81-er's 2023

[81-er]

I managed a 57% improvement on the number of completed builds this year vs 2022 (11 vs 7), although it took until June to finish anything. Still, I'm happy with the models I got finished this year.

 

My first completion was an Eduard 1/48 FW-190A-5, built to depict the aircraft piloted by JG54’s Kommodore Anton Mader while based in Estonia in spring 1944:

 

 

Rather pleased with this one as it was my first attempt at painting camouflage freehand

 

 

The next completion was a Revell Incom T-47 Airspeeder, with a bit of a twist on the paint:

 

 

 

My next finish was an Airfix 1/72 De Havilland Vampire T11, built as Rhodesian Air Force aircraft in flight with my own-designed & 3d printed stand:

 

 

 

That was followed up by a build of the Airfix Bond Bug that I didn't document on here. Nice little build though:

 

 

Next was a crazy build of the Airfix 1/72 Curtis P-40 Warhawk, done in one 8-hour stint for the August Blitzbuild:

 

 

 

After that I finished up the second of my Vampires, in the colours of the Chilean Air Force:

 

 

Just to be different, I followed that up with a tank. Airfix's 1/35 Cromwell IV to be exact, my first tank build:

 

 

 

Next was another off-BM build, Academy's 1/72 P-47D Thunderbolt Bubbletop, finished as an RAF aircraft in SEAC colours. This one was built for my club's OOB night:

 

 

I followed that up by heading into (for me) far more familiar territory with a Luft '46 build, Modelcollect's Focke Wulf 1000 Fast Bomber:

 

 

 

After that it was Blitzenbuild time, with Airfix’s 1/72 Mitsubishi A6M Zero (and a bout of Covid):

 

 

 

My final completion for the year revisted the Airfix P-40 kit, this time built as an RAF Tomahawk Mk IIB:

 

 

 

I'm aiming to complete a model a month for 2024, so we'll see how successful I am with that in 12 months

 

Happy New Year everyone!

 

James

 

 

[Kallisti]

Nice selection, like the SEAC Thunderbolt and the camo'd Snowspeeder is great.

Good to meet you this year, all the best for 2024!

[AdrianMF]

Immaculate set of builds James. I can't pick a favourite: theFw 1000 is impeccable; the Cromwell is terrific as a first tank; the Zero is incredible for any length of build

 

Looking forward to your output next year (if you have any time to spare after all your GB hosting duties!).

 

Regards,

Adrian

[Farmerboy]

Brilliant set of builds especially the Cromwell, great work all round.

[Ratch]

Nice variety of completions James, keep up the good work.

[81-er]

Thanks gents

 

@Kallisti, it was great to meet you too, hopefully our paths will cross at a few shows in 2024

 

@AdrianMF I'm definitely fond of those three myself, but the FW-190 and desert Tomahawk also stand out for me. I think my standard of finish is generally improving, which is always nice to see. I'm only hosting two GB's in 2024, but the first is already turning into something of a monster and there's still a week before it kicks off! I'm hoping to find the time to pick up some of the stalled builds as well, it'd be really nice if I could have at least one of the Dalek's in my 2024 yearbook

 

James

[Keeff]

A productive year for you!  All look great and nice to scroll through. 

 

Keith 😁 

[81-er]

Thanks Keith

 

James

[Luke1199]

Some quality builds here James, big fan of that Focke Wulf!

[bigbadbadge]

Nice work on these   great collection

Chris

[Yg Models]

wide range of collection.

i like Focke Wulf 1000 most.

[stevehnz]

A good looking collection James with a high interest factor. 👍

Steve.

[81-er]

Thanks everyone

 

James

[AliGauld]

A great collection.

Everyone a belter in it's own right.

 

 

Cheers,

Alistair

[81-er]

Thank you, Alistair

 

James

[mark.au]

A wonderfully eclectic group of subjects and scales, all brilliantly executed.  Thanks for sharing, James.

[81-er]

Thank you, Mark

 

James

[JeroenS]

Excellent work James, that Zero is really impressive.

[JWM]

Very nice, I especially like both Vampires for their not often seen schemes

Cheers

J-W

[81-er]

Thanks guys  

[Bertie McBoatface]

It’s an interesting and varied collection and all looking so good. It’s really a year to be proud of. 

[Marlin]

NIce collection James. 

 

/Bosse

[81-er]

Thanks gents

 

James

[Tim R-T-C]

A nice selection all round, that SEAC Thunderbolt is particularly lovely

[81-er]

Thanks Tim

 

James