HubertB

Yes, these rivets lines do not look too accurate, Ernie ... nor do the markings on the top right corner ... Hubert

If the criterion to enter this raffle is "I NEED more kits" or conversely "My stash is too full already", then I am not sure any of us should enter the raffle ... Hubert

Beautiful work ! Hubert

Not exactly in your budget - more like 300 $, although there may be some good promotions for it around Christmas - , but the Silhouette Cameo is a versatile tool, and good for most modelling uses. Alternatively, the Curio has some nice additional features, like a second head, the capacity to cut thicker material like thin plastic sheet, and even an embossing feature (rivets lines anyone ?). Its downside is that it is limited in size (roughly to an A4 format) when the Cameo has theoretically unlimited length for 30cms width. Whichever you choose, I strongly recommend the « Pro » software option. Whereas the embedded basic software can do what you want, the « Pro » option allows to import vector files drawn under another software. A nice feature, even with the basic software, is the vectorising capacity, starting from a pixelated image, like a .jpeg pic. HTH Hubert

Will you correct the wrong windscreen / canopy ? It’s really one of the inaccuracies that spoil the look of this kit, whether poeple looking at it are kowledgeable or not about things aircraft Hubert

It really depends whether you want functional hinges, or simulated ones. The best simulation is then some plastic strips scored regularly ... Alternatively, I believe Archer have a decal sheet with simulated relief piano hinges. Hubert

Although hand-carving your own wooden propeller from laminated veneer is not as dauting as it appears, these ones are really nice and, like all AM, make improving a kit so much easier than a home-made solution. I, for one, am waiting for my order from Proper Plane. It’s a « package » for my Junkers D-1, with the prop shown here and a Rexx exhaust Hubert

A company called Microdesign have some 1/35 cowling hinges in PE, like here : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-35-MicroDesign-MD035209-Hinges-universal-pianos-Photo-etched-set/173658399551?hash=item286ed8e33f:g:YOYAAOSwqUdbL4Ix Hubert

Agreed. Nice review of what looks like a vey nice kit. Hubert

Just teasing you, Maru... And a proper retribution for a young man that sees fit to torture the eyesight of its elder siblings Hubert

What ? There is a 1/32 Banshee ? Hubert

Last time I saw this one, it was not about AMK's F-14 D, but about Trumpeter's TBD Hubert

Be careful with these books ads pop-ups ... Three months ago, I had one and paid USD 50 to order the book « How to swindle people using the internet ». I have not received anything yet. Should I worry ? Hubert

1) I have the book also, although I paid slightly more than 25 CDN ... 2) I must have somewhere some 5-view drawings from Aviation Week, of all the versions on top of it. No telling how (if any) accurate these are however Hubert

Considering that they announced the TBD in 2006, and we are still waiting for it, I would say Trumpeter are not rushing their releases ... Just my Hubert

Very nice ! Hubert

Outstanding, as usual ... Hubert

One other word of warning. Unfortunately, there are many issues with the Trumeter kit, like the too short fuselage, the too wide windscreen and canopy, which also implies a too wide dorsal spine, the too wide ventral tank, the too pinched rear fuselage at the level of the exhausts. You can decide to live with most of these, but one you will stumble on, and cannot avoid adressing, is the 5 mm gap between the intake ring and the intake pipes under the cockpit. The good news is that, if you move forward the whole pipes to avoid the gap with the front ring, you will also correct the wrong position of the nose ger compartment, which is too far back on the kit. You will just need to check the fit with the cockpit tub above ... Hubert

Cool project. I will be following along. if I may, the one AM you DO NOT need is the SAC gear. It will be as wrong as the kit’s one, being copied on it ( the MLG legs of the kit are too long by a few mm, making the stance of the aircraft wrong), and less durable in the long run. This is a kit where I’d really be worried to use the #% »/!& soft SAC stuff, made of the worst grade of crapium ... Hubert

And some will say .... none ! Hubert ( who predicted a few years ago on LSP that the next Tamiya 1/32 will be a 109 G-6. Where is a « yawn » emoticon when you need one ?)

Isn’t it the whole concept ? Hubert

I did an internal check of the Beaufighter boxes (because I have two boxes, and had not dwelved into them for a long time). Here is the deal. I will give in this raffle only one of the following three boxes, and the winner will pick its preferred prize : 1) Revell 1/32 Beaufighter. The box actually containes two complete Beaufighter kits. Box in bad external shape. 2) Revell Lodela 1/32 Beaufighter. The box contains, on top the kit parts, the parts to convert the original kit to a torpedo version, including vacformed new nose, new transparencies, tailplanes with dihedral, torpedo, etc., plus resin porcupine engine exhausts and Paragon rockets with rails. The box says there is a PE fret for detailing the cockpit, but this part is missing inside. Box is also in bad shape outside (this #ù!§%% flimsy cardboard Revell uses !) 3) Trumpeter's F8F-2 Bearcat kit Hubert

Beautiful build ! A real gem of a kit in the proper hands, as you have just demonstrated Hubert

How about a reverse speed record ? I have on the SoD an Aichi Hansa, a licence-built Japanese version of the HB W-29, engined with an Hispano V8, that I started scratchbuilding BEFORE WnW ever existed, some 10 years ago ... Ditto for a Planet model Bü-131, that I started at about the same time ... For my defense about the Bücker, the wings stopped me in my tracks, as they have a wrong backward sweep (not enough). That’s my excuse anyway . And now, ICM have come with an IM one But I intend to finish this Hansa, at least ... Hubert

Ok. I’ll be giving either a Revell Beaufighter (with a bit of a tattered box, but inside is ok) or a Trumpeter Bearcat. The winner picks his preferred choice. Hubert