.... (cheers Russ! ) Heres my own Trumpy Westland Wyvern S4 of 813 Squadron HMS Eagle 1958. This was a test build for the FAA scheme 2 before my Fisher Sea Fury arrives hopefully next week.... Pretty much totally OOB, with no added extras. The kit is quite possibly one of trumpys best releases, with great detail, etch and absolutely no fit issues whatsoever. Model was painted with Xtracrylix thinned with Vallejo airbrush cleaner, and was given a Micro Satin finish. Although not in the critque corner, feel free to give me any hints and tips so i can get it totally right for the Fury! Regards as always, Chris

Thats looks awesome! As always on BM someone beats me to it posting pics of their model, of the EXACT kit and markings i'm building at the time. Mine has the drop tanks and rockets to be fitted yet, but should be up next week. Weathering looks good on this, a few pics i've seen, the RN seemed to keep their birds pretty clean didn't they? Only one little ickle thing with yours... your nav lights are on the wrong sides.... easy fix though!

Thanks for the comments guys!..... Not entirely happy, the finish definitely needs to be more flat, but never seem to get it right!! The new kit is superb. This time grey plastic, new rear rose turret is nice but only needed for the Singapore aircraft (White over black). Kit now comes with both smooth and treaded tyres. The wings and engine nacelles are apparently the new castings taken from the grand slam version, so nicer detail and better fit. ( I had no problems).........

Hi All, Sorry for being quiet recently, but been busy building this monster! Worth every penny. New Tamiya boxing of the Lanc with eduard interior, quickboost gun barrels and Xtradecal Phantom of the Ruhr decals...... Build thread: Lancaster Archive Chris

Just done a quick few "generic" banners....... with the img tags needed for your signatures. Add [ in front of first img and ] after last one..... img]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/cfleet/CAGB1.jpg[/img img]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/cfleet/CAGB2.jpg[/img img]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/cfleet/CAGB3.jpg[/img Any other requests? (and no i dont sing!) Chris

I'm IN!! My first BM Group Build! Airfix 1/48th PR9 I'll get some banners made up as well if people are interested... Chris

That looks GREAT!!! Panel lines are spot on! 2nd in line in my stash is a T7 in the yeovilton black and dayglo scheme. If mine comes out as good as yours it would be fantastic! Whats your next build?

Thanks! I discovered a new way of making them. I have posted what i discovered HERE GO ON!! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TOO!!!!!

Great shots.... one of my favourite haunts even if it does mean a bit of a trek..... Must meet up sometime!

Scottish weather and the joys of a 6 on 4 off shift cycle!

It's FINISHED!!! More Pics HERE! regards Chris

Hi everyone, Well, managed to get this beastie finished! Build thread HERE! Italeri Black Panthers IDS Kit, Flightpath Conversion, Paragon: Fin correction, slats & flaps, seats, wheels and burner cans. Painted using Xtracrylix and decals from Model Alliance. was great fun!

Hi All, Just finishing building my latest, and it needed some fabric FOD covers. In the past i have used kitchen tissue roll soaked in PVA etc. I found this usually got quite messy, and the texture wasn't always great. Recently i have had some work done in the house and the builders cut an inspection hole in the wall. To seal it whilst they were away they used some very fine but strong self adhesive allumium foil tape. You know the feeling of a bright idea...... i asked if i could have some unused tape i measured up the intake of my model and created a paper template. I checked the fit then transfered the outline to the foil. Using a steel rule i cut the covers out using a normal scalpel. i then scrunched up the shapes slightly to give them that fabric look.. As the foil is obviously metal, i then gave them a quick dust of tamiya grey primer. Now the fun bit! This tape is self adhesive with VERY strong adhesive, so only commit to attaching to the model once you have done a few test fits with the backing on. Any mishaped/cut foil can be stuck down to add to the "texture" All thats left to do is paint and detail as required. Et Voila! This took me around 30 mins and is a LOT cheaper than anything precut. Just done a quick google search and the tape is widely available in varying sizes, around £5-6 a roll, but that will last you forever and some! Hope this will be of use to some! Chris

Got all the detailing and decals finished today. Just letting the Klear cure then onto my favourite bit... washing and weathering (i think it brings the model to life!) Heres how she's looking at the moment.... Regards Chris

Sorry for the delay in any updates.... Got the model micromeshed, primed, micromeshed again then the main colours painted over the last few days. Used Xtracrylix for the MSG and Tamiya XF1 for the spine/tail. Cans were painted with Alclad Jet exhaust, magnesium and pale burnt metal...... Canopy painted, but still to be detailed with mirrors, internals and the sills are still to be added. NB speed brkes are just tacked down for painting... they will be raised! Next step is a couple of coats of Klear then decaled, washed and weathered...... then the finishing detailing touches.... (anyone got a design for fod covers? I'm going to use builders aluminium tape, just need an idea of the shape to cut... sure i've seen one flattened out on here somewhere!) heres the piccies.... and with the harsh flash... any more tips or comments greatly appreciated! Chris

Thanks for the comments everyone! Heres todays update. Got the intakes and the wing fairings attached. All that you read about the fairings being a bad fit are 100% true. Awful. The way i went about fitting them was attaching the top halves first. Then the bottom halves one the top was dry. This meant the bad fit was translated to the leading edge, a lot easier to rectify IMHO. Then more of the Flightpath detail set was added. Firstly the intake tops, these give a lot more detail than the kit surfaces. Ither bits and bobs were added, antennae fairings, swing wing sock thingys...... Also got the FLIR fitted to the underside, the attaching profile is a bit off, but nothing a tad of milliput wont fix! Also adjusted the exhaust cowls to accept the paragon resin replacements. The Dia. of the holes were too small. So a few minutes with a circiular needle file sorted that out! Also attached the reverse thrust gear mechanism. (i am now officially bored with removing resin poarts from their casting blocks!) I think its much better than the kit alternative.... I think i will leave this off until the end so it'll be easier to Alclad without much masking.......

Ok got a fair bit more dome today. Fitted the flaps to the wings and attached them to the bottom half of the rear fuselage, making sure to get a symetrical angle both sides (i left of the moving mechanism) I also attacked the first bit of photo etch work. Firstly i built up the Navs MFD units and added wiring to the rear of the displays. I must say the detail is so fine, it think it looks very crisp now having been painted flat black. I then removed the detail from the moulded panels and replaced with the appropriate etched panels. The whole cockpit was then painted, detailed and washed, and thois evening managed to get the front fuselage closed up. I also managed to get the rear all closed up. Not a bad fit, a little bit of filling, but shouldn't be too bad. Came in tonight and couldn't resist getting the two halves together! starting to look like a tonka now Hopefully get the wing fairings and intakes on tomorrow! Regards Chris

Thanks for keeping the motivation going! Got a little more done today... Prepped the right hand wing and installed the slat housing. Filled both wings, now waiting for the milliput to go off. Filled in the gun port on the left side of the forward fuselage as the GR4 doesn't carry one on that side. I also modified the mighty fin with the paragon upgrade. Not too much difference from the kit, except for a sleeker fairing leading upto the main fin. Will look at breaking out the etch next and getting the cockpit dressed up. Chris

Thanks for the heads up with regards the large decals.... i think some strategic cutting may be in order. Well i manage to cut a little bit of plastic & resin today. I'm starting off modifying the kit wings with the paragon Flaps and slats. Appropriate parts of the kit were removed and the slats housing offered up. I found that there is quite a big gap between the resin part and the kit part, if it is cut along the existing panel lines. This was fixed with a couple of shims... now got to break out the milliput! Chris

Hi all, Having missed the opportunity to get into the BM group build, i've decided to build my GR4 for the group build over at UKAR: Well i thought it about time to do my first WIP thread, as i feel this is going to be one helluva challenge! Italeri 1/48 boxing of the Black panthers IDS Tornado converted to GR4 "Shiny Two". plus LOTS AND LOTS of aftermarket bits. Heres the goodies pile Paragon: Flaps & Slats, Burners, seats, wheels, Fin correction Flightpath: GR1/1A/4/4A conversion and detailing set. Model Alliance: Decals (special scheme and stencils) I wanted to give one of David at Flightpaths conversion sets a proper go, instead of just using a drop in resin replacement cockpit. So wish me luck!!

Watching this one with interest..... having just fitted the aires 'pit to my fgr2, hopefully i might be of use if you need it.......

Thanks everyone! Good luck on finding the decal sheet! I tracked mine down to an Italian supplier Misterkit Fantastic service and has some of those "hard to come by" things! The build was pretty straight forward. The basic kit itself is very nice, with a tiny bit of flash round the back end. I'd recommend removing the arrestor hook and attaching again at the end. All the horror stories i've read about the intake joins being bad, seemed to be totally unfounded. Just take care lining them up and they'll be fine! If your fitting the aires cockpit, there is a fair bit of fettling required. Lots and lots of dry fitting, and again, you'll be fine. This was the largest replacement cockpit i've ever fitted, and if i can do it!........... Also if you are replacing the exhausts, dry fit, and dry fit again!. I thought i had it sorted, but needed to shorten the pipes right at the end, to get them in. The kit isn't as refined as some modern day kits (some thick casts, some thin) but its all part of the fun! Just built my access ladder and steps from Flightpath.... again another masterpiece from David....... some updated pics over the weekend if interested.

On detachment!..... Honest gov!

Thanks for the comments everyone! My access ladder from Flightpath arrived this morning (fantastic service and quality as always David!) so a mini kit to build and add to this. Should add a little extra to the model. Quick question, i didn't realise you would get the front access steps in the kit as well..... would you all say its worth chopping up a bit of a built model to add these? regards Chris

ha ha.... hoping no one would notice that!... wasn't until i processed the pics, did i notice they were a bit skew wiff! They aren't fixed, and can be positioned, so must have knocked one! oops!