HubertB

FB was fined a few million USD a few years ago in Germany, for letting neo-Nazi propaganda and « anti-constitutional symbols » flourish on its German pages. So, they have certainly become more aware of the issue, up to the point of applying blanket, non-discerning bans. Our German friends can comment far better than me on the law, I suspect, but the issue is more complex than a first glance can induce: displaying these « anti-constitutional symbols » like the Swastika, or the faucet and hammer, for commercial of political purposes is forbidden in Germany. But it can be done for « civic education, countering anti-constitutional activities, art and science, research and education, the coverage of historic and current events, or similar purposes ». So a company cannot sell an item with a Swastika visible, even if it’s a model, but a modeler can put it on its models, although displaying it can be discussed, based in the perceived intent (historical representation, or to boast the Nazi regime). This said, most Germans will consider it extremely bad taste, and most unwelcome. Hubert

Why not put them staggered, at a 45 ° angle like that : / / ? Hubert

Most houses in Portugal are poorly insulated. The one I am renting right now (only two months left to go, yay ! ) is a prime example : interesting look - by a well-known Portuguese architect -, very low level of practicability, and appallingly poor construction standards, and zero isolation. So my bills are in the € 300 area, for 150 sqm, in winter or in summer, where you HAVE to run the A/C … (And do not get me started on water consumption bills, where the price is progressive : the more water you consume, the higher the price per cubic meter. It’s a great system to make everyone responsible in a country where chronic draught has been felt for the last 6 years, but it can hurt a lot - like when the landlord decides to change the grass in late spring, and has the gardener water the new grass as if there was no tomorrow - f#@&%!g morons !) Hubert

French canadian is based on XVII Century French. hard to understand, yes, but probably purer than the one spoken currently in Paris… But my gripe is more with the poor level of mastery of the language, even by supposedly educated young people. To illustrate this, one of my favourite examples I use with people forgetting the syntax is the following : « If I give you a payslip, and I put a stamp on it, do you prefer the stamp that says « Payer » (To pay) or the one that says « Payé » (Paid) ? » For many, I suspect it is the first time they realise there is a useful difference between « payer » and « payé », which have the same pronunciation, but a completely different syntaxic meaning …. Ok, end of the rant by Old Fart Professor Hubert Hubert

Mixed bag as well, but with some limitations : - 1919 to 1939 era, with a strong lean towards civilians, racers, yellow or silver wings - Post WWII, up to the mid 60s, i.e. early jets, when they were still colourful and full of technological promises - Basically non-camoed aircrafts - And no swastika Hakenkreuz, nor Soviet Red Star, for that matter… If i try to find a common theme, it would be an interest for aircrafts epitomising technological developments, and colourful and good-looking aircrafts, rather than efficient killing machines … Hubert

Thank you Martin. And now that I’m back from my trip (with my boy toy) in the land of foie gras, duck magret and duck confit, I should get back to it Hubert

Frankly, the only socialist leaning I can find, personally, on FB, is that it would be used today by Karl Marx to illustrate the shenanigans of capitalism …. It’s an amoral company, managed by immoral people. The worst you can find in capitalism … End of my leftist rant 😂 Hubert

It’s a lot of good news …First the Kate, for those who enjoyed the great Val kit, and second, besides the B-26, there is a SM-79 and a Ventura in the pipeline ! Both great news if, like me, you love interwars civilians … I would have preferred a Hudson, but, hey-ho, I’ll content myself with a Lodestar 😊 (and can you see this red-and-green « corsa » Sparviero ) Hubert

So you have been banned because both aircrafts are historically inaccurate (the 109 for sporting « 5 » instead of « 15 », and the Dornier for inappropriate swastikas, as very ably demonstrated by Martin ) ? I never thought FB moderators would have such an historical acumen. Silly me, I just thought they were here to make sure hate, trolling, spreading conspiracy theories, letting « influencers » make a fast buck out of gullible teenagers, were striving constantly, so that FB can spot the best way to monetize the data thus gained … Hubert

No cat’s hair on the paint ? 👍 Hubert

This is going to look tremendous on the 1/48 deck of the 1/48 Albatros (c’mon, why not a small challenge, now that you have plenty of time 😂 ? ) Hubert

The repainting of the wheels and wing certainly paid off. Far more convincing than the "chrome" plated parts. Hubert

Because the « Petit Gris » is as iconic to French agriculture post-WWII as, say, a Chevrolet Corvette for American muscle car lovers (or is it a Camaro, or a John Deer tractor ?) Hubert

In the meantime, Heller have become a German-owned company, and the new management seem keen on relaunching the brand. Maybe this explains that … Hubert

B#!&%y inflation 😡 ! Hubert

Count me in ! I need at least two of those. How much, shipped to Portugal ? Hubert

You kitty, me Lion ... Hubert PS: Did you you know that farts smell so that deaf people can also benefit from them ...

It’s an Australian Sea King … you know they walk upside down, down under 🙃 ? Hubert

Sorry to read you have been beaten by this egg-beater, Peter. Oh well, it was the wrong scale anyway, and it had no wings, which are two reasons enough to have no regrets, IMHO 😉 … You still have time to find a nice kit on which to apply your magic. And you got much better and more important news this week, so , with hindsight, you can say it was a great week overall … Hubert

Love that Honda with its clockwork engine : 12 cylinders for 1.5 liter ….. Hubert

Noce progress, Kriss. Regarding the engine, AFAIK, the pushrods’ fairings, the head covers and the reduction gear crankcase were black-enamelled on the Bristol Mercury … Hubert

I’d never have bet that the original kit could turn out so beautifully. It’s a fantastic tribute to your skills, and a lesson for all of us ! Well done, Kriss 👍 Hubert

Wow ! Now, THAT is a spectacular scheme ! I like it a lot ! (Did you notice the slight asymetry in the wing root / orange fuselage / walkway area between the right and left sides ?) This could almost push me in the « buyers » camp Hubert PS : I think your orange demarcation line is not the right side compared to the left one : missing a few mm outboard.

Ahh. You know what, I’d have bought a Tamiya 1/32 TBD in a heartbeat. Ditto for for a glass-nosed Mossie…But I am in the « non-significance » percentile of Tamiya’s market researchers. Hence why I have spent a lot more with each of Special Hobby, Kittykawk, Fisher or HpH (or even Trumpeter) than I will ever with Tamiya … This said, your build is top notch, Phil 👍 ! Hubert

Thanks guys. I am really enjoying doing this type of detailing. Although I know I should be like Johnb, i.e. focus on an impeccable painting (but I am not sure I could ever equal his proficiency at this work) with minimal extra-detailing, as most viewers will never know nor see what went into this detailing, I just can’t help trying to reproduce the technical details in scale … That’s an approach that does not help reduce the stash quickly though 😂. Rob, you’re right. If any of the mods read this, can you please move this thread to the WiP forum (when you have the time) ? Hubert