Nanook

The Royal Class boxing of the 'Gustav' comes with spare sprues...and I thought 'Hey, why not see if I can make a complete kit from the leftovers and my spares box?' and that is what I am doing. This is a G-2. I'm using bits from the 1990s Fujimi parts, old Revell parts, Koster's ancient 'G' conversion, Hasegawa parts, ICM Spitfire Mk IX wingtips (reshaped) and the Eduard main sprues and extra bits (wheels, prop, etc.). I enjoy doing these kinds of builds as I find they keep my kit-bashing and scratch-building skill sets sharp. Later, Lee

Thanks for the info, Max. Outstanding job all around...really like those figures. Later, Lee

Fantastic work! Looks great and I agree that this is a nice kit. Where did the figures come from? And what brand decals did you use? Later, Lee

Looks outstanding! That still is an awfully nice kit that with a bit of detail builds up sweet. Your efforts clearly show that. Later, Lee

I like the 21st Century kits...wish I had a few more actually. I missed out on them as I was in Alaska when Wal-Mart carried them and I lived nearly 100 miles away from the nearest location. I've got the Zero (kit), Fw 190D (pre-built...won in a raffle) and a busted-up '109F. I say build her up and make of it what you wish. It's for you so make yourself happy. Later, Lee

The cowling on this kit is the 'Late Three-Piece Mimetall Erfurt Factory' piece. Was installed on Werknummer 500 series D-9s manufactured by Mimetall. One known Weserflug W.Nr. is 401392. As an aside these W. Nr. would have the 'blown' canopy but, again, check your references. Later, Lee P.S. Thanks to J. Crandall for his research into this.

That's quite the hybrid kit. I've got one and although rather rudimentary in execution I rather like it...if I could find another cheap enough I'd snap it up actually. That 'bell' shape is how Hasegawa manufactured the fuse halves so that the cowling and engine radiator would mate to the fuselage. It is not accurate nor prototypical at all. But you'll never see it once the cowling is in place. Later, Lee P.S. Make sure you research what markings you are using for the proper canopy to use. And, if you're a real stickler, check the type of upper gun cover used as well. There were five major different ones used and they all have their peculiarities.

Smart review! Thanks for sharing this with us. Later, Lee

Wow, that's cool! Thanks for sharing this. Later, Lee

Looks pretty nice! Later, Lee

Need to get the Arado for sure. Missed it the 1st time around. Might go for the AC-47 too as, again, I missed the prior release. I assume that the '190F-8 is the Hasegawa molding. Later, Lee

As an aside, Aeromaster also made some terrific decal sheets that replicated wood. They had a few different colors/grains and they are worth looking for. Later, Lee

Thank you both very much! My son flies it on occasion...makes a few laps around the living room. Later, Lee

Thank you VERY much to everyone for pooling these items together! I will contribute next year for sure...I must repay this marvelous generosity and gift! Thanks William J very much, sir! The F-5 has found a very welcome home! Thrilled and shocked, Lee

Wow Peter that's very classy! Thrilled, Lee

Consider me interested and my thanks for offering this to us all! What a cool idea! Thanks a bunch! And kudos Chris for adding to the goodies. Later, Lee

That's a bummer all around. I was looking to see about getting Dave's Ki-43 (early) resin conversion for the Revell kit. Bummed, Lee

This turned out terrific, Martin! Love the painted markings. This gives me some inspiration for my upcoming Revell Ki-43 build. Later, Lee

Just curious but has anyone heard/read anymore updates on the tooling? I missed out on the 21st Century kits for the most part as I was living in Alaska when they hit the shelves and the nearest Walmart was nearly 100 miles away. Thanks, Lee

E-P-I-C...pure awesomeness! Almost a good as the 'original' with the Mk.IVs. Best line IMHO? 'Everyone get out except for Gaston, Ritger and Mustafin'. BBWWAAHHA!!!! later, Lee

Wow, that's cool! later, Lee

LOL! Yes, that's a possibility, Jerry. I'm neve very happy with how my figures turn out but this will suffice. Later, Lee

Yes, it was a bit of tedious 30-40 minutes of trim, fit, trim, fit, sand, trim, fit...UGH! Thanks for the kinds words, Peter. I hope to have paint on it by Sunday. My pilot for the Ta 152H-1 is done...I think I will do a bit more work with the eyes and I just need to add eyebrows. Later, Lee

Here's the Ta 152H-1 nearly ready for paint. I did the final sanding/prep work, repaired the damage around the canopy sill area, added the scoops and made the exhauts shield. Once I paint the pilot I will button up the canopy and then lay down the primer. I'm hoping to have that done by the weekend. Later, Lee

Thank you very much all for the kind words and compliments! I am pretty pleased with it myself especially for it being knocked around as a lousy kit. The big stinker, IMHO, is the cut-down canopy. But, for a gear-up bird and something quick and easy to build it's not all that bad, really. Again, thanks for the support and kudos, everyone! Sincerely, Lee