Michael louey

This wasn't on my production line but having all the paints out for the Spitfire Vc I was working on and having reread the Eduard "Aussie 8" book again, I decided to do a quick build of "Sweet as a Song", a really attractive looking scheme. The plane is the aircraft of Squadron Leader Tom Trimble who I'd been listening to an audio interview about recently. Tom worked after his RAAF career at ARL (Aeronautical research labs) in Melbourne now absorbed into DSTG. I suspect he was the boss of one of our well known Britmodeller members . It's finished in Foliage Green/Dark Earth/Azure Blue with the original large roundels overpainted with RAAF Dark Earth. All the main paints were Colourcoats other than the Foliage Green which is Humbrol 30. Hu 30 is meant to be the equivalent of Authentics HB1 which I used as a match for Foliage Green on one of my Boomerangs. Painting out the swatch showed it to be a close match to HB1 so it was conscripted into use. One difference is the consistency of HB1 and Hu 30. Like many modern Humbrol paints Hu 30 is more like a paste and needs extensive thinning to make it ready for an airbrush (or paint brush). The build went together pretty easily as I've done a heap of this kit. The only real variation was using the closed door/open canopy option supplied by Eduard as the nose art of the plane partially overlaps the cockpit door. Some variations with the finish are the aluminium painted tyres to reduce sun wear and the extensive exhaust staining caused by testing lean fuel mix to extend range. The only after market parts were the Falcon canopy and the Barracuda treaded tyres. Cheers Michael

Very nice build - interesting to hear about the difficulties getting the kit together. I have this kit as well and chose it over the Brengun after hearing about the better accuracy. As long as its not "unbuildable" or really crude I'd choose the more accurate kit over the easier to build kit every time. Cheers Michael

My first go at the reasonably new Airfix Spitfire Vc. Its had some upgrades after some of its shortcomings were noted - mainly the spinner/prop for the DH type used on all RAAF Vc's. These were replaced with the upgrade set from High Planes. Other bits added from the High Planes set were the exhausts and the covered wheels. Some spare undercarriage covers were sourced from the Eduard kit. The aircraft had a short career with 79 Squadron RAAF. The plane never had time to have its original serial replaced by its RAAF id. The pilot for most of the time was Alec Chomley. The colours are Foliage Green/Dark Earth/Azure Blue. The original Desert camouflage had the Mid Stone replaced by Foliage Green and there are no evident stencils. A lot of help was supplied on the colours by @Magpie22. Originally I was going to model another 79 Squadron Aircraft but the scheme needed a bit more work on top of the available decals and I decided I wanted a quick build to see how the kit went. This aircraft was recovered by Langdon Badger and restored with parts from other aircraft and is now on display in South Australia. The nose art is the August Vargas Girl. The decals are from DK. The kit went together very well, a lot easier than the Sword kit and I think it has adequate detail and the dimensions appear pretty good. The only concern with the shape I have is the wing dihedral which looks a bit too acute. the under fuselage nav light isn't supplied though the location for it is moulded - I used some Krystal Clear. Cheers Michael

Hi, I normally just phone Craig on the number on his facebook page to order however in this case due to the size of the order I got his email to send a list for review. I'll PM you his email to keep it from being public. Cheers Michael

Gorgeous model and paint as normal Roman! I'd love to be able to build a German nightfighter like this. Cheers Michael

Hi Peter, Just noticed another option that one of the guys mentioned before: Some of the F111A's bought as attrition replacements arrived in early 1980's in SEAC scheme. If this was the time your dad was working (sounds a bit late by your description), these could be an option. The F111A kit is available albeit a bit more expensive than some of the other boxings. Here's an interesting story/photos from Aussie Modeller: http://forum.aussiemodeller.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=16638 And a kit costing about $100 landed in Australia https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/144060201575?hash=item218aa83a67:g:LpUAAOSw9Rtg3uCb The A's were delivered with short span wings and operated that way for a short time. Also just found this set of instructions for a combined C/G kit Hasegawa issued at some stage which shows the changes in parts for the 2 versions: https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/1/3/9/101139-29-instructions.pdf Cheers Michael

For an interesting read on the Australian F111's, have a look at the book Controversy to Cutting Edge by Mark Lax Its currently out of print and a bit expensive 2nd hand (approx $100) but it looks like it will be re printed soon (see link below) https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/192261517X/ref=olp_aod_redir_impl1/357-2490998-1288049?_encoding=UTF8&aod=1 Cheers Michael

Hi Peter The long span wings sounds like its the main difference - I wonder if the more available F111G would make a better starting point. I know there are differences between a C and G but can't recall how much of this varies in the Hasegawa kit. A few months back I'm sure I saw them on local hobby shop shelves but a quick google search shows most places are out of stock. The only one at a reasonable price was this one here: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/233625716053?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=233625716053&targetid=1278276341467&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071361&poi=&campaignid=10101784991&mkgroupid=131275693908&rlsatarget=pla-1278276341467&abcId=9300367&merchantid=264045714&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjcvixInn8QIVDDUrCh3DwwwxEAYYASABEgJnx_D_BwE Gundam Plus here in Melbourne has a lot of Hasegawa but not sure he has a F111G - you'll need to call him as he doesn't have a searchable web site, just a facebook shop front. Cheers Michael

Hi Syd, sapperastro has all you brands covered. I agree with his comments except I've never had any issue with Tamiya enamel adhesion. There are a couple of sources with old Testors stock - Aeroworks in SA was clearing out their remaining stock and still had a reasonable supply. The prices were heavily discounted so would be quite reasonable even with postage: A list was made in May he posted on his facebook page. By now a lot would have been sold but there may still be some you're interested in: e.g: https://www.facebook.com/AeroWorksAustralia/photos/a.506914952696849/3929834740404836/?type=3&theater Also in Vic we have Andrew's Scale Models (online only - he used to have a shop but that closed down a couple of years ago). Limited range but still a good variety https://andrewsscalemodels.com.au/product-category/paints-glues-accessories/testors-enamels/page/2/ Cheers Michael

Nice progress Charlie, The paint job looks really nice and the colour matches are very good. Shame about the mass balances - they are prime candidates for getting lost so I was really happy when Quickboost produced a set of them. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/QB72561?result-token=DVvTI I've read some modellers scratching these but I personally think getting these right is a bit beyond my capabilities. Cheers Michael

I'm actually reading about the Middle East campaign/s right now! http://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/books/armageddon-and-okra/ It blends the AFC and RAAF's campaigns in the area 100 years apart.

What a beautiful model, especially being scratch built. Also a very interesting story about obscure politics in the Middle East. I've got an Elephant in the stash, a Choroszy resin kit, as the AFC operated them in the Middle East but I doubt it will get to the front of the queue any time soon. Cheers Michael

Libor has done a great job on the Hasegawa Beaufighter and the kit is a very nice looking model however if we are interested in shape - The Airfix (and High Planes) kits are much more accurate than the Hasegawa. Yes, its a shame the Airfix kits have less refined panel lines and details but availability isn't their only advantage. The Hasegawa kit is noticeably slimmer in the fuselage than the other 2, a problem it shares with the Hasegawa Spitfire VIII. Cheers Michael

Absolutely stunning Yufei - won't get any better in 1/700.

That is absolutely gorgeous! Great to see such a nice rendition of this rare forward swept wing aircraft.

Nice build of this ancient kit. I remember reading a multi part article in an old magazine "Almark Modelworld" on the Hs 129 and the best solution to having an accurate model was to graft the Lindberg engine/nacelles onto the Airfix kit and do a bunch of other mods to the Airfix kit. Fortunately since then the Italeri kit has come out which though far from perfect is likely better than both the Airfix and Lindberg. Cheers Michael

Hi Julian, Good progress on the Ceres. Did you notice there was another completed build of this kit on the site: I know the builder and saw this kit in a near complete state at a club meeting a couple of months back. I have the kit but not sure when it will reach the build list - I am working on a Wirraway currently though so should be a good comparison. Best of luck with your build. Michael

Hi Johnson, Can I assume you're building Black 6 in her original Luftwaffe markings or restored finish? If so you will have a much easier job than dealing with her 'captured RAAF' scheme. I built Black 6 a few years back but the notes in the post are likely not needed unless you're building the RAAF markings. Whichever scheme you choose, good luck! Cheers Michael

Had a look at all your Fokkers Zigomar - They're all works of art. Well built and nice painting and weathering. Cheers Michael

Lovely model as usual Libor! Always nicer when there is a personal connection to the subject. Cheers Michael

The wikipedia article mentions the Mark XII airframes based on the Mk VIII inherited the leading edge fuel tanks so the Eduard Spitfire would have these prescribed though the work on the ailerons and wing cooler are still required. If using a Mk V as a basis to do a Mk VIII based XII, the fuel tanks would need to be scribed if you were fussed by it. Regards Michael

Just a note, I'm pretty sure the Mk XII Griffon rotates the opposite way to a Merlin so any blades would need their pitch changed.

The plane looks great and that has to be one of the most realistic sea bases i've ever seen!

Very interesting scheme. Kit scheme or aftermarket?

Great artistry - I'm always in awe in those who can do such delicate airbrush work.