mack

I also thought about it but photoetched base color (brass) is not right. As for the KP kit, I had both and, in the end, a kitbash between the two is an interesting idea. Pity Eduard photoetched sets are no longer available… Best regards, Iulian M.

some work on the cockpit, collective not yet in place:

Thank you for your feedback. Although boosted by the flashes I used for the photo session my model ended up too glossy... you should definitely give it a try with the P.7 as both original Polish markings and Romanian ones are offering interesting options. My eyesight is not that sharp and in 72nd scale the Polish P fighter series is a tad too small. Nevertheless, I also have the P.7 from Arma Hobby in my stash – the “deluxe” set, so actually a couple of kits – that I also intend to build as Romanian Royal Air Force machines. Sometime in the future… Best regards, Iulian M.

I’m not an expert on Romanian Air Force camouflage colors and my opinions are only based on “common industrial sense” and logic. Moreover, my opinions are sometimes against mainstream – e.g. not so many are supporting the idea of British paints on our P.11c; mainstream supports the German RLMs. Apart from IAR-80 and locally produced P.24’s, when dealing with 2 colors upper camouflage of Romanian Air Force machines of other origin than German during WW2, most opinions are supporting the idea of 2 shades of green. The somehow angular demarcation pattern in the image above indicates a German splinter inspiration so RLM 70/71 over 65 seems quite reasonable. Best regards, Iulian M.

The side door from the kit was sandwiched between the two photoetched parts; after all the necessary filling and sanding the paint will be touched-up:

Hi, As often the case with WW2 aeroplanes, the colors of the Romanian PZL P.11 are a matter of debate. You know for sure that Romania never had P.11c “of its own” and all machines of this subtype were former Polish Air Force ones. According photographic evidences we can say with a certain degree of certitude that initially, the P.11c interned from Poland in the autumn of 1939, were having Romanian roundels painted over hastily obliterated Polish chessboard (and any other original identification markings) without a complete respray. As what paint was used for this “touch-up” we can only make educated guesses. That would be the 1st “Romanian livery” for the P.11c. Prior 1941 eastern campaign, machines were overhauled, completely resprayed and new pro-Axis identification markings were added. The light color on fuselage underside (as opposed to dark one in the original Polish scheme) supports the idea of a complete respray. Some sources are indicating camouflage colors similar to German RLM 65 / RLM 64 but British paints (Dark Green / Sky Blue) are also to be considered as the locally produced IAR-80s and also licensed P.24s were so painted. That would be the 2nd livery. My model uses Vallejo Model Air corresponding to British paints. After their involvement in the initial phase of the 1941 campaign the surviving P.11c (alongside 11f and b) were relegated to training duties. Starting 1942 Romanian aeronautical manufacturing and maintenance facilities were starting to use imported German laquer paints. At this point, British paints are out of the question. That’s what I call the 3rd livery. Regarding Potez 651, as of today there is no monography on the topic. If you’re interested, I can recommend you a FB community that might provide you some useful info. Best regards, Iulian M.

dressing up the interior: and some highlight of the details:

I've decided to paint the cargo photoetched parts on the frame and also the area around the side windows in camouflage color (masking bulged round windows might generate issues latter on); actual windows glued afterwards with epoxy resin:

Hello, Started to work on the Mil Mi-4, HobbyBoss 1/72 kit some times ago; decided to show you my progress. Kit with several Eduard photoetched and masks sets (interior, exterior, cargo bay) and a decal set from a Romanian supplier; my intention is to create an "all doors open" model with some basic scratch improvements. That being said, "the stuff pile" looks like this: Started by removing some nasty ejector marks on the cargo bay celing (the only plastic part not treated in the dedicated photoetched set); before and after: The machine has a nice landing light in the nose; kit representation is far from convincing: My effort spoiled by epoxy glue leaking inside the light (an aftermarket headlamp designed for some 1/48 vehicle but fitting nicely the size): Eduard photoetched dashboard is not matching the kit plastic base; decided to make a new one from scratch including the textile hood and frame (visible on the original and not represented in the kit):

Hello, Latest addition to my "done and dusted" list: PZL P.11c. Arma Hobby expert kit, painted with Vallejo Model Air, decals from spare box. Model represents one of the interned Polish airplanes that were pressed into service (Aeronautica Regala Romana – Romanian Royal Air Force) alongside locally produced P.11f, used at the beginning of the eastern campaign (summer 1941) and latter transfered to training duties. Comments are welcomed.

I wasn't really interested in the O-2 till I saw this; simply gorgeous! Just added the Portuguese O-2 on my "to do" Is there a decal set available?

Very nice model; congrats! I have one in my stash and you just triggered "my Draken rush". Can you please tell me what Model Air paints have you used for the upper cammo? Regards, Mack

lovely drawing, thank you very much for sharing it. I think we all agree (that) the prototype could not have used the same shape for the former.

What I wanted to say was... not flat as a planar surface, but straight in transversal section; the width of the top line - just behind canopy - being fractionally smaller than the top flat panel of the sliding segment and then gradually decreasing and disappearing towards the fin leading edge. Overall, the transversal section of the rear fuselage top deck should have been (on the prototype) more or less trapezoidal, at least for the first 30-40% of the length; and so significantly different from the one seen on the latter airframes (which is more or less ogival). I personally consider it would have made more sense to treat the section in that way considering the geometry of the sliding hood of the prototype. Moreover, the polygonal segment that lies under the hood and links towards the pilot seat would have been a straight forward geometry. For sure, it is only my educated guess. Regards, Iulian M.

Hello, For long I was wandering how the "prismatic hood" on Hurricane prototype was matching the curved (or multi faceted) transversal section of the fuselage spine. While browsing the latest issue of Aeroplane Monthly (March 2020 - Issue 563, pages 36, 37) I've noticed an in-flight photo (that I personally never seen before) of the prototype, taken from above, that seems to indicate a flat surface on top of the spine. While the S-curve of the spine (as seen from the side) is mentioned in most of the published works treating the topic, I personally never seen a remark regarding the different top spine (transversal) section. Is it only my ignorance on the matter? NB - as I do not have the rights, I cannot attach the above mentioned image to my post but I assume It will be in easy reach to fellow forum members. Best regards, Iulian M.

Any green will be just fine... here enclosed a couple of images from a Romanian tank unit, spring 2000. I've captured those images while serving my mandatory military service.

Things must be different down there as in my hemisphere this level of detail is impossible on the minuscule 1/144 scale. Chapeau bas monsieur!

Hello, I personally hope to see a nice set of Mil Mi-1 (1:48) variants alongside your already impressive lineup of helicopters. Not to mention some in-line engine derivatives of your UT-1 kit (AIR-18, Ia-21, just to mention a couple of them...). Regards, Iulian

Simply gorgeous! Congrats!

Hard to answer... Alitalia would be the challenging option (large decals), Michele Mouton's solid blue the "easiest" one. In the end any version would work for me, apart Safari Rally (too cluttered under cages and spares) and Turbo (I totally dislike the over sized front spoiler). Any recommendations / were to buy from? Regards, Iulian

Hello, Although experienced with model aeroplanes I'm a total newbie in car kits with just a couple of military soft skins under my belt. I would like to build a rally Lancia Stratos from a Hasegawa kit, but those versions are hardly available. As the regular "Lancia Strados HF Stradale" seems easier to get, I'm thinking of kitbashing the competition related components from the Italeri kit. Opinions and recommendations are welcomed as any advice regarding aftermarket details that might help this project. Best regards, Iulian

No matter the price tag, I'll have one... may I dream they have a Dh 108 of similar detail level on the pipe?!

Apparently my quest for a fabric winged Hurricane with late windscreen and DH prop was futile... Anyone having an early Hurricane PCM kit to sale? I'm really interested. Regards,

Thank you very much for the information. Is it only my wishful thinking that wants to see a late windscreen in the 1939 photo (L1929 as OP-M)? Regards,

I have the Fly Hurricane Mk. I and I'm committed to build it, or at least to start building the kit... I'm surprised by the relative small number of aftermarket products for this kit. I'm only aware of the above mentioned fabric belts and the Yahu instrument panel. I would have liked a flap set (resin or photoetched), separate ailerons (resin), 5 spoke wheels and a couple of propellers as most of the sets conceived for the PCM kit are unavailable nowadays. I there any early windscreen & canopy available? I would highly appreciate if someone can indicate me a source for such a part. As for the errors in the proposed markings, what would be the right definition for the DU-J / L1936 (wings, propeller, windscreen, wheels, radio mast, exhaust etc) Thank you,