Jump to content

Al Gunthwaite

Members
  • Posts

    278
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Al Gunthwaite

  1. It's a long, long time since I actually built an aircraft kit, but I need a pre-WW11 FAA aircraft for a project... So, after much deliberation the Airfix Gladiator is going to be built straight out of the box and painted in a pre-war FAA finish. The only thing I intend to add is a bit of rigging and I need to decide whether I can paint some of the markings or whether to make my own tranfers - but that's a little way down the line. The idea is that this is going to be a quick build. So pics on progress soon. Al
  2. http://www.scalelink.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh00000...aSMLEAD#aSMLEAD I've got a roll of the above lead foil, but I've not used any of it. I'm very happy using the foil from wine bottles (decent quality stuff only!!) Al
  3. Hi Brews. I think your folding stock on the carbine will look fine when it's painted up. It's a shame you don't have the original arms - there is some really nice detail on them. Al
  4. Hi Brews I'm looking forward to see what you do with this. In their time the Monogram figures were way ahead of practically anything else available. I collected a few of them. This was my US Para (no jokes about it being done so long ago that colour film wasn't available!): I remember that I had the same problem with the M1 carbine - I replaced it with a Thompson. Al
  5. Hi Tony Sword have done one in 1/72 scale - I have one waiting to be built. There's a review here: http://www.internetmodeler.com/2001/march/...d_hurricane.htm Cheers Al
  6. Pics of the Twin Vickers 0.5" MGs... As I noted above a very nice resin casting found its way to me. A few alterations and a bit of extra detailing has been done. The gunner's shield has been removed (it sat between the MGs); Eduard PE 0.5" ammo belts have been added; the flash supressors on the barrels have been drilled out (I'm very pleased to have done that without breaking the barrels off!) and the linkage between the barrels has been added. A bit of extra work needs to be done before it can be painted and fitted - a bit more detailing on the roller guides for the ammo; gun-sights need to be added; some elevating rams for the guns need to be added together with a training motor. So now attention needs to be directed to the wheelhouse and deck. Al
  7. They look very much like Goggles Mk IV - first introduced in August 1940. They were the first RAF goggles with a split lense. Some were available with a polarised screen which could be swung down to shield the eyes from the sun. I hope this helps. Al
  8. Hi Keef - remove the buttons off the 'battledress' (the shape of flaps on the pockets is slightly different but not enough to worry about in 1/72 scale), and they'll do for RAF. The next release of figures will have officers in shorts that could be painted as RAF (in khakis). I've just about finished making them - I hope they will be released around February. More Coastal Forces crew are on the 'workbench' - but I wouldn't describe the animations as 'active'. Also on the 'workbench' are some WW1 RFC/RAF pilots. I'm pleased with the way they're coming along, They are a bit different and I don't think anyone has done quite what I'm trying to do with them. If they work out okay they're likely to be released later next year. The sort of scene you're describing I want to try to achieve with FAA crew to begin with in order to build on the theme of the figures I done so far. Cheers Al
  9. This will be absolutely no help to you at this point in time...but I've just started producing a range of white metal 1/72 scale figures. The whole thing started off on the basis that the figures would be aircrew, but looking at figures which are and have been produced, the whole thing kicked off Fleet Air Arm orientated (on the basis that very few had been done). However, it gets worse in that I've not actually as yet done any FAA flyers. So, RAF (and Commonwealth) bomber crew are most definately on the agenda, but after FAA figures, then some WW1 RFC/RAF fighter chaps, and then probably some more Navy personnel. My figures are generally doing what many service folk might recognise as a key part of military life - standing around waiting. Is there likely to be any call for figures in place inside aircraft? Al
  10. Huzzah! Progress is being made... The Vickers MGs for the turret/barbette have been modified and detailed (just a bit) and the sub-assembly for the guns should be finished this evening (made but not painted - that would be too rash). I shall attempt to post pictures this weekend. Al
  11. I seriously thought I get a hour or so today to make some decent progress. But it was a bit of a false hope. Anyway, some progress has been made on the Vickers MG front for the turret - a very nice resin casting has found its way to me. However, I'm going to have to alter the construction of the turret so that the ammo cans are mounted so they are fixed to the top of the turret (a bit like the real thing really). Also I don't think there's any prospect of getting the sea base finished as well as the boat - so that will be put to one side for later. Al
  12. They're exhausts. If you're not aware of them, the two volumes on 'Allied Coastal Forces of World War Two' by John Lambert and Al Ross are bibles. They deal with just about everything you would want to know and I understand that John Lambert's drawings were used by Airfix for the Vosper kit. Volume II deals with Vospers (and Elcos). They're a bit expensive (Vol II appears to start at £50 for a second hand copy on Amazon), but in my view they're well worth it. Al
  13. I think the Sweet 1/144 scale kits are superb - I've a few Wildcats and Hurricanes in the cupboard which I do intend to build as FAA. And the Wildcat kits with flight deck include the cat groundcrew! Al
  14. That's great work. I particularly like the weathering and overall feel of the boat. The base looks effective too. More RN Coastal Forces I say!! Al
  15. Well it looks like I'm committed (or perhaps that I should be). I started this project nearly three years ago (it was started as a contribution to a PT boat group build on another site). It's based upon an article in Airfix Mag in September 1980 converting the RAF Rescue Launch to a Motor Anti-Submarine Boat. The drawings in the article were copied onto sticky lablels which were then applied to plasticard to cut out the relevant bits. The new deck for the boat shown in the photos still has the label applied. The superstructure on the boat has been fabricated from plasticard. The project grounded to a halt because I couldn't find any aftermarket Vickers 0.5 MGs for the turret (stupid because it would probably only have taken me a couple of hours to scratchbuild a pair). I also became distracted producing my figures. Anyway, it's an opportune time for me to finish it. Al
  16. Am I allowed in on this? Part finished conversion of the 1/72 Airfix Rescue Launch to a Motor Anti-Submarine Boat... Al
  17. That all looks cracking stuff. The conversion articles by John Pritchard were in Airfix Magazine (The MA-SB, September 1980 and the MGB43, February 1980). I'm in the middle of doing the MA-SB, but work has halted for a temporary period whilst I've been distracted with other things. Al
×
×
  • Create New...