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Merry Christmas everyone! Stay warm and safe, especially those of us in the path of a winter storm. Carl

A Christmas card I sent out a few years ago.

Thanks Hubert! Ardrei is indeed great to deal with. When their Seahawk comes out, I'll be getting a copy for sure. Carl

Someone makes a P-38 floatplane conversion. Just can't think who it is.

That was fast. The quality of the cutter is really impressive, like most of their tools.

Boring to look at but I had a set of paint masks for the Millennium Falcon arrive today. Should make painting a bit easier.

Nice! I see someone is a Hugault fan. Love the way he draws aircraft. And women. Carl

I got them from Hannants.

Got those too. Did you get the helmet decals as well?

Paul, if you can find Mr Tool Cleaner, it tends to be a bit cheaper than Tamiya airbrush cleaner and works the same.

I've thought about it. One shop here has it on pre-order for the same price as the Tamiya Spitfire IX. The stopper for me is that I have so many Tamiya Spitfires already it wouldn't fit in.

It's probably close to the Star Destroyer that's in the stash already. Similar shape too.

I would get a B-58 in 1/32. That would probably push Sue over the edge though if I built it. Maybe by then the boys will have moved out and I could use one of their rooms as a display case.

Is the plastic the same between the two kits? Would be nice to do an RCAF one.

Interesting question. The PCM and Tamiya are both later variants, either VIII, IX or XVI so that's one thing to consider. The Kotare at the moment is an unknown quantity as it's not out yet but will most certainly be the most accurate early model Spitfire. The PCM isn't bad but at this point, if you're looking for a late model Spitfire then it's the Tamiya kit.

Oh, I know that feeling Martin.

The closest I could find is in Canada. Sunward Hobbies has it up for pre-order. https://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/kotare-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ia-mid-production-aircraft-32001/ Price wise, it's the same that I paid for mine from Kotare including the shipping from NZ to Canada. Hannants has it up as well with a 10% discount for pre-order. They're nice as you don't pay until it arrives. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/K32001 Carl

Scott, if you do get one, make sure to get the locator too. This way you can cut concentric circles and have them centred. Perfect for roundels. https://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/jg4hhevbn79lkrjrdjzp.html

Chris, that's a good question which I don't have a great answer to. I sort of put them where I can. Case in point, the Bronco Type XXIII I finished a couple years ago sits above our TV. I've got plans for a new display case but can't start on that until the spring when it's warmer. The plan is to build something big enough for the four engine heavies and other oversized models.

There's two docking rings on either side of the hull. They're each 16 pieces that need to be assembled. Again, I painted them first. One side completed. Installed into the hull.its just slips in place. No glue required. The Falcon has some battle damage moulded into the hull. I painted the area around it first. I then installed the internal detail piece so it's not a blank hole. Hopefully more tomorrow.

The 109 entered hyperspace when I used a bit too much force throwing it in frustration

The scary part is I don't think it's the smallest Star Wars kit I have. Besides 2 more 1/72 Falcons, I have a Revell 1/2700 Star Destroyer.

Peter, she looks lovely. There's nothing to show some of the struggles you've had. Glad to hear the last couple days have gone off without any issues. Hope I haven't jinxed it. Carl

Like Gary said, go Harv! I have some tapered plastic rod you could use to fill the wrong holes and then drill the right ones. Let me know and I can drop some in the mail for you.

Just watch out for those pesky rock obstacles they like to put in mall parking lots.