LSP_Kevin

Nice work mate. I built this kit myself many years ago, and its main shortcoming (as with all the Otaki WW2 IJN/IJA kits) is the ridiculously shallow wheel bays. I think I'll repaint mine one day. Kev

It hasn't gone away mate, it's just that nobody's had any time to even think about it, let alone get the ball rolling. By nobody I guess I mean me. I'll try to get something happening in the next few weeks. Kev

Richard, that is truly astounding modelling. I don't deserve to be on the same website as you! Kev

Well, finally some action on this one! I started by working on the cockpit simultaneously with that of its big brother: The seat belts come from a Lion Roar PE set; I'll install the shoulder straps later in the build. I must say that one of the tips I picked up here that has made working with PE seat belts much less painful is to soften them over a flame first. This makes them much more malleable, and easier to fit into place and pose naturally. The cockpit itself is pretty average. It differs markedly in detail from the Verlinden 1/32 example, and both differ markedly from my available references. I'm not an accuracy nut, so these things don't bother me overly - especially on this build! (I build most 1/48 models to be shelf-sitters and decal carriers.) After the cockpit was done, things progressed rather quickly (one of the advantages of smaller scales): Here you can see the relatively poor fit of the wheel bay part: And the utterly ridiculous placement of the upper instrument panel: I didn't take a close-up photo of it, but the upper cowling panel doesn't fit that well either. At least the scheme will be distractingly gaudy! Can I finish it before 2013 2012? Kev

Well, I guess it's time for an update! Haven't had a lot of time for modelling over the past couple of weeks, but I've managed to chip away at the cockpit: The seat's just sitting there in this next shot. I still need to put together my last set of seat belts from Radu and get them installed. A dodgy photo of the top section of the instrument panel. Still not sure how I'm going to affix this to the inside top of the fuselage, but I guess I'll figure it out. The Verlinden set originally came with a printed acetate sheet for the instruments, but it was missing in this set, so I substituted some MDC instrument decals, which were a pretty close fit in the end. I was hoping to use some airscale examples, but they were all way too large; I'm wondering whether my set has been mis-labelled as 1/32, and is really 1/24. As you can see, I kinda suck at cockpit detailing and painting, but it should look adequate once installed in the cockpit. Kev

That's a beautifully clean build mate. Well done! And welcome aboard. Kev

Shawn, that looks absolutely brilliant mate! Well done. Kev

That looks like a great model Mike! Don't be afraid to post larger pictures. I'm one of those lazy people who rarely bothers clicking on thumbnails to view the larger version. Anything up to 800x600 should be comfortable for most folks here, but you can go larger if you like (hey, we're not called Large Scale Planes for nothing!). Kev

That's cool Barney! Kev

While I can't comment on the landing gear struts specifically (though I believe they should be black), Tim is referring to the wheel bays and insides of the landing gear doors only, and hasn't yet touched on the colour of the landing gear legs themselves. Great work by the way! Kev

From memory, I'm pretty sure Radu mentioned that the rockets were too problematic to reproduce in resin with any degree of finesse. I could also be crazy. Kev

Wow, that's ambitious Ted! There is apparently a 1/32 resin Zwilling conversion available through Great Models, but I wasn't able to find it on their website. Looking forward to seeing this one unfold! Kev

Scott, send an email to Matty expressing your interest. The entire current production run is spoken for, and we're gathering numbers to see if it's worthwhile pursuing another one. Kev

Actually, I'd love for Brian to submit an article for the main website! Kev

Lovely work Anders! If the rest of your build is up to this standard, it will be well-worth following! Kev

It'd be interesting to sit one next to your Su-30 Brian! I think the Do 335 would look small then. Kev

My guess is it's 1/32, but possibly even larger than that. It's an incredibly clean and precise build if it's from a vac kit. It reminds me of a highly-refined pre-built kit (more refined than any I've ever seen). It bears none of the hallmarks of standard AMS finishes, such as pre- or post-shading, highlighting, washes or weathering. The paint job looks like it would be at home on a diecast model. Very interesting! Kev

Brian, that is some jaw-dropping work with the foil. Having tried foiling myself recently, and discovered how difficult it can be, I can only stand back and admire your work. Not only is your application flawless, but the result is so thoroughly convincing that I'm lost for words. Kev

Welcome aboard Mike! Your P-40 looks excellent. Interesting that you used some accessories designed for plastic model kits. Looks like there's plenty of room for cross-over techniques and approaches! Kev

Nice work on those trailing edges Loic. I'll have to remember that technique! Here's an alternative I used on a Monogram Wildcat a couple of years ago (it had really bad trailing edges!). First, glue a length of styrene rod to the trailing edge: Trim, back-fill with CA and sand to match the wing: Not as sharp as yours, but works well for improving this area in dodgy old kits. Kev

Beautiful job Taff! That is one dirty Spitfire... Kev

Nice review Guy! Care to send me a version for the main website? Kev

Thanks Matt. I'm vaguely aware of the issue, but not sure if I can be bothered tackling it (I didn't for my previous build). We shall see! I'm having a hard time believing at the moment that this kit is derived from that lineage, as it looks for all the world like a limited-run kit. Detail is soft, the edge of almost every part has some flash, the sprue gates are thick and clunky, and the thing is absolutely peppered with ejector pin marks. I must pull out my Dragon Dora kit for a quick comparison. Kev

Congrats on fine model and well-deserved award Mark! Kev

Great collection of builds Thomas. Your K-4 looks great! Kev