BlrwestSiR

Wow, that looks great.

While I wait for the needed bits for my Su-33 to arrive, I had planned to work on something already on the bench. That didn't quite go as planned. My stash is a huge mess due to some renos going on in the house. Near the top of the pile was this kit. The FV 217 is a paper Panzer, based on the FV 214 Conqueror heavy battle tank designed by the British in response to the JS and KV tanks the Soviets were making at the end of the war. I think that's the story anyways. As for the kit, It's fairly straightforward, no interior, no PE, no absurdly tiny parts, so I figured why not. There was a set of Fruil tracks in the box so decided to start with those. 196 links and one accidental stabbing later, they were together. The other bit of AM is a set of paints for the Berlin brigade. This is one of the paint options. Although honestly I can't see this thing being to make around any street corners with that cannon barrel in the way... Onto the build, I started painting bits before assembly but didn't get far. The bogies are similar to the HVSS suspension on the Sherman. The kit has the option of working suspension or fixed. The working one has a real spring which looked better than the fixed one so that's what I went with. Installed on the lower hull. The underside of the upper hull has a couple ejector pins that might need clean up. And that's where I am after a day's work.

I received my order from Reskit today. It's for kits in the stash already. They even threw in a bonus figure. As always, I'm in awe how they can design and manufacture their products in their current situation.

Nice looking F-86 and like the other have said, great wall display.

Nice haul Paul. I had a great time dealing with Evans. They answered all my questions and helped me make sure I had ordered the right LEDs and accessories for my lighting project.

That's a great setup you have Hubert. Nothing like having everything close to hand. I think you have as much paint as I do in racks.

Don't worry about how it takes. I started a Tamiya McLaren back in 1993 and still haven't finished it.

Here's a question for cognoscenti, do the control surfaces on the Su-33 droop when they're parked? Most pics I've found have everything folded up which I don't want to do. I've only seen a couple pics of the plane parked and it looks like the control surfaces have a bit of droop but justel wanted to check.

After a bit of searching, I found some PE intake screens. Eduard make some but they're discontinued. Metallic Details has some as well. Turns out BNA from Australia had both in stock so I went with the Metallic Details version as they were cheaper. Hopefully I'll have them in a week or so. Meantime, I added some very small details to the fan face. You can see them on the left one and the right one will be next. I very much doubt these will be visible all the way down the intake trunk though.

Back to the OP, Jeff you have been very generous yourself. My boys still appreciate the getting that big box of models from you a few years ago. It was like an instant stash for them.

He's not even dead yet and we're picking over his stash.

Yup. Just needs a shark mouth. Which is how I always picture a Marauder for some reason.

Got a package from Ireland yesterday. Another new kit from Thunder Models. These guys need to stop releasing interesting subjects. They even include a booklet on the LRDG and its usage of the F30.

With the complexity of the Minibase Su-33 on the bench, I decided to grab something simple to keep it company. A Tiger Models Corsair of the cute variety. With working, albeit slightly inaccurate folding wings.

Ron, have you tried Hasegawa Mirror Finish? It's a self adhesive film sort of like BMF but I find is far more durable.

I've started work on the intakes. The amount of detail that has been crammed in is truly impressive/scary. I started by adding some of the external details to the intake nacelles. Then I added the probes to the intake trunking. There were some ejector pin marks to clean up first but they were the raised kind so I just needed to scrape them off. To mount the probes, I drilled through the intake wall from the outside which is the way they were moulded. Then I did a test fit of the major intake bits starting with the lower vents. Then probably the biggest disappointment in the kit, the FOD mesh which should be well, mesh but is moulded solid. I have placed the upper intake trunk in place too. Then the upper lip of the intake. Finally the main gear bay insert. Note the nice tight fit. No glue yet in any of these parts. A view down the intake. Not a great one but everything lines up inside and there's no lip. Now to repeat with the other side.

Peter, this kit really impresses, especially as a first effort. That being said, there are some seriously small parts in the build. But so far they have all fit where they're supposed to.

Peter, the Jug is looking good. Nice work on getting the wing sorted. That engine looks impressive.

My sister-in-law who's an ER doc calls them organ donors.

Looks like a Dull Dark Green to me. Nice progress too.

Wow, that's a lot of work. But it looks like you're getting it all figured out. One things for sure. I'm doing mine OOB.

Peter, for whatever reason the general modeling populous (which we're a small subset of) loves German aircraft and BF109s and FW190s in particular. As a general rule, both types and all their variants sell very well for the manufacturers that make them. Unless they're horribly inaccurate or banana shaped. Which means they'll still sell but only so-so. Add to that the quality and accuracy reputation that Kotare has managed to build up with their Spitfire and I'm sure there will be buyers. Throw in the vast variety of late war camo and marking schemes and it's easier to see some folks buying several. Me? I'm not sure yet if I'll get it. If I do, it'll probably more to help them fund their next release which hopefully will be something I do want like a CF-100 Clunk.

Looking forward to seeing what's involved with the build. I started this kit but haven't gotten past engraving some of the panel lines.

That pretty much sums it up. Release a kit that they will sell/sell out and then have funds in the bank for the slightly more esoteric/risky project.