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Scale Modeller’s Adolescence

If you have not experienced an adolescence of any sort yet, you may wish to loosen your clothing and put down newspapers over the good flooring… Scale modellers pass through adolescence any number of times. There’s the original one that breaks the voice and soils the sheets, and that’s a lot of fun. There’s the…
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Full Moon Is the Worst Time

That’s when the special modellers shop. The hobby shop staff know what’s coming; they brace themselves. The cowards call in sick, but the old hands just stand to the till and face the storm. ” Do you have this in 1/296th? Why not? “. ” I want the best kit. I’ve got $ 12. Hit…
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The Empty Paint Bottle

In scale modelling an empty bottle that once held paint can be many things; a halt to the project, a nuisance, an additional expense…or a trophy of great significance. It indicates that you used the contents and were able to get full value. If it was half-full of sludge or dried pigment it would be…
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At The Mercy Of The Crotches

A cautionary tale. My scale model club mates build models of nearly everything; airplanes, ships, cars, tanks, trucks…you name it. But so far none of them have built kits of women’s crotches. That has not stopped some unknown individual from sending pictures of these to our Facebook account. We have been seeing them for months,…
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Bristol Type 130 Bombay – Part Four – Hot Little Feet

I really should hie myself back to the hobby shop that supplied this Valom model and see if they have any more inter-war British aircraft. This one has proved delightful. SOOTB, and grateful for the opportunity to do it. The moulding was fine and the decals superb. I did not even object to the W/T…
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Bristol Type 130 Bombay – Part Three – Is It Mistrust Or Distrust?

The dictionary isn’t clear on the distinction. Either way, when I look at the design of some kits – particularly the butt joint of a thin horizontal stabiliser – I start to get sceptical. My experience of adhesives tells me that there are all too many instances when they don’t. I would not ask long…
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Bristol Type 130 Bombay – Part Two – The Inside Job

I’ve learned to do as I’m told…mostly. I do pay attention when the makers of a kit instruct me to build the aircraft cockpit first. Dropping one in after the fuselage is joined is very rarely an option. It can be done with some Soviet fighters where there is a large opening at the wing…
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Bristol Type 130 Bombay – Part One – Slow And Fat

This model was purchased in panic when I thought a local hobby shop was closing down. I did not want to miss out. Well the shop is still open, but I do not regret the purchase. I have recently built a modern Bristol Type 170 Super Freighter and this older bus will be a wonderful…
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Lordy God Almighty

Our hobby is on the side of the angels. And also on the side of science and the law. As scale modellers we have endured the sneers and taunts of people ever since out first kit. Now we have vindication – our interest in scale models is of benefit to mankind. Okay – I hear…
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Rounding On The Roundel

How many times have you put the decal on wrong? More that you’d think… The use of a distinctive insignia or roundel for any particular air force has been mandated for over a century. It was difficult for pilots to identify friends or foes if they have to land and ask a series of questions…
