lampie

Hi Neil, Doing ok, keeping busy! Amongst other U.K. outlets, the new book is available from the Halesworth Airfield Museum. http://www.halesworthairfieldmuseum.co.uk/books.htm

https://ak-interactive.com/product/the-56th-fighter-group-in-world-war-ii-18th-april-1944-to-v-e-day-and-beyond/ This book covers the 56th Fighter Group during the Second World War for the period between the 18th April 1944, when the fighting element arrived at Boxted, and the 8th May 1945 when the war in Europe ended. There is also short account of post-war events leading to the group’s return to the United States and de-activation. Authors Nigel Julian and Peter Randall, respectively owners of the web sites www.56thfightergroup.co.uk and www.littlefriends.co.uk, have again joined forces to bring you the very latest in the ongoing research relating to this exceptional unit. The artwork has been selected and used to correct several profiles previously shown incorrectly in other publications, and present new images of P-47 Thunderbolts that have only very recently been identified. In total, the book includes 100 color and 336 b/w period photos, along with 40 color profiles painted by the top aviation artist, Janusz Swiatlon. Both the Razorback and Bubbletop variants of the P-47D are covered, together with the P-47M. Each limited copy is supplemented with 2 decal sheets printed by Cartograf which contain individual markings for 13 aircraft, in 1/48 and 1/72 scale. Aircraft selected as subjects for the decals are those either not previously covered by decal manufacturers, or incorrectly presented where they have been.

The last big job is done. Got a few coats of matt varnish on today, which leaves just the fiddly bits and pieces to be attached, canopy masking removed etc and shes going be finished at last. So, these are the last "in progress" photos, and the next post,(whenever that'll be) will be the finished model.

Thanks Matteo. Time to get dirty, and let all that exquisite Tamiya detail pop out. It won't take long to dry in this heat, but I'll leave it overnight to dry and get stuck in with the paper towel and cotton buds tomorrow.

About time I updated this, as I've had a bit of modelling time recently and managed to get some work done on the Mustang. First job was finishing the checkerboard nose. Then its time for the first, and only, decals on this model apart from the propeller stencils. Photos were taken while the decals were settling under microsol hence they haven't blended in yet. Then the pucker moment of splitting the decals along the cowling panel. And finally adding the drop shadow decals over the lettering. Really starting to get there now. Next job, Promodeller wash.

More progress over the last couple of weeks. All markings painted on using Miracle Masks.

Star n bar masking removed. Underside. Top views. Getting there slowly... Next job, after a couple of coats of Klear to seal the stars n bars, is the code letters.

Thanks :), Thats the beauty of this hobby,, you can build as quickly or as slowly as you want. I'm just a naturally slow builder and with life getting in the way it just means I take forever to get anything built. It makes finishing something that little bit sweeter though :). Next stage of painting on the Mustangs insignia. Mask sections replaced over the white areas,and the areas to be painted insignia blue weeded out. Insignia blue painted on, And masking removed.. Now its an overnight wait for the paint to cure and then its time for the stars n bars to be revealed.

Miracle Mask time Star and Bar masks in place. Tamiya tape, post it notes and clingfilm, and then on with the white bits. To Be Continued.....

Thanks Steve, Yeah, it attracted lots of comments didn't it? lol It's the 1/48th Tamiya kit, Loon models cowling, Lone Star keel and belly tank. Paint masks by Miracle Masks and decals from one of my books on the 56th FG which included decals in 3 scales for 7 56th jugs. (21 builds worth)

White Line Fever

http://airframed.co.uk/displaycases.htm

Cheers The engine weathering is dead easy. I just brush on a very dilute mixture of turps and burnt umber oil paint and leave it to dry for a couple of weeks. If any areas look to be a bit thickly covered I just dab at them with a brush loaded in turps until I'm happy. A little more progress with the painting today. Amazing how much difference a splash of colour makes.

On 17 months since the last update,, I really must stop rushing these builds Life got in the way BIG time but I'm now back in a dedicated mancave and getting some bench time in at last. I pretty much burned out on NMF so went looking for a change and decided on Ole Flak Joe of the 357th FG. The plane is to do this with all the markings being painted on and the only decals being on the undercarriage struts. Now then,, where were we?... Right,, Pre shaded. Underside painted NG, And suitably faded. Topside painted OD.. And after the same treatment. Masking off.

For those of you with an interest in the colour of the 61st FS P-47M's. One of these is a piece from an RAF Lancaster, painted RAF Night. The other is from a 61st FS P-47M. I'll just leave this here a while.

Liberty Belle of the 61st FS, 56th FG 1:72nd Tamiya kit, decals from the AJ Press

Finished Not my best build by far but a nice fun build to shake off some of the modelling cobwebs 😀

Just the Matt varnish and then attach the fiddly bits and she's done.

Cheers Allan The decals are included with mine and Peter Randalls book, and its the first time "Liberty Belle" has been decalled. They are in 1:72, 1:48th and 1:32. Bargain It's available by following the link, and all profits go towards running the 56th FG Museum at Halesworth. http://www.56thfightergroup.co.uk/bookshop.htm

Made a start decaling.

I've only gone and finished it!!! Now what do I do?? :-?

Not on the 61st FS aircraft. They were black overall. There's photos of black behind the cowling on 63rd M's but the reasoning is unknown.

As a rule of thumb, white trim round the red code letters on 61st M's.

I've just received on loan from the owner a couple of fairly large pieces of HV-R 44-21184, one of the 61st FS P-47Ms. Plenty of paint remains on one of them, a section from the top of the wing we believe, and there's enough of the original colour remaining, painted straight onto the bare metal. It's either plain old Matt Black, or RAF Night, with my MK1 eyeballs inclined to think it's Night. It's certainly not plum, purple or any of the other suggestions we've all read so much about.