Dances With Wolves

Cheers chaps. Jim - do I take it you have one in progress? Best regards Steve

Thanks Jim - much appreciated.

Thanks Jeroen - much appreciated. Steve :-)

Thanks for that Dave - Roscoe's ride is one I've been looking forward to tackling for quite a time. Happy days! Cheers Mike!

Cheers E! Steve

Cheers!

Thanks Ralph!

Thanks BB - much appreciated.

Cheers CB!

Thanks for that! Actually I wrote the following short piece before visualising the paint scheme and as a means to that end. It also answers your post... Partially shielded within the trees of the Cretaceous forest, she stood perfectly still. Early flowering plants lay at her feet and insects moved enthusiastically among them, pollinating and feeding. Her skin gently fluctuated in tone and colour, as the chameleon-like cells within adjusted to the dappled light that tumbled to the floor below through the hot and humid air. Although an adult and some forty feet long, the Rex’s muscular bulk melted silently into the background, as cold yellow eyes surveyed the bare, trampled trail some twenty or so yards away. Her acute hearing and sense of smell tuned out the many distractions of the forest until eventually they excitedly conveyed the presence of approaching prey. Outwardly unchanging, she came to a state of readiness. The Triceratops group was larger than normal and after a successful breeding season, was swollen with numerous young, who kept close station with their mothers. Unable to traverse the trail without spilling into the tree line, some individuals were forced to pick their way through the coniferous obstacles on either side, their direction undulating away and then back towards the relative safety of the herd. Still she waited. Lethal jaws parted slightly, to better sample the scent that blew over and around her, revealing the rows of dark ivory teeth within. Still she waited. The juvenile ‘Trike’ barked in sudden terror as he stumbled within a dozen yards of the Rex. His alarm galvanised the herd that immediately flew forwards at the gallop in a thundering desperation to escape. The young Triceratops wheeled sharply to the left, seeking out the trail and the fleeing mass of flesh. She was on him within seconds. Knocked to the ground and ruthlessly pinned beneath a clawed foot, ribs splintered under her nine tons as the young Triceratops squealed in painful response. The Rex paused and bellowed out her roar of defiance at the Triceratops adult that stood, head and horns lowered, nearby…

Hi folks: A small tribute build to Captain Roscoe Brown via the excellent Tamiya kit. I've been in contact with Roscoe, who responded very kindly and it's a pleasure to finish 'Bunnie' / 'Miss Kentucky State', as it's been on my modelling bucket list for a long time. The kit sidewalls finished off with BarracudaCals cockpit decals. As a side note, the P-51D on display at Hendon RAF Museum is, it seems, broadly accepted as a fine quality restoration of the marque and in its natural metal finish guise, also has wings coated in aluminium lacquer, akin to that used in wartime. My enquiries into the factory process involved (after puttying the panel joints) one or two sprayed applications of DuPont Light Grey primer. This was then overcoated with an aluminium lacquer in the ratio of eight ounces of aluminium paste to a gallon of clear lacquer or varnish. It seems the aluminium in this mix reacted vigorously with oxygen and became aluminium oxide, a greyish material which accounts (in tandem with the grey primer beneath) for the Mustang wings at Hendon being overtly grey in tone, rather than the solid silver or aluminium normally used to portray this feature on models. Depending on whether the lacquer was new or aged, therefore gives modellers scope for a more silvery grey, evolving to the darker grey of the Hendon Mustang. The build seen here can be considered somewhere between the two. Given the grey bias of the Hendon Mustang, a concoction of Tamiya XF-19 Sky Grey (one part), Tamiya X-32 Titanium Silver (three parts), Tamiya XF-2 Flat White (one part) and Tamiya X-22 Clear (two parts) were mixed and sprayed over the appropriate parts of the wing. This gave a tone commensurate with the Hendon paint, while leaving a gentle satin finish, that was later glossed with more X-22 to more closely match the museum Mustang. I had some dialogue with Dana Bell over this before settling on the m/o above, who kindly advised the following - "Most of the Mustang's aluminum skin was Alclad - an aluminum alloy coated with a thin layer of pure aluminum. The aluminum coating would fix any corrosion to the surface, preventing the oxygen from migrating into the alloy core. The wings, however, were puttied to reduce friction drag, and looked like heck unless given a finish coat. On camouflaged Mustangs, there was no problem. But on uncamouflaged Mustangs, the wings needed to be painted silver for appearances' sake. I'm attaching a shot of one of the Tuskegee P-51Bs to show how well your model matches reality." The main gear doors awaiting finishing. The build is more particularly set out in the Airfix Model World 'USAAF Special' out tomorrow, Thursday 17 March, along with a range of other builds, history pieces by Dana and other great content. Happy days. Steve

Cheers chaps! :-)

Hi folks: I've been a dino nut for as long as I can recall. It's a modelling genre that's been a bit hit 'n miss with the mainstream manufacturers and one bolstered by garage kit producers, who've churned out some great stuff, inevitably in resin. Now Pegasus Hobbies have pitched in and contracted the very talented Galileo Hernandez Nunez to craft three kits, the Rex here, an adult Trike and a Spinosaurus. Peggy married the abilities of GHN with Paleo genius Shane Foulkes for finishing paint. The kits are solid vinyl and when assembled, are hard and heavy enough to kill a house intruder with a single blow, proving just how dangerous dinosaurs are... Partially shielded within the trees of the Cretaceous forest, she stood perfectly still. Early flowering plants lay at her feet and insects moved enthusiastically among them, pollinating and feeding. Her skin gently fluctuated in tone and colour, as the chameleon-like cells within adjusted to the dappled light that tumbled to the floor below through the hot and humid air. Although an adult and some forty feet long, the Rex’s muscular bulk melted silently into the background, as cold yellow eyes surveyed the bare, trampled trail some twenty or so yards away. Her acute hearing and sense of smell tuned out the many distractions of the forest until eventually they excitedly conveyed the presence of approaching prey. Outwardly unchanging, she came to a state of readiness. The Triceratops group was larger than normal and after a successful breeding season, was swollen with numerous young, who kept close station with their mothers. Unable to traverse the trail without spilling into the tree line, some individuals were forced to pick their way through the coniferous obstacles on either side, their direction undulating away and then back towards the relative safety of the herd. Still she waited. Lethal jaws parted slightly, to better sample the scent that blew over and around her, revealing the rows of dark ivory teeth within. Still she waited. The juvenile ‘Trike’ barked in sudden terror as he stumbled within a dozen yards of the Rex. His alarm galvanised the herd that immediately flew forwards at the gallop in a thundering desperation to escape. The young Triceratops wheeled sharply to the left, seeking out the trail and the fleeing mass of flesh. She was on him within seconds. Knocked to the ground and ruthlessly pinned beneath a clawed foot, ribs splintered under her nine tons as the young Triceratops squealed in painful response. The Rex paused and bellowed out her roar of defiance at the Triceratops adult that stood, head and horns lowered, nearby… Full build review in issue 64 of Airfix Model World, out now. :-) Best regards Steve

Makes many other reviews look limp and lifeless in comparison. Outstanding and a pleasure throughout. Steve

Hi Mal: It's gone to a loving home and no mistake - much looking forward to a glass of suds with you when we hook up and chewing some of that modelling fat... Take it easy Von Maskmeister. Steve

Hi James: That's an Olympic standard, gold winning 110 me old mucker! Look forward to lapping it up in the mag. Steve Von Luvsit

When I saw the draft instructions for the first time and the fact that you build it 'ground up', starting with the main cockpit tubing, engine bearers, spars and firewall I thought 'This is going to need to go together very, very well if it's not going to cascade angle, alignment and fit issues all down the build'. So I dry fitted those bits together. No glue. They held together so well I dry fitted them onto the lower wing section (something you don't get to until about halfway through). Fit was nigh on perfect. I was one very happy little bunny, what with having to get it done in short order and all. Again, the mag will point out things so invest in that. Beyond the text, I'm open to any questions and entirely happy to help anyone, anyway I can, so buy with confidence and have yourself a Tiffing great time... Steve

Hi Ralph - That's way kind, thanks. Do try one... Oh, you're a bad man lol... Lol 'interest in second test shot now overtaking primary build'. It's fate is already sealed... :-) Hi D - Thanks for that. It's a honey. I'm a 'mid table obscurity' modeller and an all round klutz. I still managed to get end to end without incident. There are certain things to bear in mind but that's what the build article in the mag (out Thursday 1 May) will cover off. To be frank (not that I'm an expert) anyone with one is welcome to mail me if there are any queries along the way. In terms of aftermarket or extra detailing, in the first case I'd use HGW belts if they come on stream. I've already buttonholed Master over scaling up their Tiffie Hispano stuff (within ten minutes of seeing it at Telford lol). As far as scratching - there's always scope for extra wiring, remodelling and so on on any kit, so yer pays yer money and...but OOB is still amazing. Thanks! But that's enough about me - what did you think of the kit...? Cheers Martin - much appreciated. Steve

Hi S - thanks for that. In truth, it was the best I could jam into the ten week timeframe. I'm looking forward to the second, plus sprayed markings (if I can track down a reputable source of masks that is). Thanks N - you'll not be disappointed. Indeed...lol Should've ticked the commission box after all...lol. Thanks! :-) Thanks Mike - much appreciated. Steve

Hi folks: I was going to defer posting this until Monday 28 April but I've come away to Bournemouth on the CWU annual conference and the hotel wi-fi has been a 'challenge' to get on to, so now I have a connection I'm not risking a gamble on Monday, so let's rock! The Airfix 1/24 Hawker Typhoon was unveiled at Telford last November. A while before this, I received contact from Chris Clifford at Airfix Model World, who said he had something that would be 'right up my street' and would I be interested? No details were given, so I did what you never do in the army and volunteered. To my stunned amazement I found myself landed with the big Tiffie gig. A trip to Telford to see my plastic adversary was a must, so I wandered up on our first date and went a little wobbly at the knees (as you do in the first throes of love...). I had a bit of a chat to Sam, the designer, a disconcertingly youthful guy, full of charm and brimming with enthusiasm for 'his' baby, displayed in various stages of undress around the Airfix stand. "Can't wait to see the first one fully painted up!" he said to me at the close of our chat. 'You and me both' I thought. Come the following January, two complete test shots landed at the modelling bunker ('just in case of catastrophe' - they obviously know me lol) and with instructions still outstanding, I did a little prep to ease things into first gear. What followed was the ten most mental modelling weeks of my life; 230+ steps shoe horned into a time frame that evaporated at Warp 10. The brief was 'full engine plus one gun bay open'. Given that the Tiffie has been produced to celebrate Airfix's 75th birthday and as a tie in to the 70th anniversary of D Day one felt just a touch of pressure. An indication of its significance was sharply illustrated on Britmodeller on the Saturday it was displayed at Telford. Someone opened a thread to discuss it and post images. No surprise there. What was a surprise is that in the first 48 hours, such a post may attract circa 4-500 views and maybe 20-30 replies. The Tiffie topped 15,000 views and over 200 replies in the same time frame. And now it's done. Normally you keep what you build for AMW. On this occasion Airfix have asked that it reside at the Hornby Visitor Centre in Margate and I'll be driving over with it some time in June I'm guessing, to exchange the built test shot for a full production kit. I grew up on Airfix kits - the bagged ones with the card headers. I remember I would literally run to the shop on the green every Friday, pocket money tightly gripped in hand. I'd then trot home with my prize and rapidly translate the parts into a Beaufighter that did sterling duty over the channel or a Mk IX Spitfire that knocked lumps off the 109G-6, that it routinely shot down innumerable times or anyone of more kits than memory can now recall. Happy days, steeped for the most part in Airfix plastic; although Frog, Revell and Monogram all made cameo appearances from time to time. It makes me smile to think of what the small boy would have said to be told one day he'd get to play with the biggest Airfix gig in their 75 year history. The model is scheduled to appear in a supplement I share with Tiffie expert Chris Thomas and I must thank him here for his kind assistance during the build - scheduled for the June issue of AMW, out next Thursday, 1 May 2014. What you see is the best I could drum up in the ten weeks I had - I'm normally much (much!) slower. One of my brothers asked if I was happy with it. "Yes and no" was my honest answer, not that I'm complaining (I'm not) as a time constrained test shot build is what is and you have to stop somewhere - looking forward to my second though and for that it's sprayed markings all the way... My thanks to Airfix too for entrusting their baby to my tender mercies Happy days. Steve

Hi Jeroen: Your mention of mistakes is one thing but there's not a trace of them in the finished article - that's the real skill and important thing for me; turning the glitches around and having the care and persistence to do so. That's a truly beautiful 'VII' and a great result to springboard on to other 'nuts in the stash. Take it easy. Steve Von Nutter

Hi Karel: Apologies to you all for the very tardy replies. I regret I have been away from forums generally these last 2 to 3 months, due to other commitments. I'm very grateful to you for dropping by on this one and giving it the nod. Thanks again Steve Hi Jeroen: Thanks for that and agreed on both counts lol. Have a great Sunday. Steve Cheers Grant - much appreciated. A delightfully pleasurable kit but my second one will result in the wings being level... Take it easy. Steve

As you say Bob, five years is far too long. Glad you are back on the modelling bent and much looking forward to your future Wingnuts making it out to the flight line. The sprayed markings really make a difference and the overall build is, as previously commented on, top drawer. A beautiful finish, married to thoughtful weathering, to produce something which is 'all of a piece', unified and together. Will it be living at Hannants in one of the display cases? Steve

Hi Jeroen: Thanks for that - fascinating stuff. Wish you well with this foray into a whole new branch of kit tickling. Look forward to seeing the first sample. Best regards Steve