Search the Community

My latest completion, a Hasegawa 1/72 scale F-16B. A good practice run for the F-16 GB. The tail markings are homemade and represent an aircraft from the F-16 Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB in 1989 used for development testing of the Air Defense Fighter variant. Used Eduard photo-etch for the cockpit, Master AOA and pitot probes and missiles from the Hasegawa weapons set. The target ID light on the left side is an MV lens. The Eduard set provides details to spruce up the kit ejection seats, which are pretty basic, but they don’t include the green emergency oxygen bottle on the left side of the seat. The bottle is a pretty prominent part of the ACES II so I represented them with pieces of stretched sprue painted with green from the little Testors square bottle. The high-speed data recorder pod on the centerline is made from the front portion of two F-16 centerline tanks The Eduard HUD frame went pinging off to feed the carpet monster, so I replaced it with a basic from made from beer can aluminium. The Hasegawa kit decals for the national insignia, air refueling stenciling and walkway lines have a brownish cast to them. This is most prominent on the walkway stripes, so I left them off. I’ll have to check my decal stash for suitable replacements for the stars and bars. Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester

This just in........ Zvezda's Su-33 box art showing a Flanker-D launching from Admiral Kuznetsov - with a Kirov-class battlecruiser in the background. The back of the box shows a made-up model..... Unlike the previous Su-27SM kit, the upper fuselage is a one-piece moulding - with correct contours around the canard mounting shoulders... The lower fuselage moulding - with correctly aligned main wheel wells!!!....... Half of Sprue C with the intakes - note that there are no mesh intakes mouded into the intake sides - they are provided as decals... Sprue B - with the correctly-raked fin tips...... Ken

I can't keep up with all these new releases from the Ukraine...... Hot on the heels of the Modelsvit M-17 Mystic, comes the new 1/72 scale Amodel kit of the Soviet-era jet flying boat - the Beriev Be-10 'Mallow'. Box art..... Probably due to mould size limitations, the fuselage is in front and rear halves - which might make for an interesting joint !! The third part of the fuselage is the tail gun position - plus the centre section and wing fences. Upper and lower centre section parts.... Upper..... .... and lower wing halves.. There is quite a lot of flash present - but the engraved panel detail is well executed Ken

To follow their earlier MiG E-150, Modelsvit have just released its developed version - the MiG-152A - given the NATO Reporting Name 'Flipper' The box art is impressive..... and shows the Flipper with two dummy K-9 missiles underwing. The parts are crisply moulded in grey plastic with restrained engraved panel detail..... The wings, tailplanes and fin parts.... Parts for the twin engine exhausts..... Intake bullet and cockpit parts - there are two sets of ventral fins to cater for differences in the panel lines - now that is attention to detail !! More detail parts - including the afterburner flame holders...... Ken

Just finished.... the excellent Myasishchev M-17 'Stratosfera' model kitted by the Ukrainian firm of Modelsvit...... Size comparison - with a MiG-25.... The decals are really superb - they went on without any problems and are easily readable. Despite installing the recommended nose weight, it was still a tail sitter - so I scratched a pair of support jacks.... Alongside the less accurate Anigrand resin version - made some years ago..... It was a relatively easy build with no major problems - the WIP thread is here ..... and more photos on my website here. This was an unexpected - but very welcome release from Modelsvit and it makes up into a superb model of a little-known high-altitude interceptor/reconnaissance platform from the design bureau of Vladimir Myasishchev. If it proves to be popular, maybe Modelsvit will be persuaded to kit its big brother - the M-55 'Geophysica' Ken

Here is the lovely little Auster AOP6/T7 Antarctic model which I built for a club charity event I always thought the roof bulge spoilt a dainty little model and it seems quite a few others agreed With the charity build out of the way I decided to rebuild it 'righter' As you see the paintwork caught a heavy cold when the matt coat went on so not much doubt it was already past its sell-by (oops, give-away) date So I rebuilt her and here she is a little better 'loved', hope you like her There has been a long, meandering W I P over 'there' at http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235001627-auster-aop6-ended-at-long-last/ I hope you like this tribute to a very elderly Airfix Model, I remember picking this down off the rack in its plastic bag with a paper header back when I was still a schoolkid Lovely lurid yellow plastic too, signs of the good old days of Airfix, I wish they'd decide to do this one again in their 'Redo from start' passion for modernising their old designs Some chance

I'm calling it done..... This is the 1/72 scale La-200 (with Korshun radar) kitted by the Russian manufacturer 'Avis'. The La-200 was an attempt by Lavochkin to produce a twin-engined, radar-equipped all-weather fighter - in competition with the Mikoyan I-320 and Sukhoi's early Su-15 - a role eventually fullfilled by the Yak-25. Its a limited run kit - accurate, but lots of fettling needed - the worst part in the outward-canted, levered suspension, trailing link main undercarriage - a very weak multi-part assembly that won't support the weight of the model. I had to use a clear plastic prop to take the strain...... Still, its a rare subject unlikely to be kitted by any of the mainstream manufacturers - so more power to Avis Note the clear plastic prop - needed to take the weight off the weak main undercarriage. The underwing fuel tanks have incorrect pylons that must be altered..... Note the exhaust for the forward turbojet under the centre fuselage. That weak main undercarriage...... It's just so sad looking .......... More photos showing construction here. Ken

Look what arrived this morning - this it's one of thos 'Drop everything and start it' kind of kits (at least for me it is ! So, what do you get - completely new upper and lower fuselage mouldings - with straight wheel bays !! New, bigger wings - with folded or non-folded option.... New, bigger, non-folding horizontals stabs and canards, two-man cockpit tub.... The rest of the sprues are exactly the same as in the Su-33 kit - which means that the fins are incorrect - the rudders on the Su-33UB have increased chord - not too difficult to fix. Trumpeter have obviously used the drawings from Aviatsiya i Vremya (Aviation and Time) magazine - the kit matches the drawings exactly.... Is it accurate ??? - this is the best I can do before building it.... Forward fuselage compared to AiV drawing..... .... and compared to a 'doctored' photo...... The front canopy arch may not be vertical enough - but apart from that, it looks OK to me. I can't wait to get started. Nice one Trumpeter :worthy: Ken

Fellow Modellers, Finally had some time to photograph the first finished example of a series Westlands Wessex helicopters.. As extras are added the Cobra cockpit and interior. Almost completely empty with just a few seats . Thanks to Mr. Evans from Whirlybird I was able to add the extra long range fuel tank to the port side. This little gem adds so much importance to the model. It will be accompanied in a diorama by Bedford Tactical Refueller and some figurines. Excellent decals from L Decals Studio and the box decals from Italeri. The FOD cover is constructed from MiliPut. RBF tags are from Eduard. Paints as usual from the Xtra Color range. It represents XS484, 771, RNAS Culdrose 1984. I would like to thank all the forum modellers that contributed to answer all my questions. As for example, the discussion about the yellow rotor blade Next, the RAF version. Regards,

The new kit from the Ukrainian firm of Modelsvit - a Soviet Tu-91 turboprop ground attack aircraft, cancelled on the whim of Nikita Kruschev.... Not the easiest of kits to put together - especially the undernose glazing - but an interesting model of an unusual Soviet design. More power to Modelsvit for producing kits of these off-beat designs.... Some more photos of the finished model - plus WIP photos here. Another photo showing it next to my Tu-4/Tu-91 engine testbed.... Happy Modelling Ken

Not as good a finish as Alesha's model - but I have finally finished.... my 1/72 scale Tu-22KD Blinder from the Ukrainian firm of Modelsvit. I've replaced the kit tail cannon with a tailcone mounting the SPS-100 'Reseda' active jamming system..... I also cut the bottom fuselage panel to show the three downward opening doors for the ejection seats (which are in the kit) I added straps and altered the footrests (the pilots and WSO seats are slightly different to the Navigators kit seat - thanks Gabor). The dragon decal is from Begemot (thanks Kotey!) - and I changed the bort number to 'Red 61' to reflect the tailcone changes and markings. The kit comes complete with a Kh-22 missile and its handling dolly..... The kit is a typical short-run kit and I had a few issues with the fully-detailed interior (which can't be seen on the finished model!) - but Modelsvit are to be commended for producing a scale model of such an important and iconic Soviet warplane. More photos and WIP pics here. WIP Thread is here Ken

I'm just finishing off a few MiG's from the stash ready for SMW at Telford..... MiGs aren't really my 'thing' - but I do like oddball stuff - so here are a few of the more unusual Mikoyans..... Here's the five I have made so far....... .... and in no particular order..... MiG E-7PD STOL testbed.... Amodel kit MiG-23PD - STOL testbed that led to the swing-wing MiG-23..... Art Model kit MiG A-144-2 - used to test the ogival wings of the Tupolev Tu-144SST..... Modelsvit kit. MiG I-3U - predecessor to the MiG-19....... Modelsvit. MiG E-150 Heavy Interceptor.... Modelsvit. More images on my website .... here (you need to scroll down to the bottom) They will all be on display on our Soviet Aircraft SIG stand at SMW Telford - see you there ? Ken

Hi Everyone, I have 2 small scale Airfix Hawks in my stash, both 1:72 scale. They are the RAF Red Arrows Hawk 50th Anniversary scheme and RAF Benevolent Fund Hawk in 2012 scheme. I made a start on these kits at the weekend by painting the fuselage components using Tamiya Red paint for the main colour instead of the silly little paint pots that come with them. The Benevolent Fund Hawk has a lot white paint that needs to be painted by hand as it isn't included in the decals. I will post sprue shots tomorrow. ATB, Rick

This is my conversion of the recent Modelsvit 1/72 scale kit of the Beriev-Bartini VVA-14. The machine was originally intended as a VTOL ASW platform - with a bank of 12 lift engines, no undercarriage and inflatable rubber floats. It was never fitted with lift engines - and only flew as a comventional aircraft with a temporary undercarriage - although the floats were fitted and tested- on the ground and in flight. This is the VVA-14 as kitted by Modelsvit.... This is what I am trying to achieve - not a lot to go on.... This is my converted model...... I cut out and added the 12 lift engines - the floats are 3D printed (thanks Tim ) and I have added low-speed 'puffer jets' at the rear, on the wingtips and under the nose. The radar nose is shaped from a plastic knitting needle Ken

Just finished, the new 1/72 scale J-15 from Trumpeter - complete with flight deck and crew figures........ The only alteration I have made is to lower the nosewheel oleo to make it more compressed - the rest is straight from the box. Ken

I wonder if anyone can help me please? I have two Islanders in the stash ready to become current military versions of the same. The AAC aircraft fly I believe out of Middle Wallop and the RAF aircraft out of RAF Northolt. The problem I have is that I cannot find in my extensive library any information or drawings thatwould readily allow me to convert them. I think there are a number of "electronic fits" that might have to be ignored. ( "If I told you what they were I would have to shoot you") However the main part I cannot see reliably is the engines. The other main change is the shape of the nose? Does anyone know what is required to turn the piston engines into the turboprop's? Thank you in anticipation for any help and advise kindly offered. Nigel

GRUMMAN S2A TRACKER IN SERVICE BY THE NETHERLANDS NAVAL AIR ARM In the year 1960, under the Mutual Defense Aid program (MDAP). The Netherlands received the first batch of 28 S2A Grumman Trackers. The Trackers were to be stationed on the carrier Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman and the Naval Air Base “Valkenburg”. Major maintenance was carried out on the Naval Airbase “De Kooy” The 28 Trackers were registered 146/173. Powered by two Curtiss Wright R1820-82 radial engines, generating 1575 HP each. The plane was certainly NOT under powered. Armament consisted mainly out of torpedoes, rockets and depth charges. To search the patrol area, the operator could use a very powerful search radar. This radar was located in a dome in the belly of the aircraft. This dome could be lowered to make full use of this device. To detect minute variations in the earth’s magnetic field, the Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD), was housed on the extreme back of the plane. This boom could be extended. The S2A and the SH-34J Sikorsky helicopter were the onboard equipment for the Dutch carrier to hunt submarines. Normally, six to eight trackers and four to six helicopters were carried during operational trips. These former British Fleet carriers were rather small for the big sized Tracker. To my knowledge, none crashed during start or approach. The plane could be catapulted into the air, or make a free start from the back of the flight deck. THE SCALE MODEL 1/72 SCALE HASEGAWA/REVELL To my knowledge, this model was first presented in the seventies, so it was manufactured the old way. The Tracker was a rather large airplane in wing sizes. To reduce this, I disconnected the outer wing halves, so that the original wing fold was established. To enhance the model, I purchased the following Eduard sets: Bomb Bay/Exterior and Cockpit set. To place the metal Bomb Bay in the model, all plastic coverings in this area were removed. The metal bomb bay is rather flimsy, so a very careful approach had to be taken. Once in place, the corners were extra supported by Evergreen beams. The cockpit escape hatches were removed. On the deck, during the start and approach, these were always open, to ensure a quick escape for the pilots with ditching. The operators had their own escape hatches above their heads. These were closed. Opening was possible from the in and outside. On the back of the aircraft, I made one more hatch, this contained the dinghy. I improved the landing gear bays and the front landing gear. From metal tubing, I made the MAD boom on the backside. This can be extended or retracted. The S2 was painted with XTRA Colors and the airbrush used was the Revell Master Class. Decals were from the Revell box and Dutch Decal. The model was sealed with Humbrol Medium Gloss Cote. SERIAL 160 In the Revell box, it contains the decals for serial 160. This particular aircraft has the following history: Bureau Number 148282. From 1960 until 1968, carrier based on board Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman (R81) From 1968 until 1976, land based (Mostly Naval Air Station Valkenburg) 1976 until present, stationed at the Military Aviation Museum, located at the village of Soesterberg in the Netherlands. Model Photos made by Joris de Neve, webmaster modeling club Eeklo (Belgium) Real pictures from the website www.vlaggeschipsmaldeel5.nl . This site is regularly updated by Webmaster Steven Visser, a former Naval NCO technician, who served on the carrier in the sixties. The carrier is also available in the scale 1/400. This set contains the plastic model, resin update for the angled deck configuration and numerous etch sets, including the (Large) Holland Signal Radars. Questions about all of this, just ask me. Regards, Derek The Netherlands. Next time on ready for inspection: "Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman" in 1/400 scale, including many Trackers on deck.

Chaps, I am currently building three UAVs at the moment, the italeri RQ-4 global hawk, MQ-1 and Skunkmodels MQ-9 Reaper, and was wondering how many other unmanned vehicles are out the in this scale? I see italeri are also doing the MQ-9 but I imagine it is a re boxing of the skunk, which I have already. Unicraft do a few, the X-50, Boeing A160, RQ-8, and Attack Sqn do an RQ-7, but does anyone know of any others? I've seen an X-47 somewhere but can't remember who did that.

Hi all, Just finished the 41 Sqn Special Scheme Jaguar. Brian.

Here are two MiG's in 1/72 scale. One is a Matchbox replica of a MiG-21MF as flown by the Egyptian air force and the other is an earlier Airfix model MiG-21F-13 as supplied to the North Vietnamese air force. Russia and other countries certainly produced loads of Fishbeds because they were fairly inexpensive and generally unsophisticated fighter jets. MiG-21's were fast, but range was not a strongpoint. Later versions made attempts to make up for earlier shortcomings with more power and fuel, some aerodynamic tweaks and improved electronics. Fishbeds were (and still are) flown by a number of countries (including the United States !) and can also be seen as gate guardians and static displays all over. Photo Series 10-11-12-B 152mod3XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr Photo Series 2-10-11 004mod2XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr MIG-21 2-15-11 013mod3XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr Photo Series 5-29-12-III 157mod2XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr Photo Series 10-10-12-C 081mod2XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr Photo Series 10-18-12 003mod5XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr Photo Series 10-14-12-D 828mod7XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr Photo Series 10-18-12 005mod5XCZ by mikedetorrice, on Flickr Mike

Hi all, A couple more from my 1/72 collection. Brian