Fairey Barracuda Mk II - Special Hobby 1/72

[AdrianMF]

The TSS looks terrific Ced. 
 

Regards,

Adrian

[81-er]

She's looking great with the camo on, Ced  I think you'll love that Tamiya Spitfire as well (no judgement from me on the scale either, I've currently got models in 1/72, 1/48, 1/35 and 1/32 on the bench). I reckon you could do with an air conditioner in the man cave, I got myself one a few weeks ago and don't regret it at all

 

James

[Biggles87]

Forgot to mention the Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire, much too easy for you unless you wear a blindfold!  😜

If it’s the ‘ new tool ‘ version you won’t even have to correct the wing chord.

John. 🇺🇦

[Chuck1945]

My ‘cave’ is a loft above the garage. The builders here call it a bonus room. The walls remain vertical for about 50” above the floor then taper for the roof line. There is normal insulation in the vertical walls but the ceiling part only has about 2” insulation. Without heat for winter and A/C for summer it would not be habitable. The outside temperature reached 98F (36C) yesterday.

[CedB]

On 12/08/2025 at 16:13, hendie said:

that is looking very nice, Ced. Great masking job.

Thanks hendie  

 

On 12/08/2025 at 16:48, giemme said:

Agreed 100%!

 

A Tamiya Spitfire in 1/48 - now we're talking!

You'll definitely enjoy that, Ced!

 

Ciao

Thanks Giorgio - hopefully!

 

On 12/08/2025 at 17:18, Keeff said:

Oh, nice work Ced!  That finish line is a step closer!  

 

And what's this 1/48th malarkey ....  Has the heat got to you? 

Nice choice though ... 

 

Keith ☺️ 

Thanks Keith.

I think I strayed to 1/48 to see what it was like for a Lysander and then came the museum builds. I have a few but intend to go back to 1/72 soon!

 

On 13/08/2025 at 00:03, perdu said:

I blame the heat...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice masking though

I know. Horrid for me. Over 25º and I'm useless.

 

On 13/08/2025 at 01:28, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Sure thats what they all say. You go down that road Ced and before you know it you’ll be doing a 1/24 Mossie or Typhoon. 

 …or even a 1/32 Dambuster?

 

On 13/08/2025 at 06:30, Biggles87 said:

Nice smooth finish.

Well done for even being able to spray anything in these temperatures. I assume that the temperature in your cave was less than 30 degrees, mine was 24.5 yesterday, the highest I’ve seen it.

 

John. 🇺🇦

Thanks John. I think the Colourcoats are pretty well behaved. Still to hot for me.

 

23 hours ago, AdrianMF said:

The TSS looks terrific Ced. 
 

Regards,

Adrian

 

23 hours ago, 81-er said:

She's looking great with the camo on, Ced  I think you'll love that Tamiya Spitfire as well (no judgement from me on the scale either, I've currently got models in 1/72, 1/48, 1/35 and 1/32 on the bench). I reckon you could do with an air conditioner in the man cave, I got myself one a few weeks ago and don't regret it at all

 

James

Thanks James. I have an aircon in the bedroom. One for the Man Cave? I may never leave…  

 

22 hours ago, Biggles87 said:

Forgot to mention the Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire, much too easy for you unless you wear a blindfold!  😜

If it’s the ‘ new tool ‘ version you won’t even have to correct the wing chord.

John. 🇺🇦

I'm keen on easy John, fingers crossed.

 

17 hours ago, Chuck1945 said:

My ‘cave’ is a loft above the garage. The builders here call it a bonus room. The walls remain vertical for about 50” above the floor then taper for the roof line. There is normal insulation in the vertical walls but the ceiling part only has about 2” insulation. Without heat for winter and A/C for summer it would not be habitable. The outside temperature reached 98F (36C) yesterday.

Sound great Chuck. Another vote for air-con eh?

 

 

Yesterday was fun. As a member of the local police 'Independent Advisory Group' I get to go on trips, this one to observe the TASER TASER TASER - sorry, got carried away - training. Great day; these guys really get put through the mill and wow, all the regulations! Anyway, I did come away with a new 'tool':

 

 

Wrap around protective glasses - great!

[CedB]

Progress this morning.

 

A few things to sort. I seemed to have been shy at spraying under the wings both sides:

 

 

… and the putty had caused a few ridges:

 

 

Easily sorted.

 

Those sorted and the prop assembled we're now here:

 

 

I have lots of bits to stick on but all of them are at risk of being knocked off (snigger) so I think the next stage is gloss coat and then some weathering.

[81-er]

She's looking good, Ced, and it's good that you only had a couple of minor touch-ups. Out of curiousity, what's the gadget you're using as a painting handle?

 

James

[Biggles87]

Nice glasses, did they get you to volunteer as a target?

 

John. 🇺🇦

 

[Keeff]

49 minutes ago, CedB said:

Anyway, I did come away with a new 'tool':

I thought you were going to show us your new Taser! 

I once got to observe public order training ..... realistic and brutal!! 

 

Good work so far though .... nice looking plane! 

 

Keith ☺️ 

 

 

[perdu]

5 hours ago, CedB said:

 …or even a 1/32 Dambuster?

Hur hur 

[giemme]

8 hours ago, CedB said:

Anyway, I did come away with a new 'tool':

Of course you did....

 

Great job on the camouflage, Ced!

 

Ciao

[CedB]

21 hours ago, 81-er said:

She's looking good, Ced, and it's good that you only had a couple of minor touch-ups. Out of curiousity, what's the gadget you're using as a painting handle?

 

James

Thanks James. Bought this back in 2017 and later bought the 1/48 version. Explained here:

and still available for £15 here. Recommended!

 

21 hours ago, Biggles87 said:

Nice glasses, did they get you to volunteer as a target?

 

John. 🇺🇦

 

 No way!

 

21 hours ago, Keeff said:

I thought you were going to show us your new Taser! 

I once got to observe public order training ..... realistic and brutal!! 

 

Good work so far though .... nice looking plane! 

 

Keith ☺️ 

 

 

 Thanks Keith

 

16 hours ago, perdu said:

Hur hur 

 

 

13 hours ago, giemme said:

Of course you did....

 

Great job on the camouflage, Ced!

 

Ciao

Thanks Giorgio  

 

 

I sprayed the gloss coat yesterday ready for transfers but I fear today's heat might prevent me from progressing.  

[woody37]

Cracking job on the camo Ced, I'm a bit late to the party on this one sorry!

[CedB]

Not to worry Neil, you've saved yourself a lot of stress!  

 

Cooler?

Transfers then:

 

 

Took a while.

Oh, and the roundel, Sqn code and dingy release involve transfer over transfer.

I really enjoyed lining them up. Not.

 

As a bit of a treat I've started a modern (?) Tamiya.

Come on over!

[Beard]

It's looking splendid.

[Whofan]

On 14/08/2025 at 10:32, Keeff said:

I thought you were going to show us your new Taser! 

I once got to observe public order training ..... realistic and brutal!! 

Keef, 

 

as part of my work in C & E I had arrest and restraint training, with frequent refreshers.

 

Our trainers - especially those who role played the people we arrested and/or restrained, were not above behaving in -shall we say - a very realistic manner?

 

Much kerfuffling, shoving, pushing and no restraint if you’ll pardon the pun.

 

As the trainers said, no point in going easy with you, the opposition won’t!

 

[Keeff]

Nice work as always Ced ..... it's all coming together! 

 

Keith ☺️ 

[Shake]

Looking good Ced! Adding the transfers is, at least in my eyes, one of the most satisfying jobs. The model really comes to live then.

I would like to ask where you got that handy standard, I have two rigid third hand tools, but your flexible one looks much easier in use. I also notice that you have not added the struts to the horizontal stabilizers, is that on purpose or dit you forgot them?

 

Sjaak

[CedB]

18 hours ago, Beard said:

It's looking splendid.

Thanks Simon

 

4 hours ago, Whofan said:

Keef, 

 

as part of my work in C & E I had arrest and restraint training, with frequent refreshers.

 

Our trainers - especially those who role played the people we arrested and/or restrained, were not above behaving in -shall we say - a very realistic manner?

 

Much kerfuffling, shoving, pushing and no restraint if you’ll pardon the pun.

 

As the trainers said, no point in going easy with you, the opposition won’t!

 

Quite right John, no point pussy footing around!  

 

3 hours ago, Keeff said:

Nice work as always Ced ..... it's all coming together! 

 

Keith ☺️ 

Thanks Keith, kind of you  

 

2 hours ago, Shake said:

Looking good Ced! Adding the transfers is, at least in my eyes, one of the most satisfying jobs. The model really comes to live then.

I would like to ask where you got that handy standard, I have two rigid third hand tools, but your flexible one looks much easier in use. I also notice that you have not added the struts to the horizontal stabilizers, is that on purpose or dit you forgot them?

 

Sjaak

Me too Sjaak, for me it's when the plastic starts to become a model.

Not too keen on stencils though!

The 'helping hands' came from Amazon. Here's the UK link. If that doesn't work try searching for 'Lytool Third Hand Soldering Tool'.

It is very solid. The arms do need careful positioning as they're quite strong and can bend plastic but the light and magnifier are sometime useful.

 

I haven't forgotten the struts thanks - worried about knowing them off during weathering!  

 

 

Top transfers done this morning"

 

[CedB]

Starboard:

 

 

Underside:

 

 

Practically all stencils. Can you see them? Nor me. And I'm not going to turn the model over.

Pointless.

The sharp eyed amongst you will notice another rack clamp has fallen off, thankfully into the box I'd taped on to protect them.

I am calm.

 

Prop:

 

 

Need to let those dry overnight (at least) and then… weathering?

 

Maybe I'll just assemble and matt coat.

That sounds like a plan.

[The Spadgent]

Been a while since I caught up on this one. Looking resplendent in camo and decals. Looks like you won the battle and the war. 🫡

[Shake]

Thanks for pointing out where to find the third hand tool! May I suggest the use of a semi gloss coat? Most naval aircraft were rather shiny so the salt was easier rinsed off.

 

Sjaak

[CedB]

9 hours ago, The Spadgent said:

Been a while since I caught up on this one. Looking resplendent in camo and decals. Looks like you won the battle and the war. 🫡

Thanks Jont. Maybe winning, we'll see!

 

5 hours ago, Shake said:

Thanks for pointing out where to find the third hand tool! May I suggest the use of a semi gloss coat? Most naval aircraft were rather shiny so the salt was easier rinsed off.

 

Sjaak

You're welcome Sjaak. Thanks for the tip, although my other RNAS aircraft are matt so I may stick with that  

 

Today I painted the u/c doors and struts:

 

 

Pity I didn't remember before 🙄

 

Started assembling the u/c:

 

 

Then the arrestor hook and tailwheel:

 

 

I'm not sure the wheels will stay on without some help. I may wire them.

[CedB]

I thought it best to leave this to dry overnight and test the wobble in the morning:

 

 

Looks OK, if they don't fall off!

[The Spadgent]

Looking grand. I had to google that landing gear. Wowa! They’re really something. 😀

 

Ill pray to the sticking gods that all is well come the morning. 🙏

 

 

Johnny undercarriage.