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Fran

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    Group Build rules:

    in Everything Ukraine Group Build

    Posted

    Well, I will enterthis GB at least with this Fokker DVII "F" Ukrainien Galician Army, September 1919

    Not an actual modern airplane or AFV but Its an ukrainian scheme and every profit from this Aviattic sheet will be to charities aiding refugees fleeing the outrageous invasion of Ukraine and the violence inflicted by the Putin regime.

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    • Like 7

    Hong Kong Models 1/32 Avro Lancaster B Mk. I Special "Grand Slam"

    in Aircraft Reviews

    Posted

    Hong Kong Models
    1/32 Avro Lancaster

    Grand Slam

     

    Hong Kong Models 32nd scale Lancaster Grand Slam (1).jpg

    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.

     

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    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.

     

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    The Grand Slam is impressive.

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    Also you got a new “nose” to replace the front turret that the Grand Slam Lancaster unit didn’t have.

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    The extra booklet

     

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    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.

     

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    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.

     

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    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.

     

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    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.

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    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.

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    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)

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    The final steps is a little upgrade from the original booklet with some explicit identification if previous steps.

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    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

     

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    The decals for this new version is a single sheet with very good registration and color, a top quality product as expected from Cartograf.

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    Also present is the original Lancaster Mk. I release, where you will take the insignias and stencils.

     

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    However I would expect to see more options on this release…

    But here`s it is in action:

     

     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.jpg

     

    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.

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    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.

     

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    • Like 1
    • Thanks 2

    1:32 Copper State Model French Pilot smoking pipe.

    in LSM-Related Reviews (military figures etc)

    Posted

    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.

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    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.

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    All clothing fits the figure body position, being very well achieved.

    All the detail on the clothes are simply amazing.

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    The facial expression is very good and a love the little pipe in the hand.

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    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.

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    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

     

     

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1
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