Roman Schilhart

Thanks for your reply, Troy! It is really an interesting topic. I tried to approach the issue with 'common sense'. We know that these P-400s originate from RAF. I assume these were all painted grey/green uppers and medium grey undersides. I have never seen a Silver RAF Airacobra. Now, why would the Soviets repaint them in Silver (not White), when they were to operate in Arctic/Winter conditions? And, why would they only paint a partial Silver finish as evident on the first aircraft in the row (Bort 95)? Looking closely, the outer wings as well as the tailplanes of "95" are significantly darker, as if the original camoflage was still in place. The same is true for the area around the air intake on the spine, just aft of the cockpit. You can also see a demarcation line on the tail that suggests a different underside color (Medium Grey?). That is not so clear on the second aircraft in line ("60"), though. I have also read that there were "no Silver aircraft in Soviet Air Force" in 1943. The same photograph with the line-up of P-400s in the snow is also featured in the book "US Aircraft in the Soviet Union and Russia" by Jefim Gordon, described as "in winter camoflage". However I do agree that there is a difference in color between the aircraft nose and the starter truck on the last picture, and it seems to be the same color all over on the Airacobra. Finally, I am none the wiser by now, but thanks again for your valuable help in research! Much appreciated. With kindest regards from Vienna, Roman

Steve, I had them custom-made by a carpenter to fit my room. Not inexpensive, but I now have them exactly like I wanted!

Thanks for your reply Fernando. I am tempted towards a White upper surface with Medium Grey RAF undersides. It would make little sense for the Russians to paint their newly acquired (and camoflaged) aircraft Silver overall, especially when they were operating under Winter conditions! Apart from that, most Lend Lease aircraft were flown in the original colors (grey/green Spitfires, olive drab Airacobras, etc.) as far as I know. Even though the original photo (as posted above) suggests a 'shiny finish', I hardly believe this is Silver. (Interestingly, also Eduard suggests a "Silver" finish on their 48 scale kit.) Greetings Roman

Steve, we all make a mess with paint and fumes .... ... and sometimes the workbench gets crammed, when there's a queue of models waiting to be finished ....

I got my new workspace in summer 2015. Here's what it was looking before, you can see the desk had cut-outs to accomodate two Technics 1210 turntables and a mixing console, while the wall racks used to hold (thousands of) vinyl records. That's all an echo of time (I once was a club DJ in what seems a former life by now). I started by throwing everything out, repairing the floor and re-painting the walls. Here's the new workbench: And finally, some display space for the finished models! They were resting in cardboard boxes and drawers before, and all of them were badly dusted. Got some room for my stash as well! Books on the shelf! As you can see one of my Technics 1210 turntables was allowed to stay. Not that it is actually connected and working, but I couldn't part from... Now time to get busy - no more excuses for not modelling! The bogey behind the desk holds paints & the compressor. Kind regards from Vienna, Austria. Roman

I agree with this, as I broke both the antenna and control stick on the 1/72 P-51D Mustang. And, has anyone ever tried making 'stretched sprue' from an Airfix runner? It simply does not work! Apart from these minor issues, I'm a dedicated follower of Airfix releases, have just bought the 1/72 Me-262 and now I'm waiting for the B-25.

1/72 Airfix Model: 1/72 Revell kit: 1/72 Revell (Nightfighter):

How about this one:

Thanks again, Fernando. You mean, the lower surfaces could be something like "Sky"?

I did one of the 1697 flight Hurricanes a couple of years ago from the Revell IIC kit:

That's Buck Danny's plane! Reminds me of the comic books from my childhood ... I once built this kit - many many moons ago - together with my father!

Thanks for your replies, gentlemen. Skipping through the "sovietwarplanes" thread, there are some contradicting statements regarding the color; some sources claim there were NO silver (or natural metal) aircraft in VVS service, so it must be either White or Light Blue? However some period photographs seem to confirm Silver as a possible color (as Fernando has explained above). I could not find a photograph of "Red 60" by now, if someone has specific info on that marking option, you're most welcome to post here. Thanks again and best greetings from Vienna, Roman

Way above "average", especially the mottling on the fuselage sides looks very convincing. Tidy job!

Dear fellow Britmodellers, I just got my 1/72 RS Models P-400 Airacobra (#92181). There is one Russian option(Red 60) provided. The caption below reads "Winter 1942/1943". RS instructions quote "Silver" overall for the colors. Shouldn't this be actually White - as it did operate during Winter time? Suggestions are most welcome. Thanks in advance, Roman

Dear fellow Britmodellers, last weekend I took a long walk at Vienna's Central Cemetery, one of the largest in Europe. It holds a number of graves of interest for aviation historics, such as that of Franz Wels (Wels-Etrich Taube) or Franz Mannsbarth (designer of the first Austro-Hungarian airship). Also, Austria's most successful fighter pilots from both World Wars have been laid to rest here. First picture is at the grave of Godwin Brumowski, the most successful fighter ace of the Austro-Hungarian empire. He was credited with 40 victories (some sources say 35). He went on to become a flight instructor with Austrian Aero Club after the war. In June 1936, he got killed when an airplane piloted by one of his students crashed at Amsterdam-Shiphol airport. This is the grave of Walter Nowotny, Carrier Of The Golden Honor Ring of the city of Vienna, youngest Major in the Luftwaffe and commander of the very first operational jet squadron in history, credited with 258 aerial victories. He died November 8th, 1944, when his Me-262 crashed near Epe, Westaflia/Germany. The inscription reads: “Carrier of Oak Leaves with Swords and Brilliants to the Knight’s Cross, Eternal is his fatal fame”. May we never forget, never repeat history! With greetings from Vienna, Roman Schilhart

Very unusual livery! It's a nice touch that the original markings are shining through the winter distemper. Congrats!

Dear fellow Britmodellers, my next kit finished is the 1/72 Amodel Yak-9U, a model I picked from the 'second hand' box of my local hobby shop this summer. The kit is typical short-run, without alignment pins, but generally good surface detail. Most parts need care and clean-up before assembly. I replaced the pitot tube with a piece of wire. Amodel's decals are among the worst I've ever seen, having a thick carrier film that's fraying around its edges and color mis-prints; what's supposed to be Red is actually Orange. I only used some instruction markings from the kit's decal sheet and replaced Red Stars, Bort number and nose art from a Print Scale sheet (72072). Much to my disappointment, I found out that some of the Red Stars on the Print Scale sheet are out of register, carrying white shadow lines. Represented is the aircraft of Georgiy Baevski, Hero of the Soviet Union (19 victories) from the 5th Guards Fighter Regiment (GIAP), Germany March 1945. Painted with acrylics from the Gunze/Mr.Hobby range, all photographs by Wolfgang Rabel. Greetings from Vienna! Kind regards from Vienna.

That looks sharp! Well done, Sir! Greetings from Vienna, Roman

I am impressed. Very impressed. The most beautiful IAR80 I ever have seen in this scale. Now, I must get that kit, too! Thanks for showing, Libor!

The 15cm Panzerwerfer 42 is of MACO origin, for sure. I am surprised about the announcement of the Fw-190 F8 in 72 scale - will this be a re-issue of their 1997 moulding? I haven't heard anything about a "new tool" Fw-190 from Revell in 72 scale.

Fantastic model (again)! Reini can you please specify the exact Color - is that H73 Dark Green? Thanks in advance, Roman

I support this request! Early Yak-9D to late Yak-9P/T/U would be very welcome. And I'm still hoping for that promised Erla built 109 versions. Jan, do you think you will have the Bf-109s ready for GoModelling in Vienna next year? Cheers Roman

Wow! Took a while from first announcement to finished product. Must get one at Plastic Winter Bratislava in November!

Jaw-dropping. What an attractive scheme! Must try on my 1/72 Sword kit. Thanks for inspiration!

Spectacular sea bird, another great model from your factory!