CANicoll

Ok, finally sorted through the stash and took a hard look at what I may build ( uh huh...) and what I most likely will not. I'll offer up the 1/48 ZM F-4C Phantom II, with the G-Factor Brass landing gear which I picked up at SMW in Telford a few years ago. If the recipient is overseas (from the US), I'll offer up a $75 gift card to the hobby shop of their choice. Thanks to Ernie for organizing this, and I'm voting to have Ernie participate along with the rest of us!

I just scared the daylights out of the cat laughing out loud, and now have a nice scar on my leg where she launched from. Who knew this was going to be so dangerous!

Microscale HO decals huh? Excellent. I would have gone blind trying to free hand the stripes! What acrylic paints are you using?

John, I'm just amazed this is an OOB build - the detail is amazing. The cockpit is fantastic. That level of detail is just something else. I especially like the wear on the seat. How long did it take you to put that all together? Your build speed and quality are out of this world. Are those prop tip stripes paint or decals? I have not built a Hasegawa kit in forever, but you are making it look fantastic. I'm disappointed you are not building Tallahassee Lassie, being a FSU grad, but hey, can't have everything. Vallejo Model Air works pretty well for me. I turned to that when I could not find Model Master Acryl. The problem I have is finding the right colors. Vallejo color matching is horrible. But the paints (and the primers, esp the Gloss Black primer) I think are pretty good once you get the chemistry right. I do love the MRP paints. Respirator and all. The colors you are getting are amazing as well - the blue around the canopy is striking. And I'm a huge fan of painting before assembling, when possible. Great work!

Whenever I can get back to the UK I hope the Mach Loop is active. It would be worth it to haul all the camera gear out there for this.

Gary, thank you so much! Seeing the quality of your work and that of our other friends here is really inspiring (and often daunting!). Cheers! Chris

And here is the flip side of a different F-15, but very cool to see all the hard points and the weathering closer to the engines. I've not seen that before. If you are building certain aircraft, this guy is a bonanza of reference photos! On YouTube.

And I mixed up the photographers. I did the Photo Day with Darren Harbar, who is frequently in the magazine FlyPast, and these pictures are from Daren Edwards. My bad!

Thank you my friend! I appreciate all of the kind comments. Happy holidays early!

Me neither! Apparently the F-35s just arrived in the UK?

Captured this image of an F-15 at the Mach Loop and thought I would share. I did a "Photographers Day" at Duxford with Darren several years ago and it was a blast. Just being out on the flight line (standing in the grass!) and getting bounced by a couple of Spitfires was worth it. And is it my eyes or is the camo actually three colors? Two shades of gray (see the right elevator), and the blue/gray? The blue/gray also looks to be splotchy in spots.

Definitely!! The capillary action is a huge help here. And for wheels/tires this small, I'd hand paint, leaving the tire on the sprue at one attachment point (what will become the bottom) to make it easier to hold.

Ernie, thanks!! Just being part of this group is something special. Chris

John, Super work and a very cool build. The cockpit is so clean and perfect - nicely done. I don't envy you the masking for that paint - wow!! Another Beautiful build of yours!

Peter, I saw that problem with the nose and really felt for you. I also had NO idea how you were going to fix that but, wow, you really did a terrific job putting that back together. Just amazing my friend! Don't doubt the amazing you are doing these days - really something to see. Congrats on the fix! Chris

Peter, Not sure who you purchased the kit from, but maybe contact SprueBrothers to see if they can help? I also found this address on their Facebook page : lionroar@vip.sina.com. And also this one on the Chinese GHW website: marketing@lionroarmodel.cn This is the website: 上海狮瑞工艺模型有限公司 SHANGHAI LION ROAR ART MODEL CO.,LTD (lionroarmodel.cn) Good luck!! Chris

Thank you, Peter and Gary! Nice to get this one into the case. Not on a par with either of your builds, but I'm getting back into the saddle here. Ciao!!

You took some terrific photos of the scene, but the first, fourth and seventh pics are my favorites. Just amazing!! Chris

Gary, AWESOME work on everything! The plane, the figures and the diorama - just beautiful! Love the chair but your figures are terrific. A lovely build all the way around. This is going into your LHS? They will be overjoyed to get it! Chris

Ok gents, and thank you for your patience! Finally got it to where I think I'm done (although still some nits to work out). As usual for a Tamiya kit, went together pretty well. Love/Hate the HGW seatbelts, but they do look really nice to my eyes. This is what happens when you use facial tissue to fill in for paint, and then forget to pick out all of the remaining threads: One more build to start before the GB in January to give me something to do in December. Not sure what it will be, but leaning towards an Eduard Bf109 but might pull something else out of the closet. Thanks for all the comments gents!! Chris

I do have Mr Surfacer, 500 and 1500 which I used to fill in the panel lines on the Tamiya P-51D wing (to limited success). I also have the Tamiya fine white putty, Vallejo and the ubiquitous Milliput. Just remembering when to use which is half the battle! Doing a build like this Helldiver would really be an excercise...

Wow, the Falcon is really coming along, but I've NEVER seen a kit of that magnitude. Wow. I see what you mean on the painting taking so long. And I hope your paint booth is HUGE. I'm afraid to open up the Revell 1/72 IX C Sub I have, but I think that has LARGE sprues, not hundreds of parts. Your paint, and pre-shading work is really effective. Does the top come off to show the detail work on the inside? Can't wait to see how the lighting system shows up - should be really cool. I did look at acquiring the kit - Oh my. I think that is way out of my price range! So I just get to watch your terrific build from the sideline. Good to hear you still get to go to work. Further, yes, but for me that is 'decompression' time. and now your five-minute walk is to the LHS!

Wow, What impresses me is exactly what you said, we are not just assemblers, but builders. The hand-work you are putting into the kit to either address issues or add details is where your various skills come into play. Personally, I can't scribe a straight line longer than about 5mm so I do my best to avoid that situation! And I'm getting to be pretty good friends with a variety of putty. But the work you've undertaken is still amazing to me. Love the build!

Human error (the show director for his direction and the pilot for not knowing what was in front of him). So sad all around.

I'm with Rob and Peter - Your figures are TERRIFIC. If yours 'suck', then mine are pondscum. Hang the cost of post, I have some figures I need painted so they are heading to AUS as we speak so you can work your magic! Damn, is there anything you don't do really well??!!!