[Ultrasonic cleaners; what liquid to use?]

I have used an ultrasonic cleaner on my Custom Micron B for years now- add a 1/2 cup of Simple Green or so and run your unassembled  airbrush through. Reassemble with care you're good to go.

[Weathering HGW seat belts]

I don't crumple mine, but fit the buckles and such while the etch is still on the fret, I glue them down on the painted seats, posing them as I go. I use Cemedine, a Japanese clear canopy glue, or CYA.  Once on they get a clear coat, and I use oil paints with a little Winsdor & Newton Liquin Original medium added. It speeds drying time and makes for the smoothest, perfectly fading effects. Dark colors for the shadows, and pale buff or gray for the highlights. When dry give a flat coat and touch up the hardware with a silver Prismacolor pencil.

[S.O.W. Health News]

Sending strength, courage and positive waves to you!

[I'm in the Septmber issue of Tamiya Modelling Magazine!]

It's been a while, but my 1/48 Revell (ICM) Dornier Do215 B-5 Night Fighter is being published- right now! I'm absolutely pumped. That radar is soldered bras(s) , and the cockpit is 85% scratchbuilt. Here's a couple of images from my article:

 

 

[From the Company that released the Lancaster]

Haha! I did storyboards for one of the Red Alert games- for the live action cut scenes. Kind of a bizarre experience- flown to Vegas, put up in a La Quinta, and sequestered in a lonely room at the game offices. The only freelance job I ever did where they kept the physical art (which they had promised not to do.)

[Messerschmitt 410]

Lovely work, impressive scale- and a real hot rod of an aircraft. Cheers, Angelo!

[Weathering USN Gloss Sea Blue]

Hi, Woody- I'm not  too high on GSB myself. I used Tamiya Deck tan to to lighten and blotch it up on my venerable Helldiver build. All paints fade and develop distress, especially in tropical maritime environments.

 

[AIMS NEWS]

What mark is the first 109 on that sheet, with the tall taikwheel? Can't seem to find it.

[1/48 SB2C Helldiver--Attack on Yokosuka and IJN Battleship Nagato, 18 July 1945 (finished)]

Super-cool!

[1/48 Roden Junkers D.i Lange- Models For Ukriane Vol II]

Hello, all- I've been working on a quick(ish) build for Volume II of this worthy publication. The first raised over 19,000 British Pounds for humanitarian relief for the embattled people of Ukraine- all profits donated. I've been honored to be invited to not only write a chapter, but again provide the cover art.  Please consider ordering a copy at https://www.insidethearmour.com/  The first volume is sold out, but stand by for pre-orders of Vol II.

 

 

 

 

 

[1/18 Curtiss P40C - Finished :)]

As ever, sheer wonder-work! Congratulations to the happy couple, and have a lovely trip!

[AIMS 1/48 Do 217 N-2/R22 conversion]

That's brilliant work, John- cheers!

[By JOVe! Grumman's toothy Mohawk JOV-1A]

Much appreciated, gents! Troy, I'm very sorry for your loss- I know how it is to lose one's parents.

 

A model friend sent me some pics of 5 Mohawks in various states at American Wings up in Blaine Minn. This one is just stunning. A Facebook Mohawk group IDs it as AO-1AF 60-3734. One of the earliest airframes that with the rear blister window but no "eyebrow" windows, used as a trainer. Look at the broken perspex over all those open panels- museum "cutaway"? Training frame? I'm boggled, but glad to see I guessed right on at least some of that stuff in the compartment behind the cockpi. Look, you can see Frankenstein's kidney!

[By JOVe! Grumman's toothy Mohawk JOV-1A]

Thanks, everyone!  Friday's the big day for my 3-second laser-beam eradication of the secondary cataract in my right eye. Wish me luck!

[1/48 SB2C Helldiver--Attack on Yokosuka and IJN Battleship Nagato, 18 July 1945 (finished)]

That's really cool, Peter! Thanks for the plug, too.

[By JOVe! Grumman's toothy Mohawk JOV-1A]

Thanks, Marus!

Well, I'm back at last. My eyes still aren't fully healed, but here's what I've managed to get done in the past several months- cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Soft edge camo masking technique]

Great tip, woody- cheers!

[THE SHARK HAS LANDED! Curtiss Tomahawk 112sqn RAF]

Bravo!

[Can someone explain this weathering technique to me?]

Slightly soapy water worked for me.

[New airscale products - RAF, Luftwaffe & USAAF Seatbelts in 1/32 & 1/24]

Wonderful! The stitch embossing tool in a stroke of absolute genius- cheers!

[Can someone explain this weathering technique to me?]

The Hairspray Technique.  A layer of color(s), a layer of aqueous hairspray (or commercial 'chipping fluid'), and another layer of color(s). Dampen the top coat with water and with the paint thus softened, scrub away with a damp q-tip and toothpick, etc to strip the top layer away for a ragged, chipped effect. I used it with laquer Hataka colors on my MiG LanceR- could even do chipping after 24 hours.

[Why aren't aftermarket resin tires flattened and bulged?]

They're the Rat Pack.

[Why aren't aftermarket resin tires flattened and bulged?]

I have a lovely set of Aires wheels for my Mohawk- absolutely no flats or bulges, but...

 

The same with Reskit P-61 wheels.

[1/18 P51C Mustang "Lopes Hope the 3rd"]

Congratulations, Peter- another triumph. Cheers!

[HPH SB2C-4 Helldiver]

C'est magnifique! 

Cheers, Chuck