Category: design
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Yuron – Yurown Design Bureau

This is the new decal printing company that I have started to use now that every other specialist firm has decided to pack it in. I can look at Scalemates all day and see what once was printed, but as far as being able to actually get the sheets…? I might as well be asking…
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Why Don’t You Build…

Most people use the phrase ” Why don’t you…” to tell someone to do something. They are not really asking for a reason why something is not being done. They save that for ” Why didn’t you…” and that is just criticism. In my case I have been asked why I don’t build more Australian…
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Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter – Part One – Widowmaker?

Well we got that one in print right off. You’ll see it repeatedly in the sensational press – attached to the F-104 in German service. You can read how many of them got into trouble, then look at what they hung off them and how they used them…and draw your own conclusions. The RCAF flew…
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Nieuport 28 – Part One – The French Connection

The discovery of yet another neglected old Revell WW1 kit for a very small price led to the the determination to build ’em all. That led to the internet search to find out how many of them there were…and Revell was very prolific in the 70’s with these little models. I have a couple more…
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When The Wheels Fall Off

My task a while ago was repairing models that had come into my hobby club’s possession from a deceased member. I wasn’t sure how long the task would be going for, but I did enjoy myself tackling the small jobs. The breakages were the result of the estate move – not because the models were…
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Sukhoi Su-2 – Part Three – Oh, Those Wacky Soviets…
Just when you start to think that they have no imagination, they come out with a new one and all you can do is scratch your head. Consider the heading image. I have assembled the engine for the Sukhoi following the diagrams as faithfully as can be. There’s the two rows of cylinders, like a…
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I’m A Dinosaur…

Because I was raised in the Plasticine Era. Boom, boom. No, really I was. All the way from kindergarten to way past puberty I was using Plasticine for modelling and construction, and never thought it an outdated material. The smell of it, due to the linseed oil, defined the school art classes. A whiff brings…
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Short Sunderland – Part Three – The Problem Of Dimension

The choice of 1:72 scale to model for my collection is politic – I can only fit so much in a small space. Most of the aircraft can be built on a bench and shown on shelf. My new jigs make this a real pleasure. But occasionally the sheer scale of the subject defeats this…
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Short Sunderland – Part Two – Like Painting A Fish

Well, that’s what it reminded me of…as well it might – being a flying boat. If it was to go on water, a fish shape would be most a appropriate. The insides are bare, but at least they are decorated. And the windows will not fall inward. I’ve seen that trick too often not be…

