picking up the blog habit again..

Well 2018 was a write-off on the modeling front..but now life is more or less back to normal. Firstly I lost my modeling space to the builders when we decided to have the garage converted. Then there were some health issues - I decided to get fit, took up running and it consumed all my spare time. Last year - instead of modelling - I ran 1563 miles. Even my doctor said at my yearly health check that's too much, don't over do it.. but obviously I'm fit and healthy, blood pressure is down and pounds have been shed. So after these health issues it is time to get back on board..  nice to be back posting.

I’ve done little or no modeling since my last blog post. That changes now. I’ve continued to update my other blogs and work on various book projects I’ve been invited to participate in.

Thanks to my regular readers for continuing support and comments !  If you'd like to get in touch I'm at falkeeins at aol dot com

Over the past year I’ve noticed a few ‘fellow bloggers’ on various social media sites. I very rarely participate on FB - there are so many modelling groups, all with about 600 members each, 590 of whom never post anything - that there doesn't really seem to be any point. I much prefer a few regular forums where you kind of know who you're dealing with. Or a 'one-to-one' interaction on a sensible, intelligent blog..some of my favorites are listed on the right hand side bar of this page..

Airport, Aerodromes and Airfields SIG display

A superb collection of airliner models in British Airways markings via the AAA SIG's Stephen Harper seen at Saturday's 'On Track' show. These are mostly Airfix, Revell and Zvesda (787 Dreamliner) with the odd Frog Viscount also in the line-up..

I was impressed with the paint job on these - no airbrush was used, although Halfords Appliance White spray cans feature heavily...otherwise the builder reported that Xtracolor don't do British Airways 'Pearl Grey' any more. Aftermarket decals via "26 Decals"

I’ve fancied doing some airliner models for a while now myself - the Zvezda kits look very nice indeed and there is of course no cockpit to worry about - but in all the years this blog has existed I’ve never gotten around to it. These are therefore the first airliners to feature here!

new Fly Hurricane IIa in 72nd scale

New addition to the stash via Heeprutt ebay seller today. Quite into Hurricanes at the moment so will probably make a quick start. A view of the box contents, which feature the Hasegawa kit parts in the bag, a new decal sheet, resin propeller, wheels (2 x sets, one with post war block tread) and pilots seat plus a paint mask for the canopy.... not bad for £15. Box top artwork - a Malta Hurricane from the Night fighter unit - may be inaccurate in the 'desert' scheme, although the desert camo over Night looks pretty neat.

A note on Malta Hurricanes via Tony O'Toole

The Hurricane was operational during 1940-41 as the main RAF fighter across the British Empire`s oversea`s war zones,...... from Malta, N.Africa, Greece, Russia, Burma, Singapore , Java etc and the delivery scheme was Dark Earth and Dark Green,.. later with Sky or Sky Blue undersides. Although up to 1941 black and white halved undersides were specified for overseas based fighters. Those in N.Africa began to receive Mid Stone over the Dark Green areas after delivery at Egyptian MU`s during 1941 but many continued until the end of the year in the original delivery scheme until it became more common in 1942 when adequate numbers were arriving. It was not until very late 1942 and more likely 1943 that the desert scheme was applied on the production line in the UK. So those arriving in Malta from the UK also wore DE/DG uppers. However in 1940 the RAE in the UK was experimenting with a new desert scheme incorporating a new colour which eventually became Middle Stone. At least two aircraft were delivered by carrier to Malta in this scheme,....... with black and white halved undersides which were still specified for overseas`s based fighters into 1941.

Airfix Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 new-tool build review (1) and some pre-'Legends' shots of the Duxford Sea Fury via John Frackleton

Made a start on the brand-new Airfix Sea Fury FB. 11. This looks to be an excellently detailed and presented kit. I shake my head in disbelief at some of the comments out there already, especially the 'youtubers'

Above, a look at the cockpit tub and instrument panel. The raised detail looks perfectly adequate and there seems little point in going for etch or other enhancements- not much will be seen through the narrow cockpit aperture. Below, the cockpit parts are painted and washed to 'dull' down the black so that some of it might actually be visible...

A dry fit of the fuselage and inner wing parts shows how everything fits neatly, well up to Airfix's more recent high standards..

best page I've found for internal detail shots, especially of the black cockpit

 http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/seafury.html

and here on britmodeller, a thread for all your Sea Fury questions. Note that Airfix have not included the gyro gunsight - which can be located in an Eduard Spitfire box apparently

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235033342-ask-all-your-sea-fury-questions-here/&

Below; one of the kit paint options - and box-top artwork - is WJ 236 '155' based on HMS Glory during the Korean War, 1952

Hobbyboss Fw 190 V-18 build in box review (4)

Some pics of my completed Hobbyboss Fw 190 V-18 CF+OY - this high altitude fighter prototype was a rebuilt Fw 190 A powered by a DB 603 turbo-charged engine. The turbocharger was fed by exhaust gases ducted through over-wing piping. Note the broad chord tail fin and the pressurized cockpit..

new-tool Airfix Phantom FG. 1 - here at last. FG.1 XT863 G 111 Sq special scheme IAT 1983

Here at last...but of course you know that. Far from rushing out to buy one or several I must admit to having had my potential enthusiasm for this kit somewhat 'dampened' by the first initial appraisals that appeared on various forum sites. Basically this new-tool Airfix has been compared a little unfavourably with the relatively ancient but good Fujimi kit.

However I shouldn't have worried. This new-tool Airfix FG.1 looks spectacular in the box - loads of options - radome, radar, refueling probe, wing folds etc etc and the biggest decal sheet possibly ever on a 72nd scale jet. Not to mention the deepest panel lines ever.....

FG.1s served with two RAF squadrons, 43 and 111. XT 863 G of 111 Sq as seen at IAT 1983 is a subject on one of the first Xtradecal sheets. Pic below in my collection

And via the F-4 SIG leader;  " Most of the available info suggests XT863 had a single colour grey overall, which looks to me to be Light Aircraft Grey. This includes the colour of the missiles. As is usual with photos, the only true reference is the guy who painted it. I have heard a story this was an experimental scheme, though the stonger evidence is that it was one of 111's many special schemes.."

Hobbyboss Fw 190 V-18 build in box review (3)

Despite my gross 'hamfistedness' in a number of areas my Hobbyboss Fw 190 V-18 is almost at the decaling stage...nice kit, albeit somewhat inaccurate in a number of areas, especially the cockpit which appears to be a little over-size and rather toy-like..

..and Gary 'old Sarge' - if you're reading this, thanks very much for the comments, really appreciate you dropping in here regularly. I'm writing this here since I don't seem to be able to comment on your excellent blog posts on your blog. Unfortunately I don't know why, but rest assured I always drop in and would suggest anyone else reading this and not familiar with Gary's 'old sarges aircraft' go straight over to his bit of the internet here