telepatu

Ooh, really generous and nice! 👏 BTW, is there a next group build coming up or did I miss it?

I have a few overtrees sets, ordered directly from Eduard web store when shipping was within reasonable limits. If I recall correctly, I ordered a profipack version of 1:48 Bf-109G-6 and one or two overtrees for G-6 and G-2. I added one photoetch set with the overtrees. I have decals for them already and instructions I can reuse. Back then I thought that they were excellent value, lots of plastic for a few euros. I still do. Nowadays the shipping fees kills the overtrees for me. Weekend kits are cheaper from the (almost) local hobby store than the overtrees from Eduard web store.

Yes, that was my thought as well. I don't know if they had separate training boats, which would have become dirtier during their lifetime. Some surviving specimen were rather dirty. I retrospect I should've done more weathering on the sides since the top is "greasy".

As my entry to the group build I selected the small motor boat from Italeri, M.T.M. Barchino. These small modified recreational motor boats were designed to be driven towards an enemy ship. The boat would break up upon collision with the target and the 300+ kg depth charge like device would sink under the ship and detonate a few meters under water. Italians were not doing any kamikaze runs, the idea is to eject before impact. The driver would float on the surface on the provided floating device and avoid the effects of the underwater explosion. The boat driver would most likely be captured, as the poor pilots early implementation of a SUP board doesn't even have a paddle. In May 1941 three MTMs managed to sneak into Suda Bay harbour in Crete and cripple the heavy cruiser HMS York and oli tanker Pericles. There were six boats in the attack, but three had to abandon the attack. All six Italian sailors survived the attack, but were captured by the British. The driver figure is here for showing the scale. Figure painting was a new thing for me. I have watched some youtube tutorials, but there's so much to learn. Black rubber suit doesn't make it any easier to make it less boring. Not entirely happy with it, but now it is time to move on to next builds. There are some really nice works of the kit around the internet so this kit has a lot of potential for skilled model builders. This was fun build and I'm happy to call it ready.

I'm not entirely happy with the figure, but now it is time to move on to next builds. I'm not really happy with the weathering on the boat either. More pictures in the ready for inspection section soon.

Last progress pictures before "ready" pictures. The pilot's office is rather plain, but not much can be seen after the flotation device is attached c. This is a life raft for the pilot, the idea is to eject the cushion before impact. The driver would float on the surface and avoid the effects of the underwater explosion. Italians were not doing any kamikaze runs. The boat driver would most likely be captured, as the poor pilots early implementation of a SUP board doesn't even have a paddle. Of course, it would be quite a long paddle from Crete to Italy as an example. The driver figure is here for showing the scale. These were quite small boats. The 330 kg charge was quite effective in the attack on Souda Bay, Crete. Six small boats managed to damage the heavy cruiser HMS York and an oil tanker, Pericles. All six Italian sailors survived the attack, but were captured by the British. I was planning to paint the interior in more detail, but lost interest in the middle of the build. The top hatch and explosive remain unglued, so I have the option of returning to that part later. Br, Jani

Sorry, somehow I missed your question. 😬 There is one "Luigi" in the box to stand proudly on the side of the boat. I would have liked to have a sitting driver inside the boat, but that'll do. Figure painting was a new thing for me. I have watched some youtube tutorials, but there's so much to learn 🥵 Black rubber suit doesn't make it any easier to make it less boring. I have pretty much finished the boat, I'll post some pictures of the finished model later. Br, Jani

Luckymodel had Red Fox 3D panels for sale, so I grabbed some to see what are they like. The sale is still on, I might get some others as well. I ordered some J's Work masks for tank builds waiting for paint jobs. The Red Foxes are rather nice. The plan was to try it out with 1:48 La-7 and continue with the Super Hornet. Perhaps this will rejuvenate the stalled Revell Super bug build. 🙃 I could post some detailed close ups if you are interested.

Nice project, following with interest. I confess to liking both Midway movies. Br, Jani

The motor boat has been primed and it has gotten couple of layers of greyish paint on top as well. I was going to do some painting on the depth charge but I'm losing interest in this project. The internal parts are most likely going to be hidden anyway. Here is one picture of the driver's seat. The pe dashboard turned out quite nice just by painting it. The kit had decals, but they didn't provide much more detail in my opinion. Not much will be seen anyway once the driver's cabin is installed.

I guess it's time for a small update. The next step was the tiny photoetched hinges on top the boat. I managed to lose at least two or three of of them while trying to glue them in place. Luckily, Italeri had provided plenty of spares. I almost gave up on them, but there they are, with unnecessarily large globs of glue.. Some priming to be done later.

Really nice work! BTW, if you don't mind me asking, did the kit offer wing folding option? Maybe Airfix is slowly chugging in the dark design chambers, biding their time and will surprise us all with a 1:24 Phantom to go with the Harrier?

I'm slowly catching up to all marvelous builds here. The Phantom looks really good. Thanks for the book tip.

Awesome idea! Wasn't that the same collective in the Ukraine group? I've never thought of the group builds as competitions. Which is a good thing since I might skip the whole thing if it gets too competitive. Happily that is not the case here, the group builds have been really friendly and lacking the atmosphere of competition. Now, would anyone have the Batboat floating around?

I think I read somewhere that the yellow wings were for easier spotting of downed aircraft in the sea? I can be imagining things as well, most likely someone has the right details.

Awesome! I hear that the Bobbyhoss Arizona is not exactly a state of the art kit. For some reason I bought the Hobby Boss boxing, which lacks all the nice PE sheets and barrels that you have in the Eduard boxing. I will be following with interest and I'll be taking notes ✍️ Br, Jani

Good eyestimation, the MTM is 5.6 meters long (~18 feet).

Basic structure built.Top seems to fit nicely, that's not glued yet. This is quite small even in 1:35 scale, Tamiya Extra thin posing next to it for scale.

Last group build was so much fun, so I'll take the plunge again and dip my toes into the water 😛 As first entry I selected the small motor boat from Italeri, M.T.M. Barchino. These small modified recreational motor boats were designed to be driven towards an enemy ship. The boat would break up upon collision with the target and the 300+ kg depth charge like device would sink under the ship and detonate a few meters under water. In May 1941 three MTMs managed to sneak into Suda Bay harbour in Crete and sink the cruiser HMS York and tanker Pericles. There is only one sprue, a small PE sheet and a reference manual in the box.

Great work on the PE! Are you soldering them or using CA glue?

Looking forward to this, interesting subject (I have the same kit in the stash) 😁

Huge thank you for organising this! It is a wonderful time of the year. BR, Jani

Can I participate as well, both recipient and donator. I'll donate the ICM 1:32 I-16 if that is acceptable. Alternatively, to avoid huge postages, 50USD gift certificate to recipient's hobby store of choice. BR, Jani

Looking splendid! I'll follow with interest. Corsair has always been one of my favourites. Looks like I need to get there Tamiya kit after all. We have a Berlin family trip coming up in December, what would be the best local hobby store there, if you don't mind me asking?

Congratulations, Kevin! Well deserved, the He-111 was really nice. Br, Jani