Kahunaminor

Absolutely brilliant!

Good to see this back at the fore Kev, I enjoy the journey.

Oooh….this looks interesting!

Shapeways has been revived as per this press release: https://www.shapeways.com/presscorner/shapeways-comes-home-to-trusted-management-and-founding-visionaries There is still some work to do but apparently seeking to restart the shop.

Great stuff John, I may (eventually) steal that idea! Regards, Kent

Congrats on another exemplary build John. I always enjoy your work. Regards, Kent

Simply excellent Mal, So much good stuff here. Your attention to detail (no doubt reinforced by your feline supervisor) merely makes the build shine. Thanks for sharing. Regards, Kent

Once you have settled on the belts, I have had success by leaving the PE on the fret, preparing the belt material (giving it a scrunch between thumb and forefinger or rolling it lightly into a ball) and then passing the belt material through the respective PE piece, securing it and then removing the PE from the fret. Regards, Kent

As the single float version has the float amidships on the fuselage, the HPH kit is not suitable. I can dig mine out if you need some further information. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/hph-models-32004r-ships-catapult--121245

Still looking the goods John. The two pieces you have plugged those holes with are the correct ones. I found the same with my Mk. XVI when it was on the bench. IIRC Tamiya doesn’t mention them but the answer came from the interweb, so it must be correct. Regards, Kent

Excellent work John, Is that the Mark VI tape driven resin exhaust holder? A rare find indeed! Regards, Kent

“I've read that the Eduard decals have a weird feature. Apparently the clear carrier film can be removed, leaving only the decal pigment on the model. The instructions make no mention of this so it may be unintentional on Eduard's part but I wanted to check this feature out.” John, the apparent secret with the Eduard “peelable” decals is to wait, after application, preferably a minimum of six hours (I left my last try for 8 to overnight be longer) and then peel them. It was my first go and I had no issues. Maybe just for next time. Regards, Kent

Looking very good John. I am stealing the spare pin vise idea, brilliant in its sheer simplicity!

John, I have these and will post the instruction and some photos but maybe an answer to your issue? https://www.scalemates.com/kits/red-roo-models-rrr48155-wwii-raaf-60lb-rockets-tamiya-beaufighter-kit--960862 regards, Kent

Wow! Plenty to see and admire here. It will be earmarked for reference for my build but I couldn’t hope to reach the same level! Regards and thanks for sharing.

Bravo John, I enjoyed your journey through a not often trodden road. Excellent attention to detail and comprehensive step by step. Thanks again. Regards, Kent

Hi Matt, I don’t know if this will assist or be even a reasonable offer of advice at this point. You have some of the top minds already offered you their wisdom. I have a mate that swears by the use of a linen pad dipped in moderately warm to hot water and held firmly over the decal. Apparently the heat is sufficient to stretch the decal without causing an issue? No doubt test it first and I assume you would need to be wary of any splits in the decal so no moving the pad during application. Best of luck, Kent

Hello John, With the forecast demise of Infinity in the near future, I have recently been looking a little closer at the Val for myself. Having you build one now could be fortuitous for me but a disaster for my wallet! Watching with interest. Regards, Kent

John, The only Aero Detail Spitfire book I do not have. I do have Modellers Datafile Part 2 Griffon Powered Spitfires. I shall see what this reveals. watch your email! Regards Kent

Just an opportunity for you to make an enhanced version John! Great stuff. Regards, Kent

John, I know your preference is a closed canopy but if you can be swayed then please leave this one open! Great work. Kent

Hello John, Good to see another project on the go. You mentioned back on page 1 your wish for raised bezels on the Aires IP. Whilst not relevant now, are you aware of the below listed products from Airscale? Probably already on your radar (so to speak), but I thought I would point them out regardless as they may be of use at some later date. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/airscale-pe32-bez-instrument-bezels--158773 Regards, Kent

Just awesome John. Other superlatives fail me. Bravo. Regards,

Hello John, Really looking forward to seeing this come together. The Revell boxing of this aircraft was my first large scale foray back into the hobby in 2009. Regards, Kent

Excellent stuff John, I am very envious you can still work in the braille scale and make it look like 1/32! Regards and welcome back. Kent