Well I don't have anything completed yet for 2017, I've only returned back to modeling in mid November, but I do have some items moving along. My initial efforts are focusing on getting back into the hobby, trying out a few new techniques and just having fun. I have the Airfix 1/48 Spitfire I in painting stage, trying out black basing for the first time. Then Monogram's 1/48 F-80 Shooting Star, going to use this as an experiment in black basing under aluminum finish. Panel lines were rescribed on this kit . Still a ways to go. Finally, 2 Gloster Gladiators (Roden 1/48 and Inpact 1/48) which will be displayed in flight as two of the Malta Sea Gladiators. The Inpact kit is getting a scratchbuilt cockpit (which will be more suggestive than accurate).

Looks like you are off to a good start welcome back!

Thanks Neil,

Special Black based version used only for night ops. Designed to confuse the enemy. Also to confuse the builder! 🙂

First attempt at black basing that so far is going so so. Kind of wish I had practiced on a cheaper model; because I've made many mistakes . I used Blue tack for masking but didn't overlap the brown color enough, so there are bits of black and white showing through. Then got the brown color completely wrong. Since this is the first build, I am going to continue as is and use this to test out some weathering ideas.

I apologize for the photo quality. I don't have anything but a phone camera right now.

Thanks Rob, I want to try and keep many in work so I can keep painting more often than the past, but I might be moving just a bit too quickly.

You may have been away from these, but you haven't lost your "touch!"

Hey Carl, first of all Happy New Year and welcome, your return back is quite ambitious and so far your getting it. The black basing technique is something that will work as you get more experience using it. I did it for the first time recently on the P-38E and the MiG-15 and it was ok, the blotchy affect shows for an aircraft in heavy use in theatre. I will continue to try the technique on future builds. But so far your off to a good start. Keep them coming.

Is the Inpact Gladiator a re-pop of the old Pyro/Lindberg kits? That was my first biplane and I really liked the kit and even though the interior left a little to be desired the exterior was very nice!

Inpact, Pyro, Lifelike, then Lindberg. Those molds have been around. Got my first one when I got back from Viet Nam, 1969. I am a fan. It would be nice if some kind person did some replacement decals for them, particularly the Bulldog and Flycatcher.