tomprobert

I really like that - the paint job is superb. Nicely weathered but not overly so, keeping a nice scale effect for an aircraft doing long over-water patrols. Tom

I've finally had the opportunity today to add a splash of colour to the flap bays. Trouble is, this beast is a little too large to fit in a spray booth: IMG_0277 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Equally, finding a place for it to dry off is equally problematic: IMG_0280 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Anyway, size issues aside, Xtracolor's Zinc Chromate has brought this area to life: IMG_0285 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I've also given the out-rigger bays another spraying as I felt the Humbrol Chromate Yellow was too brownish: IMG_0282 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0283 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0288 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0290 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Pretty happy with the outcome Regards to all, Tom

I’d be tempted if someone were to bring out a vacform as £600+ for the HPH kit is just too much cash for a model in my opinion - even if the quality is top-notch.

This just gets better and better... Good spot with the exhaust mod - I’m sure you won’t, but don’t forget the additional intake scoops in front of the gear wells on the inboard nacelles and on the outboard sides of the outer nacelles for the oil coolers... Looking forward to seeing a photo of the wings offered up to the fuselage - you’re almost on the home straight then..! Tom

That is a huge improvement on the turret - I'll copy that idea when it comes to mine! Love the engines, too - another massive improvement. Tom

Thank you - appreciated. That's true, Iain. The browny-orange mix never did grow on me but as you say, it hides a multitude of sin. Tom

What primer are you using, Iain? Looks very smooth... Tom

Second round of filling/sanding on the cockpit now complete - and a shot of grey primer to check how things look. Pretty happy with that - a few tiny blemishes to sort when the filler is next out, but nothing too drastic. And boy am I glad to see the back of that hideous brown/orange filler primer! Untitled by Thomas Probert, on Flickr by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Not sure what to tackle next - finish off the engine nacelles, make a start on the flaps or possibly even the undercarriage bays. Decisions, decisions. Stay safe all, Tom

Thanks, Radders - it certainly won't be this year as I'm not going (that's even if it's on) but it'll possibly be done for 2021...

Thanks, Criag - and no is the answer. Me and electrics don't really get on, but maybe it's something I should consider in the future. Howdy Partners I hope everyone is faring OK in these strange times. A little more Shackleton progress to update you on... I have been working on getting the cockpit roof attached to the fuselage of late. I spent a fun (not) couple of hours finishing the making of the sills for the transparent parts to sit on when the time comes - Evergreen to the rescue once again: IMG_0191 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr With that done, I made the pilots' overhead panel from some generic bits and bobs from the spares box - not particularly accurate but it's almost impossible to see it once the roof is on - and sprayed the inside of the cockpit roof matt black: IMG_0202 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr A final test-fit then followed to ensure all of the interior fits as it should - which thankfully it did: IMG_0204 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr You can see how little of the interior is actually visible, which is why I haven't really gone to town on the insides. Before finally attaching the roof section I made some more tabs to ensure a strong and secure join, and then masked the windows from the inside to keep dust and future paint out of the flightdeck. I then slathered P-38 automotive filler over the joins and allowed everything to settle for a couple of days before attacking it with the sandpaper. IMG_0207 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr As you can see things have gone reasonably well, but there is a pronounced dip where the cross-hatched area is that'll need more filler. This was due to me not being careful enough when constructing the fuselage but P-38 is the scratch-builder's best friend and it should make light work of this. You can see the 'dip' more clearly when a straight line is superimposed on the pictures: IMG_0209 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr So here's the state of play now - some more filling and sanding over the weekend and then some primer to see how it's all bedded in: IMG_0206 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Until next time, Tom

Greetings all, This rather large box somehow appeared on my doorstep this week - how these things happen I shall never understand... I love the 8th Air Force and the B-17 and B-24 in particular, so decided to have a go at the recent HobbyBoss release of the B-24, or the 'crate the B-17 was delivered in' if you spoke a B-17 crew. Not very fair really, especially when you consider it could fly farther, faster and with a greater bombload than the Fort. The kit looks fairly simple in places as has been discussed at length elsewhere, but that's just what I'm after at the moment - something nice and straightforward but with an imposing end product. We shall see... Customary box shots: IMG_0197 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0199 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr And progress so far... I thought I'd ignore the instructions and start with the main undercarriage bays. First up was a spraying of aluminium and a grey Flory wash to bring out some of the lovely detailing: IMG_0195 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Following by it all slotting together rather nicely into a very sturdy box-structure: IMG_0200 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0201 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr All that only took a couple of hours in total - lovely! Take care all, Tom

You, sir, have some serious talent! Great work in the Cheyenne mod - looking good so far. Tom

Not my personal cup of tea in terms of the subject matter, but I find this technology and the options it brings absolutely fascinating. I'm also really enjoying seeing a very different model emerge here, Iain - the end result will no doubt be stunning. Tom

I fancied doing a bit of work on the BUFF last night... IMG_0179[1] by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The wife took this unbeknown to me as apparently she wanted to show her girly pals how big my... model is

Thanks, Jennings - I'll take that as a compliment Afternoon folks, The main cockpit section is more or less done. I've made and added the small throttle boxes which are against the cockpit sidewalls on the Shackleton (one for each pilot) and then I gave the interior a spraying of matt black. The centre floor panel in the rear cabin was picked out in a dark reddy-brown, as I'd seen in the Charlwood machine which has a sort of lino flooring. Then it was just a case of some light scuff marks on the floor, and adding the pre-made parts to the correct position in the cabin and flightdeck. S1030334 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030329 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030323 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030311 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030338 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030332 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030330 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The detail and parts I've added will be perfectly adequate for what's going to be seen through the cockpit windows - which is best described as very little: S1030327 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030309 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The next job is to finish off the cabin roof and make the upper pilots' panel, and then I can think about attaching the roof permanently and blend it all in. Happy modelling and stay safe, Tom