mozart

Well! I'm not at all sure I understand the point that the seemingly embittered Mr Krow is making but I can assure you all that the motives behind Kev creating the masks site, and mine for taking quite a lot of time and trouble to submit posts and "tutorials" there is entirely altruistic and without any form of prejudice. It doesn't bother me one iota whether people use the material or not, but if somebody finds any of it use then that makes it worthwhile. Max

https://www.scalemodelpaintmasks.com/index.php

....and the coincidence is that AJ617 is one that my father flew amongst many others, it was picked fairly randomly from his logbook.

There’s a difference between squadron codes and serial numbers, I can assure you that the AJ serial range was applied to many Harvards.

Thank you all for your kind comments, they are very much appreciated. I have an ambition to build a Mk I based on the KH kit though it will be quite a complicated build with many changes. Derek Buckmaster in Oz is working, albeit slowly, on a Wirraway so as this evolves I’m hoping to use some of his expertise and parts! That’s all a long way off though.

About 2 years ago the lovely Hubert generously sent me a KH kit of the T-6/Harvard. With a couple of slight diversions en route, the Harvard is now finished. It represents AJ617, one flown by my father on several occasions, but sadly I can't reconcile that serial number with the trainer number of 98 displayed so prominently on the wings and fuselage sides, so there's a bit of licence there. I know 98 is an older, ie early delivery, Harvard simply by virtue of its yellow colour and as such will likely be in the AJ range, later ones were NMF and EX coded. She is shown in these remarkable colour pictures leading a "balbo" of Harvards over Southern Rhodesian: and my attempt at re-creating AJ617: Thank you Hubert, you really are a good guy! Max

Truly amazing! Is this the one at Hendon in the entrance lobby? Max

Love the way the sun sparkles on the silver fuselage Hubert, very convincing! A real show-stopper. Max

Great stuff James! The guns and Peter's cockpit panels, including the engineer and navigator's panels are all a worthwhile improvement. Max

I've been re-decorating our kitchen for the past fortnight Ernst, it's a great incentive to get back to the bench!

That's a new one on me Cees. Max

The RAF used the Mk XIV bombsight not the "precision" Norden sight used by the Yanks. Max

I airbrush as much as possible but detail with a brush. When I was in Kyoto last year I discovered Bunseido brushes, just superb. I have a 5/0, 3/0 and 2/0. I'm trying to improve my figure painting skills and these brushes certainly help. Max

With my last build, a Bf110E I decided to use a black primer, I had a MIG one that I bought some time ago and was very pleasantly surprised how good it was, sprayed well, levelled nicely and dried quickly. The only slight downside is the thorough cleaning needed for the airbrush afterwards. Go to primer though is Tamiya rattlecan. Max

Thanks Peter, I actually joined LSM 4 years ago but haven't visited that often; James' Lancaster build is holding my attention right now and I guess will do for some time, but I have no axe to grind with LSP and it remains my modelling home.

I'm there Saturday. Max

That's a tough call Ade, I'm sorry to hear that. Max

I've read the "soft edges" comment as well James, it was made by one person only and not endorsed by anybody else so I don't think it's an issue at all. Personally I think it all looks b****y marvellous in the photos and, critically, you're the one with the plastic in your hands. Max

Yep, going on the Saturday!

Possibly, haven't really decided yet to be honest!

Dragon Bf110E recently completed: Max

Been here a while Phil but admittedly not posted that much......but wait til the Lanc comes out!!! Max

I've taken part in, and enjoyed several GBs when I was predominantly modelling in 1/48th scale on Britmodeller. There was usually a poll at the end to determine a winner, sometimes with a prize donated by a sponsor which I guess acts as an incentive to complete the build. A "contest bound" GB is a great idea, wide enough to interest most. Max

C'est la vie Harv........ Max

Sterling work there Cees (not Stirling!!!!!......wouldn't one of those be magnificent in 1/32nd!?). I'm glad you've said 1943ish for when the Lancaster windows "disappeared", I've talked to Harry Holmes about this issue but not even he can pin down an exact date, drawing or spec for it. Max