HubertB

I have something like 8, or maybe more, HPH kits in the stash, including the DC-3, for which (well, the C-47) I have read - and seen - horrendous build reviews as far as fit is concerned. And it's true of most of the HPH kits I have. So I may take your word one day, building one of those, but not the SB2C, which is not at all my cup of tea, when I stop getting sidetracked . When all cussing and swearing is evaporated, you ARE doing a great job with a pig of a kit, no question about it. Hubert

Sorry to bring a (slightly) dissonant voice, but, looking at some pics, it looks more like an overscale rendition of the real deal than a totally inaccurate one … https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234984031-curtiss-sb2c-helldiver/ Not to say that, like HPH kits in resin, these cannot be really challenging. On the other hand, where do you find such unusual subjects (says the scratchbuilder at heart that I am) ? Hubert

Like it ! (But I also liked the all-blue ones) Hubert

Excellent purchase, Peter. The quality of the tool is absolutely great. Just be careful, the blade has a tendency to try living a life of its own … unless I have not found the proper way to lock it in place. Hubert

On an ordinary boat, the oars should probably be more « natural », but as this is a yacht, they look totally in their place in blue, IMHO. Hubert

Beautiful result on this behemoth 👍 ! Well done, Tom ! Hubert

If it’s a genuine original GT40, I am not sure I’d dare drive it on open roads … Too precious to risk in the traffic Hubert

I don’t get it … is it a Schnellboot or a Langsamboot ? Inquiring minds want to know … Hubert

Not at all a criticism of your work, Carl, as it’s really nice and impressive, but the camouflage separation emphasizes the funky wing root profile of the kit … Hubert

What a list … Hubert

It’s actually there, but I think I can enhance it more. The blue background and the iPhone picture don’t go well together to show the nuances I see IRL. Still, I will take your advice and make the oil grime more visible. Hubert

Whatever you choose Mark, I cannot recommend strongly enough that you go on Modelshipworld and read the beginners’ advices there. Even more important - compulsory IMHO - is to read the « banned manufacturers » article on the kit section. There are unfortunately a lot of pirates in this business, mostly from the Far East, who unashamedly copy the work of others, like Chris Watton’s. Better not give them some of our hard-earned cash. And some websites devoted to the hobby unfortunately support this piracy, which has none of the charm of « Pirates of the Carribean ». Hubert

I still don’t understand why Border went for 1/35 rather than 1/32… For those who think the size difference is inconsequential, a 1/35 kit occupies only 76 % of the volume of the same 1/32 one … Hubert

No specific experience on this set, John, but a VERY positive one on their Saab J-29 detail sets. Plus an outstanding customer service. In short, I am now sold and a fan of Resin2detail ! Hubert

Thank you Peter. No, the loss is more annoying than difficult to scratch a replacement … Hubert

Could you say this place is a tad windy ? Hubert

Well, I think I can call the undercart done, painted, weathered and grimed... Not so with the main floor, where I stalled my painting efforts pending regluing some parts which had gone unglued, and replacing at least one part which has chosen to pursue her life with the carpet monster rather than staying with the rest of the family ... Using airbrushed MRP tire black, dope linen, red oxide primer, exhaust soot, plus some washes from AK, Mig and Tamiya, and finally some Molotov chrome, I think I pretty much nailed the look I wanted for the undercart, and feel pretty smug about it. Well, tell me what you think and if I can still do some things different. I'll let the pics speak for themselves. Hubert

With all the issues you went through, she looks purdy 👍 ! Hubert

I don’t know if this thinner spill turned out a blessing in disguise, or it’s sheer talent (I’d lean towards that latter option ), but it’s looking great as a war-weary workhorse … Maybe the fuselage roundels could do with being dirtier, in line with the rest ? Hubert

I am with Rob: not too bad looking considering what you describe. It's going to be a very neat kit when you are over, actually. Ad for decals, I wonder whether, when the manufacturer is unknown, it should not be a policy to spray some decal varnish first, just to be sure the decals will not shatter the way you describe ... Anyway, looking forward to see the finished bird Hubert

One more update, with an experiment, you will see Last time I mentioned some paint would soon be necessary. The undersides will need some paint, which prompted me to skip the phases of the cabin construction on the instruction sheet, and jump to the undercart. This way, I can go painting and weathering the whole undersides in one go So I have assembled the complex undercart, with engines and wheels, and the braking system. The sprues are progressively getting more empty ... ... and the undercart mated (but not glued yet) to the main floor : And viewed from above ... 😎 Time for primer now, at least to check if there are outstanding seams to fill and sand (knowing I have to reson myself constantly that not many times will the tramcar be rotated upside down to see its bottoms, so chasing the tiniest seam is not a vital necessity, at least in the spirit with which I am building this one ;). The bottoms are black in theory, but IRL they soon turn out into a mixture of dirty blacks, browns, and rusty shades. Which is where I thought a reddish background could be interesting before spraying these colors, where rust will predominate. Enter Tamiya pink primer in a rattle can. It's actually a great background color for red and chrome yellow wings. Hopefully it will be useful as well for the brownish/blackish/rusty underside. I hope you guys have you sunglasses nearby 😂 😎, especially with the blue background for the pics: That's all for now. I have to reglue some parts which got loose (and the eagle-eyed among you can spot them). Hubert

I had never realized the T-28 could be THAT fast 😂 ! Another very nice build, John 👍 Hubert

Looking very good Mike . I'm enjoying your build, as all others. Hubert

Frankly, even the British and French worst designs of the 30’s were beauty pageant winners compared to this … contraption 🤮 Which does not detract from your work, Carl Hubert

Beautiful ‘Vette ! Congrats to your son for a job VERY well done 👍 ! Hubert