95 articles · 8.1K karma · 19 friends · active 2 months, 2 weeks ago

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.

Supermarine Attacker from Trumpeter in 1/48 scale

Still keen on the Fleet Air Arm; I've just finished one of Trumpeter's latest. The Attacker didn't quite make its mark as noticeably as the USN Banshee & Panther although similar in performance. The tailwheel undercarriage wasn't a [...]

Airfix Sabre Mk.4 in 1/72 scale

This is the first 1/72 scale model I've made since around 1990! I think Airfix are to be congratulated on producing such a fine kit. Our local IPMS club decided to do a 'Group Build' & we chose this scale & kit so as to keep the [...]

Hasegawa F 104S ASA M Starfighter in 1/48 scale

This issue started out as the German 'Bavarian' version until one of my modelling friends informed me that he had served in the Italian Air Force & had some spare decals for this version & intended to build one as well. I couldn't [...]

Tamiya’s Sea Harrier FRS.1 in 1/48 scale.

One of my favourite aircraft, the Sea Harrier; however the only kits in 1/48 are a bit dated, with raised panel lines & pretty much lacking in general detail. Since I rarely use after market products I resolved to fix the shortcomings [...]

Trumpeter MiG-15 in 1/32 scale

This one is an early (very early) Trumpeter release, generously given to me by a friend who chickened out when he opened the box. This is not intended to be unfair to Trumpeter, who have given us some superb kits, but like with any 'new [...]

Trumpeter's Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat in 1/32 scale

A good one from Grumman & Trumpeter. This scale does wonders for detail enthusiasts who choose to ignore failing eyesight! I was able to add a fair bit of extra work here; engine pushrods, hydraulic lines, fill in rivets, plumbing, [...]

SAAB A32A Lansen from Tarangus in 1/48 scale.

This is Tarangus' first model kit & I must say well worth building, especially if you want something a bit different. The Swedish aircraft industry is amazing. For such a small country to develop a succession of world class aircraft [...]

Tamiya Spitfire Mk.IX. 1/32nd. scale.

As much as I love Spitfires, this one took me rather a long time; six month, give or take & I completed a few others while I was having a break. Lovely detail & fit & absolutely spot on for shape & proportion. I kept the [...]

Tamiya/Italeri/Academy Spitfire XIVc in 1/48th scale

Since I belong to the NTAA Club (never throw anything away), I decided to kitbash a Spitfire XIVc a couple of years ago. There are bits of around 5 or 6 different kits in this model which amazingly all fitted pretty well. The nose is a cut [...]

Supermarine Seafang in 1/48 scale by Trumpeter

The subject of a fair bit of criticism, the Trumpeter Seafang & Spiteful nevertheless are well moulded, precise fitting kits that are deserving of some effort to do justice to. Mine is built taking on board some of the points raised by [...]