Dennis7423

Looks like Eduard is coming to the rescue again! Hannants is showing in their future releases a set of Brassin wheels for the 1/32 B-24 series. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Very excited for this release! That, and the Gladiator Mk.II. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

If by very soon they meant today, then yes! It is currently showing in stock. Shop away! - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Tom, I'm pretty keen on Model Master's acrylic clears. They have flat, matte, and gloss, and I've never had a problem with brush strokes showing up. They're all fantastic for spot changes in sheens, and they're even great when dry-brushing them to show some wear variation and streaking. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Small update today, as I finally got some bench time! I have begun adding the Eduard fiddly bits to the cockpit, and they provide some nice additional details to the cockpit: 82044929_525523074712520_2860453982982111232_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr 80765755_828669014250781_7871106995367968768_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr 81134294_602381133914924_110509834943594496_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr the bulkheads have been added to one fuselage half so that I can start adding some additional scratch detail. Nothing too crazy, but I do want to dress up the cockpit just a little bit. Eduard's pre-painted instrument panels are pretty nice, when they get the colors correct. I like to build them, apply a brushed flat coat, and then use clear gloss enamel to add the instrument glass. I'll add a wash to break up some of the variation, and then it'll be ready for install: 80657103_578786012945890_2811578320305520640_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr That's all for now! Happy New Years everyone! - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

All- Because I need something to maintain sanity while doing conversion and update work on the Lancaster, why not participate in the Group Build? I've wanted to get this little guy started, so what better time than now. I'll be building ICM's I-16 Type 24, with Eduard photoetch and just a tad bit of scratch building (mostly wiring). 79305905_843821522718023_797977422921203712_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr Obligatory WIP photo from this morning, as I squeezed in a whopping 15 minutes of bench time between finishing a cake and getting ready for work at 5am: 79722552_1247494402123036_7943814138784907264_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr And with the wings together, this thing is practically half-built already. Not an overly complicated aircraft, or kit, but it has a strange ugly-beauty to it. Neat little fighters that fought well against adversity. Who doesn't like the underdog? Kinda like Russia's version of the Wildcat. Makes me think of stuff we talk about at work (I'm a Police Officer)... it's not the weapon, it's the skills of the shooter. A skilled shooter can take even the most mundane weapon (or in this case, aircraft) and turn it into a capable platform. Hoping for more bench time this coming week, with it being Christmas and all. Cheers everyone! - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Thanks John! I had missed that post. They look lovely! - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Couldn't agree more. I'd love to see one in 1/16 to go with their other behemoths. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Beautiful stuff John! Really looking forward to your additions to this kit. Do you have profiles available for the silver birdies with the green and yellow? Those definitely have my attention... - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Is currently in stock at SprueBrothers as well. Shop away folks! - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Looking great Tom! I have the long nose in the stash, and am looking forward to building it when the time is right. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

All- Small update today, as bench time was pretty limited over the last week or so. I have completed the basic internal structure of the rear Frazer-Nash turret, which was missing from HK's kit parts. They provide a good start, but some of the additional bracing needs to be added to be more accurate. I used the great CAD images from Wingnut Wings to outfit the structure. Now that it is completed, I can refine it a bit with some filing, and add additional detailing. It's coming along nicely: 80005875_1702651516537895_5785239266023964672_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr 78885941_448994522679680_2971810420404256768_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr And she fits nicely inside the solid glazing: 78679787_433133367359067_3684887150316224512_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr That's all for today folks! Hoping for some more bench time this Monday, if the wife doesn't fill the day with tasks. Happy modelling! - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Troy- The North Star Model wheels are alive and well, and still available: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-32-Wheels-set-for-soviet-fighter-Polikarpov-I-16-I-153-I-15-Bis-Light-seri/302920491175?hash=item468777e0a7%3Ag%3AQYwAAOSwWhZdEwyI&LH_BIN=1 - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

Can you snap a photo of the marking options in the kit? Inquiring minds want to know ;-) - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA

All- Work continues on cockpit bits and bobs to update the accuracy of the kit. When I left you last, I had finished updates to the kit seat and pilot's pedestal. I made a few more additions, after studying some more photos and the CAD images from impending the WnW Lancaster. I added an additional travel prohibitor in front of the control column, added the prominent piping around the pilot's controls, and began work on the camera. I added the cone for the lense, and moved the camera forward so that it was centered in the opening in the fuselage. I also have begun building the framework that surrounds the camera itself: 77272949_718727508617794_2839201887801049088_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr 78942790_589756851820593_942594581004812288_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr The resin parachutes I made up have nestled nicely in place as well: 79527358_467913170393188_2441821428991918080_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr I also added an additional bench seat that I observed in the WnW instructions: 78193145_760392777798346_3975118336982777856_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr Moving back to the turrets, I have completed the upper framework for the nose turret, and have begun working out the ammo chutes: 78399925_533358627216260_7938352310478962688_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr Once I have those sorted, I have some flexible resin .303 belts to add to them before boxing them in appropriately. Then I will begin further outfitting the turret with other scratch-built parts to bring it up to snuff. This little guy might be the first completed part on the kit, as I won't get to painting the cockpit until I get the forward portion of the bomb bay sorted out. I did more work on the rear turret, too. I have begun adding some of the missing framework, with more to come once I sand and shape what I have already. The lower "bowl" has been attached too, and will require some further meddling before it'll fit nicely into place in the tail. A spare AMK 1/48 Mig-31 burner can was just the right size, so I cut it down and made it work. Once I get that sorted out, it too will receive further outfitting to detail it appropriately: 78496954_432151957459290_7932891976821637120_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr As imposing and huge as the Lancaster is, the turrets, because they will be mostly natural metal inside rather than black, will be a focal point for viewers. I certainly want them to draw people in and further enjoy the rest of the build as they go. That's all for now folks! As always, comments and critiques are most welcome. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA