Michael louey

Very nice build Nanond. Your before and after picture poses the question - how did you do such a neat paint job on the deck with everything pre built? Cheers Michael

Graham's right about availability, though the RAAF boxing of the kit does come with some nice colour etch, the transparencies sound better than the KP as does the DH spinner/props and the fit of the Vokes filter. Only the first 2 have any relevance for a Mk XII conversion but the first 2 items are nice for any Spitfire using this kit as a basis. Not sure about shape comparisons between the 2 kits - I think their were comments in Britmodeller. I have to say I haven't got a KP kit to compare though they are planning a RAAF boxing which might be tempting. Cheers Michael

Hi Colin, Just noticed your query. Interest in Spitfire Vc's appear to crop up regularly. The last time I saw this was due to problems finding the Sword Mk Vc. At that time I found some remaining stock at Hobbylink Japan. They sold out quickly after that post however they may now have new stock - https://hlj.com/scale-models/1-72-scale-supermarine-spitfire-mk-vc-trop-raaf-swd72045 I did a review of this kit on Ausseie Modeller - http://www.aussiemodeller.com.au/pages/Reviews/acft kit/Louey_SwordSpitVc.html The only "issues" I see with this kit is that the undercarrige might be a bit stalky (I've compared this to my various other Spitfires and the look of the plane on photos) and my next build I would reduce the undercarriage length. The other comment I've heard is the wing span might be marginally short but I'm not overly worried about this. Cheers Michael

Looks completely real. Be interesting to hear the back story.

Hi, If you are in a hurry, Models and Hobbies 4U list the kit as "in stock" https://www.modelsandhobbies4u.com.au/catalogue/product/dassault-mirage-iiid/o-twin-pack-ardu-and-2ocu-plastic-modelkit The are quite a way East in Boronia but perhaps a diversion on the way to Expo might make this less of a journey. Also dropping into Ikea with the wife isn't too much of a problem - treat it like a 1 to 1 kit build with one of their flatpacks . Edit - Just noticed that Models and Hobbies 4 U are trading at Expo - maybe they will have the kits there or you could ring them in advance and get them to bring one along for you for collection at Expo. Hope to see you at Expo! Cheers Michael

If you haven't seen it, there is a Lockheed site for Australian aircraft - It has a lot of detail and photos of all the RAAF P38's http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lightning/1pru.htm Regards Michael

Hi Ben, A more expensive option would be to buy the RS kit - https://www.scalemates.com/kits/rs-models-92150-heinkel-he-280-v2--209388 It comes with 2 tail versions - a "butterfly" tail (might be a What if) and a normal tail as applicable to your Huma kit. If you bought the RS kit you would end up with 2 different versions of the He 280! Cheers Michael

In 1/72 there are the High Planes guns https://www.hpmhobbies.com/high-planes-vickers-k-gun-x-2-accessories-1-72/ I'm sure Aeroclub had some but you'd have to find them on a 2nd hand site. Cheers Michael

That's a very atmospheric and realistic diorama Shizeng! Cheers Michael

Hi Merlin, I've had success with the Alclad Semi Matt finish - https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/alclad-ii-4oz-semi-matt-satin-klear-kote-varnish/ however I mainly paint with enamels though some colours might be acrylic (some whites for instance). We've used the equivalent matt varnish on my son's AFV's and some are painted in Tamiya Acrylics and there are no frosting issues with those. Cheers Michael

Hi Steve, I was surprised all the Beauforts have disappeared so quickly. I was sure I saw some at a local Melbourne Hobby store "Models and Hobbies 4 U" in the last year but they've sold out too. Maybe the moulds have worn out as it is a "limited run" item. The only spot I could see them is at Aviation Megastore which have ok prices but the postage to Australia (and likely NZ) are very high so I only use them as a last resort. https://www.aviationmegastore.com/dap-beaufort-mkvvi-k072099-high-planes-models-hpk072099-aircraft-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=98980 Good luck searching - They sometimes show up on ebay (There is one currently in the UK but including postage, price would be prohibitive). Cheers Michael

Hi (Simon?), That's a great build of a High Planes kit. Must have taken you a lot of planning, time and elbow grease. The result is well worth it as it really does look like a prototypical Beaufort. Cheers Michael

Hi Beard - Foliage Green is usually quoted in the FS34079 to FS34092 range - sounds like it did vary. The paint on this aircraft is Humbrol 149 which is meant to be FS34092. I gave it a lightened version as a post shade to simulate some paint fading though Cundy's plane was kept very clean, maybe even polished. Thanks for all the comments from all. Regards Michael

Hi Giorgio, This is the 1/72 scale version. Yes, the small shark mouth is quite attractive. I have a bunch of Eduard Mark VIII's and plan to do at least one large Sharkmouth airframe but its a bit down the list. Next is Clive Caldwell's 4 cannon aircraft (actually not Eduard since it was easier to do a 4 cannon with CMR). Cheers Michael

Hi, This is the 2nd of the RAAF Spitfires I build over Summer, this time the Profipack. I built this one after finishing a Weekender (see other post) so I'd learnt a few lessons in that build and this one was a lot easier. It took a bit more time in some respect due to the more complex colour scheme. I've wanted to build this airframe for a while however none of the previous decal sets were quite right for the code letters and all the Mk VIII's up to AZ kit had their problems (Hasegawa) or were hard builds (Ventura). This is the profipack which had the niceties such as an instrument panel and etch seat armour as well as instrument fittings. I decided to open the cockpit up since it would be hard to see some of this with it closed. This did introduce the problem of the sliding canopy. Eduard do supply an optional canopy with an open sliding hood however as pointed out on here on Britmodeller, this required a compromise to be able to fit over the rear glazing and spine. Basically the canopy is over size looking a bit bulbous from profile. The 2 options are to slim down the rear fuselage and use a cutdown hood from a "closed transparency" or as I did replace it with a vacform (in this case one of the Falcon range). Theonly extras other than the canopy are some Barracuda block tread wheels. Nearly all the photos of RAAF spitfires seem to show them which is not surprising with the roughness of the strips up in Northern Australia and the Islands. The plane is Bobby Gibbes early incarnation of the Shark Mouth scheme which has a smaller "mouth". The scheme is actually a lot more complex than I first imagined, as there are overpaints with Foliage Green and RAAF Dark Sea Grey over the original Day Fighter Scheme. I also tried out some AK interactive chipping on the white id markings to try to replicate photos. Cheers Michael

Hi, This kit is my 1st attempt at the 1/72 Eduard Spitfire series and I decided on a Weekender to use as a training experience. There are a few upgrades to it though - The decals are from an Aussie 8 boxing which contains more markings than you can shake a stick at as well as a number of extra goodies (resin wheels) the most important being a full book on the different aircraft covered. I also used some bits from this boxing to customise the Weekender including the oil guard etch which is only present in a few airframes including this one. I also added a Yahu instrument panel though having to cut away the slot for the gun sight was a bit messy and using a Eduard panel is a lot easier. The scheme is also quite simple in line with the training exercise driver. In general, the kit goes together very well - I made a bit of a mistake with the wing root piece which made the wing fit more of an effort. Also the nose underside cowling required a bit of work. The plane is a 452 Squadron airframe based in Sattler Airstrip in the Northern Territory and was flown by Desert Ace Ron Cundy. I chose this plane as I'd recently read Ron's autobiography "Gremlin on my shoulder". The plane was kept in immaculate condition so no need for much weathering. The scheme is pretty simple - Foliage Green over Sky Blue with white leading edges. Cheers Michael

Gorgeous finish.

Hi Silver Fox, Hope you enjoy your visit to Australia - In Melbourne, as well as Point Cook, there are a couple of hobby stores in the city - Hearn's and Metro Hobbies however there's not a lot of extra Australian specific items in those stores than you would find in the UK. Hylands Bookshop is in the city too and would be worth a browse if you have the time. It specializes in Military books and is in Bourke Street in an arcade. Not too far from Point Cook is the B24 Restoration Museum - It is run by volunteers and is only open part time - https://www.b24australia.org.au/home Ray has already mentioned this and the Moorabbin Museum. In Singapore, you might want to visit High Planes Models https://www.hpmhobbies.com/pages/Contact-Us.html This was originally setup by 2 guys specialising in Australian subjects. It was bought by another Australian now living in Singapore - It still has a lot of Australian subjects. Cheers Michael

I bought some 2 stage engines from Attack Squadron however I believe their resin products might have been taken over by Arma Hobby. I believe this is the item I purchased - https://hlj.com/1-72-scale-mosquito-two-stage-supercharger-merlin-engine-nacelles-set-for-tamiya-kit-ahbadl72104 Not sure if it's available anywhere else. Regards Michael

Another great build Tony! Love all your models and very impressive work with brush painting. White for this subject would have been especially challenging. I'm planning on building the RAAF subject of this scheme though I think I'll use one of my Hasegawa kits as though less accurate, it has finer panel lines than the Airfix which will be more obvious in the white scheme. Cheers Michael

Hi Ed, I remember Peter doing a large set of accessories for the Vengeance. It must have been a favourite of his - The link here shows his other improvement sets - cowl/engine and wheel wells. I heard he was going the whole hog and planned to do a complete fuselage replacement but never got around to it. https://www.scalemates.com/companies/company.php?id=3840 These days, it would probably be easier to find a Special Hobby kit though it isn't perfect itself.

Hi Ross, I think you'll find the newer book by Peter Smith is still on pre order and won't be released until Feb 2019. I have the 1st book and it's a very good history of the Vengeance though I don't think it has any detailed plans. Cheers Michael

Hi Gregory, Hope you enjoy the builds. I admire your courage in getting the Discovery into your house. My wife is quite accommodating but I think a 3 and half foot model would test her patience. The Clipper though is a neat and quite manageable model. Tommo The kit I used is the latest version from Mobius. There are a number of improvements from the original (which I've never seen) which can be found on the web in side by side comparisons. Cheers Michael

Hi Gregory, While searching for the Clipper, I noticed that Moebius also produces the Moonbus and Discovery from the movie. https://www.culttvmanshop.com/search.asp?keyword=2001&search= If you want to build the Discovery, you'll need quite a bit of space - It's 41 inches long - http://www.finescale.com/product-info/kit-reviews/2018/05/workbench-review-moebius-discovery-from-2001-a-space-odyssey Cheers Michael

Thanks for all the comments guys. Kubrick and his team really did a great job creating very believable spacecraft for the movie. I think it stands up well compared to anything that has come later. It's a shame the space race slowed right down and we don't have the opportunity to jump in a Space Airliner and visit the moon now. Cheers Michael