LSP_Ray

Me too!!!

FYI, I got some of the first sets and these are SWEEEETT!!! A bit spendy, but sure upgrade the kit parts!!!

I agree, it is a very nice kit! I will try and get the review done ASAP.

Collectaire did a 1/32 L-39 a while ago. It is out of production, but they can be found once in awhile on eBay. It is one of their better kits (should do a review one of these days!).

Off the top of my head, Waldron did a set of Brit decals, http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/...item_num=WR2402, plus placards for Spit http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/...item_num=WR2415 , both of which appear to be in stock at Great Models.

Would Paul Fisher's Sea Fury rocket set work? Not sure how much the rocket design changed post-war. The Lodela special edition Beaufighter included a vac torpedo, that is the only one I am aware of.

Yes, as they are alluding, it is a major change. Cowl is different, engine is different, wings are different, armament arranged differently, fuselage is different, cockpit is different, canopy is different. It really is a new aircraft although it looks pretty much the same. The only thing that doesn't really change is the tail feathers and landing gear.

I think I forsee several skulls in my future...

Xtradecal are releasing some. Here is one of them: http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=X32010

Wow, looks great, Edward!!! It won't make the English version of TMM? Would love to read more about it (I am a subscriber)!

That is odd. They list the wingspan of the Ki-86 as smaller, yet total area as larger. That could only mean the wings are deeper. Yet, going by the pics and the profile you posted, the wings look pretty much exactly the same depth (I am looking at the leading and trailing edges in relation to the cockpits). So I am questioning whoever came up with the wing areas I guess. I definitely wouldn't worry about. If someone asks, tell them to prove it!

If 2" is all we are dealing with, I would just forget it. That is 1/16" in 1/32nd scale. Or just sand the wingtips down 1/32" each end if you are really worried about it. Could very well be variance in manufacturing. Remember Japanese manufacturing of the time was all basically hand-made one-by-one construction, so you could expect some variation from plane to plane. You know, the Jungmann was one a/c I was going to pass on in 1/32nd, but that profile in Japanese markings is pretty cool! I might have to pick one up if I ever see a good deal.

Here is a shot of a Jungmann from about the same angle: It almost looks to me like they might have extended the wings outside the struts. The different angles of attack from the camera may have something to do with it, but it seems to appear there is added length there.

Assuming you don't want to spend $100 on the Tamiya kit, I saw on HobbyLinkJapan that Doyusha is re-releasing their A6M2. http://www.hlj.com/hljlist2/?Maker1=DYS&am...fb=0&nc=699 Looks like it will be in the $36 to $40 range retail. I know it is nowhere near the Tamiya kit, but with some work in the cockpit and wheelwells - oh yeah, Rufe: guess wheel wells aren't a problem - it can be made into a pretty nice kit. I know I have one in my stash I was going to use Umi Resin on to create a A6M3 clipped wing bird. Oh, and if you want some better pics and/or dimensions, let me know and I will get them for you.

David, here is a couple of pics of the MDC conversion vs. the Tamiya A6M2 kit: The MDC part is about 1/8" taller and a bit deeper. Hope that is what you were looking for. BTW, concerning the photo, don't know how much you can gleen from it. The farther plane may be banking slightly away from the camera so you are looking at it a little more 'square' than the one in front. That would make the tail appear wider and therefore in proportion appear a little shorter than the one in front. You might be able to work it out taking dimensions off the photo and checking proportions, but it is definitely tricky when you are working with foreshortening and lens distortions of objects that are not square to the lens.

Looks great, Jon!!! FYI, although you can add me to the list of those who would buy a resin kit from your Shinden master, I would like to point out there may be another kit of this aircraft released in the future, by HPH who did the Avia B534. They at one time were planning on both the prop and jet versions of the aircraft. The prop version shows as a future item on the DMC/coopersmodels website: http://www.coopersmodels.com/page/page/5227919.htm . Of course, we are still waiting on the L-29 so how knows what happens in the future. I am sure yours would be more affordable, however, and like I said I would be inline for a copy! Just thought you should know about the 'competition.'

IIRC, we had this same discussion shortly after the MDC conversion came out. At that time it was also determined the vertical stabilizer and rudder was larger. I will have to pull out my set and look at it now.

Interesting!!! I use Humbrol Matte Cote and it is so matte I mix it 50/50 with Satin and still get a near dead-matte finish when I am looking for a little satin to it!!!

According to the Windsock special issue on the Wingnut's kits, there is planned on a 'deluxe' version of the different kits to be released some time in the future, which is planned on containing a more extensive PE set, plus ground figures. I am assuming those little extras on the sprues may be there for that reason. I am surprised the 'deluxe' versions didn't come out first. They would have been at a higher price due to the extras, but they would have caught the initial excitement and buying flurry with what should have been a more profitable package. Maybe the figures weren't ready yet? Supposedly they are also working on producing an injected molded set of turnbuckles, two types, to help with rigging also. And they will be releasing separately all their sheets of lozenge camo eventually. I really do recommend the Windsock special. It has build-ups of all 4 kits which I think will be of great help. It can be found here.

Looking good, Kev!!!

One of the more recent types of elastic line in use now is EZ Line which does have a flat profile, so if you can manage to keep it from twisting, should be rather realistic. You can also get it in charcoal grey so it doesn't need painting.

Cutting Edge also did a resin conversion set for the X-1E. We were promised a new resin cockpit later, but then they went out of business.

WEM does a very quick service to the US (I am in the US also). Their aircraft paints are pretty thin - although I thin them further for airbrushing. The paint goes down like silk! They also dry semi-gloss, requiring very little additional gloss for decals. Some don't bother with the gloss coat over them, though I typically do. I also use an Iwata - it is a very, very nice airbrush!!!

You might also try White Ensign Models paint, an enamel, that I think is made by the same people as Xtracolor. I like it, and their colors are supposed to be based on recent research and seem to be quite accurate: http://www.whiteensignmodels.com/acatalog/...amp;CatalogBody

They did the J.1, how about a Junkers D.1 so I don't have to try and do it?