Fran

Well, for me, it´s the dust when I getting the oils on the sufarce... I really dont know where it comes from!! Pff.. I also dont like scribing, as I`m always expecting that everything goes wrong.

Thank you!! Cheers Fran

I`m in!

Thank you all for your kind words!! Fran

Thanks. The wood fuselage was made with oils. Cheers Fran

Hi guys Here`s my Albatros D.V "red hood, tail and wings" Jasta 11, 2 to 6 July, This particulary plane was the one that Manfred von Richthofen was shot down. He was shot in the headnd severly wounded while attaking a FE. 2dof the 20 Squadron. It was believe that four days earlier while flying this plane he got his 57th victory on 2 July. A full article will be on Scale Aircraft Modelling (SAM) next year! Fran

1:72 Babibi Model Decals A-400 M ($22) C-160 Transall ($16) Babibi Model is a new name for me I discovered when I was looking for decals for my current project, A-400M Grizzly, which I find myself doing for Scale Aircraft Modeling. I had never seen and found any reviews regarding the quality of the decals, even so, I decided to order the A400 sheet, having the surprise that the brand new Babibi Model decal sheet, C-160 D Transall for Revell kit, was in the same envelope. Here we will analyze both. First of all, the presentation of the decals is very professional and very interesting. The decals come in a plasticized paper wrap and with transparency on one side to see the inside. The back has all the general instructions for decal application. These instructions are in fact general and applicable to all decals, it is always important to remember the general principles of decal application. In this case, there is no specific rule for applying these decals. Analyzing the decal sheets, the color registration is great and the definition of the details is one of the best I've seen. The decals have a thin film, in fact looking very thin and delicate. Starting with the A-400M sheet, it is a sheet that costs 22 dolares (not really cheap) but provides 6 different options namely: - A-400M First Plane of Turaf “KocaYusuf” - A-400M Altas Zm409 With Airborn 16 Tail Arts - A-400M Royal Air Force - A-400M Armé de LʻAir -A-400M Malaysian Air Forces - A-400M 60 Years of Luftwaffe (a misprint on the profile ) As you can see, the tail arts are very well defined and will undoubtedly give a more colorful look to your A-400M thus breaking the monotonous gray. Beside all the markings and letters, Babibi Models sheet also gives you, concerning the RAF several other numbers to make almost an entire fleet. Now let's look at the C-160 sheet. This decal sheet has only two options but very good choices: -C-160 D Transall TURAF Ex-Ankara Museum Turkey - C-160 51 + 1 “Silberne Gams” - Germany Both options are very colorful and just like the A400 sheet, the color registration is of enormous quality, and very fine, having everything to go well during the application. The decals for the German version won me over right away and are very cute despite being a little more complicated to get the desired results considering the size of the decal of the cause and then the extra color of black to be painted by the modeler to blend the black as on the real plane. Conclusion: Well, Babibi Model is a very good surprise for me. The presentation of the decals (on the envelope) and the decals themselves are the best I've ever seen. The colors and the fineness of the decals are noteworthy for their quality. The guidelines given when placing the decals are sufficient and perfectly noticeable to any model designer. The only less positive point that I glimpse is the fact that none of the planes have any historical background, not even a small sentence. My thanks to Babibi Model for producing these fantastic decals and for the C-160 review sample. Francisco Guedes

Really nice work on a not-so-easy model!! looks great!

Wrecked Planes AK - Interactive Price tag: 22,95€ (plus shipping) AK-Interactive is becoming bigger and bigger in the world of Modeling, covering all aspects of model making, from consumables of enormous quality, to own kits as well as in high quality publications. This week we received the Wrecked Planes with great enthusiasm, as it is not very common this kind of work, mainly due to the difficulty in creating dioramas with planes, especially dioramas with downed planes. The cast of modelers who worked on this title guarantees us works of excellence right away. The book is in A4 format and has about 143 pages, with soft cover with reinforced inner cover. The paper is satin finish, with a good touch and with excellent printing, giving a lot of quality to the colors and image. Opening the book, we have an introduction with beautiful photographs of the second world war, very inspiring for future works. As for the content and looking at the index, there`s works for everyone taste: -Junkers Ju-87 B-2 – Airtor Azkue -Messerschmitt Me-163B – Airtor Azkue -Aero L-29 Delphin – Daniel Zamarbide -Lockheed F-104 Starfighter – Fabrizio Mercuri -A-4N Skyhawk – Christoff Theunissen -Pipper PA-“Pawbee” – Ugur Kenel -Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero – Kristoff Pulinckx -Yakovlev Yak-3 – Daniel Zamarbide -PBY Catalina – Roberto Ballesteros -Grumman S-2A Tracker – René Van Der Hart -Electric Lightning F.2A/F.6 – Juan Villegas All authors either present airplanes in poor repair, due to abandonment or because they were shoot down, destroyed or abandon. Being destroyed planes, all are presented in diorama or vignette and in different natural environments, which is great because it allows to see the approach of the various authors both to the creation of the wear / destruction of the planes and to the creation of the respective lands. The work by Aitor Azkue (1:32 Trumpeter Ju-87B-2 and 1:32 Meng Me-163), a true master, are always a piece of art and the dynamic given is unique. I already knew these two dioramas but I think this is the first time that I have seen it in full detail articles. Aitor gives some looks of his real talent with pictures in detail and with several step-by-step in the various phases of construction. Both planes were shot down with the author showing a great balance in the creation of these works of art, sharing some of this with the reader. The level of detail and realism is extraordinary; Something that Aitor has already accustomed us. Just a note, a negative one, at least for me. The swastika is cut, but it´s not Aitor Azkue fault. I´m not going down on that polemic subject but is History that it can`t not be forgetten. So, it is an editorial option from AK (probably to sale the book in Germany) as I already saw pictures of these Aitor works and the complete swastika is there. Daniel Zamarbide, a very well-knowed modeler and a very talent one, also presented us with two fantastic works, giving special emphasis to L-29 at 1:72, all in metal, in a small setting harsh winter season. A step by step of all the construction of the plane as well as the base, since it is already worth the price of the book. Zamarbide's other work is the 1:48 Yak-3 (Zvezda), also in winter. Once again the highly explanatory step-by-step is very welcome at all levels, both at the level of the model itself and at the level of the base. A fabulous work by Fabrizio Mercuri is the 1:32 Italeri F-104 Starfighter, a small vignette, with only the front of the F-104's fuselage. The author carefully show all the main steps in construction and painting. I particularly highlight the discoloration and wear and tear given to the insignia (which are decals). Simply brilliant. The next one is a little gem. A great little weathering job is the 1:72 KP Piper Pa25 “Pawnee” by Ugur Kenle. The visual result is very good and the author is able to show step by step the whole painting and weathering process being a outstading learning asset for everyone! In this case, there is no how-to of the little base, nor is there even an enlightening and complete image that shows the work in question in a splendid way. I would love to see it. Next up is the 1:72 Academy PBY Catalina by Roberto Ballesteros. Right here, although the work is wonderful (perhaps the best in the book) there are only photos of the complete work and a short text by the author to explain, in a succinct way, how he managed to obtain such effects and carry out the work he did. Too bad because it was one of the works, when I saw it announced, that I really wanted to see a step-by-step and it is the only work that does not have any work in progress pictures. So it just step out of the other works and the intended concept of this book as it´s not only gallery but also and mainly a learning book. The 1:48 Kinetic Grumman S-2A Tracker by René Van der Hart, is the opposite of Catalina. It is a magnificent work, but like the others, it has lots of how-to and step-by step photos, either of construction (in its main points) or in painting, or finally in weathering. The 1:48 Hasegawa A-4N SkyHawk by Christoff Theunissen gives us another perspective so far, as it is the scenario in the desert and the extent of the damage to be replicated is more specific and concrete. The author was careful to present his tricks clearly regarding bullet damage along the fuselage. Of course, the Pacific beaches could not be left out and here are very well represented by the 1:32 Tamiya A6M5 Zero by Kristoff Pulincx, that it´s on the cover of this book. The author is careful to show in detail and very well explained how he obtained the damage created in the fuselage and the wings. The painting phase and especially the weathering has a very intuitive and clear step-by-step explanation. This diorama is perfect, with the weathering spot on. Finally, for originality, my favorite: 1:48 Airfix Electric Lightning by Juan Villegas A small vignette using only the front part of an Electric Lighting, on an outdoor display, with all the natural dirt. The graffiti and 3D figure taking a selfie makes this vignette a real delight. Here, also the explanation of the weathering and scratch building of the support cart and the base is very explicit and clear. CONCLUSION: Another killer publication from Ak-Interactive! Beside the paper quality and printer definition that is top quality, the content of this book is a quite inspiration one to all the modellers and dioramas modellers Very Highly Recommend Francisco Guedes Our thanks to the Fernando and AK-Interactive for this review sample and all the support. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. If you found this review helpful and decide to purchase this product, please tell them you read about it at Large Scale Modeller!

WOW!!! Wonderful pictures!!

Great work!! Please keep it coming!

Thanks Rob!! I perfectly understand what you say, but the main thing is tat the goal was to use all acrylics products, in all stages of building and show thats possible. And the Only brand that has all products in acrylics is Vallejo! Its a way to show to all mdellers that even with acrylics you can do great weathering and all sort of effects.

Thanks for your kind words!

Hi Guys. Ten years I saw a Hasegawa release of a B-24 D "Formation Monitor" and I just had to have it... The model represent the B-24 Liberator 42-40723 'The Little Gramper' 566th BS, 389th BG, 8th AF, flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid piloted by Lt Jack W Dieterle, returning safely to Libya. Transferred to the 491st Bomb Group 15 May 44. Noted as War Weary repainted in high visibility paint scheme and became Group's first assembly ship. The overall yellow with red polka dots and trim took many man hours, and replacement aircraft for this duty were less exotically decorated. The Little Gramper was the fisrt Assembly ship and it looks totaly different Well, its a great model, with a poorly research from Hasegewa. Anyway, I took a long time to makethis build, almost without decals (only the insignia) A full article will appear soon on a modelling magazine!! Fran

Love it!! Great great Work!!

Yes, its all there and its very comprehensive one with tons of step by step!! No secrets hide!!

Thanks for the information!! Westland Whirlwind is most expected!!

RP Toolz are great tools!! I have all of them ( except the cutter) and they are great!! A good value for your money.

Thanks for the add up... Well, we really dont know eactly but I edit the post. So the availability will be around late November/early December in your LHS or online. The price is almost a mystery but we would be around 40/50€. Thanks Fran

MASTER SCALE MODELLING By JOSÉ BRITO Publish by Vallejo ISBN: 978-84-09-20559-2 Price tag: €TBA (plus shipping) Available at late November/Early December José Brito is a fantastic person and great modeler, in a category that, for me, is one of the complete and beautiful of modelling – Dioramas and this book is a long and hard work by the author. When I got the package (a very early example posted directly by the author to me), I was quite surprise. It weight a ton… When I opened, I saw the beautiful cover and the size of it… it is HUGE!! The soft cover is very well design and very attractive with a sentence that is what this book is all about: “The Ultimate guide for painting and weathering with Vallejo water based acrylics”. On the back, a small "history" of the book itself and how the idea started. Most of us, modeler, are accustomed to work with lacquers/enamel/oils to paint, and specially to weathering models, but this book wants to give to all modelers (expert/intermediate or novice) a new look to water based products and what you can do with them. For that, this book has 552 pages, in very good impressed color and high quality satin paper. Opening the book and checking the INDEX, you can see that this book is in fact the ultimate guide of modelling. Everything is here, especially for diorama modeler and AFV modeler… But the aircraft modeler is not put aside as you got a 1:32 HK B-25H full build article, besides all the techniques and ideas that be use on aircraft modelling and aircraft dioramas. As general items and basic guide (even thought, with good tips), you got: Tools (every tools is here and with explanation and picture for the tool and how to use it – The author shows in simple step-by-step pics how to use the tools and simultaneity he shows for what they are for 20 pages. It´s quite a learning curve this chapter even for a long-term modeler, like myself having already 30 years in modelling world) Vallejo Materials Modelling Materials (here, there are the following sub-sections): Aftermarkets; Balsa foam Bases Cork Glues Isolation foam Lead foil and aluminum Metal profiles Plastic profiles Rocks Vegetation Wires Wood Kits (type of kits) Kits in plastic Kits in resin (and also a chapter with assembling a resin kit using a Macone Models 1:35 Mortar Artillery) Kits in plaster Workplace Planning and composition The base and its development Research Then, the works. Here the author show steps by steps of all the techniques used, in all modelling stages, along several works, each one better than the other. “In detailing the kit chapter”, there´s several used tips that can be used in those models used (CMP C15A, Sexton II or Panzer IV/70A) or any others models. A fantastic conversion is use on the “extreme kit transformation”… see for yourself. In painting tips, you got a chapter of Zenith light technique and next “Decals how to”. Just everything you need to know to work with decals. Then it is a diorama paradise with chapters of all kind for all tastes: Starting with how any diorama should be: a story, a piece of history. So it begins with: “How to organize a scene to tell a story”, Then, working with Balsa foam and isolation foam (to design your own buildings) Or if you want water, you get all kinds of water (riverbank; beach, war ship in rough sea, extreme rough sea…); Concerning with terrain, you got all kind of types: Summer Autumn/Winter base; Or Dry environment: But that`s not all. The author also gives others possibilities like: Urban decay (pavement and urban infrastructures, urban decay base) Decayed Road Desert base How to make a small size diorama (WWI) How to make a large size diorama (WWI) Also some tips of how to do a trash spot: In addition, you also got several fantastic works (all dioramas) where the author shows the techniques and all kind of terrain and vehicles: Syrian Chaos (with a complex destroyed building) Toyota Syrian; Europe 1946 – the war is over; Lanchester – World war I Sherman Tank (in the Pacific – Cape Gloucester 1944); Heavy Mortar (WWI) Donbass War Here`s some pictures of some of those works: Enough? Well the author did not think so… So a fantastic 1:32 HK B-25H is made with all step-by-step. Utterly fantastic. However, it is not over. Large Scale figures!! First a how to make a base with metal and blood and then four large-scale figures made and painted step-by step from RP Models. All other dioramas, step-by-step of painting 1:35 figure is given. At this time, it`s over… well not yet, as there also chapters of sfi-ci with “detailing a sci-fi” and “Sci-fi scene” Moreover, it ends in the best way: An extended gallery with lots of lots of work from the author. All the works showed in this book are from José Brito and no one else (there`s only on model not made by him but all the base and diorama/vignette scene was). Conclusion I have had the pleasure to be José Brito friend, over 15 years now and because of that, I`m one of the lucky person that saw almost (probably all) models/diorama that are in this book… Well, my first impression when you look at it was, WOW!!! And I didn’t open yet. This is to José Brito: I´m proud of you, my friend. The book of 552 has high-grade paper and satin finish with top quality pictures with great contrast color. As for the price tag, no officila information was given but we suspect that it will be around 40/50€ which is a GREAT value for your money. In sum, this book is quite outstanding. The text is quite simply, very comprehensive and an easy reading. The print quality is outstanding (great job Vallejo). It is a huge a systematic book, thoroughly very informative with the materials and techniques used! Perfect and on top of that, and tons and tons of inspiration! José Brito is one of the best in the world in dioramas (and he shows here that is probably the most complete modeler in the world… he just can do anything with high quality. The modelling world have waited far too long for a José Brito diorama book and the wait has paid off. The modelling world got an all-new master scale modelling ultimate book! VERY VERY Highly Recommend Francisco Guedes Very special thanks to my friend José Brito, for the fantastic BOOK! To more information, check Acrylics Vallejo site here. If you found this review helpful and decide to purchase this product, please tell them you read about it at Large Scale Modeller! Disclaimer: all photos were taken in order to preserve and prevent all copyright.

Wow! How I miss it?? Hats off Sir!! Lovely work!!

A P.S. to to this review after several followers calling our attetion to the wings. Well, I saw the wings and every other reviews mention it. I didnt mention because it didnt look that upward bend as bad as others mention and almost hopeless fix. So I took my wings from the sprue... And in fact, They do have some upward bend and with a simply twist in the other direction after heating up a littel with a hairdryer, and they look better,... not perfect but better. Patience and some efford and they will be ok! As one member said, with hot water, the wings would be ok. Why this happened? No idea, as I can`t tell is that was a issue present on the samples in telford but I didnt notice there but I really dont know. To all our members, thanks for the add up! Cheers

1:32 Fokker Dr. I/F.1 (Early and Late type) Meng (Ex-Wingnut Wings) Kit No. QS-02 Available from Ak-Interactive for €59,95. Well, there it is… the Meng Fokker Dr. I. The box has its fair size, well packed with plastic and in the side with some profiles and information. I confess that this review and this release is a bittersweet for me, as I have been a WnW Fan since day one… since April of 2010. Personaly, Wingnut Wings gave me a lot… new knowledge, a new modelling perspective and an all new modelling world. Also gave me friends, very good ones from across the world and literally from the other side of the world. So WnW dismiss in 2020 shocked the modelling world. There were several WnW projects that probably will never see daylight (Lancaster, 0/400, 0/100), but one did: The Fokker Dr.I. The test shots in Scale Model World 2019 (held in Telford) were pretty much the final test shots and the model looked fantastic. Wingnut was preparing to release two boxes with the Fokker F.I/ Dr.I (early type) and the Dr. I (late Type) and the web page still on (at least for one of them) http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/product?productid=3205 At Telford, the test-shots could be the final ones or not… Richard Alexander was a perfectionist so I really don’t now if he was not totally satisfied with it… well probably we will never know. One thing I know for a fact: The only sprue in this box that wasn’t design by Darren Mildhenhall was the sprue E (Engine). So let`s start with the engine. The original engine was tooled in Korea in the same place that were tooled the Camel so Meng had to do an all new engine for this Fokker Dr.I And the sprue design was different. Check the differences: The original WnW engine: Meng engine: Checking close this sprue, the details are well represented and very sharp. One thing that caught my attenttion in the attachment point between the parts and the sprue… WnW moulding strategy is different with less attachements points making a bit easier the removal and making less risk the detail damage. Anyway it´s mould option but shows how WnW was a totally modeller friendly. Anyway Meng gives two type of engines: Le Rhone 9J (Part E1) Oberursel UR.II (Part E7). Fokker Dr.I, on field sometimes were powerfull with the Le Rhone engine and also with the Clerget 9b engine. Curious is the fact that the propeller given, in the WnW sprue, you get 3 propeller types for each engine, so yes, there`s the propeller for the Clerget engine if you want to build a Dr.I with a Clerget engine. I assume, that WnW would have provide all 3 engines (I`m almost certain of this as WnW already had a Clerget engine for the Camel) and markings option for all 3 engines. But that`s only speculation now… Cheking other sprues and knowing that there were several cases report of damage, specialy the cockpit fairing moulded with the middle wing, I found out that my example is totally intact. Thanks AK-Interactive for the nice and very protective package that assure that all remain intact to the customer. Here`s the remaning sprues: There`s not much more to say about the plastic sprues. The wings do have a seam line on the wing edge that could not be quite an easy task to remove it but doable. The wings do have more attaching point that other WnW models, but the wing is quite stick and heavy and that the explanation (given By Richard Alexander himself). The plastic quality looks very good and with nice surface details and with construction strategy well defined, being well patented the WnW fingertip left here. I only notice a bit (incomprehensible) flash on the aileron edge... Checking all the options given in this box, you got 3 cowlings to use (One specific for the Red Baron, on for the Werner Voss F.1 Prototype and another for the Göring and Göttsch airplanes.) I will only highlight, as for sprues are concerne, the sprue F. Being a prototype, the Fokker F.I (fitted with a Le Rhone engine) has several differences and are all concentrated in the sprue F. So the ailerons are in different shape and much wider with larger mass balances, a different shape rudder, curve edged tailplane, smaller wheels, and a different cowling. So the parts engineering, the sprue study and part display (for example the option for the LMG08/15 machine guns with PE or in injection), it’s without a question a Wingnut Wings Model. But that`s all, as nothing more even assemble to a Wingnut Wings model. It`s probably one of Meng best model kits but they still have a long way to go to match Wingnut Wings. However, there`s only one particularly point that this Meng model is superior to WnW model, The Photo-etched sheet. Yes, it has the classical WnW configuration, was design by WnW (with seatbelts, buckles, covers and cooling jackets of the twin Spandau MG08/15 8mm), flawless surface details but Meng did it without connections points to the sheet turning the removal way more simple and practical with no cutting and sanding. So, in this particulary aspect, Kudos to Meng. But, let`s check all the box contents. Starting for the decals. The sheet brings you the instruments dials, several balkenkreuz for the 4 scheme options and the numbers for he Dr.I and F.I Voss but remember that, as the engine, the decal sheet was design by WnW. Schemes given, I think that are good ones but with no surprise. A Jagdgeschwader (JG) I, #425/17 (Freiherr von Richthofen, Manfred Albrecht) 1 March 1918. B Jagdstaffel (Jasta) 10 103/17 (Leutnant Werner Voss) September 1917. Werner Voss C Jagdstaffel (Jasta) 27 206/17 (Oberleutnant Hermann Göring) D Jagdstaffel (Jasta) 19 202/17 (Leutnant Walter Göttsch) 1 February 1918. The decals do have a good colour registration but I do have two little thing that I must say: First, the decals looks a bit stick and not as thin I was used to with Cartograph but they can do work just fine. Secondly, Werner Voss Fokker F.I face looks a bit off, specially those eyebrows… Look at these pictures: Different faces no?? And the million question: That color cowling… Its dark olive or yellow?? I`m not going down that road on this review that’s for sure! I know that I probably will be using WnW decals available on the 32601 Alb. D.V MvR with a Dr.I 127/17 or a Montex scheme. Or even Goering Dr.I. Now, inside along with the instruction, theres some A4 paper sheets in English and mostly in Chinese with information about the Dr.I, Manfred Van Richthofen, and maybe other info. I keep under what the use of this… really… I can`t see any use from it... Instead that could put a better effort in the instruction, with historical detail on it as we were use to… Moving along to the instruction. Anyone who have a Wingnut Wings model kit know that WnW set the bar way up with their instructions. Meng`s Fokker Dr.I instructions are not bad… its such a normal instructions that we, WnW Fans can`t be happy with… No history data, no historical and actual pictures of the plane, no historial information of the chosen schemes, no identification of the parts with the full name, no identification of the team behind each project…. So it`s plain and simple instruction with good part indication and where to they attach in An A3 size coloured instruction booklet of nineteen simple steps and twenty pages. However there`s one thing that Meng just forgot: Rigging… We all know that Fokker Dr.I is not knowed for its rigging but it does have rigging.. Meng does not make any whatsoever reference to the rigging (even when the plastic parts have hole to being made either is Dr.I or F.I. So is incomphensive that lacking of information or rigging drawings. The Fokker Dr.I had visible rigging in front of the cockpit, undercarriage, and in the tail Another point that is not wrong but I think that could be better: color indication. You only get AK and another brand (not knowed to me). The code colour directs you to Meng color, made by AK to Meng. I understadn why Meng made this direct reference to thier "own" paints but I do love theReal Color and the 3rd acrylics generation from AK and I would be delighted to see them on the color chart. Verdict Well, it’s a great model kit but one thing is for sure: it ain`t a Wingnut Wings Model! It sure is a really nice Meng kit, probably their best one but it`s not a Wingnut With care and some good references for the rigging and the colours, it will turn into the Best Fokker Dr.I (F.I) in any scale that you can get, that’s for sure, and that`s is the beauty of this models, and the last legacy left by Wingnut Wings. Highly recommended. My sincere thanks to AK-Interactive for this review sample. Francisco Guedes

Happy Birhday Harv!!! Even with a day behind!!

When I have more intel I will let you know! Meanwhile I will get my copy, probably next week, and will do a review here on LSM!