The Tools

Just for once I felt it might be interesting to talk about the modeler's central tool - the airbrush.

Over the years, I've worked my way through any number of brushes and brands. Currently I run two airbrushes. I feel that no one airbrush can do everything, so I use a main one, with a secondary for specific jobs. The Iwata Eclipse is my main weapon of choice. Firstly, it costs less than £100 (you can really go to town on these things..) and secondly it sprays beautifully. If you know how to use an airbrush, you can do excellent work with pretty much any decent tool, but the Iwata is a forgiving and reliable piece of kit. It is very controllable, though the jet is .05 wide so it isn't so good with fine work.

At this point, the Aztec 240 takes over. For a cheap plastic airbrush it does very well. Using the fine nozzle (Aztec nozzles being disposable, in case you are unfamiliar with them) I can achieve some very fine detail work. But as with everything, it does have its pros and cons; it's a bit temperamental and prone to jamming and blocking. This makes it rather inconsistent and it requires constant attention - cleaning, adjusting and so on. Also, the cost of replacing the nozzles at nearly £10 a go makes it expensive to run in the long term.

Both of my airbrushes are worked hard. I don't have time to clean the outside, just the inside. The Iwata copes better with rough treatment and neglect, but it's not universal, and the Aztec is showing signs of wear and tear. It might be time to start searching for a new solution.

Outflanked, again!

I had such enthusiasm for the Su 27 I started a few weeks ago. You may remember I had it secreted at the bottom of my kit stash, where I kept on eye on it with a view to building it one day.

Anyway, when the new parts I ordered for it arrived, I began with glee, and mostly it went very well. When the time came for the undercoat, I assembled the main camo colours, all from the Xtracolour range. But it wasn't until I got to the weathering stage it suddenly struck me. It was like a little voice and it said 'you've used all the wrong paint'. Unfortunately, the little voice was right.

Then it occurred to me. I was so anxious to get on with it, I had neglected the proper research and I was under-prepared - very unusual for me, as I am a serial researcher.

So until I sort out the colour codes, the Sukhoi is back to languishing in the paint room. Other projects have since beckoned, and progressed quickly, leaving the poor Sukhoi behind on its timetable. But one day, the saga of 'The Lost Flanker' will continue...

Just in....

Among the new arrivals are these three items. The first two are instantly identifiable - or at least they are to me. They are two of my favourites and amongst the best. The 'Frank' and the 'Tojo both come with lots of extra bits and will produce eye-catching results.

The third item is the Frems Aermacchi MB 339, to be built in the scheme of Italy's premier aerobatic team. The surface detail is a little heavy, but it has a look of modern, well-produced tooling. The decals look great. In the markings of the Frecce Tricolori, this will be a stunning model.

More, of course, to come on these fascinating projects.