Clunkmeister

One of my favorite builds ever. I completed this just in time for New Year’s Eve, and it was simply enjoyable. I was prouder of my Helldiver, simply for the challenges overcome, but this turned out awesome! “Ravin’ Rachael, of the 312th Bomb Group, 389th Squadron, Oct 1944 at Gusap, Papua New Guinea. 1/32 HKM A-20G with HGW seat belts, HAD 3D seat, Zotz PTO decals and masks, along with Brassin wheels. As always, the finishing touches in the cockpit are Barracuda placards, and we’ll go back and touch up the obvious sins shown here on the camera. Period photos show huge dust and dirt build up on the tail and rear fuselages of these PTO kites. Believe it or not, I may even dirty up the tail even a bit more. Some research will be needed on the rear crew bottom hatch. There is NO detail at all on the inside of that door, but for a dimple in each corner.

That’s GORGEOUS!

Hey, don’t single me out! I’m just one guy. Jim, Jeroen, Fran, Martin, Scott, they all make it work. Jim’s and Jeroen are the Internet and web guys, Fran’s the marketing guy, and Martin and Scott are the cops. I just sit back and watch. Th magic comes from them. And y’all make this place what it is! We have guys here pumping out more models in a month than I manage in a year

To start 2024 off right, here’s an old gem from around here from long, long ago, back before the days of cellphone cameras. Don’t mess with old ladies in Texas!

Yes, in 1/32, it’s a toss up between the HK A-20G and the Kotare Spitfire. Both are SUPERB kits. An honorable mention to the ZM FW 190A-4, simply because it’s not only the first mainstream short nose 190 ever, but is probably the best 190 kit of all time. Runner up honorable mention is the 1/24 Airfix Spitfire 9 In 1/48, take your pic: Airfix, in no particular order: Bucc, Sea King, or Gannett. All three are stunningly superb kits that are badly needed in a scale larger than 1/72, and beat of all, all three are FAA crates, which is easily my favorite Branch of Service to model. My thoughts on the year in general? Airfix has left the past firmly behind. WAY behind. HK has produced their best kit EVER, and Kotare, the new kid on the block, has come in swinging with their much needed and greatly appreciated early Spitfire trio Mk 1 early, Mk 1a mid, and Mk Vb. Truly a great year to be a large scale modeler!!!

Hey, I’m so incredibly anxious to put 2023 behind me in the rear view mirror!!! 2024 definitely can’t get any worse, can it?

Check it out and please set it up between each other. Everyone here is a WINNER

She got me one of those as well, for our nightstand. Our nieces are over all the time and I’m sick of having to either lock it up, or carry it in a shoulder rig when thdyre there. So this is a much better choice. Hiding them up high is no longer an option.

My wife got a David Yurman ring. We got cleaned out by a cleaning lady earlier in the year, and she lost almost everything. Then, instead of regular stuff like ammo or boots, I bought her this to keep the squirrels nervous. This thing is freaking INSANE fun. As for me? Not much, although I always ask for got socks and undergarments.

We’re already linked on FB, Jeroen, thanks! If it wasn’t for FB, I’d never be able to keep up with my kids, and the craziness in their lives.

I’m going to kick in one more: the 1/48 Tamiya F-35B

Beautiful kit! I’ve seen it built, and it builds up GREAT

Heck YEAH!

Kotare package held at Customs for 3 weeks and finally released for delivery! I assume it’s simply due to the over abundance of packages coming and going. Has anyone else encountered this lately?

Yes it sure is. Especially when the offending picture was put up for informational purposes only.

I'd think Santa would be happy with a clapped out Cessna 180 running on 5 cylinders and one dead mag , as long as it kept the wind off his face and the heater worked.

Nice!

WTF! That’s crazy!

Looking GREAT, Carl! I’m wondering if there’s more than a handful of these kits in all of North America that were built in something OTHER than an RCN scheme of some shape or form.

The reason for the kit addition and minimum posts were to stop the freeloaders showing up in November and leaving in January, never to be seen again until next November. And then contributing an empty glue tube and used Qtips as prizes.

OK guys, I reduced the number of posts needed to qualify, to 5. I can’t believe nobody’s entering!

Brother, I’m simply blown away by the realism your talent imparted on this kit. It’s positively brilliant! The builders tag, the air cleaner, the operator,…. It’s flippin’ insane, man! I LOVE IT! Even the correct shade of Cat yellow! NICE, and an OUTSTANDING build!

Thanks, Peter! It’s maddening, but expected. We’ll deal with it, to the point of buying a sprue if needed.

Well, it’s been a journey! I have a bit of work to do underneath regarding grime and grunge, plus the formation lights, but I’m almost ready to call this one done. Except for the bomb bay doors. They’ve grown a pair of legs, but will show up. Sorry for the dust, especially on the glass. Trust me, it’s not overspray, just dust. Remember, these are just some quick snaps. I’m overall quite happy with how she’s turning out.

6 bladed tail rotor. Westland air filters, TWO types of main bladed, extended or folded main and tail option, Westland sponsons, two options on British search radars and fixtures, AND a civilian Heli Operations of Dorset option, circa 2022. I’m simply blown away, and I’m NOT a 1/48 guy, although this model will be close to the size of that 1/35 Blackhawk.