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I'm hoping to build my first resin kit this summer (a CC MTB in 1/72). I understand the safety concerns regarding working with resin (good mask, ventilation wet abrasive) But what about other occupants of the house? My workbench is the dining room table (on special occasions) and my son is usually glued to his computer on the other side of the room. Should I pray for good weather and take my resin into the garden? Tom

I finished this a few years back using the Airfix kit and augmenting weapons with Coastal Craft offerings. I came across Kev's (Longshanks) build during the build which was an added inspiration. I should have replaced the stern steps with wire and shusshhhh - don't tell anyone but the mast is in the wrong place ......... (You live and learn) Thanks for looking Rob

OK so time to start my next project and wanting to give my eyes a rest from 1/350 so this will be the Coastal Craft kit of the British Power Boat Company 71ft 6in motor torpedo boat-466 in 1/72 scale which was lost in a fatal accident at Ostend harbour in February 1945 This will be my first resin kit so slow learning curve expected only ever used resin as stowage on my amour builds in the past.I had been thinking of jumping straight in with my new purchase of the Fairmile D but when I had a good look in the box I thought Nah go for the little one first So starting to look at all the parts and making sure I have read all the instructions first which is totally new to me There is a lot of stuff in this little box and it is heavy when you compare to a standard kit Colour scheme this should be a challenge to paint and by the way I will be using the AKAH set from Coastal Craft to paint this Off to read the instructions now this may take a while Beefy

Akan Paint Set 2 for Coastal Craft Coastal Craft As with the earlier RN Paint set 1, this set has been released to accompany the new book on the Fairmile D boats, reviewed HERE. Naturally this set is to be used in conjunction with Set 1. The six paint blister pack includes:- Western Approaches Blue Western Approaches Green MS1 MS4 MS4A B5 Now, having used Akan paints before they are a very good colour match to the originals, in fact I think of them as the Acrylic equivalent of the Colourcoats range. They are a great alternative to the enamel paints on the market which will please those modellers who work in less than ideal environments for enamel thinners etc. Akan paints do really need a good quality paint thinners to get them to flow well through an airbrush, but for those who brush paint, they are very easy to work with straight out of the pot. Conclusion It’s not always easy finding the right paints that not only give the correct tone, but are in the format you may want to use. With the release of this set, combined with the earlier one, modellers now have a paint range that covers the majority of camouflage schemes used by the Royal Navy throughout WWII. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Coastal Craft History Volume 3 Fairmile D MTB/MGB/FPB Coastal Craft Histories This is the latest volume from Coastal craft, entitled The Fairmile D MGB/MTB/FPB. The book continues the landscape format allowing authors the space for the excellent side views. As usual the profiles, based on those by John Lambert and text are by Mark Smith with the editor being Neil Robinson. This volume has a selection of the kits and accessories that Coastal Craft sell, along with a short forward accompanied by three period photographs of MTB 731. There then follows the history of the Fairmile Company and their earlier boats, followed by four pages on the Fairmile D design, covering the following sections:- Design Fairmile D hulls Engines Torpedoes and Depth Charges Armament Colour Schemes Each of these sections of text surround the profiles on the first six pages, there is then a break in the text for some of the larger profiles before beginning again from page 12 through to page 16. The next thirty one pages return to the larger profiles which show the many and various colour schemes used on particular boats. Each of the full colour profiles, some with plan views are beautifully drawn, and comes with information and history about the particular boat, as well as the colours used. There are also useful notes on the references used if the modeller would like to go further in their research. Conclusion The Fairmile D has to be my favourite type of British boat, I don’t know quite why, but it may be the power of their armament, their sturdiness or the fact that they could, and did take on the German S Boats with some success. This volume is filled with well drawn profiles and information that will be great for modellers or Dog Boat aficionados alike. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

B-29 Washingtons of the RAF 1:144, 1:72 & 1:48 Air-Craft Models Air-Craft Models are part of Coastal-Craft, and are sold via them, and this is a very British set of decals that would go well with their B-29 corrected engine nacelles that I reviewed here a little while ago. It is available in all three of the major scales that you can readily find kits in, and arrives in a ziplok bag with a healthy sized instruction sheet that is covered in profiles and notes for the various airframes covered by the set. There are four sizeable chunks of decal paper with codes and national insignia taking up a lot of the space, but with additional markings for each option so that you can build one aircraft from the sheet(s). Also included is a small Photo-Etch (PE) brass fret that provides the RAF specific aerials, most of which are used on one of the decal choices that was an ELINT airframe. From the bag you can portray one of the following: Washington B.1 (B-29A-50-BN, 44-61889) WF499 LS*B XV Squadron – bare metal over black with a wavy demarcation. Washington B.1 (B-29A-70-BN, 44-62231) WF503, 90 Squadron – all over bare metal. Washington B.1 (B-29A-70-BN, 44-62283) WZ966, 55, 192 Squadron, 1957-8 – all over bare metal with Arctic red tail and wing tips. Washington B.1 (B-29A-70-BN, 44-62326) WF552, 115 Squadron – all over bare metal. Each airframe is portrayed in port-side profiles, plus top and bottom views where appropriate, all of which are accompanied by notes to draw your attention to the differences from standard equipment that should be modelled if you are going for ultimate accuracy. A separate profile shows the location of the majority of the PE aerials used on the ELINT aircraft with the red wing tips. The decals are printed to very high standards with good registration, colour density and sharpness, while the PE is well etched, but without the frippery such as rounded corners or product codes that you find with the specialists. Conclusion A nicely presented set that will allow you to portray an RAF Washington to break from the usual stars and bars that are most often seen. The inclusion of the aerials is a useful touch, but remember that you will need some modelling skills to delete turrets and plate them over before you take the plunge, in order to achieve ultimate fidelity. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

B-29 Superfortress Replacement Engine Cowlings 1:48 Air-Craft Models via Coastal Craft The Monogram B-29 kit in 1:48 was patterned back in the day using the preserved airframe of Enola Gay as reference, which unbeknownst to them had one unusual feature externally that was applied to only a few airframes. The engines were special high-powered variants of the Dual Cyclone, and as such the cowlings were of a different shape, with a straighter profile viewed from the side. The intake under the main opening was also of a different shape, giving the engines a subtle, but different look. This set arrives in a small white box that has the product details stuck to the lid. Inside are four resin cowling parts that have been liberated from their pouring blocks and just need a little clean-up on the trailing edges of the cowling flaps, and the removal of some resin wafer that was used to enable the moulding of the aperture at the front. A quick swipe and polish with a sanding stick should see them ready for action, after a bath in warm soapy water to remover sanding residue and any mould release agent lingering on the surface that could affect paint adhesion. The cowling flaps are depicted in a neutral setting just like the kit parts, and the "smile" under the main aperture has a moulded-in intake grill to add detail. Installation should be fun, as you will have to align the engine/bulkhead part both in terms of depth and centring, which is best done in conference with the kit parts and your references. It would have been nice to have some alignment aids for this process, such as replication of the strips inside the kit cowling and a template for cutting back the bulkhead part. Once you have done one however, the rest will be easy, so take your time over it and trim a little bit each time until you are satisfied. Conclusion An important set in terms of external accuracy, unless you are planning on modelling one of those airframes with the more powerful engines. Be aware of the work you will need to do, and you will be happy with the resulting improvement. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Coastal Craft History Volume 2 Coastal Craft Histories This new book from Coastal craft, the second in the series of Coastal Craft histories, is entitled British Power Boat Company MTB’s, MGB’s, and MA/SB’s. Following on from their superb first edition on Vosper built boats, the book is also in landscape format and filled with superb side views, and some top views of the various boats the BPBCo designed and built. The profiles and text are by Mark Smith with Neil Robinson continuing his role as series editor. The first nineteen or so pages contains a potted history of the company and its owner Hubert Scott-Paine, of Supermarine and Imperial Airways fame. Interspersed with the narrative are side views and technical information of the first BPBCo designed boats. The rest of the test covers the following :- Torpedoes and torpedo boats Hull and wheelhouse design 60ft Hulls 63ft Hulls 70ft Hulls The 71ft 6” Hull Engines Torpedoes and depth charges Armament Colour Schemes Details of Boat type, length and numbers carried by BPBCo hulls. The next twenty eight pages show the many and various colour schemes used on particular boats. Each of the full colour profiles, some with top down views are beautifully drawn and come with information about the particular boat, as well as the colours used. There are also useful notes on the references used if the modeller would like to go further in their research. At the end of the book, there is a page dedicated to listing the great many books that are available followed by one page covering the kits and detail sets that are available from Coastal Craft. Conclusion This book is an absolute must have for anyone interested in the Britain’s Coastal Forces boats of WWII. Whether you have any kits or not, but of particular use with those who have the any of the available kits who would like to produce something not out of the box, especially as there is so much available aftermarket for the 1:72 fraternity. This is an excellent companion to the first volume and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next, hopefully the Fairmile boats. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Akan Paint Set for Coastal Craft Coastal Craft To accompany their book on Vosper MTBs/MGBs Coastal Craft reviewed [url=http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234980720-coastal-craft-history-volume-1/HERE, in company with Akan paints have released as set of paints that match those in the book. The six paint set includes:- APC 507A Dark Grey (1920) APC 507B Grey (1920, renamed 507A in 1940) APC 507 C Light Grey (1920) B-15 Grey-Blue G-45 Grey RN White Now, having used Akan paints before they are a very good colour match to the originals. They are a great alternative to the enamel paints on the market which will please those modellers who work in less than ideal environments for enamel thinners etc. I’ve found that Akan paints do need a good quality thinners to get them to flow well through an airbrush, but for those who brush paint, they are very easy to work with straight out of the pot. Conclusion It’s not always easy finding the right paints that not only give the correct tone, but are in the format you may want to use. This set is just the job for that, as it gives you six of the most widely used colours and in conjunction with the book you can get the exact scheme you want in one purchase. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Coastal Craft History Volume 1 Coastal Craft Histories This new book from Coastal craft, entitled Vosper Torpedo Boats from the 68ft PV boat to MTB538 is the first in, hopefully, a series of books covering all of Britains Coastal Forces. The second in the series is already complied and due to go to print shortly. The book is in landscape format allowing authors the space for the excellent side views. The profiles and text are by Mike Smith with the editor being none other than Neil Robinson. All the profiles are produced from those of John Lambert with his co-operation. The book begins with a short piece about the first Vosper private venture, the 68ft motor torpedo boat. This is followed by a forward and information about the book itself, what the profiles were based on and the resources from whence the wartime photographs came. Then there are short articles on the following:- The history of Vosper Torpedoes and torpedo boats Hull and wheelhouse design Engines Torpedoes and depth charges Armament Details of Vosper batches Included in the above articles there are suitable profiles of various boats and the ever changing profile of the 68 footer MTB 102. The next thirty five pages show the many and various colour schemes used on particular boats. Each of the full colour profiles, some with top down views are beautifully drawn comes with information about the particular boat, as well as the colours used. There are also useful notes on the references used if the modeller would like to go further in their research. At the end of the book, there is a page dedicated to listing the great many books that are available followed by one page covering the kits and detail sets that are available from Coastal Craft, with the last page showing whats to come in the next book. Conclusion This book is an absolute must have for anyone interested in the Vosper boats of WWII. Whether you have any kits or not, but of particular use with those who have the any of the available kits who would like to produce something not out of the box, especially as there is so much available aftermarket for the 1:72 fraternity. Those modellers who choose to model in 1:35 will need to hone their scratchbuilding skill, but this book will certainly be a help as to what equipment and modifications are appropriate to which boat. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of