smudger

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What more can I say.................... Happy modelling, Martin

OK, I can post piccies on my old laptop in the modellling den but not on the newer laptop. Time to check the IE versions running on these methinks. Happy modelling, Martin

The Dragon kit is fine & will make a nice P-51 when finished. The engine firewall & cockpit floor have huge gaps that need filling otherwise fit isnt too bad. Main weakpoint in my opinion is the very, very weak main landing gear legs due to having way too many parts to make them, definately buy AM main UC legs. Lot's were said about the rivets & yes they are very overdone but to be honest they don't look too bad under a coat or two of paint For $20-$30 a pop you really cant go wrong with Dragon but it is a frustarting build in a number of places. Happy modelling, Martin Here's some pics of mine built OOB:

I now have exactly the same issue over on Britmodeller as well if that helps. Martin

Hi guys, I've never had any problems posting images here etc but now when I paste the image url into the image properties dialog box provided by the LSP website but last few days I can't post any images. I add the URL, hit the ok button &.................................nothing, the dialog box just stays there. When I try to close the dialog box I get the message in another small window "some of the options have been changed. Are you sure to close the dialog", this is a message from the webpage & no my English grammar is not bad, that is the exact wording of the message I get. Only change on my end is a move to Bell internet from Rogers. Help me please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy modelling, Martin

Wow, how did I miss this, superb work Shepard mate. Happy modelling, Martin

Perfect, many thanks mate.

Does anyone have any pictures of a Mig-15 with the intake FOD covers fitted so I can scratch some? Even better does anyone make AM FOD covers for this model? I've done the usual Google searches & not found anything useful, found some old Meteor models post's from 2003 but that's about all. Thanks in advance & happy modelling Martin

Hey Brad, Cockpit went in very nicely, just a bit of sanding here & there as you'd expect I don't remember it giving me many issues at all mate. Happy modelling, Martin

Hey Tim, that looks like a ton of work you did................& did very well. For me the Sov will be more about a decent quality build rather than full on accuracy i.e. no obvious seams, decent, realistic weathered paintwork etc hopefully a model I'll be proud of at the end of it. I have the 1/72 Flower Class Corvette in the stash & for that one I will be trying for some improvement in kit accuracy in addition to a high quality build. I really, really want the 1/200 Missouri but too expensive for me at the moment lol. Happy modelling, Martin

Thanks very much for the offer Barney, much appreciated, but I'll leave it as it is mate & consider it a lesson learnt. Its not something that will bother me that much when I see it on my shelf. Happy modelling, Martin

Ha ha Barney, seriously, how did I not notice that, oh dear Thx for pointing that out, I'm actually intrigued now & will check the decal instructions when I get home from work as the orientation of the fuel filler decals on the instruction sheet is wrong as has been reliably pointed out to me & the text on that decal should follow the wing main spar angle, we live & learn every day folks. I said at the beginning its not entirely accurate, thats my excuse & I'm sticking to it guys & gals ;-) Happy modelling everyone, Martin

Hi Harv, Still lots to do such as lifeboats & deck fittings & of course the weathering on the hull but I'll post more pics as I progress. Happy modelling, Martin

Thx guys, I wish I could take pictures that accurately show the model, it looks a lot better in real life & recently took Gold medal in its class at the Ajax model show here in Ontario against some really stiff competition. How do you make a decent photo booth like some people have? Kev, you are welcome to publish any of my past, present or future builds on the website, you don't have to ask each time mate. Happy modelling everyone, Martin

OK all, first ship model well on the way...............I rushed it so lots of mistakes & they show but it was bought as a practise type of model. I'm to weather the hull based on the Mig Jimenez DVD on weathering German ships but any other tips on weathering ships are welcome. For the experienced ship builders on here please feel free to criticise as long as you can tell the right way to do it for my next build, the huge 1/200 Sovremenny. I'm really liking these ship models in 1/200 scale...............they are huge & really imposing & I really want to learn how to build & paint a good ship model. Here's a few piccies, remember she's only about 60% complete at this point Happy modelling, Martin

Hi everyone, Another enjoyable build but probably not fully accurate but hey, it looks like a Sabre :-) I used the Aries cockpit, wheelbays & air brakes & of course the decals bit I cant remember who made them, Leading Edge maybe???? No issues with anything on the build, it all went together pretty well, here's the piccies, Happy modelling everyone, Martin

Hi all, Took this out of the stash & just had a blast making the old thing. Used the MDC cockpit (which is really nice), Montex masks for painting all markings, completely re-scribed & then some basic ribbing added to the main wheelbays - not perfect by a long way but actually looks pretty good in real life, even if I say so myself :-) Happy modelling, Martin

Been a while since I've posted anything due to baby's arriving etc but I have managed a couple of builds & here's the first of them. Its the Hobbyboss Spitfire MkVb Trop built out of the box. Its a really nice kit & I enjoyed the build butb I've just treated myself to the Tamiya Spitfire MkVIII. I don't go into complete accuracy in my builds, I just have fun............... Happy modelling everyone Martin

Facebook is what it is, social media, a way for people or families to stay in touch if used sensibly. I have lots of family in my native Yorkshire including 2 grown up daughters along with my extended family & baby son here in Ontario so its a fantastic medium for us all to stay in touch, see pictures & videos from each other as my daughters always want videos of my son as he gets older.................for that purpose its fantastic & I would really miss it if it suddenly disappeared. For the sad sac's who post pictures of their every meals, invite me to play bloody silly games etc etc I say "get a god damn life". Happy modelling, Martin

Thx Jeff, you just confirmed what I was already thinking. I saw such fantastic ship models at a show recently including an absolutely amazing 1/72 Revell U boat. I will definitely look up Joe's article, any reference I get is helpful as I really want to make good job of this one. Happy modelling, Martin

Ship models have got my interest lately & I picked up the below kit for $40 at a local show recently. I'm just starting Trumpy's 1/200 Sovremenny & I have a question about the deck to hull seam....................what an impressive & big model this kit is :-) The kit is a 1 piece hull with the usual deck components that drop into a recess in the top of the hull, however, when you do that there is a 1mm step where the deck components go too deep in the recess in the hull. Should thus step be here or do I sand a smooth blend between the 2? This is only my 2nd ship model & I cant find a good picture to illustrate the area I would post pictures to illustrate but I lost my camera out on the mtn bike last weekend. My 1st ship model was the 1/200 Courageous & I added PE railings etc but it still wasn't that good, lol, so this will be my 2nd attempt before going huge with the 1/200 Bismarck & the 1/72 Flower Class Corvette. Thanks in advance everyone & happy modelling, Martin

I buy a lot of AM things from Model Hobbies in the UK. Their shipping rates to Canada are less than most of the US stores to Canada for the smaller stuff, resin sets etc. I only ever buy kits from local model shows now as I then save on shipping & the ridiculous Canadian taxes. A vendor at the recent Ajax show had the HK models 1/32 B-17 for $260 cash, same vendor had the 1/32 P-61 for $120 cash..................cant beat that. Hopefully this same vendor will be at the upcoming Hamilton show in early 2014. Happy modelling, Martin

Love it, now that's true road racing. Since my move to Canada a few years ago I really, really miss the trips to the Isle of Man & Ireland for the bike racing................and of course Oliver's Mount in Scarborough, in my native Yorkshire, the only racing circuit left in mainland England still using public roads. We would pack our backpacks a few times a year & head off on our bikes to Liverpool for the ferry....................& enjoy watching the races & riding the roads ourselves. Long may these races live as well........................despite the best efforts of the namby pamby's trying to put an end to it. Happy modelling, Martin

I personally don't think its that bad, I built it a few years ago in a natural metal & red scheme (its probably on LSP somewhere in the forums) & don't have many nightmares about it. Just started building another one with the AMS cockpit (nice bit of resin) & again my test fitting show its doable - I've definitely had worse fitting kits including some a lot newer than the Mig-15. Buy it, build it & enjoy................... it will take a little more work than a Tamiya Spitfire but we are modellers after all & that's what we do :-) Happy modelling, Martin

That sucks dude, highsides are the worst. I ALWAYS wear my leathers & helmet, I see the kids here in Ontario riding in T shirts & shorts, not good. I highsided in the Isle of Man, 2003 I think it was (just after the Gooseneck) & it wasn't even on Mad Sunday but I ended up ok................my lovely ZX-9R B4 not so good :-( Anyways, all the best mate & get well soon. Happy modelling, Martin