BiggTim

I've had pretty good luck warming that stuff up with a hair dryer and then clamping it (obviously with a different clamp 😁) in the position I want until it cools. Maybe very hot water as an alternative, but nothing as hot as a heat gun.
 
Tim

Hi, I have straightened the clamps using heat gun, they are not perfect but close enough. Cheers.

Thank you for the reply, I will give heat a try, I have a heat gun with varible temps which I can use I just have to find a clamp that will hold them straight. Cheers Bob.

I've had pretty good luck warming that stuff up with a hair dryer and then clamping it (obviously with a different clamp 😁) in the position I want until it cools. Maybe very hot water as an alternative, but nothing as hot as a heat gun.
 
Tim

Hi, I am after a way to get the warp out of these 3D printed clamps that i brought, if there is a way. Regards Bob.

Anyone recognize these? 
 
Finally had some time to do some remaster work in between orders, just have the smaller bits to set up and then pour some molds!!
 
Tim
 

 

Thanks Jeroen
The set I have is relatively old. I bought it 4-5 years ago, I think. Maybe that's what's causing it. But this is the second time I've had this problem. I had a similar problem with a Spitfire set years ago.

Easy answer - P-38, especially an early one. That has been a GAPING hole in the 1:32 world for as long as I've been building models (50+ years). We are talking about the plane that shot down Yamamoto, and was flown by the two highest scoring American aces of WW2. The L-5 kit that Trumpeter/Hobbycraft first came out with in 1991 was welcome, but you have to have a conversion to make it an early one, and right now I'm the only one working on putting one of those cpnversions back out there (I own the rights to the Rutman/GMF one). Plus, the quality of the L-5 Trumpeter kit is not even close to your level. You guys are putting out some of the best stuff the industry has ever seen.
 
I'd say P-51B/C as well, but chances are you'd be competing with a couple of other manufacturers who have announced plans to do that. However, you actually DO get things done, so maybe you'd beat them to the punch! I seriously think whoever puts that out first will sell as many as they can make. 
 
Those are the top 2 holes I see - there are others, but I don't want this question to turn into a wish list! I totally understand your desire to make Spitfires and 109s, as they are classics and always sell well. I love them, too. Plus, as I said, your quality is second to none, and I applaud your efforts wholeheartedly! Please do keep it up.
 
I am kind of an odd duck in the model building world, so I'm admittedly hard to please. I have a small stash (maybe 30-35 kits), narrow interests (1:32 only), and a very limited amount of money to spend on this hobby. So, I usually don't build more than one or two kits of a given airframe. I've done Spits and 109s, because there are some very good offerings out there already, so it's difficult for me to justify spending the money on another one that will just sit on a shelf, even though I want to support your efforts. 
 
If either of those two - P-38E/F/G/H (or a better rendition of a late variant) or P-51B/C were to come out in 1:32 at any price, especially at your level of quality, my money would fly outta my wallet so fast, it would make your head spin!! Even if I had to walk to work for a month to save enough to afford it. 
 
Again, please keep up the great work, even if it's not what I personally am looking for. Your quality is amazing, and I truly want your venture to be successful. If I can be of any help, please let me know.
 
Tim

If it were me, I'd probably vacform the whole piece, and not try to just make the clear panels. That saves cutting and gluing them into the plastic part. To do that, I'd suggest filling the part with milliput or auto body filler, then pop it out and sand/polish, etc, then scribe a fine line around the edge of the window so it shows up on the new piece very subtly. I have had the heat problem before too, where it pulls off chunks of paint, but I think the choice of paint was the issue. You may have to experiment with that one. I think I settled on Mr. Surfacer 1500 or Tamiya Fine Gray and did not have issues. You can also try misting on some mold release spray for casting, like this - https://www.mann-release.com/products/ease-release/200/, though I have not tried that yet. 
 
Just my thoughts, anyway.
 
Tim

And the decals
I used Techmond's decals. Once again, I was not satisfied. They are extremely brittle and crack easily. Also, they tend to wrinkle a lot during placement on the surface. I applied the liquid decal film to all decals before applying.
 

Some more progress
 

'Spanner Anlage I, II & III' infrared system Hi everyone, A new 3D printed set arrived today.   1x set of Spanner Anlage I, II & III infrared system - £10.00. If interested just email me at aimsmodels1@gmail.com or wait for Hannants to have in stock   Thanks so much John

A good thing about these discussions is the chance to check and update the information.  For the PR VII entries in the original listing,
N3113 from F 1 to PR 4 then from PR 4 to PR 7 (listed as N3112 in previous message), delete entry for F1 to PR 7.
P9365 and P9381 delete from F 1 to PR 7 list
 
That leaves 44 Spitfires that became PR VII at least for a while, 39 originally mark I, 3 PR III, 2 VA (R7308, R7335).  The online histories mention Merlin 45 or 46 in all but P9518, R7059, R7143, R7191 and X4411, with R7143 going from I to PR IV to V to PR VII, 20 were converted directly from their original mark (including both mark V), for 16 the PR.VII was their second conversion and for 8 it was the third conversion.
 
As far as I know when it came time to decide about what to do about the early designations PR A to G / PR I to PR VII it was in built range that became the main reason why they became PR.III or PR.IV.
 
The PR Spitfire conversions are only a subset of total conversions which complicates things, Nett conversions according to the RAF aircraft census, end February 1943 before the mark, end June 1944 after the mark.
 
50    Seafire IC    not given
-177    I    -176
-38    IIA    -38
-12    IIB    -10
1    III    1
114    VA    112
-33    VB    -150
-21    VC    -66
3    VI    3
0    VII    -14
0    VIII    -3
23    IX    66
0    XIV    3
18    PR.III    13
68    PR.IV    71
0    PR.X    16
4    PR.XIII    25

0    Sum    -147
PR.X initially counted as converted F.VII

Spitfire PR IG - initially converted from Spitfire Mk Is, then Spitfire Mk VAs?
 
Edit - nup, based on Geoff's list, all Mk Is

I'm away from my ref library for a few days, I'll get back to you with a "told you so" plus chapter and verse, or an apology, as applicable. 

Our Kiwi friends used a lot of P-40's and Corsairs in the Pacific, so you'd think they'd start there for a range of Pacific theatre offerings.  Oh for a new P-40.
 
I can see my wallet getting emptier with the release of the 109K and now a PR Spitfire, something I've never tackled.  Like others here, I hope they do other PR spitfires later on.
 
 
Cheers,
Michael

Sorry, no. The PR IG was based upon the Mark I airframe and engine. This is from, "On Target Profile #8," which is citing Alfred Price's, "The Spitfire Story." I also find it odd that they were using Mark I's instead of the newer Mark Vs, but perhaps they needed the Vs to combat the Focke Wulfs, and the Mark Is were available, so...  

Easy answer - P-38, especially an early one. That has been a GAPING hole in the 1:32 world for as long as I've been building models (50+ years). We are talking about the plane that shot down Yamamoto, and was flown by the two highest scoring American aces of WW2. The L-5 kit that Trumpeter/Hobbycraft first came out with in 1991 was welcome, but you have to have a conversion to make it an early one, and right now I'm the only one working on putting one of those cpnversions back out there (I own the rights to the Rutman/GMF one). Plus, the quality of the L-5 Trumpeter kit is not even close to your level. You guys are putting out some of the best stuff the industry has ever seen.
 
I'd say P-51B/C as well, but chances are you'd be competing with a couple of other manufacturers who have announced plans to do that. However, you actually DO get things done, so maybe you'd beat them to the punch! I seriously think whoever puts that out first will sell as many as they can make. 
 
Those are the top 2 holes I see - there are others, but I don't want this question to turn into a wish list! I totally understand your desire to make Spitfires and 109s, as they are classics and always sell well. I love them, too. Plus, as I said, your quality is second to none, and I applaud your efforts wholeheartedly! Please do keep it up.
 
I am kind of an odd duck in the model building world, so I'm admittedly hard to please. I have a small stash (maybe 30-35 kits), narrow interests (1:32 only), and a very limited amount of money to spend on this hobby. So, I usually don't build more than one or two kits of a given airframe. I've done Spits and 109s, because there are some very good offerings out there already, so it's difficult for me to justify spending the money on another one that will just sit on a shelf, even though I want to support your efforts. 
 
If either of those two - P-38E/F/G/H (or a better rendition of a late variant) or P-51B/C were to come out in 1:32 at any price, especially at your level of quality, my money would fly outta my wallet so fast, it would make your head spin!! Even if I had to walk to work for a month to save enough to afford it. 
 
Again, please keep up the great work, even if it's not what I personally am looking for. Your quality is amazing, and I truly want your venture to be successful. If I can be of any help, please let me know.
 
Tim

Mk Va

Allright, all day in my mancave.
 
that Compass is finnished, as detailing and weathering, mediterranean enviroment is sure harsh on aircraft, and dried salt is a must,....note the real micro particles, and few yes it will be gone, as it is from pastel pencils, aswell as the micro fibres and will be long gone before fuselage halfes is glued. 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

Allright, at last, my favorite part, yes it takes time, and im not even close to finnish.
 
Tamiya Panel line washes, breaking up that monogone RLM02, postshading that RLM66....and oils....seat will get more treatment, now eyes and mind must rest and resetted....it is very easy to overdo it at this stage, best cure is to rest.
use one teqh or two at the time.
 
It might work hey, nothing isnt sealed yet.
 
 
 

 
 

 

 

Later build...
 
meanwhile, more reference pics, look at the back cushion, looks like a squar sofa cushion with buttons 😁, also interesting detail, the harnes does not going thru the seat hole,...
 

 
Hmm...ill see if ill scratch my own sofa style cushion lol.
 
 

no update this evening that was the idea.
 
Worked on the main IP panel, and shredded that 3D Quintas IP panel as had that great idea of adding levers....and drilled holes for them shafts.
 
that were indeed a real real bad idea, 😫 😆....
 
that mistake costed me $30, ordered new one few minutes ago.
 
and no pic on that.
 

 
Work on other things on this model tomorrow.
 
And ill asure you all, wont do that again.....ever.
 
Now you know.
 
 

A proper 1/32nd Hellcat would also be most welcome, and it was flown by the Fleet Air Arm, so there is a British connection. 
 
The nice thing about this PR Spitfire model is that it wouldn't take much to convert it to any of other other PR I variants. Depending upon the version you'd mainly need some combination of a new chin oil cooler for a small number of later planes, wings modified for cameras or camera add-ons, a lower spine with two camera portholes, a wing fuel tank blister, and a one piece windscreen. Not every version would require all of those. A lot could be accomplished with resin if the cost for injection molded parts was prohibitive.  The PR IG, which was an armed reconnaissance Mk. I might require even fewer fiddly bits as it retained its mostly stock eight gun wings. I'm hoping that this release will lead to a small flood of proper PR versions.  
 
Thank you Kotare!
 
Bob