Mark

This is the Kinetic 1/48 Sea Harrier FRS1, the first of 6 Kinetic Harriers I have to build! I am a member of the Harrier SIG, and have access to all the very detailed build notes etc. for the kit. The main issue that is really visible/noticeable is the location of the wing pylons, which are set too far forward. So new locating holes are required. The wing tanks are also too long, as are the pylons themselves. Whilst I corrected these as best I could referring to the build notes, because this model is for the SIG display at SMW2022 to Mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, I am not sure how much I will do for future build because much of the corrections are out of sight under the wings!

I was mildly disappointed with the decals, as they didn’t conform well despite use of Micro Sol and Set, plus also a coat of Humbrol Decalfix. These early SHARs in the Extra Dark Sea Gray and white scheme didn’t weather much (perhaps at that time the Navy could afford to put them through the car wash more frequently?), so there is mild shading only plus panel line wash.

I have been promised a replacement windscreen because there was adhesive leach; I have made a mental note to go back to using PVA glue for canopies.

Anyway, now I have moved to a Vindicator that I acquired from Les B in 2019. It’s from Accurate Miniatures, and will be a possible item for my ‘Here’s one I built earlier!’ display at this year’s SMW, assuming we aren’t locked down again.

Tref

“Apologies for not having sent anything in for a couple of months. The cold weather has delayed my progress with spraying various airliners, but I have used the time to make some headway with finally finishing the Airfix Bullfinches kit that I intended to have ready for a Scale Model World some years ago... Comparing the kit with pictures of the real birds led me to the conclusion that I needed to add a fair bit of filler to et something approaching the right shape and also needed to shorten the legs. Hopefully some of my more usual subjects will be completed in the coming months.”

Roger

"My first attempt at painting the Bengal Lancer was not quite how I wanted it so cleaned it off and have restarted the initial painting of the face but have left the headband for the moment whilst I think about how I am going to proceed. 

Have at last taken the plunge and got my H&S airbrush out and sprayed the Tamiya 1/35 Sherman tank. Not quite got the hang of it yet as I seemed to have sprayed it a little heavier than I should though it looks okay, (well I think it does). So a bit more practice is needed but the airbrush is really beautiful to use. The Sherman just needs a few finishing touches including adding some equipment and painting in the lights, and finding the rear light which has come adrift whilst in storage."

Sean

"Slow progress this month."

Tamiya Republic F-84G “Thunderbirds” 1:48
"On to painting the F-84G. Pilot is painted and the cockpit all closed up. This is something very different for me, bright colours and very light weathering. And lots of decals,
I hate decals at the best of times so this will be a real test for me.
Even the pilots helmet had 3 decals!"

Tamiya M8 Greyhound 1:35  
"Exterior is finished and ready for painting. Lots of small details, stowage and tow cables added. I’ve  made a simple base from a slab of foam with block paving carved into it. Also added a drain cover from a MiniArt set. I’ve just started painting it."

Geoff

“Two models have now made it to, if not over, the finish line this year; whether to go any further on either of them remains to be seen.
But at least they have got to a point where they are presentable."

"So, pondering what to start next. Another tank? A truck? Or possibly have a go at one of those funny things with wings? Or just build the next Churchill?”

“And wishing Les B well and a speedy recovery.”

Phil

“I have been busy this month, mainly with figures. I have also been pushing on with the Academy T-33, which is up to the decal stage. I will post that as finished next time.

I have a Warhammer 40k figure on the bench at the moment, which I hope will be done by next issue. Also, the latest CSM offering turned up from Hannants back-order yesterday. This is the Autocar Canadian MG Carrier, which is a simple box-on-wheels. It cries out for a diorama or at least a vignette, but not this week!”

Figure-wise I completed Andrea Miniatures 54mm Spanish Infantry General, a nice little piece which took me a couple of sittings. It was on Historex site in discontinued lines at a fiver – good value I thought. Painted in acrylics.

I also rashly bought a 75mm figure of a rebel from the Boxer Uprising, 1900, by Alexandros Miniatures. Despite the company’s good reputation, this one was a bag of worms. One major part missing, one poor box-art photo and no indication of what the tinier bits were and where they fitted. In white metal, the fit of parts was poor and I nearly binned it, but decided to persevere and finally got it finished. Won’t go there again!"

Les V

He's nearly finished
the first couple of his
reworked Starfighters!

Tim

"I think it’s fair to say that my workbench this month resembles, very much, my workbench last month - time has flown and I don’t seem to have moved anything on very much (we could maybe do a ‘Spot the Difference’ competition?) - I hope to have more to show next month."