After missing a couple of meetings thanks to other stuff it was nice to get up to RAF Manston and the history museum cafe/canteen for the monthly club meet of East Scale modellers. As usual some fantastic models on display and plenty of model 'chat' and  'advice' and tips being dispensed .. Dave's Skyhawk and Mitsubishi T-2 Callum's GwH 1:144 TSR 2 Dick's Airfix Sea Vixen in a line-up  of 899 Sqd machines... Two of Rod's WnW masterpieces, a DH 2 and a naval Camel.. Peter's HPH 32nd scale SG 38 glider (partially built) and Dick's Special Hobby DFS 230  Ro ..read more

  As one web site puts it, " the operational history of the Spitfire began with No. 19 Squadron on 4 August 1938 at Duxford... " On this date Jeffrey Quill delivered the first operational Mk I K9789 to Duxford, nearly a year later than originally anticipated. By then the type had been extensively tested. The Spitfire was simple and easy to fly and had no vices.  Fast forward to 31 October 1938 -  'press day' for 19 Sqn and the squadron's new Spitfires are all in the air, echeleon right behind CO S/Ldr Henry Cozens. Note the '19' on the tails. This was only on the a/c for a sh ..read more

   Just reading a great article on model 'bases' over on the 'Model Airplane Maker' blog (see link in the side box) while I work up enthusiasm to start a new kit. In the meantime here are a few more of those 'frame' bases posted on various social media. Still thinking that I might try one of these, although I do favour 'splitting' and attaching the canopy. And the instruction sheet 'background' is very cool ..read more

  the new 72nd scale Dora Wings Fairey Delta 2 is here! Below; Movietone News report  ..read more

  " ..One of the few benefits of us all going back to work at the start of any new year is that we do so in the sure and certain knowledge that we are about to be transfixed by a spectacular new collection of Airfix model kits, with the launch of the latest Airfix range. Featuring a collection of new tooling projects, new scheme options and artwork for some range favourites and the return of some kit classics, range launch day usually sees the Airfix website struggling to cope with all the additional traffic, as thousands of people rush to take a first look at what kits might be tempting ..read more

yesterday's surprise announcement from Airfix of a new-tool Me 410 in 72nd scale was featured on FalkeEins-the Luftwaffe blog. Today a look at the sprues. Thanks to Del for being there and taking the photos ..read more

  A new attendee of the East Kent Scale Modellers group is Tom Le M.. His latest model was photographed on display at our last club night. " At long last! It is done! 1:24 Hawker Typhoon Mk.Ib Car Door - R8893, 182 Squadron, November 1942. It has been a crazy ride with a lot of firsts! I definitely fell in love with this kit. My painting skills not being as good as some modellers' out there, many mistakes were made and can't count how many times I very nearly gave up, right up to the end. So my Typhoon isn't perfect, but I think I gave it a damn good shot! I learned an awful lot in t ..read more

You often hear people say, try building a Fokker Dr. 1 triplane model if you want to do something from WW I with not much rigging. You have to wonder whether those people have actually done that - because buidling triplanes - especially in 72nd scale - is not easy even without having to worry too much about rigging! The Roden kit is nice enough - quite detailed including separate sets of ailerons but very fiddly with its minuscule parts, including the internal cockpit framework and all the struts as separate parts, none of which have decent locating holes. I notice that sites such as Scott ..read more

due soon from Dora Wings -FD 2 in 72nd. Sprue shot and test build Below;  nice view of the legendary Fairey Delta 2 WG 774 preparing for a demonstration flight at the Farnborough Air Show c1954. The first FD.2 WG 774 made its first flight on 6 October 1954 with Peter Twiss at the controls. Flight testing continued until 17 November 1954 when during Twiss' 14th flight the engine failed and Twiss - with superb calm headedness - had to land a powerless machine, there being only enough hydraulic pressure to lower the nosewheel.. On 15 February 1956 the second FD 2 WG 777 made its firs ..read more

  P-47 D 'G9-J' in the markings of Lt. Duane Buholz 509th FS/ 405th FG from the Academy 'bubbletop' kit. Seen alongside the Revell kit. Neither satisfactorily represents a P-47 in my view, although the Academy model - like most of this company's 72nd kits- looks least like the real thing. Gear legs are cut down, wheels replaced with resin Pavla items. The canopy is wrong and too 'bulbous' but at least the decals worked. Originally established as the 405th Bombardment Group (Dive) the unit was re-designated 405th FG in May 1943. Its three squadrons - the 509th, the 510th and the 511t ..read more