Category: History
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SAAB Tunnen – Part Four – Neutral Corner Fighter

Just how neutral is Sweden – really? I know they are always telling us that they defend only themselves, and it is damned difficult to get them to go on exercises with other countries – though this has changed lately. But in the world wars they were shipping arms and raw materials to both sides…somewhat…
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SAAB Tunnen – Part One – Swedish Birthday Present

I always keep an eye out these days for old or re-issued Heller kits. Either way, they are good value for money, with subjects that you just don’t see otherwise. Which is not to say that other makers do not do the prototypes – just that we never see them here. Thus, once I see…
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Unwrap At Your Peril

Yesterday was Christmas. In the morning I unwrapped my Christmas gift and expressed delight and surprise. Only one of those emotions was genuine. I bought it myself – at my local hobby shop – with my own money. It was be just what I wanted because I knew what I wanted. I have been reimbursed…
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Fiat CR.32 – Part Four – Under A Chinese Sun

The Fiat CR.32 is now ready to fight off the hordes of invading Japanese bombers from the Xú Jichâng airfield. The period of time between the last post and this one was spent painting the wheel sub-assemblies – an easy task – and putting them on the fuselage. This was also an easy task, giving…
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Dornier Do-17Z – Part Six – Discrete Dornier

The Finnish Air Force roundels on this Post-War Dornier seemed a little small when seen in the illustration. They were also depicted this size on another modeller’s effort…so I finally had to accept them as real. The colours of this ex-Luftwaffe aircraft were very close to that of the German Air Force in the late…
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Dornier Do-17Z – Part Two – ” We’re All In This Together…”

That catch phrase from the classic of Canadian culture – the Red Green Show – certainly applies to most of the German bombers I’ve seen – and particularly to the Dornier 17Z. The crew was large enough; a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier, gunner, and party political officer. There were only 5 seats for 6 crew…
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Dornier Do-17Z – Part One – The Pencil Again

I seem fated to build Dornier Do-17 bombers. I have already completed one for the Ruritanians, and one for the Swiss. Now a third kit has turned up and is slated to be sent to the Finns. The kit is a multiple re-boxing – mine popped out in 2011 but the original mould started in…
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” Recapture Your Childhood “

Said an advertisement for a reissue of an old kit. I opened the box and looked in… My childhood was moulded better than that – and it was made in the same mould. I might have aged a lot and some of my edges have become worn, but I have avoided sinkholes in every corner…
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How Accurate Were They Back In The Day?

Depends on who they were and when the day was… I well remember seeing an Aurora Famous Fighter kit sold in Canadian hobby shops that purported to be a Soviet plane – variously touted as a Yak 25 or a MiG 19, that was nothing like either aircraft. It may have been drawn up and…
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Albatros D.III – Part Four – Red But Not Barren

An internet site claims that Manfred v. Richthofen flew a red, yellow-tailed Albatross D.III at some stage of his career. I have no idea if this is true. However, I like the idea of breaking up the all-red of the Revell kit’s scheme so this was as good a choice as any. I recognise the…
