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I have been modelling since 'Before Plastic' when balsa was the popular material. Thank heavens for modern technology!
My interest is aircraft; preferably 1/48 & 1/32 scale & mostly WWII ,1950's & '60's. I like a challenge & while a perfect kit is always welcome, some are just plain scary with all the intricately engineered parts' provided. It's a relief to get hold of something that requires some ingenuity but is cheap enough so that a mistake is unlikely to cause a financial disaster.
The Hornet is wearing a special commemorative set of markings for 77 Sqn when based near Darwin in late 1942 where the C.O, Flt Lt R.C.Cresswell recorded the squadron's first victory. The nose marking is a set of four flags; RAAF, [...]
Built back in 2004 or thereabouts, this was 'state of the art' then & remains a superlative kit in 2015. I recall a trouble-free build for the most part & my Hornisse has been on display ever since. I needed a break from my current [...]
The aerial defence of Malta is a saga by itself; no less is the story of the many & varied camouflage schemes applied during the conflict. Having already built the Vb, I wanted to do a Vc. This Vc represents BR246 which was delivered [...]
My inspiration for this model came from Brian Cauchi's book "Malta Spitfrie Vs - 1942: Their Colours & Markings" which I found of enormous help & in addition a real potential problem as the temptation is undoubtedly to [...]
Supplied from U.S.Navy stocks, these Bearcats saw combat service with the Armee de l'Air in what used to be French Indo-China from 1951. This model is the Academy kit, which came out around 2004, which is when I built it. This is [...]
As soon as I saw the advance notice I put in my order for this magnificent & much neglected model. It seems that most kit manufactures have forgotten about the 1950's & '60's so a Cougar was great news!
It arrived (of course) [...]
Representing Lt Cdr John T Blackburn's F4U-1A "Big Hog" as flown from Ondonga in November 1943 with VF-17.
The kit goes together beautifully, straight out of the box, as you'd expect from Tamiya.
I've built three so far with [...]
I've built quite a few Mustangs in my time (hasn't everybody?) but this remains one of my favourites. The only alterations I made were to the nose/spinner profile to ensure a smooth upper curve, which called for a little sanding of the [...]
The defence of Malta; what a stirring story. The only island to receive a George Cross & one of only two collective awards, in this case in April 1942, by King George VI which states:
"To honour her brave people, I award the [...]
This is the 'Jug' flown by Capt. Edward O. Fisher of the 377th. FS, 362nd. FG, in 1944.
The kit was built a few years ago but is still one of my favourites. Build was out of the box with Model Master Metalizer paints & Eagle Strike [...]
