John1

Calling it done on this year long project.    Kit is Tamiya's magnificent (dare I say the best scale aircraft model ever released) Mossie, with a boatload of scratch built details (I think I put over 200 extra items into the weapons bay alone), Barracuda cockpit decals and other bits, AIMS 100 gal slipper tanks and Avieology decals for No. 333 (Norwegian) Squadron.  Thanks to everyone on this site who patiently answered my hundreds of questions and provided additional information.  
 
Here's the real thing, it matches up very well with the one photo available of KK-Q.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to Tamiya Model Magazine’s FB page, the new kit will officially be announced this Monday, 0700 GMT.  Time to schedule unveiling parties, this is going to be epic!  

Here's a couple shots of the Sakae 21 from my Zero

 

 
Highly simplified R-1830 (to be viewed only from the front in a model without a removable cowl).
 

 
I'll add some photos of the Packard Merlin from my Mustang when it's done...

Per request: My ZM He-219 DB 603A
 

 

 

 
Hope you like. 

I'll play:
 
Mosquito FB.VI

 
F4U-1D Corsair
 

Also note that the single guy doing the "last chance" safety inspection apparently got a cell phone call in the middle of the inspection.     Definitely not the "spit and polish" of a US ground crew but I'm sure they get the job done, minus the recurring cases of tinnitus.  
 
Really sad that the US and Russia have again become adversaries, would have loved to have seen this monster at a state-side airshow. 

Also note that the single guy doing the "last chance" safety inspection apparently got a cell phone call in the middle of the inspection.     Definitely not the "spit and polish" of a US ground crew but I'm sure they get the job done, minus the recurring cases of tinnitus.  
 
Really sad that the US and Russia have again become adversaries, would have loved to have seen this monster at a state-side airshow. 

Especially when they don't have paint on them:
 

 
Jari

Really enjoying this build.   Keep up the good work Tom.   

“As they climbed the short ladder into the plane, the crew were greeted by the familiar musty smell–a mixture of oil, metal and damp canvas. The main door lay at the rear so, apart from the tail and mid-upper gunners, airmen had to clamber over the wing spar, which passed through the fuselage. Before the crew commenced the pre-flight checks there were rituals to perform. Some boarded as quickly as possible, others adhered to superstitions like walking around the aircraft, patting the panels or urinating against a wheel. Survival was a matter of luck, not character. Good people died with the same frequency as those who were considered less so. Ken Cook recalls that everyone had a lucky charm or tradition.”
— The Crew: The Story of a Lancaster Bomber Crew by David Price
https://a.co/b4fQ75T
 
While waiting for the styrene stock that I need to scratchbuild the crew cabin vent to arrive, I proceeded to the wings. Like many of you, I prefer to build my models with as much of the lines of the aircraft intact as possible. With this in mind, I won't be displaying the engines. "How do you do this while making sure all of the cowling and nacelle pieces line up?" Well, fortunately HK makes it easier for you with Sprue Z, which contains parts that allow the exhaust stubs to be attached directly to the cowling instead of the engine. This is NOT mentioned in the instructions. Thanks to Ian and others who have pointed this out. For the rest, I managed to figure out how to omit the engine from the nacelle. I'll use the starboard outer as an example. The only engine components you'll need are:
 
1) Y15 propeller shaft. Attach this to K43 the nacelle front.
2) Y4 forward radiator face. Attach this to H8 the lower cowling. This will be the trickiest part to line up, but I'd suggest adding styrene spacers to help.
3) K11 firewall. Attach this to G11 and G12 the rear nacelle halves. This will be critical to help line up the cowling sections.
 
I assembled everything and the fit was surprisingly good, with just a touch of Waterfiller putty added even if it isn't necessary:
 

 

 

 
The last photo shows the parts needed if you are not building the engine. The current plan is to assemble each nacelle but leave the top cowling piece separate, so I can add the Eduard radiator face after the lower camouflage has been painted. One last thing: be sure to attach K47 to the inside of the wing corresponding to the outer nacelle. It really helps flex the wing into position, making it easier to get a better fit for the wingtip. Until next time!
 
Cheers, Tom

So, are we not allowed to talk about it in a thread? I’m not asking for a poll or voting.  Just people’s thoughts for discussion.

Did I say that? no I did not.  I just answered your question.
 
 

Even a Stuka pilot's wife is not impressed...
 

Who's used to it...
 

 
Jari

I dont know if someone clever can cut and paste, but Wolf Budee Tamiya Spitfire Engine is the best I've seen
 
Heres few of mine 

 


 

 
 
 

You guys are crazy!  Talented.  Gifted....  but crazy!  beautiful engines, on all. 
 
I'm a naughty boy...  if it wouldn't be seen...  then I don't bother. 
 
Last time I went whole hawg was on this WNW Product.  Engine is exposed...  what can I say.  I still didn't go to plug wires...  they wouldn't be visible.

 
R'spect to y'all.
 

Sooooo.....  we are a week out and there are apparently no hints, rumors or even uninformed speculation?  

I'll play:
 
Mosquito FB.VI

 
F4U-1D Corsair
 

Sooooo.....  we are a week out and there are apparently no hints, rumors or even uninformed speculation?  

John ,
Wow    I have not been in a while to see your build.
IMPRESSIVE and outstanding  workmanship all round.
WOWZER!   
 
KUDOS  on spectacular  job on the door,  cockpit, and the finish with Super weathering. 
A class of its own is  this build .
 



 
 

Magnificent!  Only one word for it.  It also pleases me to see a subject relevant to my native Norway:)

Amazing. If you photographed it in B&W with an airfield background it would be difficult to distinguish it from the real thing.
 
John

Beautiful model John, been a pleasure to follow along! Have bookmarked this as a reference for when I eventually start my bigger 1/24 Mossie...
 
Cheers, Kirby

Beautiful results John.  Stunning build here.  

Thanks to everyone who has posted a comment. I will give a little more info. 
 
This kit was produced about 35/40 years ago. This vac was produced using a female mold which is why it has decent surface detail. Most vacs are formed over a male mold and are devoid of any surface detail. The plastic is rather thin and will need to be reinforced throughout to produce a sturdy assembly.
 
I will proceed with my usual solid plastic keel to glue the fuselage sides to, but with an added  3d printed twist. I will also be adding 3d printed exhaust nozzle, wheel wells, weapons bay and cockpit. For the cockpit I will be adding an F-105 seat/pilot combo. The seats are similar with some differences that I will address.
 
There are a few more parts. The kit came with some metal main gear legs and a not so good ejection seat.
 
One of the challenges is that there are no available markings for any squadron that I may choose. So this will need to be solved.
 
Before I start any build I do internet research to see what others have done. Especially the exact kit that I am working on. With many searches I couldn't find any build log for this kit. In fact I could find no photos of this kit completed. Maybe I'm the first?
 
Anyway I hope to have this ready for the IPMS Nationals in Las Vegas in August. That is assuming that there is a convention. 
 
Dan
 
Ps. Brian, acres of white plastic......again.