Fishbed

Yes thats right. Can not remember dates exactly, but 1947sh Tim

Makes a change, but I've actually managed to finish a kit. My buy:build ratio is far to high. The kit was not to hard to put together. The wingtips had a bit of a re-shape and I did repace the rear canopy with a vacform I had in the spares box. Tim

OK, so hear is the situaltion. Bit of an epic this one. Sorry. I have three spitfire kits to build. 1) Fujimi Mk 14 (to end up as a clipped wing 14e) 2) Ventura IX 3) Ventura 14e Now, the Fujimi spitfire(for those who have not seen one) has been designed to maximise mould usage. The wing is supposed to have various holes drilled out so it can make a c wing or an e wing clipped or not. Fuselage has separate backs so it can be a high back or a bubble top. Needless to say this does lead to a few inaccuracies. The high-back I've done means that it is very slab sided, not that sensuous curve it should be. The IX comes with an early c wing (large bulge over cannon), with inserts to make a later one with a narrow bulge. One decal option is for a Norwegian IXe, but kit does not have the e wing. Typically the Norwegian one is the one I want to do. The 14e does have the e-wing, but was one I purchased started, so does require a bit of work to fill gaps etc (it has been striped back and parts separated again). Now the conundrum. The modeller in me says ignore the miss-shaped Fuji kit and build as a 14e (post war based in Japan with MSG overall, green camo); swap the Ventura wings to end up with the IXe (norwegian) and use the inserts to make a 14c (SEAC?), three more spitfires for the collection and use the Fuji as an example of how different manufacturers come up with different designs for the same thing and not worry. The perfectionist in me is screaming that I can not use the Fuji abomination of a fuselage. I must use the ventura 14e wing with on the IX, use the ventura 14 fuselage on the fuji wings and keep the c wing for another project (Vc?). What is a chap to do? You collective wisdome would be welcome. Whatever I will try to post updates of the progress. Tim

I remember starting one of these some years ago. Got as far as cutting the parts out and sanding them down. Trial fits showed how much work was involved and the nerves cracked. Been in the roof ever since. Tim

As usual with your builds that is (running out of adjectives here) "awesome, fascinating, incredible, marvelous, prodigious, shocking, stunning, surprising, unbelievable, wonderful " (delete as applicable) Tim

Right thats it, I'm going to have to go get the half built one I have in the roof out and finish it. I hope you are happy now that you have added to my to build pile that is not in the roof. Wiffy won't be happy with another box cluttering up the place Tim

Had the Vulcan go over yesturday on its way to the airday at Abingdon. Tim

I have one of these in the roof. Trouble is if I go up there to hunt for it, just think of all the other boxes I'll find, open, fondle, think "Would'nt take long to build this", start, ignore, put back in the roof...................... Tim

Alclad do a gloss varnish that is rather nice. Does not affect the metal finish to much. Tim

You could always do one of those in Singapore - http://images.google.com/hosted/life/f?q=S...3b968d9fd6b80bf Tim

Hi Martin, Last time we had a "spray day" with Robin from Camnet he was having problams with the latestst batch of Alclad crome lifting. How-ever after leaving to cure for a few hours rather than the minutes of the old batch, it was hard enough to restist masking tape. Tim

Yes, that is the wasps nipples. Wish I baught one all those years ago to put in the stash......................... Tim

You had better send me a list of shows you will be at so I can avoid them! Enjoy your easter eggs Tim (who is called Tim)

Knowing the misses she would probably join in! (sorry Gill) Tim

Could you tell me which varnish you have used on this? I'm trying to find one that does not take days to dry, stay sticky, go lumpy, go milky .......... Cheers Tim

I'll take your word as to it being ash :-). My father being a retired joiner (probably where the constructing instinct came from) has a garage full of odd offcuts. The knowledge of what wood is what did not get passed on. Tim

Well here is my quick (by my standards) Airfix 1/72 MkI. Used some Aviation Workshop decals to finish it off. The aluminum under the nose has come out white in the photos, ho hum. Now on to the Xtrakit Mk22 ............................ Tim

This goes beyond the unbeleivable into the realms of why do I bother! Tim

Yes Martin, you are bonkers! But there does appear to be method in your madness. Tim

A couple of quick shots (may do better some time) to vent my anger at the carpet monster. Anyone do any repelent? Just finishing the MPM whirlwind. I had saved putting the 20mm barels on till last as I know I would knock one off. Had them lined up ready to put on, was distracted for a few moments, and when I turned back one was missing. Hunted all over but it was gone. Stuck the remaining three on to save loosing them too. Anyone know where I can get a replacement? Had contemplated some from a 1/72 huricane, but the whirlwind versions have a muzzel break at the end, though hardly visable at this scale, it does make them longer. Tim

Oh, Mr Melchett, thats enough to make a man leave work early, to go grab the razor saw and milliput and start creating a masterpeice. Me jealous? You bet. Tim

Boswells (1-4 broad street so google tells me) used to do the airfix/revel range, but its been a while since I was last in there. Tim

Now that I do like. Lots. Tim

Thats nice, has that quirky look I like in a model, almost thunderbirds'esk Tim