My Completions for the Year: The Class of 2020
This past year has been a very tough year for everyone. People being furloughed, or losing their jobs due to this pandemic. A lot of us found that we had a whole lot of free time on our hands. Not that is a great thing these days, but I'm trying to find a silver lining to this shite show.
I was fortunate to keep working during the shut downs, so my completed kits are a wee bit less than I was hoping for. Considering the alternative, I am very lucky.
First up is the Revell of Germany, 1:48 scale Ilyushin Il-2, "Stormovik". This is a re-pop of the Accurate Miniatures kit, and still a very fine model. This model represents a machine from an unidentified Soviet Air Unit, in Russia, 1942.
Next, is the fantastic Hasegawa Focke-Wulf Fw-190A-4 "Wurger". Beautiful kit and very well detailed inside and out. Only thing to watch, is the cowling which can be a tricky affair to get lined up correctly. Absolutely recommend it! Markings are those of Lt Eberhard von Burath of STAB, I, JGI, Deelen Holland during summer, 1943.
Number Three, is the Hobby Craft Morane-Saulnier Ms-406C. This is a really primitive model, old, but not terrible. It does lack detail, and the plastic is clunky, but everything does line up with a minimum of corrective measures to fix. I did use an old True Details cockpit I had saved, and some replacement gun barrels from Quick Boost to fix two of the more glaring goofs. I drilled out the exhausts and re positioned the upper tail plane struts. Markings are for French 'Ace' Pierre LeGloan, who shot down his first of eighteen total victories in it, on 23 November, 1939.
Fourth is Tamiya's amazing 1:48 scale Lockheed P-38G "Lightning". I could go on about terrific this kit is, but I know there has been a lot written about it already, and I would encourage y'all to poke around and research this kit. probably the closest to being a perfect airplane model kit as there ever was.
Markings are for the P-38G of Lt. Sidney W. Weatherford, 48th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, in North Africa, August 1943.
Five is Hasegawa's 1:48 scale, Aichi B7A2 Ryusei Kai, Attack Bomber (Grace). Another terrific model, that is part of the 'newer' releases that Hasegawa has produced. Only Buga-Boo I found that the canopy can not be posed open, and that's a shame because the cockpit is very well done, and it is hidden. Markings are for a "Grace" attached to the Yokosuka Naval Flying Group, Japan, 1945.
Last, is the awful Trumpeter Savoia-Marchetti SM-79. Terrible build, terrible model, and I would not recommend, period. Markings are for a machine of the 283rd Squadriglia, 130th Gruppo, Regia Aeronautica, based in Italy during July, 1942.
That' all I have for this year, and hoping to have a better output during 2021.
I hope everyone has a Happy Healthy and Safe New Years Day, and a really productive modeling year in 2021!
Very nice group Frederick
Thanks George!
Excellent results Freddie. "Liked" them all.
Thanks, Tom.
I hope you have a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
Question, when is the next book coming out? I know you sent a link earlier this year but I forgot to save it. "I Shall Run Wild" is a fantastic read so I'm waiting... 😉
Great collection, Frederick.
My personal favorites are the Il2 and SM79.
Wish you all the best for 2021
Thank you, John.
I kind of like that one too as I am a fan of the Accurate Miniatures kits anyway, so I am a little jaded. Aside from the P-38, of which there is no comparison, I liked the Fw-190 and the MS-406 the best.
Well done, Frederick!
Excellent models!
Thank you, Spiros!
Stunning stuff Frederick - all beautiful, but for me the Il2 just pips the Grace! Lovely work!
Thanks much, Paul. Happy New Year!
Superb work on all Ferderick. Gonna havta show me how you streaked the P-38.
Thank you William. We'll have to get together in the new year and I'll be happy to show you. Kind of a variation of the squiggle method, only the lines are straight in the direction of the airflow. Probably the same basic principle. Happy New Year Buddy! See you at the next meeting whenever the heck that'll be
Excellent collection and productivity Frederick, lets all hope 2020 is a better year. Happy holidays to you and your family.
Thanks Tom!
Starting on next years class
Great looking and quality finished models
Thank you Djordje
Nice Frederick.
Thank you Allan
A respectable line-up! Nicely done.