Grizly

It's the Revell 1/32 Ar 196 modelled as an aircraft carried on the Bismarck and a companion display piece to go with my Trumpeter/Pontos 1/200 model of the Bismarck. Additional parts included Eduard photo etch and a replacement resin canopy. The swastika is a custom print by Precision Desgns.

In 1945, Wing Commander Stocky Edwards laid claim to a Fw190F-8 and had (then non-standard) roundels and his initials applied. It's the Revell 1/32 kit with the Eduard cockpit and seat belts. The roundels are from my spare stash and the "JFE" is a custom print by Precision Designs. A relatively unused aircraft with no guns and no external stores.

Thank you Uncarina. While I've built models for almost 60 years, this was my first bi-plane so I can't compare with other ways for rigging. I can, however, say that I found the Aims photo etch braces very easy to install. With the exception of two braces (the same outer one on each side that were too short), they all fitted perfectly. The two defficient braces proved not to be an issue as I simply used two of the longer spare braces (yes, there is a spare brace for each pair) provided and cut them to the required length. I suspect the key is the correct placement of the upper wing. Towards that end, I drilled all the holes specified in the Aims instructions, dry installed the upper wing, glued the struts to the upper wing, painted the model and then glued the upper wing with struts to the lower wing and fuselage. It worked for me.

It's the ICM 1/32 Sea Gladiator completed as one of the Malta defenders. As a boy, I was intrigued with the story of Faith, Hope and Charity, the names given to three of the Gladiaters that fought in Malta. I suspect, their exploits are largely myth but still they caught my attention many years ago. After market include Eduard's cockpit set and seat belts, Aims photo etch bracing wires, paints for the shadow camouflage and black and white underside are a mix of Model Master, Humbrol and Tamya paints with the metalizers, clear, semi-matte and matte coats from Alclad II and finally, it's the kit decals.

While it will require a slight change to the nose forward of the cockpit, how about....

One last minute addition - the letter "A" on the forward wheel pants.

Some old kits were (are?) pretty good. Indeed, some are even better than their modern equivalent. Take for example the Airfix 1/24 Ju-87B-2 kit. It came out about 45 years ago and, despite its age, can be transformed into an impressive model straight out of the box. Add a few extras such as the Airscale instrument panel, Eduard coloured seat belts, aftermarket or custom decals and a little extra detail between the engine and firewall, and you can build an even nicer model. How about a little icing on that proverbial cake? Add the Series 77 pilot, which just happens to be of similar vintage, and you add some size perspective to the aircraft.

Further to my previous, while a replacement engine for the Airfix Spit 1a would be ideal, in the absense of such a product, the Airfix Hurricane engine, which is very nice, can be made to fit. The down side of the latter suggestion being that you have to have/buy a Hurricane kit.

In the Airfix 1/24 series, the Spitfire Mk.1a really needs a replacement engine and wheel wells, the Bf-109e needs wheel wells, the P-51D could use an engine compartment upgrade (as previously mentioned, a replacement wheel well is already available) and the 190 enhanced engine compartment detail and wheel wells. Both the Hurricane and Ju-87 are OK as is.

Looks really good but...... no bomb bay?

I used Model Master enamel Dark Sea Blue with a touch of grey added to give it a slightly faded look and a bit more contrast with the Model Master enamel Insignia Blue in the roundel.

The model is of Lieutenant Bill Atkinson's aircraft that he flew the night he shot down three Aichi B7A “Grace” torpedo planes making him the second Canadian “Naval Ace” of the Pacific war. As indicated it's the Airfix kit with Eduard and Airscale aftermarket detail parts added to the cockpit.

I’ll pass. Maybe in 1/48 scale. The model I’d really like to see emerge is that of the P2 Neptune but once again in 1/48 scale. While neither fit into the definition of ‘large scale’ kits, both would most certainly be large models.

Other after market products that you might want to consider include: - Eduard’s Brassin 632 047 F-104 C2 ejection seat, - CMK’s 5099 F-104G/S Main Undercarriage set, - CMK’s 5101 F-104 Nose Gear Bay - CMK's 5056 F-104 Engine bay Regarding the latter engine bay by CMK, as depicted in your photo of a CF-104 line, it was common for the engine bay to be open. So it is worth considering that option. My model, as shown below, includes it.....

While I am a 1/24 enthusiast, I feel that smaller subjects might be more appropriate than the likes of the Hellcat, Typhoon and Mosquito. I also feel that subjects where there are lots of innards that can be exposed and have wide global appeal should be chosen. One example of such an aircraft is the P-39. It was operated by the US, UK, Russia, Italy, Australia, Portugal, Poland and has a large nose gun bay as well as wing guns, a readily viewable cockpit and the Allison engine behind the cockpit. Plus it's smaller than a Spitfire. I know, I'd buy/build one.