Forgotten Models

Instead of talking about new jobs or work in progress, I felt that a moment should be spent with jobs that have fallen by the wayside. Currently, I have three or four projects residing in the naughty box. This is one - an S-100 attack boat from Revell. I started out filled with enthusiasm, which dwindled rapidly when I found a vital part was missing. It didn't help when I discovered it was me who had misplaced it. The project went back on the shelf, in Autumn 2006...
Autumn 2008 - just look at that dust! I would like to re-start it, but the same old problems are still there. Do you have models which have been consigned to a similar building limbo? You'll get a sympathetic hearing here.

Brilliant Boomer

I've recently been asked to build the new CAC 12 Boomerang from Special Hobby. Hmmm - doesn't Special Hobby have a reputation for turning out limited run kits with thick sprues and banana-shaped parts? A good poke round in the box soon put me straight. Beautifully moulded parts, finely engraved panel lines, superbly cast resin engine, photo-etched parts including seat belts and cockpit levers, and a crystal clear IM canopy.


There's a colour painting guide showing four RAAF aircraft and a complete instruction leaflet with colour refs in Gunze Sangyo. So the sprues are a little thick, but you won't be looking at those.

I'll be starting work on this little gem in the next few days. Photos will be appearing here soon.

Famous Citroen

BEFORE

Almost every war film has one. It's possibly the most famous Citroen ever. Its latest appearance will be on the Condor diorama which will be featured on here soon. Here's a brief preview of the Tamiya kit.

AFTER

It's mostly complete, but since the request is for working lights, there is a little more work to do.
I carefully toned the panels using slightly lighter tones of drab green. This makes for a very weatherbeaten look. I feel that the addition of this great little model to the diorama really helps to complete a scene and add the right atmosphere. Do you remember the final scene in Casablanca....?

Not really the 'Hind' end

Some time ago I acquired this '80's Monogram kit. It was second-hand - parts had been removed from the bag, snipped off the sprue ready for a build that never happened.

Someone was pretty keen though. Just look at all that Eduard! It makes for a right boxful. The Mil Mi-24 is one of those timeless subjects. The aircraft itself has been around for years. Nearly everyone seems to have one, it's almost as prolific as the kit.

Now I'm looking for a scheme which will inspire - any ideas?

More on the Condor

As a crew ladder is not included in the kit, I'm going to use part of this one from an F-84 kit. Just fitted the crew door with the addition of paper hinge straps.

Seeing Double

Yes, a pair of Grumman Hellcats. Work on these two was going really well, but a well-known hobby supplier beginning with H does not operate a particularly swift service and I am waiting for a set of decals from them. They know who they are.

One F6F will be completed with wings folded. This is a surprisingly tricky job to do. The odd cut angles rule out the razor saw, leaving me only the Swann Morton No.3. As you can see, it has gone well though. Not even the usual blood-letting which traditionally accompanies jobs like these. More on these cats later.

The Condor Cometh

I felt it may be of interest to see how the FW 200 was doing. These pictures bring things up to date.

The last couple show the final weathering - mostly dark washes in the process of drying. You can also see the etched flap inserts in the first photo.

In the background you can see the Gato Class sub. The conning tower is still under construction.


I'm hoping to complete the Condor in the next few days. I'll be moving on to the base of the diorama that will feature it, plus the ground equipment.