MikeC

hi all,
exactly one year after its completion, I managed to take some decent photos of it, sorry for the delay.
a 1978 Matchbox kit, a lot of work and old school scratchbuilding to make it look decent.
 
here is the related wip: https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/91451-westland-lysander-mk-iii-sd-matchbox-revell-132/
 
cheers, Paolo
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's a bit harsh - it's got a gun and tracks, what more can we expect?

This is an incredible job. I don't know how you do it, making the gear retract. I mean, sure, I see how you did it - but the incredible patience! Good job.
One of my friends flew the Luftwaffe G models at Luke AFB (Phoenix) Arizona in the early 80s. He was a Canadian CF-104 pilot, who was on exchange instructing at the time. He took me out to see the jets on the flight line, and they looked beautiful in their polished natural metal with USAF markings. Yours will look fantastic, I'm sure.
By the way, the lights on the side of the engine intakes that you're worried about making flush are not formation lights - they are just standard red and green navigation lights. 
ALF

That's a bit harsh - it's got a gun and tracks, what more can we expect?

Thanks @Shoggz,
 
Your comment about the paint tin made me laugh: when I moved to America my wife said to me “You have tins of paint that are older than where we live now.” 
 
I had the same experience as you: I was unaware of any other brand than Humbrol until about the same age and then found Tamiya. I was agog!
Thanks @geedubelyer - Agreed on the seat height adjuster arm; it is a bit crude but I suspect Kotare were going for ease of build. A resin and PE replacement would probably be something for the aftermarket boys. For me: I am just enjoying this virtually out of the box. there will be other Spitfires and time enough to make alterations…
 
Kind regards,
Paul

That's a bit harsh - it's got a gun and tracks, what more can we expect?

HAHA!! I am just having fun with this, but since you asked....1:35 is more of a bastard scale than any other scale except, perhaps, HO (1:87) because it does not correlate to virtually any other scale. For instance, most popular model scales have equivalents in architectural scale: 
1:12 equates to 1" = 1 foot
1:16 equates to 3/4" = 1 foot
1:24 equates to 1/2" = 1 foot
1:48 equates to 1/4" = 1 foot
1:32 equates to 3/8" = 1 foot
 
If you don't like imperial, then 1:35 doesn't even equate to any engineering or metric scale that I am aware of, so where did it come from?  
 
(Please note, I am just stirring the pot purely for fun! I value everyone's opinions on the subject and say "build what you like and have fun". More power to any company that keeps good kits coming!! Whether these are good kits or not, I cannot say)
 
Tim
 
 

That's a bit harsh - it's got a gun and tracks, what more can we expect?

This is finished after final additons 
I used Quickboost seat
 














 
 

There ya go, that’s better. Also noticed the wheels and am satisfied with my reverse engineered project. Time to scoot off and mix up some white paint … 

 

I’ve got it standing on its legs, I needed to check the ground clearance for the ECM pod, the fit is almost ok, but silly me wanted a wee bit more, so I’m back at the mount welding without measuring anything ……I’ve been going back and forth with getting all the sub assemblies finished and ready for the paint shop…. be back soon… 

 

Have been bouncing around back and forth like a ping pong ball which now I’ve at last finished the radar and ECM mount, also as requested I’ve added some very important armour plate protection to the bottom….not that brass balls need protection, but y’all know just in case anyway…

 

A little more detail to scratch for all the attachment points for weapons and I’ll then be finished with these.  I’m leaning towards adding another CBU dispenser. Stole them from my AD-1 Skyraider kit. 
Aiming for a realistic SAR load out which would be a great compliment to the Sandy’s and Jolly Greens.

 

Almost forgot to “tag” my model, I remembered the last model I built over seven years ago I signed the interior with a Sharpie.  As I glued in the cockpit it dawned on me not to forget this time too. Years ago I’d envisioned some kid playing with my model, having a grand time, maybe blowing it up with fire crackers only to find my hello, long after I’m gone… 
 

I hope the government doesn’t discover this build!
You might get a visit by some men dressed in black…
 
Alain

Ahem.  I discovered recently while reading highly redacted documents found in old boxes in a garage next to a Corvette with four flat tires that the development and employment of this particular airplane during the Great Unpleasantness included a very classified night interdiction version that evolved at about the same time.  It met with no press but considerable success.  USAF boffins rerouted the exhaust system from the engine through a series of mufflers in the area where the old turbocharger used to be, significantly reducing engine noise.  In hopes of reducing prop noise, at least one was modified to use an experimental five blade propeller that was said to have been stolen from a Sea Fury parked on the ramp at Reno.  Affectionally called Blunderbolts because they flew low and slow at night hoping to stumble onto a target, these airplanes sported a distinctive SEA over black paint scheme and often worked in pairs.  One would carry specialized pods of parachute flares while the other had a more typical anti equipment/anti personnel load out.  The airplanes carrying the flares were called either Sunderbolts or Lightningbolts because they turned the night into day so that the guy flying the armed version had some hope of actually hitting something besides a water buffalo out for an evening stroll.  The jury is out as to whether these two versions of the airplane you are so ably modeling were as successful as legends tell us because none survived the war.  Or at least none survived that anyone will admit.  In the last few years, there have been several unconfirmed reports of at least one pair of Blunderbolts operating at night out of Area 51, working with a similarly camoed, nicely restored B-58.  And a decade or so before that, an oddly painted, much modified P-47 raised eyebrows when it arrived unannounced at Oshkosh only to be immediately covered with a fumigation tent by several fit young men with crewcuts and sunglasses then flown out in the wee hours of the night before anyone could actually see it.  It was said to have won several awards for authenticity, but did it?  Obviously, there are no known photographs of any of these airplanes so you will have take my word for it.  I would cite my sources, but I doubt you have the clearances necessary to see them, being a double foreigner and all.

I’m going with the USAF SEA scheme,  will use Mr. Hobbies colours and see how they go. Very curious about them.

I also received the Email . From everything I've read and heard ,this must really be a peach of a kit[ except for some isolated criticism which is fine and most probably valid]. I'm going to wait for their MK V before getting one. Gee Wally, it doesn't have an engine  SO WHAT!

was going to write same response!

Our old friend '19squadron' obviously wasn't on the voting committee for that award... 

Interesting news from Kotare.
 
Interview with Mark Robson here on it.
 
Kind regards,
Paul
 
 

Hmm
Despite saying in another thread that I would lose duplicates first, I would definitely have to build the second Italeri Tornado I have, as I am planning a IX Sqn GR1 to go with my GR4. Second, one of the two Revell Hunters I have, 90% certain it will be the FR10 I'm planning. And thirdly, a TBD; that's not a Douglas Devastator, in this case it carries its meaning of "To Be Decided".
Hope that's not cheating .

That's an interesting variation on the question. I think, on the whole, I'd first lose all the duplicates as I have built one or more large scale Spits, Mustangs, etc, and keep something I have never built before, but which will offer me a best value modelling experience.  And I'd have to think very seriously about what that would be.

Just another flight in Microsoft Flight Sim.   I've upgraded from the 737 to the Airbus A320 recently.   Amazing how different the "Bus" is compared to the 737.   Airbus is a firm believer in technology to keep the pilots out of trouble, while Boeing's philosophy is pretty much the opposite.   Most of the functions that were manually operated on the 737 are automated on the A320.   The Airbus also has a fully fly by wire control system, so initially, I found myself overcontrolling, being used to having to make much more pronounced control inputs and trimming on the "Jurassic Jet".    It's taken me a while to truly get up to speed on the Airbus, the initial flights were often spent asking myself what the jet is now doing.   All things considered, both jets get the job done safely, I think my personal preference is with the Airbus system though. 
 
This flight is one I've taken a dozen times in RL for business, flying out of my local airport - Providence / TF Green (aka KPVD) to Reagan National in DC (KDCA).    I truly love PVD, even though Boston is closer, for domestic travel, I always fly out of there.  You avoid the horrid Boston traffic, easy to get through TSA, it's clean and efficient.   Much better than Logan.   Same applies to DCA.   Reagan National is awesome.   The entire terminal was revamped back around 2000 and it's beautiful.   You also get great views of the airside operation, with the capitol and the Washington monument in the background.  
 
Anyway, AA2912 on a Sunday finds PVD to be pretty quiet.   

 
Only a few other jets present this afternoon. 

 
Getting ready to taxy out to Runway 23.  It's a beautiful day in RI.   Forecast for DC isn't as promising.   One nice feature of the A320 is the EICAS system which is a graphic display of the status of every system on the jet.  It's the screen below the engine display and can be selected for hydraulics, cabin status, electrical, etc, etc.    Much better than the dozen caution lights scattered throughout the 737's cockpit. 

 
Climbing out over Narragansett Bay. 

 
PVD is off in the distance, behind the jet.   Right underneath the jet is Quonset Point, formerly a major US Navy carrier base and airfield.  

 
Cruising down the eastern coast of Long Island. 

 
Turning inland, starting our descent into DC.

 
On final for KDCA, Runway 1.  One thing that's different on the Airbus is that even when you disconnect the autopilot for landing, you leave the autothrottle engaged all the way down to the final 30 feet or so, when the jet reminds you to cut the throttles to idle.  On the 737, the pilot controls the throttles when landing manually. 

 
Not a lot of traffic on a Sunday afternoon.

 
Welcome to DC.   The Washington Monument is in the distance.  

 
Taxying into the "alley" behind an AA 737.  American is the largest carrier at KDCA.  

 
Pulling into the gate.

 
Offloading...

 
Already catering for the next flight as I depart. 

 
A final look at the jet.

 
Connecting flight is on time.   

 
Thanks for tagging along on my trip.   Safe travels! 

Don´t know if I dare....
 
But I have 50+ Spitfires in my stash/collection (unbuilt/built) in all scales from 1/144 to 1/32, I even have one bagged in 1/72!  
 
 
I LOVE the Spitfire!  
 
 
Stefan