Category: Scale Models
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The Rattle-Snake

The aerosol spray can…the rattler…has been with us for decades. I remember Pactra and Testors hobby cans in the 1960’s that finally brought the ability for a kid to paint a model car to a realistic finish. The realism was that of car lacquer colours and as garish as any hot rodder could have desired.…
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Short Sunderland – Part Four – More Masks Than The Italian Banditti

I am not a mask person. They make me nervous – whether they are the Venetian Carnival sort or the plain ones worn by train robbers. I spent 30 years wearing them in surgery and I was generally up to no good there either… So when I need to mask for spray painting, you can…
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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…
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Nicer To Build ‘Em Than Stash ‘Em.

I like having cake, but I’ve long since realised that particular pleasure is surpassed by eating it. Thus my attitude to my stash. I like to see it building up, but I love to see it building down. Construction is a fulfilment of the actual purpose of the kit, and of all the design, manufacture,…
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Fairey Swordfish Mk I – Part Four – Splish Splash

If I was a kid in a bathtub I would be sorely tempted to play battleships with this Fairey float plane – probably to its detriment. As it is, I will have to think up some way of simulating water to display it – and that is a tough thing to do. The final result…
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Fairey Swordfish Mk I – Part Three – They’re All CAD’s These Days

That’s when they are not being narcissists – the new buzz word that you use to complain about your ex on Facebook. It suggests that the guilty party only looks at themselves. In reality, the fact that they are now your ex, lady, suggests that they took a long, hard, look at you… But I…
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Fairey Swordfish Mk I – Part Two – Quo Vadis?

Redirect your mind from the old religious movie – this is serious. What version of this plane do I make? There are always a number of questions about any new build. What are my criteria for choosing a kit and then choosing a scheme? a. It is a kit. I have enough money to buy…


