Category: prototypes
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YF23 – Part Three – Trial Duo

Well, it didn’t get the contract. Despite the design and the twin engines of this McDonell Douglas/Northrop, the ultimate choice for the air superiority fighter went to the YF – later – F-22. The two test aircraft were relegated to museum pieces. I suspect that this Trumpeter lkit – a 1999 product – was drawn…
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Egyptian Mig 21 – Part Three – O..1

When life gives you MiGs – you make MiGaid… You research the internet until you find a real picture of the model you have in the box. Colour, for preference, and well-lit if possible. You can make do with older B/W photos but be wary of other people’s colourizations or the precise artwork of virtual…
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Egyptian MiG 21- Part Two – Here’s To Hasegawa

An afternoon’s cutting and cementing and the basic aircraft is done. It is nearly always about the paint scheme and markings, so getting to the decoration stage early can be a real comfort. Arriving without having to fill many seams or re-enforce wing or tail attachments is a bonus. Thus my relish as the MiG…
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” Adopt And Honour “

A phrase spoken by our club President – Rob – when giving me the Grumman F9F Panther model you see in the heading. It is a product of the late John Evans – a prolific and skilled member of SMCWA for many years. He built any number of USN aircraft, as well as RAAF, RAF,…
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Open Form Modelling

You might think that individuality and enterprise would be rewarded enough in scale modelling when we choose one of the options on the kit instructions. Or when we go the whole hog and get a packet of aftermarket resin or brass. Past that, there are the heady heights of what-iffery and enthusiast sci-fi to absorb…
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Tupolev Tu-2 – Part Four – A Straight Bat

And a fair wicket. This Tupolev Tu-2 WWII bomber eventually got a NATO designation: ” Bat “. It seems to have been exported all over the place after it was second-line for the VVS. The Communist Chinese got some and there are preserved copies in their air museum – presumably Hobby Boss were able to…
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CAC Wirraway – Part Six – No. 4 Sqn RAAF

I have been googling No. 4 Sqn in WW2 with reference to the Wirraway. These were busy aircraft. The squadron was generally intended for reconnaissance when it was formed before the war and was working closely with the Australian Army and US Army in New Guinea throughout the conflict. It looks as if this was…
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Academy C118 Liftmaster – Part Three – Presidential Plane

There were a number of choices of livery for this Douglas aircraft kit. I chose the Republic Of China version as it was a presidential transport for a number of decades – replacing a previous DC-3. It is hard to find positive evidence on the net about the Academy decals but the actual plane itself…
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Academy C118 Liftmaster – Part One – A Deliberate Choice

Having been given a number of 1:144th scale aircraft and successfully completed them…I have decided the scale is a good thing. My main collection is 1:72, of course, but many aircraft are just not made in this size. If they are, the larger ones like transports and bombers become behemoths that devour display space. It…

