Bomarc

Hi Barry I had posted this info on the P-51 SIG, but for your viewing convenience, I'll re-post some of that here. The spinner used for the Hamilton Standard props (either with or without cuffs) sported a "figure eight" or "hour glass" shaped cutout for the blade shanks. Here's an illustration (the below comes from Charlie Neely's P-51 newsletter from days of lore, the info of which was obtained from the factory drawings): The Aero Products prop that was mounted on P-51K's had a plane of rotation almost 2 inches (1.8" per the factory drawings) forward of the Ham Std. units, necessitating a change in the style of shank cutout in the spinner. The Ham Std. units plane of rotation aligned with the "split" of the front and rear pieces of the spinner, the Aero Prop was forward of that split: The actual 1:1 article: And here's an in-flight shot of a "K". Note how far forward the prop seems in comparison to "B", "C", and "D" models: HTH

Hey! Dems fightin' words!!! Thanks Tomek, really appreciate it. Just too many external forces at play right now.....

'bout time....... Looks damn near perfect Tomek, well done!

Will there be a corresponding spinner released as well? The P-51 spinner used in conjunction with the Aero Prop is different than the spinner used with either the cuffed or uncuffed Hamilton Standard props. The Aero prop's plane of rotation is almost 2" forward of the Ham. Std. units, and the blade cutouts in the spinner reflect this. If interested, I did a quick summary of the differences here on the P-51 SIG (registration will be required if you're not already a member). HTH

Go, Tomek, go! I'm rootin' for you....

Looks great Tomek. While the camera highlights the print pattern of the kit's part vs. your smooth paint fix, I'm sure it looks fine when view up close and personal. Digital photography is a modeler's worse critic... Hey! That's my line!

Soon enough gentlmen.....

Thanks Derek. I was fascinated by the high altitude mission of the Mk XIX and wanted to portray as much of the technical details as I could on the model. The little air scoop below the left-hand engine exhaust for the pressurization blower, the air dryer behind the seat back, etc. Those bolts around the windscreen (and the aft framing behind the seat) spoke to me of the "pressure vessel" that was the cockpit. A very unique Spitfire version! Looking forward to the upcoming P-61 from Wingscale (which I believe you had a hand in with its development)!

Thanks for the kind word guys, much appreciated! I couldn't help but notice that I didn't get all the dust off the model before I shot the pics (some of those legendary camera skills at work again!). That's probably 1996 dust on there, vintage stuff!

Last four....

Some more.....

Here’s an “oldie-moldie” of mine that I thought I’d share, lest anyone think I build only in paper. I built this in 1996. At the time, while I had a pretty good film camera (a Pentax 35mm SLR), my picture taking skills were sorely lacking. With the advances in digital photography of today, I decided to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon to give this old chestnut a proper shoot. After all, if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s new to *you*…. The base kit is the old 1/32nd scale Hasegawa Mk V Spitfire, converted to the Mk XIX standard using a resin conversion kit from a long defunct company called PPM (which also did an Mk XIV kit as well). I bought the Mk XIX resin kit (as well as the generic Swedish decal markings from “Flying Colors Aerodecal”) in 1995 from a then fledging hobby concern that would set up a table and sell its wares during the monthly IPMS meetings held in Northern Virginia (NOVA Modelers) at the time, called “Meteor Productions” (wonder what happen to them….hmmmm?). Cockpit, landing gear, and wheel wells were all scratch built. I used Waldron British instruments and Spitfire cockpit placards in the cockpit, and Swedish language stencils were concocted (that’s being kind!) using clear decal film and a laser copier. Looking back, among my many Spitfire “noobie” errors, Mk XIX’s sold to Sweden had the 4-spoke wheel rims (blame that one on PPM), the wheel wells (and I think the struts too) should have been in PRU Blue as the rest of plane, and I didn’t paint the pilot’s seat in that “bake-lite” color that I always hear about (hanging head in shame). I’m much better with P-51’s….. I’m just going to throw the “keepers” pics out here sans photoshoping. Enjoy!

Thanks Carl, appreciate that! I fully understand, say no more (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, kno' what I mean....). You do know I finished the PBJ Mitchell as well over "there", yes? Now get back to work on the BB04. I want to see some more of that magic of yours.... Mike

Of course! I didn't clue into the musical (Heart) connection. Good thing you weren't listening to this when you were registering! It peaked my interest as you go by the more direct "Fred C." on the P-51 SIG. Best regards,

Ooh, pretty.... Would a sliver of sandpaper in between the rows as it turns on the Dremel help that? Sounds tedious, I know, but if it improves the look, maybe a "comb" of sandpaper would make the job easier. You only have to make five good ones after all.... Indeed, what did you use to take the picture, an electron microscope? I'm sure any perceived imperfections that show up on the molecular level will vanish to the naked eye, making my suggestion above superfluous. I refer you to my tag line below...