Kevin Callahan

Well, um, see, this plane was originally manufactured for a Russian Lend Lease order, and it was specifically for "one way only" missions so there was no need to re-open the cockpit. Or maybe this was the experimental sideways-opening canopy. Of course... o bloody hell, I just blew it. Actually, I think my error was that the mast should be at the point of the fin fairing, which would be enough room to let the canopy slide back. Thanks all.

This was meant to be an OOB project to clear out the pipes while I was otherwise involved with a whole flock of Cold War jets. The P-47 project is a longterm exercise (some 20+ are finished so far) but this is the latest. It's the 1:72 Revell kit. Not quite as sweet as the Tamiya version but considerably cheaper. The only tense moment was getting the cowl to fit on the fuselage. Decals are from EagleCal and performed admirably. It's not often you get to paint a bubbletop in OD and Neutral Grey, so that was a treat, esp since I've been having some odd problems with Alclad lately. More detail on the 72 Land blog, referenced below.

Thanks all. I can say that it is a kit that has good fit and detail. Any problems were mine and not Hobbyboss'.

Very nice group. I especially like the "Sigma Nu Girl" P-47 since I literally finished one last week myself. Hope I'm not violating any ethics here, but if you are interested in a site solely for 1:72 aircraft, try this one: 72nd Aircraft It is run by Robert Rensch and is a pretty good group of fellows.

All those rivets on the Frog kit were the reason I was interested when the rumors were circulating that the 1:72 followup to the Valiant would be a Shack (or possibly a Lincoln). I'd definitely buy one of those in a second. Haven't heard much about it since, though.

Another completion in the postwar Brit fighter mini-project. Not much to say about construction drama - which is a good thing! - but you'll need to be careful of the rear fuselage seam and the two seams directly aft of the exhausts. It turns out that you can install the pipes after the fuselage is together, thereby allowing you to fill and sand the seam prior to doing that. I cheated a bit on the markings. I used an old Modeldecal sheet, which is actually for a Seahawk F1 (the kit is an FGA6). I couldn't find any external physical differences between the two variants, and I know I can always depend on Dick Ward's color notations. Generally a pleasant enough modelling experience. More details, of course, on the 72 Land blog referenced below.

This represents the second of three in a mini fifth-gen fighter project. The Zvezda T-50 has already been added to this board and the Trumpeter J-20 is in construction. Although the Academy is a better building kit, the Italeri was in the stash and it is sometimes good to build the one you have. There were construction issues, like a seam across the back aft of the cockpit that caused large clouds of expletives, and the bay doors didn't want to fit whether they were open or closed. Also, the paint job (specifically the dark camo patches on the upper surfaces) was not one of my best, only saved by lots of buffing with low grit sandpaper and a final matte coat. Still, it's in the finished column. If I can find a place to display it... Further details on the blog referenced below.

The fall fury of model completions continues here in the Northwest. This is the Zvezda T-50. Not a bad kit at all, though you may scratch your head at how to line up the intakes for a while. Keep at it; much dry fitting and a bit of adjustment will be necessary. Also, I didn't follow Zvezda's color callout for the dark part of the camo. They suggest Sea Blue, but it's pretty obviously a grey. I used Ocean Grey, since I had it in the airbrush for a Hurricane, and I think it looks just fine. Check the cover of this month's Air International and I think you'll agree it is three greys. Fairly happy with this one. When I complete the J-20 (which I just received) I'll put together a family portrait of the fifth-gen fighters. Further details, as always, on the 72 Land blog referenced below.

Selina: Any further consideration on some sort of web visual listing of these sheets? Even a Photobucket page with pics of each sheet. It surely would help me (and I'm sure others) on deciding which sheets I really want. Thanks!

And still the completions for the first fall wave of modelling continue here in Seattle (they are forming a queue). After my gaffe with the Swift (d'oh!) I'm on a little safer ground with the Hurricane. I managed to convince myself that the panel lines were no big deal, but even I can see the prop is too small. I think for the next Hurricane - I've finished 12 already in various markings - if it is the Airfix one I will have to spring for a Quickboost prop. I'm no engineer, so if I can see an error it has to be pretty bad. The markings are from the Sky Decals sheet, "Last of the Many". As always, greater detail on the blog listed below.

The beastie will be going into surgery this evening to correct the deformities. I'll have to take the bullet for not paying attention; the Xtrakit instructions were correct.

General Melchie: Yikes! I'll admit the Xtrakit instructions are not the most informative on the planet, but this was most likely more on the order of me not paying sufficient attention. I don't think I will change the main gear doors - even if I reorient them the portion of the serial number of that door will be all screwy. I'm not where my modelling stuff is right at the moment, so I'll be even more lazy: can you give me some more details about the nose gear? Maybe it is too far forward? There is a little retraction gear (not visible in these pics) to the rear of the nose gear itself, so I probably just assumed it retracted backward and placed it at the head of the well. I don't believe there is a placement hole in the well itself. I do occasionally produce this sort of gaffe - I definitely fall on the "assembler of plastic kits" (read that with suitable sneer and curled lip) side of the divide as opposed to "scale engineer". But I can't really complain if someone points it out when I've voluntarily posted the pictures on a public board. Besides, how mad can you get at a fellow whose screen name comes from a Blackadder reference?

The first burst of activity in the fall modelling season continues. This is the AZ Models Supermarine Attacker F1. Maybe not a perfect kit, but certainly good enough to be buildable, and considerably cheaper than the resin alternatives. I did replace the roundels, which seemed rather light to me, with Modeldecal replacements. This is part of a mini postwar RAF fighter project, which includes the Xtrakit Supermarine Swift (already posted), the Hobbyboss Seahawk (coming shortly) and the Heller Vampire (just starting). More details, as always, on the blog listed below.

Looks like the summer blackout period is starting to break up - the forecast in Seattle is for a week of 50s and rain - and I've started spending some time at the bench again. This time it is the Xtrakit Supermarine Swift FR5. Not a bad kit at all, though all the caveats about short run definitely apply here. Some fit adjustment and sanding of seams will be necessary. The provided decal options were interesting enough that I didn't need to go scrounging for aftermarket sheets (as if there are any). Dark Green and Dark Sea Grey over PRU Blue, the red arrow markings are from 79 Squadron RAF. Lots of kits will probably getting finished in the next couple of weeks, including an Attacker, Seahawk, Sukhoi T-50 and F-22.

Saturday 8-20-2011 was Battle of Britain Fly Day at Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Center museum in Everett WA USA. They had two Spits and a Bf-109E in the air. The Arizona CAF had their B-17 and B-25 in town as well, so they were flying too. They fly different types from the collection a number of times during the summer (next week is a P-47 and a Skyraider). My blog, referenced below, has more details. The full Photobucket album, including shots taken inside the museum (where the upper windows kept confusing my camera's meter) is at FHC Battle of Britain Fly Day Aug 2011

Ah well, I do like em clean. My mental backstory for the collection of finished models is that it is the world's largest air museum, so everything is pretty much how it would be if on display at Dayton or the Smithsonian. Now if I were doing dios, it would be a different matter. You'll note most of my models appear without ordnance as well; another odd quirk of mine. Never had the interest level to master proper weathering or researching loadouts. Jeez, I'm doing well just to get stuff finished!

Another summer model finished here at 72Land. Nice little Trumpeter kit. Camo is Xtracolour X017 (Barley Grey) and X126 (Blue Grey). As always, more details at the blog referenced below.

Thanks all. Don - The acrylic seemed to work fine. I was afraid that there was going to be some sort of chemical reaction because I had enamel paints both under it (a different blue when I couldn't find the Teal at any hobby store) and over it (overall semi matte coat). For all I knew I was going to find a steaming pile of melted plastic when I went out into the garage the next morning! But there was no issue. I did thin it with lacquer thinner, something else that is also probably wrong, but it didn't seem to cause any issues either. I do still prefer my gloss Xtracolours, but believe me, I hear ya about drying times.

Bursting through the usually slow summer production period is this Italeri 1:72 Vought F4U4 Corsair. I used Greg Drawbaugh's Draw Decals and managed to scrounge up some acrylic Teal paint (which was my first experience with acrylics). The build was typical Italeri, a bit of work as far as fit goes, but nothing catastrophic. More details on the blog referenced below.

Santiago: One of the most amazing bodies of work in the hobby. I've followed you guys since the IPMS-Stockholm days and never fail to be impressed. Glad to hear you're tackling P-47s in the near future. While there are of course lots of camo variations, the big attraction with P-47s is all that nose art. Have you projected how many total models you'll be doing in that series? Whatever it is, I'll be watching gratefully!

Another innocent, corrupted. Somewhere a JMN is shedding a sullen tear.

It's been on the list forever, but there are no indications that it is imminent (or even still on the schedule). I would love to see an Academy version especially if it had T4/T5 options. Or even if that is the only variant they did. Perhaps they were scared off due to the Trumpeter kit?

Thanks all. WIP: I must admit with a nervous grin that I had no problem with the internal windscreen - cuz I didn't use one! They have never seemed very scale to me and always just allow the sealant band on the canopy to suggest that one is there. So far it had been working.... Skeg: The avatar is Tug (for Tugboat Willie), a rescue pug who is now 1.5 years old. He was actually rescued as a fetus - his mother was pregnant when the puppy mill was broken up. My wife and I ran Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue pug rescue for many years and we still take in the occasional traveller. Puppies come along so rarely in that line that we were delighted to have the chance. We also have a French Bulldog named Tank. Who is one.

I actually managed to finish a model this week. Usually summer is an extremely slow time for me. This is the new tool Airfix Hawk, adorned with 63 Squadron markings from RAF Chivenor in 1991. An excellent kit IMO. Details, as always, on the blog referenced below.

And in any case, I believe Revell was pretty up front about not seeing the A400M or Halifax until Christmas time. Maybe the UK Nationals, but probably not before.