Fran

A few organizers? Good luck!! and take your time!

Amazing conversion work! and great job on the weathering!

Aviatik (Berg) D.I at War! By Paolo Varriale Centenary datafile 171 Available at http://www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk/ The Aviatik (berg) D.I is one of my favourite WWI fighter so I was quite lease when this datafile was release. And the time is perfect as HpH announce that their next release will be the Aviatik D.I in 1:32. With 36 pages on gloss paper of which at first glance has the typical structure and winner receipt of the previous datafiles. I really like Datafile covers and this one is no exception despite being a dramatic one. The painting of Roberto Zanella show the last victory of Oberleutnant Bela Macourek off Punta d'Ostro on the Albanian coast. The 66 wing DH4 (with crew Lt. Archibald Francis Hodgskin and Lt. Ronald Baynton Picken) plunge to the sea on 6 September 1918. As usual, on the back on the cover, 3 beautiful profiles being the 38.63 my favourite. I'm always fascinated with the beginning of all and this one, specialty being one of my favourite, is amazing. I really like all the history behind it and the way the history is told. All the Aviattik D.I are here so after the prototype, the 185-hp aircraft - series 38, 48, 84 and 201 follow by the 200-hp aircraft - series 138, 184, 92, 101, 115 (a more powerful engine developed by Austro-Daimler, made under the supervision of technical director Ferdinand Porsche) are well study and the author gives us a close view and pilots perspective. However the chance to the 160-hp Aircraft - series 238, 248,284 is very well explain and all the chance that it had implied on the aircraft frame and structure. The "fight" between engine manufacture is quite interesting. Austro-Daimler also introduce a 225-hp Aircraft - série 338,348, 384 and 315. The pictures are fantastic, with a good quality and full of history. Then my favorite chapter of all datafiles: "at the front" This chapter tells us several episodes of the war with the Aviatik D.I, pilots reports, aerial battles etc. Colours and Markings, key to colour plate and Aviatik D.I survivors are a great add to all modellers that want to tackle this suject. The drawings are, as usual great with different radiator and with different profiles. At the end more six profiles from Ronny Bar. As good as it gets. Conclusion: Windsock just did it again. What a fantastic book for historians and for modeler, with great pics with amazing quality and very inspirational. Now we have the news that the regular edition of the Datafiles and Windsock Internacional will stop for now, and if there anyone who needs a little break is with no doubt, Ray Rimmel that from the past 30 years have being made a tremendous and fantastic work in the WWI study. This datafile is no exception: Worth every penny. Very Highly recommend. My sincere thanks to Ray Rimmel and Windsock for the opportunity and the review sample.

Get your Manchester done before the Lanc...

Great review indeed! Thanks so much for sharing! Fran

Weel Rick, in another modelling life, (before WnW) I has some interessed in IJN! I folow closely the J-aircraft.com forum, that I think that is iwthout updates since 2009... There you will find seen info about it! - http://www.j-aircraft.com/faq/hinomaru_red.htm The hinomuru colour could be a FS31328 ,or the XF-7 or Gunze C385, Red (Japanese Navy Markings)... i think that any of those are correct! The Pacific weather do the rest! Fran

Ricardo, you know how to make an entrance!! Love your work and you know it! Fran

Wow!! a fantastic review of this little gem!! Thanks so much for sharing! Fran

Welcome my friend!! Fran

U.S. Soldiers at rest (1:35 WWII Military Miniatures series) MiniArt Catalogue #35084 Available from any good model shop MiniArt does have a good range of 1:35 military (and now sarting also with some civilians) with several ones being quite original and with unseen positions in 1:35 scale. So whenever Miniart releases another figures step at a very good value price (comparing with resin ones) I always jmp myself in happiness! J The boxart of this set of soldiers at rest is a good one, caughting the attention to all the figures that this set contains with some workart around the box to give the modellers the temptation to buy it. In the back of the box, there`s the color guidelines for all 5 figures. You will get also, on the down right side, a quite helpful color chart with full color reference. Now let`s go inside. You will get 5 Americans soldiers at several positions of resting, like sleeping, smoking, reading and playing cards. Inside the three sprues of grey plastic are kept together in a plastic bag. No instructions ...but really do you need it? Absolutely not. Just be checking the sprues, I was quite surprised with the plastic and the injection molding. These sprues do have several flash to remove and some soft detail. Its quite strange as all the previous late release of figures from Miniart, the are becoming better and better. So lots of cleaning that flash will be needed but after that you can build some great and original figures of these. be construction of these figures. The surface detail on cloths is good, not as crispy as the others sets I reviewed (here and here). All the figures postures are quite well achieved, very natural and realistic. Concerning to the head and facial expression, injection models limitations are in fact visible here and everywhere else. Notwithstanding the head are well molded, balanced in size and the faces are quite nice in expression and look… the cleaning simply can ruin it. But you`ve got a good solution: resin heads. To add extra detail to your set, Miniart give a full set of newspapers, magazines and a playing card set. These sets come in very well printed in matt coated paper. Conclusion: The figure set is quite comprehensive giving the modelers endless possibility for use in dioramas or vignettes, is the complete set is just one of the figures and all that for the price (at least in my usual store) of a resin figure. This set however does have lots of flash and some soft detail in some small parts that I quite don’t understand why looking back to others Miniart Releases. I`m quite sure that those flash are only in was my sample, I bet. Highly recommended Francisco Guedes Our thanks to MiniArt for the review samples. Available in any good model shop.

1:32 French Pilot (with a cigarrete) Französischer Sous-lieutenant Zigarrette Rauchend Kellerkind Miniaturen (from Martin Hille) Catalogue n.º 54/066 Price tag: € 16,95 Kellerkind Miniaturen has made their path into the modelling market always with nice and original subjects and exquisite quality. Behind Kellerking is Martin Hille, a sculptor with great qualities and whom work I have been following in WnW fans facebook page and in Kellerkind facebook page for quite some while and I`m really honor to had to opportunity to make this review. Here we are going to review the lasts figure out from Kellerkind studios, a French Pilot with a cigarrete. I confess that I did not found this figure on Kellerkind website but it was for sale in Scale Model Challenge where Martin kindly gave me this one as a review sample. This figure came in a plastic little opening plastic box with all the 3 resin parts inside well packed. The figure only have 3 resin pieces, a full standing figure with torso, legs and right arm in one piece and head and left arm in separate. The box art is not really anything that the figure all set and ready to be paint. So it’s a picture of the product, of what you will get without paint. The cleaning is almost zero and the resin block is quite easy to remove with a saw without losing any details as they are on the shoes. The head and left arm also have connection point in lace that are not to be seen after construction. The figure has a brilliant composition and posture and the left arm odes contribute a lot to that pose and expression with the cigar at its end being the cherry on top of the cake. The fit was not quite perfect but very easy to get by just a bit of cleaning in the attaching point of the arm. The only little low, for me on this figure is the facial expression. Its just too sad, it’s a man with a very sad look. We can see for another point of view… It’s a very concentrated man, knowing the danger and fate that he faces every single day in war. I think that the sadness is a bit too much on this one but its a very personal opinion. The detail on the clothes are as usual, top noch. Amazing really, the pics do not make justice to this figure. Conclusion: This figure is a really great add to any vignette or diorama with a 1:32 French aircraft like the wnW Salmson. The quality casting is superb and his pose is very good. My only reservation is the facial expression but it’s just a personal opinion. Highly recommended. My sincerely thanks to Martin Hille, the man behind KellerKind for the review samples. (You can buy directly here and if you do don`t forget to mention Wingnut Wing Fans and Large Scale Modeller and join Kellerkind on their facebook page) Francisco

love it all the way!!!

Fantastic review of this little tractor!! Great stuff! Fran

I truly hope that its just a smartphone!! you`re not my type! :D There`s lots of expectation around the Lanc and the Phantom. The Ju-52 announcement was well received and several of modelers that talk to me, are keen to see it in plastic.

Fantastic! great idea for display both models.

Great looking figure indeed!!!

Windsock Autumn Edition 2016 Price tag: £7.80 Available at http://www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk/ Another season, another Windsock edition just in perfect time and again it’s great to have the opportunity to review this release form Windsock. On the cover, we got a fantastic picture taken in April 2016 with TVAL Albatros D.Va with Rob Horne of “The Great War Society”. On the first page a few information about TVAL US DH4 and a note about Camel colours in the Summer issue being somewhat darker that the original. Being an apologies from Windscok to the artist. Another announcement about the end of the free shipping from WnW, a bit of an old news. On the Logbook Entries, 4 reviews books are made, with the special call to the Sopwith Camel Owner`s Workshop Manuel by Jarrod Cotter publish by Haynes Publishing. I`m sure this could be quite in hand for the upcoming camel. This time readers gallery does have great models, two WnW and one Roden, being Salmson 2a”, Fokker D.VII and Sopwith Triplane. One of my favourite parts of the latest Windscok, the Modelling Vintage Aircraft by Harry Woodman, this time of great tips about surface finishes, struts, undercarriages and of course rigging. On the winter issue this chapter will be conclused. Following the cover picture, several pictures taken in Stow Maries Photo Shoot, by Ken Smith are here in full detail and colour. Lovely pics of the Spowith Snipe, Be2e, Albatros D.Va and Bristol Scout. On the detail chapter of Helmets, hats and headgear, a full information with close-up pics of the Imperial German Safety Helmet. Being the helmet one of the most used helmets and most photographed and easily recognizable helmet, it’s a great chapter not only to modellers but to sculptors. Getting ready for the upcoming WnW Camel, Great war Paint chapter is about … you`re right: Spowith Camel. Several fantastic pics and more the 10 new profiles by Avro Vercamer. And finally just before the reviews chapter, Ansaldo archive to complete the review made in the previous windsock about the Ansaldo Balilla from Aviattic. On this chapter Windscok give us great war pictures and a fantastic walkaround of the Balilla in Bergamo being finalized with the final reviews of the last items of the Aviattic 1:32 Balilla. On the reviews, several new and not so news (but re-boxed) models are analyzed like dogfight Airfix with E.III and Be2c in 1:72, several 1:144 models form Valom, details sets from Eduard and HGW. Also review of Scale Aircraft Conversions with metal undercarriage substitutes this time for WnW AEG and GasPatch Salmsons. As its said by the reviewer, I also do have doubts about the use of these ones in WWI models. A review that I also liked was about D.1119/17 Albatross conversion set, being several looks and close up being pointed out like I already read in other forums. Several well pointed reservations about this conversion set. And before the publicity pages the last chapter being “The Rudder Post…” with several letters from readers. Conclusion: Well, I starting to have some problem in getting words form the Windsock. It’s a must have for all WWI lovers and modelers. All this year has being prepared to receive the WnW Camel with the best information possible in these 3 issues being conclude in the winter issue. The information is very good and very well written. Very Highly Recommend. My sincere thanks to Ray Rimmel and Windsock for the opportunity and the review sample.

I would love to get both.... even from ZM and all the non-see details...

Pfalz D. IIIa at War. By Greg Van Wynharden Volume one Centenary datafile 173 Available at http://www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk/ Its really great to see a deep study about Pfalz D.IIIa at war time. With 32 pages on gloss paper of which at first glance has the typical structure and winner receipt of the previous datafiles. On the cover we have a Robert Karr painting showing two Pfalz intitled “Silver Eagles over Flandres.” I really like the snake-decorated Pfalz D. IIIa 5918/17 In the opening, as usual, 3 fantastic profiles unique and unmistakable Ronny Bar. With a structure identical to the previous Datafiles, the reader is offered a summary of the history of this plane with clear photos of war time and all the duty that Pfalz D.IIIa did have along the war time but it’s a two volumes series so not all is here. The chapter of history Pfalz is quite rich in information especially in the appearance of the Pfalz in the course of accumulated experience to build for other builders and evolution for D. IIIa. It has a subchapter dedicated D. IIIa with their involvement and progress in the course of the war with very good information about planes and the thoughts of pilots about the Pfalz D.IIIa. Then the book moves to the history specifies the Pfalz D.IIIa in their various squads. The Pfalz D.IIIa history squadrons on this volume are “The Bavarians”, “Jagdstaffel 30”, “Jasta 47W”, “Jasta 61” with observation of the pilots is quite interesting and recitals between D. III and D. IIIa and real history missions, events, historical curiosities. The approximately eighty some never before seen photos are fabulous ... just so worth it. Some are a full page with a clarity and quality simply amazing. The plans are 1:72 and 1:48 and they are of great quality with details of the differences between early and late center-section struts and Niendorf and Axial propeller. Not 1:32 but nothing that the increase in the copier does not solve it. And then, at the end the chapter “key to colour plates”, with several thoughts and information about several Pfalz and their colours. At the end… 8 more fantastic profiles from Ronny Bar. Conclusion: A fantastic book for historians and for modeler, with great pics with amazing quality and very inspirational. Even with only 32 pages, it’s a really must have to those who have a WnW Pfalz D.IIIa on their stash. Worth every penny. Very Highly recommend. My sincere thanks to Ray Rimmel and Windsock for the opportunity and the review sample.

a Kiwi one!! Nice!!

An 1:35 Dora is always EPIC! with all the changes and upgrades, this is more than EPIC! Please keep sharing! just love it Fran

Great start!! I would prefer this one to my Bubbletop but not getting another one.

RESICAST 1:35 Private Tom “Winter 1915” (Catalogue number: 35.5658) Available from Resicast The Resicast is a Belgium Manufacture (owned by a British) and a well-known resin brand with esoteric and very interesting subjects. Here we analyze briefly this beautiful figure of the WWI. The figure is made with 8 parts in beige colored resin. The torso is in one piece with legs and right arm. The left arm and head are separated. The head comes with integrated cap. The casting and overall detail of the figure is very good and actually the cap was a small casting that is easy to solve with putty but more of that later. The facial expression is appropriate and interesting. It conveys a sense of momentary victory or happiness / smile for some reason. The general approach is very interesting and well done. Really like the look, a victorious and at the same relaxed look. The clothing detail with front pockets is very good and you can see the texture of winter clothing to give the viewer a feeling of cold. The only real flaw is the casting of the head with a deep mark on the cap being but what about us easy to repair. Accessories such as bayonet, rifle, canteen, etc. are very well reproduced. Conclusion This figure resin is of good quality with good detail of clothing and accessories. I really like the posture and especially of facial expression of willingness and victorious it is clear to me how I can use it with a WnW. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Our sincere thanks to Resicast for the review sample seen here. Francisco Guedes www.largescalemodeller.com

Welcome Tom!! And share with us your work| Fran

A video review of the test shot of the Me 262 B-1a. On my wishlist for sure!! Fran