Okay, “NOT” on the Bench…
The past week or so have brought some unexpected changes to the bench lineup. First, the Airfix Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3. Back in the stash. I can't explain why, but my…
Aftermarket Review: Montex Canopy Masks
Canopies. If you build aircraft, there's no way around them. And if you're at all like me, you probably hate the tedious process of masking them. In the past I've…
How to Mask Fuselage Bands
Masking is an inseparable part of modeling – particularly when aircraft are involved. Canopy glass, wing stripes, camoflage…it seems like even on aircraft that are just one color, there’s always something that needs masking.
And one of the more frustrating masking jobs – at least for me – is fuselage bands. Wing stripes are a cinch…you have a big, flat surface to work with. But aircraft fuselages – especially on World War II fighters – are rarely perfectly cylindrical. They taper. They have various ridges and protrusions. All of these make masking a straight band of uniform width a nightmare.
Fortunately, there’s a way around the pain. Here’s how. (more…)
WingXL Announces Their First Release – 1/32 Martin B-26 Marauder
While the modeling world - or portions of it - await the impending release of the massive H-K Models 1/32 B-25J Mitchell later this month, the other half of the…
What Next?
UPDATE 3/4/2012: Voting has wrapped, and the winner is Revell's PV-1 Ventura. Stay tuned! The Tamiya and Revellogram Jugs are done. The Fiat G.55 is heading into the painting stages.…
On the Bench: 1/350 BB-56 USS Washington
The USS Washington - BB-56 Guadalcanal is usually associated with Marines and bonzai charges, but it was the Navy that bore the brunt of the casualties in the waters off…
On the Bench – 1/48 Airfix Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3
The Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 What can possibly be said about the 109 that hasn't been already? There have been books - and series of books - dedicated to the 109.…
On the Bench: Tamiya 1/48 Ki-84 Hayate
UPDATE: Due to user error – my installing the cowl gun deck backward – looks like this kit is unfortunately going to be living out its days as a paint mule. I will be tackling the Ki-84 in the future, as I have two Hasegawas and plenty of markings options.
The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (“FRANK”)
For all my interest in World War II, Japanese aircraft, like Italian aircraft, have been something of a blind spot. Pretty much everyone knows what a Zero is, and I can recognize several of the Allied codenames – Tojo, Val, Kate, Betty, Tony, etc – but the actual aircraft, their capabilities, when they served and whether it was with the Imperial Navy or the Air Force, yeah, nothing.
I don’t know why, but I’ve just never been interested in Japanese aircraft. Growing up, it was enough for me to know they were what attacked Pearl Harbor, and what Wildcats, Hellcats and Corsairs knocked out of the sky. I’ve never built a Japanese aircraft, and until recently, had no desire to do so. But seeing several fantastic builds coming out of the Japanese group build on the FSM forums, well, it piqued my interest.
In particular, the Ki-84. (more…)
Of Wingscale, Wing XL, H-K Models and Big-Ass B-25s
Last year at this time, one of the hottest stories in the modeling world was Wingscale and the imminent release of their massive 1/32 B-25J Mitchell (and announcement of a…