All Activity

Excellent work! Thanks for sharing

Easy answer - P-38, especially an early one. That has been a GAPING hole in the 1:32 world for as long as I've been building models (50+ years). We are talking about the plane that shot down Yamamoto, and was flown by the two highest scoring American aces of WW2. The L-5 kit that Trumpeter/Hobbycraft first came out with in 1991 was welcome, but you have to have a conversion to make it an early one, and right now I'm the only one working on putting one of those cpnversions back out there (the Rutman/GMF one). Plus, the quality of the L-5 Trumpeter kit is not even close to your level. You guys are putting out some of the best stuff the industry has ever seen. I'd say P-51B/C as well, but chances are you'd be competing with a couple of other manufacturers who have announced plans to do that. However, you actually DO get things done, so maybe you'd beat them to the punch! I seriously think whoever puts that out first will sell as many as they can make. Those are the top 2 holes I see - there are others, but I don't want this question to turn into a wish list! I totally understand your desire to make Spitfires and 109s, as they are classics and always sell well. I love them, too. Plus, as I said, your quality is second to none, and I applaud your efforts wholeheartedly! Please do keep it up. I am kind of an odd duck in the model building world, so I'm admittedly hard to please. I have a small stash (maybe 30-35 kits), narrow interests (1:32 only), and a very limited amount of money to spend on this hobby. So, I usually don't build more than one or two kits of a given airframe. I've done Spits and 109s, because there are some very good offerings out there already, so it's difficult for me to justify spending the money on another one that will just sit on a shelf, even though I want to support your efforts. If either of those two - P-38E/F/G/H (or a better rendition of a late variant) or P-51B/C were to come out in 1:32 at any price, especially at your level of quality, my money would fly outta my wallet so fast, it would make your head spin!! Even if I had to walk to work for a month to save enough to afford it. Again, please keep up the great work, even if it's not what I personally am looking for. Your quality is amazing, and I truly want your venture to be successful. If I can be of any help, please let me know. Tim

Yes I forgot to mention the handle, which is also pretty big. I used to work with a guy who flew Hunters during the Suez crisis who said that the handle was that big so you could use two hands! John

This is a great topic. I have built about 25-30 models in the last five years and have a perfect record with eBay feedback. When I build a model I alway build it with the knowing you can’t permanently glue certain parts. The propellor, main and tail gear, all antennas and and bombs or drop tanks are glued with Elmers white glue . They can be removed with some water with a small brush. The small parts are put in separate boxes (soap boxes) in very small plastic bags so they don’t break or get lost during shipping. The model is wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a strong box (staples) with packing peanuts. Good packing tape is a must. I also include the model instructions for the correct placement of the small parts. Jim PS. All of the models were 1/32 scale , 109’s, P40’s and P51’s.

…yes…, an absolutely awful kit…., but it‘s manageable… The Revell external tanks look right, but the RESKIT ones are way cooler! I just wanted to put just one under the aircraft, but it came out, that I need two, so I put one of the Revell ones also on, but ordered a second RESKIT tank, so that Revell one will also be exchanged….

I started the center pylon for the bombs. Drilled a pin to hold it in place. The lugs on the bombs do not reach the fastening in the locks. The bombs are also provided with pins for fastening. Assembled everything on the pylon. I tried the suspension to the glider.

Oh yes!

Fascinating stuff Peter. It's clear that what works for one medium does not work for another. Just thinking out loud now but, since you'd already designed the 3D version, is there any mileage in bringing it to market as planned whilst you get on top of the IM version? In the interim there might be an opportunity to provide the market with a popular subject even if it is a limited run offer?

Last year I posted this 1/48 B25 from Texas to Wisconsin with UPS. It got there completely unscathed. Even when I got the package back, and managed to drop it, the model was still all in one piece. The pink is insulation foam, found in the insulation aisle at Home Depot, hot glued together. The removable sections are held in with tooth picks. Denzil

Thanks guys, very much appreciate the kind words. I'm glad you like how the seat turned out. I may add a couple of blueish ankle straps either side of the pull handle before I've finished to bring a little colour into the darkness. I agree John, the throttle is woeful. It wouldn't have taken much extra tooling to include a separate part. As you point out, it's quite a large component. There is a semblance of the throttle molded onto the panel but it's pretty inadequate. This particular model is destined to sit with it's canopy closed. Additionally, I think I may need to dull the transparency a bit to better resemble the full sized bird so almost all of the cockpit below the canopy sill will be partially obscured. Looking at the builds by Rockie Yarwood and Madmax I think I should have a go at adding the canopy sills. If I am able to they will hide much of the cockpit panels from view. Your comment did remind me that Revell also missed another obvious component though.....the canopy ejection handle by the pilot's left knee. Thanks for the nudge. Cheers, Guy

Eventually I got what I ordered, but it took some time and effort. I avoid it now. Rick.

Definitely worth a look at his channel. Great advertisement for tourism in that area. The region has a special kind of beauty and some ancient history. Matty

It would not be surprising to find out he died of some horrible form of cancer.

I think metal LG can be tremendously useful, but prefer metal-reinforced plastic. Synthetic rubber tyres too: perfectly painted hub rims every time. I know, I know, it's a minority underdog thing and I must be a misguided weirdo; real modellers carve wheels from Scottish granite, just like miniature curling stones. I do have Harold's sans-straps Mk.5 seats to dress up and early MLG wheels (with separate hubs, specially requested). Looking forward to building it after the planned house move. It looks to be such a great kit. Tony

Blimey, such technicalities are way beyond my comprehension but I’m glad you know what you’re doing! Onwards and upwards then Peter, the sky it seems is the limit!

it's not the end of the world, just frustrating.. there are many places where it is too thick but I have nearly solved that with a full rebuild of the internal surfaces using a much simpler method.. the fin tip was too thin so the whole fin has been redesigned as I couldn't just reshape it - we are talking tenths of a mm, but rules are rules the chin can't be done as I designed it - i already split it off at panel lines as it was too difficult to assemble as was (sliding the wing belly into the nose with a cockpit sat on it), but the radiator shroud inside it can't be done as I want it so thats a head scratcher.. the fin post was too thick in total so risk of sink marks but I can redo that now I have a new fin the prop boss mount on the forward fuselage left a dead angle in the mould that meant the part wouldn't come out with a separate chin, so that will need to be another part the cockpit around the IP and door must be 0.5mm, they don't like it, but I won that one but still need to make transition changes to the thicker full part skin ..I have exploded all the surfaces and have started the rebuild, you can just see the split of the chin - this is a natural panel break, but the fit needs to be bob on thing is, this is all stuff you learn once, so i am hoping I cut my teeth with this and then I can knock up a kit a week after that Peter

Oh dear Peter, what an absolute bummer! Looks like my kit-bash car door Tiffy might be finished first then. I guess it’s way too early to hint at a revised timescale with probably many imponderables in between.

Thanks for your explanation Peter. You are a trully artist!!!!!