Category: Russian models
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Westland Wallace – Part Two – In West You Build Model

In Russia, model build you! It certainly builds your basic modelling skills, as well as your stoicism. The ill-fitting parts, flash, and suspect plastic make sure of that. This kit started in 1964 as a FROG Trailblazer, and the trail has long since been lost – overgrown in weeds. Even when explored by a small…
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Hoothehell?

Or in polite terms, ” Who in their right mind…? “. It is a phrase that whispers to me every time I cruise the kit aisles of HobbyHell. The other part of the question is ” would ever buy this thing? “. The kits or parts or tools or toys in question are not forbidden…
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Polikarpov U-2 – Part Four – St. Ivan’s Ambulance Service

In the service of Soviet humanity… This is the second air ambulance I have constructed, and by far the most ambitious one. It was born of necessity and nurtured on the makeshift – just as well there was a solid foundation of simple airframe to support it. The use of air ambulance transport by definition…
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Katyusha M13 – Part Three – Whooshin’ Rooshians

The wartime accounts of the use of rocket trucks by the Soviets are quite spectacular. Stories of mass attacks that caused whole vilages to disappear are rife. These rocket artillery pieces may have been restricted to 5-8 miles range but the effect of 16 of the rockets falling simultaneously – even if the target circle…
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Katyusha M13 – Part Two – Truckin’

Apparently the basic design for this class of Soviet trucks is an American vehicle of the 1930’s, though I don’t know if it is meant to be Ford or Chevrolet. In any case they adapted it to all sorts of roles at the time, as they did for many vehicles in the 1950’s and 50’s.…
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Katyusha M13 – Part One – Never Look A Gift Rocket In The Nozzle

Drifting past the club work table one day I was delighted when a club mate handed me a small kit box and asked whether I’d like it for free. It was not the scale or sort of item he makes, so It was going spare. I think it originally came from a third member, being…
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What Would I Do With An Inventory Of Russian Products Right Now?

If I was a retailer with shelves full of Russian products right now, I would be worried. There is a war on in Europe between Russia and Ukraine and both sides are killing each other daily. People in the rest of the world are taking sides ( And isn’t it interesting which countries have decided…
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Where Does The Money Trail Go To?

When we buy a model kit, or a pot of paint, or a roll of masking tape, where does the money we pay go? I shop at a local dealer who has a good stock – I occasionally go to rival firms if they have special goods. In all the shops, I pay my money…
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Yakovlev 6 – Part Five – A Flying Fin

Not a flying Finn – unless the Finns captured a few of these in the Winter War. The fin is the price that this Encore model cost. And I think it has proved a sterling investment. The green you see here is a lightened and blued form of the Russian Green. The scale effect, perhaps,…
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Yakovlev 6 – Part Four – Jayne Mansfield

Nothing whatsoever to do with this Yak 6 utility aircraft, but Jayne liked the colour pink as well. She would have appreciated the big nacelles… Now that your mind is sabotaged for the day, we will continue. The Amphibious Twins have been painted and are installed in their little bare cockpit. Fortunately the glazing over…
