BlrwestSiR

The first Tamiya Spit I built I converted to a XIV using the RB Productions conversion. My XVI I did as TD248 in her silver and red scheme. Even the Merlin was red with chrome. Finally, the Revell/Matchbox 24 There's still a few more left in the stash so hopefully this will continue to grow. Carl

Here comes the IXs! First up is Tolly Hello. Don't have many pics of this one so I might have to take some new ones in the future. Then it's a pink FR IX. Takka! Takka! Takka! MH434 masquerading as a BoB era Spitfire from the Battle of Britain movie. Another recce bird, this time a PR XI using the Allycat conversion set.

Following in the lead of some of the other recently new forum members, I thought I'd post a couple pics of my Spitfire builds. Going in order of variant, here they are: This is my most recent one, a Revell II converted to a Vc using the AML conversion set. Here's a Tamiya VII that I converted using scratch built parts. The hardest bit was the deeper fixed rear canopy. Gotta have a sharkmouth somewhere so my VIII was built as Grey Nurse. This is the only one I've done inflight as I'm not the best at painting pilot figures. The one in here is probably my best ever.

Back to the Firefly, I started work on the turret. With the turned barrel installed, the mount got a bit droopy. Once the mantlet was installed, this rectified itself thankfully. Then I started on the paintwork. I'm using AK lacquer paint for the SCC15 green. It goes on dead flat which I was surprised by. I guess I'm used to the Gunze paints being a slight semigloss to them. Carl

Time to show the LCM some love, I worked on finishing the upper deck. The centre needed a couple supports to stay flush sonic added these from scrap styrene. RN LCMs had a different style of boarding ladder so I filled in the holes in the rear bulkhead. I then made a new ladder from styrene rod. This was then installed onto the LCM.

Thanks Peter! Yeah, they can be a bit fiddly but like you said, well worth it.

Always wanted to try building one of those wooden ship models. Just don't have the courage I guess. Carl

Martin, you're getting hip replacement surgery? Carl

The gear is coming out really well. For springs, check out Wave as they make springs in various diameters and sizes. I've used them on a couple builds. Carl

Speaking of tracks, I started work on the second run. Learning some tricks from building the first set made this one go much faster and I was able to complete them in just two sessions at the work bench. Now to start adding the smaller details and settle on some markings. Carl

Those look good. I like that they give you a jig as well. Might have to try a set on one of my future builds. Rob, I'd almost be willing to play that to not assemble them. Years ago, when I was racing 1/5 RC cars, the tires were an absolute pain to mount onto rims. I actually dislocated my thumb doing it. I asked the RV shop I dealt with how much they charged and when they said $20, mostly to cover the cost of the glue I couldn't throw my money at them fast enough!

At last someone who's crazier than me. I tried doing 3 Tamiya Spitfires and a Revell one at the same time a couple years ago and pulled if off barely. Currently there's a pair of HK B-25s sharing work bench space with my LCM and Firefly. Thanks too for showing us the different approaches to the fuselage tail section and which seems to be the best one. Carl

Nice! Didn't know that the IR lights were jammers. Figured they were for night fighting. Does give it a distinctive appearance. Carl

Uh oh, I might be in trouble. Or at least, my wallet might be. Carl

I feel your pain Martin. Our insurance company took 6 weeks before they would start the work on my car this summer after a minor fender bender. Their "preferred" body shop ripped them off so badly i couldn't believe it. I had a broken headlight and a dented fender. How that required a new side view mirror, door and hood repairs, I have no clue. Even worse, they did such a poor job fixing our car I sent it right back for a redo. Filed a bunch of complaints and threatened to sic the ombudsman on them before they finally got things right. As for the weather, last week it was 15°C, nice and comfy, today we're back up to 29°C. Please make up your mind Mother Nature!!! Carl

Now the fun really begins. Tasca give you decent looking rubber band style tracks. Decent but still rubber bands. Going through the stash, I found two boxes of these: They're very realistic, working tracks that are well, a serious pain to assemble. Here's the pads and pivots. The cleat is a separate part you attach. These are the end connecters which have a separate bolt to attach to each one. So, 9 pieces per link X 83 links per side.... = Fortunately, I found a set of Fruil metal tracks in another Firefly box. Slightly less painful in that you just have to cut the pivots from steel wire . Installed on the lower hull: Now to repeat for the other side. Carl

I've been plugging away at this over the last couple of nights. I started working on the bogies. First thing was to remove all the sprue attachment points and spray the wheels rubber black. Then I started on the bogies themselves. One thing Tasca does is make the bogies articulate. They do this using thin rubber pads that you insert. On later releases, they included a plastic spacer as an option to lock the bogies in place. Since I didn't have the spacers I made my own from strip styrene. Six sets of finished bogies: With those done, I attached them to the hull and had the primary assembly done.

Ithanks Maxim! I saw the Airfix kit for sale and was tempted to grab it for nostalgia. Thanks Ernie! I'm planning to do another Vc with all the spare track links that the Canadian tankers were so fond of covering their Shermans with. Thanks Peter!

Nice start Martin! And great info on the barrel. Learn something new about it. Carl

Just catching up obtaining your build Pete and it's mighty impressive. I'll have to check my tools but I think Hasegawa might make a larger rivet tool . Carl

Thanks Martin! I ordered two from Lucky Model and they're on the slow boat from Hong Kong so hopefully they'll get here this month? I saw your set which made me check into availability and I finally found one. A tank busting Ju-88 definitely got my interest.

It's been a bit busy here receiving stuff in the mail. First up was the recent Ju-88 P1 conversion from AIMs. This should make a nice companion to a Tse Tse Mosquito. Next was their Ju-88 C6 conversion. Lastly from AIMs was their clear resin canopy for the BF-110 G conversion. One more conversion set: So now all I need is a couple Revell Ju-88 kits. Carl

Nice to see the Corsairs are back John! I've only done two Corsairs (4 more to go) myself but Tamiya Spitfire #9 is on the bench at the moment. Like yourself, I like to use them as stress relief builds. Carl

For those of you that have been to both Telford and the US Nats, which would be cheaper in terms of accommodations? I've got the chance to attend one of them in the next couple years but it'll depend on the hotel rates. The airfare is covered so that won't be an issue. Thanks, Carl

Just had the postwoman drop off: - 1/32 Hasegawa Ju87 G Stuka - 1/32 Hasegawa BF109F4 - Ammo brand Paint rack And most importantly, a replacement set of waist gunner windows for my HK B-25!!! Carl