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Part of the reason I bought and built the Lynx (RFI coming soon, honest) was to get my head in to the right space for building helicopters and hopefully do a better job of the Chinook as a result. I have the Italeri HC.2 / CH-47F kit which is a bit of a weird thing even before the get go, because (if I understand it) the HC.2 was the UK version of the D. Except for the Netherlands D, they had the analogue cockpit instruments. The CH-47F in contrast was the basis for the HC mk 6, which had the glass cockpit. I guess you could build either ( but not both!) from this kit, although it only comes with decals for the analogue cockpit so... Anyway The plan is to build ZA-712 ER of 7 squadron during its green HC2 phase. It features in the superb model alliance decals as an HC1 in 1991 / op Granby, but I want to make an HC-2 and I don't think I could pull off the black "scribbling" over desert pink camouflage. So I'm going to model the same aircraft, but from a later date when it was painted green, which means that I'll be using a combination of kit and Model Alliance decals. The reason I picked this aircraft is because 7 squadron is part of JSFAW which supports the UK special forces, meaning that I can include the beautiful miniguns that I bought from Live Resin. So, onwards. Cockpit first. The rear wall of the cockpit needs some detail removing and slightly bulking out the area where the PE goes as it doesn't quite look big enough. You can see it here. I added some PE to the cabin bulkhead, but I've read / seen that mostly the LHS is covered by soundproofing and often the RHS is too. I've ordered some clay "stuff" to make the sound proofing. In some of the pictures I saw the heater is partially exposed on the right, so I might go for something like that. More PE. It looks quite smart before it's painted black However, after painting it loses some of the detail. I tried to help by picking some of it out in a semi-gloss... Also, being all black makes it double-hard to photograph. Apparently. The PE instrument panel came out ok though Lastly it was on to the cargo floor which I did with the usual 2 shades of grey and a dirt wash. I'm hoping the wash will settle down a bit when I give it a coat of clear matt because I think I went a little bit over the top. Anyway, that's everything for now. Thanks for looking.

Hello, Here's my just finished 1/72 Italeri SF-5B. I was looking through the stash after my previous build, a grey Harrier GR.7, and thought this would be a nice colourful change. The kit does offer a Spanish version out of the box, but the decals didn't look right to me, so I ordered an aftermarket sheet from Series Españolas. These were much better, and worked very well. I painted the model with Vallejo Metal Color and some Tamiya black. Overall, it was a fun build, with only the canopy actuators being a bit fiddly. Thanks for looking, I hope you like it.

This is gonna be my dad´s first 1/35 build since over 20 years. He will try to recreate one of the GMC trucks he drove during his conscript time in the Austrian Army in 1966. Our Jimmys had steel beds, so the Tamiya kit wasn´t an option. Between the Italeri and the Heller kit, my dad chose the latter one because it includes a canvas for the rear. DSC_0009 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr Here´s my dad back then Scannen0004 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr Scannen0003 by Reinhard Spreitzhofer, auf Flickr

Hello, just a signpost for my build which will start a bit later. I have the 1/72 Italeri kit and the Flying Colors Aerodecals tiny sheet for the ETPS logo, hope the box decals will suffice for the standard colour scheme.

The Air Fighting Development Unit & No. 787 RNAS Squadron flew the Mustang I at RAF Wittering between 25th March 1943 – 17th January 1945. As part of my 'Northamptonshire Project' I bought this kit on 28-10-08 and it has sat in my stash ever since. I don't have details like serial number(s) of the aircraft that flew from Wittering (any help appreciated), and I'm guessing that by 1943 they would be painted OG/DG over Barley Grey or even Trainer Yellow. The kit is packed in an end-opening box. The parts are moulded in light grey plastic on two sprues. Detail is crisp with engraved panel lines and no flash in evidence. The assembly is illustrated in five stages with two finish options illustrated. The decals are sharp and in register. My References: From the decal file:

Hi Folks this is my latest build, not very much to say about it other than it was built straight out of the box, the only additions being a couple of Revell pilots. A bit of flash on some of the mouldings but once that was dealt with it all fitted together nicely with minimal filling. Only two disappointments, it was raised panel lines (I really don't like raised panel lines) and I managed to lose the '300' serial number that should have been either side of the nose. Anyway here it is, as always all comments and criticisms are welcome . Thanks for looking, I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and a brilliant New Year.

Hi Pals, I think I can finish this upgrade / "face wash" of this model. It has not been, let's say, very aggressive, because there is no metal element on it, of each and every one that can be added, only empty shells on top, although they are not attached. The fear to ruin the kit, has been able this time more, because the plastic is not too good (if to that we add the time that I have since it was built in the factory). Still, the products used to add, more than to simulate as before, the weathering, I think they have fulfilled their function. I would like to put it on a base, and add some figure, but for now, I can not, for lack of technique and space, maybe later ... Thanks for the comments about how to improve the finish. IHMO, I think it has deserved the effort, more than anything to see if at this time, I improved my technique somewhat, maybe, although I still have to continue persevering ... Thanks as usual for watch and comment, cheers mates Black background... With some picture effects...aka old pcitures or news images of the time Until next model....

Italeris new tooling F-35B in 1/72 is due to arrive Monday 9/12/19! We are now taking pre-orders for this exciting new release. https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/italeri-172-f35b-lightning-ii-model-kit/

Hello folks, inspired by my friend Francis who recently built an M47 Patton, I decided to present the Croatian Balkan War version called “AZDAJA”, that means “DRAGON”. Look the real tank...these are the only two photos about AZDAJA that I found. Note that the tank does not have the headlights: and have the T80E1 links.... For this project I will use the M47 Patton from Italeri, kit number 6447, and I will added a set of photo-etched and resin parts from DEF Model, code 35024, plus the set of metal tracks T80E1 type from Fruilmodel, code ATL-145, and decals from Star Decals 35-C 1085 M47 Patton Balkan War and Peace. I agree with the others modellers that despite its age, this M47 is one of the best kit produced by Italeri, and it is a great platform for improvements. Well, first I assembled the bottom of the hull, the rolling train, I added some missing bolts (only 68) in the most notorious parts of the supports of the oscillating arms: Then, I added casting detail and foundry numbers in the hull and turret, and I replaced the support for the .50 machine gun and added rear lubrication points too: After that, I scratchbuild seven triangular hooks and added more 4 bolts over the rear plate, plus I made corrections in the gun lock: That's all for now...

A close inspection from the soon to be released 1/32nd Italeri's Mirage IIIC sprues pics (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234975571-132-dassault-mirage-iiic-by-italeri-box-artdecals-release-late-september-early-october/?p=2112443) show clearly the typical MIIIE wheel brakes as an option. A new variant in view? Time will tell. V.P.

The 1/72nd secret item from the catalogue 2019 (link) is a new tool Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II - ref. 1425 It's Halloween today... Sources: https://www.italeri.com/en/article/777 https://www.italeri.com/uploads/news/cDrllBUBxBek9FXxcMAV35oH9gczdzte2VMQmy7s.pdf https://www.facebook.com/ItaleriModelKit/posts/3256928964379701 test build V.P.

Kit - Italeri 1:35 (re-tool). Paint - All acrylics. Decals - Kit & Star Decals Extras - Verlinden & Voyager resin stowage, lead foil, Jordi Rubio turned aluminium barrel. M24 Chaffee 3rd Armd Div Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg February 1945. Started two-and-a-half years ago, then parked on the 'Shelf of Forgetfulness' until about four weeks ago. Kit is the old but still OK'ish' Italeri kit - but the later re-box with the WWII tracks. It went together fairly well, but the suspension arms are surprisingly delicate and don't stand-up well to rough handling and the tracks are waaaayyy too thick and generally un-co-operative, if I ever build another I will definitely be investing in a set of AM tracks. Two 'firsts' on this - First time using MIG's US WWII OD set - but only the base tone and the first lighter one, and first time attempt at the Rinaldi hairspray chipping method. BECAUSE it's my first time using this technique, I'm sincerely asking for feedback, because it's the only way I will get better, right ?. So that's pretty much it, as ever thanks for taking the time and effort to comment or criticize, have the rest of a great weekend, folks. Best from NZ Ian.

Hi All, I hope I can build this subject this year. There are couple others before in pipeline and I have some questions related to topic. D-AFFT was quite special plane. It was operated by Hansa Luftbild and this was basically unit to get intel information outside Germany before war. This plane crashed in Helsinki Malmi airport 1.10.1939 and crashed plane was returned quietly back to Germany. My first question is: Was this plane carrying cameras and if so where those were located? Second is: Should I use Revell kit as a starting point or Kora conversion set? Scan is from Suomen ilmailuhistoriallinen Lehti 2/1996

These are a few recent builds of 1/72 scale Typhoons. All carrying Centenary celebration schemes. 29(R) Squadron Centenary Typhoon FRG.4 ZK353. ZK353 was marked with Typhoon Display Team corporate logos as well as commemorating 100 years of 29(R) Squadron. The aircraft was flown throughout the 2015 display season 6 Squadron Centenary Typhoon FGR.4 ZK342. In 2015 ZK342 recieved a scheme to commemorate the centenary anniversary of 6 Squadron. The tail and spine were covered in a desert camo scheme representative of that worn by the unit when operating Hurricanes during WWll Xl(F) Squadron Centenary Typhoon FGR.4 ZJ925 In 2015 ZJ925 was painted in a scheme to commemorate the Centenary of XI(F) Squadron. The tail and spine was black with gold squadron Crest and carried the code DXI. The aircraft was used on normal operations and also deployed on exercise to Kenya and Turkey

I purchased the 2014 rebox of the '72 scale Italeri F-5N Tiger ll as I think the aircraft looks great in aggressor colours. The box schemes also give an option for a Swiss F-5 which are also use for dissimilar air combat training. Buried away I had an old Airfix F-5E kit that I'd made years ago. I cleaned this up and repainted it in the Swiss scheme. F-5N Tiger ll US Nvy VFC-13 "Saints" NAS Fallon Nevada 2012 F-5N Tiger ll Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel 19 2008

I've made a start on a new model which will be something I never really do - a diorama of sorts but really it's two model aircraft. I've had to depart from my preferred 1/48 scale for this for various reasons but let's simplify it down to kit availability. The ultimate aim is to try to recreate a scene like this: I expect the readership is well familiar with the USAF's Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR) efforts which really came to maturity during the Vietnam war. The Sikorsky S-61R model in USAF service as the CH-3 was modified with long range tanks, refuelling probe, pilots' seat arm, winch and some defensive guns and became the HH-3E, nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant. They didn't and couldn't work alone though. They were still relative sitting ducks to ground fire, expected to fly into a hover in an area where a fast jet had been shot down. They flew in pairs, a high ship providing cover and a low ship which went in to pick up the downed airman/airmen. They usually had an escort of around 4 Douglas Skyraiders which flew under the nickname of "Sandy" which would provide heavy suppressive fire support for the helicopters. The whole operation was initiated, supported and coordinated by the crew of the Combat King however - the HC-130P would patrol and listen on the US military's radio frequencies monitoring ongoing air operations. As soon as they heard communications that suggested a friendly aircraft was in trouble the CSAR machine was warmed up. The Combat King crew would direct the rescue aircraft to the scene but also provided refuelling services to the fairly short-ranged Jolly Green Giants. The models then - I'm using a Whirlybird kit of the HH-3E which is almost entirely resin with a fret of photoetched brass. Unlike their earlier S-61N conversion which used a Revell donor kit, the HH-3E is a complete kit. Good then. The HC-130P is going to be provided by Italeri, with HC-130P conversion parts from David J Parkins' Flightpath, with photo etched details (mainly to get the flaps which, as can be seen above, were normally extended to allow the big Herc to fly slow enough for the helicopter to keep pace and take on fuel) and the correct Alison T56-A-15 engine nacelles from same. I still need the air to air refuelling pods from Flightpath and they're not available right now but David, if you're reading, I'll be keeping an eye on your website for them coming back into stock. It'll be a while before they hold up proceedings though. Never one to be content however, I have decided to attempt to make this much more difficult. I've never been impressed by clear plastic discs with blurry blades and the like, so to try to get a good impression of movement, I've decided to electrify this little ensemble. That's going to be easier said than done... Apart from any thing else, when you've actually seen things like the helicopter (or at least are familiar with its family members) things like relative RPMs begin to matter, within fairly broad reason. When photographed, the relative blur achieved by an camera will be more telling than just looking and since most people will see this through the results of a camera, I wanted to make a reasonable effort during the parts procurement process to try to get it close-ish. I've known 3 Hercules pilots, and have no way of contacting any of them so I've had to guess at what is probably a sensible propeller RPM for a C-130 flying straight and level with flaps down - and my guess is that 1200 RPM isn't going to look out of place. I ordered 4 of these for the Herc: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC3V-1200RPM-Micro-Mini-6mm-Planetary-Gear-Reducer-Motor-Precision-DIY-Robot-car/254151008187?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648 These are approximately 17mm long and 6mm in diameter. The solid resin engine nacelles are, I believe, a benefit here since I can drill the nacelles in my pillar drill and get all the motors and thus all 4 propellers on the same axis. It would look dreadful if they all had different up/down/side thrust. Everything needs to be straight and aligned properly. On to the helicopter for now though. I needed to measure up what I had to work with, and that meant cleaning up the fuselage halves: The fit is pretty good, but there is a mismatch on the top of the fuselage to deal with later - but it doesn't affect what I need to know now: I have a bit of space to work with for the main rotor, but still the smaller the better - I don't really want a huge silver monstrosity gleaming through the cabin windows: The tailrotor however is a real issue: I have better data here (I think) about what speeds I want, but in truth that probably makes me less satisfied with whatever I get in the end! I have my father available who was licensed on the Sikorsky S-61N and has all of his Sikorsky course notes. I'd love to show some of the amazing reference material inside, but Sikorsky never miss an opportunity to sue people and the course notes have prohibitions on unauthorised disclosure all over them, so you'll have to take my word for the rest. Not knowing any S-61R drivers, but believing the powertrain to be very similar to the S-61N, my dad's course notes state that 100% on the mainrotor is 203 RPM. The same drawing shows that the power take-off for the tail rotor runs at 3030 RPM at 100% and that the 45deg gearbox at the bottom of the pylon is a 1:1 gear ratio. The final drive gearbox to the tail rotor itself has a ratio of 2.4375:1, making the tailrotor run at 1243 RPM at 100%. The best I could find that would fit in the fuselage for the mainrotor was this 242 RPM geared motor, measuring 16.5mm long by 6mm diameter: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253771137237 That's at 3v so I've also ordered some little potentiometers to, hopefully, tweak that down a touch. Compromise is the key here. I considered asking someone to design and 3D print me tiny bevel gears and sit a motor in the pylon coaxial with where the transmission shaft would be on the real thing, but then I found these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC3V-3-7V-4-2V-Ultra-mini-Coreless-Motor-3-2mm-12-2mm-Vibration-Vibrating-Motor/283101330780?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=583506556671&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 They are tiny little things 3.2mm x 12.2mm overall including the shaft which has a vibrating counterweight attached, so I've ordered 2 of them incase I ruin one. This should just fit in there. I expect it spins far too fast for what I want, but I will mock it up first with a potentiometer and see how low I can get it - but really I think I'll just need to take what I get as this really seems to be the absolute bottom end of what's readily available on the market just now. Since I had the stuff out, I made a move on the sponsons. Whirlybird provides sponsons with separate end plates; one with floats for the HH-3F "Pelican" used by the Coast Guard, one plain as used on some of the CH-3C utility versions and one with the pylon for extended range fuel tanks. The fit isn't great unfortunately. I spent a while trying to make sure the pylons were aligned and looked like they would be at the same angle of incidence as each other - I don't want one fairly long, spindly fuel tank pointing up and one down! I've had this stuff for a while but have never used it, so thought I'd give it a go It's like Milliput but seems a bit softer and easier to knead/mix than my packets of Milliput. That said, my Milliput has always been quite old whenever I've used it - mixing epoxy putties always seems a real faff so I'll use solvent types normally. For resin here though this is probably more suitable. Thanks for looking in. This won't be fast paced - and indeed I need to wait for motors to arrive, but I will work away at it along with my other projects. I'm not always in the mood for shaping / painting / photo etch / sanding / scribing so I like having different models at different stages of build and pick up whichever I'm in the mood for. I'm not a linear person.

Two Seat Harriers TAV-8B and Harrier T.2 Both of these were built in the early 1990s. Both are 1/72 scale. The TAV-8B is the Italeri kit built to represent Bu No 162747 coded SD 626 of the US Naval Air Test Centre which took part in the 1988 Farnborough show. The RAF machine is the Heller / Humbrol 'Bobcat' kit with quite a few modifications to represent XW267 / T of 233 OCU based at Wittering in the early 1980s

Be gentle with me. First model built in over 20 years. Baby footsteps up to the stirrups at the momentn let alone getting back in the saddle. Look forward to your input. Colours not perfect. Be it in reality or through the camera lens.

Hi Pals, al last I finished the model, and IHMO, I think it has been to my liking. I was pleasantly surprised, to see that even being such an ancient mold, still has a very good level of quality (I think even better than some models Tamiya of the time, and that time, were twice as expensive or so. ..) Once finished, you see a pretty powerful tank, a whole "Heavy metal", precursor of the "beasts" that would follow. On the other hand, the kit has a fairly simple assembly, no major problems to solve, if you want to OOB, although I have had two delicate enough, the hull and turret were twisted,and it was difficult to bring them together, and the tracks that are degraded by the passage of time and broke. Perhaps now come of better plastic quality. Here is a link to the WIP section, in case you want to see it. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235004000-the-olde-general-m47-patton-135-italeri-item265/ Thanks to all who have followed the assembly and finishing kit, and have supported and encouraged me with your suggestions and comments. Regards to all Pals And some shots on detail....

A group build on A FB page got me started looking at the stash & eyeing a TR-1 kit I picked up a while back. I saw a U-2R take off & display at Mildenhall in the 80s (could well be 85) so I needed to make her a serial number who had at least visited the UK, even if they were never officially assigned to RAF Alconbury. Just to prove a point a U-2S visited a Mildenhall today. Anyway I got the HAS out at the weekend and tried to get some shots as the sun went down & cast long shadows. Hope you like them. And a couple on her own

C-130J Engine Nacelles (BRL48123 for Italeri) 1:48 Brengun The large scale Hercules from Italeri has been around in many guises over the years, with the C-130J having popped up this side of the new millennium and most recently in 2014. It's a kit that is of a certain age now, but as there's fat chance of anyone issuing a new one in 1:48 scale, we have to take it as it comes with some elements that are less accurate than others. The J is the latest model of the Herc, and the only one still in production with upgraded Rolls-Royce turboprop engines and sabre-like Dowty props differentiating it from the previous marks externally. Those aren't the only upgrades, as the whole avionics package has been updated with new cockpit and countermeasures, plus improved range and performance. The J in kitform has a few challenges, one of which is the engine nacelles. This set is designed to address that, with resin parts that can far exceed the capabilities of plastic in terms of finesse and detail. The set arrives in a cardboard box that is sealed by its label and inside are found twelve large parts in grey resin, plus another twelve small parts in groups of three on the same pouring block. It's a Herk. In 1:48. So it's large. The parts are large too as you'd expect, and each nacelle comes in two parts with the front separate from the body so that a very crisp and thin leading edge lip can be achieved on the upper intake as well as the lower chin-scoop. The parts have a little engraved line where you should cut, and the front slides inside the lip of the nacelle, with the new prop boss slotting neatly into the front, allowing you to choose your preferred orientation. You'll notice that there are no blades included with the set, as Brengun consider the 6 blades on each engine to be up to the task – that's 32 - no 24 blades in total Chris (in-joke). The remaining parts are two antennae for under each nacelle, and a small cooling vent for the rear of the lower intake, which conveniently hides the blanked off exit. To install the engines on the wing, just remove 2.25mm from the inner nacelle roots and glue them in place with CA or epoxy glue as you see fit. Incidentally, you may notice the smaller parts have little extensions at the top of each high-point. These are bubble "traps" that should be cut off before you apply the parts, and are used to avoid inconvenient bubbles in delicate parts. Conclusion Well cast with only one or two bubbles in trailing edges, but these are easy to fix with some styrene rod or filler. The low part count is a boon, and everything fits together neatly, as you can see from the example above, which is only held together with a piece of Blutak behind the spinner. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hi Pals, I finish working with this model. I have seen that it is a fairly simple kit, without major problems for assembly, with acceptable instructions. As a bonus, you can make several versions, just before the Paladin appears. Although this is an old kit, modestly I think that you could still get a good result, (I am reasonably happy with it), the only thing that gave me headaches were the main pieces of the turret and helmet, as they were crooked , I imagine that by the passage of time, and the worst, the tracks, which when they were already in place, split, where the hardest (in the curve), although I was able to rectify it quite well. I have chosen to make a version in Vietnam, because although the kit does not bring that option, I saw some photos (which I include) about this, I liked it a lot. Thanks to my box of spare parts, it was not a problem. I thank as always all fellows of the forum who have accompanied me in the assembly process and encouraged me with their comments to improve / continue. I include a link to the WIP section, in case someone is interested in seeing the post. I wish you all a Merry Christmas! (If possible ... lol) Some shots in detail.... And some pictures of real model in Vietman (ALL PHOTOS ARE ONLY FOR INFORMATIVE PURPOSES, AND ALL LEGAL RIGHTS BELONG TO YOUR LEGITIMATE OWNERS)

This is quite a basic kit by Italeri with custom masks made for the current aircraft that flies out of Goodwood in West Sussex, UK. I did quite a lot of scratch building inside the cockpit, and the overall finish reflects the tiredness of the current scheme, including the crazed and opaque windows panels. She is due a new scheme over the winter months which should quite striking.

Hi, This is the very pleasant to build (and underrated) Italeri kit. Everything comes from the box except for the very efficient dual barrel MG81Z specific to the A-5 version, handmade seat belts and other details. The top RLM73 comes from the Real Color range. Quite a good range but it stinks and I find it maybe more fragile than the Gunze range. Thanks heaps for looking ! Antoine

Joining you with this Italeri RF-4 Phantom. Which I'm intending to build as the Luftwaffe Splinter camp option. This kit cost me £8, at Gloucester model show earlier this year.