Gary Adams

Thanks guys for the kind words.....now to get to work on the next one, the ICM Spit IXc!

Thanks J.D., the exhausts are pretty easy actually. I first spray the stubs a dark red/brown (I use ModelMasters "Rust"). Next I take a lead pencil, rub it on sandpaper to get a pile of pencil dust, dab a finger in the dust and use it to dry-brush the ends of the exhausts and highlight the stubs. Lastly I add texture with dark brown and black chalk pastels. Scrape the chalk with an Xacto blade to shave into chalk dust. Use a fine paint brush to add/dab the brown chalk to the rust that shows and the black toward the exhaust opening. The graphite highlights give a metalic sheen and the chalk imparts the depth and texture. An even, rust color just looks fake. Cheers,

Not a "Shake-n-Bake" Tamiya kit but really a fun build! I used the Classic Airframes' Vc, building it as a Spit flown by "Dixie" Alexander from Borgo, Corsica c.1944, while with the 2nd FS. Used an Eduard PE set for the cockpit, UltraCast seat with Sutton harness, and exhausts. Decals from Eagle Strike. Mr Color paints, sprayed free hand with my trusty, old Badger 100G. Weathered with oil wash weathering, pastel chalks, and silver Prisama pencil. Once I figured out how to "cure" the wing/fuselage joint fit, it was a painless build. Took Dave Gibson's suggestion of adding the canopy rail on the starboard side. Personally, I think this model needs heavy weathering to look "real". For those that don't care for the washes, fading, and chips, please convince me I'm wrong. Thanks for taking a look. Cheers,

My second Spit is a IXc as flown by Pierre Clostermann in late June, 1944. The ICM kit is a typical short run injection molded model, i.e. lots of flash, warped fuselage, no locator pins, and a general questionable fit. It appears IMHO to have an accurate shape and nice detail and TONS of parts. I'm not planing on showing off the engine so will leave the panals on. Work so far has been to spend a few evenings cleaning up all the parts....not all that easy in some cases. Also have articulated the late elevator including cutting out the hinges and repositioning the trim tabs....same on rudder. Rear fuselage walls at the rudder have been thinned. Worked on the lower cowl and scratched a new intake lip. Cockpit door cut out and lightening holes drilled. I will use an Eduard PE set for the pit as well as an UltraCast seat (and exhausts). Looking forward to getting more done on this neat little kit. Cheers,

Started this model the first of March so hope it qualifies. It's the first and farthest along of two Spits I'm building. Not a "Shake-n-Bake" Tamiya kit but really a fun build so far. I'm using Classic Airframes' Vc, building it as a Spit flown by "Dixie" Alexander from Borgo, Corsica c.1944, while with the 2nd FS. You'll notice the "C" wing cannons have been remounted in the correct position between the early part of the build and the time the primer was sprayed. I'm using an Eduard PE set for the cockpit and UltraCast exhausts. Decals from Eagle Strike. Mr Color paints, with oil weathering. Still have a number of last minute things to stick on....landing gear, prop, antenna, pastel chalks...hoping to get finished by the weekend. I hope Dave Gibson spots his suggestion on this build! Cheers,

Thanks! Finish was done using 4 shades of Alclad II: Polished alum, alum, dark alum, and duraluminum. I used post-it notes to mask the panels. Lightly dry brushed a Paynes Grey oil paint in the direction of the panels "grain" then wiped it off after letting it set for a few minutes. Similar to the technique WWI modelers use for wood grain. Cheers,

The last of my 4 plane build of 4th FG planes representative of the groups four year war waged from Debden, UK. The plane represents the D flown by Capt George Green on March 17th, 1945 when he rescued his CO Maj, Pierce McKennon after he was downed by flak. Built from the Tamiya P-51D kit. First the wings were sanded and panel lines were filled with CA as all 51's had a puttied wing to improve the laminer flow. The cockpit includes a True Details seat and Eduard PE. Exhaust is from Ultracast. Drop tanks were switched with the tanks from the Tamiya 51B. Prop cuffs were modified from the kit. Formation lights on the fuselage were made with 05 thou plastic sheet double punched to make a "donut" with a drop of Tamiya clear orange for the lights. Finish was done using Mr. Color acrylics for the "color" shots and the Natural Metal (fuselage and control surfaces) was done using various Aluminum shades of Alclad II. The wings were done with Alclad II aluminum over sprayed with Dullcoat to replicate the filled wing silver. Eagle Strike decals with various oil washes, silver pencil, and pastel chalks for weathering. You'll notice that I had a mistake in the ammo panel on each wing pointed out. I got too carried away with filling panel lines. Easy fix at least with some creative painting. Also got rid of the silver chipping on the rubber prop cuff...ooops! Just too much fun to build. Sorry that the grouping is done. Now on to my next grouping....I have a quartet of Spitfires lined up. Cheers,

Good Stuff!! Very useful and something I overlooked.....Do I need to turn in my "Order of the Picker of Nits" badge? Cheers,

Hi Dave, Looking good! Duh! never thought of that about the shortness....one of those things that's just too obvious! And the starboard rails (you pegged me correctly in your email). This area, as you know somehow is ignored on most models, not just Spits! This will help on my current build, the Classic Airframes Mk Vc. Hope things are calm where you are. Think of you with all the news we hear and the situation in the region. Cheers,

Eduard announced a limited edition release of their bf110 panel. Don't know price as of now but will be available next month. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F...001&h=5a322 I made a suggestion that they do a limited line of panels including possibly a Spit and FW190. Word from Libor Havránek, Marketing Specialist is they would like to see if there is interest in such products. Is there? Cheers,

There is no such thing as a boring Spitfire!!! Great build all around! I so agree with you Bruce...finishing up my 4th Tamiya kit in a row for that very reason; Spit V, P-47, P-51B, and P-51D. Build on! Cheers,

Thank you gentlemen for the complements...I love the look of Beeson's 51. Puts to rest those crituques of grimmy, dirty builds. His plane only lasted about 4 weeks in combat yet looked all faded, worn, and down-right dirty in the one photo I worked from. Taken just a few days before he was shot down in this plane. Next in line is one of my favorite P-51D's, Greens' "Suzon". Will also be built using the Tamiya kit. Cheers,

Hey Jon! Good eye! Thinned as well as reshaped. Easier and alot cheaper than shelling out for resin. "Sand, not spend" is my motto! Cheers,

The third of my “one man build” of a representative fighter used by the 4th FG in each year of it’s operational tour in WWII. 1942 – Spitfire Vb 1943 – P-47C 1944 – P-51B 1945 – P-51D My build represents the plane flown by Capt. Duane Beeson of the 334th fs, 4th FG, in the year 1944 from 28 February to 5 April, when he was shot down and made a POW. He was credited with 24.25 victories; 19.5 air, and 4.75 ground. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and many other decorations. Beeson was promoted to Lt. Col. after the war and died of a brain tumor 15 Feb 1947. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The model was built from the excellent 1/48th Tamiya P-51B. AM items include an Aires cockpit, UltraCast exhausts and control surfaces. Prop cuffs reshaped. Painted with Mr Color acrylics, oils, pastels, and used AeroMaster decals. Scheme is based on the only known color photo of Beeson in his plane returning from a mission. The photo shows a well-worn, dirty plane long into it’s career. Just my take and opinion of its general appearance. Very much fun and quick, about 3 weeks. Gotta love Tamiya kits for a relaxing, quick build. Next up is "1945" George Green's P-51D, "Suzon".

A new display case for the models from my daughter! Neat unit from IKEA! Cheers,