1to1scale

Fit check, everything fits!

Looks terrific as usual.

He did that yesterday.

I spent a few hours in peace today, my 6yo was off annoying the dog or setting fire to bugs, I don’t know...so I worked on the Merlin a bit more.

To be honest, this stuff is not like other model chrome. This really looks like aluminum in person, and Tamiya’s addendum in the instructions, says you can buff the finish. I imagine this is some kind of vapor deposition of aluminum. You will see as I get farther along. There are a few seams to contend with, I will probably have to paint leading edges. I will se what that entails, possibly Molitow or Xtream Metals. I will do some experimenting later. I will be either painting or using HGW wet transfers for all markings, so no need to worry about carrier film.

I’m not sure of the timeline on this, but the Academy SUFA is being reboxed with new parts and decals that ncludes a polish version. Edit: I guess after researching, this appeared to be a Local Turkish release for their market and was pretty expensive for the Academy SUFA with new PE and decal sheet. I tried to look at their website, but I can’t read anything on it.

I got started a few nights ago by screwing it all up. Yes, I used the Spitfire parts on the Mustang engine. Thankfully, it was only a couple of hours after I glued them on that I noticed and was able to pry off the offending parts. After fixing, I added ignition tubing, drilled holes to add ignition wires, oil lines, and coolant tubing. I am also going to try and replicate the linkages for the carb and boost controller.

Well, my fleet of P-40’s pissed in my cornflakes again! So m taking a sanity break to do something that does not require too much effort, other than the 350+ parts. Which isn’t a big deal as long as they go together without pain. And to further make it easy, no decals, no painted NMF. I am building their plated version, which combined with tamiya surface and fit quality, hopefully will be a stunner. So here is what I'm building... I’ll also be using the HGW wet transfers, and Brassin wheels & tires, and finally, Montex paint masks.

And I strive to be the JohnB of P-40’s...

As expected. There will be people crying in their cornflakes with their head in the sand, refusing to believe WW1 is over, sound like a few popped up.

I believe the academy F-16 has all the parts needed to build a block 40/42/50/52. I think it’s a better candidate than Tamiya, as the Tamiya is a 50 only. Check out this review, it details the parts needed and included. http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/aca/kit_aca_12101.shtml

Buy Wingnut kits immediately online and eBay before the prices skyrocket, which they will.

A sign of a true craftsman is how well he can fix his f%#kups!

Meth works better for modeling...and you can sniff MRP paint to keep the high going...

My first thought is that is some beautiful metalwork. I had a fried years ago that learned to do that in A&P school, he could turn flat pieces of metal into cereal bowls.

Sadly, I mixed the last two ounces of Smoky in to my Saturday night after dinner coffee...and yes, it was very good! I was always a Tequila and vodka man until I tried moonshine. Now I understand why this state is famous for it. I think I need to make a run back to the liquor store this week for some more. Like I said, I don’t drink a lot, maybe a drink ever weekend or two, but you might as well have what you enjoy the most when you do.

I am having a WTF moment today. Today most governors of the each state announced that quarantine measures will be lifted at the end of the month. Am I missing something here? There is no way I am sending my son back to school without either a valid widespread medicine or vaccine to the Coronavirus. This seems like lunacy to me, what are they thinking?

Ole Smoky is some good stuff...made here in Chattanooga.

Ooh. I’m jealous.

Well done! I like the worn white wash finish!

They don’t need to, I’m just saying is you can run a company like that with minimal people, same company in China knocking out sprues, same company producing decals, etc. Pull back distribution back in house, you can still have a warehousing sub, but do the operation with fewer people, so you can keep the company on life support, until the market rebounds, you pull in a bit of profit, and slowly go back to a full operation. I have seen so many companies die because they were unwilling to change their way of doing business, as a matter of fact I am watching it happen here locally, the owner is stubborn and unwilling to listen to people telling him that he needs to change to reflect the market, and now the economy. He thinks his way is superior, but no one can afford him. He will learn, the hard way. Of course, you always have to consider, sometimes, people really are ready to let it go, and want to see it burn to the ground for relief. In that case, whatever internal problems the company may have, may not necessarily dilute the brand name if the customers never really see it. The reputation and name still have considerable value. People are buying Wingnut kits not because they are fans of WW2, but because they see what beautiful results people are having. To be honest, the whole reason I got my first WNW kits, was your Felixstowe, I was hooked after I saw it in person. And before that I heard that they were the standard in plastic kits. I could tell you stories about the stuff I have seen. I have the distinction of having every company I have ever worked at bought by another, and then they close all together. I’m like the grim reaper...and the way it’s looking, unless my last one gets a bailout, they may be closing their doors as well.

One thing I find curious. And these are just my thought on the subject. Wingnut Wings has worked so hard to create both a brand and standard, it would be a shame to just let that die, the name and company has value in the name and reputation alone. The best course of action right now would be to go into hibernation, keep a few key people to run the business side of things keep the company on life support. Then, after the mass quarantines are over, regroup and recover. 1. They could easily bring in investors and if needed, new management, Peter Jackson could retain control over the direction. Companies such as CSM could also be a key ally. 2. But if they could carry on, why not take a year or two to recover, just put new kits on the back burner and keep selling what you have. No new development needed, basically, let the molds pay for themselves. You could do this with a minimum staff and at a reduced output, but this could feed money back into the company and keep the reaper off their doorstep. And after a year or two, start bringing out those kits that were close to release, like the DR.1, which would no doubt be a good seller, then maybe release the Lancaster. Just a few thoughts on alternatives to the nuclear option.

Ohhh...you are a daring man. I see so many spaces for small parts to go and never to be seen again.

Very nice, well done! I have a feeling many P-40’s end up on people’s SOD.

I think that it’s too early to say, it could be that PJ is just tired of airplanes. It could be financial. Or it could just be misinformation. The important thing to do is not spread any speculation. WnW has always been a niche market, their move to WW2 could have brought them extra sales. I never imagined they would close the doors for lack of sales, as everyone is always wanting the kits, and when one goes discontinued, the value goes up. Let’s just wait and see, and if they do go under, maybe another company will take their place.