1to1scale

Maketar makes masks too. They even have a online tool to make them.

There is an IPMS judging handbook, but most judges don’t sit there and refer back to it. And judging from some of the discussions about rules before the Nats, there is much confusion about the interpretation of those rules. A little story about judging standards...I used to be a judge at the TX Mopar Mini Nationals, we had forms that we would have to write a number on a scale of 1-5 next to a criteria of specific areas of attention, altogether it took a team of 5 Judges about 10 minutes to do a whole car. Since I had experience painting cars, I was assigned to finish & paint. I tried to be fair as possible, and judged on context. Young guns were not judges he same as customs, and customs were not judged the same as restorations. When my car was judged I was asked to step away at least 200 feet, I won stacks of trophy’s for my car, but I often wondered why because I knew where all the flaws were in my paint and I was highly self critical. But...I felt that judging at our car shows were very fair, if not slightly harsh, but not without reason. You want to award a person for extraordinary attention to detail and work, and not for slapping cash in someone’s hand to do it for them. If a car was built professionally, we were extra critical. I had the privilege of judging two “famous pro” built cars, and it was hard to find any flaws no matter how small, but my personal opinion was that a guy who built a car in his garage was given more leeway than the guy who paid $250,000 for his and didn’t lift a finger. Thankfully commission built models are not allowed in IPMS judging, but I do think they could learn from car show judging and impartiality. Giving a few judges an area of responsibility and a scoring system on models would be a good start, as I saw the judging process at a show last year made me think, there is no way I was going to win anything. I saw a three person team, but it was very clear there was one guy doing all the thinking and the other two were his “yes” men, he was judging, they were just agreeing with him. As I watched him judge 2 models, he was just plain being an A-hole. I heard him comment, at one, “I’m sick of looking at these damn Tamiya ****!” Is that being impartial? (FWIW, I cant remember if he was talking about F-4’s or Corsairs) Last month at the Nats, i volunteered to help them, i was assigned to award distribution after the doors closed to the public before the award ceremony. I was a little shocked as to why learn that some models had won over the other. I also some unusual category splits that were just plain stupid. One armor class had been split 3 times, 1st had 50 models, 2nd had 50 models, 3rd had 1! Did that 3rd deserve a gold, while there were 2 unawarded, silver and bronze? Out of those 101 models, 2, maybe 3 modelers missed out. Yet, the category I was in in along with 2 other models got merged into a generic Helicopter class. The winner had zero weathering, while other masterfully executed helos got nothing (Wessex). I agree with others that judging, even at the same show is wildly inconsistent. I had told the club leader last week I was willing to do some on the job training at our November show this year to become a judge, as I am not someone that folds to peer pressure, I believe that some of the judges in this part of the country are old and jaded, need to go, and a new crop need to come in. I’m going to try do my part, as I hate just not knowing why some kits get ignored. Sorry the rant. ...and I knew Ernie was going to kill it with the Lanc!

I am starting to think like you guys, some civilian builds are enticing. I have also been collecting models and decals to do SAR and civilian builds for RU, UK, CA, FR, USCG, NTPS, Germany, and PL. And I want to make another Russian Aeroflot Heli too. I blame you and tony for this.

Congrats guys, those planes deserved it! Yes, I never know what lights the judges fires, and I feel strongly that judging is highly biased. I am being encouraged by my local club to do some training for judging and this November at the Mid-state TN show, I may take them up on it, as I would like to know what they look for, and to see why they make some decisions. Last year my Corsair won (with tons of errors) and my Ki-84 never has, which I feel is a better build. ...and once more, congrats on the Lanc! I feel if it was done, it would have gotten some awards and the Nats.

Oops, I guess I stand corrected...

Are those tires modern tires? I don’t think they had silvertowns in ww2.

I had always wanted to build this one also, but didn’t know the decals were available!

Phil Flory built one, his video might be on YouTube, but I think you might have to be a subscriber.

No, but I want one too.

It’s been a slow progress week, just didn’t feel the energy to work on it until today. But I did get back on on it today, I spent the day working on checking the seams, then finish mounting the camera gear, fit and glued the clear parts, and did some work on the wing lights. That was a bit of a challenge because Hobbycraft didn’t include any, I ended up making something out of styrene rod and a Molotow pen. Ignore the gun ports, there is no detail because they will be covered with tape on the finished model.

Young padawan, you need to get an electric smoker with a remote control and temperature alarms. I can throw in a brisket or a butt, then go about my business with the remote in my pocket.

So, you seem to be going well with the build, does this mean that “Doogs” review was unwarranted?

Right now, the only in-production “hole” I have is the F-14. Now if you are talking about stuff that has never been made, I have about a dozen. I really want a Japanese Val or Kate, a devastator would be nice, and we still need an Apache.

I came across this pic today, not sure if it is too late to help or not. looks like the original was fiber reinforced phonellic and Bakelite

Can you use a different prop? From another kit? I may have the hobbycraft mustang props somewhere, not sure if it solves the issue or not.

Hmm, I searched around but could not find anything either.

They only sell through eBay now

Double check the box, I thought that it was supposed to include Polish decals in the new boxing.

I think I decided on the middle green and the lighter neutral gray. I also did some testing on mixing an insignia white and lt gull gray. After a few tests, I came up with some colors I like. I really have to write these down some day.

I seem to have a space issue as well, I told myself that I would never exceed the 5x8 closet I had set aside, however I am now growing a wall of kits in my office. Although my current employment situation has dramatically slowed down my acquisitions.

No primer yet, I spent a couple days running the riveter all over the model, with the exception of the upper wings, as I believe these were putty’d on these refurbished F6A. I have some concerns on the panel lines on the sides of the fuselage, but as I did research, I found that the British Mk.1a had different panel lines that the US early war versions, so I went with it. I also spent some time fixing the missing prop shaft (because I thought it was a sprue gate, I clipped it and sanded flat), I rebuilt it using plastic and brass, and drilling to get them tight. I next spent some time trying to find a proper mix for late Army Olive Drab, I’m still deciding on the three. At the time of D-day invasions, these aircraft were pretty fresh and clean, so chipping will be very minimal.

Yes, it is for me. But to be honest, I built them as fast as I could get them when I was a kid. There was little chance to build up a stash. Pretty much, all the kits I have now are what I want to build, I am not a collector, as the box, instructions don’t matter to me. I just want to build them. I was playing catch up after a 25 year rest from the hobby, I figure this will get me through retirement.

The good news, I have cleaned the toilets, fixed the latch on the back door, and re-attached the handrail going to my son’s room. Tomorrow I’m working on storage in the master bath closets.

That’s what this week is planning to shape up like, mostly a get caught up week. Then I’ll get serious next Monday.

Maybe you can cut, drill, then insert metal Ron, with some aluminum tubing slipped over it.