Search the Community

Serial number K4404, No. 11 Flying Training School, RAF Wittering.

AZ Models is to release 1/72nd P-39 Airacobra kits - ref. 73037 - Bell P-39D Airacobra Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AZM73037 - ref. 74006 - Bell P-39 Airacobra Mk.I Soviet Air Force Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AZM74006 V.P.

Hello and thanks for your interest, this is another marking option from AZ Model's latest G-10 "Diana" kit. It represents 'Gigi', a machine of II/JG 52, in the closing weeks of the war. I could not find a historic photograph of this machine, so I had to relate to AZ Model's paint instructions and a color profile in a Kagero book (JG 52) respectively. Photo etch parts from Brengun, vacu canopy from Rob Taurus. Painted with Gunze acrylics. Weathering with pastel chaks and artist's oils. Greetings from Vienna! Roman Photographs: Wolfgang Rabel, IGM Cars & Bikes

"The English Air Force must be so reduced morally and physically that it is unable to deliver any significant attack against the German crossing." -- Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer Directive 16, 16 July 1940 "πόλλ' οἶδ' ἀλώπηξ, ἐχῖνος δ'ἓν μέγα." [Loosely translated: "The fox knows many tricks, but the hedgehog knows one invincible truth."] -- Archilochus "What a people! What a chance! The whole of Europe humiliated except for us. And the chance that by our stubbornness we shall give victory to the world.” — Harold Nicolson, diary entry for 31 July 1940 Indulge me for a moment. It is September 15, 1940, and twenty-five Dornier 17s are passing over Canterbury, fifty miles from London, where thick black palls of smoke still rise heavenward after a week of bombing. Looking in formation something like a great herringbone, a hundred and twenty five Bf109s are stacked above them for a mile straight up. This is not the main attack. It's the spoiler to open the day, to draw the remnants of the Royal Air Force -- and the Germans know it has been reduced to almost nothing now; perhaps as few as fifty of the dreaded Spitfires are still able to fight -- and to cast them down and destroy them utterly by forcing them to defend the greatest city in the world, to pin them at last in place and overcome them by main force and weight of numbers over a target they must defend. Cruising at just over 185 MPH, the bombers will be over London in a little more than fifteen minutes. It won't be long now. Four days before, Churchill said to the nation: "we must regard the next week or so as a very important period in our history. It ranks with the days when the Spanish Armada was approaching the Channel, and Drake was finishing his game of bowls; or when Nelson stood between us and Napoleon’s Grand Army at Boulogne. We have read all about this in the history books; but what is happening now is on a far greater scale and of far more consequence to the life and future of the world and its civilisation than those brave old days." Somewhere, before aeroplanes, before there was a Hitler, before Churchill's most famous antecedent had been born, bowls clatter and clink together within sight of the English Channel, "which serves...in the office of a wall, or as a moat defensive to a house." Shakespeare will write these words seven years from now. Maybe, if he strains, Drake can even see the sails. It won't be long now. Off Cape Trafalgar, the largest and most powerful fleet in the world is sailing for Brest, to escort the most powerful army in Europe across that narrow strip of sea and break the back of Napoleon's greatest and most tenacious foe. Off Cape Finisterre a few days before, a British fleet tried -- and failed -- to stop the Combined Fleet of Spain and France. It won't be long now. Leeward of Calais, near Gravelines, the Armada tries to regroup after scattering the face of the fireships the night before. As their heavy, cumbersome galleons heave to and fro, they can see the sails of Drake's ships bearing down upon them, in battle formation. The wind blows westward off Trafalgar, and Villenueve can already see the sails of Nelson's ships on the horizon. Flags flutter up the masts of HMS Victory in the early morning light. It is hours before England expects. It is 6:22 in the morning, and Nelson is signalling his fleet, standing now between Napoleon and Britain, PREPARE FOR BATTLE. Three thousand feet above the German top cover, 72 and 92 Squadrons have, for once, for once, the height advantage. Their twenty-four Spitfires seem drab and very small. Behind them, more are coming; the English skies are alive with Britain's defenders now, as squadron after squadron throws itself heavenward from as far north as Cambridgeshire. But at this moment, two squadrons of Spitfires are all of Britain, everything, the hopes of a nation, stretching back a thousand years into the past and as far into the future as victory or defeat today will dictate. Brian Kingcombe looks down at one hundred and fifty German aircraft, most of them fighters. What thoughts pass through his mind at this moment? "Okay, boys," he says. "Let's go." The Spitfires roll into the attack. I will be building two Airfix Spitfire Ia and one AZ Models Spitfire Ib (a birthday present from Stew). "Beware, I have warned you." R6800/LZ-N, as flown by Squadron Leader (later Air Commodore) Rupert Henry Archibald Leigh (1912-1991). Leigh commanded 66 Squadron from April to October 1940; before the war, he was friends with Douglas Bader; "he was given the task of conducting Bader's test flight having been given clearance by the Central Medical Establishment. Conducting the test in a Harvard, equipped with toe brakes which Bader would be unable to operate with his artificial legs, Leigh operated these for him knowing that on operations Bader would be flying Spitfires or Hurricanes which were fitted with hand operated brakes." (Air of Authority) As a pre-war regular, Leigh was a skilled tactician who evinced a preference for head-on attacks from slightly below enemy formations -- where defensive fire would be weakest. He finished the war with 1.5 victories. "They can because they think they can." R6776/RV-H, flown by F/Sgt (later Wing Commander) George "Grumpy" Unwin of 19 Squadron (1913-2006). A 14-victory ace, the irascible Unwin was a miner's son, and like Leigh, had served with Bader before the war; it's said that he gained his nickname for complaining about the racket Bader made when adjusting his metal legs. "If you dare." R6626/XT-Y, flown by F/O (later Air Commodore) Ronald "Ras" Berry (1917-2000), of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, also a 14-victory ace. Born in Hull, he was not a pre-war regular like my other two subjects, joining the RAFVR in 1938. In 1965, he was one of the serving RAF officers who had fought in the Battle of Britain selected to march at the head of Winston Churchill's funeral procession. OK, boys. Let's go.

Hi, My latest builds, three Az model kits. The AZ model kit is excellent, apart from the "skinny nose" . The "in progress" here : http://www.cartula.ro/forum/topic/13705-serbanescu/

Well I've been away from here for a while so a quick update of what's been happening. After my Dambuster build stalled I moved back onto Model cars with a Tamiya Peugeot 206 WRC - half built, then 2 Hasegawa Lancia Stratos's - both completed then stalling again on a Hasegawa Subaru Legacy Rally. After that I fell hard for Vera: And so now I've got some more free time, now Vera's mostly ok I thought I'd get back into modelling. I started with Revell's release of the Dragon/DML Arado 234c with E381. And after having a reaction with the Humbrol matt coat spray, it lies unfnished. Next was Airfix's starter set of their Messerschmitt BF109E, still awaiting a matt coat with the fear of ruining it like the Arado. Then began the Madness. I started with a back to back build of Airfix's Spitfire Ia, I, IIa, 22 and PR XIX. and using 3D kits decals and aftermarket parts another IIa and a IIa LR. Now I'm on to building a Va using the Airfix I/IIa boxing, followed by a IIb by AZ using 3D kit decals. So onto the build: So far I've been making up the sub sections of the build with the main focus being on swapping the aileron's. The Va needing the metal one's from the AZ Vb wing included in the box and the fabric one's in the Airfix kit. [url=https://flic.kr/p/nKVHwM] [url=https://flic.kr/p/ntJ5k8] The above pics show the AIrfix flaps on the AZ top wing halfs. I little had to be trimmed off the smaller end and with a bit of filler they should be fine. [url=https://flic.kr/p/nN1cWp] [url=https://flic.kr/p/ntJ5DV] These pics show the AZ flaps on the Airfix wings. Shims were added to each end and the small end was too wide and needed to be filed back to the same thickness as the Airfix. A bit of filler was needed to close the join and with all the sanding the panel lines and detail was lost. So I rescribed the main line and left it at that. I little more clean up is needed but it's a start. TTFN

So I got my hands on a new AZ Models 1/72 Bf109G-1. It's a lovely kit and a fair price too - the plastic quality is up there with Fine Molds and if you buy any other 1/72 Bf109G nowadays, you really want your head tested! It does have a problem, a problem that it shares with the earlier G-5/G-6/G-8 and G-14 releases, that is one of confusing instructions! It seems that AZ have not learned from this problem, which is a bit disappointing. Some of us don't want to have to spend ages researching a subject to work out which bits to use, we'd rather crack on and get building! The first problem is with the pilot's headrest. There's 3 choices and all the instructions say is 'according the camouflage' which I assume means use the correct headrest depending on which camouflage/marking option you want to do, problem is, that's all the instructions say! SO my question here, is what headrest is right for a G-1? Second - there's some little bumps on the canopy, where the small windows used to be on the F's canopy at the bottom of the front end. The instructions would have you cut them off or not, again depending on which camouflage option you choose but again it doesn't specify what to do for which option! So should these bumps stay or go on a G-1? Lastly the instructions say if your are modelling a G-2 or G-4, there should be a small intake on the starboard engine cowling in between the rear of the exhausts and the nose decking machine guns. Is this not something to do with the cockpit pressurisation and therefore correct for a G-1 or G-3, or are the instructions correct and I should leave it off for me G-1? thanks Mike

Here are some pictures of my latest build: the new Airfix Hurricane I, done up to represent RF-O of 303 Squadron, L2099, flown by Josef Frantisek on 30 September 1940. While L2099 was originally a fabric-winged Hurricane, I was unable to find out if it had been refitted with metal wings. Exercising further artistic license I built it with the three-bladed propeller provider by Airfix (I had no intention of assembling the individual-blade propeller from AZ Models/Sword, which gave me the decals, since I had recently built two planes with contra-rotating propellers), the fish-tail exhausts and canvas patches over the guns (photos of 303 Squadron Hurricanes didn't make it clear if they had them). The positioning of the code letters and serial number on the starboard side is pure conjecture, as the AZ Models kit provided the profile for only one side. The plane was mostly built over Easter break. I had some problems with the wings and should have thinned their leading edges a bit, and the tailwheel was not interested in staying on. The kit was brush-painted with Humbrol enamels (116/29 over 90); this is the last time I will use Humbrol 116 for RAF Dark Green, as it took a ridiculously long time to dry. As mentioned earlier, the decals came from the AZ Models' 'Aces' reboxing of the Sword Hurricane I. I had to replace the squadron code letters with generic letters (though with a different typeface) from a Modeldecals sheet. I gave the underside a wet T-shirt contest panel line wash with Humbrol 240 and the top side one with Humbrol 98. I chose these colours so that they wouldn't give the panel lines too much a contrast, which worked well enough for the underside. The various stains and paint chipping were done using Humbrol black and grey and Citadel Runefang steel. The weather was a bit cloudy while I was taking pictures, and this messed up the lighting in some of the photos. Thanks for looking. Comments are welcome!

Here is my first build for this GB - an Airspeed Oxford. I'm not sure whether the kit is by AZ Models or Admiral. The box has both logos so I assume the two companies are different arms of the same concern. This is the box top. And these are the two main sprues. Also in this kit is a transparent sprue and a selection of resin details. It looks to be a lovely little kit. The injection moulded parts have nice detail, although there is a very small amount of flash in some places. However, that is entirely consistent with the short-run nature of the kit. I will be building the box top option, V3354 of 14 SFTS based at Cranfield in 1940. I'm not convinced about the style of the fuselage and underwing serials included on the nice decal sheet, but they should be easily replaceable from general sheets. This is going to be fun!

Messerschmitt BF109G-6/R6 AZ Models - 1:72 The Messerschmitt BF109 hardly needs an introduction. With nearly 34,000 built in 10 years, it is one of the most widely produced aircraft in history. Starting out in 1935, whilst broadly similar to the Spitfire in layout, monocoque construction and V12 engine, the engine is in fact inverted and famously fuel injected which in the early war years gave some advantage in combat over its British rivals which were carburettor fed. Initially designed as a lightweight interceptor, evolution led it to a variety of needs including bomber escort, fighter bomber, night fighter, ground attack and reconnaissance. Whilst the BF109E or ‘Emil’ is probably the most famous variant due to its involvement in the Battle of Britain, the G ‘Gustav’ which was first produced in 1942 was a quite extensively modified airframe and wing to accommodate a more powerful engine, greater internal fuel and armour. It was a dedicated reconnaissance / intercept aircraft. Whilst early 109’s were powered by engines delivering less than 700hp, some Gustav’s were pushing out nearly 2000hp with water injection and high performance superchargers. Within the Gustav series was quite an array of sub variants. Lack of standardisation was an issue that caused problems in the field as well as the ability to mass produce under wartime conditions. Some notable visual variations within the ‘G’ range included larger tail of wooden construction, odd number suffixed aircraft had pressurised cockpits for high altitude operation, Erla Haube clear view canopy with clear rear head armour, underwing points for tanks, cannon or rockets and larger main wheels resulting in ‘square’ fairings on the inner upper wings to accommodate them. The engine cowlings also had some obvious variations resulting from the supercharger and weapon set up hidden beneath. An obvious one is the Beule blisters found on each side of the cowling ahead of the cockpit to cover the gun breaches. The K series 109 was the final variant introduced in the effort to create a standardised 109 taking all of the improvements that had materialised throughout the aircrafts development. The kit Before I start this review, I’ll admit that I’m not a 109 expert , particularly with the G variant and it’s many sub variants. Having never built an AZ kit, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but on opening the box, I was immediately impressed with the quality of the kit. What was strikingly obvious on the two grey sprues was a variety of options included and well as some beautiful surface detailing. As well as these sprues, you get a full colour A4 fold out instruction manual and two decal sheets, the larger one holding the markings, with a smaller one holding the many stencils found on the aircraft. Assembly starts with the cockpit as you might guess. Despite the small size, there is plenty of detail to cram in there. Excellent painting guides are included within the instruction booklet. The exhausts are shown as being inserted from inside the fuselage prior to closing up which for some may be not ideal if you prefer to paint your exhausts before fitting. Looking at the design, it might be possible to affix a plate to the inner surfaces of the fuselage slots and with a bit of fettling, attach the exhausts from outside in a more conventional manner if this is a concern for you. With the cockpit assembled and affixed to one of the fuselage halves, the fuselage is ready for closing up. There has been some debate about the fuselage profile on the '72nd Scale Aircraft' website and the comments made were that the depth of the fuselage at the front section of the wing was too shallow by just under 1mm causing the profile of the cowling under the engine to look slightly horizontal. I checked the parts against some drawings and do agree with the comments made there, however comment is also made that the Fine Mould dimensions at this point are the same and this is regarded as an excellent kit. The fuselage halves have two location pins at extreme ends to assist line up of the parts. Next step is the wings. Some care and attention needs to be taken moving forwards with the construction due to generic instructions giving steps for different variants and the number of options contained. Some modification is required to certain kit parts too, in the case of this variant, you are required to sand a taper into the rear radiator faces. This is probably better done once fitted into place to ensure you don’t overdo it. It’s worth noting at this point the options contained within the kit (although most not used): • Standard and large tail / rudder • Beule blisters • Tailplanes – 2 options • Nose gun covers – 2 options • Tail wheels – 3 options • Main wheels – 2 options • Supercharger intake – 2 options • Propellers – 2 options • Square main wheel fairings for upper wings • Underwing 20mm cannon packs The radiator covers are moulded into the lower wing. This is superbly done, with the intake slot finely reproduced. Surface detail is finely recessed with rivets and panel lines. The radiator exit flaps can be positioned in either the open or closed positions. The undercarriage has separate legs and doors, again with moulded in detail that will show up well after a panel wash. The main wheels for this variant are the standard ones, not the larger ones contained as an option. With the rear armour fitted to the cockpit, the canopy can be fitted. Again, reports from those who have built the kit indicate the canopy is a fraction narrow on the fit to the fuselage, however having seen the stunning build by Libor on Britmodeller (see link below), I won’t be too concerned when I build mine. Given the excellent detail in the cockpit, an open canopy option would have been welcome to show it off. That said, the moulding is beautifully clear. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234951287-messerschmitt-bf-109g-6r6-172-az-model/ It won’t take long before the remaining parts are in place due to the simplicity in the kit to assemble. A good portion of the parts included are options. The decals Four Bf109G-6/R6 schemes are included in the kit and an additional sheet of stencils is included. Print is very sharp. Scheme 1 – 1./JG.302, Helsinki – Malmi, Finland, March ‘44 Scheme 2 – Stab 1./JG27, Fels am Wagram, Austria, May ’44 – flown by Ludwig Franzisket Scheme 3 – 8./JG54, Luneburg, Germany, Spring ’44 – flown by Gunter Sahl Scheme 4 – 11./JG27, Kalamaki Airfield, Athens, Autumn ’43 – flown by Heinrich Bartels Conclusion Whilst there has been some criticism of the forward fuselage profile in this kit, it really is a beautifully detailed rendition that can be favourably compared to the Fine Molds Gustav which is highly regarded. AZ have released a number of G versions recently giving Bf109 fans some great choices. Kit construction is quite straight forwards, although some care is necessary in studying the instructions before commencing. Sample courtesy of AZ Models Etch & Masks to compliment the kit If you’re wanting improve the kit, a pre-painted etch set is available to enhance the cockpit detail. This includes a replacement rear armoured headrest, seatbelts and panel. If you don't like cutting your masks out, then they also supply a canopy and wheel mask set too. Both the early framed canopy and Erla Haube canopy types are included.

I have finally got my butt in to gear and done some more work on the AZ Models 1/48 Firefly Mk 1. This is going to get done in FAA colours as my last one (Grand Phoenix kit) was done in RCN colours. The plastic in this kit, whilst the same plastic, is nowhere as good as the GP kit. The panel lines require scribing in a number of locations as the casting was poor and plastic filled them. There are sink holes in various places including just in front of the tail that required filling. The panel lines are also trenches reminiscent of Matchbox and it is a pain to rescribe panel lines THAT wide! For some reason the resin in the cockpit doesn't seem to fit as well as the GP kit either. The wings fit poorly to the fuselage and will need a fair amount of filler to make it good. When fitting the wings they need to have a fair amount of trimming to make them fit the gap in the fuselage. I also used superglue at the rear of the underside of the wing where it joins the fuselage so it had some strength to the joint. Here are the gaps at the wing roots: Here is the link to my Grand Phoenix kit of the Firefly Mk 1: http://www.aussiemodeller.com.au/pages/Gallery/Aircraft_E-H/Harvey_FireflyMk1.html