ringleheim

I have learned over time that when that modeling "writer's block" sets in and you can't find enthusiasm to work on a project, simply picking something and MAKING yourself start works well. Usually within an hour or so the act of performing some modeling skills gets the juices flowing again, and you start thinking of the various problems the kit presents and how you are going to proceed, and suddenly you're back into it. The next session usually comes along easily, and the next thing you know, you are right back in the middle of a project and building models again. It may sound strange as we are supposed to be doing the for fun, but if you can't get yourself to start something, simply FORCE yourself to do it. Treat as work that must be done...and see if you don't get hooked on the project. I guess you could say "the appetite comes from the eating" if you will.

I am not an F-14 expert! But looking closely at that part of the plane, and in other photos, I agree that it looks like some type of composite material. You can see the "weave" in it. I wonder what 1/24 scale carbon decals would look like on your 1/32 F-14. Not sure if you build cars/bike kits, but there are lots of carbon/kevlar/composite decal sheets out there. If you want to paint it, I'd go with some sort of "graphite" type appearance. Not super metallic in appearance, but not just a simple "gray" type color either. Kind of a hybrid between metallic and not metallic! Here's a link to some carbon decals that might work. (or something like this) https://www.megahobby.com/products/carbon-fiber-sheet-1-24-1-25-gofer-racing-decals.html

I hope you tell us about the kit when it arrives, Dr. Rizzo. I have been following this kit with interest, simply because it is going to be ENORMOUS. Something like 26" long and 38.25" wingspan! Not a small kit! Have you given consideration to where and how you will display yours? Just curious what your plan is.

These kits are fantastic! They are a sad reminder of what we could have gotten all these years from Dragon in 1/32 scale, but did not, simply because Dragon doesn't seem interested in airplanes. Had they popped out a few kits a year since, say, 2005, the entire 1/32 landscape would be dramatically different, and the best kit out there for many aircraft would probably still be the one from Dragon. If only they had done it!

It looks gorgeous, Pascal! I grew up a few hours away from The Glen and have watched racing there and done track schools there many times. I would have loved to have heard this car and engine in person, but that was before my time. When this engine wasn't misfiring, which apparently wasn't often, it sounded glorious. Pascal, have you seen this yet? Turn up the speakers!

Lovely! I always liked the elegant simplicity of the Mirage. Clean design and this model is really nicely displayed!

What a beast! These planes are so big and tough looking. The model looks wonderful. I especially love the restrained paint chipping along those panel lines...it's all nicely in scale. Paintwork overall is great!

Don't eyeball the Tamiya 1/32 Zeros--buy them and build them! Some of the most astonishing kits I've come across. I did the A6m2, not the 5, but they are very similar. If you are a big Zero fan I can't imagine you would regret the experience. They are available for pretty good prices on Ebay if you go for Japanese sellers. * * * * * * Now, back to the model build! This is gorgeous! I like the scale of the paint chipping on the engine cowl and the idea of hand painting the plane seems to work really well with an A6M. Overall, lovely aircraft!

Miroslav, this model looks fantastic! I really like the color scheme. How did the Aires cockpit set go together? Did it fit well or did you have to make it fit?

That is one hell of a Helldiver! The paintwork, detailing, all the bits and pieces inside the cockpit area--it's all fantastic. These are such cool airplanes!

She has beautiful lines and curves! And the airplane looks nice too!

The model looks great; all that P/E on the deck really adds a nice detail. Did you know they have an ENTIRE Mk. IX C U-boat in CHICAGO of all places?! https://www.msichicago.org/press/press-releases/u-505-submarine/

This is more or less my opinion as well. Huge kit, but not very good, and very expensive. Tamiya 1/12 is the way to go with this sort of subject matter.

The Hurricane looks awesome, Sasha, but how in the world have you found time to build models right now!? Good luck and good health to you, your family, and your friends! PS: I LOVE these RAF tropical paint schemes...they are my favorite.

This is unbelievable! What an incredible display piece this must make! And so BIG! Awesome!

Overall, this is a great looking model. I love that particular color scheme, and I also love the little helmet sitting in the cockpit area! Gives a nice sense of scale.

Thanks for the heads up. I would definitely be interested in the MP 4/4 in 1/12 scale. Would look good next to my Mp 4/6...if I ever actually build it! LOL I've been working on the Tamiya F190 on and off for a while now.

You are not alone! Tamiya has been quietly going through the back catalog of 1/12 stuff and refreshing them. New decals from Cartograf and a set of photo etch parts, along with (I assume) modern formula rubber tires that won't disintegrate over time. It's all very welcome indeed! I am likely to grab the Renault Re-20, which I always loved but never bought/attempted.

The only kit of theirs I ever bought was the 1/16 Panzer 38(t)....which was an OK kit, nothing special, nothing terrible.

I'm not a fan of the new plastic bottles. I don't think this would have happened with the old glass ones. Given the cost of MRP paint, you would think they could have still sold it in the glass bottles.

That P-38 is the "big news" for Tamiya aircraft kits at this particular show. And I'm sure it's one heck of a nice it. I'm pretty sure Tamiya are out of the business of making 1/32 aircraft kits, though that could change at any time on a whim; you never know.

I think it remains a long shot but it could happen, you never know. I was extremely excited over Hasegawa's 1/16 "skeleton" kit of the Sopwith Camel. That came out in 2013. At the time, I commented that I hope we see more in a new series of kits, as I love that "skeleton" look particularly for WWI aircraft. Here it is 9 years later and we never got a second, and I doubt we'll see another one. We probably would have seen it by now. Stuff of this type is just too "out there" for manufacturers to take a chance on. Instead, we'll get 10 million Tiger tank kits, Spitfires, Yamato battleships, and so on. It never changes.

Give them a few more days. HLJ will probably produce their usual 2 or 3 videos showing most of the content at the show. I look forward to those videos at every major hobby show in Japan, every year. There's stuff on Youtube right now, but not large scale plane specific.

Gorgeous!