Eric B.

Hi all, That is my latest build, an Academy OV-10A Bronco. I always liked the Bronco very much, probably because of it is a twin boom, twin engine aircraft at a time when jet fighters ruled. Il also like its low nose, high tail aggressive stance, just like a cat preparing to pounce on it's prey (well I know it's a poney!!) The Academy Bronco is nothing but a partly engraved copy of the very old Hasegawa OV-10 model that dates back to 1968-69. Very old, undetailed, providing the ugliest 1/72nd scale wheels in the industry (along the Matchbox Twin Otter wheels) - just like shirt buttons, not more. That is the second time one of my models started around wheels. I really had a problem with theses wheels and I decided to give it a go as soon as I knew about the Reskit Bronco wheels release... First time I started with wheels was my Italeri A-26K Counter Invader - using True Details KC-135 Wheels. Here are some shots of the finished model : A few words describing the building process and main corrections : * use of Reskit wheels * CMK Cockpit et engine parts (engine fairing fronts/intakes and open engines) * Quickboost propellers * 150 gallons Aero 1C fuel tanks : kit external fuel tank is not the correct shape and size. My 150 gallons tank was stolen from a Hasegawa F9F-6 Cougar kit. * Landing gears : Front landing gear > original wheel was cut and fork was carved to receive Reskit front wheel. Main gears > were detailed - 50% using kit parts, 50% scratched using Monogram F-4 landing gear jacks and plastic bits + brake lines. * Decals are the excellent AOA decals. Great design, great print and film, great information booklet that was even used as Bronco documention (radio gear, weapons..) - I choosed #8 aircraft (RA-8) from VS-41 Shamrock squadron as seen at NAS North Island in 1969. * Engraving additionnal panel lines, adding a few structure details from plastic card for raised skin details, cargo hold hinges and handle, antennaes, position lights, mid cockpit body frame, inner and outer cockpit windows handles, additionnel cockpit details... * Photoetched parts (cockpit details, windshield wiper... * Brass pitot tube * Adding folding ladder fairing front right lower fuselage - Removing all four step spring doors on the aircraft front left fuselage and adding a fifth step on the right. Broncos cockpit access was assymetrical from the right only although windows opened symetrically on both sides. A few additionnal pictures Modeller Karma : just came to learn, a few days before completion of this model ICM is to release modern 1/72nd scale Bronco kits later this year. Next, sunlight photographs Eric B.

Thank you all, really, @François, long time I wanted to try modelling an FAA aircraft. I started with the Martlet but might well want to go on with a Corsair ou Hellcat. @George, thank you really motivating . The Airfix Wilcat/Martlet is a nice simple little kit. I like the way it offers both folded and spread wings @Ian, that is why I like to shoot photos in daylight too. Photos are brighter and lighting is natural. Nice if it also shows details better. Eric B.

Hi I normally close my little building projects with daylight pictures. Weather is improving, sun is a bit higher in the sky now which allowed to shoot a series of pictures. Here are some additionnal/terminal photos... Cheers Eric B.

Hi John, If I may, and if memory serves, you'll need to file cylinder heads for them to fit into engine ring (cowling). Again, well detailed and beautifully moulded parts with the same "a few tenth of millimeters issue" that translate into fitting issues. Not a difficult job but very upsetting when you need to do that filing after engine is painted and lovingly detailed. Try first with this kit All the best.... Eric B.

Hi, Weather having improved recently, I was able to take some newer pictures, daylight pictures, what I usually do but failed to do with my latest kits. Eric B.

Thank you very much Grze... also for confirming colours as I may have some plans building a D.520. Merci very much, Patrick 😉 Hi MacAlain - I was not sure if some were exported - So to Greece at least. Thank you all for your kind motivating words. Eric B.

Hi, First one I can see built and it's very nicely done. Also very pleased ClearProp release this kit - and what a kit. Congratulations. Eric B.

Hi Francois, My turn! Very well done. Ki-84 can well be my favorite WW2 Japanese fighter too (or at least IJA fighter). And with the sharp Arma Hobby kit... A pleasure to watch - Congratulations. Eric B.

Hi François, These colours might exist is other model colours ranges but here are the mixes for Gunze Acrylic colours : * Dark green : H304 Olive Green 80% - H4 Yellow 10% - H303 Green 10% - Alternate proposal is H73 Dark Green 100% * Burnt Brown : H84 Mahogany 50% - H17 50% Chocolate * Dark Blue Grey (upper surfaces) H56 Intermediate Blue 60% - H11 White 40% * Light Blue Grey (lower surfaces) H67 RLM65 Blue 50% - H11 White 50% Thank you George.... Best regards

Hi John, Thank you very much. Saw your own effort over here - Trick is prepare all parts - try fitting before gluing... Hello François, Thank you. All paints are Gunze acrylics mixes and are airbrushed. I will look for the mixes for you and will be back later. Thank you dearly, Herb - My pleasure. Eric B.

This is not a bad kit at all if you ask me. Very sharp. I personnaly hate to work on some type of undefined short run models with no locating pins, lot of filing and filling (think some well known brands). This is not the case with this model. Parts are well cast, sharp, well detailed - only they need to be adjusted and this type of work is well within my technique. Work is quite straightforward and predictable - True it is less confortable than building a - say - Eduard kit. Eric B.

Hi John, I see you! 😄 This is the basis for a very nice and sharp little kit, probably better than anything that has been released before in 72nd scale. But nearly every single frame part needs to be adjusted. The rest is good, sharpness, détails, panel lines. Yes, indeed, engine is tilted to the left Be of good courage 😉 Eric B.

Hi Really a nice conversion here! It is really inspiring and it is a far better scale DC-10 than anything I have seen from dedicated 1/144th DC-10 models before (Revell, Airfix...) By the way you just urged me ordering an EE DC-10. Beautiful build! Eric B.

Really beautiful and inspiring!! I remember building one centuries ago (well previous century!) and I even have one in kind of a spare box (along a Matchbox Norseman - both not the kind of stuff I work on any more normaly). I am not sure I even expected it was possible to build anything good with that kit. Well now I know, though I am not sure I know how. Congratulations. Eric B.

Hi, I once read the IVP project was to be New tool and was to be released under the Modelsvit name. So I was hoping for Modelsvit quality. I was like 2 years ago. Now the project remains an A&A project I just hope it's not just a development of the original IVA moulds. I once had the A&A Mirage IVA and sold the kit because I was not satisfied with it. I will wait for further development, information and reviews before moving to it.. Eric B.

Hi, Hello all. Thank you dearly. @Pete : wondering, I might well try to present it on a small deck with one figure or two, just for the on the deck touch. Not how I generally present my completed models, but as a first FAA and first folded wing model, I can add somethinh new 😉 Cheers Eric B.

Hello andy, Thank you dearly for your kind words. I must admit that I am not very educated about FAA "Wildcats" and "Martlets". I originally thought I should cement the fuselage lenghening ring, eliminate any gap then rescribe a thin panel line. I luckily had a look here at Britmodeller for some Airfix Martlet IV building tips. That is how I found the join line should disappear completely. 😃 I think I used superglue (Cyano cement) to cement and fill ring gap. It dries fast, hard, and allows smooth filing and some engraving. Thank you too for your remarks about the cockpit scratch. Just a few bits of plastic card - cut or punched - stretched sprue etc... I wanted to add details to the cockpit in the easiest and most economical way. Rest was paint... Oops sorry I did not take time to shoot any photo of completed cockpit. I'll try detail pictures with a better camera for my final sunlight photographs. Paints are mostly Gunze or Tamiya acrylics. Extra Dark Sea Grey mostly is H305 (ie FS36118 Gunship grey) with a drop or 2 of white, grey... Slate grey is a mix of about 80% H52 (an Olive Drab if memory serves) and 20% H307 (Compass grey). Sky is another mix based on Gunze H74 with drops of white or Sand. I think I never sprayed any exact colour twice, just to have a mix of aspects on different areas of the model. That is how I started weathering. You have the idea.. Best regards Eric B.

Hello all, First I need to apologize, I have been lazy lately on photographing, using mainly my smartphone to shoot pictures. Easily at hand reach, light etc... So this is my Airfix Martlet IV. I needed an easy project, all from the box or scratch plastic, no aftermarket decals... in the end I just used resin exhausts I had bought earlier for another project. This is my first FAA aircraft model. I also wanted to use the best advantages or the Airfix Wildcat mouldinds. I had Arma Hobby boxes (sharp, accurate, detailed kit), Hasegawa boxes (sharp, simple and I have some nice and good aftermarket to upgrade the cockpit/wheel bay areas) and Airfix boxes in my stash (F4F-4 and Martlet IV). In my opinion, the Airfix is a nice little kit but I thought the F4F-4 version was no challenge for the Arma or Hasegawa kit (well Hasegawa?). I ended up giving the F4F-4 box to a fellow modeller. Best advantage of the Airfix kit is possibility to build it with folded wings (yes I know the DML boxing based on the Hasegawa kit) AND possibility to build a Martlet IV version with the short engine cowling. So here we go Martlet IV and folded wings. No aftermarket does not mean no trying to upgrade cockpit a bit... Some care was needed to cement wing in place - If I had to build another one I would probably add some pins or locating rods. And that is the end result. I will try to shoot newer photo in daylight conditions and with a better camera. Best to you all. Season greetings. Eric B.

Hi Remi, Congratulations : it turns really sharp. Beautiful modelling. Eric B.

Hi all Gorgeous Twin Otter. The front fuselage correction really makes the job. This DHC-6 probably is the sharpest and most accurate looking I have seen in 1/72nd scale. Congratulations. ERic B.

Hi Very nice build and I am learning the Zvezda B-737s are not that perfect. I did not know about the engine fit being that poor. I'll have to take care of this issue when building one. As for the wing warping, some of my B737-800 kits have the same warp, it seems some of my B737-800s, B737-700s or B737-8Max are less plagued with this problem. Wings are very sharp, plastic is quite soft but it makes me wonder if it could be my earliest bought Zvezda B737s that have this problem. Just wondering. Congratulations for this new beautiful model. Eric B.

Hello, I'd expect the same... Eric B.

Hi, Perfect liveries for me.. Good choice Can't wait! Date? 😃 Eric B.

HI, I am discovering your presentation late, just now... I have to say I really like it. Very nice effort. Really enjoy 2 initial photographs and I had to guess what it was. Colored and B/W versions of the same photograph and therefore actual aircraft twice ?? model twice ?? Until I found out some background details differ. Skilfull modeling and shooting. Best Eric B.

Hi Julien, It was sincere. Really nice! Daylight photographying at it's best. I love it. Thank you for your information. I have seen several printed taxyways but this one looks well printed and it is large enough to frame a B737-800. Interesting. Best to you. Eric B.