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I'll give it another try; I'll build a General Aviaton plane. Let's see how far I can get it this time before it lands on it's final destination - and will it be the showroom shelf, or the bin? Well, if I look back at the failed attempts and abandoned projects of the more recent past, there where a significant amount of Airliners among them - not especially challenging kits, some as easy as the new Revell Airbus 320 neo. But I failed, mainly at the stage of closing seams, which is for me a crucial part, but I manage to do so at submarines, so it should be doable. And, failing when the bar sits lowest, I think I have to raise it. If I fail with something like a modern Revell Airbus, it probably was to easy and I should go with something more challenging. You get the logic? (Well, there isn't any. But it reads meaningful. Kind of.) Do be honest; reading @S.A. Lady wonderful take on the Jumbo I wanted to splash some white paint on grey plasic as well. Knowing, it will not turn out that nice. But hey one must try to fail with style. 😉 I had three candidates; Roden's PanAm Boeing 720 (not in the mood to hussle with them decals), A&A's Beechcraft Super King Air (need to get some proper blades and stuff first) and Sova-M's Learjet 35A. And, the latter it will be, Ifeel it's the right thing to take on the saddle of a General Aviaton bullride. Yep, Short Run that is. Parts are warped, fit is mediocre, details are basic. This lesson will be not for the faint of heart. Let's see what we've got. Beautiful Boxart, of an Argentine connection plane from the Falkland aera, mentioning that this is limited to 450 pieces. It's a beautiful scheme, and I guess I will build it straight like this. The box is quite cramped with some three larger sprues and some eight smaller sprues, some are duplicates: Decals are quite nice, clear parts are separately packed, and there's a small PE fret included. Instructions are what you'd expect from a short run kit like this - a bit basic: This is not your comfy seat, but requires work. As it says on the tin; This model is executed on the technology short run and is intended only for experienced modellers! Amen, bro! I'm experienced in messing up any kind of kit and failed on even more messy ones - so that counts, I guess? Hey ho, let's go!

Here's some completed builds from my new Ercoupe design, if anyone is looking for an Ercoupe... Resin printed. I think this model is quite a step up in accuracy from the previously available 1955 issued Lindberg 1/48 kit. I built the 3D model using the original blueprints. I have options for the C/D or E elevator, the flat or the bubble windscreen, and spats/no spats. I'm treating them as 1.0 versions... Hopefully my 3D modeling skills improve, and I can add detail in the future. Also, my painting skills need a lot to be desired, compared to all the amazing work I've seen on this site. My painting skills are 'serviceable', maybe! They are available at www.ercoupetv.com. 1/48 C model with spats. 1/48 E model, bubble screen, N94805 (my Coupe!). 1/48 C model 'Scampi'. 1/72 D and E models.

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I thought I would share some progress on a current side project... First I should explain that as co-designer of a prototype Human Mk 1 – currently at early testing stages, a long way off even taxiing, mainly focussed on the exhaust system at present – I am limited to 10 minute essential dashes into the attic, so my conventional modelling is basically on hold. However between 5.30 and 7.30am I do have a window where I can combine infant care with some laptop action, and have been developing some planes on CAD for DLP resin printing. I find it strange that there are not more single engine GA aircraft available in kit form in 1:72. Yes you can get things like the Bulldog or Chipmunk, but even the Cessna 172 I think is limited to one hard to find resin issue. I guess that the people that dig these planes are those that fly them, and have neither the time nor the inclination to bother with them in model form. But they are such ubiquitous aircraft, and fly over us all the time. I’ve been tinkering with quite a few, but here is the Grumman AA-5 Traveler: Because of the print area of machines like the Elegoo Mars, my trusty steed, these sizes of planes work well, anything bigger would have to be highly modular. In this case, I can break it down into fuselage, wings, prop and wheels. As a print, I am quite pleased. The resin is standard Elegoo grey, printed in 0.02mm layers with a 8 sec per layer exposure. The layer lines are still visible, of course, but not nearly as obvious as they would be with FDM printing: The fuselage is printed with supports on the bottom, which will obligate some finishing work: The wings are printed standing on their end – this makes the print rather tall, and long (ca. 14 hours) but means the finish is better. That said, the mating surface is not quite square, so there may be some sagging going on: Details can be done, but as a lessons learnt prototype, I will resolve to increase the size of panel lines, as these luggage doors barely register and will disappear with sanding: Also, I have printed the horizontal stabilisers and fuselage as one, but there seems to be a tendency for these to warp (I have seen this on other models), so will probably benefit from separation: There is also the matter of transparencies. I have been trying to print these too, using Monocure clear resin. These of course have layer lines too, which is not ideal for transparency. This isn't from the Traveler, but shows a part straight out of the printer after clean up with IPA: One possible solution is to brush with extra resin and expose to more UV (a nail gel lamp): A smoother finish, but some manual polishing will definitely be required. I am comforted however by a Mach 2 clear part I have to hand – I am just about at Mach 2 clarity! Also, I think those lumps in the surface are doobreys that found there way onto the part, so general modelling hygiene is a must. As I say, I'm working on a few, really as a learning curve. Here is a Cessna 152 (yes I know there's a resin kit on the way!) All in all, exciting experimentations with learning points and a bit of an insight into the realities for those that actually design proper model kits. My hat is permanently doffed in their general direction! Circumstances dictate that I probably won't be sprinting to a quick RFI (poor form for a 9cm long model!) but I hope some of the above is of interest. There'll certainly be a reprint so if any eagle eyed Grumman afficianados spot any doosies do let me know, I am aware the top of the cowling is too flat. All best, Harry

Merry Christmas, everyone! I was just looking around the web for possible candidates to fill in the GA parking stands on my prospective airfield apron. The A320s and 737s were catered for, but what about some Cessna & Co. in 1/144?... I came across a couple of online shops offering 3D-printing services which already have a good portion of aircraft, vehicles and airfield equipment in their portfolio: http://www.shapeways.com/search?q=1%2F144&s=0#more-products There are many items ranging from helicopters to WWI fighters, from Etendards to AMXs, from Tucanos to Lynxes, from firetrucks to access steps/ ladders and dinosaurs (it takes a bit to go through the couple of thousands of lines) and I am not commenting on the prices, but should you "require" a certain subject - like me with the Citation Excel and, say, some Skyhawk - then it might be worth a look. *** The other shop is click2detail: https://www.click2detail.com/store/c27/1%3A144.html Here, the product range might be a bit smaller in 1/144, but very much worth a look given the aircraft subjects aaaaaaaaand ... ...the 1/72 Global Express and 1/72 Sentinel R.1 [incl. markings by DRAW Decal] kits Apologies if this has been posted before. I did a quick search upfront but found nothing