[1/72 Heller Lockheed Constellation L749A]

Well chaps, all I can say , is.........a heartfelt THANK YOU.

It feels good to be part of this  knowledgeable fraternity.

Two notes;

[ They Jammed Kenny!]   Popped out number four prop....Well spotted......I only noticed it after the photo shoot and tried camouflaging it in P/shop but it obviously

did not solve the problem..........oh well, nothing can be perfect.

[ Spitfire 21]  I feel flattered, but the last pic is not a diorama but a pic of the real thing.😉

 

Cheers,

Etienne.

[1/72 Heller Lockheed Constellation L749A]

                        

Here is my Connie model depicting a South African Airways  example in use during the fifties.

For a kit dating from 1985 it went together quite easily partly due small amount of parts, unlike  today's models  that 

is  sometimes  'over engineered'. The finished product nevertheless represents a good example of a real Connie.

Various shades of kitchen  and  Bare Metal  foil  as well as locally produced decal by "Le Voss " finished this most enjoyable  build

that took longer than normal because of the foiling process. 

 

Cheers,

 

Etienne.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[C-130 Hercules in the sixties.]

 

 

Here is my Zvezda 72nd. model depicting a SAAF 28 Sqn. C 130 during the mid sixties.

I am most impressed with this very detailed  Russian kit that made the building process a breeze.

The metal finish  was done  with three hues of kitchen / Bare -Metal foil  plus Tamiya  X-2 white.

Decals are from Levos Decals,  a locally based concern.

Because of the foiling process it took longer than 

normal to complete ..but, is that not what a hobby is, enjoying your spare time?

 

Cheers,

Etienne.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RAF pictures WW2 in color]

As Troy said, I am a  stickler for WW II original period colour.................. but I must admit  it is getting more  dicey by the day  with all the new apps and tools making their appearance.

All the photos in my collection are posted as is  plus cleaning, brightening  focusing or enlarging where necessary.

After more than 800 images totalling  50 million views  over fifteen years , it confirms that this is a popular subject ................with   the support of the Britmodeller members (and Troy) forming a large part it..............thank you.

 

However, locating new images is becoming a problem these days as there does not seem to be any more new RAF images seeing the light of day.

Any new pointers or contributions would be much appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Etienne.

[For Luftwaffe (and Neil Page) fans.]

 

 

I came across this      https://archiv-akh.de/filme?utf-8=✓&q=Farbe#314     site containing hundreds of period films, many with partial  Agfa colour sections

 in between the  B/W films.

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers.

[Converting a Ventura to a Lodestar]

Graham, as a matter of interest; Apart from the twenty nine SA  Airways Lodestars  (P&W twin wasp powered)  taken over by the SAAF there were two separate Hornet powered   ambulance aircraft

donated to the  SA Government by the SA Red Cross with  serials 1371 and 1378.

For more details and photos look here; http://magazine.ipmsnsw.com/pdf/19-3.pdf

 

[

]

[Converting a Ventura to a Lodestar]

Rob;   Yes, the 1200 HP P&W twin wasp of the Dakota was also used in our Lodestars.

( I can see a lot of 'surgery' coming! )

 

ilj ; Those superb photos are just what the doctor ordered. They are exactly what I needed. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

So, things are looking up..........I might just tackle the project after all.  I'll have one on you tonight!

 

Cheers,

 

Etienne.

[Converting a Ventura to a Lodestar]

8 hours ago, rob Lyttle said:

 

 

[Converting a Ventura to a Lodestar]

Thanks so far  Troy and Rob.

Re the engines Rob..........I am thinking of using  a pair of Dakota ones from my spares box that seems to fit the bill.

But, and it is a big BUT.........I'll only go ahead if and  when all my (conversion) boxes are ticked.😟

 

Cheers,

[Converting a Ventura to a Lodestar]

I am also considering trying my hand at converting a 1:48 Ventura to a Lodestar 18-08 model as used by the SAAF  (see pic)

First of all I require a detailed set of plans, especially a top and bottom view  (I've got a side view )

Could anyone suggest a reliable site where I could  obtain (buy) such a set?

 

Hope someone can help.

 

Etienne.

 

 

[ME 163 Colours: What Can You Trust?]

Are you chaps aware of this IWM photo?

 But then again, I suppose it is a repaint.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205214260

 

 

Etienne.

[1/48 Grumman Avenger/Tarpon Mk.1]

Thanks for all these kind words chaps. As mentioned before, one always tries to do better with the next model, but it seems that this one

 hit the sweet spot.

A few questions popped up, so here are some answers.

(a) The roundels are decals that I obtained at a local Hobby shop.

(b)Yes, the photos were taken  in bright sunlight that we have quite a bit of here.

(c)The pilot figure comes from the spares box and was  'operated ' on to look sideways. 

(d) The TSS colours were hand mixed to match the colour chips  in the "British Aviation Colours" booklet. Having said that,

      the mixture  does not always come out the same as can be seen in this example from a previous build.

 

Once again, thank you very much.

 

Cheers,

Etienne,

 

 

[1/48 Grumman Avenger/Tarpon Mk.1]

The inspiration came from the excellent colour photos by Charles E Brown of some FAA  Avengers from 846 Sqn. in 1943.

The Academy kit  went together seamlessly and  I only had to add the cowling gun opening in front of the cockpit. 

Tamiya paints rounded off a very enjoyable  build.

 

Cheers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Grumman Goose (JRF and G-21) request]

 Colin, here are some WW II colour shots.

https://edan.si.edu/slideshow/viewer/?eadrefid=NASM.XXXX.0356_ref1299

 

Cheers.

 

E.

[Seafire Ib markings, Torch]

I also enlarged and tweaked the subject in question.

 

 

[Douglas DC 4 Skymaster]

Thanks everybody, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,really appreciated.

 

Etienne.

[Douglas DC 4 Skymaster]

2 hours ago, stevehnz said:

 

The photo is the current Capetown Airport with Simonsberg/Hottentots-Holland mountains in the background?

Steve.

  Thanks for those comments mate.     

 

Spot on Steve!..........My balcony from those mountains looks towards the airport and I am forever watching the air traffic

through my binoculars.

 

Bye.

[Douglas DC 4 Skymaster]

This build of the  1/72nd Revell kit is rather unique in so far as it is my first ever try at a civvie airliner and the first attempt in

forty years at a 72nd  model.................... (my eyes are not the same any more!)

The build of this well engineered kit went well with  a lot of interior parts  omitted, as they are invisible from the outside anyway..

Kitchen and Bare Metal foil were applied  overall except  for the painted top fuselage  and  blue of  the  livery.

The South African Airways decals that came from Transport Wings  are laser printed and special care had to be taken during application.

Finally the whole lot  was  covered in two coats of Future.

It  was a most enjoyable project  but I doubt if I shall tackle a 72 scale again........🤔

 

Cheers,

Etienne.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Early SAAF SA330C Puma Olive Drab / Dark Green delivery scheme & Camo questions?]

Dave, here are a few scans from books and magazines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the best............

 

Etienne.

[Early SAAF SA330C Puma Olive Drab / Dark Green delivery scheme & Camo questions?]

Hiya Dave,

 

According to Ron Belling in his book "A  portrait of Military Aviation in South Africa" he states  that they were delivered from December 1969 in overall BS Matt Olive Drab 

and later changed to  Dark Earth/ Olive Drab. 

However,  from memory I seem to remember the first one's had a definite sheen on  the Olive Drab as in the above picture  ( but that was fifty years ago 🥴)

 

Cheers,

 

Etienne.

[D C 4 Skymaster blue colour]

18 hours ago, TheyJammedKenny! said:

What areas of the model were you planning to airbrush?  I ask, because the image of the decal sheet looks pretty complete to me, and that large field of blue gives you ample room to fix mistakes.

The nose from the cockpit  (my version, see photo.... is slightly different from the decal version) and the nacelles because of the curvature and uneven surfaces. (decals do not like curves)

I'll look into the Humbrol shades, ..........thanks.

[D C 4 Skymaster blue colour]

I am building the Revell 1/72 DC 4 in South African Airways livery used during the late fifties and will be using the Transport Wings decal set.

Some  sections of the blue will be airbrushed and need to match the colour used in the decal exactly. So far I have been unsuccessful in obtaining

an acceptable mix with my Tamiya acrylics

Would anyone perhaps have a mixing formula for this blue with a hint of green colour.

According to official South African Airways documentation the blue livery was BAC 5025 (Boeing Aircraft  Corporation) 

but no  examples  in print could be found anywhere.

I  hope someone can help.............

 

Cheers,

Etienne.

 

 

 

[`Winged Kiwi`, Grumman Avenger TBF-1C, 30 Squadron, RNZAF]

Great build and VERY good and convincing finish  Russ.

Added to this your photography is the work of a real pro........ the whole subject in almost perfect focus.

Would love to hear some more on your shoot............ like . aperture,  depth of field, lens setting etc.

Just don't tell me it is a point and shoot job 😉

 

Cheers,

Etienne.

[1/48 Bristol Blenheim mk. IF]

Thanks Greg and others..........

I am not sure  but this is how this version  was described in the great wartime color film by the Bristol co. See here; https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-bristols-industries-1939-online

[1/48 Bristol Blenheim mk. IF]

The enclosed photo, taken  from a 1939 colour film inspired me to give the Classic Airframes kit a go.

 Apart from the main wheels being undersize the kit looks the part in spite of its age. Opening the sliding cockpit roof and adding two figures

were the only additions to an otherwise straight forward build.

 

Cheers,

Etienne.