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You make it look so easy Ernie. I don't know how you teach a squirrel to kick like a Rockettes! The Mustang is pretty awesome too. Carl

Harv, I'm thinking of doing the P-1 next so it may not be a long wait. Carl

These arrived today: Thankfully the contents fine as the boxes didn't take too well to their shipment from Hong Kong. Now I have the donor kits for my AIMS C-6 and P-1 conversions. My dog didn't take too well to having to wait for her dinner while I checked the contents. Carl

The waist gun is now done. So for Betty's Dream, I have the nose gear to install and the hatch covers for the two crew entranceways. Then she's ready to be closed up. Carl

I actually picked up both the HK and Tamiya Mossies when they first came out and did a double build of them side by side. It was fun seeing the different approaches the two companies took to their kits. Sadly it didn't last much past this photo. Having built their Mossie and currently working on a pair of their B-25s, I'd say that I'm confident the fit will be fine in production kits. I think I had almost next to no filler on the Mossie and there's barely any so far on my B-25s. Carl

Well, after seeing this I did the only logical thing and pre-ordered the HB B-24J. Carl

I guess I'd better start saving for an addition to the house. For those that are interested in the Dambusters version, I recently picked up this book. It's a great reference source and has a history for every Lancaster that flew the mission. Carl

Leaving the buckles on the fret is a big help. If you look at the pictures on the instructions I posted, you'll see that Wako even lays out their fret in a way to make it easier to do so. It's too bad we can't get HGW to do something similar. One other thing you may want to do. I usually paint the backside of the belts as they're usually white. This helps with jumbled up look. It's also easier to paint them while they're still attached. Carl

Thanks Martin! I'm getting close to where I can close up the fuselages. Maybe this weekend? Carl

The closet I've come to the speed of JohnB is my Revell 1/32 Spitfire V conversion I did this summer in 13 days. Still don't know how I pulled that one off though. Carl

Cool! I'm planning to approach from the other way by starting with a Tamiya XVI and grafting on a Griffon power egg to it. Carl

I don't crinkle them up. I find that I can't thread them through the buckles if I do. I'll sometimes wrinkle them a bit after assembly. Mostly though I glue them in a wrinkled/disheveled position like below.

It was the Bronco 1/35 Type XXIII kit so not a small box. They were quite perplexed on how no one could find it either. Probably a good thing too for my wallet's sake Carl

A bottle of paint for my Sherman. Almost bought a U-boat but the LHS couldn't find it. Maybe next time. Carl

Harv, do these pics help at all? These are the instructions from Wako for their US belts. I used these for my belts as the HGW ones ddidn't make any sense to me. As the part numbers aren't the same, I used the parts layout diagram to match up and compare the two different belts. Also, HGW don't give you enough buckles and belts to make a full complement of belts. Go figure. If you need more help, let me know. Carl

Then it was time to install the gunner's station into the fuselage. I then added the second section of ammo belt and the box. I'll do the waist gunner's position on the port side next and then it'll be ready to close up. Carl

It was a fairly busy weekend so I didn't get too much time at the bench. I did make some progress though. First up was the booster motor and chutes for the tail gunner's position on Betty's Dream. While those dried, I installed the belts for the gunner. Next up, after painting the booster motor, I installed the first of the ammo belts.

Thanks Peter! I don't really know myself. But it is fun. Which I guess is the point.

If you're federal, you get it off but not in Ontario. When I worked at a bank, we had it off as we followed federal guidelines. I agree that it should be a mandatory holiday so hopefully they'll change it. Carl

Great work there I really wish Tamiya had done their 20mm cannon with full length barrels as well. They'd look so much nicer. Nice fix on the dihedral too. Carl

Our neighbour lost her brother to friendly fire when he was posted there. It really hits home for her whenever Remembrance Day comes around. Unfortunately it's no longer a stat holiday in Ontario but my wife and I both go to Queen's Park and attend the service there. It's the least we can do. Carl

Please do Ernie. Not enough PB&J around these days. Carl

Might be tedious but you do it so well John. Carl

Looking great Cees. I want to convert one to a 21 as well so thanks for the info on the incompatibility of the Revell wing. I'll have to think of possibly another approach if I do. Carl

I was wondering what that clear box was until I read your post. Great idea. I'm trying to figure out if the suspension on a Tiger 1 model I have is correct or collapsed at the moment and a jig like that would have been very helpful. Carl