Michael51

Ed, Thank you for your post. Yes a photograph would be helpful but a side view drawing in Osprey's "Aircraft of the aces" nr. 18 at p.61 is what I am working from: M_LK P3394. My attempts at computer/laser printing have been disastrous so that leaves the cobbling up method. The fabric-or-metal wing matter is covered in other areas in forum postings although I am yet to see a definitive answer, even in the "All the Hurricane questions" section. I think the M_LK illustration is fabric but only because I have assumed that a pointed spinner means a fabric wing. I may well need to be corrected here. I have nevertheless put a backorder in for the Plastic Planet decals you mention with Hannants. Michael

I am trying to source, so far without success, decals for Pete Brother's 32 Sqn GZ_L and Johnnie Cock's (RAAF) 87 Sqn ML_K Hurricanes. If they are on the Hannants site I have missed them. Would anyone in The Forum have some leads? Thanks, Michael

Hi Michael, Thank you very much for your help. I just bought it. Brilliant! Regards, Michael

Graham, Thank you for your advice. I am not sure you are getting the point: Not 'available' but 'readily available'. I applaud your procurement of resin tanks from our sunburnt shores but as FinnAnderson pointed out, it is somewhat a little further down the track than Denmark. We all deserve to give and receive kindness, MIchael

So, if the two 1/72 Spitfire VB choices readily available in my part of the World were Revell's and Tamiya's, which one would forum members consider the better in terms of accuracy? Michael

Gosh, that looks good, Michael

It looks, well, real! Marvellous work, Michael

I think you did it purple because that was what the instructions in that wonderful, old kit stated, Michael

Memories............... A fine build indeed, Michael

A grand job on an old, old kit: well done! Michael

Looks very nice indeed, Michael

A very neat finish to a kit I have had to struggle with. Your efforts have obviously met with more success! My fourth attempt arrived from Hannants this afternoon, followed half an hour later with a six weeks lockdown announcement by our fearless state leader. With guards roaming the streets, cats and dogs going mad, humans allowed outside for one hour a day, the constabulary empowered to come into your home at any time, helicopters above and who knows what below and an 8pm curfew, I think I'll set the new Lanc aside and go back to the Aifix Spitfire.... Michael

Fine work indeed. Those Airfix B-24J and B-17G kits were just so wonderful for the sixties: one could retract the undercarrige and fly it anywhere over occupied territory, fight off a swarm of 109s, and get back home on one engine in time for afternoon tea, Michael

That looks great. The paintwork on both is very restrained and to my eye, they are excellent examples of 'scale' treatment, Michael

All great, 'though I do rather like the Blue 13 more. Just a colour thing really, Michael

What a marvellous result you have achieved: it looks superb, Michael

That looks really good! Michael

Superb work there. The rigging alone is remarkable. Michael

I think it looks great. The canopy painting is exceptional. I have the Airfix Hampden to do next - too scared to try the others, especially after your trials with them. Michael

And I like it too. Good on you for doing something original for your son, Michael

Nice work. I cannot comment on the decal issue other than to observe that for me they either go on easily or they are a disaster. I have never really worked out why. Again, nice work on the Sword kit, Michael

It looks great. I am drawn to the very realistic colouring and finish of the prop and spinner in particular. Very fine work indeed, Michael

Remarkable detail for 1/72. It looks great. Michael

You have done a fine job on the kit. I noted your comments on ageing brain cells and eyesight and feel your pain. Still, it looks great, Michael

Which, I believe was the point being made in your post. It is the best representation of terrified young men in a combat aircraft that I recall. Never mind the soppy bits. The screaming and yelling was a more realistic representation than say Gregory Peck in "Twelve O'clock High". Many years ago, I had the opportunity to correspond with American John Howland, navigator on a 381st B-17G. He sent me a copy of his unpublished (as far as I am aware) diary/memoir of his time there and then nominally with the 91stBG as a PFF crew. He describes a lot of arguing, yelling and screaming, as well as panic and trauma in his memoir. The reason they were assigned to PFF duties had more to do with their perceived insubordination than anything else and they appear to have yelled and screamed through that too. And always the flying flak fragments and the fear and the cold and the stress. Ghastly business. Michael