HubertB

Yes. Good to see that John is on new kits, and not just churning out the old - and sometimes inaccurate (who was beaten, me included, by the wrong shapes of the Hampden, for instance ?) - ID Models kits. Plus, if we have 3D printed parts like the escape module - and by Reskit no less - or the LG bays, this is becoming a VERY good proposition … Hmmm, can the wallet survive 2023 ? Hubert

I am with Oliver on this one. I remember reading that the « straight » radiators of the P-38 and P-40 were more efficient aerodynamically and produced less drag than the shark-mouthed ones of the earlier versions, but nothing beats the look of the cowlings around the loooong reduction gearbox of the Allison. Give me an XP-38 any time for the looks … As for the painting, I know you don’t want to rush and the Christmas period is not the most propitious for modelling, but why not finish this one before starting an entry for the GB ? You seem to have overcome most hurdles and have the juices flowing … Soooo … keep it coming, as you say Hubert

Well, better hide it if this is supposed to be a RR Merlin Hubert

It reminds me of a joke I was told by a good friend, arch-fan of BMWs on top of it … « What’s the common point between piles and BMWs ? … One day, all a.$#@!&.es have one ! » Hubert

She is really looking the part, Rob 👍 Hubert

The Aviattic clear linen really add an interesting texture to the silver finish. Hubert

Got the pics in wrong order, Ernie … This is an « after-before » sequence … Just my Hubert

Right now, poor Portugal is - literally - drowning under heavy rains and lousy weather … whereas, here, the temperature is 29° C, and the sea 27°C, a temp unthinkable of on the beaches of Continental Portugal (but 25/26 is attainable in Madeira and Porto Santo) And thanks for the reminder. Just ordered myself a Mai Tai 🍹 Life can be a b…h sometimes 😂 Hubert

Yeaahhh…. well, I am currently here: 9°45’10’’ N, 98°24’59’’ E and my stash is : 38,57628° N, 8,95265° W Unfortunately, as I grow older, my eyesight is not as good as it used to be, so I cannot see the stash from where I am standing (« lying » being more appropriate, really 😏), and my flailing memory does not help me remember the umpteenth kit in the said stash … But I am enjoying myself, thank you 😁😁😁 Hubert

Have you tried « But now you have more coins than me kits … « ? Who knows ? It may work 🙃 Hubert

Yeah … Enough of Ernie’s lame excuses fot not adding a kit to his stash 😂. I vote yes as well ! Hubert

Mine remains TBD ( well not THE TBD 🤣 ), but I am currently more than 10 000 kms from the stash … so I will make a choice on the 22nd Hubert

Me 2 👍 ! Hubert

Well done Gary ! And those rivets really add to the overall finish. Congrats on a great build. Hubert

Me too ! Hubert

On the right track, Peter 👍 ! Hubert

Although I agree the national Post Offices are killing rapidly international parcels with more and more outrageous shipping costs, I’ll stick to giving a kit rather than a purchase voucher, just for the sake of keeping the Christmas spirit of exchanging gifts … Just my of course Hubert

VERY nice Twogar, John. the more I see your builds, the more I am getting convinced to let go my procrastinating AMS philosophy… well, almost 😉 Hubert

I don't want to be in the bemoaning camp, as I am sure it is the preferred version of most, but I personally only liked the glass-nosed versions. Looking forward to your build, Fran. Hubert

I’m in. I had books to give away this year, but I understand they are not the preferred choice this year. Fine by me, but I need more time to find something suitable. Hubert

Well, just saw on LSP a new opportunity for the GB: Halberd Models will release in January 23 a 1/32 Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk ! Hubert

My tip : make it an inflight display… HTH 😂 Hubert

The important detail on the IP is on the left (the rectangular shaped indicators). They were the warning lights for the overheating of the evaporative cooling system. If red, the message was « Slow down immediately and land asap ». Udet ignored those lights during his successful world speed record run. He told afterwards he had not been briefed about their significance … I had the kit with the idea of converting it to the speed-record V8. Then changed my mind and resold it: too much work creating a new wing and, mostly, the dreaded swastika when finished (what was I thinking when I bought the kit ? Can I pretend, like Udet, I did not know it was adorned with a swastika and I did not know what it meant 😕 ?) To finish on the kit’s cockpit, it’s basic but a good representation of the original, as far as it’s known. Hubert

You could imagine a dio with a ditched Spitfire in the Channel … maybe even with a Walrus coming to the rescue Hubert