LSP_Ray

Why do we need to choose one? I like to do some opened up, and some clean. That is why I am not dumping my Dragon P-51's. I will build those closed up.

Got my notice, too; good! Just left town for 4 weeks; bad.

For Graham, here is a test shot of the decal for 'Sweater Girl.' Also, masks should be on the way soon!

Nice review!

Beautiful work, Eric! If you cast them, throw 4 sets on the pile of stuff you are holding for me!!

In the history of Tamiya book Mr Tamiya himself states they came out with 1/35 as it was the size needed to be able to motorize their first tank kit, a Panther. I am suspicious of this though as Tamiya was very adamant about having models all to a same scale as he felt it showed the size differences and their first line, ships, were the first from a manufacturer to be of the same scale and not box scale. So why would he pick a new scale out of the blue when Airfix and Monogram had already started a 1/32 armor line? And 1/32 matched up with an architectural scale 3/8"=1'-0" so there were already diorama material out there for architectural models, not to mention many 54mm figures. Plus, if he really picked the size for a motor, wouldn't he have wanted it a bit larger in scale for future, smaller, armor such as PzIII or PzIV? My theory is the Tamiya 1/35 scale was an error, it was meant to be 1/32 but someone goofed and then they were 'stuck'. Later, when Tamiya got big, everyone else had to match or lose out as by then modelers were trying to keep to a single scale.

D'ohhh!!! I forgot to take into account shipping. And I suppose it wouldn't be cheaper to go and pick it up, either. Well, in my best Emily Litella voice, "Never mind!"

I just got another Glad I/II kit. Now I know how I am going to "Finnish" it!!!

As the title says, HLJ is starting a sale on aircraft kits. A highlight is the Trumpy P-47 Razorback at 40% off: http://www.hlj.com/product/TRP02262 Also a Trumpy Me262, F-14B, and some Roden WWI kits.

The F4u-4 cowl is a totally different animal. I am not sure how bad the Trumpy cowl is. I know the cowl flaps are better modeled on the -4 kit.

Nothing new for a while.

Don't have the cowl to try, but as the master was partially based on the Revell cowl, it should work. FYI, the Revell cowl will fit on the Trumpy with a bit of work; the Revell cowl is the correct shape while the Trumpy gets smaller towards the nose for some reason.

JamesH has their ear, you might try a PM to him.

Very nice!!!

LOL!!!

Swwweeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!

I find a sealing clear coat tends to make light colored pastels or pigments disappear but dark pigments will get darker. Best way to find out is to do testing on an old model or scrap plastic that you have finished in a similar manner.

Wow! What a great set of decals! 50 options!!!!

Great post, Thierry! I got the Argentinian Dagger conversion kit, and agree, it is assume!

A2Zee's Alley Cat line has several conversions, including the Sea Mossie, Tse-Tse, Swedish J-30, and more: http://www.a2zeemodels.co.uk/alley-cat-aircraft-sets-124-scale-331-c.asp

Cool! Going to have to order some from you!

I got this message, too. It appears all the later PE and metal extras are delayed.

My take on the thread so far is that it has been ok. It has gone a bit off-topic in parts and on occasion teetered on becoming a Trumpy bashing thread but so far hasn't gotten out of hand. We are watching it, though.

Ok, gotcha.

Looks like there was. From wiki: "[edit]Mk VC and VC(trop) (types 349 and 352/6) As well as having most of the standard Mk V features this version had several important changes over the earlier Mk Vs, most of which were first tested on the Mk III. These included the re-stressed and strengthened fuselage structure and the new windscreen design, which was also used by some VBs. The VC also introduced the Type C or "Universal" wing along with the revised main undercarriage; the tops of these wings featured large, bulged fairings to provide clearance for the ammunition feed motors of two Hispano cannon. Later, because two cannon were seldom fitted, these fairings were later reduced in size to more streamlined shapes.[88][89] A deeper radiator fairing was fitted under the starboard wing and a larger oil cooler with a deeper, kinked air outlet was fitted underneath the port wing. In addition more armour plating was added, protecting the bottom of the pilot's seat and the wing ammunition boxes.[90] The first Spitfire modified to carry bombs was a Malta based VC, EP201, which was able to carry one 250 lb (110 kg) bomb under each wing. In a note to the Air Ministry Air Vice Marshal Keith Park wrote "[w]e designed the bomb gear so that there was no loss of performance when the bombs were dropped. Unlike the Hurricane bomb gear our Spitfire throws away all external fittings with the exception of a steel rib which protrudes less than one inch from the wing.[91]" One VC(trop) BP985 was modified by 103 MU as a high altitude fighter capable of intercepting the Ju 86P photo reconnaissance aircraft which were overflying Allied naval bases in Egypt. This aircraft was stripped of all unnecessary weight, including all armour plating and the Hispano cannon, while the compression ratio of the Merlin 46 was increased by modifying the cylinder block. A four bladed de Havilland propeller was fitted along with an "Aboukir" filter, a larger 9.5 gallon oil tank and extended wingtips.[92] The first Spitfires to be sent overseas in large numbers were Mk VCs; many of these were built as VC(trop)s. With the advent of the Mk IX to RAF service few of the Mk VC saw combat over Europe, with the majority of them being used either in North Africa and the Mediterranean or in the Far East." So, I guess the question is if there were changes between the Vc wing and the IXc wing, but I don't think so. If this is true, then all Tamiya would mainly have to do is change the power egg, which is a separate part on the Spit kit anyway.