Grissom

Hi Mike, I think figures add so much to aircraft models and I'm surprised we don't see more models with pilots and crew members in them. I guess, historically, we have been somewhat limited to the pilot figures included in kits - which probably explains why we don't many models with pilots in them! Can I suggest you take a look at this product? - https://masterdetails.com/usaaf-fighter-pilot-cold-weather-mid-late-ww-2 I have a couple of their modern USAF fighter pilot figures and they are amongst the best cast figures available. Obviously they don't compare well with the latest 3D printed figures. Anyhow, I just thought I'd offer my 2 cents worth... Cheers, Wayne (Grissom)

That is a beautiful model, Denis. Clearly a labour of love and an amazing effort given your time away from the hobby. I look forward to seeing more of your work. Kind regards, Wayne

Wow!!! Beautiful model, mate. It looks absolutely superb. Cheers, Wayne

Lovely model and an interesting but sad story behind the diorama. I also like the way you have presented the diorama's base - it has so much more interest and appeal than a 'green carpet'. Very nice! Cheers, Wayne

I don't know why postal costs are as high as they've become. I suspect a bit of price 'ratcheting' occurred following COVID and the resultant squeeze on world trade. From where I sit, postal costs have risen everywhere around the world but more so in the USA. I have enjoyed the excellent customer service of Sprue Brothers, Victory Models and Two Bobs Decals, just to name a few, but they are no longer viable places for me to buy from because of the postal rates. I used to buy hobby kits and supplied from Hobby Link Japan but, since COVID broke out, they have also hiked their shipping costs. I now only buy from HLJ when they offer a postal rate discount or when I share a package with a mate.

Yes, I saw this kit advertised for sale on the Sprue Brothers website and I thought about buying it. Unfortunately, their cheapest postage option is US$93.45, bringing the total sale cost to US$248 (including the mandatory Australian Goods and Services Tax).

People selling hobby kits and accessories in the USA to a world-wide market need to consider this: The US used to be the world leader in mail order sales - you are no longer the world leader! Your country's postal charges are insane!!! For example, I wanted I to buy a decal sheet for a kit I'm building: Assuming the retailer has a good moral compass, how on earth can you justify a postage charge of US$32 to Australia? It's a flat f#@king sheet that fits into a business envelope!! - Why $32 from the west coast? I just bought the same decal sheet from Hannants in London and it cost me less in total than the US postage rate alone - something to consider for people wanting to buy accessories for their kits!!! Just say'n...

I just hope and pray that ZM re-issue this kit ASAP!!! Surely the fact that the kit has just about sold out everywhere in the solar system should tell ZM that another run is more than justified. Cheers, Wayne

Alright, here goes... (All in 1/32 scale) 1. Pilatus PC-21 2. F-111C/G. - Sometimes size does matter! 3. (And here's a throw from far left field) an Agusta/Westland/Leonardo AW-139 helo - so, so may juicy options.... just say'n... Cheers, Wayne

Hi Tolga, The thing that most impresses me with the majority of your builds is that you make your models from fairly old or basic kits - certainly not the latest, uber-expensive kits. So many people seem to get caught up in the 'if it's not the latest kit it's bad' mentality. You continually show us mere mortals how old, simple kits can be built into stunning miniatures, with a little bit of tender loving care. This model is such an example. There are some who would turn their nose up at a currently available P-51A/B kit but you continue to prove that a sow's ear can be turned into a silk purse. You are a true modeller. Cheers, Wayne

Hi everyone, I don't know how most of you either plan or spontaneoulsy spend your plastic modelling hobby funds (assuming you have a 'budget') but I continually find myself in a dilemma. This issue doesn't centre around new kits, rather, it centres on the accessories that I want to include in future builds. I have a fairly a modest 'stash' of 1/32 scale aircraft - about 50 kits in total. My dilemma is what to spend my budget-allocated money on. Do I spend it on the latest kit and all of the accessories I want to include in my future build or do I spend my money on accessories that may become difficult or impossible to source in the foreseeable future? I'm interested in knowing how you guys and girls tackle this problem. I don't expect a 'black and white' response - I'm simply wanting to know if some of you have encountered the same issue I have and how you deal with it. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Wayne (In Melbourne, Australia)

Hi Chris, Somehow I missed your lovely model of the Skycrane. You have done an amazing job of scratch-building the water resevoir and converting the military variant into the civilian fire-bomber, which is a fairly regular sight in Melbourne's skies in summer time. I've looked at Erikson's website and their Facebook page, including the link to your model, and couldn't find any information about the colour orange they apply to these machines. What paint did you use to finish your model? Also, how was the opacity of the white in the Heli Scale Quality decals? Thanks in advance. Kind regards, Wayne

Hi Marcel, That is a stunning model. It also happens to be finished in what I think is the best paint scheme ever seen on a Phantom. I live in hope that I will build a 1/32 VF-111 Phantom and if it turns out to be half as good as yours, I'll be happy. Cheers, Wayne

At first glance it seems to be a fairly simple colour scheme to replicate but I imagine that it has taken a lot of effort to finish the model as you have. What is particularly appealing to me is how the gloss finish is not overdone (too shiny). Nice job!

Fantastic diorama! Everything about it is so appealing - from the lovely, realistic finish on the airframe, to the figures and even the grass. It just looks so realistic - awesome effort, Gazzas! Cheers, Wayne