Category: Model Airplane
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Bristol F.2B – Part One – The Dogfight Half

Bitterly disappointed as I was upon opening the Airfix box, I decided to soldier on. I had been expecting a Fokker triplane as well as a Bristol F.2b that were shown on the box top. Inside the box were decals for both planes, instructions and call-out for both, but no Fokker. Instead I got a…
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PZL – The Karas Yet Again

You might have to avoid me on the street – I seem to have become slightly fixated with this old Heller kit. I may start babbling… At least I am logical maniac. I do not subscribe to conspiracy theories – I recognise the randomly idiotic nature of the world and do not attribute any of…
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RAAF Spitfire Mk Vc – Part Five – Dawn

Australian historians of the RAAF, of WW2, of the Spitfire, and of No. 79 Sqn should have a field day with this Italeri model. They can spend hours finding faults in it and listing them, from the failure to have the exact wing to the lack of seatbelts to the inclusion of the Maytag washing…
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RAAF Spitfire Mk Vc – Part Two – The Universal Kit

Universal if you want to make a Spitfire, that is. Not a lot of good if you are trying for a ’59 Ford Anglia… This Italeri kit comes with more parts than you’d think. I note the wing tips are flat with a key-slot and you can join rounded elliptical tips or clipped square tips.…
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RAAF Spitfire Mk Vc – Part One – A Plane Chasing A Decal

The impetus for this Spitfire build came from a recently-completed model of a High Planes Wirraway. It went so well and the Czech DK Decals sheet for it was so easy to use that I glanced down to discover there was a full Spit layout on the sheet as well. A White-tail too, which I…
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Don’t, Don’t You Believe It, Girlie…

Whenever someone tells you a kit is unbuildable, doubt them. Ditto when they tell you it is the best thing since sliced styrene. People’s opinions quickly convert to folklore and just as rapidly to gospel truth. There are scale model flat earths all about us. A case in point was given to me by a…
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How Does A Hobby Fall Upon Its Prey?

Having been savaged by at least eight major hobbies in my life, with the wreck of finance and intellect as evidence, I am finally drawn to wondering why… Why these things, why me, why anyone. Why do ’em, and why pay for ’em. Every child plays with toys, if they are lucky. Every child runs…
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FW 190 – Part Three – The Red Field Queen

That’s like a hangar queen but one they keep out in the open. This FW 190 was captured in Belgium at St. Trond (Sint Truiden ) and started life as White 11 of JG4. It was given a strong red coat of paint, USAAF markings, and a made-up registration number: OO-L as well as a…
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FW 190 – Part Two – Bigger Is Better?

A question for those starting in 1/48 from a lifetime of 1/72. And does that mean better detail, better shape, or better fit? Are the clear parts going to be better? How about the decals? Is it fair to judge the scale on an old retro kit? Well, I build old retro kits in 1/72…
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FW 190 – Part One – A Classic Gift

I well remember the 1/4″ scale kits moulded by Monogram in the 1960’s/ They were a must-buy when you encountered them in the hobby shops in Alberta but you needed more money to do so than with Revell or Aurora products. They were either in shorter supply or regarded as better items. They also sometimes…
