Derek B

Erwin, Good advice from Dave (Ironman1945). An easier way (if you do not have any vacforming facilities) is to use some scrap balsa (or better still, a wooden dowel) finished to the same size and shape as the turret trasnparency, and 'plunge mould' a piece of clear plastic with it through a suitable sized hole in some thick sheet balsa or plywood. You can then trim your moulding and fix it to a tube (representing the full size turret tube), which can be detailed before hand. This tube can be made to rotate in various ways. The kit cockpit windscreen and canopy can then be used as required. HTH Derek

Dave, Firstly, a very warm welcome to LSP. Second, Your scratchbuilt Westland Whirlwind is an inspiration to everyone (very similar to Alan Clarke's scratchbuilt 1/24th scale Whirlwind...maybe he was your original inspiration?). It is always nice to see someone 'have a go' at the dark side of modelling (scratchbuilding ). Perseverance is the key word, but the results are always very rewarding (and the amount you learn, both in terms of knowledge, and development of your modelling techniques and skills is, quite frankly, priceless!). A very impressive project already Dave, and I am sure that we shall all follow this one with a great deal of interest. Good luck and best regards Derek

Koala, I'm really glad that someone was generous enough to supply you with a replacement canopy for your P-38 (a very big hats off to Tim for that one ). It is just this type of generousity and support that makes this site so great, so well done all, and good luck with the rest of your P-38 build Koala. Cheers Derek

Hi Erwin, Very nice build so far. Your best one yet I think, and probably a great relief after your Defiant experience! My Defiant project is still on the books, but has been delayed because I am too busy with other projects at the moment, but it will happen, so stay tuned (and thanks for the bits). Best regards Derek

Amazing! Thanks for that Chris Derek

Chris, Those exhaust pipes look very convincing mate...Howd'ya paint them? Thanks Derek

That would be nice Larry, thanks. Regards Derek

Man, that dust goes straight to your brain...especially if it happens to be sawdust! ). Cheers Derek

Phil, Your Halifax is looking superb...it must be close to fuselage joining time soon! I'm with you on the Whitley...I also have this perverse liking for its lines (the 'original' flying tennis court I presume!). A 1/32 scale Whitley would look mighty impressive!!! (I already have my colour scheme sorted - the overall black night scheme - I just need some decent scale drawings to work from - can anyone help?). Good luck with the rest of the Halifax super build (ask the Nuns to administer some vallium - that should do the trick ). Best regards Derek

Nice work Chris...How did you apply your invasion stripes? Cheers Derek

Hi Guys, Following on from Brads request to Erwin, does anyone out there in LSP land have any decent plans (with fuselage cross sections) of the P-39/63 that can be scanned and sent to me please? (just gathering reference for future builds, so it would be very muchly appreciated if anyone can help). Many thanks Derek

Hi Erwin, Nice to see you 'Blitzkreiging' another model! It's looking very good. I used to make a fair few scale flying models back in the dark ages, and I used similar techniques myself. If this is anything to go by, your Defiant should come out very well indeed - well done. PS Hello Larry, nice to hear from you again. Cheers Derek

Nice review Chris. I have never been able get hold of (or afford) any Trumpeter kit, especially in 1/32 scale, but from what I have read here, the quality does seem somewhat variable. despite what I have read about them, I would still (hopefully) get the 1/24 Spitfire and Mustang, plus the 1/32 P-38 and P-40. Still, very strange about those horozontal stabilasers though... Cheers Derek

Hi Mike V, Good comments Mike. In my book, modellers are modellers, whether they class themselves as 'assemblers' or 'builders'! Like you (and many other modellers), I am fortunate enough to be able to do both (quite badly). My leaning tends to be more to the buiding side, however, this also has its drawbacks. Most modellers tend to either prefer building or finishing - a few are equally good at both. I find that as my experience and ability has increased on the building side over the years, my finishing skills have equally declined proportionally. modellers who may classify themselves as 'assemblers' have a distinct advantage here, as they can afford to spend less time on building and detailing the model, and more time on developing finishing techniques to a high level of perfection (something that I need to develop and work on). Cheers Derek

Hmmm...Initial impressions (and they do count)...As this is the only 1/24 P-40 in town, I shall probably buy one of these at some (distant) future date. VFS are staking a lot on this first release, along with the destiny of subsequent releases...I hope that the forthcoming P-47 is improved (I shall still probably buy more than one of those as well!). Derek

Ahmen to that RPB! Cheers Derek

Hi Michael (and Tony), Welcome to LSP. I also have just picked up a revell Beaufighter specifically for the purpose of converting it into a Mk.II, like Tony (so Tony, if you have any information and advice that you can pass my way, I would be very greatful to you). I also face the same issues as you (and Tony) with regards to detail parts (as Tony states, for now, but that may well change at some future point). I have currently resigned myself to a lot of scratch building and detailing from my own sources. Good luck to the both of you with your Beaufighter builds (mine will be some way off yet). Best regards Derek

Hi Menelaos, It definately looks, and captures the lines of the F-5B very well indeed - congratulations on an outstanding conversion Menelaos. It looks like the hard work has already been done, so I am sure that the finishing off phase is the least of your worries. Nice to see you 'back in the saddle' as it where. What next? Best regards and wishes Derek

Nice work on the cockpit detail Chris, mine is giving me some grief at the moment, as I am trying to represent the Mk.XVI (basically the same as the Mk.IX) cockpit, as converted from the Mk.V (of course, nothing is exactly the same, or in the right place ). I am following something similar to your methods, except I am utilising the kit parts and/or scratch building all of the other details (only the rudder pedals and seat straps will be PE). I am currently trying to figure out how to replace all if the fuselage formers and stringers in the cockpit, and represent the raised rivets around them. Once I have cracked that one (and made most of the internal parts), I shall post some more pictures. In the meantime, your Mk.II build is looking very good. Regards Derek

Sorry I missed those builds Erwin - they still look good. As for the Eindecker, I'm not sure what type of engine cowling you may have in the kit, but if you can fabricate it out of aluminium sheet, then with the use of a mini power drill and appropriate attachments, you can reproduce the plenished polished surface finish of the full size counterpart quite effectively. HTH. Good luck Derek

Hi Denie, I would be very grateful if you could copy the Defiant internal pictures to me as well, as I am ready to start my scratch built Defiant, and I am sure that they will be invaluable. Erwin, your Rumpler C-5 looks excellent, especially the riggining (not an easy task), and you built it so fast! As for your next project, would it be an SE-5A or a Neiuport bi-plane by any chance? Cheers Derek

Cheers Dan...I shall have to check his catalogue out Regards Derek

Chris/guys, Assuming that the above picture is a D-22-RE, then it will have the modified Curtiss-Electric 13ft 1 & 7/8in wide chord propelleor blades. Anyone out there know if such a beast is available in any other 1/32 scale kit, or as an after market accessory? Thanks Derek

Hi Chris, I'm still trying to get some more info' on this particular aircraft. Based off the drawings you sent me, I think that it is a P-47 D-22-RE (the propellor and spinner shape would suggest this). It may have some form of artwork or name, but if so, then the port wing is masking it (maybe somebody can identify which 82nd FS pilot this aircraft was assigned to?). I have enlarged part of the photo. At first, I thought that it may have been paint stripped off the cowling due to the airflow. But it seems to regular a shape for this, so I am now wondering if it is some kind of battle damage repair or cowling modification? (any thoughts?). Cheers Derek

Jay, wonderful model...the Avenger is quite nice as well Seriously, a wonderful model. I shall enjoy looking at it (along with Chris'es Messerscmitt) in the 'Whats new' section in due course. Cheers Derek