JeroenPeters

ACES HIGH Magazine ‘Battle of Britain’ (AK 2908 Issue 6) Publisher: AK Interactive Chief editor: Daniel Zamarbide Available from AK Interactive for € 9,00 Here we go! Anther action packed Aces High mag from the hands of AK Interactive. This theme based quality magazine is, as I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, not the kind of magazine you buy, read and throw out. Since this range includes step-by-step how to’s and revolve around a certain theme, they’re easy to store in a certain section of your library. Ready to pull out when the need appears. Previous titles I have reviewed are: Aces High 4: The Mediterranean And: Aces High 5: Vietnam The magazine is available from the AK Interactive website for € 9,00 euro’s, which is pretty reasonable for the quality you get. Quality in terms of featured models, contributing modellers, printing quality, paper and… layout design. The last being the sort of thing I can be turned off by, since I happen to be a Creative Director. So what do we get with this issue? A sturdy glossy cover, binding 82 quality glossy pages. A poster in the middle (as always). Restrained advertorial space, many tutorials and techniques, and well designed lay-outs. Let me walk you through it: Index (which is beautifully designed by the way): • Der Adler Tag (1/72 Revell Heinkel He-111 by Fernando del Pino) At first glimpse when thumbing through the mag I thought this was the Revell 1/32 offering, judging by the detail and sharpness of this build. But it turned out to be the braille scale Heinkel! Completely riveted, scribed and detailed up. Of course painted with the new AK Air series paint line, which looks pretty effective. Especially the always tricky RLM65 on the lower surfaces. This must be the best 72nd He111 I’ve ever seen… • Death & Glory (1/48 Hasegawa Hurricane Mk.1 by Anis El Bied) With the coming Fly Hurricane in 32nd scale, this build could be a nice inspiration. Interesting detail is that the camo pattern is done free hand and the author describes how he achieved the fine demarcation lines, accentuated with pencil. Pretty interesting. • Devils in Yellow (1/32 Eduard Bf109E-1 by Juan Villegas) It’s a shame to this day that Eduard discontinued their large scale ventures. Their Bf109 is a great kit, but with some challenging areas. In this build Juan shows some interesting pre shading effects, which is interesting, since the whole pre shading technique is being challenged at the moment! Juan appears to pre shade the inner panels, with a depth simulation technique, instead of tracing every panel line. Worth a try by the looks of it! He then goes to town with a whole range of pigments, oils and washes, weathering the hell out of the little plane. Especially digging the detail highlights with pencil in the final stages. Just love this: The poster is a cool addition, and since the only thing you’ll lose when taking it out are advertisements, you’re not messing up a perfectly good magazine when sticking it to your wall. It’s drawn by master cartoonist and aviation hobbyist Romain Hugault. Need I say more? • The Trumpets of Jericho (1/48 Hasegawa Ju87B-2 ‘Stuka’ by Mario Gabás) Another model that makes you second guess the scale. A great detailed up splinter camo Stuka with opened gunbay. Weathered with streaking grime, hydraulic fluid and fuel. A small proud moment for our own brand: ‘Large Scale Modeller’ when I spotted the HK Models advert during this build, adorned by our logo. Nice… • Live to Fly, Fly to Live. (1/48 Tamiya Spitfire Mk.I by Miguel Morales) Some nice scratchbuilding going on here to improve the venerable Tamiya Spitfire that still seems to hold it’s own after all these years. Scratch built seat frame, Barracuda seat, Eduard details, scratched rudder pedals,wiring… The following page highlights a certain area of the build: Painting the seat. The author takes us through his painting stages step by step. Not exactly the order I would follow, but that’s what I love about these tutorials: They show you a different perspective. • No. 29 SQN. RAF ‘75th Anniversary’ (1/48 Revell Typhoon FGR4 by Istvan Michalko) With the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain this Typhoon of No. 29 Squadron was painted in ww2 BoB colours. The colours feature the plane of the only pilot that won the Victoria Cross during the battle. Hurricane pilot Lieutenant Nicholson. No building article, but just great pics of a great subject. • Mind the Gap, The Ground Section (54mm Andrea Miniatures Spitfire pilot by Roberto Ramirez) A whole new modelling league of it’s own: painting figures. I can watch as many how-to tutorials as I like, but don’t think I’ll ever really master the skills. Again, here, all the steps are shown and I see how it’s done. A superb little scene with barrack wall, dog begging for a biscuit. Like me, begging for the skills… • RAF 10HP Tilly (1/35 Tamiya Tilly by Francisco J. Martinez) Building 35th scale airfield vehicles is always a bit of a gamble. The difference between 32nd scale and 35th scale is not very large, but can become apparent when mating the two subjects. If you can live with the scale differences, this little truck can look great in a diorama with any RAF ww2 subject. Francisco uses some real Spanish school techniques to highlight the details in high contrast. Verdict Another hit by Daniel Zamarbide Suárez and his crew (including proper English editing by our very own James Hatch!). An appealing theme, great lay-out and superb models. For the price of € 9,00 this is a no-brainer. Another very highly recommended! A special thanks to AK Interactive for the review sample. Available here. Jeroen Peters

A Firefly!! Nice!

Incredible! Your painting skills match your 3D drawing skills. Really loving this and thank you for the in depth background information. Cheers, Jeroen

Nice ! I see you pulled yourself together!

Monographs edition #63 (3063) Focke-Wulf Ta 152 Publisher: Kagero Written by: Marek J. Murawski Available here from Kagero for € 20,07 With the Ta 152 being offered in all three major scales (72, 48 and 32) I guess it’s only fitting that Kagero dedicates one of their excellent Monographs edition titles to this plane. A Top Drawings edition from Kagero was already available, but as you may know the Top Drawings range ‘only’ contains a set of drawings of the different variations and usually a sheet of decals in 1/72 and 1/48 scales. Click here to view the Top Drawings book in the Kagero webshop. I think the fascination for the Ta152 is that in a way it was one of the luft’46 planes, that actually saw service and was one of those ‘too-little-too-late’ subjects. A pure thoroughbred and climax of the FW190 range. An answer to the high altitude B17 onslaught. Add to that the long nose, housing the best piston engine the Germans had (Jumo213) and the unusual long wings for high altitude operation and the fact that it had a pressurized cockpit and you’ve got one elegant bird that beckons to be modelled. The Ta152 has been done in 32nd scale by two companies: PCM (Pacific Coast Models) and Zoukei Mura as one of their SWS (Super Wing Series). Where PCM did a limited run version of the Ta152 C-1 (medium altitude ground attack fighter) that can be a bit challenging to build and has minor shape issues, Zoukei Mura has covered both the Ta152 H-0 and Ta-152 H-1 (both high altitude interceptors). As you can see, the modeller has some choices when it comes to modelling the Ta152 in large scale. Quite a lot has been written on the subject as well, but often as part of an extension to the Fw190D-9 family. When modelling the Ta152 lots of small details come into play that can make or break a good model. The fun really begins with one of their Monographs 3D editions, and I’m sure one won’t be too far of in the near future. Until that time, lets take a look at this title. When I start to even think about modelling a certain subject, I start collecting books and photo’s. The books that offer most useful data, are always the books that deal with one specific subject. Different variations are set apart and details shown that usually get passed by in more general books. Kagero always delivers and maintain a certain order in covering a subject: History and development (brief), service history followed by drawings and details. All you need to help you out in determining a scheme and help you correct errors in the model or add detail that has been overseen. As always I’ll take you through this book chapter by chapter to give you an impression of it’s contents: Introduction and development The first chapter explains how the need was born for the Luftwaffe to develop a high altitude fighter. It shows experiments with a Fw190A models that were altered and made lighter in order to reach the heights the US airforce flew. All sorts of problems arose… The BMW801 engine not getting enough air, not being able to maintain at the height needed (15 minutes!) and the single layered canopy fogging up, causing the pilot to almost fly blind. When Kurt Tank and his team tried a whole new approach, discarding tests based on the Fw190A with radial engine, they resorted to redesigning the whole airframe. With this radical change, a whole new name was appropriate. Paying homage to the successful designs by Kurt Tank, the new airframe was dubbed Ta152 (Ta standing for Tank). Ta152 in combat and post war fate Of about 220 Ta152’s ordered about 40 actually reached operational status. This chapter is filled with witness accounts of aerial engagements and photo’s that inspire the weathering enthusiasts. After the war the best Luftwaffe trophies were jets. Still one example of a Ta152 was captured and transported to the USA. It now resides in Ohio awaiting restoration… Technical Specifications For the modeller this chapter should be of interest. Detailed descriptions on RLM colours, camouflage schemes and a listing of Werknummers and fuselage codes of all operational Ta152’s. Drawings The book comes in to practical use with sheets of drawings in 1/72 and 1/48 scale drawings, showing top, side, front, rear and bulkhead drawings down to rivet detail. As a bonus 1/32 foldable huge drawings are also included. All scales cover both Ta152 C-1 and Ta152 H series. The 3D drawings in 32nd scale are perfect to take measurements from to transfer them to your model. Excellent… The 1/72 scale drawings: 1/48 scale drawings: Huge 1/32 scale drawings: This is all followed by 3D renderings of the MG151/20 and MK108 cannons and Revi Gunsight. I realize that these 3D models were already made for earlier 3D Monographs books, but are relevant for this title too. The final pages show 8 superb colour profiles, including a British captured Ta152 H-1 displayed at Farnborough. Verdict Another superb title from Kagero’s Monographs range, made with the modellers interest in mind. Detailed drawings, background information, technical specifications and superb colour profiles. The prize is just 20 euro’s, so no excuse to indulge into the subject. Our sincere thanks to Kagero for the review sample. Click here to buy directly. Jeroen Peters

Like so!

The joints are fine. Didn't need to fill them. My fuse lost some shape integrity due to cutting out the wing roots and not using the wing spars. Took me some elbow grease to close the nose but in the past I built a ju088 with wings, so i know the fuse fits great if you don't take a say to it! Almost finished sanding and polishing the surface AND just ordered a custom Maketar Kabuki paint mask for the insignia and codes.

Nice! What parts did you use of the Trumpie kit?

This is gonna take a while. I'm spraying the whole fuselage black and start sanding. This shows up any scratches and irregularities. I also wasn't too happy with the too pronounced rivets. Two birds with one stone. Another thing is the orange peel skin the Revell kits often have. This allows me to polish the whole thing.

That looks like a thousand 'bucks'! Great weathering of the white paint.

Status Quo

Loving this! VERY much!

me too: http://www.modellversium.de/galerie/18-flugzeuge-zivil/11092-arado-ar-196-a-3-revell.html

Nice one Fran. Liking the slots in the resin for the fins. Will make for much easier assembly. Would be nice to see a photo of the WnW plastic version of the same bomb as a comparison.

Just love how the canopy hooks really fit into their corresponding holes. Superb modelling here!

Fixed it! That's pretty cool! Thnx for sharing

That is really nice! I love to see these in camp instead of the many seen wooden ones.

Thnx! I use Mr Hobby Acrylic matt coat. Diluted 50% with Mr. Leveling Thinner.

Cheers! I've assembled two sets for other build in the past and when ordering them on Ebay i thought.... Here we go again! It's great they give you extra PE mount for when you screw up. Which I did once this set.

Darn sweet scratch building going on here! Just love how you've tackled the seat cushion. Very very cool.

Seriously great modeling here! Love the wrapped hose and instrument panel fairing. Love it! Cheers, Jeroen

Small progress! I bought the CMK resin MG-15's. Then discovered these had the wrong sights. So I also bought the Master barrels. I used the resin CMK bodies. Revell ball mount and mantel and Master barrels. Now dipping in blackening agent.

1:32 Fieseler FI-103 (V1) Profimodeller Catalogue # 32279 Available from Profimodeller for € 55,- First some history The V1 (or Vergeltungswaffen 1 > Retribution weapon 1) was the first ever unmanned jetplane that flew. It’s nicked Buzz-bomb because of the buzzing sound the pulse jet engine made. The official name however is Fi-103 as it was built by the Fieseler factory. Yes, the same factory that built the Fieseler 156 Storch! Another, less known name for the V1 was FZG-76. Meaning Flakzielgerät 76 and hinting at use as an anti aircraft missile. This was the official program name and used to mislead allied intelligence. Other nicknames used by the germans were Krähe (crow) and Maikäfer (May bug) on Hitler’s orders. The latter alike to yet another nickname used by the allies: Doodlebug, after the distinctive popping sound the engine made. The V1 was powered by the As014 Argus Pulsejet and drank 75 Octane gasoline. The starting procedure was quite the ritual and involved electric starters, airhoses and a powered ramp with a steam powered piston. The V1 reached a speed of 580 km per hour as it left the ramp! The V1 called for high speeds as the V1 was prone to stalling due to the small wings. Cruising speed was about 640 km per hour (400mph) and the reach was about 250 km. A relative small distance, which required take-off from Holland, Belgium and France in order to reach Great Britain. Remains of these take-off ramps can still be found in these countries. The ramp actually fired a plunger with a hook that pulled the V1. This plunger would land a considerable distance further in the fields. Take-off was also done from the wing of a bomber. A risky procedure where 77 bombers were lost during the launch procedure, take-off or mission. Here's a look at a V1 mounted on a ramp in France: And here's a look at the plunger that pushed the V1 along the ramp: You can see the tube the plunger travelled through and the opening on the top for the hook on the plunger: The culprits... So, the V1 is not a rocket (as it is sometimes called) but rather a plane, since it has wings and a jet engine propulsion (and not a rocket). This would make an interesting model. The He111 with a V1 slung under it's wing: At the peak of it’s use more than 100 V-1’s were fired at England, with a total of almost 16.000 produced of which 2400 ‘landed’ on London (fired from France) and 2400 hit Antwerp (fired from Holland). The rest didn’t make it to their launch. No wonder that many V-1’s survived and found their way to museums worldwide. Some completely original, some part replica and some restored from collected parts. The 2 spherical pressure tanks, wound by pianowire. The small propellor at the tip of the nose that measured the travelled distance. The fuel injection frame at the front of the pulse jet. All very recognizable parts when looking at dug up remains of a V1. The V1 in 1/32 The V1 is a subject that somehow eluded the 1/32 modelling scene through the years. Yes we have the 1/35 Bronco offering (which is not very detailed nor accurate) but that’s about it! If you want to mate the V1 with the wing of a He-111 or combine it with another 1/32 subject the scale difference between 1/35 and 1/32 will become evident. Having built the 1/32 HPH Reichenberg (basically manned V1) and both the 1/35 Bronco Reichenberg I was shocked to see how much these differed in size. Talking of the HPH Reichenberg and looking at the first photo’s I saw of this kit, I suspected most parts to be a copy (or perhaps shared moulds) from the HPH offering. Having inspected the resin parts at hand, I can tell you that they are not. Timeline-wise it’s interesting that Profimodeller first released two different transport trolley’s for the V1 before they released the V1 itself. Two very comprehensive and well researched kits with insane detail: • The transport trolley (kit P32280) • The V1 Anhänger (kit P32247) >> Review here (scroll down). This kit is in fact one of the first real standalone kits Profimodeller releases. If you don’t count the above carts… it actually is, so it is interesting to look at the whole package in this review: Decals, part break down, engineering, schemes and instructions. The Model So let’s take a closer look at this very first kit Profimodeller produces! A rather small box opening at the top, containing three bags. Two with resin parts (big > fuselage and wings) and small (engine, rudder, nose cone, etc..) and one bag with the decals and photoetch. The first thing I looked at was the surface structure on the wings and fuselage. Pretty delicate rivets and fine panel lines is what you find. Also the overlapping panels and fuselage strengtheners are well done. When you look at the inside of the fuselage you’ll find locating holes for small rods that serve as locating pins. Same technique you’ll find on HPH and Silverwings kits. The most challenging bit is trying to mate the fuselage halves, removing the seam and restoring small rivets and panel lines that you will loose when sanding. A dry-fit tells me that this will be minimal with this kit. The forward fuselage is moulded separately. Perhaps to avoid the risk of warping or breaking, or just to make them easier to cast. The lip that is made along the vertical seam will help you to make a strong joint. Fuselage parts and wings: Just like the real thing, the fuselage has two holes in the sides to accommodate the tubular beam that supports the wings. The beam is included, but I would suggest to replace this with proper brass tube! Much stronger. And when posing the V1 with the wings off (like I will) a brass tube will look more convincing too. The wings differ from the Reichenberg wings in the sense that the V1 was steered by a gyroscopic device from the tail planes and rudder. The Reichenberg also had ailerons on the main wings. Nosecone: Tail: Engine: The smaller resin details contain the engine that are cast almost solid. HPH offers a 2 piece resin front of the engine (intake and body) and metal tube for the rear. I added my own weld line along this metal tube (since this is a prominent feature on the V1 engine). Profimodeller takes a different route and offers the engine in 3 resin parts with cast on weld line. Pretty slick. Other parts cover the tail which is very nicely done with almost all the details. The only thing I’m missing is a small inspection hole in the tailpiece that shows the rudder control mechanism. As on the HPH kit, I will add this detail myself. The photoetch is nicely done and contains the rudder control, fuselage strengtheners, the Argus fuel injection frame and an extra cool feature that I will definitely include: a transport nose protector that protected the small nose propeller during transport. What’s also included are the details on the wingroots that will be visible in transport configuration. Another detail I had to scratch on my HPH Reichenberg. Another great detail this kit captures nicely is the inside of the intake. The intake starts round and then goes to a square shape further in. I love this attention for the real thing. The schemes 6 of them. And as I mentioned before… diverse! The only thing I’m missing is background information on the different schemes. Especially when doing a diorama it would be important to know what scheme suits what situation. I guess you’ll have to do your own homework here! The scheme with the blue broad band around the fuselage kind of speaks to me, and I’ll try to figure out where and when it was used. Part of the fun I guess. The decals are actually all stenciling for the ground crew as no unit badges or crosses were applied on the V1. Verdict Dare I compare this kit to the HPH Ohka and Reichenberg? Yes! Since they are the only game in town to compare this kit to! We all know HPH has raised the bar when it comes to resin kits with smart engineering and superb detail. Well… It looks like we have another company that wants to play along. This kit is complete. Well engineered (just look at the fuselage break down), well researched and nicely cast. The casting blocks and flash are easy to remove. The schemes that are included are diverse and many. What else can you wish for? A solid 9 out of 10. Keep an eye out for my imminent build of this kit, together with it’s transport trolley. My sincere thanks to Profimodeller for providing the review sample. Get your copy right here. Kind regards, Jeroen Peters

I can picture these in a museum, but not on my shelf

Oh yes! Love the mottling!