GusMac

Don't worry, once our glorious leaders get their way and we secede from Brexitistan and become the People's Socialist Republic of Scotland within the EU you might be able to get it from Wonderland in Edinburgh at a reasonable deal! Mind, we might all have to climb over a large pile of metaphorical dead bodies before that happens. Sorry, too much politics. Actually, that sums up the last 2 years here in Scotland. If I didn't see or hear from another f****** politician for the next two years that would be just perfect. There are times when becoming a hermit seems like quite a good career move!

Thanks Rog. I'd seen the name Magic Tracks mentioned but wasn't sure what they were. They sound easier than having to cut wires, etc for the Friuls so L may have a hunt on evilbay to see what I can find. Regards, Gus

Very nice Tom. It will be interesting to see how the new Trumpeter versions shape up when they come out later this year (?). Bet you won't pick them up for 25 quid!

Thanks Erik. Never really done any armour since I got a bit more 'serious' about things, so I've only used the rubber band tracks and one set of the individual link type on an AFV Centurion which I found horrible to work with. Looking on various forums the Friul metal tracks seem to get great reviews so I might give them a bash. Cheers, Gus

Hi all, just back from another great holiday in Normandy. We were staying in Arromanches so I had the daft idea of a diorama of part of the artificial harbour. Looking at it now back home after some research it's not really feasible in 1/35 as just one section of Whale roadway would be about 70cm long and my scratching skills aren't up to that. However I quite fancy doing a Sherman V probably of the 2nd Fife & Forfar as I had a great uncle who served with them. So question is, there seem to be two options for an M4A4, Dragon or Asuka, but which is best? I know the Asuka kits seem highly rated in general but is it true? Any thoughts/advice welcomed. Gus

Thanks Dennis. Hoping to see some of the sights we didn't visit last year and for some decent weather.

Thanks Paulo, that's good to know. Especially as I had attached them using CA and it might have made a bit of a mess to change it. Gus

Thanks Rob, I'll check the Osprey book I have and have hunt online to see if I can find any photos to clarify that. I'm certainly no expert, so could well be I've got it wrong.

Evening all, bit more progress to show which might be the last for a while. Off to Normandy for a couple of weeks soon so 'me' time will be limited by packing, organising kids packing, etc. Anyway, construction of the main fuselage is where I'm at, with the then obligatory filling and sanding. Apologies for the photobomb! I decided to take the pictures outside to see if I could get better light but Mitzi, one of our Jack Russells, decided to have a nosey to see what I was up to. I followed advice seen on other forums to attach the top wings to the upper fuselage before joining the lower fuselage but I was still left with a bit of filling required. I should have been more ruthless and cut the tabs which are meant to get screwed in off completely as this seemed to be what pulled things slightly out of alignment. Fairly big bit of filling required around the covers for the cannon. Seems a strange idea to have part of the area attached to the upper half which has to slot into the lower section. Just a means get to get poor fitting to my eyes but that's the way it is. Overall, I'm fairly happy with where I am - my filling and sanding skills are definitely improving with every build and getting some good quality sanding sticks has certainly helped. I know this is one of the earliest Tamiya lsp kits and that they've moved the game on in a major way since, but I can't say I'm overly impressed with the fit and engineering of this. I'll now commit further sacrilege and say it's no better or worse than the two Trumpeter kits I did last - the P47 bubbletop and the Mig-23. Maybe it's just the common denominator - me! Perhaps it's just my hamfistedness but anyway I'm happy that after the rest of the construction it'll be fine under a coat of primer. See you all in a few weeks.

Looks wonderful in that light Arno. Brings the warm shades in the camo to life. Gus

Wow Craig, that looks amazing! How thick is the Al sheet?

Nice Peter, that looks suitably distressed.

Looks great Tom. Once its primed you won't know what was original and what was added.

Hi Dennis, been busy assembling the main fuselage and wings. Bit of filling and sanding to do next. Will post some pics soon.

Interesting picture Tom. Do many estate agents have a side-line in surplus Shackletons?

That's big - cart almost 28cm long. Makes you realise how big the actual plane will be!

Impressive cutting skills Cees, to get them so consistent.

Thanks Rob, very helpful links. I think I'll try these first.

Thanks Dennis. As a matter of interest, have you tried airbrushing them? Just another option to ponder.

Nice, never seen one without the 'spats'before. Looks great.

Look on the bright side Cees, at least it was before paint, etc. Hopefully no harm done.

A little more progress to report. The GT Resin intakes are fitted and installed. Went together very easily with a very snug fit. The exhaust tubes and interior of the burner cans are also painted, but these are just placed there for effect at the moment, as I'll install them at the end of the build. View down the inside of the inlet. I left the white resin unpainted as I think it looks ok as it is. The forward section was primed in black then painted with Gunze FS36375. The turbine is Tamiya steel and chrome with a light wash. Inside of the burner can was primed in black then airbrushed with Tamiya XF-2. Then used Ammo's panel line washes for grey jets to give the wear effect. I felt a dark wash would be too stark and I'm happy with the outcome. It looks better to the naked eye than I can show in a picture. Finally, an attempt to give a view down the tube, again my photographic efforts don't do it justice. There's a lot more colour variation than is apparent here. The fit of the resin was again excellent - the flameholder and exhaust face just dropped in and the clean up needed to mate the tube with the can was very easy, even for a resin novice like me. As always, comments, critiques, etc welcome. Cheers, Gus

Thanks Dennis. What are you using to thin them and clean up? Cheers, Gus

Very nice. The combination of pigments and washes gives a lovely worn look to the paintwork.

Looking great Cees. Is the fin pinned at all, or just glued?