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Hi Guy's - After finishing the 'skeletal' Fokker Dr.I - I've been working on a Fokker 'dreidekker' triple... Three of Jagdstaffel 11 (Richthofen's) 'triplanes' - They will later become part of a diorama counterpart for the '74th Squadron' S.e.5a. Fokker Dr.I's 477/17 - 502/17 - 588/17. I've taken some 'artistic' liberty's in displaying all three 'Fokker's with early German Crosses. A little list of what was done to 'fix' the Roden Fokker Triplanes... External corrections: Tailplane contur corrected Depression in stabilzer's removed Front decking corrrected with filler holes Gun blast protection plates Fuel tank and filler caps Engine push rods and spark plugs and wire Engine access hatch - scratched Inspection window in upper wing moved Viewable ZAK stamp and Werk nr. Axle wing corrected Wheel openings detailed Rib tape added to all wings Internal corrections: Machine gun boxes scratched Fuselage plywood sections scratched Pilots seat reworked with seat cushion Bulkhead reworked with string Linen cover for shoulder belts Machine gun and throttle cables Map case scratched Internal rigging Magneto + instruments Fuel pump Aftermarket parts: Aviattic rudder Aviattic cowling Eduard photo etch set Eduard Linen stiching Rigging: Monofilament fishing line for the rigging Infini Black Aero Rigging for control cables 0,12 mm steel wire for eyelets 0,5 mm brass tube Painting: Fokker bleached linen (homebrew) Fokker Turquoise Tamiya XF-23 Streaking camouflage: Windsor & Newton Oil. Raw Umber Green shade. Richthofen 'red' - Vallejo Cavalry Brown. Cheers: Kent

Cockpit assembly and painting completed this afternoon. Pretty happy with how things turned out but with some of the added extras its going to be a bit of a careful squeeze getting the three sub assemblies together. Regards. Andy

Ooooh-hoooo I've somehow ended up with a good bit of aftermarket for this build! That's what brought it to the forefront for my next project. I've just found individual pieces for it cheap over the years and so I decided to go ahead and get the rest that's available for it. Check out the treasure chest I've amassed - From Eduard I've got the self-adhesive placards, slats, air brake, undercarriage, and wheel well sets. For cockpit choice I've got both the Verlinden and the Aires sets to work from. The Aires set I picked up at Nationals a few years ago. last day, last hour and they had the whole table 50% off. Couldn't pass it up. The aires set has canopy and wheel well upgrades in addition to the engine details. It looks pretty good. Honestly I don't know which cockpit tub I'll go with as they both look crisp. Will have to check accuracy for my bird and make a decision. Thats a master Pitot tube in there along with the Zacto nose enhancement for a facelift. Then lastly I was looking at all the Eduard pieces and just didn't like the fuselage PE they had. It all sticks off the surface too much. That's when I remembered seeing an email about Archer Fine Transfers announcing a new sheet. I used their hatches, hinges, and other resin bits on my T-38A and now they have redone the sheet at 1/2 the thickness of the original. This should do perfectly for the access hatches, fuel doors and the like on this AC. I'll post details up on this as soon as possible. I don't think I've seen a review on them yet. There's been alot of these Huns done and I think I have every one of them on a separate tab on my ipad for review as I get going. Given that, I plan to post fewer mid-term updates as most people have seen it all on these. I'll try sticking to the finished assemblies and just post up some details on the new stuff, like the Archer panels and the foiling, especially the Titanium tail and the archetypical bluing and burnt metal look they have!

I have a good mate of mine I usually chat about 1:32 scale modeling almost daily. We live on opposite side of our lovely planet but we enjoy discussing the up-coming WWII interests today and I thought for a moment I need to make a list. I’m not one to jump into endless rants on the new WNW because 95% of the subject matter slightly make it interest me. A French Spad would debunk this however. Not interested in four engine bombers of any sort. No disrespect here. The American and British four engine bombers also come into the category of not in my interest group. Just too big to display and not interested. Don’t get me wrong, I totally enjoy the bomber and WWI progress reports but they just aren’t in my interest group. Sorry! Then the jets. Oh man. Im sorry again. So not into jets either. There are truly some seriously decadent awesome Jet builds going on LSP but an F-16 does zero for me. Maybe seeing the Singaporean F-15’s and 16 everyday makes it boring for me? Now that my disclaimer is out of the way! Lol I'm so excited about the following: 1. SWS P-51B. Man I can’t wait for this one. 2. SWS Hs 129. I have pictures of myself sitting in the cockpit of the sole surviving Hs 129 cockpit in northern IL in the early 80’s. Love this tiny aircraft. 3. ICM. The Gladiator Im so ready for. The I-16, I-153 are both great kits. Built them both and can’t wait for the Gladiator! 4. Back to SWS the Ki-45. I can’t believe I don’t have this one yet. 5. The Tamiya Mossie and Corsair. Still don’t have these kits and I went to a Tamiya exclusive model shop in Osaka and didn’t buy either kit. 6. Special Hobby. I have a soft spot for everything they offer. No one would do a Japanese Kate. Im serious looking forward to the Whirlwind. Man what a kit this should be. 7. Revel Me 262. Both examples. I even want to find the Spit Mk-IX. 8. Something anything Russian! Looking for a La 5, Lagg 3, 9. Im also waiting for a Kikka, Maybe L.E.M? 10. Some one is doing the early FW 190A’s! SWS! 11. Russian WWII Po-2, anything Russian please. 12. Pa pa P-38????? Lol Just a casual observation. We live in great 1 32 scale times. Looking forward to the above. Troy

I'll be at the show on the HMH Publications stand, in Hall 3 I think. We'll bring our brand new book on the C-130 ! Very happy about this one, the first copies were delivered at my office just an hour ago. And I'll bring a Me-262 and Fw-190 A8/R11 in 1/32 for the stand. Feel free to come say hello! Nic

DB lacquers and gaspatch

Hi everyone, Thx for the kind emails of support. I dropped the GT Resin forum as its original intention was as a reference tool for new/existing customers and to contribute to enhancing large scale modeling. That is still my driving goal to make the things Large Scale Modelers want. Much of the info was in the pictures, which were hosted by Photobucket. Everyone know they went to a fee based hosting structure a few years back, and I gladly paid their small fee. However, because their huge increase in those fees continuing to use them became prohibitive. PB Closed non-pay hosting accounts thereby removing all pics from our posts. That and our realignment of the product line made the forum out of date and confusing. So we asked for it to be closed. Our Current product line can. be seen and purchased At Sprue Brothers: https://store.spruebrothers.com/category_s/2703.htm Please feel free to pm or email me if you have a question, need help, and as always suggestions are very welcome. I will continue to post New products on the Vendor forum. thx so much for all of the business and support and look forward to a bright future. Gary

Some new releases. ACCESS PANELS: Scale thickness. 115 total pieces. Resin on clear decal film. Due to their generic nature they can be used for many different applications on various scales and subjects. 1/32: CLICK HERE 1/24: CLICK HERE SCAB PATCHES: Suitable for 1/32 and 1/24 aircraft, but due to their generic nature they can be used for many different applications on various scales and subjects. Available in two styles - recessed rivets and raised. Scale thickness. Resin on clear decal film. 115 pieces on each sheet. Recessed rivets: CLICK HERE Raised rivets: CLICK HERE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLICK HERE for our complete list of Surface Details for aircraft. CLICK HERE for our complete list of dry transfers for aircraft: Thank you!

Sorry! I didn’t mention Silverwings! I always look forward to their new offerings. I need to pick up the Yak 9!

I am not, never have been and never will be an AFV modeller.......but I do enjoy adding the odd clanky-related thing to my dioramas, as with this (Z-M) starter trolley. Now you're going to say to me, quite correctly of course, that the Stieglitz didn't need a starter since it was swung by hand but for the sake of appearances and using a bit of artistic licence.......? Next up is.........

I picked up the ZM Ta 152H-0 in Osaka within the last year. I think I have two H-1’s and the H-0. Whomever is asking for one, contact me at the end of the year. For those interested in the tactical operations check out the No 29 Luftwaffe IM FOCUS. A great article on the day to day operations of the Ta 152 in action in the final months of the war. In addition there are some color fantastic photos of Mistel 2 in color! Sorry! Slightly drifting off topic here. Go Ta 152’s go!

The thread is regards a BoB Hurricane, which could only have been a Mk.I.

Ira Kepford's F4u is always a good study in weathering. I don't think those lava rock runways helped the paint out!

Well, I hope this "reference pictures" wave won't stop you from working on the model... Here are my pictures made in Cosford, 2 years ago: There are more pictures in the album: flickr - RAF Museum Cosford I'm looking forward to some pictures from your bench. Cheers. Juraj

Hi All, The 'Aviattic' CDL decals have been applied to the under surfaces. Weathering still needs to be applied, Mike

Hello my friends, I have been quietly sitting in the background working away on my Sopwith Tripe. Well, today, she is complete (is a model ever complete?) and sitting in the case. I have this one image for now, but more will follow. I've been super busy of late and finding spare time to think, let alone modelling, is a blessing! More pics soooooon. Cheers, Von Buckles

I have built several of both and love both kits, probably 2 of the best kits out there. Can't go wrong with either IMO. However the mustang is slightly easier to do just because of the corsairs wingfold set up and even that isn't bad. I would flip a coin on the build and go with it.

These are the traveling tools. Yes Brian, a bit different but at least I can see all the tools on the workbench The other difficulty is doing everything from the IPad. Hi Marcel The question on the tailfin. When the Tamiya kit was released a modeling friend gave me a box with two Hasegawa kits in spares. I will use some of these part except the gear doors. The tailpipe parts for the Thunderbird kit are great and fit very well. AM products are difficult for us. I have been waiting since March for books from Belgium. Cheers Nick

A few years ago when I moved, I managed to lose all three of my beloved 1:6 scale vinyl Horizon figure kits, and have been intending to eventually replace all three. To that end, I just snatched this off feebay, for the princely sum of $10 plus shipping. I’m a very happy guy. Just two more to go now.

Hind looks great, Carl! But shocked to hear about your heart attack and surgery, and glad to know that you're on the mend. Take care of yourself, and do what the medicos tell you! Kev

This is correct! I was forced to figure out how to get a good gloss coat while restoring a car. Had to repair a small part that had been scratched up. Took a couple tries, but learned some things. What worked was to thin the paint heavily, work from one side to the other, keeping the leading edge wet the entire time. Also, if you are using lacquer thinner, wear a mask! I thought using an airbrush it would be too little paint/thinner to worry about: I was wrong. Filled the entire garage with fumes; made me loopy.

Thanks everyone! It took much longer than. I expected to finish this build. Part of that was having to order a replacement pitot tube. That arrived about a month ago. I was then into a different build and got that finished before the Hind would make a return visit. Unfortunately two weeks ago I had a heart attack while dropping my boys off at school. That led to triple bypass surgery a week ago. I've been home since Sat and finally ventured down to the bench. The pitot is on as well as the chin gun and before I stress out any further, I think I'm going to call this one done. I know there's still the wipers and a step to add so maybe one day I'll get to those.

It actually fits quite well and true if care is used when assembling. Hurri Mk II by The 3rd Placer, on Flickr Hurri Mk II by The 3rd Placer, on Flickr

Hi guys, Oooh, more than two and a half months after the last update... Well I had to build something for our IPMS NL region display, for the forthcoming Euro Scale Modelling on 23 November in Houten, The Netherlands. It is Large Scale, but not a plane...or is it? All will be revealed in the Non-LSP Works section after the ESM. Anyway, back to the F-35. I added grey decal strips on the inside edges of the inner weapon bay doors: A very tedious job, so I decided to leave the other doors alone. The inner faces of the inner doors are most visible, so the effort was worthwhile. The sensor under the nose was added. A little scraping on the edges was needed to make a drop fit and secure it with a little Kristal Kleer: Its transparent cover is blurred in the background of the picture. This cover followed, also glued with Kristal Kleer. Its mating edge was touched up with some paint. I forgot to take a picture. The boarding ladder and its door were next. They were easy to put in with the model upside down. A picture follows later in this post. Next it was time for the wheels. They were painted according to the pictures from the walkaround on the IPMS NL website: And then it was time to mount them on their legs. Ofcourse, there is always something with aftermarket. Spot the difference. The kit wheel in place: The aftermarket wheel in place: See? It is further away from the wheel strut. Not good. The offending small bush was grinded away: And all was well! There is a wash to dirty-up the brakes, but apparently not visible on the picture. The wheels were fitted with Araldite and the model turned over on its wheels to ensure that the flat spots are at the right position while the glue hardens. The F-35 is on its feet! And here is the promised crappy picture of the boarding ladder and its door: That's all for now. To be continued. Cheers, Peter

I also made these half circle tabs (in white) to aid in locating the cage to the sidewalls. Hurri Mk II by The 3rd Placer, on Flickr

I had one of those! Long gone. If you can find one of those original kits, and aren't planning on displaying any interior detail, it would be a quick and dirty build. For a full on detail build, I would still go with the Fly kit, or PCM kit if you can find one.

Trying to get the tail struts done... Again, they have to be scratched, none of kit struts are of the correct size, so I had to come up with a solution, adding some strength to the struts... Here are the different stages, brass rod on the left, some added styrene to the right. Cheers: Kent

You just have to be careful, how much of that is original weathering and how much of that is hanger rash from storage or just paint deterioration. The BF 109G here, although mostly in original paint has had to have some restoration and repainting done to some panels as the paint was literally falling off in places. I know, as I stood right next to it when it was in storage many years ago.

So have managed to get the basic colours on the fuselage sub assemblies followed by a gloss coat in readiness for decals and weathering. As well as the wheel well sub assemblies Difficult to interpret colours from b/w pictures and so have had a best guess as well as cross referencing with other colour cockpit pictures. Regards. Andy

I personally can't stand those things and don't think the detail they provide is worth the time/annoyance of making them. I think most folks here would disagree with me however. One tip is to keep the buckles, etc., on the photo etch sprue while you are threading the seatbelts through them, then cut them off the sprue later.

One warning, from personal experience, be careful building both as they came out in different versions, and most of the old parts are still on the trees, I accidentally installed a few birdcage parts on my F4U-1D!

I love both kits and they are different experiences. The Corsair has more actuators and bits that are visible relative to the various flaps and control surfaces, also the way the landing gear works it all has to be built one way or the other, thus reflecting the kit’s engineering. The Mustang lends itself to the working control surfaces more so than the corsair does. These are not that difficult to work with and build, I have worked with them on multiple kits and they allow you to snap in the control surfaces after construction is finished for the most part if you choose. I really like the magnetic cowling feature, the top and sides fit perfectly and remove nicely. The bottom is too flimsy to safely remove really once it is installed. I have found a dab of lithium grease though on the pins makes it viable to remove that piece if desired. Canopy remains workable on the Mustang which I love as you can display open or closed. Biggest criticism I think most people have of the Mustang is the riveting on the wings. On my last build I spent hours filling and sanding. I have a different method in mind next time I build one as I now have Gunze liquid filler which might do the job better. I love these kits, I will be building more of each in the future. Probably will do another Mustang though next as I did a F4U-1D this year. The Machine gun bays are a lot of work, I like them though have had satisfactory results with those on both of my builds. All in all I love the Tamiya Mustang. I think I like it slightly better than the Corsair in the end. Mustang also has a lot more personal marking options which to me marginally pips the mustang as my preference of the two. I am a big fan of removable cowlings on Model airplanes with engines as it permits display of the engine without it being a permanent state. I don’t like building the plane opened up on a permanent basis.

I have built both, and as the Dude said both are amazing kits. I personally found the F4U to be a more enjoyable build. True, the wing fold area is a bit of a PITA but the P-51D has things like PE and SS rod hinges, magnetic panels, etc. My vote is for the Corsair!

That's looking awesome!!!! Those masks seem to be really good. Maybe one day I'll build another one and use this scheme. I hope you get better soon. Take it easy

Thanks Mark! Thanks Kev! It really was quite the shock. Even the cardiologists were shocked that I had to get the bypass surgery. They figured a stent was all i needed but the angiogram showed otherwise. Thanks Brad! I've been home since Saturday but have to watch what I do so I don't hurt myself. I've told I'll be back to normal in about 6 weeks so we'll see. One thing's for sure. I'll have a great costume for next Halloween seeing as I'm covered in scars. Carl

Getting caught up! This is really turning out to be something special! Figures look great, too!

A 1/32nd Lanc should be your pass! Good luck, John!

Wow! Mighty impressive, and some.

Thanks! Not much in the way of photos yet, but the interior construction is complete and base coated. Both horizontal stabs and the right wing are primed. Next comes some light weathering/washes on the interior, then I button her up for the arduous process of sanding, rescribing, and re-riveting. Here we go!

Hi, everyone. This is my rendition of a derelict GMC CCKW pressed hard into post-war civilian service, then left to fade away where she broke down. It is the 1/35 Tamiya kit with extensive scratch building. Hope you like it!

Don’t forget me I’ll be there both days between 32 sig and ipms Dartmoor.

I have two Silver wings example but I have to tell you. The ICM I-153 almost built itself in a couple evening sessions. If it fits like the I-153 I can only imagine the Gladiator will sell. Such a cool looking aircraft. Can’t wait for this one too. ICM if your listening, there are some Russian WWII aircraft we’re really looking forward to seeing in injected moldings. Please!?

Looking forward to meeting everyone there. RB Productions will not have a stand this year, but you may find me at the Zoukei Mura stand. Radu

new pics posted on ICM website jan

Finally! Construction is done! Cleaned up all the seams, rescribed all the lost panel lines and rivets and polished the surface as much as possible! Time to mask the clear parts and proceed to painting!

Personally, I think strategic US bombers made after the B-17 would be far too large except the Hustler. If we really want to consider large US planes, I would prefer other missing links such as the fifties or sixties fighters or bombers that are still missing. For multi engine classic planes, personally, I would prefer getting a Vietnam era Neptune or a WW2 Sparviero. Both had terrific camo schemes!

Two more goodies for the Airfix 1/24 Hellcat: Aerocraft brass undercarriage set and resin tyres.

Test build HGW 1/32 Bf 109E Limited Edition by Miloslav Hrabaň

Sorted! Anyway, where were we... ah, yes! After making the canopy frame, I attached the hinges to almost all the doors and gave their interiors an additional layer of white: The small doors were put into the outer weapon and the main gear legs were painted :bay doors Deviating from the instructions, I installed the large inner weapon bay doors first: Followed by the small inner weapon bay doors: This way, they were much easier to install than toe other way around, as suggested by the instructions. Adding the pylons for the AMRAAMs was very fiddly. what I should have done was putting their mounting plates to the hinges of the small inner doors, before mounting them to the fuselage. This acually WAS suggested by the instructions! Now I had to remove small alignment pins in order to make them fit. Here are the results: The outer weapon bay doors were easier to install, but nevertheless fiddly due to the large amount of hinges: On the picture, the main landing gear is already installed. To be continued in the next post... Cheers, Peter