PWJ

This is something a little out of character for me as I generally plod along on a build before stopping and starting something else for no other reason than I have trouble finishing things. This is the relatively new 1/48 DH 94 Moth Minor from Red Roo (kit number RRK 48006) here in Australia. The kit comprises mostly resin and being a basic trainer, is a simple airframe. My build is pretty much OOB and due to the nature of this as a trainer, I also kept weathering to a minimum. The scheme I chose was an all-yellow bird which was based in Pearce/Cunderdin in Western Australia which has some significance to me as I grew up there. My father had a crop spraying business and I spent many hours wandering around the airport. Once assembled the airframe was primed and colour coated with SMS acrylic paints (Trainer Yellow) which I use almost exclusively now. . Thanks to all involved in bringing this kit to the market. I had already compiled drawings etc. and was going to scratch build a model. Thanks to RR that is no longer a to do thing. I think the kit captures nicely the lines of the Moth Minor and it fills another gap in an Australian Airforce collection. Cheers and regards, PWJ

Nice job Chris - well done. Cheers PWJ

Very nicely done - great job and great subject. Cheers PWJ

Congratulations Calum, very nice job on what is a bulky but interesting airframe. Cheers and regards PWJ

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen, most appreciated - Cheers and kind regards PWJ

Following on from my recently completed Sycamore, Wessex and Scout, I seem to have accelerated my collection of finished Aussie helos with more on the production line. This is the Italeri kit and I also used Rons Resins S60 B resin conversion, Eduards Interior/Exterior detail sets along with their pre-cut masks. Various scratch-built details were added according to references including the large port side long range fuel tank. There has been comment about the fit of this kit and to be honest I didn’t have any issues at all. Something that may have contributed to this was that during the construction (and considerable dry fitting) I did not cement any of the internal floor or ceiling pieces as they slotted into their various location points nicely. This allowed for adjustment when cementing both fuselage sides and the joins required very little filler. The airframe was coated with Tamiya grey primer straight from the rattle can. This was left to harden for a few days and the colour coats were done with the airbrush. An interesting aside to this, I was concerned at how little contrast there is between the various low vis markings and stencil data. Coincidentally, I was delivering a yacht from Fremantle to Rockingham and as we neared Garden Island, one of the navies Frigates was arriving along with an airborne SH – 60R. The crew flew very low over us and I was most pleased to see that the markings were very hard to see, almost non-existent. Also, the aircraft was very dirty. Decals were from an old Southern Sky Models/Ronin set and also Aussie decals which are very nice and went on with minimal fuss. Special mention to Graham Molinex –Grubby Fingers website for his invaluable reference section – most appreciated. So here is another addition to me ever growing Australian Military rotary wing collection. Cheers PWJ

Nice clean build Ben - great job. Cheers PWJ

Thanks for your response and input. indeed, I am sure there would have been a lot of noise and calamity associated with operations of these old birds. Also I imagine the Gannet would have also been a noisy beast. Cheers PWJ

Thanks for your response - Cheers PWJ

Thanks for the pic, that is one I have not seen before and I am sure Roger Lambert would also be interested! Cheers and kind regards, PWJ

Thanks for the kind words, appreciated. The reason for now finished underside shots is because the Delmar target assembly is very fragile. I have however taken a few underside pics during the build (following) Cheers and regards PWJ

1/48 Scale CLASSIC AIRFRAMES DH SEA VENOM – RAN FAW 21 Over the last few years I have managed to complete a number of RAN/RAAF Target Tugs and after a long time on the shelf off doom I have managed to complete my latest subject. The base kit is the now long OOP Classic Airframes DH Sea Venom FAW 21. As I mentioned this build has been dormant for many years and I had subsequently been squirreling away the components required to scratch build the Delmar winch/target and support frame assembly. Coincidentally I became aware that Mr Kit had recently released a 1/48 conversion kit that would suit this build only requiring some additional extension pieces and rod to the target bracket to better represent what was used by the RAN. Also the RAN Venoms have fitted a Vampire drop tank to counter the Delmar winch and target. I have used a drop tank from a Classic Airframes Mk 5 Vampire. Various scratch bits and pieces were added according to references. Along the way a long-time aficionado of all things Australian Target tug, Mr Roger Lambert provided some significant reference material along with various photos, drawings and articles – thank you sir!

Superb modelling Sir. Why has AIRFIX not done a 1/48 kit of this aircraft? Cheers PWJ

Nice work Harry - I especially like it that she is a little dirty!!! - great stuff!! Cheers and regards, PJ

Great job Russ - the setting also presents an appropriate atmosphere. Cheers PJ