Chris Preston

Many thanks everyone - excellent information that I didn't have access to. FYI - 443 Sqn is still in existence, here in Victoria, as a Maritime Air (Anti-Submarine) helicopter squadron, hence my interest in doing a 443 Sqn aircraft. Cheers, Chris, IPMS Victoria

'Afternoon All, A question for those more knowledgeable than myself on Spitfires............was Spitfire 2I*E, serial MK636 (from 443 Sqn RCAF, circa June 1944) a Spitfire Mk IXc or Mk IXe? Cheers, Chris Preston

Mark and Jerry - Many Thanks for your replies. Excellent review and I'll try Above and Below Graphics for the decals. 443 Sqn is still flying, and here in Victoria and that. Cheers, Chris

'Afternoon All, I finally caved in and purchased the new 24th scale Airfix Spitfire Mk 9c, and just completed an initial inspection of the kit.........beautiful! For those of you who have already purchased and built this kit, is there anything worth replacing with after-market, or is the kit good out-of-the-box? Normally I like to replace at least the Instrument Panel, exhausts, and possibly the the wheels with aftermarket. Thoughts? Also, I'd like to finish the model in the markings of the aircraft flown by S/L Wally McLeod, 443 Sqn RCAF, flying Spitfire 21*E, Ser # MK 636, but I'm unable to locate a decal sheet in 24th scale for this aircraft - would anyone here know of a source for these markings? Cheers, Chris Preston Victoria,BC

Many Thanks Jack. Chris

Good Day All, I finally purchased Thunder Models Scammel Tank Transporter, and am wondering if Resicast is still in business. I'm thinking of purchasing their aftermarket update set for the radiator and steering, and their wheel sets (unless I decide to modify the kit parts). Cheers, Chris Preston Victoria, BC

Good Day All, I finally purchased Thunder Models Scammel Tank Transporter, and am wondering if Resicast is still in business. I'm thinking of purchasing their aftermarket update set for the radiator and steering, and their wheel sets (unless I decide to modify the kit parts). Cheers, Chris Preston Victoria, BC

Thanks Greg and Kingsman, Apologies fr the lateness in my reply - very useful information that you've both provided. Cheers, Chris

'Evening All, I have two 35th scale kits for a 6 Pdr A/T Gun - one by Resicast, and the other by Riich, and two significantly different tire diameters. According to information from another knowledgeable site, the tire diameter (inflated) for the tires on a 6 Pdr should be 27'5", which scales down to 1.995cm in 35th scale. The tires in the Riich kit measure 1.842 cm, and Resicast are significantly bigger at 2.343cm. Can anyone here confirm what the correct diameter should be? Cheers, Chris Preston Victoria, BC

'Afternoon All, First post on this forum.........I'm currently building Tamiya's newer 35th scale Matilda Mk III, with a now out-of-production Tiger Model Designs after-market set that includes a P-E rack and Flimsy POL/Water cans for the rear engine deck of the vehicle (for desert vehicles). Were these cans left in their natural metal finish, or were they painted, and if painted, what ere their colours? Many Thanks for the assist. Cheers, Chris Preston Victoria, BC Canada

Good Day All, Last week I received a 3-D printed update set for Monogram's 48th scale OS2U Kingfisher, from Flightline engineering. This set is superb, and includes a correctly sized main float, fully detailed Pilot's and Observer's cockpits, and a new cowling, engine, and propeller, along with other details. This is a great set, and well worth getting , if you're planning on building this kit. Link here: http://www.flightlineengineering.com/item_48_os2u_kingfisher_set.html . Cheers, Chris Preston, Victoria, BC

Hi Jackson, One more supplier I forgot to mention is William Blackmore, who owns Cottage Industry Models in the States. He also does 96th scale Kingfishers, along with USN pattern ships boats and fittings. Cheers, Chris

Hi Jackson, My starting point for the Kingfishers are resin "kits". the first batch of three is from the manufacturer of the hull - Lee Upshaw, of The Scale Shipyard, in LA, California. In addition to producing the fiberglass hulls, he does a lot of the fittings, including aircraft, in resin. The second batch of three Kingfishers is also in resin, from John Haynes in the UK. His products are now available through the Floating Drydock. Not quite sure which set of Kingfishers I'll use, as I'm still working on the hull. They're simple kits but look the part. Hope this helps. Give me a shout if you need more info. Cheers, Chris

'Afternoon All, I'm building a 96th scale USS ARIZONA, circa late 1941, and in the near future will be starting the three Kingfisher Spotter Aircraft she carried. The aircraft were finished in the then standard USN Blue-Grey upper surfaces, and USN Light Grey for the undersides. The few photos I have of the aircraft being recovered by the ARIZONA (in SEP/OCT 1941) show the cockpit and radioman/rear gunner's positions to be a dark colour, but I'm unable to confirm the colour(s) for either position. The information I have suggests it was a Bronze Green colour, rather than a US Interior Green colour - can anyone advise further, and confirm? Cheers, Chris Preston Victoria, BC Canada

Hi Mike, The two surviving Martin Mars are right here on Vancouver Island, north of Victoria, BC, on Sprout Lake. I last saw one of them demonstrating it's fire-fighting water-dropping capability at a display during the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 - very impressive. These aircraft will be missed here once they're gone. Chris Preston Victoria, BC, Canada