'...211 in progress'

Yes, it's the Kinetics S2E Tracker in 1/48, which has been malingering in my kit storage for some time, a crime I am about to set right.

It's not a kit which gives stunning detail, but it does have nice engraved panel lines and rivets, and the parts fit is not too disappointing. It mostly does what is says, and looks just like the photos say. Decals are by Fightertown, and go down real well, with good register.

Care above and beyond the usual to be taken when assembling the engine nacelles or you can end up with irritating gaps. The nose gear door needs its mounting bracket attaching first to ensure easy fitting to the gear leg, contrary to the instructions. Speaking of which....THEY ARE QUITE HARD to read, swapping as they do from UPPER CASE to lower case and back AGAIN. Test fitting more important than ever here then.

I'll be finishing the model soon, but already I think it will look pretty impressive. On the basis of size alone, it's quite a show-off. Just test-fitting it meant I had to stand in the hall.

So crime averted. Photos to follow. Next up for some caped crusading - the Hawker Tornado.

Where have you been?

So much to do and so little time. Sound familiar? But in this case, it's really true. There's enough to fill your day with all the duties of family life, but then I need to get on with my real job...

The benches have been crowded lately. Some recent completed builds; first the Eduard BF 109E-4 in 1/32 scale. I'll let you guess whose markings it's in. This is a great kit but it's flawed by its own central theme. You can have everything open from the pilot's seat to the propeller, and the detail is superb, helped along by two frets of colour etched parts. All very well, but what if you want something closed - the engine compartment, or the weapons bay? Eduard give you extra parts for this, but you have to proceed carefully. The panels don't want to fit as you'd wish them to. See my earlier entries on Eduard's FW 190.

Next is Hasegawa's Henschel Hs 129 in 1/48 scale of course. A lovely representative of this interesting anti-tank aircraft, and with few vices. A very enjoyable build, and I was able to add some nice touches - brake pipes, seat belts, metal landing gear and resin tyres.

I'm still building this Grumman Tracker from Kinetic. Not a bad build, and it will look impressive when it's complete. More on this project later.

Finally, an update on the Hawker Tornado. A kit of mixed blessings. It's currently in its first coat of primer. This highlights any problems. Faults in the model's surface finish are easily spotted - and there are a few. These will be rectified without a problem. Hopefully. This model has thrown up some interesting problems, more later.

So that's my update. How about you?