johnd

Exellent, as ever. Like others, I'm reviewing my decision not to buy Arma's IIc because of the number of others I have waiting. It also hadn't occurred to me that I could do a IIc outside of the Far East in Dark Earth/Dark Green as by 1942/3 I'd assumed they'd be in Mid Stone and Dark Earth. John.

I believe the green was Brunswick Green too. On a forum other than this, I discovered a thread asking this very same question. After much speculation, a chap came on and said that his uncle (I think) was tasked with sorting out some old filing cabinets in the offices of a paint company. He stumbled on the actual order for the paint and reported it to be Brunswick Green. I can't find it now but I think the shade was not the same one that Humbrol do. John.

Nicely done. Used to enjoy painting my white metal wargames figures (mostly ancients but a few Renaissance) in the dim and distant past. Still got them: taking up space. No-one wants to take them off my hands and I can't bear to throw them away. I suppose the painting could be finished off but there's no real prospect of taking up wargaming again. Anyway it's comforting to have them around, a link to the past. John.

Well, it was on the list so you must secretly relish the pain 😉

John.

Thanks, Jonners, ordered. I need all the help I can get. John.

This sounds interesting. Do you have a link to somewhere I could get one by any chance? Thanks, John.

Part way through the stickering now... John.

Nice one, thanks. Hope I've got one 🙂 John.

The national markings have been applied to the upper surfaces and are currently all wrinkled up and setting. Does anyone know whether Wg Cdr Skalski's Mustang had shrouded exhausts or not? Thanks, John.

The latest... Next step, the markings. John.

Well, the tape and Maskol has been removed and the results are ok rather than spectacular. Photos will be posted tomorrow as the tempus has fugited this evening. Tomorrow will involve painting on the leading edge yellow bands, a bit of tidying up and then glossing ready for the markings. John.

Evening. I've been plugging away at this but neglected to take photos, I'm afraid, largely because the only time to take them is in the evening under quite poor artificial light. It's still on track to finish by the deadline though. Here is where we are... This is my first attempt with an airbrush, hence the slow progress. I'm also trying out Maskol. You can see it on the canopy and the nose. There is also a small sliver on the green tail-plane to act as a tester on the Hataka acrylic paint. If it's fine I'll use Maskol on the rest and spray, if it isn't it's back to freehand brushing (of the hairy sort). The tape on the underside was to prevent overspray and the original intention was to do it all but I found that the low pressure I was using made it superfluous. Happy modelling. John.

not so much edges as faces... John.

I think that's a closed-off gun port to allow the fitting of the bombs. John.

Somewhat later than intended, here are the photos of where Wing Commander Skalski's Mustang is at: The primer needs a rub down and then a second coat. Quite pleased with the cockpit, should look ok through the canopy. John.

I've been neglecting this somewhat as I've just taken advantage of some brewing equipment at a good price in the sales. Now that fermentation is underway, I can finally pull my socks up and get building. The belts have been fitted and the fuselage attached to the wings, ready for the inevitable filling and sanding. Photos to follow shortly... John.

Another for Swann Morton. They're sharp, they last and are readily available. John.

They do. A tip for if you want to model some still intact is to use bits of Rizzla paper, painted. The best to use are the super-thin in a silver packet. Be prepared for some funny looks, though, as these are the ones used by those who prefer "non-regular" fillings in their roll-ups. John.

Great, thanks! John.

Hi, does anyone know whether W/C Skalski's Mustang III, FZ152, was finished in US or British colours? Thanks, John.

I have a way out of sorts, in that I have the Hobby Boss transfers for the same aircraft but hopefully it won't come to that. The Decal Film did the trick last time but I'm not complacent 😟 John.

Thanks! I used them once before and one broke up on me. This time I'm prepared and will use Microscale Decal Film. John.

First progress update on the build... The propeller was taken from an Airfix Mustang IV as it's a bit more refined than the supplied one. The undersides have had the "clam shell" doors stuck on in the up position and the mounting points for the weird rockets supplied in the kit have been filled with some plastic rod. A coat of white primer didn't go on too well so was removed with some vodka (nice to find a use for it). I have some steel belts from Eduard to try out on that, on the off-chance that they'll be seen through the canopy. Shame there aren't any AM control columns to be had, though. John.

Well, wonders never cease. I found it! For reference, the part comes in a small polythene bag tightly folded and taped. Why, I will never know but Plan B can stay on the shelf for a little longer. John.