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Hi All, I originally signed up for this GB when first posted . Usually with Vietnam topics,, I like to build some thing from New Zealand's contribution to this War/Conflict. Interestingly when New Zealand entered this war/conflict as a US ally, we already had experience with operations in South East Asia, in the form of the Malaya Emergencies where we fought as part of Britain's Commonwealth against the communist there (and won). Vietnam was an interesting time for both Australia and New Zealand...... My Mother lost a cousin in Vietnam with the New Zealand Army, and I do recall vividly, my Mother telling me one day after school (primary/elementary) that my Father (RNZAF) had gone to Vietnam. He never mentioned it, or had photos/slides he normally took when on Overseas Exercises/deployments. New Zealander's as well as our Aussie cousins served in a variety of operations in Vietnam, some RNZAF personnel serving with either RAAF or USAF units as in the photos below RNZAF Pilots/Aircrew serving with 9 Sqn RAAF (RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions) RNZAF Aircrew with USAF as FAC (RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions) Okay onto my topic/build of choice I had a few kits in mind as in photo below But I decided to go with a whirly bird As per my topic title, this is an AH-1G from the 4th Cavalry, markings for a Cobra flown by Capt. Hugh Mills. This Cobra is featured in "Gunslingers in Action" Squadron/Signals Publications, which I have a copy of but is MIA at present in a box of my books...... somewhere in my house So the kit in question I had made a start so many moons ago (way under 25%) with a view to showing off part of the engine as seen in the sprue shot below Kit canopy/clear parts Kit instructions - usual Revell style Kit decals - I really hope they are still good to use I'll have think as to whether I keep the engine compartment open, or just button up and build mostly OOB. Anyways thanks for looking in, and more soon Regards Alan

I've had this kit for some time, it is one intended to be finished in RAF Markings, along with other German Aircraft featured in K S West's book, the Captive Luftwaffe, and flown by Captain Eric Brown as part of the RAE Aerodynamics Flight at Farnborough in 1945/46. The Aircraft is C/N 120086, one of 11 operated by JG1 and captured at Leck In RAF markings it was given serial number VH515 and recorded as Air Min 67, the German markings were overpainted, but not the nose arrow of JG 1. It would have had a unit identity number, but this was also painted out. There are quite a few photos of the 162s, a couple in colour and it does seem that when painting out the German markings German paints were used, as there is no obvious mismatch as is seen on some of the ME 163s in RAF colours. It also seems that the jets did not receive Trainer Yellow under surfaces, which might have been expected, the 162 are clearly blue, probably RLM 76, a pale blue/grey. Upper surfaces are RLM 81/82, but with aberrations like the ailerons painted the same 82 colour overall as they were interchangeable. The engine cover was also a dark solid colour, it could have been RLM 66. After 75+ years who can say? Also, by 1945 German Supply Chain issues resulted in paint being made from what was available, rather than an exact match to the official RLM or RAL Colour shade charts. The Revell kit is simple, but finely detailed and with virtually no flash: a joy to build! Now to the exciting bit...for me, that is! I'm an old generation modeler, first building Airfix Kits in the 1960s and grew up with Humbrol oil based paints. Some years ago I got an Iwata Revolution Airbrush and tried using it with thinned Humbrol, but with not a lot of success. For this kit I decided to try again, using Vallejo Airbrush Ready acrylic paint. WHAT a difference.....the paint is fine, covers well and dries quickly. So far, so good...but I've only painted the interior parts using their Panzer Grey, which seems to match RLM 66 and which was used as an internal colour on most aircraft built in the late war. Here is my Airbrush, the incredibly useful Revell spray capture jar, essential for washing out the airbrush, the kit internals painted. I should have the fuselage closed up next week, I will highlight the seat straps and dome of the very simple instruments, but I'm not super detailing this. The interesting phase is going to be when I have to spray the external surfaces. It has been suggested that I need a second airbrush for larger areas, but we shall see: I model mostly in 1/48 to 1/24 scale. But if this project works well it could see me bring the curtain down on Humbrol, the modern "eco friendly" paint formulations are not what they used to be: I have tinlets from the 1960s that are in perfect condition whilst tinlets bought more recently are thick, don't cover properly and either dry to rapidly to too slowly. . More, soon....

Hi All, Place Holder for tomorrows Start I will be continuing a Build I stared a few years ago, using the old Revell kit. Started a lot more than I had remembered, Still less than 25% though From the following photos you can see I originally made a start on correcting then R 2800 Engine (got rid of those "Bumps") on the Gearbox housing as in photo below The Cowling was short shot in Places, so started repairs and removed Flaps Made a start on the exhausts too Had made a start on the Cockpit with some ribbing/stringers and Rear/forward Cockpit bulkheads I had planned to make this an F4U-1A, but I'm a little apprehensive of getting the really faded finish required for this aircraft, NZ5277, in the allotted time frame So, I will build as an F4U-1D for 23 Ghost Squadron in overall Glossy Sea Blue From the Ventura Site F4U-1D NZ5485 I will use these decals, (just waiting on their arrival) again from Ventura site - which have the correct Roundel Colours Ventura Decals See you at the start tomorrow Regards Alan