Navy Bird Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) Hi mates, Here are all the models I finished in 2014. Only 4! (5 really, please see the EDIT at the bottom of the post.) Oh, the shame, the shame... But Mother Nature really got me this past year. The return of Carcinoma's Angels hit me pretty hard, and I think I spent more time in doctor's offices than I did in my studio. Plus I lost my job when my company got sold and had to go looking for a new one. That put a little dent in the modelling time too. But what really curtailed my output was that I had the audacity to spend five months each on two models alone. This is something that can't be repeated. 2015 will be better, it must be better. We'll kill the cancer (in progress) and then I'll kill the job (as in retirement) and then we'll see if the stash wins or not! So on with the four (five really) completions from 2014: 1:72 PB4Y-1 Liberator "Subduer" (Kit from 1965!) finished in February of 2014 after five months of work! Revell Lots of work to bring this up to more modern standards. But, come on, did I really have to add the relief tube? That's just modelling for the sake of modelling. Yup, I added the relief tube: 1:72 Blackburn Skua Mk.II finished in May of 2014 Special Hobby Lovely little kit of an unloved aeroplane. Like a lot of the early war aircraft, the Skua was often tasked to do things it wasn't designed for. It may be a lot of things, but it's not ugly! 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 finished in August of 2014 Airfix Believe it or not, this is the first Bf 109 kit I've built in my nearly 50 years of modelling. The kit was a good choice, I think, not only due to the history behind "the one that got away" but also due to the wonderful new Airfix kit. All weathering was done with pastels, there is no panel line wash on this model. I think it came out nice, what do you think? 1:72 DAP Beaufort Mk.VIII "Snifter" finished in first week of January 2015 after five months of work! Special Hobby I shall forever remember this build as the Photoetch Extravaganza. I don't think I've ever used so much of the stuff - and it was fiddly beyond all fiddliness. But the antennae look cool, and give me some confidence to tackle some of those crazy night fighters all bristled up with antennae. I shall also recall this build as the one where I learned to make navigation lights out of plastic knife handles. That's all folks! Here's hoping that 2015 can beat this paltry effort. But first I have to beat the cancer, then I can worry about models. Cheers, Bill EDIT: And one I completely forgot about! 1:72 Mil Mi-28 Havoc finished in July of 2014 Dragon (DML) I wanted to do some experimentation with pastel weathering, specifically using pastels instead of a panel line wash and using odd colours for shading (like bright red on brown, etc.). So I figured I would build a quick OOB kit that I wasn't saving for any special project, and have at it. It would be a "throwaway" kit. So I built the ancient Dragon Mi-28 Havoc helicopter kit in just a couple of weeks. A lot of the assembly had been done back in 1990 or so (whenever the kit came out) and it had been languishing in the box since then. Unfortunately, the photos don't show the pastel effect as strong as in real life, but I was happy with the results. I decided to use all pastel weathering on the little Bf 109 that I built next. PS. I didn't throw it out. Edited March 11, 2018 by Navy Bird Photobucket Eradication 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeusa Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 It is a very nice selection of excellently built models. And I like you relief tube! The Liberator is exceptional. I hope this year goes well for you in more than just modeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Dear Lord, those are magnificent. The more you look at them, the more detail you see. That Liberator - beyond words. Cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banzaiduke Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 There might only be 4 but crafting such stunners as these takes time!! Gives a newbie like me something to aim for ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Glad to hear you are on the mend. Exceptional jobs. I too had an enforced break (no pun intended) but that was merely a very nasty fracture of my right arm. After about three months I am now getting back to normal. Just wish I could "completely waste my time" to the same standard. Regards Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abacus Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Here's hoping for a better 2015 and more outstanding work like those above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Quality, not quantity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Only four Bill but quality ones at that. The Liberator looks very tasty in Navy markings and the Skua, not ugly at all, just utilitarian, built to do a job with out frills. Love 'em. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Hi Bill. Well there may be only four but they probably are four of THE best models produced on Britmodeller last year. Absolutely superb work at every stage. I'm looking forward to what you build in 2015. Kind regards, Stix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelman182 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Wonderful work, Bill. The Beaufort is the 'star' for me, but I also love the 109, great work with the pastels on that. Console yourself that I managed to complete exactly '0' (zero, zilch, nada...) models in 2014, and 2015 doesn't look like it'll be much better until summer gets here due to my new lodgings. And I have had nothing like the challenges you have faced, and overcome. Best of wishes for your 2015 and thanks for showing these wonderful examples of work. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 You might only have completed 4 models Bill but look at the quality, simply outstanding. I look forward to your output for 2015, 2016, 2017 and for many many years to come. All the best for 2015. Duncan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 All excellent builds, the Liberator is my favourite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 All excellent builds, but I think the Beaufort has got to be my favourite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Only four the man says, but four of the best 1/72 I've had the pleasure of seeing, keep up the good work Bill, and all the best for your recovery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Bill, Overcoming redundancy, fighting cancer and still managing to build four stunning models of which each had a build thread that was entertaining, educational and inspirational? You sir are an amazing person Cheers Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob85 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Some how missed the other wips if there were any but thank god I got in for the beau! you shouldn't be unhappy with four.... I would be ecstatic if I made one model EVER that was of the quality of the above. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 Thanks everyone! I appreciate your kind words. On 1/12/2015 at 13:24, woody37 said: Bill, Overcoming redundancy, fighting cancer and still managing to build four stunning models of which each had a build thread that was entertaining, educational and inspirational? You sir are an amazing person Cheers Neil Special thanks, Neil. I don't know about the amazing part, but this year sure has been interesting! Cheers, Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Incredible builds Bill! Here's to continued victories in health and career for 2015. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 Hi mates, I completely forgot about one of my builds! It's the DML Mi-28 Havoc kit - I've added it to my first post at the bottom. This year I'm gonna write everything down so I don't forget! Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 If the Havoc is throw away Bill then I am buggered ! very nice builds , every one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby57 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Personally I'd say you had a terrific year. They are all fantastic builds and I love the Skua and Liberator in particular. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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