amos brierley

Hi everyone. My version of a lighter black - it’s been mostly used on tanks for the rubber wheel rims. But, say, for a Hawker Hunter cockpit I’d use the pink/black for the cockpit inner structure and pure black with a sheen for the ejection seat. As shown in Vulcanisity’s Shackleton build, I wanted the anti-glare pane to be more sympathetic to the worn dark grey camouflage, it looks black with a hint of fadedness with pure black for the panel lines. Hope this helps. 😉

I’ve been adding pink to my Humbrol black for many years, white will just make it go grey where as pink lowers it’s tone, it’s an armour modellers trick. 😉

Superb model collection, fantastic display case. 😃

Hi Adam. You don’t see very often a model on a display base, this one’s all very Corporate..... One thing in service A/C would have differed from would have been the glass fibre reinforced panels G.F.R.P would have been black. Fancy painting the nose radome, wing tip I.L.S, wing ‘H.F Notch’ and fin cap black? Coming along nicely- nicely. 😉.

Hello gents. Update No 27 - it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new plan. Where to start. Man with a plan 2021 this model is : ( Pt III ). As I’ve alluded to with my A-4M Skyhawk build I have a plan . It’s a three part affair. ( Pt II ) Dec 2020 saw me thinking about at least some form of interaction with all forms of modelling for the forthcoming year. A quick session with the stalled Skyhawk has gotten it ready for some more attention. ( Pt I ) Completion of the G.W.H TSR2. So, this is the the ( Pt III ). Now the days are drawing out, some of that natural light is going to help out. When I finish my shift on Tuesday next week it’s my super seven, seven days off work. It’s all going to help , seven days to concentrate.... I got myself bogged down with this kit from Satan. I may not be friends with some models or certain brands but this kit is the only one I’ve ever classed as 100% hoop. 😡 . But when you dance with the devil, it’s bound to change you. When you’ve chucked one of these horror shows in the bin, then tacking one for a second time it’s asking for trouble. 😠. I’ve set myself a very tall order, to make it as accurate as can be done. Where did it all go wrong? Well, it took the tarmac guys nine months of racket to sort out our new estate. Just my street corner took them a month of jack hammering constantly making noise. Add in some temperatures far too hot for me and a constant wrangling with this model and I was kippered for. A fresh look was asked for and a fresh approach will be required. For 2021 I want to be content with just being me and the best I can. I was all set for Gatwick to kick of the 2021 model show season, then Coventry (it’s now moved to Aug 1st) but it’s only to be expected. No complaints from me, I just have to be ready for what ever comes my way. I’ll be supporting as many model shows as I can, but turning up as a club with nothing to show is not the best form of support. Each of my last three models has taken 18 months to produce, the headline figure does not tell the whole story. Whilst building my first Airfix Shackleton, I had the Revell Shackleton on the go as well. That rot box went in the bin. As did a Tamiya Mig 15. 😬. These latter two models can be replaced by other brands, the Revell A.E.W Shackleton was replaced by the eminently better Airfix A.E.W . But for this project there’s no alternative. Now with at least a model of a TSR2 built abet somewhat smaller than I would’ve liked, it’s a start. It’s a reconnect. And, a step on a journey we as modellers will be making at some point in time this year. One of the things I’ve over looked whilst tackling this problem project is paint, to be precise, anything but grey primer. The disconnect has not just happened, it crept up, I was preoccupied with the big picture - all things scribed and detailed. I’d forgotten about painting wheels, bang seats and everything else. And I was trying to hard to post weekly.... The first step is to complete the fuselage, very little work to be done, but it’s the last hurdle. Get a few more details done and the reconnect with this model happen. One of my changes for 2021 will be the challenge from silver speed tape to painters fine line tape. Why?? Speed tape is very sticky (can be used on fast jet A/C) and it’s pulling off my model filler. As I’ve been saying all to often ‘ one step fwd - two back. What’s so good about painters fine line? It’s just as thick for creating an edge to scribe against, as it’s stretchy it can be used to conform to radius’s, it’s not as tacky, so I’m hoping it’s filler friendly. And of course it’s got a true straight edge. Thanks for looking, stay safe, 😉

Nice start Lex. Have you seen April’s Airforce’s Monthly - specifically the piece on Dutch Hercs ? Page 66 has a nice photo of a new addition - microvanes they clean up the boundary layer air as it departs the back end. They look easy to make. Hope this helps. 😉

Hello everyone. It’s a scooter. With my model bench now being clear, it’s time to look at something else , and this is one of two kits that will be filling the space. Back around 2018 I think this kit came out, when we could go to model shows, this kit was all the rage on our club stand. Was it pent up demand or the cracking price one trader was offering it for? FAUX PAS Pt I. One of our club member hasn’t been modelling for some time, and “Amos” was heard to say : look what you’re getting for £21 an easy build and lots of weapons. (Lordy-Lordy) FAUX PAS Pt II. Some time later,( 2019) one club night, one of our club members got talking....and then suggested we have a club build, and I got talked into it against my better thoughts. It had taken me close to 2yrs to build my first Airfix Shackleton, I was well into my second Shackleton and thought two kits end on it would have taken me less time. Only to be expected , firstly the Scooter would get bogged down, secondly it was as I’d suspected, a massive distraction. The Shackleton got done just in time for S.M.W 2019. This model may well be poorly received. THE MAN WITH A PLAN. My modelling for 2020 has been very patchy, my Airfix 1/72 TSR2 got bogged down, then my pick me up G.W.H 1/144 TSR2 got bogged down too. As we know Dec 2020 it was announced that a Covid-19 vaccine was to be rolled out. At the same time I was in my garage come model shop, I fancied a fondle of the kit, witch led me spending a little time with it. This time around saw me boxing off all of the problems areas. Now the model was ready to go, when I would pick it back up again I could just run with it. Now with a Covid-19 vaccine, this meant that I’m going to need some new models for 2021. The plan, three models, 1) G.W.H 1/144 TSR2 (it’s done) 2) this build 3) THAT Airfix 1/72 TSR2. Becouse this model is not very well received I’ll have to do a comparison, for those modellers that may not have read up on it. Hasegawa. Pros: Regarded as an accurate form and very good detail. All (most)photos show the slats down. Most variants catered for. (But, why not the OA-4M, it’s a modellers must have.) Cons: Hard to come by. Not an easy build (from experience). No weapons. Not to expensive, no bargains , add in weapons and you’ll be looking at £60. Hobby Boss Pros: Readily available. Can be picked up for as little as £21 - £22 Fewer parts. Many weapons . Most variants. Still no OA-4M Cons: Those slats - strangely not given. (The build so far) Not an easy build. All those weapons - best give them a wide birth. Would you believe it, lots of parts missing, can’t make a M out of the box. As I’ve already built a Hasegawa kit , the Hobby Boss kit had its plus points, so you don’t see very often a Scooter with the slats up: Whilst not a new project, I’m hoping to keep it moving along. Until next time, stay safe, 😉

Absolutely fantastic. 😉

18 .... Woah that’s dedication. Lovely to see your neiche subject. As neiche subjects go a B2MRR with the camouflage colours sprayed with a soft edge demarcation and the photo I have seen is (I think) gloss. 😉 Just a thought.

So, what you’re saying is that my latest creation, in Ready For Inspection, is well, just not good enough 😲 I thought I’d dressed it up quite nicely. 🥳 ( 😃 ). A great source of ideas. Coming along nicely Adam. 🙂

Hello everyone. Small model - ready for inspection. It’s been a little while since I’ve posted a finished model here in ready for inspection, well, it’s close to just ten years, and my last one was a........ To date I’ve successfully built two TSR2’s as customer builds, but when I’ve come to my own both of them went into the bin. 😬 It’s felt like I’ve had a monkey on my back for some time. 🙉 I’ve got another TSR2 build on the go it’s stalled out for various reasons 🙈 I’m generally making it as hard as I can for myself, but now I’m hoping to make some progress this year.... This build has been covered already. So.... TSR2 with a twist: the twist being 1) the kit boxing comes with four pylons, one dorsal long range ferry tank 2) scratch built refuelling probe 3) a scratch built ventral ‘ rapidly blooming window’ pod. ( something you don’t see very often.) A over view, finished, very happy. Small scale model but just visible is the Johnie Walker art and the Wing Commander emblem. Small model, small vinyl decals bought from eBay. The set came with two sizes, the bigger set will be for another day......... A sad end to what could have been, one of the last known photos to be taken of XR219. I’m pleased with my model I’m hoping my model will be a stand alone subject for some time. An overall view, the aftermarket decals showing a 105 Sqn depiction- roughly what the first Squadron to form - 81 would have looked like. 😃 A rarely seen photo of XR219 on the flight line at Boscom Down, showing what a squadron of these could have been, what a FLEM back in the day would have been servicing..... Very evocative photo, XR219 left hand engine just in re-heat. What the TSR2 look like with a view out of 4 hanger at Warton back in the day. Have I ever mentioned that I once worked in 4H on the Eurofighter project. The photo has an awful lot of detail for a modeller to use. One truly evocative photo........ It’s been a journey, a big thank you to everyone. 😉

Can’t help you with your next choice of kit, but I’m thinking it won’t be all black and white. 😃

Green with a hint of hhmmmmm (😃) and some lovely texture. 😉

Off to a flying start. 😉

Hhmmmm let me think about this one 😜 Yup I’m loving it 😍.

Would you look at that, looking nice, very nice indeed. 😉

Nice, very nice indeed. 😉

Hello everyone. Small model - final update. 😲 ok. 😋 So, at close to six months it’s nearly that time to close this chapter of my modelling. With the aid of some photos I’m going to show you what I’ve got to do before the model progresses to that hopefully satisfying Ready For Inspection. If I’m really honest I was loving the models satin finish, but, a top coat has to be applied, and for many years now my go to product has been Alclad Klear Coat Light Sheen. The two photos show roughly what I’m after, with the L/H Hawk being a little too shiney (the paint finishers possibly used a little to much harder) and the R/H Hawk being completely flat. The RAF Cosford TSR2 XR220 is in its original paint finish and it’s definitely got a sheen to it. How old school am I, I don’t have a photo scanner so I can’t do these digitally......and at least two of them are the property of someone else. All five show details I’ve got to reproduce, just at the point of the taileron is a thin panel, it’s on the kit and XR219 had it as bare metal. As we know XR220 was finished with a different type of paint and it’s not show here, so, how would production A/C of faired? In the mix all TSR2’s had many small circles over the skin and this rare top shot photo shows some of these. Another rare photo shows the ‘original black box recorder’ ( the modern equivalent CSMU crash survivable memory unit) I’ve never found out why it has an explosive triangle. Yes you’re reading things correctly. 🤔 Now, for the some nine months I’ve been scratching my head, I’ve really fancied some pitot statics. Would you believe it , just the other day Hannants received some of these, yes for something else, but with a little rework they’re do and the antenna in the drawing will be put to use as well. This is XR222, beware of drawings and museums this shot shows panel differences. Nav lights, the wing tip lights in real life were no more than 2” so, at 1/144 they’re near impossible to reproduce this means in all probability the whole panel will have to be coloured. The top red anti col light officially sits under the new ‘ Rapidly Blooming Window’ , so, do I position it on top of the dispenser or just a panel or two rear wards? The lower clear anti col light at 1/144 really won’t show up, again another compromise may well be to use red. The fin also needs a clear lens....... Thankfully the CMK lenses are so small the smallest ones will have to suffice. Even at 1/144 I’m not going to compromise on the details, two oil drains- lwr rear fuselage....... The little square panel with a hole in it.... should have a roll sensor in it. With the smallest wire I have this will be a challenge to reproduce. Photo evidence is what I like. You won’t find many photos showing the pitot probe. The kit pitot is not even close to real, but, scale plastic just cannot complete with Master. And again museum troubles...... not helpful. That’s me signing off, I’ve got to give everyone who’s taken time to support me a big BIG thank you. 🤗 😉.

Hello everyone. Small model - BIG UPDATE. The last couple of days have seen me pressing home getting on with need to move this model along. A little bit more white paint added, some gloss varnish, and then the fun bit. Decaling in three parts: the kit decals, only the stencils were used, and there not the best. Not a single one are correct, but, as the kit is more of a what-if then they’ll do, there a little over size and the wrong colour. The Xtradecal Belverly 105 Sqn have given the kit some much added colour, had TSR2 gone into service the model is depicting what a 81 Sqn A/C would look like. Finally the Xtradecal Eurofighter decals, the Wing Commander emblems are a touch too small to look appealing and the Johnny Walker art looking a little bit weak. This year’s defence review. Now with a little list of things to do, when I’ve finished my shift pattern this week I’ll have full sails. One thing less to do the four wing pylons have been added. 😃 That’s all for now, stay safe. 😉

Hello everyone. I’m hoping to help out ........ Starting where you’re at in this build, this is WR960 at Manchester . A phase 3 detail. Lights in the bomb bay. A scabby looking bit of metal, but the black bit is a weapons crutching unit. Don’t know what the white rods are. 🤔 Ditto. But, I do know that the AEW Shackleton did carry weapons. 💣 The black structure on both sides appears to be air condition ducts. Ditto, don’t know what this is. As you’re said, period period show the flaps closed, Eduard do some nice replacement parts. As well as a trip to Manchester I decided to go and support WR963 at Coventry , it’s well worth the money, time and trip out. 💕 Anyone adding the flaps should add the actuator arms for added strength. I don’t profess to know much about Shacks, but I’m sure they have a gust lock, thus locking the rudder in the neutral position. This never stopped me from deflecting them and the trim tabs on my models. You’re right, for a MR2 you’ll need to add 3x oval shaped rods in the raised panels. Points of note - adding a ‘scab plate’ in this area was a step too far for me - the blade aerial is a throwback to it’s AEW past. I think I’ve read that you’re adding the guns. I’ve tried to find a photo showing the very bottom of the nose, your correct in depicting the escape hatch. No luck. I think I used a scale drawing. A period photo showing many salient features, of note, not clearly seen in many photos and it’s blurry here a white drain mast. It’s at the seven o’clock position from the base of the letter B. Sorry it’s a v.large photo post. As always stay safe. 😉

Hello everyone. Small model, long overdue update. It’s been a little while, I’ve been carried away with some bits and pieces...... As always a little update on life, it’s slowly picking up nicely, so, gradually getting into a better place. Now, a slight blight on the horizon, my shift pattern is moving from Wed - Thur- Fri to Sun - Mon - Tue often referred to as my ‘sad seven’ . Including Saturday as O.T it’s a tough ask at the best of times, but next week things will be a little bit more difficult with the clocks going’s back an hour....... So, all the more to get a wiggle on........ Right, one of my last rambling s was not having a base for its final display. This led me to picking up anyone of my favourite bases which I’ve used at model shows and competitions. I’ve used MDF in the past, and been a little arsy with the level of work to finish them to a lovely standard. This time around see’s me converting a solid wooden offering, how hard could it be? After a few sessions with some filler and much sanding I’ve got there in the end ( in between refurbishing my en sweet bathroom ) yes, three weeks of modelling time consumed. But more importantly I’ve got there, and the bottom of a rattle can of Halfords gloss black paint, which seems to have all of the gloss. Time to park it.... In the mean time I’ve taken some time to mull over the final finish of the kit. I’ve also tried out on my test piece Vulcan some alternative whites, and, all have failed to appeal to me, all appearing to be more of a creamy white. That means I sticking to the pure white I’ve be running with. So, after a session or two with some micro mesh I’ve now added some more white. Firstly the micro mesh, when I last sprayed the model the overall feel felt very rough even though it was very nicely glossy. Micro mesh coming in grades from 1800 - 12000 will help out modellers no end. 1800 being a very smooth version of wet n dry and 12000 being almost slick. I’ve polished down the paint with 3600 , it’s made everything lovely and smooth. ( Very good at removing ‘orange peal paint finish’ ) This time off model , distracted by a base, gave me time to mull over the finish. To which, my patchy white finish has had another white over spray added, it’s now a little bit more solid white. One thing I’ve just completed is finishing the four pylons in white. Masking tape off and out of focus. Really starting to float my boat. When I get home tomoz after some O.T , then I’ve three and a bit days to complete this kit, time to pull my finger out ........... just some decals, and a few details..... time to get my head in the game.... Until next time, everyone stay very safe. 😉

That colour scheme is very nice, lovely build. 😉

I’m loving this black + white scheme, lovely. 😉

I don’t know what it is, but it looks very nice indeed. 😉

I’m really loving it, some years ago I specifically went to Bruntingthorp to see the grey one, it was a real treat to have no less than five of them at once form a practice take off. 😉