Category: 1:72 scale
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Hakenkreuz

Swastika. Deal with the idea your own way* – imagine it to be an ancient symbol of good or a modern symbol of evil. Remember whatever you wish to remember. I’m not in charge of your thoughts. I noted some years ago that there was a legal barrier to display of the swastika in Germany…
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I Want To Build The Model That Would Make My Life Complete, But…

But… a. No-one makes it. Or at least they do not make it in the scale I want. Or they make the Mk 2 version and I want the Mk 34 version… b. They made it in 1959 and have been re-issuing the kit ever since. Every time the mould changes hands they hire another…
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Precision Need Not Be Prestigious

Nor need it be pricey.* I came to that conclusion each time I approached the Hobby Boss Brewster Buffalo kit – even at the wash and trim stage – where I got the mould-parting agent off the basic sprues and then air-dried them. And then started cutting parts from them and building subassembies. This was…
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No …. …. ….. .. Allowed

Well, that’s a bit of a blow to the people who like to have … … ….. .. in their Little World. If they thought that they were going to be able to show the rest of the internet community how carefully they had constructed a diorama with their models and how realistic they could…
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The Only One Like It

If you are contemplating a big win in next year’s plastic modelling contest, I should get started now. Pop down to the hobby shop and pick up a totally exclusive, one-of-a-kind kit like a Mustang or Spitfire. And a packet of photoetched scale rivets for the detailing… There’s a fine point for the competitive modeller…
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The Back Story

I had a consultation one day with the technical adviser…my friend Warren who was in the Air Force. He ran an eye over the mockup of the model airfield and I explained how it was evolving. At the time there were large sheets of paper down representing major structures I wanted to build, as well…
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Packaging Part Two – The Quality Of The Box

I’ve been buying model kits since Eisenhower was President and Louis St. Laurent was Prime Minister and I think I’ve seen them offered in every form of packaging save a lard barrel; cardboard boxes, plastic packets, plastic bags, sleeves, and even one memorable lot in paper envelopes. As I sit at my desk typing I…
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Packaging Part One – The Gallery Of The Shelf

I go to art galleries in the various capital cities I visit on a regular basis. Some, like the NGV in Melbourne or the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney get a visit whenever I’m in town. Others, like the various modern art galleries or smaller dealer’s galleries might get a hit every two or…
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Handley Page Hampden – Part Six – Ready For the Squadron

I am currently completing the Air Ministry paperwork preparatory to handing over the Handley Page Hampden to the RCAF. It is destined to be in a torpedo-bombing squadron in British Columbia. They have tried Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers but cannot make them work. The RCAF requested a light sky grey underside as they do not…
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Handley Page Hampden – Part Five – The Dots Of Doom

My current build – the Airfix Handley Page Hampden – is an older kit. Not quite as old as the series 1 baggies, but it does date back to the 60’s. I daresay it has been re-boxed several times and the decals have probably been upgraded, but the basic plastic airplane is an earlier style…
