Fran

Sounds great!! and all this end, we should make one GB with models made by Ukrainian manufactures like ICM, Dora Wings, Modelsvit, MiniArt, Wingsy Kits, AMP, Mars, Roden, A Model, Ace, Clear Prop....

https://www.emodels.co.uk/hong-kong-models-1-32-avro-lancaster-b-mk-i-special-grand-slam-01e38.html £368,99

PM sent.

Hong Kong Models 1/32 Avro Lancaster Grand Slam Kit No #01E038 839 parts Wingspan 972 mm / Length 664 mm The Hong Kong Models Lancaster has been around for a while now, but HK Models had several projects to release several variants of the mythic bomber This time, we have for review the fantastic Grand Slam. But first a bit of history: RAF 617 Squadron After The Dambusters Raid “After the success of the Ruhr dams raid in May 1943, 617 Squadron was retained by RAF Bomber Command for specialist precision bombing operations. It experimented with new bomb sights, target marking techniques and colossal new 'earthquake' bombs developed by Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the 'bouncing bomb'. An unsuccessful attempt to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal from low level in September 1943 resulted in the loss of five aircraft and the death of the Squadron's new commanding officer. Such missions were not repeated, and henceforth 617 Squadron concentrated on high-altitude precision bombing. In the run-up to D-Day, the Squadron attacked factories, V-weapon sites and communication targets in France. Its commander, Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire, pioneered a controversial new low-level target-marking technique. The improved accuracy minimised civilian casualties when attacking targets in occupied territory. In the autumn of 1944, 617 Squadron joined 9 Squadron in attacks with 12,000 lb 'Tallboy' bombs on the German battleship Tirpitz, moored in Norwegian waters. The first two attempts were inconclusive owing to cloud and smokescreens, but on 12 November they found Tirpitz with no protection. Sustaining two direct hits, the ship was shattered by an internal explosion and capsized. PHOTOGRAPHS A Lancaster B Mark I (Special) of 617 Squadron A Lancaster B Mark I (Special) of 617 Squadron releases its 22,000 lb 'Grand Slam' deep penetration bomb over the Arnsberg viaduct in Germany. Arnsberg lay in the eastern Ruhr Valley, not far from the Mohne dam, which had been the target for 617’s first operation in 1943. Now, its strategically important railway viaduct was the objective. On 19 March 1945, an attack by 19 Lancasters of 617 Squadron carrying a mixture of 'Tallboy' and 'Grand Slam' bombs brought it crashing down. Avro Lancaster B Mark I (Special), PB996 'YZ-C', of No. 617 Squadron RAF, flown by Flying Officer P Martin and crew, releasing a 22,000-lb MC deep-penetration bomb (Bomber Command executive codeword 'Grand Slam') over the viaduct at Arnsberg, Germany. © IWM (CH 15375) In the last months of the Second World War, 617 Squadron made further successful strikes against the German rail and canal network, coastal defences and previously invulnerable U-boat pens, using 'Tallboys' and the monstrous new 22,000 lb 'Grand Slam' bomb. Right to the end, 617 Squadron maintained its position as Bomber Command's ultimate precision bombing specialists.” Let´s see. The kit It`s was not the first time I saw the Lancaster box but I`m still impressed with it. The Grand Slam box is just the same size as all others HK Models Lancaster boxes and as always demands respect. As the Dambuster, in the contents only a few things are different from the B.Mk.I. There’s one extra sprue, an extra instruction booklet and extra decals. So before I continues, here`s the link of a full and deep review of the Lancaster Mk I. Now the new sprue. The Gg sprue: It’s a big sprue!! Well it’s also a very very big bomb! So you got a fully 1:32 Grand Slam Bomb and a all new “bomb bay” area. This bomb bay area comes in a single piece. The Grand Slam is impressive. Also you got a new “nose” to replace the front turret that the Grand Slam Lancaster unit didn’t have. The extra booklet As said there is an extra instruction booklet included to build the Grand Slam version. In the booklet it said that all the building is to follow the B Mk. I excepts the steps in the Grand Slam booklet as It tells you at which steps you need to use other parts or perform modifications. In the Grand Slam edition, its starts right on the step 1, with some seat modifications by putting the P42 parts (instead of P3() and exclude the P22. Then jumps right to the step 11, where all the front panels of the bomb bay is deleted (no M17 and Dd18) and some cutting has to be made in the M12 part. The step 12, I figure that part of the bomb bay sidewalls are not include! On the step 15 and 16, the only different is some cutting of the fuselage to accommodate the new bomb bay. The only problem I see here is that HK doesn’t said how much (in length) you need to cut so you have to guide yourself for the instructions picture and that it´s not that easy. The step 19 is the same but a bit more explicit on the new booklet so it’s a upgrade. The step 23, a bubble window is added on the left side of the canopy frame. The step 27 is a big step with a all new bomb bay area and the Grand Slam constructions steps. The steps 35,38, 52 and 57 are all equal: the engine. The only thing is not to put the exhaust/flame covers. Makes sense as for the night bomber, the exhaust flames will be something you need to cover. In the Grand Slam case, being a day bomber that no sense in the exhaust cover. Step 69 shows the small fuselage changes with the remove of the upper turret (with the U1 part, making the upper fuselage straight) and the frontal turret replace by a cover nose (part Hh5) The final steps is a little upgrade from the original booklet with some explicit identification if previous steps. Schemes This kit contains one scheme. - Avro Lancaster special PB996 'YZ-C', of No. 617 Squadron RAF, flown by Flying Officer P Martin and crew The decals for this new version is a single sheet with very good registration and color, a top quality product as expected from Cartograf. Also present is the original Lancaster Mk. I release, where you will take the insignias and stencils. However I would expect to see more options on this release… But here`s it is in action: One point the I was pointed out was that the Grand Slam version used the Lincoln wheels which has a large wheel hub. It’s a detail but a quite visible one but there`s no aftermarket 1:32 Lincoln wheels. Conclusion As all the other version, It’s a quite well researched (pity the wheels) and of course a fantastic addition to all the Lancaster line-up that HK Models is bringing to modelling world. All the news parts have the same injection and detail quality that all others sprues. The decals do have nice registration color, are quite thin but I was really expecting some more options but HK Models also only gave one option in the Dambuster box. If you want a1:32 Grand Slam Lancaster, this is your only option, and a Very Very good one. Very Highly Recommend Francisco Guedes A Very Special thank you to Neil and Hong Kong Models for the review sample. You can get HK Models in Europe on Ak-interactive website.

I was just putting these fantastic news here!!!

1:32 French Pilot smoking pipe from Copper State Models Price tag:€15,99 Cooper State Model is, by no mean, a new name in the hobby. Any modeler knows it and always been associated to WWI. But to those that don’t know Copper State Models, never too much to remember their history that is quite interesting and well worth the reading. So here`s goes: “In 1996 my parents decided that they were ready to retire from the family business. Since I was ready to do something else for a living, we sold the company. I had recently got back building models after a 25+ plus year hiatus and decided to try that for a business. I chose the name Copper State Models (CSM) because Arizona is also known as the “Copper State”. The logo is the state’s outline with the state flag inset into it and a Fokker D.VII. At first I tried building for hire but soon discovered that I was too slow of a builder to make that work! A friend of mine named Bob owned The Model Car Garage (high end model car details) and was doing well with it. He became my mentor in starting CSM. I picked WWI a/c because not everyone and his cousin was doing that subject and I had a real interest in it. This was the beginning of the golden age of WWI a/c modeling. You had Eduard and Toko doing quality plastic kits so I saw a place for high quality details and put CSM in that direction. The hardest part of getting started was finding the vendors I needed to make the things I couldn’t make myself. Bob from MCG put me in touch with Tim for the PE (Photo-Etched parts- I.S.) artwork. We hit it off real well and he started drawing for me. PEC also came from Bob and for me they are the best PE producer in the business. Microscale has been doing quality decals for a very long time. They were close, good and willing to work with a small outfit like CSM. Laura and Vickie were absolute jewels to work with. Marty’s claim to fame was his magnificent hand carved wood props. I was buying props and corresponding with Marty by snail mail (no email then). Marty’s written English was in its learning stages and a friendship developed. When I told Marty about starting CSM, I had in mind selling his props as part of my line. He was agreeable and asked if I would be interested in kit masters. I said “absolutely” and he sent me the Do. D.I kit and that was the beginning of the CSM kit line. I started advertising in Windsock magazine very early. Ray and I became friends. He reviewed CSM’s products fairly and this was a huge boost to the company. He is one of the greatest supporters of WWI a/c modeling. Marty and I chose kits together based on interest and available documentation. We tried to pick kits that the “mainstream” model companies wouldn’t do. There was such a wealth of WWI a/c that has never been kitted in 1/48TH scale before for us to choose from. Float/flying boats and 2 seaters were our mainstay. I enjoyed my time setting up and running CSM. It was a great way to earn a living. With the passing of my parents I decided to retire and sell CSM. I would like to thank all the great vendors I worked with and my great customers all of whom I enjoyed dealing with. I would especially like to thanks my parents for their help and encouragement without which it never would have happened. I wish Ilya and Slava good hunting, God’s speed and all the success in the world. I hope they enjoy CSM as much as I did in their new venture. My advice would be to produce a quality product and charge a fair price and you will do well. Eric R. Hight Copper State Models Founder and Former President Quite a history and a fantastic boost from the Past… So into our figure. I have had the pleasure of reviewing several figures from Copper State Models and other brands in the past, and for the first time, I got a figure simple in a plastic bag… No box, no bubbles, no reference to the maker whatsoever. It’s quite odd this. I bought this figure alongside the Caudron and other kit, and this figure come inside the Caudron. If it didn’t came inside the caudron box and I didn’t order directly from Copper State Model, nothing can prove me that it’s a Copper State Models product or a recast. If I want to give to a friend modeler or sell it on ebay, no way I can prove it that is an original product. Its odd and I didn’t appreciated. Well moving on to the figure, it`s no assembly instructions and no decals but don’t need any of it. The resin is in medium/light gray. All clothing fits the figure body position, being very well achieved. All the detail on the clothes are simply amazing. The facial expression is very good and a love the little pipe in the hand. Exquisite detail on the clothes and a true fantastic facial expression. The assembly of this one is so but so easy that I just take a photo of it full build… with almost no cleaning at all… the seam line in some not even exist, like this one. A perfect figure with fantastic detail and almost ready to paint. Conclusion: I really like CSM figures as they have great details, very good natural look. Cooper State Models is a well know name in modelling market and their stuff mean QUALITY! You simply can´t go wrong with these figures, as they are perfect to stand on your shelf along with other stuff on WWI. I wish the CSM stay along with us for a long long time bring us another items of extreme quality! The really downside of this figure was not the figure itself but the “packing”, label, box.. something that I could identify this figure as a CSM product. Highly recommended (the figure, not the packing and label) My sincerely thanks to my bank account for this figure. (You can buy directly and if you do don`t forget to mention Wingnut Wing Fans and Large Scale Modeller) Fran

more news in!! This time in 1:35 scale!

and finally Border Models. Well after the 1:32 Ex-WnW Lancaster, the 1:35 Stuka, Border just release these two beauties: 1:35 DKM TYpe VIII-C U-Boat (its not the all u-boat) And a 1:#5 JagdPanzer IV L/48 (early) These are both on my wishlist!!

Now, a new upcoming 1:32 Macchi Mc 202 Folgore!! A total new mold. And from Fly, finally the 1:32 Saab J 29F Tunnan

And some couples of new products.. First, 1:32 AIMS new decals!

Yes it is... The model was made by made then José Brito made his magique with the water.

Great to hear Ernie. I just caught it... the test just came back positive yesterday. For now I`m fine with little fever and body all sore.

Wow... nice list!! For me, the top is Val and Kate!!

Congrats Martin!!! Enjoy it!!!

1:32 Caudron G.III Copper State Models Kit No. CSM32006 Available from Copper State Models for €68,88. The Caudron G.3 was a single-engined French biplane built by Caudron, widely used in world war I as a reconnaissance aircraft and trainer. The Caudron G.3 was designed by René and Gaston Caudron as a development of their earlier Caudron G.2 for military use. It first flew in May 1914 at their Le Crotoy aerodrome. The aircraft had a short crew nacelle, with a single engine in the nose of the nacelle, and an open tailboom truss. It was of sesquiplane layout, and used wing warping for lateral control, although this was replaced by conventional ailerons fitted on the upper wing in late production aircraft. Usually, the G.3 was not armed, although sometimes light machine guns and small bombs were fitted. The Caudron G.3 first flew in 1914 serving as an observation aircraft. It had above average climbing ability and was considered suitable for use in mountainous terrain. It was ordered in large quantities following the outbreak of the First World War with the Caudron factories building 1423 of the 2450 built in France. 233 were also built in England and 166 built in Italy along with several other countries. The Caudron brothers did not charge a licensing fee for the design, as an act of patriotism. The G.3 equipped Escadrille C.11 of the French Aéronautique Militaire at the outbreak of war, and was well-suited for reconnaissance use, proving stable and having good visibility. As the war progressed, its low performance and lack of armament made it too vulnerable for front line service, and it was withdrawn from front line operations in mid-1916. The Italians also used the G.3 for reconnaissance on a wide scale until 1917, as did the British RFC (continuing operations until October 1917), who fitted some with light bombs and machine guns for ground attack.[2] The Australian Flying Corps operated the G.3 during the Mesopotamian campaign of 1915–16. It continued in use as a trainer until well after the end of the war. Chinese Caudron G.3s remained in service as trainers until the Mukden Incident of 1931, when many were captured by the Japanese. In 1921 Adrienne Bolland, a French test pilot working for Caudron, made the first crossing of the Andes by a woman, flying between Argentina and Chile in a G.3. Wingspan: 43 ft 11 in Length: 21 ft 0 in Gross Weight: 1612 lb Powerplant: Gnome (80 hp) Alternate Powerplant: LeRhone 9C (80 hp) Alternate Powerplant: Anzani 10 (90 hp) Top Speed: 68 mph (80 hp)/ 70 mph (90 hp) Ceiling: 10,000 ft Caudron also have its own history in the Portuguese Air Force. Traslating from Portuguese Air Museum: “In 1916, the first 16 Caudron, french origin, G3 arrive at Portugal, to assist in the instruction of pilots at the Military Aeronautics School of Vila Nova da Rainha. They would be used in the “Esquadrilha Mista de Alverca” in 1918, the year this unit was created, and they inaugurated the Tancos runway in 1921, before returning to their original instruction mission, at the Escola Militar de Aeronáutica, located at the current Air Base No. 1. Very Aircraft appreciated for its economy of maintenance, strength and ease of piloting, it was the first to be build in Portugal at the then Aeronautical Material Park, Alverca (Parque de Material Aeronáutico, Alverca), now called OGMA - Aeronautical Industry of Portugal (Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal). There, 50 Caudron G3s were built between 1922 and 1924, being withdrawn from service in 1933. The exposed replica presents the last paint scheme used, adopted in 1920, which already includes a Cross of Christ.” (check this link: https://museudoar.pt/pagina-001.003.002.003-caudron-g-3) Here`s a Caudron flying in 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvrvJHOFFDE The kit The Caudron G.III it’s a bold and risk release from Copper State Model but it’s a well-know French Aircraft of WWI. The 1:32 scale is, in my opinion the best scale, specially for WWI. As all CSM kits is packed into a typical and reasonably large box with a folding lid, then covered with the another top box, all in color with the box art. I quite like this approach as the package is far sturdier and more protective than usual kit boxes from other manufacturers. The box art is a great one. I really love it… And my example, being a pre-order one, comes with a limited edition print with the box art painting. The painting is quite amazing and mine is the n.º 158. It’s a nice touch from CSM. All sprues are bagged individually. There are a total of SIX light grey sprues, and ONE clear set of parts. Two decal sheet contains the markings for SEVEN subjects (all French). As I will mention later, the original production kit only have FOUR scheme. The pre-order ones, like this example on review have THREE extra schemes coming for the extra decal sheet. The kit have six grey sprue, one transparente sprue, one PE sheet, and two decals sheets (the normal release will only have one decal sheet). Sprue A The main parts of the cockpit are here with good detail like the cockpit floor, rudder bar, control columm, instruments (All he other parts as fuel tank and cockpit wall are on sprue and also on sprue b) So the cockpir parts are spread apart in 3 sprues. You can see the top wing central section. Yes central wing, so the winspan is much bigger as the top wing tip section (left and right) is almost as the same size as the central wing. The wing look very well design with good fabric and structural detail. The “flaps” do have some translucent look at the light and it’s a nice effort from CSM but I think it could have been a little more thin as the 1:32 WnW Taube on its mighty wings. Also the bottom fuselage part are present and the cabane struts. These look quite fragile, but it`s a Caudron… Sprue B The main part is the lower wing and the fuselage haves. The lower wing is a single piece, not like a 3 parts wing like the upper one. The details and translucent look is equal to the upper wings and as said, it´s quite good. The interior of the fuselage has the internal structure with a well capture detail. The cockpit floor is a single piece with the rivets well present. Both seat are very well detail, and I really like the look of the pilots sit. It’s really look like a cosy leather chair. A good painting work is all it needs. Sprue C Checking close this sprue, the details are well represented and very sharp. The horizontal stabilizer and tail elevators are quite fragile and the location points are well put and easy to remove. The tail elevator don’t have the same translucent looks of the wings. Also here is a cockpit part - cockpit floor. The layout of the sprues is quite curious as you got parts in sprue A, B and C to make the cockpit alone. A single propeller is given. Any reference are given of what kind of propeller is But I think that is a Waring and Gillow Propeller. Anyway, Proper Plane already release two type of propeller for the Caudron G.III for 33$ each. Check it here. Sprue D Tail boom… The most daunting part of this kit… maybe not as you will see whne we got to the instructions. Besides tail boom, the main structural parts are here like the wing struts that have very good surface detail. Wheels and ruder parts made each of this sprue. Sprue E A single sprue for the engine. The example given is the Le Rhone 9J 80 hp. Looking at the steps constructions and the details, it`s an easy build with a vey good details in a straight build. Sprue F The clear parts. There`s not much of this as usual in WWI airplanes, so the windscreen. Any way, the clarity is excellent and the framing is very well defined, PE sheet A small PE in brass with the seatbelts, and some others small details (like structure union rigging Decals Two decal sheet contains the markings for all seven schemes. Are printed by Cartograf from Italy, so quality is granted , with minimal carrier film, good colour density and excellent register. Decals are supplied for the instrument dials, but I would suggest punching these from the sheet for a perfect fit the various cockpit gauges. Instructions A 29-page A4 manual is included which starts with a very brief history of the type, with a highly detailed and clear step by step easy to follow. A nice touch is that the cover of the isntructions is in frech with the look of the old instructions. All illustration is in line drawing format which is clear and easy to follow, with very good annotation for paint, parts options and decals (where applicable). With a Airplane with such rigging, there`s no rigging diagram for the final aircraft, as the rigging instructions just made their way in all the constructions. It’s a method that for this airplane I think, in fact, that`s the best option.. In fact there are several pages that all is rigging… more than 4 pages in a row. However, one issue remain since I made 1:32 CSM Nieuport XVII Late type review The paint indication: the names are pretty basic and it difficult to get which color specific is CSM talking about. Here we got Doped Linen, Red Brown varnish, linen gloss, plywood, wood… a experience or even a intermediate modeler in WWI should have any problem with this but I think that is no big deal in putting some brand number color in it.. like Tamiya, AK-Interactive or other brand. The seven schemes are: Production release: 1. Caudron G.III ”Pegase”, C. 962, C.18 Escadrille, S. Lieut Boinvillers, Verdun, 1916; 2. Caudron G.III “Trompe La Mort”, C.18 Escadrille, Mdl Maxime Lenoir, Verdun, 1915; 3. Caudron G.III, Septemer 1914 (markings based on autochrome by Gervais-Courtellemont published in “Les Campes de Bataille de La Marne” 4. Caudron G.III, 914, unknow data ( all-blue painted parts) Pre-order schemes bonus: 1. Caudron G.III “Le Grand Icare”, C.1001, Verdun 1915; 2. Caudron G.III, C.11 Escadrille, Summer 1916; 3. Caudron G.III, C. 991, C.28 Escadrille, Sgt Pierre Poisard, November 1915. Conclusion The Caudron G.III is a stringbag in all its soul and CSM capture well his silhouette and soul. It`s quite a risk taken here by CSM to release this spectacular aircraft, as its WWI and less know that Fokker and Albatros but thanks to CSM for taking that risk. A glance at the parts and the instruction, the model is well think and modeler friend as constructions goes. The rigging is not for fainted hearts, as it’s a lots and very complicated and tricky. This is the best Caudron G.III in any scale for sure, and it probably will for a very very long time and it`s in fact a very good looking model kit. My sincere thanks to bank account for this beautiful model kit. Fran And some more imagens:

Great review as usual!!

wow. this is really a great gift. Sign me in!

damn!!! Get well soon mate!

1 Man Army Paint Masks 1:32 Spitfire Mk.I/II RAF Cat. N. 32DET013 Price tag: €23,38 plus shipping Available at Ak-interactive store, here I has surfing in the net, and I came across this name: 1 Man Army and I went to their website – www.1manarmy.be. As you can see, all their catalog are in 1:32 and they are expending their references with more and more masks. I became quite curious because I really don’t like the looks of decals in 1:32 scale and 1ManArmy mask are mainly stencils, for what I could see I haven`t heard anything from this brand before, so I couldn`t resist in get one of their mask. I chose the Spitfire because it can be use for the Revell Mk II and for the future Kotare Models Mk. I. Let`s see what you can get with this set mask. You get two mask sheets, similar wit Tamiya tape, but its not really the same as the color is darker and the tape itself is thinner. I unglue part of it from the paper and its very malleable with good glue.. I detached several times and the glue was still in very good shape. These two sheets give the modeler a full set of British roundels (for wings undersurface, wing upper surface and fuselage both sides) and all the stencils, all the little ones. So goodbye silvering and tiny little decals.!! Of course that all the places to put the stencilas are very well indicated for all sides of the aircraft. Also you get the markings set for two Spitfire Mk.II: - “RN N” from Squadron n.º 72 1941; - Douglas Bader Tangmere 1941; To handle the best way possible, a user manual is given and its very comprehensive. It’s a really nice touch from 1ManArmy. CONCLUSION: I love this mask set. I really do because in 1:32, the decals tend to be very big (roundels) and all the stencils are present with small decals, that could ruin your work with the silvering or not settle well into the part. So with this mask set, beside a full set of stencils mask, two markings sets, one especially for Douglas Bader Spitfire. Its cheap? well no, but you can use it several times and I know that I will use it at least two times so putting that way, its not expensive. Very highly recommended Fran Our thanks to my bank account for this product. You can get this set and all 1ManArmy catalogue at Ak-Interactive store

me too!! https://www.scalemates.com/kits/icm-tba-sikorsky-ch-54-tarhe--1376175

very very tempting indeed! Great deal!

Leitch144 please pm me! Thanks

great!! Thanks a lot for doing this Ernie!!

I just can`t find time to check my stash... Im too damn busy even to look to my stash.. For the raffle, I'm happy to contribute a $50 gift card to modeling website of winner's choice.

1:35 armour is totaly acceptable. Since is related with modelling, is acceptable.