Nikola Topalov

Hi Beluga, Thank you! Appreciated. As for the dots, they are actually a product of intersections between these lighter colour curves over darker base colour. That is how the camo was actually painted on real aircraft. Many people, including me, initially think that it was done the other way around by painting darker spots on lighter base. Best, Nikola

Hi all, These are some older works of mine with which I was returning to the hobby after 20 years hiatus... Revell 1/48 P-61 Black Widow "Midnight Mickey": Eduard 1/48 Mirage IIIC: Tamiya 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero: Airfix 1/48 Ju-87B-1 Stuka, "Condor Legion":

Hi all, Even though I returned to the hobby with this model after 20 years of hiatus, I left it unfinished without tracks. As the kit is old, the kit tracks had to be replaced with something better. So, after almost six years of building only aircraft (my main modelling subject) I finally gathered the will to assemble the Fruilmodel metal tracks and bring this one to an end. Except the tracks, built OOB with scratch built tow cable. Best, Nikola

Hi gents, Another one on the shelves. I could say that this was more of a routine build which did not inspire me that much, but I still had fun for sure. As these birds were kept relatively clean and well maintained, I decided to keep weathering subtle. I have used Aires cockpit set and I am not actually sure if it was for this kit even though it says it is. It was quite problematic fit wise in some areas. No pitot tube was provided in the kit. I have scratch built the intake cover as the fit was bad on the already wrong shaped intake, so it required covering up. Painted with Gunze Mr. Color paints and weathered with AMMO washes, Revell pigments and AK pencils. Hope you like it. Best, Nikola

Hi all, Well, after 231 hours (f-ups and corrections included) the Owl is finally done. The camo is freehanded. Definitely not my best work in terms of assembly, but I am happy with the final result. I also need to work on photographing black and dark colours as I can't seem to get all the subtle color modulations to be seen better. Luftwaffe night fighter camo is off the bucket list. It was a lot of fun and stress at the same time, both in terms of painting and numerous fiddly parts. As for the AM stuff, I used Quinta 3D decals for the cockpit, Aires resin wheel bays, ResKit wheels, some Eduard PE details and Master Fug 220 radar. Hope you like it. Best, Nikola

Some WIP photos:

Hi guys, So, after 204 hours at the bench, here she is, completely OOB. Spitfire Mk.1a N3180 KL-B "Kiwi", A. C. Deere, 54 Squadron, Dunkirk, May 1940. The head-on photo is a bit off center so the dividing line between port and starboard looks a bit crooked, but it is straight. Trust me, I am a trained professional. Best, Nikola

Some WIP photos:

Hi all, Here is my take on Tami's wonderful Corsair. Definitely the best kit that I have encountered so far. Built time was 294h. Aftermarket used: - Barracuda resin wheels - HGW seatbelts - EagleCals decals - cockpit stencils Scratch built cowling flaps cables. Paints used - Tamiya and Gunze Mr. Color Weathering with Tamiya and Ammo washes, AK pencils and Revell pigments Noted mistakes made - seatbelts should go over the bracing bar, the camo demarcation line between the medium blue in insignia white should be more wavy (as per the only reference photo which I found instead of artwork), the prop doesn't appear to have yellow ends in the photo, but Tamiya says that it does. But I am not a rivet counter so it is what it is... :) Also, I have deliberately exaggerated chipping and fuel leak marks to have some fun with it. :) The dark blue was very hard to photograph, with my skills at least. It was also relatively hard to work with. Almost like working with black. Didn't expect that at all. I will try to make some better photos and repost if I find time and will. Best, Nikola

Some WIP photos:

My first 109. OOB, with PE seatbelts, canopy masks and Quickboost tropical filter. Although the top wing markings look strangely torn off , they really looked like that on the real thing. I was lazy and just wanted to finish her so the tires are not weighted, although it would definitely look better. Maybe I will do it one day... Anyway, on to the pics:

Some WIP photos:

Hi all, My debut post on the forum - Revell's 1/32 Mustang I finished in 2022. OOB with Eduard Look IP and seatbelts. Painted with Tamiya, Gunze and Vallejo paints. Weathered with various filters, Tamiya, Ammo and Vallejo washes, Prismacolor silver pencil, AK weathering pencils and Vallejo and Revell pigments. Best, Nikola