Phartycr0c

Other than the markings carried periodically by the BBMF Lancaster, in relation to Lancaster nose art markings what seems to be the popular choices amongst modellers.? A strange question I know but I want to do a bit of a straw poll. Choices, Go!

I iwll most certainly be watching this... What between you and Scotsman, we certainly will have some inspiration to follow.

Folks. the first Kitsworld decal sheets are now available from the website ref kw132151 https://www.kitsworld.co.uk/index.php?CATEGORY=6&SUB=2&THISPAGE=1&RADIOSORT=4&PICFILE=516&STKNR=516&STRH=3927&ORDN=4559&RNZ=335433

The cheap test kit makes perfect sense. It will allow you to find the method that is right for you. Both of my builds were grey primed so no need to remove it as ultimately it will not effect the finish. This is a photo I took at East Kirby. It gives you an idea of the sort of finish your after. you can see how the black actually isn't quite black and how it varies in intensity. I know this sounds technical but when you look at a model, a certain amount of light needs to reflect back to the viewer. Plain black just absorbs the available light giving the flat toy like appearance. The tonal variation in the dark greys allows a "depth" which is wholly more pleasing. when I talk about reflection, i'm not talking about finish i.e gloss, matt, semi-gloss, i'm talking about colour tone.

Will if I may, Lancasters have a LOT of real estate when it comes to their paint schemes and the harshness of a pure black just doesn't look right and makes the plane look toy like and lacks depth using black as a camo colour is just too harsh, irrespective of how you build up the paint layers. . In a similar vein I wouldn't paint a F117 or SR 71 blackbird in pure black. Below are three photographs of my 1/32 HK Lancater build which hopefully demonstrate the how you can achieve a depth to the black. I used Tamiya XF 85 rubber black as an undercoat then went over it with a very thin coat of XF 63 Nato Black finally lightning the nato black with a drop of any lighter grey using it to highlight random panels. I subsequently used Flory Grey wash all over the area, allowing it to dry then removing it with a damp paper towel. The wash lightens and picks out the panel lines beutifully. The whole lot was then sealed using a very thin coat of klear before an oil wash to complete the weathering where necessary. The photographs depict the paintwork as black but I can assure you in daylight it appears more of a very dark grey. If you need any more info let me know.

Perfect! can I ask what wash are you using? Chewbacca Not wishing to detract from the superb work going on this thread so ill keep it short. The kit has a resin intake cover which I originally used but after I dropped it, it landed squarely on its nose cracking the said resin part. The good thing about resin is that it breaks cleanly so I pieced it back together as best I could then covered the whole thing with toilet paper soaked in diluted PVA. left to dry then paint. The securing elastics are EZ line. The kit also comes with a representation of the Nite Sun searchlight and associated bracketry. As you say, don't see them attached often so I thought why not?

Hi John, Iv'e asked that very question to Nigel in reply to the email. As soon as I know, I will let you good folks know. As mentioned there is a second sheet being finalised nest week, which one it is I'm not sure at least we appear to be moving forward eh?

Although nowhere near the level of miniature engineering taking place here, I'm going to leave this image of my build for you to decide This is straight out the box with the exception of the rotor fold set, exhaust set and having been dropped on the floor and rebuilt.

FOLKS, I have received a reply from Nigel at Kitsworld re the decal sheets. It appears contrary to our grumbling, things have been progressing Hi Dave, I hope you are well, We have finally completed the upscale decal set for the Buccaneer world operators, and will get the other sheet finalised next week. The sheets include airframe stencils...... As per the email it appear a second sheet will be available next week.

Im sorry folks, I have nothing further to report on the Decal front other than I have submitted a further request to Fantasy Printshop to get their take on whetehr they would be interested in taking the challenge. I think the big issue with the decal side is the very limited "one off" nature of the requests. As far as a company goes I would imagine they would much prefer to to 20 of one sheet rather than a few of several if you see what I mean. I get the feeling that even at £35 KW wouldnt be making too much in the way of profit. That said, ill keep chasing.

Im still waiting on Nigel to get back to me with that info together with what other sheets are to be enlarged. As soon as i know, you will know.....

OK decal update, Nigel has just sent me these images of the first upscaled sheet that will become available with more on the way! I will pop these on as I am sent them. The bad news? each set consisting of 3x A5 sheets will cost £34.99 rather than the £25 first advertised. This first sheet is an upscale of this https://www.kitsworld.co.uk/index.php?CATEGORY=5&SUB=23&THISPAGE=1&RADIOSORT=4&PICFILE=433&STKNR=433&STRH=3808&ORDN=2585&RNZ=238674

I'm back with a short decal update, Nigel i currently prepping for new years trade shows and as such has indicated he will finalise the details of decal ordering as soon as things calm down.

I am attending a photoshoot with the Buccaneers at Bruntingthorpe on 22nd Feb if anyone wants / needs specific photos. Ill try and spot the curves as discussed above. On decal note, I asked Nigel about methods of ordering / payments for the sheets discussed and whether the gulf war sheets are an option. I am awaiting a reply but I will chase him up after the Christmas holidays

In relation to the Gulf war sheet, Again I asked about whether it is viable to produce in 1/32 and again await a reply. As to which one I'm not absolutely sure it will matter only whether upscaling to 1/32 is in itself viable. I will of course let you know of any replies, that said i'm conscious of pestering Nigel Too much on the lead up to Christmas.

I have asked about payment methods and await a reply. I feel it will be direct with Nigel at Kitsworld once he allocates a stock number etc. I dont know about lead in times or when they will become available etc I will try and find out.

Hot off the press. Nigel has done some upscaling work for the two sheets outlined. The upscaling process produces 2x A5 sheets for 7 aircraft options in the case of sheet 137 and 5 options for the sheet 140 The Sets will be priced at £25.00 each. I have also asked about the gulf war sheet option being produced and await a reply.

5, Im looking to do the Grey White red test aircraft.

By way of a short update, My initial comms with Nigel at Kitsworld went off radar, he has apparently been away for a few days. He has stated he will contact me this week to update me on how to go about producing some markings for this great kit. Watch this and other spaces (LSP)

Hi Alan, and all Britmodellers. I was fortunate to pick one of the Buccs up at Telford and have to say, what a great piece of work it is. Many thanks To Alan for spoiling us with this huge kit of an iconic aircraft. On the subject of Decals. I have made an approach to Kitworld who are looking into the possibility of upscaling some of their 1/72 sheets which include some RAF subjects, Gulf war pink aircraft and radar research aircraft. I am collating a level of interest for this so I ask 2 questions 1. how many have the kit / have one on order 2. how many would be interested in the markings offered by KW. Alan, I hope this will take some of the pressure off you in having to sort markings from scratch (i know what goes into them) KW already have the artwork its just a case of scaling up and producing the sheets. I hope this helps.

Don't forget Alan, as you are at Telford, there is the TSR 2 at Cosford for you to get a good look at.. I would most certainly be interested in this one!

Part 3 Next In for paint will be the 493rd F15 C The markings will be similar with the exception that the rudders gun port and other detail will be blue, similarly the 494th will be yellow. Enjoy!

Part 2 Sublime, Aint it? Anyhow following the presentation, both aircraft were re positioned for more photos Part 3 to follow

Yesterday I had the great privilege of being present at RAF Lakenheath for the unveiling of the first of the 48th Fighter wing heritage aircraft. One aircraft from each of the based squadrons will be repainted in WW2 heritage squadron colours to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D Day, all three taking part in the flypast on 6th June in Normandy. First taxi off the rank is the scheme for the 492nd Fighter squadron the "Mad Hatters" Firstly, I must point out that the schemes have caused a little argument amongst both the based squadrons and aviation enthusiasts alike because the Hatters squadron colour is a blue tail stripe with thecatch phrase Bleed Blue So why has it been painted in red? 492 aircraft sported red tailed aircraft at the time of D Day. Likewise 493 (currently yellow) were blue and 494 (currently red) were yellow. All 3 squadrons were flying p47's at the time of the landings. Anyhow, back to the event. The existence of the repaints came completely out of the blue, one of the best kept secrets, no rumours, nothing. Also attending the reveal was the 492'd squadron marked P47 "Nellie" which was used as a backdrop behind the gathered throng of senior officers and civillian dignitaries including representatives from the Imperial War Museum. The presentation began with two short videos depicting archive footage of 48th FW Thunderbolts on operations, followed by a time lapse video of the 10 "bulldogs" (the nickname of the 48th FW corrosion prevention squadron ) at work on the repaint. Following the visuals, each of the painters received a commendation and award from the base commander from where they filed off stage left. A short while later following a further speech the paint shop doors were drawn back to reveal a stunningly painted F15 E. Words were difficult to find. The quality of the detail that has gone into this repaint is incredible. Worthy of note is the beautiful Mad Hatters logo together with the Liberty on the tail fin. The design mimics perfectly the markings worn by 48th FW aircraft during WW2. Anyway enough chat, its time for you folks to make your own mind up. On with the show! Part two follows

Folks, Very many thanks for your replies, I'm genuinely overwhelmed. For anyone who is interested, pending confirmation, she will be on display at the Shropshire show at RAF Cosford on 2nd April hopefully, together with Iain's B17 "A bit o lace" and almost certainly at Telford. To answer a few queries, , Lazyeagle, The crew are made up of various figures including master details P47 Pilot figure which comes with alternative white metal heads, with or without goggles face mask etc. from front to back, Master details bombadier, Nav / front gunner Czech Master 1/35 vietnam door gunner with master details heads, Pilot, Master details P47 Pilot Co Pilot adapted Tamiya Mosquito pilot, Upper gunner spares box arms and torso with Master details head, ball turret gunner (yes there is one in there honest although I wish i hadnt bothered) the same as upper gunner, Radio room and waist gunners again adapted vietnam Czech master figures, rear gunner is a Zveda Russian radio operator as he is kneeling down, with a master details head. Cheezburger The base is a screenshot of the outskirts of Wittmund from google earth with the roads and other information turned off. Having made the base i discovered that the screenshot i had chosen shows what looks like a 737 on approach to an airfield. Luckilly this is hidden by the b17 itself, makes for a good "wheres Wally" puzzle when i mention it. The kits themselves are both great but at times when I was detailing the interior of the B17 I really did get hung up on the amount required only to find that quite a lot was lost when I closed the fuselage up. It got so bad She almost went to the shelf of doom. Accomodating the finished build is not too much of an issue as HK really thought through the kits construction, the wings and tailplane are removeable and I wired the motors and stand ins such a way that things are simply unplugged. I really am glad she turned out so well as at times it was a real labour of love but ultimately worthwhile Thanks again for the positive replies and keep building.