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1/72 - MiG-21 Fishbed family project was finally officially confirmed by Eduard http://www.eduard.com/store/out/media/InfoEduard/archive/2015/info-eduard-2015-01CZ.pdf (english version soon) MF, bis and SMT versions expected first

Hi everyone, looking forward to getting started on this GB now. The subject: After difficult experiences on the earlier versions of the Churchill infantry tank, the Mk. III included some significant upgrades, some of which were retrofitted to existing tanks, also. While the Mk. III is famously connected to Operation Jubilee, it also saw major action in the African campaign and later in continental Europe. The kits: The Italeri kit was originally released by ESCI almost 50 years ago. The kit comes with two large plastic sprues and a vinyl track. Casting quality is okay with no overwhelming detail, but given its age, it looks surprisingly fresh to me. The outside detail of the vinyl tracks looks decent, but they have no inside detail. Markings are provided for four tanks, one for North Irish Horse in Africa, one for the famous King Force, also Africa plus a lend-lease vehicle in Russian markings and a Dieppe Canadian Army one, although it should be said that the kit does not provide any wading equipment as it was fitted on the tanks used during Operation Jubilee. The Dragon kit is only some 15 years old and the age difference shows, as it shows great detail, obviously using slide mould technology. Beside the plastic parts in four sprues, it includes DS tracks which look nice both on the inside and outside. However, in my kit, those were completely ruined. I don't know whether the box, that I got from an online auction, was exposed to high temperatures, but the tracks were so brittle that they fell apart even before getting them out of the plastic bag. For decals you get one 145 Reg. in North Africa and two Dieppe tanks, all Canadian Army. Also this kit does not include any wading equipment. The project: Originally, I was going to go just for the Dragon kit, but I bought the Italeri/ESCI kit for the Kingforce markings and thought I could maybe build them both in a back-to-back fashion, seeing how the kits do in terms of accuracy and detail, given their age difference. For the Dragon kit, I will go for some aftermarket, as I have to replace the tracks. Going for OKB Grigorov costs about as much as the plastic kit itself, but the detail you get is just great. I also bought some PE set from Armory for further enhancements and will replace the kit barrel with a turned brass one from Master. For the Italeri kit, I will most likely stick to homemade improvements. I would like to point out that there is a great build report by Danilo Carli on On The Way!, which will probably provide a lot of good examples. Regarding markings, I would like to go for a Kingforce and a North Irish Horse tank, using decals from the Italeri kit. For the kingforce tank, there is a great Work in Progress thread and Ready for Inspection by @Nenad, providing a superb reference in 1/35 scale. Cheers Thomas

I'm on a BT-7 kick at the moment. I tend to often build several of one type of vehicle at a time, probably because I have reference materials together and get additional inspiration from that. Here's Tamiya's 1935 Model in 1/35. This is a project that I started in 2016 and shelved. Time to finish it.

My entry will be Dragon’s 1/72 P-61 Black Widow Continuing my nightfighter theme this year. AW

Hi. Well, I just requested the transfer of the other topic I had on this GB because I'm finding it impossible to continue with it. So, since I don't want to stop participating in this GB, I'm starting this one with an airplane that's seen quite a bit on this GB but that I'd like to make. It never crossed my mind to build this airplane, and I think it's the most suitable for my participation. According to some reviews I've read, the kit is quite good, and the airplane has multiple liveries across its different variants. I chose the box art of the kit because I like those colors, and I also plan to try a recently purchased Ocean Grey brand. As extras a set of wheels, which is something I like to replace with airplanes because the treads are rarely reproduced, and it's a detail that appeals to me when looking at a model. I'll leave a couple of photos. I hope it doesn't take long to arrive so I can start soon. Andrés.

Completed this in time for Telford & will be a contributor to the Mirage SIG. The initial intention a couple of years ago, was to build the A&A 1/72 kit & use one of the Syhart specials but that kit & I didn't get on. I was shocked at the amount of filling & re-scribing I would have to do in order to bring that up to a decent standard. I have been known to be a bit mad, so I might brace myself & tidy it up at a later date! This Heller 1/72 kit was actually built & primed over a year ago then sat on the shelf of dusty doom. It has fine raised panel lines which I thought could be well presented with some artistic technique. After painting the green & grey I lightly ran a AK black pencil along the panel lines. The paint is Hataka extra dark sea grey & Ammo Mig FS34079 which is their equivalent of RAF dark green. For the pre decal gloss I used for the first time the VMS XXL Gloss which I find is the best acrylic clear gloss I've ever used. Very likely will never use Klear again after using this stuff. It is absolutely brilliant & I did use a tad of their acrylic thinners in it. The decals were pinched from the A&A kit including the recon pod. I don't know how accurate the A&A decal instructions are, but I just went with their decal instructions. The kit then had a full overall coat of VMS XXL Matt. Info of the aircraft according to A&A. Apart from the decals I also pinched the MB.4 ejection seats & the recon pod from the A&A kit. Dassault Mirage IVA No.43 BP Escadron de chasse 1/91 Gascogne 1980 Thanks for looking! Martin

Waiving the 25% requirement has allowed me to step in with an Airfix B-24H that I was tinkering with and set aside. Here's my start point for this GB. No extras, mostly what is in the box with a few minor homemade improvements. And finally a decent B-24 "Ford" nose. I've waited a long time for this. Decals: Aeromaster 72-114 providing the markings for a B-24H-15-FO HN-N "Naughty Nan", 446BG/705BS. Model: This is all that I have done so far. The model pieced together to check for sufficient weight up front. Markings: The model will be finished with Circle H markings worn earlier on her service life. The image below shows Nan flying in distance in the center. Don

Rejoining with this Hasegawa Lockheed P-38 Lightning kit. Saddened that One Man's Island is looking unlikely to be successful at the Bunfight, I'll build a P-38 here - using one of the 475FG options leftover from my RS kit build - based in New Guinea. A choice between a Beach Babe wearing nothing but a garland, or a topless woman - what a dilemma! I've built a 1/72 Hasegawa P-38 previously, but this will be the F version, with smooth engine fronts. Kit parts. The instructions showing the part modifications for the F version, and the results of my surgery. I think this patient will survive and thrive.

For comparison purposes I wanted a Panzer 1. So I invested in this. It's a bit light on parts. But when finished, will, hopefully, serve to provide a comparison with later Wehrmacht and Allied military equipment.

As is normally the case, I've always got a backlog of 1/72 completed AFV's waiting to have paint added to them. Some times it's therapeutic just to build something up completely. Then just put it aside! 😆 So this was sitting around built up & primed during the summer waiting to be completed. It just needed a dusting off & just took a few sessions to get from that to this. I thought this time why not go with the single colour option (in the kit decal options) instead of the three colour camo & go with a United Nations subject. I already had a copy of a "Concord puplications - German Wheeled Fighting Vehicles" (1999) & the decal option in the kit matched one of the photos in this book. By sheer coincidence there's a few other German army vehicles that Revell have kitted with registrations that match images in this book. This is the Thyssen Henschel Transportpanzer Tpz 1 Fuchs (Fox) in 1/72 by Revell. 3D printed tank crew from Peddinghaus. Ambulance version German peace keeping force United Nations - Somalia 1994. Primed with Ammo one shot black. White is Vallejo Model Color. AK black pin wash & some other weathering from the Ammo Mig range. VMS gloss then their VMS XXL Matt. Thanks for looking! martin

Hello all. This fine Forum currently has a Group Build running which is devoted to UK Phantoms. I recall seeing them at RAF Leuchars back in the early 1970s and they were an amazing sight. They were only over-shadowed (in my opinion) by the two squadrons of RAF EE Lightnings that were there during my time. I had an Airfix FG.1 so it was a good contender for me. I got some Xtradecal markings which had a 43 Sqn bird from 1974, and that was close enough for me. I also obtained some Aerocraft upgrades - the intake/splitter plate set, along with replacement exhausts. The build was tricky for me, especially getting the intakes etc to fit but that was my problem, not Aerocrafts. The stencil markings took six sessions to do, and it was very confusing trying to track them all down on the huge decal sheet Airfix supplied. I brush painted the model with Humbrol enamels. The build log is here if you'd like to delve a little deeper: This is what I ended up with: Shortly after I started that, I was in my local model shop and found the Hobby2000 GF.1(Late) at an incredibly good price, so I had another to do. I thought it would be interesting to compare the builds. I chose 111 Squadron this time with the black spined three toned grey aircraft. This build was much simpler than the Airfix one but overall it doesn't seem to have quite the presence of the Airfix one. Perhaps it is the rivets on the Airfix one? The only two major issues I had were the masks leaving a whole load of sticky gunk on the glazing, and lack of a placement guide for the fuselage side stencils. I could not see what they read being white on a pale blue backing sheet. Luckily, I still had the stencils from the Airfix kit and its placement guide, so I added those instead. The build log for this one is here: This is what I ended up with this time: I did finally manage to remove the gunk on the Hobby2000 kit. After asking advice on here, WD-40 came to the rescue. I've still got another FG.1 from Airfix in the stash, but I think I've done enough transfers for a while. Anyway, thanks for looking, Ray

Well 2025 has been a bit of a rollercoaster year for me started up Resolution Hobbies ( Colourcoats enamel paints)in January 7th had a Stroke 10th January. Physio and help started the business up again in March all going well slow progress getting my left side back in use. Then in August lost my mother after her long battle with Dementia and COPD then had to sort out all the mess that was left. Then two weeks ago became a Grandparent for the first time so now trying to get back at the bench and do some builds. Got this little boat while on a family break recently goes together great even with only having one good hand but it is slow going and can be quite frustrating at times so work so far all paints are Colourcoats of course just love the Day glow Orange. Still work to do on the base but hope to get it done soon. Stay Safe Keith

Blackburn Firebrand TF.5 RNAS Ford, 1946 Rareplanes vacform kit built in the 1990s Decals from various Modeldecal sheets plus spares box for stencils etc. White metal prop and wheels also from the spares box

After recently completing my Assembly Ship I thought this GB would help me reduce my B-24 stash by one more model. I bought this when it came out as I thought it would be interesting to have slightly larger model armed with 8 rockets than the normal Typhoon or Mosquito most people think of a rocket armed plane. Here is the box Here are the contents with a few bits removed to send to @Shake so he can build the B-24 of his choice. And this is the plane I will be building, nose art, 4 engines and 8 rockets. Who needs more? Regards Toby

Like many others, I'll be contributing one of these to this particular party : The Phantom has to one of the meanest looking beasts of a cold-war jet, so I've been wanting to build one for quite a while now. To my mind, the British Phantom looks best in RAF grey & green camouflage when it was in front line service in the 1970's, so that's going to be my choice of colour scheme for this build. Specifically as XV406 whilst in service with Squadron 111 (the treble-ones), inspired in large part by the fantastic repaint job in progress on the original over at the Solway Aviation Museum. I was over there earlier today to collect a load of detail photos and be generally inspired. They are still in the process of completing the unit markings and have yet to get onto the stencilling ! 😁 The plane now supports the RWR box on top of the tail, which it acquired in the 1980's. Fortunately Airfix have supplied both tails in the box, so my build will be without it. Of course Phantom's look meanest when fully loaded, so I'll be adding as much as I can get on. To that end I've already bought a bunch of aftermarket goodies with that aim in mind. Not sure how much is going to be appropriate for this rendition, but will look for as many excuses as I can for a fully loaded Phantom. The Xtradecal set has markings for a 1970's Sqn.111 Phantom - admittedly another plane (actually an FG.1), but I can use the Squadron markings from the set and a little bit of surgery on the numbers will yield the registration XV406 without too much difficulty. The only obvious missing items are the 'D' code in yellow/tan for the tail. Marching up to the starting line and waiting impatiently for the gun now. Andy

First, the photos: all taken on our dining room table, rather to the annoyance of my good lady wife... I'd heard good things about this kit and I was not disappointed. I'd also read enough warnings of the 'gotchas' to dodge a couple of them.... drilling the pylon mounting holes in the wing before assembly (as the instructions don't tell you to), and being wary of the very thick decals. For the most part it went together extremely well, with good levels of detail and accurate mouldings which fit nicely. The kit was mostly built OOB (extras listed below) and airbrushed in Vallejo Model Air paints (a mixture of greys), then Winsor & Newton acrylic matt varnish. That's my favourite matt as it's really - and I mean REALLY - matt, killing all reflections. As it turned out, it looked a little too flat for my eyes, so I re-did a coat with a mix of matt and a bit of gloss, just to allow a touch of light off the airframe. Weathering was with pre/post- shading airbrush, then thinned oils and a little weathering powder. My aim was to avoid an over-weathered finished effect (or hyper vivid panel lines), instead recreating a faded and well-used airframe. A bit of silver paint, dabbed with sponge onto various leading edges, represents a bit of chipping. This kit is the D-Day 75th anniversary version and I'm not sure how the included weaponry varies from the other versions in the range. Anyway, it didn't have an ATP Sniper pod so I bought a Brassin one along with a set of GBU-12s. I also used a couple of GBU-38s from a Hasegawa set, but kept the kit AMRAAM and AIM-9X. Also added was an ACMI pod (from AIM Transport wings). I wanted to model a current Lakenheath airframe (as my other hobby is photographing the real thing, when I can get out to the low flying areas!) so I managed to get a set of Two Bobs "Maximum Effort" F-15 decals. Not only did they give me a choice of airframes, but also seemed a lot thinner and settled much better than I'd heard the kit versions do. Some lovely small detail decals on that sheet too. such as the undercarriage leg placard plates. This particular livery is actually a hybrid of two liveries worn by airframe #6201 since returning from the Middle East in 2018/19 and it's possible it never looked exactly like my model at any point... An LP models ladder, plus some of my old diorama bits and pieces, complete the add-ons. In terms of 'proper modelling' - at which I am still very much an amateur - my best achievement was probably drilling out the solid landing lights on the nosewheel, to create a concave dish, then painting them chrome and filling with UV setting resin to create a lens. Not perfect (they're bloomin' small!) but an improvement on the kit. Wingtip navigation lights were created by filing a notch, filled with UV resin, then painting clear red / green. I chickened out of creating the wing root nav lights as I honestly didn't think I could do the same again whilst keeping it neat! Finally I added/painted a mirror to the canopy, and am very glad that tiny bit of hellish detail work is over... I always enjoy the photography at the end. Most of the shots are focus stacked, which helps with the dioramas in creating a sense of larger scale. The 'night' ones are lit by two torches placed at various angles off to the side. Oh, nearly forgot - you can see on the 'canopy closed' shots quite a gap between canopy and fuselage. This is because it was always intended to be modelled open, it didn't quite fit perfectly when closed, and is only resting in place so I could get a few shots. Excuses now all finished... thanks for reading this far!

Hi folks. Here is my recently completed Reno racer #76 from 1968 using the Revell/Classic Plane A-26 Invader kit in 1/72. Built mainly OOB with military parts removed and a couple of cockpit details added. This boxing doesn't come with the Revell decal sheet, so the i/p decal was cobbled together from other decals. The scheme instructions were not very clear on painting the props and had to repainted after seeing a nice image. Painted with AK and Tamiya paints. Build log here: Thanks for looking. Stuart

My first post on here! Was a fun kit to build, I did have a bit of trouble with the decals but happy with the end result. Im just getting back into the hobby so my next build I will probably try to be more brave with my weathering.

Wow! Next big surprise after the Fine Molds F-14 Tomcat Source: Hobby Search Japan: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10321319 - Mainstay fighter of the Air Self-Defense Force to protect the empty Japan [F-15J Eagle] is, appeared long-awaited. - A has been reproduced in full new mold Eagle, Platts is I will send you with confidence! [Main Features] - Completely new mold - Accurately modeled to detail by the actual coverage - Airframe shape faithfully reproduce the actual every detail - Split the parts engine nozzle committed to detail - Mold of panel line is reproduced in delicate and sharp - Armed sets such as AAM-3 AAM-3,99 Expressions air-to-air guided missile AAM-4 - Zo-so 3 pcs set the 610 gallons tank - It can reproduce the # 305 Squadron in 2013 against competition machine - Current of each unit mark and details caution data is reproduced in the decal - Platts made unpainted plastic model kit ( This is a machine translation. Please allow for possible misinterpretations in the text. )

Here we are then, the MisterCraft Gloster Meteor, an FAW Mk.7. Here are the sprues, big bits in light grey, small bits in slighty darker....and a one piece canopy. These are big solid pieces of plastic! I hope the usual polystyrene cement is strong enough! Instructions are fairly simple, not many parts at the end of the day. I've still to decide which of the options to do but I will fit the afterburners and leave off the refuelling probe.

Hi Folks, with my A-26 Invader racer on finals, thought I'd get another Reno racer on the starting blocks. This time it will be the P-38L Reno racer "Bardahl Lightning" from 1968 using the Hasegawa 1/72 kit and Draw Decals. First, the compulsories: The box. Bags of plastic. Instructions and decals. I have tried looking for images of "Bardahl Lightning" and have found only one real image: The Drawdecal instructions tell you that the inner and outer wings should be an Olive Green but other builders/photographers elsewhere tell you that it's a grey and this pic seems to support that but what grey? Hopefully will start this soon. Stuart

I've had a very on/off modelling year so far ( mainly off) due to work and life stuff. I've only completed 2 builds but they were both started in 2024 😳 I have a little Airfix JP which is just being painted so it should be the first "all 2025" build of the year. I've finally got some mojo brewing, though, and am getting frustrated when I have to put the JP down to let the paint dry. Rather than rush that painting process, the only sensible thing to do is - start a new kit 😁 Whilst I'm very into cold war jets, I've never been particularly bothered by the Russian side, I don't generally find the Migs etc that interesting. I bought the Eduard Mig-21 after some online conversations where others were going on about how great Tamiya kits are. I bemoaned the fact that they don't do much in the way of 1/72 cold war jets. Several people suggested the Eduard Mig-21 is in a similar vein for quality of engineering and ease of build etc. They're also fairly cheap, and I discovered I really like the look of the East German scheme. That'll go nicely with my RAFG Lightning F.2A 👍 So here we are. I do have a confession to make, though. I only bought this two weeks ago and it's already on the bench! No gathering dust in the stash for this guy. Hoping the modelling gods will not smite me down for this appalling behaviour 😬 Some box shots, of course.. Being the profi pack edition they are lots of opportunities for PE levels of detail. It looks like there are options for keeping myself sane, though. Although, that's not going to be my first instinct here, despite my general dislike of PE. We'll see how I get on.. As well as the exterior paints, I've also obtained an AK marker for soviet interior green. I really like the convenience of these pens, so happy to add another one to the collection. Quite how Warsaw Pact pilots were expected to function in battle with that colour all around them, I don't quite know! It's a striking colour, though, that's for sure. I've started off with a bit of colouring in and a tiny bit of assembly but nothing worthy of showing just yet. This isn't going to be a quick build. We go on holiday next week and then I'm straight into two back to back business trips so unlikely to be back at the bench until early October 😭 Al

With the never ending finishing woes with the Cessna I thought I would remedy the situation with another entry! The Hasegawa SP-3B Marlin. The decals are old (I do like the Sea Blue scheme on the kit sheet though), fortunately I have a sheet from Caracal for the beast Popped open the kit to see how big it will be, did not expect the size. The span is greater than a P-3 and it is almost as long as one as well. So starting off the assembly, the Caracal instructions suggest moving one of the fuselage windows back a few mm. I modified the seats and added some card to hide a couple of deep sink marks The cockpit was enhanced a little with an extension to the centre console and rounding off the rear of the existing section. And the flying surfaces have been glued

Not many done yet The gun on the right is a Brunswicker

Hi everyone, I may regret this, but I would like to go for another submission for this GB on this great topic. The subject: The first version of the Churchill featured a cast turret with 2-pdr QF gun and coaxial machine gun, additional armament included a 3 in howitzer in the hull to provide infantry support fire. The layout differed significantly from other tank designs of its time, leading to a rather unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Most remarkably high armour strength, great climbing ability and movement in rough terrain, on the other hand low speed and many issues after being put into mass production within a short period of time. The kit: The Hasegawa kit, according to scalemates, dates back to 1975. The kit does not look too bad for its age, showing moderate detail and decent casting quality. Although my box looked rather beat-up, the contents were perfectly fine except for one storage box which got loose from the sprue. While I am okay with most of the plastic, the vinyl tracks look rather horrible. The vinyl is relatively stiff and their is little detail on the outside and no detail on the inside. The kit includes markings for two vehicles, one for the British Army home forces, one for Canadian Army in Dieppe. Again, the kit does not include any wading equipment. The project: This one was a spontaneous build and I would like to make it a nice additional contribution to this GB. I will go for mostly OOB, probably, but I will replace the tracks, most likely with a OKB Grigorov set. Regarding markings, I will most likely go for an early vehicle in the UK using the kit markings. If the kit markings are two yellow, I may have to improvise on this one. I have some North Irish Horse markings, but that is for a Mk. I CS. Cheers Thomas