Artful69
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Posts posted by Artful69
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Ok … so just to confirm, according to this list … I will need six corrections sets…
I went looking for seatbelts and the Quinta stuff last night … ugh!! … I struggle enough with 32 scale - plus I don’t think I’m that pedantic really … I’ll see when the kits start arriving, but I’m thinking that the scale might be too small for that stuff. I’m pretty much a bang for buck guy and external shape issues are probably going to be more noticeable!
Does anyone have a link to a discussion somewhere where the fuse issue is discussed in detail with photos etc???
Rog
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2 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:
I haven't got any of the short nosed jets (C,D,J) but there's supposed to be a contour issue with the rear fuselage around the burner cans. Hypersonic Models makes a correction set for this which involves cutting out the relevant section and replacing it with resin parts.
To ZM's credit, they fixed this on the long nosed kits (E, EJ, G).
Other than that, I haven't heard of any other issues.
With the G coming out next, ZM has to tool up slatted wings so I imagine a late model E will follow that release. If you can't wait, Hypersonic Models makes a conversion kit with the slatted outer wings, flap actuators for the inner wings and other bits.
BNA Models carry Hypersonic.
Carl
Ok …
Copy that on the correction … I’ve found it on BNAs webstore and it’s only $24 so I’ll just order how many I need …
Question: Is the F-4S one of the kits needing a correction??
Rog
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1 hour ago, BlrwestSiR said:
Almost forgot, there are no seat belts in any of the kits. So you have to find some AM ones.
Wow!!! None at all??? … that’s a weird one - most kits have a seat part with moulded on ones and give you a seat option - with or without!! …. Also the correction part … I’ll look that up … So thanks for the heads up on both!
If they are anything like the 1/32 scale stuff, they should be heaps of fun to build.
Rog
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Ok … so
Now I have my 1/32 scale F-4E and EJ phantoms (a BIG thank you for anyone offering their assistance in that department btw). During my mission, the ZM kits kept popping up in my Google searches and as I began to admire the style of F-4 more and more … I thought - why not, eh???
I have a love for ZM kits in general and I have collected all of their 1/32 scale items, even though some of them are for subjects I would not normally purchase.
Now, Ive never built anything in dwarf scale before and so I’ve never looked at feedback regarding ZM’s 1/48 scale gear … in particular their Phantoms … so …
Can anyone here advise me as to any glaringly obvious issues with their F-4 series?? I’ve already ordered them all and I’m awaiting their arrival … I might also hunt down 48 scale issues 1 - 3 afterward … but I just need to know if there are any AM corrections required …
Rog
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I'm in Gaz ... I won't get a chance to build mine for a while - so I'll be living vicariously!
Rog
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4 minutes ago, harv said:
WOW buddy. Really sorry to hear about John though....harv
Yeah ... it really rankles that THAT particular condition happened to a person who is both THAT passionate about his craft - as well as THAT skilled!!
Rog
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Well ... It's been a hot minute ...
Last post was in April
Some very sad news earlier in the year with Ps.John of AIMS having to cease operations due to a very cruel and debilitating condition.
This made it pretty much the last chance to grab some AIMS gear for the Ju.88 kits I have in the stash ... which I did!
A very unloved (by the shipping companies) box arrived back in early June ...
Fortunately (due mainly to Johns diligence in packing the goods for the obviously rough ride!!) ... the contents remain in pristine condition.
And in conversions now, we have 1x Ju.188 A/D for the A-4 kit, 1x Ju.88G-6 for the A-4 kit and some replacement parts for a G-6 conversion to the old A-1 kit ... plus some Master gear for upgrades!
I have no idea as to where all this stuff goes or what parts are for which conversion - but I'm sure the CD will show me some when the time comes ... which is not yet ...
I've managed to collect a few resource books on Wehrmacht gear over the last year - I don't think I've been posting them though ... there's the elusive hardcover edition of the Tiger book still outstanding ... but Thomas Anderson (NOT - a program writer for a respectable software company that goes by the alias "Neo") writes some good material and seems to know his subject matter very well.
And then in July a box arrived ... with a long time wish was delivered ...
My favourite tank chassis in 1/16 scale ... the workhorse of the Panzer Divisions and a favourite of most crews ... the Panzer III ...
Ok - so it's not my absolute favourite which would be an Ausf.L, M or N ... but if someone (looking at you Trumpeter!!) would release a Pz.IV Ausf.F1 or D with "The Stump" 75mm - then I'm in business to create an N out of the coming Heller 4-in-1 kit. Once the Gecko Pz.II Ausf.F is released I'll have a comprehensive 1/16 set (thanks to the recent purchases below this post) ... And while the Hobby-Boss Tiger.I doesn't know which version it quite wants to be (early, mid or late) and isn't the BEST example (when compared to the super expensive Tamiya option) it IS, Bang-for-Buck, a better option especially with all the AM getting around now ... unless someone else has a GOOD one, for a reasonable price, in the works?!?!
So ... now were up to date with the older stuff ... we're into the recent acquisitions ...
Since the sale of my ute happened just over 2 weeks ago (raising deposit funds for my house and land deal!) I had to Uber it into to the shopping centre where my post office is ... and order an Uber XL for my return trip due to the package sizes!!
Opening the big box first ...
There was a couple of Academy 1/35 scale armour kits that I've been waiting to get my hands on ... Academy has come along a fair way in recent years and reviews of these two kits were good ... simple builds, no internals - but great external detail and accurate giving me 2 very good North African options ...
I bought the first release of the Takom StuG.III / StuH.42 ... I should have waited ... This early version of the StuH.42 - with the muzzle break - was what I was after ...
It doesn't come with metal barrels for the guns like the "Late" one did ... but I doubt it will make much of an issue with the barrel being slide moulded and so short anyway ...
Next was (aside from the still pending Gecko Pz.II F) the final link in the 1/16 chain ... a Pz.I ... and just to prove that no matter how long you've been researching stuff, there is ALWAYS something new to learn, During this exercise I found that there was VERY obvious differences between the Pz.Ia and Pz.Ib ... notably, the extra length in the chassis and the resulting extra road wheel!
... And finally, after a wait spanning eons (seemingly!) ... in its own little box of protection ... was this ...
... Except ... it's not a B.II ... because that would mean RADIAL engines, yes?? ... I think they mean either a B.I or a B.III surely??
Definitely a B Mk.I or III then!
Anyway ... before I bought it, I asked Frontline to open up the box and check the transparencies (knowing what an epic s*** show that was at the beginning of the release run!!) ... thankfully Border (probably realising this was a make or break moment for them) got onto the issue rather quickly - and my customer service rep advised that they had revised their boxing ... and added a separate box inside the kit to assist with protecting them. He checked them any way and left this note inside the box to prove it.
You'll note that in order to fit the protective box within the original kit box ... a whole bunch of sprues needed to be re-arranged, which in turn mean that they protrude about an inch or so above the bottom section of the kit box and so the box top will not completely close. Here's Border Models cunning little solution to that issue ...
A banner at the base of the kit box bottom!! Correctly marked B/Mk.I/III this time ...
And coming now, to the final package ...
I discovered a while back, while doing some research on the RAAF Mirage.III ... and some rather interesting reading on the delayed acquisition of the RAAF F.111 (geez I'd LOVE to get a 1/32 Aussie Pig!) ... that Australia "borrowed" (leased) some F-4 Phantoms as an interim sweetener ...
As until recently, I had never really had an interest for jets (excepting the end stages of WWII), I'd only ever looked at the F-4 in passing. But in deciding to build an RAAF one I've noticed how an incredibly interesting design it was ... leagues ahead of it's competition worldwide at the time it entered operational service, extremely versatile in a number of roles and with a 60+ year service history in multiple nations - some of which opposed each other in conflict!
Then came the research - which 1/32 Phantom to get? ... Thanks to the input of many who've gone before me - Tamiya was the wining candidate in the brand stakes, but getting the correct variant has proven a little tricky ... after a few hours researching the 'E' variant (and finding out that the Japanese 'EJ' variant is pretty much the same bird), then came the shopping ... It seemed that just about every available E/EJ variant going was asking drug money (due to the shortage of available kits!) ... I kept up my google searching, changing up the search parameters and playing around with various SKU's before finally finding one in a place in Japan called "Japan Figure" (specialising in figurines from various anime shows, Gundam etc). At just RRP plus DHL shipping (which is fairly inexpensive from there considering the sort of cost in USA for example) I managed to get this - still wrapped in plastic!!
So now I just need some GT resin gear (intakes and cans) along with some RAAF decals and 3D cockpit decoration.
There is more on the way ... but since it won't get here until after I fly back out to work ... I'll leave those stories for later
Rog
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I want to build an RAAF F4-E Phantom in 1/32 … apparently the Academy kit is the Revell plastic which is 💩
I can see Tamiya kits for sale but not the E (which I’ve been advised is OOP) …
is there any way to get a suitable E out of the Tamiya products available?? - or do I need to find an E from somewhere…
Rog
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5 hours ago, GazzaS said:
Are you still hoping to make a I out of that II, Rog?
Not really possible ... I can't do that without having access to the no-longer-available conversion set ... so no!
Rog
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Finally!!! ....
Waiting over 2 months for this package to arrive from Hong Kong ...
An Early Ki.43-II ...
And a couple of new Border Model Luchs
Rog
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Most of the rest of my orders arrived at the post office today ...
I was excited for one kit in particular ... but very soon deflated after opening the box it was packaged in ...
5 kits ordered out of Hong Kong ... and because of shipping restrictions all had to be packaged separately ... The package previously stuck in traffic also arrived ...
Tamiya kits are becoming almost prohibitively expensive here now ... so a bulk buy out of Hong Kong was the go ... even with Shipping costs and currency conversion fees added, I paid approximately $40 AUD LESS per kit than here in Australia ... The 1st 3 kits arrived undamaged ...
The Corsair packaging suffered a minor compression ... as can be seen in the top LH corner ...
But the kit that I was really looking forward to was compressed pretty badly
damaging some of the packaging inside ...
I've written them a complaint - after all - if this was a trade item or a gift for someone, the value has just dropped through the floor - not impressed!!
The delayed package ex-east carried the last 32 scale Hasegawa kit they had in stock ...
While - to fill out the order and get free shipping - I grabbed these 2 kits ...
Link and length tracks are provided for this New Tool Tamiya 38(t) ... thereby removing one of the only real flaws in Tamiya 35 scale kits as an option.
Detail is wonderful and the addition of a figure is always welcome.
Dragons latest effort ... A joint venture with a Japanese company Mono to provide Japanese instructions in a rebooted Dragon tooling - a long sought after kit for me ... a Marder III Ausf.H ... The kit contents include 3d printed resin grills, photo etch, metal gun barrel as well as a DS cast tarpaulin cover AND Magic Track
Cheers
Rog
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While I know that, at some point, I'm likely to get lynched for not starting a build thread with all the Kursk gear I've been building up - I have to say that it can't be helped ... I haven't really had the time to relax and do a lot of build work ... mostly because I'm catching up with other, long overdue, chores or looking for my next job.
I HAVE, however, had time to hunt around for some more gear to add to the collection ...
As I am inclined to do, with the sort of purchases I make, I build up a few "rewards" points with a variety of local (meaning Australian) outlets ... and along with some sort of periodical sale late last year, it netted me this:
Sometime late last year a couple of things happened at around the same time ... I saw the latest movie about The Battle Of Midway and Infinity model advised that it was going to be releasing 32 scale Val's and Kate's this year ... that definitely got the creative ideas flowing for Pacific war subjects ... so I snagged these around Christmas time from one of my main suppliers ...
Apparently the Avenger will need some small modifying to turn it into the correct variant for Midway - have a really nice example of a build bookmarked for this purpose - though no build thread
... and the SBD will need some small decal adjustment for Best's kite ... Thach's Wildcat will happen curtesy of this kit which I had to go to a previously unused suppler for ...
- eventually - as I ordered special decals from an AM supplier in the US ... which were promptly returned to the sender by USPS! Not all that happy with the moron either, who - 1/ instead of asking if I'd like the refund first (as opposed to waiting for restrictions to ease - and reattempting postage) - 2/ refunded me the amount - less fees which, along with the currency transfer, incurred me a loss ... and then 3/ blamed MY COUNTRY for HIS COUNTRY'S shipping restrictions!! (insert some VERY profane words here!!) 🤬
*** IF anyone knows where I can get some 32 scale Decals (or masks) for Thach's markings OUTSIDE the USA ... please give me a heads up - TIA ***
To "bulk out" the order for the free shipping ... I grabbed some Grenadier figures to use - because you can never have too many different poses
At around the same time I used some more reward points to pre-purchase this monster ... The Das Werk 1/16 StuG ... Because the PzKpfwIII chassis is my favourite
... It just arrived at the post office yesterday ...
It also gave a profile that I'll put to use for my TAKOM 35 scale StuG ...
While I was looking around to source the new Great Wall Hobby P.40 ... I ended up reading a little about the Ki.43 Hayabusa ... Although completely different, it used the same philosophy in design and was commonly referred to as the "army Zero" ... looking around online for one proved to be a bit of a headache though, as it seems Hasegawa is rolling back production on 32 scale AC models. This prompted another splurge in buying ... Particularly Hasegawa Kits!! ... but also others ...
This order, from a local supplier, arrived yesterday also ...
I wanted the StuH.42 for the Kursk gear and also, maybe, I may have use for the Marder.I ... The Hasegawa George happened to be in stock along with a couple of sets of Master's phenomenal turned brass ...
There is another order from a local supplier that is stuck in the traffic jam due to train line damage that recent el-weirdo weather conditions caused. So that one will be posted here once it arrives ...
Meanwhile I got busy internationally
... Ordering kits out of Japan or Hong Kong (from local manufacturers in the region) is usually much cheaper that buying them here ... there's a catch though (isn't there always??) ... Shipping is prohibitively expensive IF you are only buying the one kit!
If you are buying in bulk, however ... shipping is a boon! ... the shipping cost per item decreases exponentially ... most times ... Apparently Japan has followed the USA's example of "banning" certain countries ... although there ARE workarounds with certain global couriers.
I've got a couple of orders still inbound from Hong Kong along with the delayed package ex-east coast ... but this one arrived from Plaza Japan today ...
With a little "thank you" note and gift
... And a few Hasegawa Kits ...
Along with this re-release of an old kit that fascinated me when I first saw it a couple of years back ...
Thats all for now ... more to post later
Rog
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On 2/23/2022 at 5:28 AM, BlrwestSiR said:
The important question is will they include decals for Starscream from Transformers?
Yes - This MUST happen!!!!!
Rog
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On 2/14/2022 at 9:45 PM, Bomber_County said:
Hey Rog, did you ever start your Kursk diorama? …….
Started some preliminaries on the builds … but work has been in the way with too much to do on the R&R week … and yes I’m supposed to be starting a build thread, I know 🙄🙄🙄 … I will get around to it shortly I think.
Rog
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2 hours ago, BradG said:
If that's the 'early version' with the resin cowling Rog then it's still wrong for a -1.
Yes I know … it’s an “early” version of a Ki-43-II
Rog
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2 hours ago, BradG said:
64th Sentai tangled with the AVG on occasion with their Ki-43s, they were one of the first squadrons to receive them from I think (sorry I don't have my reference with me it's packed away) from mid 1941, so they would have initially got Ki-43-1's. The Hasegawa kit is a Ki-43-II, which didn't start to show up until very late 1942.
You'd need to change the cowling, no upper oil cooler (I think) intake, that was on the bottom of the cowl lip, 2 blade prop, the gun fairings on the upper cowling are different as the -1's just mounted light machine guns, no droptank or bomb racks (for early model -1s) and you'd need to find a flat topped main canopy and I think maybe windscreen and long telescopic gunsight too. UMI Resin did the prop and cowling with some other little items, but that's long OOP and you'd still be on your own for canopy and windscreen.
Awww crap! ... I knew it ... I have seen that conversion kit also on Scalemates - looks sweet too ... I really wish people who made masters for this stuff would sort out some sort of succession plan!! ... I have 2 Hase' Oscars en-route from Japan ... one is an "early" which apparently has a slightly different cowl included compared to the standard Hase' kit ... and the other is a standard one ... 🤷♂️ ... oh well! ... I guess a Nate will have to do it on a side by side!
1 hour ago, GazzaS said:I'm thinking you need the earlier version, Rog. The AVG was disbanded in mid-42.
Yeah ... gutted ... if anyone has the conversion and hasn't used it yet - they're probably going to hang onto it anyway
Rog
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21 minutes ago, GusMac said:
Heller have already released the Stug III Ausf G so I don't see why this wouldn't appear. It's available to pre-order on a number of sites.
My thought was that since the StuG was already out - there are video reviews - That maybe Trumpeter gave up on releasing the kit themselves and hoofed the moulds to Heller?? ... OR ... Scalemates have it wrong and Heller designed the kits themselves.
Either way Das Werk seems to have beaten everyone!
Rog
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Well it seems to be raining 1/16 Panzer III chassis now ...
Another Pz.III ... this time from Heller ... from Scalemates it looks to be based on the vapourware Tumpeter kit that was supposed to be released in 2020 ...
Rog
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Apparently Revell are issuing a “new tool” Bf.109 G2/4 … based on the G6 / Erla G10 moulds …
Rog
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30 minutes ago, GazzaS said:
Thank you, Martin. Now... does this mean that all other cooling is done by that big scoop under the belly?
The big scoop under the belly was for radiator and oil cooler airflow …
Meanwhile here’s another pic of the supercharger intake for the P-51
Rog
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19 hours ago, GazzaS said:
We all know that most German planes had a big supercharger intake on the port side. But I don't see such things on P-51's and Spits. Where's the air coming in at? I know some planes had exhaust driven superchargers... But I don;t think the two planes mentioned do.
Ok Gazza ...
A minor correction ... Two types of "charging" the engine - otherwise known as forced induction ...
Well, strictly speaking there is a third, but that pretty much falls under the umbrella of "naturally aspirated" - A ram scoop seen on the bonnet/hood of many high performance motor vehicles - since the engine is still sucking the air in, even though it is being forced by "ramming" the air into the intake by speed of the vehicle.
Supercharging ... Mechanically driven impeller usually either by belts running directly off a crank pulley or gear driven off the crank.
Turbocharging ... use of expelled exhaust gasses to drive an impeller which in turn drives a compressor - forcing air into the engine.
The difference in application amounts to efficient transfer of energy - Supercharging is a more direct energy transfer - the more the engine revs the more the impeller spins - in direct ratio. With turbocharging there is always a "lag" factor ... you have to wait for exhaust gas pressure to spin up the impeller ... in a lot of ways its a cheaper method of forced induction - but not as efficient as supercharging.
In some modern applications a combination of both is used - as with my previous car - a Ford Fiesta ST with an Ecoboost engine ...
Down to business ...
Here is a Merlin engine showing where the air intake is ... on the back of the engine drawing air from the bottom - underneath the cowl ...
Here is a photo of the actual part attached to the superchargers impeller casing ...
And finally here is the intake on the underside of the cowl ...
Hope that all makes sense for you mate?
Rog
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Below ...
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On 1/28/2022 at 9:05 PM, BlrwestSiR said:
According to Hobbyeasy, Beemax is coming out with one of the iconic F1 cars of the mid '80s- the Lotus 99T. The 1.5 litre Honda V-6 in this car made almost 1000 HP when it raced.
https://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/mh0sxkkxcjhkupef1am6.html
Hopefully they'll have the correct Camel markings for it.
Carl
On 1/29/2022 at 3:40 AM, Peterpools said:Carl
I'm in as I was a big F1 fan back in those days.
Keep 'em comin
Peter
On 1/29/2022 at 5:14 AM, GusMac said:Agree with you there Peter, definitely the best era of F1. Gave up watching years ago as far too predictable and rigged now.
Great days …
Murray Walker commentating with James Hunt … Nigel, Alain, Alessandro, Nelson etc …
1.5L overboosted turbos
Also a great era in Motorsport regulations - Group A (Eggenberger’s Texaco Sierras, anyone?) and Group C enduros (Porsche dominated followed by Jaguar, Sauber Mercedes and Mazda Sport).
Rog
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3 hours ago, Bomber_County said:
The Pz II looks interesting only have 3’s and 4’s…….
A late war variant. Previously we had the Asuka kit … with rubber band tracks … this one should have Border’s usual link and length types and a metal barrel as standard.
Rog
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Zoukei-Mura 1/48 Phantoms
in Modelling Discussion
Posted
I’m happy to report I’m disease free … I was forced to take the magical unicorn vax here so I could keep my job and a roof over my head here in West Aus. I don’t know what that AMS thing you have is, but I hope you can’t transfer it over the net otherwise your device should be masked up!!!
I probably won’t even bother with belts … the scale seems just too small … I’m even considering avoiding the fuse fix … I can see a vague difference between the kit and the correction parts - but really not all that much … so the question is … is it $25 worth??? (AUD) …
I’ll leave that order till I see the kit I think!
Rog