RadBaron

1/32 3x Kittyhawk NA T28 1/48 5x Classic Airframes Grumman Widgeon 4x czech model Grumman Goose 4x Roden Beech Staggerwing Haven't built a single one of them

Really nice work with the camo!

Yep, HLJ is good to deal with. Shipping is from Japan, so does take a bit longer, but were talking weeks, not months. They regularly have sales with pretty convincing prices!

Somewhat amazed that I'd never contributed to this, so forgive my entry being a bit show-offey, but It Is a significant moment for me, the first time I got to fly my dad around, as opposed to vice versa. We're in his Dehavilland Chipmunk, cruising over the Darling Downs, QLD Australia. Denzil

Another vote for Skyway! Its a good old fashioned model shop. Lots of stuff there!

Fascinating stuff, David, and whilst I am certainly not a stickler for 100% colour accuracy, this comment: Rings true to me too. Your eye knows when something isn't quite right, so experiments like yours are a really interesting dive into the history of the colours. Great work!!

#1) Auster series. Preferably a J1b, but all of the J series would be splendid. #2) Beechcraft Staggerwing series. (The ITC/ Staggerwings Unlimited kit doesn't count, one look at it and you know there is literally nothing accurate about it, or could be used to help a scratch build. #3 Grumman Widgeon. I'd love ALL the grumman amphibs in large scale, but if only one, the G44 Is MY dream plane. 4th runner up, and i agree with @Iain, a Chipmunk would be fantastic! My father owns one and getting to fly him in it recently was a monumental occasion that I'd love to replicate in model form Denzil

I'll come back to these great points, Paul, but your post has me reflecting, yet again, on the vast array of differences in our tiny niche of a hobby. This time, the difference between those who want to build a SUBJECT as opposed who want to build a KIT. Both want to build models to the best of their ability and learn the skills, so there is no negativity directed at either, however I wonder if hoarding is more prevalent for the former, due to wanting to obtain that particular subject when its availiable. The rarer the subject/kit, the more likely it'll be purchased well before its likely to be built. Where as the latter is just happy to build kits, and most likely prefers more modern kits due to ease of build/accuracy/price/aftermarket options/buildreviews etc. As to your points, #1 strikes home. With every new kit, I know I daydream/mentally plannout the entire build, from start to finish. However, that mental build takes place in a vacuum, a faraway land where time stands still, and all builds are straightforward and without Interruption. We all know what the reality is Point #3 about availability is certainly a motivator. After the fall of WnW and the tragedy of Fisher Model and Pattern (among countless other long gone producers) FOMO is truly up there, especially when you want to built a particular subject, the FOMO can dramatically intensify! Great topic

Excellent work! More so, that it's in the smaller scale

I can assure you, it's not something I'd recommend striving for

Well said by all, and I think we're all bitten by the same bug. In an effort to attempt to hold back from simply buying everything that looked cool, (and in attempt to fit things in the cabinets) I've restrained myself to buying only specific topics in specific scales, and difficult to find/rare kits. Which hasn't worked at all to quash ridiculous amounts of buying, if anything now that purchases are subjects close to my heart, it makes them harder to part with every time a purge is considered. And, as can be attested on this very sight, my Build/Buy ration is somewhere in the realm of 1/100. So to build what I already have will take approximately the same time as the latent heat death of the sun, let alone what I'm yet to buy. And let's not mention the stash on the OTHER side of the planet... AND this isn't even taking into account the other time consuming hobbies. Totally a first-world problem, no doubt, but we're in in good company. And at least it keeps us off the streets! Denzil

Now availiable for order! John quoted £160 plus postage. Excited for mine to turn up!

That is a fantastic result, so crisp and clean! Excellent work

Brilliant, Alex, thankyou very much for sharing the pics!

Sublime as always, Peter! Thankyou for taking the time to document your process, it never gets old and it fans the flames of encouragement for having a go at it!!