Snafu35

Good evening, Martian. You've done a very thorough job of improving the site.👍 I notice that you've added a partition between the pilots and the upper office. The photos don't show anything like that: But perhaps a version of PBM with such a partition exists on your planet... First of all, have fun in modelling. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Martien, As the subject of toilet seats has been dealt with extensively, I won't be of any help on this point. I've mislaid (or deleted?) the folder containing my research on the PBM Mariner. I went on the Internet to find some photos. I went on flickr, facebook, and others, and here are some interesting details. The PBM has a double flap under the bow, which the bomber opens to take aim: The shutters are open here: Here we have the inside of the front tip: The portholes provide some light. The bomb aimer and front turret have disappeared. The following two photos were taken from the same angle, from the gangway on the left towards the front with the starboard boarding door open. The anchor is stored behind the forward wall on the right. I couldn't find a photo of this detail (which I didn't mention in my Mariner). The crew installed a cleat or mooring bitt at the door to secure the rope. Finally, I also found a photo of the staircase leading to the upper floor: Have fun in modeling! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

As for me, I'd love to build a PB2-Y Coronado...Mach2! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Martian, Here's a job that's going to be very interesting. Good luck with the rest. I built the PBM Mariner Mach2: (It's perhaps a little too deep in the water. OK, we'll say it's full petrol! And the two shades of blue merge, unfortunately.) You can imagine that you can't see anything when you close the fuselage! I built the interior and the first floor: The stairs go up between the navigator's table and the electronic cabinets on the left side. I was also inspired by the photos of Eduard 73499 PBM-5/PBM-5A interior S.A. Minicraft: I couldn't find a photo of this staircase, just a model maker's interpretation: I dropped the diorama a few months ago (two kilos of transparent resin to represent the sea, that's heavy!). I can see the kitchen again, which I haven't finished fitting out: That still leaves me with fish: Have fun in modelling! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Bootneck, You have put together a great proposal for forum members, well done! The lorries are photographed from a distance, but what I see is very attractive. But I only do American trucks to go with my B17 have a look here: https://militaryscales.com/shop/chevrolet-class-135-crash-truck/ https://militaryscales.com/shop/fire-truck-class-110/ Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello, We can now find 3D printing model designers on the Internet. I acquired two fire engines that were used on the airfields of the 8th Air Force during the Second World War. The first is a Chevrolet class 110 fire truck: Here it is at 1/72 scale: The second is a Chevrolet Class 135: Regards, Eric-Snafu35

I think that, generally speaking, the prevailing mood is for creators to push for the unbelievable, even if it means compromising with reality and the veracity of the story. The aim is to keep the versatile spectator on the edge of his seat. I found the last part of the 1990 film Memphis Belle a little 'too much', because the director wanted to accentuate the drama of the story. I won't shy away from discovering this series when I get the chance. I'd like to get a feel for life on the base and see in this series the whirlwind of service vehicles that accompany our models: Federal fuel trailer and wrecker, Chevrolet 110, 135, clubmobile, WC 54 ambulances, maintenance scenes... all images that would encourage us to make dioramas. The actors aren't Band of Brothers calibre, the CGI distorts the flying fortresses, combat damages seem unrealistic, and the little boyfriends are all Afro-American pilots?... Have fun in modelling Eric-Snafu35

Hello Ratch, It's a great job on this Matchbox model, well done! 👍 The setting photos immediately create a lot of interest, because it's a change from the usual array of photos. You're going to make people want to make dioramas, that's excellent. I like the idea of sticking figures on the same transparent base, because you can move the figures around and create other dioramas with other planes. I say all this because I also have this Norseman in my stock, and I plan to make dioramas like you. And I haven't yet watched the TV series that's on at the moment. Thanks for sharing. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Neil, it is a great job, again.👍 It is clear that you're always on the top of the ladder of excellence! I am reluctant to use oil-based juices on my all-aluminium bombers. I am always afraid of getting the finish too dirty. But you know how to dose this exercise. Have you used a Raw umber? Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Derek, I always love it when a B17 is presented in model form. This one is really nice. I was thinking of buying another Revell, because it is a good kit (shapes respected, not too many parts...), however I was weak; I bought the HKM kits. Your Belle looks great. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello all, I thank you all for your kindly words. Hello Neil, I wanted to enjoy myself above all, and that Is why I took the time to build this fairing F1 trailer. As you can see, this modification is easy to do. And I would be extremely flattered if you could get hold of one or more copies of Fédéral 605, because... I'm the author! To impress a friend who loves this truck, I thought that i would build one and duplicate it in resin. I started by doing some research and drawing up some plans, I used a REO XS-28 profile too, and added a correct cabin, a correct bumper, air brake cylinders, starter motor... ( I now know almost everything about this Federal truck, which was also built by REO, Biderman, Sterling... ) I thought of the construction as a model maker for other model makers. Then I met a French craftsman who makes magnificent castings. ( Note that the craftsman did not keep my wheels.) Oh yeeah, the Hercules HXD engine is here too! It became an obsession to build the truck you can see on US airfields in the UK. And last year I completed the collection by offering the Federal 6066-C2 with curved crane and the 606 D with eighteen-feet crane: This is not my job, and I do not advertise on my behalf. The product belongs to the French craftsman DESKit and he is offering it for sale. It is not a 3D-printed product, just good resin that does not break very much. And if you watch the series Master of the Air, you will probably see some on the airfield that represents Thorpe Abbot... Sorry if this message is too long or if you consider it inappropriate, you can delete it. Have fun in modeling. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello, I'm glad to see this post back in the news. I built this B17 more than three years ago, now My Flying fortresses collection has grown since then, and now I'll be able to play the Master of the Air TV series! Hi, ND417 I dressed an F1 Airfix trailer by looking at photos: So I have a more varied fleet of fuel supply trucks, now: Thank you for dropping by on this old message, georgeusa! I really appreciate your appreciation. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Mickael, I'm proud to say that I'm the creator of these models, which are now moulded and sold by DESKit. My approach was to create a challenge for myself. Since these models do not exist in 1/72 scale, I might as well make them. So I used my modelling skills to make the parts so that the modellers could assemble them easily. Making and selling models is not my job, I prefer to build them! Today I have added the Federal 605, the REO XS-29, the Federal Wrecker 606-C2 and 606D, and the 600gallon petrol trailer to the DESKit catalogue. You can see that my creations revolve around the subject of US airfields. I met this craftsman at an exhibition and was impressed by the quality of his casts. I've also suggested a range of American mechanic and pilot figures, with extra headbars. Note that I have done this out of passion, that I am not advertising for my own account, but simply to share things that were very difficult to find in a 1/72nd model. Apart from the box of Preiser American pilot figures, is there any other product that would go with this theme? Thanks for reading. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Good morning, All. I introduced you to the Federal 606-C2 wrecker with a 15-feet curved boom: Now here's the Federal 606D with an 18-feet straight boom: This model is available from French craftsman DESKit, and a real one will be featured in the Master of the Air series. I'm currently building two Chevrolet class 110 and 135 trucks that were used by firefighters on US Air Force bases. These are 3D-printed models from Military Scale. I will be showing you the finished models soon. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Good evening everyone, Thanks to all the forum members who stopped by and left a note. Plop, finished! I've illustrated the zips on the covers of the chin guns: In the photo below, you can see the cooling air intake holes for the oil coolers, which I dug out and partitioned off: I used Revell vent rings behind the Quickboost cowlings for variety in my B17 collection. The Academy-moulded position lights are fine for a B17E, but not for a G. So let's have another go: At the rear, I added the cargo bay opening lights and a tarpaulin around the machine guns: A small detail has been added to the exhaust pipes: the movable flap: It's stupid but it amuses me! another detail on the side balconies: a tarpaulin here too: Bonus: To sum up: I bought several copies of this Academy model, because I could then graft a stinger turret onto this kit (resin casting of the transparent parts of the B17F of the same make). Today, the Revell model offers a model with this stinger position. Academy first offered an E and D model, before proposing an F and G. However, the engine cowlings are still E models (we're 'rationalising' the moulds? 😕 ). Not good, then. But we'll settle for that, especially as Quickboost offers the same cowlings with a larger recess. The oil tank on the front strut is a position for a B17D, or even an early F model. There are no air intakes for the oil coolers between the engines. Of course, I could come back to the dihedral of the wings. Some details need to be rectified, such as the experimental scoops on the exhaust pipes. The Academy engines are to be forgotten. I will now continue with Mount'n Ride. Regards, Eric-Snafu35