81-er

It’s been a while since I updated this one, mainly because I’d been putting off fixing the gun after the tumble, as I thought it would be a nightmare. I was very relieved to find it wasn’t. I started with a gun that was moving freely withing the mounting, leading to odd angles like this: Initial probing had given the impression that the panel covering the gun bay was welded on, but a second go with a little bit more force actually removed it cleanly: That was a big relief as I had thought I’d need to cut it off with a razor saw, not the easiest of tasks when there’s a bump in the panel line. As expected, the gun had just separated from its mounting, and wasn’t snapped: That was glued back in place, the panel reattached, and the whole lot got a coat of black primer (apologies for the slightly blurry photo): I then laid down a mottled base to go under the paint: And that brings us pretty much up to date. I have sprayed the white band around the tail this morning, so that’ll be masked up shortly and then it’ll be on to the colour coats. I’m hoping to have the main colours on today. James

A brief update for this one, but I’ve very carefully masked off the decal on the tail and sprayed some Mr Hobby RLM 23 (the closest match I had to the red in the decal) to hide the gaps between the two decals: Looks a bit harsh in macro but looks ok in real life. I’m still trying to get the last air bubble out of the roundel on the starboard fuselage side, but when I have it’ll be time for some weathering. James

Those are both looking really nice, Roger, I do love the DAF scheme James

What a superb result! An aircraft I wasn't familiar with before the GB, and one that I'd now like to build myself one day. Thank you for joining us with such an interesting and colourful build James

That's some nice work on fitting the floats and rigging James

Welcome, Tim There's still 5 weeks left, so plenty of building time James

I thought the bubble on the underside was the bomb aimer's position? Admittedly I'm no expert on the Valiant, however. I think you've managed a nice save on the fin flash, Pete James

Nothing weird about that if it gives you the right look James

Very nice work indeed mate James

This is all looking very good, but that astronaut sculpt is really, really good James

A beautiful result, Mario Thank you for joining us with this build James

You've made a very fine job of assembling this one, Alexey, well done and thank you for joining us with this build The parts in that conversion set look beautifully detailed and cast/printed James

That's a great looking model. Adam, well done She looks fantastic alongside her older sister James

You seem to have tackled this one well, it's very definitely a Blenheim now. The Mk IV also needs huge amounts of filler between the bomb bay and the undersection of the nose. Yet more impressive research there, it certainly looks plausible that those three code letters tie up with the three destroyed aircraft. James

That's looking very nice, Adam James

It looks like an aircraft with a nicely-worn winter camo to me James

I'd say your airbrush is in tip-top form now, John, those exhuasts are really nice James

Nope, I had a massive gap on both sides there as well, which I'm (finally) almost finished with the filling & sanding on. I had a massive step between the cockpit section and the bomb bay doors too, which is still soaking up large amounts of filler. I've not got the glazing on other than the lower nose section, but I'm expecting gaps as well James

It's looking like a very nice build James

I reckon that works perfectly for the probe, Bill. Nice find on the paint, too James

Minor niggles aside (and notes made for when I do mine) she's looking good, Pete James

You definitely have done well to get three in in that scale. I promised myself that this year I wouldn't overcomit to group builds, so instead of having one model in 5 or 6 GB's, I've got myself 8 builds* going in one instead James *For those counting, yes that means there's one I've got to start a thread for still

Great to have you joining us with a third build James

The decals are really bringing this one to life James

What a superb result! A very fine example of a B-25 James