Learstang Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 (edited) Okay the bad news first; despite the rather lurid title, I only completed two models this year, an Il-2 Shturmovik and an La-5, both in the gentleman's scale of 1/72nd. Now the good news - this doubles my output from last year! The Il-2 arrow (swept-winged variant) was from the Toko kit, with wooden wings represented by labouriously sanding down the wings to rid it of the engraved panel lines. The La-5 was built strictly out of the box, and the kit is a repop of the old, but quite nice Cooperativa kit. I'm not too happy with the exhaust stains on the La-5, but I was in a hurry to get if "officially" finished for 2014. The lack of weathering is deliberate - looking at photographs, the La-5 was usually kept in pretty good nick. I may well revisit the exhausts and the near lack of exhaust stains on my Il-2. The Il-2's engine, the Mikulin AM-38 was not a particularly oily or greasy engine, but it did put out quite a bit of exhaust. At any rate here they are, in all their mediocre glory! As usual I apologise for the poor quality of the photography, assembly, decaling, weathering, etc. Best Regards, Jason You may wonder why I have so many photographs for such so-so models, but I happen to go by what the Vozhd ("Boss" - Stalin) is reputed to have said - "Quantity has a quality all its own.". Edited January 5, 2015 by Learstang 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Wow, the IL-2's a lot bigger than I realized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Jason, Well done mate. I'm sure your not alone in the world of 'lack of finished models'.. but hey, two complete birds are better than none. I'm applying the finishing touches to my 1/72 Hawker Tempest and believe me the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built and repainted in quicker time. Let's shake on 2015 being a better modelling year for both of us and remember those two Shacks are not that far away - time to clear the modelling bench. Cheers.. Dave. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 (edited) The Il-2 was a big hunk of steel, aluminium, wood, and fabric, Prokopios (I'm using the Greek spelling, 1), to be pedantic, and 2), to be annoying). It was 38 feet long, and had a wingspan of 48 feet. For a single-engined, piston-engined aeroplane, it was quite large. I photographed it next to the La-5 to emphasise the size of it. In particular you can see how huge the wings are. Side by side with a Pe-2, it's not that much smaller than that twin-engined aircraft. Regards, Jason Edited January 1, 2015 by Learstang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Too right about the Shacks, Dave! Luckily (or unluckily, I want it now), we have until next December to clear the way for the Airfix Shack. If I keep doubling my production every year, and if my maths is correct, then in about ten years I'll be doing about 1,000 kits a year. At that rate I'll have my stash finished in about 20 years, but only if I don't buy any more kits (not going to happen!). Regards, Jason 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 I'm no mathematician, but my back of the envelope calculations indicate to me that that's a helluva stash. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 I'm no mathematician, but my back of the envelope calculations indicate to me that that's a helluva stash. Well 1,000 kits is a bit of an exaggeration, Procopius. As it stands now, it's probably only around 200 or so unbuilt kits (with another three or four wending their merry way to my happy home). I don't even want to think about the partially-built kits. Regards Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitfire Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Nice ones Jason, and as for only two builds it seems that two builds is becoming my norm as well. So I decided to change it for 2015 by starting three kits at once something I never do, however as I almost always finish kits that I have started I could be guaranteed 3 next year. All the best Den 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Very nice Jason. Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Spectabulous indeed, and lurid we like. Keep on doubling up. Cheers, Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Thank you very much, gentlemen! Mike, I would like to complete at least four this year. I've already resolved to finish my Lancaster GR.3, so that just leaves three more to finish! Hmmm, maybe my Blackburn Blackburn should move to the front of the list. What a splendiferous (actual real word) beauty! People would come from yards around just to see that model. Best Regards, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Wonderful builds Jason and looking forward to the Il-2 book. Regards, ho Kukenbaxer (Greek spelling) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Thank you very much, Cookenbacher! So you're interested in the book; I think that now makes 10, no 11 copies that I can expect to sell! Best Regards, Jason 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Nice ones Jason, two is better than none, and very nice they are as well, Sean 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Thank you very much, Sean! I'm glad you like my humble efforts. Best Regards, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 Like your builds there Jason, just think, if you spent 2015 finishing off your 'heavies', this year will be a corker of an output 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 Thank you Neil!. And I am committed to finishing this year at least one of my Lancaster-family models, be it a Lincoln, a Lancaster, or even my long-neglected Manchester. However, like most modellers I have the attention span of a gnat, so I've gotten myself off onto a rather strange tangent, the Gran Chaco War. But I shall get back to my Lancs, oh yes! Regards, Jason 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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