James H

1:32 F-86K “Sabre Dog” Kitty Hawk Catalogue # KH32008 The F-86D, and subsequently the ‘K’ version, was a major redesign of the F-86 Sabre that performed with distinction in the skies over Korea in the early 1950s. This redesign, although at first looks, is most definitely ‘Sabre’ in design, was more or less an entirely new, uprated airframe, being greater in length than its forebear, due to its larger afterburner. The nose shape was quite distinctive too, with its radome and pinched-in intake, perhaps giving a slightly canine appearance to the aircraft. The type’s original designation of F-95A, for political reasons, was changed to F-86D, in a cynical plot to gain the type more support if it was seen by Congress to be a development of an existing machine, and not a new type, which is mostly was. Unlike the F-86, which was fitted with six Browning machine guns, the new ‘Sabre Dog’ had no such armament. Machine guns were ditched in favour of a retractable rocket tray that sat below the cockpit section of the forward fuselage. This rocket tray carried 24 x 2.75 inch ‘Mighty Mouse’ FFAR rockets, and the developmental version of the new Super Sabre, the YF-95, was actually designed around the carrying of this new weapon. Whereas the original F-86 Sabre was generally classed as subsonic, the new F-86D was classed as transonic, although to be fair, the original Sabre was also within the window of performance that was classed as transonic too. Development of the new ‘D’ variant was begun not long after the Sabre project itself, with the two types having their maiden flights only within two years of each other. The North American F-86D ‘Sabre Dog’ first took to the air in 1949, and entered service in 1951. Pilots tended to find the new machine a little sensitive on the stick, and take-off/landings took some getting used to, with the landing distance being higher than was preferred. Problems with electronic fuel control system also dogged the ‘Dog’, as did crashes that were attributed to engine problems. Despite these issues, the F-86D was successful enough to attract the attention of foreign purchasers. The F-86K, the subject of this kit, was the export (NATO) version of the F-86D, and differed in a number of ways from the US-operated type. Firstly, the retractable rocket tray was deleted in favour of the re-introduction of guns, with there being 4 x 20mm M24A1 cannon fitted into the forward fuselage cheeks, as was the machine gun setup on the original F-86. A fire control system was also installed, helping the pilot with target elimination accuracy. Other changes over the ‘D’ included an extended wingspan and a longer fuselage. The latter was due to the centre of gravity needing to be reinstated after the installation of the cannon, and the differential in weight between this and the rocket installation, meant that an 8 inch plug was introduced to the forward fuselage in order to retain the original centre of gravity. The F-86K was introduced into service in 1955, and around 340 were built, with the initial machines constructed by North American, and the remainder assembled by Fiat. The kit This is a first for me, as until this kit landed on my doorstep, I’ve never actually looked at a Kitty Hawk release. I’ve seen plenty written about them, and a fair few finished models completed, mostly from their 1:48 range. As a result, this was quite an exciting package for me. This one arrived in treble-quick time from Kitty Hawk in the US (at current time of writing, not yet available here in the UK), and the first thing that hit me was how attractive the package actually is. Fairly muted colours overall, but beautifully presented. A Luftwaffe operated F-86K adorns the lid top, and ends, with the FIVE colour schemes occupying the other lid sides. Interestingly, one of these is for an American machine, yet the F-86K was an export type. Spending an hour looking through reference shows this may have been an ‘L’. Not a problem to me though, as I’m in it for the Luftwaffe wings! As I have already alluded to, this is my first KH kit, so I can’t really draw any comparisons with the earlier F-86D release, other than I can glean from internet photos and previous reviews. Therefore, I can’t compare physical dimensions between this and the earlier release. I do welcome anyone who can provide me with comparison overlaid images. This kit contains SEVEN light grey sprues and a single clear sprue. The latter is packed within its own box, to protect it further from the rigors of bumping, banging and clumsy handling, whilst the majority of the kit has its sprues individually bagged, apart from one bag that contains two sprues. In the bottom of the box lie the instruction manual, two decal sheets and a small fret of photo-etch parts. There is a label on all sprues that tells you what kit the parts are designed for. On this release, they all say F-86K, but I do know that there are sprues on the previous F-86D release that are also labelled as ‘K’. From that, my sleuthing tells me that this release contains two sprues that are different to the original release, namely the wing and forward fuselage sprues. The remainder appear to be identical. SPRUE A Wings! This sprue, new to this release, contains just four parts, namely the upper and lower wing panels. The leading edge slat is a separate part, and Kitty Hawk have incorporated the actuators integrally to the upper wing panel, which then also slightly sit through notches on the lower panels. Their appearance, along with the other detail in this area, looks entirely convincing and is beautifully engraved. General surface detail is also extremely fine, with narrow panel lines and rows of rivets that look perfect for this scale, not being too pronounced or understated. On the undersides, a little moulded detail can be seen pertaining to the roof of the main gear wells. This looks perhaps a little weak, but I won’t be able to tell until I see how it looks when built up with the surrounding detail. SPRUE B Apart from the pitot tube, this sprue concerns itself solely with moving flying surface parts. Here you can see the leading edge slats that are suitably thin, superbly riveted and look fantastic! Landing flaps and ailerons are included here, and are both moulded as upper and lower halves, again with subtle riveting and panel line/access port detail. Where possible, sprue gate attachment points are on the joint faces and not on the detail surfaces. This is an approach I’m seeing more of, and that I prefer. SPRUE C Another new sprue, and when you look at what it contains, you’ll see why. The F-86D had only a retractable rocket tray for armament, and as this was fitted with cannon, the fuselage halves now have an aperture for the installation of these weapons. There are also a number of other differences from the previous release, such as panel line changes and the position of openings etc. Of course, the fuselage parts are for the forward section only, with the rear section being on a different sprue. I am very impressed with the recreation of the external detail. I know I’ve already mentioned the fine riveting, but I really do think KH has got this pitched perfectly, along with filigree engraved detail such as panel lines and ports. A number of intake ports are also moulded ‘open’, and just need a little clean up to make them look perfect. Weapons bay doors are also as fine, with their own fine louvre detail, moulded as proper openings. Another new part on this sprue is the lower, forward nose part that contains the opening for the nose gear. The previous release had the rocket tray opening in this area, and here it’s replaced with some excellent panel line and louvre detail. The majority of the remaining parts here are concerned with the cannon weapon bays. These are pretty complicated, with not only the weapons to install, but the cabinet itself and the ammunition feeds and containers also need putting together. Normally, I’d expect to find a box-like structure into which you fit the guns etc. so this multipart assembly for the box itself is quite surprising. However, the levels of detail within would sort of indicate the designer’s rationale here. Of particular note here are the twisted ammunition feeds. They really do look great! SPRUE D If you like a high parts count and component breakdown, then the General Electric J47 engine will really help to satisfy your needs. There is no doubt that the final result will be every bit as impressive as the sheer number of parts here. By estimation, the engine has well over 50 parts! This is broken down into multipart combustion chambers, exhaust tunnel, ancillary equipment and the bulkheads at the fuselage joint area. I would perhaps think that all you may need to add here are a few lengths of wire for plumbing etc. What’s really a shame is that you aren’t going to see most of this unless you find a way of cutting various panels away. The design of the kit does also dictate that you’ll need to put the majority of the main engine components in place for everything to assemble the way that it was designed. Still, it’s an impressive inclusion. Two nose wheel options are supplied here, moulded alongside the nose wheel strut. One thing I have notice here is that KH has used some external ejection pin tabs, which is good, and there are a number of ejection pin towers that need cropping from the internal areas of parts, such as those inside the combustion chamber halves. SPRUE E This is a general detail sprue that contains parts for the cockpit, engine (yes more parts!), radome, etc. As a cockpit lover who likes to see a busy, well-designed pit as the basis for a good project, I’m certainly more than happy with what I see here. The cockpit tub and side consoles are moulded separately, which of course leaves the way open for the aftermarket guys, but what I see moulded is certainly not disappointing. Detail is sharp, fine and certainly worthy of use, even if you like to add PE and resin. Instrument panel detail is also extremely fine, with blank instrument faces that are perfect for adding individual decals. Kitty actually supplies both instrument panel and console decals as complete items. I’m always really wary of this approach as you’ll need so much decal setting solution to make them conform, and I imagine they’d look a little false. You can punch out the individual instruments, or perhaps use something from Airscale’s expansive range. The pilot seat is also superbly retro in appearance, and from the instructions and parts appearance, I can’t see any reason to replace it. Note also on this sprue the fuselage airbrakes, with excellent detail both internally and externally. SPRUE F This sprue was common to the previous release also, and contains, amongst other parts, the rear fuselage halves. I really don’t know if this section is supposed to be removable, but if so, there is no internal constructional detail inside, so it may be useful to fit this permanently, unless you intend to add scratch detail. As with the forward fuselage, external detail is first class, with fine rivet and panel line detail, plus port and fastener detail. Note that the fin is moulded separately too, with a separate rudder. Horizontal tail surfaces also exhibit that quality and style of detail, including some rather nice vortex generator detail. I don’t know whether there will be any PE upgrades from aftermarket companies, but I would be more than happy with the Kitty Hawk representation. Lastly, you specific nose intake part and intake channels are included here, moulded as upper and lower halves. Integrally moulded to the lower, forward part is some of the nose wheel bay ceiling. The style is very similar to the relief shown on the inside of the upper wing panels, for the main gear wells. SPRUE G Kitty Hawk has chosen to mould the parts for the main gear and gear wells on this sprue, which is predominantly the weapons/stores sprue. Wheel bay detail is pretty damn good, with neat side wall and ceiling detail, again only requiring a little lead wire to finish. Undercarriage legs are quite simple in appearance, and the wheels, moulded as halves with integral hubs, are provided in weighted format. Under-wing pylons are moulded here, and included are both drop tanks and Sidewinder missiles. SPRUE GP Packaged into a clear plastic sleeve, and then popped into its own box, the clear sprue is certainly protected properly. The main parts are the forward windscreen and main hood. Frame line definition is excellent, with fastener detail, and the non-clear portions are frosted too. These parts, and all others, are superbly clear, and perfectly moulded. General plastic observations There are small amounts of flash to be seen in places, but certainly nothing startling, but the mouldings themselves are excellent throughout. I can’t see any other flaws on my sample, such as sink marks, short-mouldings etc. and ejector pin marks are intelligently placed, or indeed, placed off the part, on a small tag. PHOTO ETCH This fret really is TINY! It includes parts for the seatbelts and airbrake areas. I do think the seatbelts look under-scale, and would look at Eduard’s options for these. DECALS These are sealed within a zip-lock sleeve, and are further protected by a glossy film that easily peels from them. Decals themselves have a gloss finish too, and feel a little thicker than mainstream ones that we see from the likes of Cartograf. I don’t know where these are printed, but the quality is still excellent, with good solid colour, fairly minimal carrier film, and of course, they are in prefect register. If your markings overlie the airbrakes, you will need to slice and dice them yourself as they aren’t provided as parts. Stencils are provided, and the markings themselves look great. Some utilise bands of clear carrier film to hold together various elements, so you will need to be careful when sliding them from the sheet and onto the model. The FIVE schemes supplied are: F-86K, JD352,3, JG 74, Neuburg der Donau, 1964 (Luftwaffe) F-86K, E.C.T.T. 1/13, Colmar, 1957 (Armee de l'Air) F-86K, XII Gruppo/36° Stormo, (Italian Air Force) F-86K, Royal Norwegian Air Force F-86L, 3556th CCTSQDN, Perin AFB, Texas, 1960 (USAF) Note the USAF machine is an F-86L. This is not possible with this kit due to the lack of the rocket tray, and the fact that this kit has cannon included. Instructions Kitty Hawk’s instructions are printed as an 18 page manual, with foldout, colour profile sheets at both the start and end of the publication. Drawings within look a little retro, but pleasing to my eye, with black/white line drawings, with a little shading added here and there. Colour refs are given throughout in both Gunze and FS codes. Colour profiles look great, wit clear colour notation and decal placement indicators. Conclusion For my first Kitty Hawk release, I’m very impressed. This looks very buildable, and with engineering that doesn’t look too problematic, being both conventional in style and approach. The kit is every bit as detailed as I would now expect to see from modern toolings, and some great schemes are included too, in terms of national variety. I’m not great with NMF finishes, so no doubt, I’ll be going Luftwaffe with this. This kit really does scream to be built, and as soon as my current project is complete, this will be on the bench. Highly recommended My sincere thanks to Glen at Kitty Hawk Models for sending this over for us to take a look at. Watch out for a build of this in the not too distant future, within the pages of Military Illustrated Modeller. Please check out your local online retailer for the release of this kit. I suspect it to retail for between £50 and £60 in the UK, when comparing to the F-86D.

That's fantastic! Now, off for bacon....

Hi guys and gals, This year, HK Models and Large Scale Modeller will have their own stall at Scale Model World. Last year we shared the Pocketbond stall, which made things awkward for us to talk to modellers and display our stuff. After all, Pocketbond was retailing at the time. This year, you'll find us at Hall 3 (tables 3006/7), against the wall area. We'll be near Barracuda and Master Model, and look forward to seeing you there. We won't be retailing, but we will have the prototype Lanc on display, a test shot of the two-stage Merlin-engine Mosquito, as well as cutaways of the the HK range, plus completed models from magazines, box art photos and some gorgeous work from Jeroen Veen and Les Venus. There will be an opportunity to tell us what you want to see HK release, and all suggestions will be banked for reference. ***PRIZE ALERT*** This year, HK Models will offer a prize of a kit to our favourite HK Models completed model from the various club stands, SIG tables etc. This won't extend to the actual competition tables, as that would be unfair. I'll be judging this along with Neil Yan, and the prize will be announced at the HK Models stall on early Sunday afternoon. Come and visit us. I'll be there along with Neil Yan, Jeroen Peters, Cees Broere, Dave 'WNW' Johnson, Ben Summerfield, Grant from Arrow Wolf Models, and Colin Forbes Catch you there!

Progress with this one? I have the F-86K here, under review.

No, that was just a bullshit idea to use as an excuse to paint lots of Bavarian colours

I've pretty much been in the modelling doldrums for a few months. The old story is to build something OOB, with no resin or the usual stuff we sometimes aimlessly add. That was my aim, so I had to build a model that looked great OOB, and one I wouldn't be tempted into adding stuff as I went. There was only one option for me: ZM's Horten Ho 229 kit. This kit is the dog's danglies. First of all, it's an engineering marvel. It looks complicated, but it actually fairly simple. It also fits so precisely that you have to build it to experience it. An amazing model of an amazing subject. It has it all....detailed engines, full interior, great cockpit. I even used the moulded seatbelts as it wouldn't have been any real improvement in adding any other. This is finished off in the fictitious colours of a Bavarian State Luftwaffe machine, working with the Allies against the remainder of Nazi Germany. The chequerboard Royal Bavarian colours and Imperial German markings signify that it isn't flown by Nazi Germany. Watch out for this one in Military Illustrated Modeller, published in a few weeks. Not one of my best efforts, but I'm happy with it, and it served its purpose.

That just looks superb. Attaboy! This is coming together so quickly, I really need to try and catch up this week.....and I will.

Welcome to LSM! Which Camel kit is it? Hasegawa did the wood and metal one a while ago, and this was followed by the plastic version.

These seats would have given me a headache. I'll follow your lead here Lovely work so far. Can't wait to start mine.

Damn, I WANT this kit! I'd love to do a Russian machine with Cyrillic graffiti all over. Looks like a great release. Nice sprue shots

Bloody hell! That's a great parts count and some serious detailing. I really wasn't that bothered about this release, but admit that it looks tempting. Nice review too

Noisy! I need to get a shift on and catch up.

Cheers! I want to build another of these, so I'll correct that when the time comes.

What colours you use, and wash? Noisy!

1:32 Bristol F.2b Fighter (Post War) Wingnut Wings Catalogue # 32060 Available from Wingnut Wings for $99.00 with FREE Worldwide Delivery This release isn’t entirely unexpected, as it was announced that Wingnut Wings were going to revisit the F.2b at sometime, and give silver wings fans something to be pleased about. Well, at long last, WNW stayed true to their word, and the very latest from Peter Jackson’s NZ-based model company, has landed here on my doorstep in the UK. Of course, there aren’t going to me massive changes between the original Brisfit kit, and the post-war version, but there are a number of key differences. The mailshot I received from WNW regarding this kit, states: "This is the long awaited follow up to our original First World War era 32004 1/32 Bristol F.2b Fighter model that we released in April 2009. The Bristol Fighter saw extensive service post war with the RAF and in Poland, Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands, Peru, Mexico, Canada, Greece and New Zealand. Post war modifications were numerous and included modified engine cowlings and radiator slats for improved cooling, longer exhaust manifolds, an auxiliary 'tropical' radiator, modified instrument board and a larger balanced rudder (as featured in this model). Some very late serving aircraft could also be found with variable pitch propellers, a larger horizontal tailplane and leading edge slats on the top wings (not included in our model). The Bristol Fighter was not withdrawn from RAF service until April 1932 and remained in Commonwealth service until it was retired by the NZPAF in 1936." 193 high quality injection moulded plastic parts. 34 part highly detailed 275hp Rolls Royce Falcon III engine. 19 all new plastic parts including late production engine cowlings, radiator shutters, instrument board plus optional fin, rudder, exhaust manifolds, spare wheel and auxiliary (tropical) radiator. 15 photo-etched metal detail parts. 28 page fully illustrated instruction manual. High quality Cartograf decals for 5 post WW1 aircraft The presentation of Wingnut Wings kits, is flawless, and this is every bit as eye-catching as previous releases. In fact, the Steve Anderson artwork on this is probably one of my favourites, depicting two F.2b aircraft flying over the pyramids and the Giza terrain in Egypt. You sort of feel that dusk is just setting in, and the image is certainly atmospheric. The five schemes are shown in profile on one of the box sides (and illustrated on the main artwork at the top of this page). Inside, we have EIGHT medium grey sprues, and one single clear one. All are individually bagged too, removing any real risk of parts being fouled and damaged. You’ll notice that is one more sprue than then original Bristol F.2b model kit. This is of course a newly-tooled sprue with the parts mentioned in the paragraph above, and specific to this release. The photo-etch fret, packed with the single, large decal sheet, is also a new addition, and different to the fret in the wartime F.2b release. SPRUE A Any model of this scale, with two open cockpits, is going to need a certain degree of detail, and here you will find a number of the parts that make up the cockpit areas. These include multipart fuel tank and pilot’s seat, gunner and pilot control columns, rudder pedal and mounting pedestal, grease pump, Vickers MG mount, instrument board mounting bulkhead w/ MG magazine, and also the instrument board itself. The latter needs to be consigned to the spares bin, as this release will benefit from a brand new and different part. It does pay to refer to the tips on the WNW site, especially when it comes to the wicker seat. This four part item will really benefit from a little thinning at the rear, which will open up the looser wicker weave area, and add a lot of visual interest to the part. A simple modification that improves this area, without the need to buy any aftermarket solution. A number of forward engine radiator cowl parts are included here, but you won’t use the open framework and louvered shutters. Again, there is a new, later forward radiator shutter part on the new sprue. Two sets of undercarriage V struts are included here, but only one pair is to be used. Please make sure you carefully remove the correct parts. These are the ones that have what appears to be a strengthening beam in the lower part of the ‘V’. There are a few other parts on this sprue, which you won’t use, including two spinner/prop hubcaps. SPRUE B The main players here are the fuselage halves. Despite the F.2b’s lack of any apparent stations within the fuselage, the remainder of the detail is almost filigree in nature, and extremely refined. Externally, this includes fine lacing, panel access, foot holes, and grommet lined holes for control cables. The leather trim around the pilot position is also integral. There is no real detail within the fuse, with this being solely associated with the cockpit tub. The only other parts to be used here are the cockpit floor that also forms the underside of the fuselage, two-blade airscrew, plus the small struts that hold the lower wing to the fuselage. The four-blade prop and engine cowls are all redundant here, and newly tooled parts will be used instead. SPRUE C This small, clear sprue contains the windscreen and the two upper wing, outboard Holt lights. Clarity is excellent. SPRUE D (x2) Typically, Sprue D contains parts for which opposites and duplicates are required, hence spreading them over two identical sprues. For this release, they contain elevators, inter-plane struts, bombs, machine guns, ammunition drums, and the wheels with their separate, outer hubs. The elevators look great, with their rib tapes and fastenings, and the inside of the wheel contains a few spokes and tyre inflation nipple that will be seen when the outer hub is fitted. Short exhausts are included here, but again, will NOT be used with this release. SPRUE E Yet again, ‘E’ is for ‘engine’, with the Rolls Royce Falcon I being broken down into over thirty separate parts. This particular engine builds up into a very busy looking model in its own right, with very fine detail including carburettor air intakes, oil and water pipes, magnetos and rear air filters. The only real seam removal here will be along the bottom of the engine block, and around the halves of each of the two six cylinder banks. I think that all that’s needed extra here is a little plumbing. This is well worth leaving the cowls off the model, in order to display it. SPRUE F There are two last cockpit parts here, namely the delicate side frames with intricate pipe and bracket detail. Apart from sprue gate attachments, there is no other clean-up to perform here, with ejector pin marks hidden on the reverse of the parts. The layout of the sprue is slightly different to what is shown in the manual, with the rudder having moved position so that it is moulded adjacent to the fixed fin. Both wing upper and lower centre sections are moulded here as upper/lower halves, and these, along with both sets of ailerons and the stabiliser, exhibit the same finesse in detail as the elevators we saw on Sprue D. SPRUE G Wings, wings, everywhere! Each of the upper and lower port and starboard panels is moulded as a single piece. These relatively thin, under-cambered wings are moulded with a highly realistic fabric surface, with rib strips and clean strut location points. These points are also given over to rigging holes. I would perhaps drill these a little deeper if you wish to use turnbuckles. Not too much deeper though, or you could break through to the other side! That fabric surface also displays the shorter, leading edge ribs. The effect is excellent. SPRUE I (NEW TOOL) Your post war F.2b will be defined by the parts on this new sprue. These new parts include two different lengths of long exhaust, a whole new set of cowls, a new set of later Mk.IV fin/rudder parts, instrument board, auxiliary radiator parts, and a Vickers gun barrel/blast tube. Plastic Summary I really can’t find any flash on any of these sprues, and seams are negligible. Sink marks are non-existent, and ejector pin marks are hidden. What more could you want! No defects whatsoever. Top drawer. PHOTO ETCH This is also a new fret, and not common to the original release. It contains lap belts, screen/stowage pockets, control cable link points, gunner seat strap, and Lewis gun elevation ratchet arms. Production is excellent, and to protect the fret, it’s packaged with the decal sheet. DECALS A single, large sheet is included, printed by Cartograf. Included here are not just the scheme markings, but a full set of stencils and munitions stripes. Instrument decals are also here. What I like about WNW is that they split their national markings where they overlap an aileron etc, They also have cut-outs that align with hinges etc. meaning that you really can’t get your markings in the wrong positions. Scheme ‘E” has options on marking position. As with pretty much anything ‘Cartograf’, production is excellent, with colours being both solid and authentic. Printing is also in perfect register, carrier film is minimal, and the decal printing is suitably thin. The five schemes are: Bristol F.2b Fighter Mk.II F4392 'B2', RAF, Aboukir Egypt, 1926. Bristol F.2b Fighter Mk.II F4435, 208 Sqn RAF, Ismailia Egypt, 1925. Bristol F.2b Fighter Mk.II J6647 'K', Gerard Combe, 31 Sqn RAF, Dardoni India, 1923. Bristol F.2b Fighter Mk.II '19', Irish Free State Air Corps, 1925. Bristol F.2b Fighter Mk.III 7122, New Zealand Permanent Air Force, 1930s. Instruction Manual This is a 27 page, A4 production with a classy satin finish. WNW use images of drawn appearance, in grey-scale, but with the use of blue ink to signify newly added parts. Some illustrations are shown in full colour so that painting references are nice and easy. Paint ref codes (Tamiya, Humbrol and FS) are given throughout assembly also. What makes WNW manuals really good, are the photographic references they supply. This one contains both period and contemporary images. A full set of rigging drawings are included, as are notes throughout construction, where internal rigging is required. The last pages are taken over with the scheme profiles, created by Ronny Bar, inclusive of scheme notes and images of the machines depicted. A goldmine of reference. Conclusion After the post war Snipe, I have to say that I’m growing quite fond of the silver wings releases from Wingnut Wings. Ok, ok, I know they aren’t all silver, with the Irish one in particular, being very appealing, but I think you get what I mean. Production is quality, and presentation is stylish. A beautifully detailed model that you can guarantee will have been meticulously researched by the WNW team, and with a set of killer schemes. Another ‘top score’ kit! Very highly recommended My sincere thanks to Wingnut Wings for the review sample shown here. To purchase directly, click THIS link.

Dammit!

Dammit! You started without me! Great start. How will you replace any raised rivet detail? Archer decals?

Dammit, I wish I'd had that book when I built my Ar 234. Looks a seriously nice title, and those renders look great.

Looks quite handsome in a postwar scheme too. Can't wait to see this one!

Hi folks, This has been under wraps for a couple of weeks since I was trying to tackle how to get back into the mood for modelling. Since moving house, I really couldn't be arsed with plastic, and enthusiasm was in fits and starts. To counter that, I pulled out the ZM Ho 299 kit and decided to build entirely OOB, with only a little lead wire for the cockpit, and instrument gauge decals from Airscale, as the ZM decals are dire. Airscale placard decals added too. Quite different when trying to paint something that is essentially a framework, but a real enjoyable kit, with near military precision fit. I'll post a small number of progress images here, but this will be for Military Illustrated Modeller magazine, where you'll see all photos and text.

The SIG will have a home here on LSM too, and we'll look at creating that over the weekend.

I really can't wait to see this! Thanks for sharing with us.

Beautiful start Laurent, and by the way, Happy Birthday!

Nice interview! We all know it's Dave who does most of the work there

1:48 Spitfire Mk.VIII, Eduard 1:32 F4U-1A, Tamiya