Return of the '190

I recently received these fabulous photos of an FW 190 from my friend at Duxford. To see this classic wartime fighter back in the air is really something, a wish come true.



I was also fortunate to receive a link from a friend in California, and it's too good to keep to myself. Take a look at this: http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1b/Chino/Chino.html The photos are from an airshow in Southern California. If wartime aircraft are your thing, don't miss this.

Many thanks to Bill Aitchison, Ray Williams and Bernard Zee.

The Recently Completed

There are times when I'm so engrossed in the latest build that the days just fly by. Some kits require more inspiration than others though - you can't always get your fix building another man's model. There's always some reward, though, even if it has to wait till you see the final results.

Here are two recently completed models. The A-20 was a commission build, and the MC 202 was just a kit I had in my room and it was calling to me.


Over the years, I've built some kits at least five or six times, but I always find something in them to enjoy, surprising though that may be. I build between 45 and 60 aircraft models every year. It still comes as a pleasant revelation that I can get such a big buzz out of it. Does it do the same for you?

Explaining the Mystere

Since this is my first Fonderie build, I thought it may be of interest to do as a 'progress in pictures' feature.

Before the undercoat went on, I noticed the odd undulations in the wings, mostly between the panel lines.


This is not the easiest plastic I have ever worked with. As I gently rubbed down these surfaces, I noticed that in a couple of spots it began to blister; discoloured patches of surface started to lift. Not wanting to remove these and use filler, I very carefully peeled them back and added a spot of glue. These could later be rubbed down. You can see here too the filler needed for the wing roots, top and bottom.


A two tone bare metal finish was favourite for this model, and would add nicely to its colourful red stripes and national insignia.
The model was almost entirely masked up after the undercoat had dried. The masking was cut out with a very sharp No 3 blade, using the panel lines as a guide.


Matt dark grey paint was then applied and the masking tape removed promptly, avoiding paint build up on its edges.


The model was then treated to a deep gloss finish - two coats minimum. As you can see, this gives the Alclad II a good base and an excellent finish is achieved.


I am currently fitting the decals and 101 other jobs. So, as usual, more later.

Mystery Interior

The sudden appearance of this limited run kit has stirred a flurry of modelling activity. With the interior now complete, I can post a couple of photos here. Any guesses as to the aircraft? No prizes, I'm afraid, except the kudos of knowing your stuff.

Friends in High Places

For some time now I have enjoyed an email friendship with a lucky man who does volunteer work at RAF Duxford, my favourite RAF station.

Every now and then he shares with me some photos of the projects they have underway. I've logged a huge file of photos over four different hard drives, so excuse me if they seem to be in a strange order - but like a jigsaw they will all add up in the end. I'm posting a few here of the early stages of the reconstruction of a Blenheim. This project began a few years ago and is still underway. The fund-raising organisation is www.blenheimsociety.org.uk if you would like to take a look at the site and found out more. Most of the members are ex-Blenheim crew, but anyone is welcome to join or contribute - this is the charity responsible for the reconstruction, and the airframe is owned by Blenheim Duxford Ltd. Enjoy! As usual, more to come.

Thanks to Bill Aitchison for his continued enthusiasm and commitment.

More Mystere, Less Mystery

I decided to add my own chamfer to the wings. After studying photos of the actual Super Mystere it was ok to proceed. Dry fitting the wings revealed plenty of gaps.


Using regular plastic cement I attached the wings to the fuselage, set the angle and left it for a couple of hours.

On my return it was dry enough to be handled. Next, I masked up and filled. An hour later, I separated the fuselage halves and drilled the wing roots from inside. I Cyano'd 20 gauge wire into the holes which, when dry, would securely brace the wings.

Lunch time, I believe.

Let's Hear it for Pete

As everyone has been putting up with me blathering on about the Pete build, I felt it only fair to show a few images of the completed model.


Adding the final parts was very enjoyable. The fit was tricky but positive and durable. The only other thing worth a mention was the rigging. It was regular biplane rigging but not as extensive as a WWI fighter for example and I used stretched sprue to do the job. This just left the wiring from tale to fuselage and wingstrut. The 1-1 scale aircraft shows how thick they were, so I decided that EZ-Line was the ideal solution - it looks good and it'll have longevity. And that was it. A super build. A great project of a terrific subject. And as Shakespeare (and I) said: "Here was a kit, when comes such another?" Actually, just give us a minute....