jager

Another truck virgin, but open to persuasion. I remember seeing Ted Taylor's write ups and great builds in the model mags years ago, and getting vaguely itchy. Only snag is, most of 'em seem 3 feet long, so where do you put 'em all ? (Often fancied a diorama based on the Steven Spielberg film, 'Duel' was it ? With the menacing seemingly unmanned truck.)

Terrific weathering effects, just love that second Avenger.

Now ain't that the truth, but I'm all for the easy life !

One of the nicest kits to pass through my hands. I was a bit doubtful about the large glazed canopy, a few dozen 'Window panes' and a lot of framing, but found a set of perfect masks, all AOK.

There are some kits which have been around for a while which have not really got the recognition they deserve. Case in point, the Tamiya 1:48 Aichi Sieran. Good looking plane, something of a Schneider racer about it. Simply one of Tamiya's real triumphs, typical superb fit, detail etc. great cockpit. Maybe because it is a rather obscure old darlin', few built and did nowt really, but an interesting concept, a submarine borne bomber ! Comes with a dolley to sit on, and being a seaplane, just think what a great weathering time you are going to have. If you want some Japanese 1:48 figures, really good ones, have a look at the Hecker & Goros range on the Historex site, they do a damn fine range of other aircrew too.

Thanks Andy, a man can never have enough 109s on his shelf, and I do fancy a bit of arty-farty Luftwaffe mottle spray work.

Neat, Neat, Neat, (And dammit who sang that ?)

Well, well, I had been considering a big Stuka, plus a few nice figures standing around, actually have ordered a nice new perspex display case, then opted for the P47 ! So, now need an occupant, (Having looked at the Jug again, I feel enthusiasm just ebbin' away ). Have heard good reports about the Hasegawa Me109G-10, couple of good reviews, plus seems a nice selection of bolt-on resin, decals etc. Whaddya' fink wise guys ? Help an old man who may turn to stamp collecting.

After all the initial hootin' & hollerin', I must confess I am not immensely impressed with the Hasegawa Jug, (You kinda get a sneaky feeling Tamiya could do much better). Didn't have any real problem with the cowling, assembled over a couple of days, to let each joint dry. I suppose it is a boring build ! After doing a few "Wows" at the sheer size, it's sorta featureless. I have consigned it to the cupboard, which occasionally assumes the guise of the Portals to Hell. I think I prefer 1:48 after all !

That looks a challenge, Good Luck !

Nice result ! Had a look in the box, and those figures look excellent, seems Tamiya still have 'The Edge' when it comes to military stuff, nice innovative subject too.

Thanks Chris. Actually that's actually a good site, bookmarked it. I guess those 1:72 Biremes etc. could have started life under the Imai label. Trying to remember if they were all to a similar scale. Have heard that a lot of stuff produced in Japan never made it over here, being intended for the domestic market e.g. miniature temples etc. for bonsai gardens etc.

Individuality is all ! Way back in the distant past, when Francois Verlinden emerged as the one true god, he published a book called "The Verlinden Way" All the AFVs were washed and dry brushed so that the detail just 'pinged' out, and from then on everybody got the bug, and all AFV models looked that way. Seems the same is happening to model aircraft, yes that pre-shaded look is very attractive, but is it a reflection of the real thing ? I guess I am just as guilty, do the wash and dry brush effect, so that all those panels are neatly outlined, and vary the intensity of the colours. Each to his own, but a little individuality is a good target to aim for.

Anyone know a source for Imai kits ? They produced a whole fleet of excellent period ships, from Greek / Roman galleys through to a really magnificent French ship-of-the-line, (Believe it was the Napoleon ?) I built a lateen sailed 15th C. galley, good subtle timber effects, rigging blocks etc. Used to see them in the ship modellers shop in Greenwich, but they seem to have vanished now .... Any ideas ?

Tiranti rubber and hardener, (Best say catalyst , heh ! unless you wanna go shopping down Soho), about £25 quid for a good amount. Enough for four or five quite large moulds, or dozens of little ones ! Good firm to deal with, great catalogue too, take a look at their website - resin, tools etc.

I think Humbrol are just not coming up to the mark with quality control these days. I stopped using their paints a while back. The drastic reductions in the colour range started the rot. Never had any trouble with the varnishes though, but the Mattcote takes a good deal of stirring to get that gunge from the bottom dispersed properly.

I subscribe to Mil. Mod., MAI, (And the Journal of the British Flat Figure Society, I buy it for the naked Egyptians, don't tell a soul, OK ?). Now and then a friend in the States sends a couple of Finescale Modellers. I must admit they don't go into the amount of depth & detail of British mags, but it is a good 20 minute read. Some of the reviews do tend to the "How fast I built it" tone.

I agree, the Badger 200 is a good reliable airbrush, very forgiving too, & comparatively easy to keep clean. With a bit of practise you can achieve a very fine line, provided you use a good finely ground paint. ( I use White Ensign Colourcoat). Just a little tip, warm the paint a little, improves the flow no end. Welcome to the club, good here innit ?

That's one Hell of a lovely paint job ! I used to go to the model boat shop in Greenwich quite a lot, and often went aboard the Old Girl, (and the Cutty Sark !). That woodwork is a good colour match.

Great little device ! I think I am going to be building at least a couple

Really excellent work.This is the kit that got me back into aircraft models. Having seen your work I feel inclined to go out and get my hands on the new version, with wings folded. Once again a superb job.

It really is pretty straightforward. BUT air bubbles are a menace. When pouring the rubber, first paint the liquid rubber onto the object being moulded, then pour the rubber. Similarly when casting with resin, coat the inside of the mould with the mixed resin, a baby bud is ideal. Good luck, damned useful technique.

I have found that various kit decals respond differently to Sol products. Some Hasegawa decals wrinkle quite alarmingly, yet settle down in time. Tamiya respond very well. And yes there is a temptation to prod the decal, but there be Tygers, they really are very soft in the final stage, give it time and all will be well. After the model has dried overnight, give it a good rinse with slightly soapy water, then clear water, Sol products can develop a stain effect after a while, (I know, that lovely 1:32 white Skyhawk that began to look like the jockey was a serious Marlborough Man. ).

I thought those aerosol cans of Airbrush Cleaner were a bit of non-vital tackle, but they do seem to dissolve most gunk. I squirt a few drops through my airbrushes now & then as a matter of course, anyway. They can be temperamental little beasties, even the most immaculate cleaning routine may leave you with a blocked up spout, (So to speak) every now & then !

Those aircraft look excellent, just put some interwing struts on some Japanese cruiser-borne aircraft. Never try this at home if you have a hangover, one inadvertent twitch of the hand spells ruin !