Anthony in NZ

Yep incredible build without a doubt! Thank you for sharing your skills. Cheers Anthony

Ian, what rivets are you going to use? I have Archer and HGW and cant decide. I have mucked about with Archer, but like the idea of using the HGW ones as they are very fine and uniform and when down don't have a carrier film, but I haven't used them. Cheers Anthony

Ha ha Barney....you took your time mate!! I have waiting for you to chime in on that one! Robin (the legend!) is doing one now...... Cheers Anthony

Now that is an awesome technique!! I wondered in the past how I could do this and have experimented a little with Mr Surfacer, this automotive primer idea looks to be better. Great effect Cheers Anthony

Oh my, this just gets better! Well done mate, words fail me. I was so excited about the prospect of an Auster last night I went through my factory drawings I am using on the rebuild and put some aside for when you are ready. Top work mate Cheers Anthony

Yes mate you can, they are externally identical. In fact Rob and I were just emailing each other about our engines as I am looking for a good rebuilder for my Gipsy at the moment. I cant wait to see what you do with an Auster! Cheers Anthony

Yep, I agree with Rob, looks like you put one in a shrinkerator 2000! Love the baffles especially. Cheers Anthony

Now that looks awesome! You certainly have made an impact here on LSP with your stunning workmanship. Cheers Anthony

Hiya Rod Yes you are correct. My Auster served with the RAF then RHKAAF in Kai Tak until 1971 when she was in a minor groundloop which grazed the port wingtip and whacked a couple of inches off each prop tip. Before she became HKG-4 her original RAF serial was WE552. That photo above is how I am going to finish her after the rebuild. I am putting her back to stock military config at about 1955. Thankfully she has never civilianised and retains a lot of her original military brackets etc. I am struggling to track down some old amber simulated day/night screens and goggles to fit back into her though. The dayglo stripes is a challenge, thankfully I have some good close up detailed colour pics of a wing off WE537(ex HK as well) so I can match sizes and colours. Loving what discussion this Chippie build has generated Robin! Cheers Anthony

Love the paintjob! I have to put Dayglo striped on my Auster. Thankfully they used tape so I wont have to spray it on....I hope! Dayglo is hopelessly unstable as a colour and quickly changed to a chalky white look. Here is a pic showing my machine in the later stripes. Sorry to go off topic about the paint Cheers Anthony

Great news! Time for Loic to get that later Corsair set out now!!! Cheers Anthony

Hi Robin Yes mate I have been well thanks! The Auster is coming along well. The real challenge has been locating all the original military gear to put back in. She was never civilianised or turned into a Terrier, but the parts are a challenge. Thankfully a lot of the original brackets for things like day/night amber panels etc and flare gun etc are still with her. She retired from the RHKAAF in 1971 after a groundloop and then it looks like she suffered at the hands of looters and vandals etc. You just let me know if you need any assistance as I have factory drawings and info that would be of use to you. I would LOVE to see a late T7 or AOP-6 Auster kitted, I reckon it would be quite popular as well. Cheers Anthony

Hey Boyd Yes mate there was. Paragon designs did some stuff. Check out the traders board, Dave (Moeggo) had some for sale. Cheers Anthony

Hey Robin, it is so nice to see you here on this forum! I still have your emails and photo's from our previous correspondence and was thinking I would like to catch up and see how you are doing. I absolutely love your models and find them very inspiring. I started to try and scratch a Jetranger after our emails but gave up...I don't know how you do it! As for the Chipmunk, I couldn't believe it was you again! That is just super. I am rebuilding an Auster T7 WE552 to fly again and would LOVE a kit of that in 32nd. After seeing a Chippie, it makes me hopeful it will one day be produced. Keep showing us your work, I am sure we all appreciate your skills! Cheers Anthony

Well mate, I have to say, I have so very much enjoyed following along on your build. Very inspiring indeed! I love your attention to detail and especially your painting.....very nice indeed. Thank you for taking the time to show us your workmanship. Cheers Anthony

Hiya Jan Do you do rib tapes in 1/32 scale British aircraft? I cant find any. Kind regards Anthony

Are you kidding me........of course it was worth it! Fantastic progress!!

Great to hear Juhana, but sorry to hear about your kit parts though. Cant wait for your next update. Cheers Anthony

Just got back from holiday and was keen to see an update! Great progress mate, love the paint effect. You are close to the finish line now. I have just been doing a slight stressed skin effect on my elevators the other day, but I am taking too long, wish I was at your stage. Cheers Anthony

Hey Peter, I am loving each update on this build. Do you mind, I have a question. What did you use for the attach straps for the hydraulic fluid tank? The reason I ask is that I like the straps/latches etc that you used and have a great application for them. Cheers Anthony

Great to see another update!! Brilliant progress, Cheers Anthony

Fantastic stuff mate! Awesome to have an update, and very awesome to have those Mossie pics posted up. Thanks for taking the time to do this, just brilliant Cheers Anthony

Awesome result on the paint finish! If I were you I would stay with that method, personally I prefer post shading, good job Cheers Anthony

Any progress Chris? Would love to see some more pics of the MAM FB-VI if at all possible Cheers Anthony

Thanks guys I really appreciate the encouragement, but.... You have heard the saying to STOP before you wreck something.... I decided that before I take the photo's I would paint it and show you guys how good it all came out so I could do a REALLY good update. Well, It started out ok, then went from bad to worse!!! Belynda kept telling me, put it down Anthony and look at it again tomorrow, but me being me and being somewhat pigheaded decided that I could 'sort it'. You know, she was right, darn it! I hate it when that happens. So now I gotta try and paintstrip this blasted centre consul and start it again. Trouble is that I am unsure what to strip it with as there is some acetate film in the panel simulating digital displays. Any thoughts???.....apart from putting it back in the box and finishing something else??? Oh and any ideas for simulating really tiny stenciling on cockpit placards? Cheers Anthony