1/72 Focke-Achgelis Fa 269

This is really astonishing. This is another masterpiece by Luftwaffe '46 guru - Slava Trudu. This time it's 1/72 Focke-Achgelis Fa 269 including in-progress pics. Simply watch and enjoy:

Funny stuff

The most of us take the hobby too serious. Especially when criticizing models of others.

But about the hobby being fun?

Check out these funny pictures about our hobby:















I really love that stuff. Do you have anything similar to share?

All the above mentioned pictures were found here

Brad Cancian Interview

This is really special.. Here's Brad Cancian interview for Plastic Fever Blog. To see more built Brad's WW1 models visit his WW1 Modelling page here. Highly recommended! ;)

Hi Brad! Please tell our readers a little about yourself. What do you do besides modeling? :)

I am a currently serving Royal Australian Air Force engineering officer, which tends to keep me quite busy.  In my spare time, other than spending it with my lovely girlfriend (who is very tolerant of my modeling), I have recently finished studying for a masters degree in project management, and I like to spend time modeling, reading, exercising, producing my own electronic music, and playing music.

How long have you been modeling?

Like most of us I started quite young “helping” my dad put together his models.  I have been building by myself since I was 9 years old.  I did stop for a few years whilst at university, but picked it back up shortly after.  So all up, I have been modeling for around 14 years.

Do you remember your first model? What was it?

My first modeling experience was helping my dad out with building his models when I was a small child.  Eventually he bought me my first model once he got sick of me playing with and breaking his very nicely done car models!  I remember my first model quite well, as it was just after I had seen the movie “Top Gun” – it was a 1/144 scale F-14 tomcat.  I think my parents still have it somewhere. It took me an hour to glue together (no paint) and slap the decals on.  I remember playing with it for hours making lots of aeroplane noises….the bug well and truly hit and much saved pocket money went to my local hobby shop throughout the next few years!

What's your favourite part of the process? Weathering, rigging, painting, etc.

My favourite part is finishing a model and putting it into the display case, usually after weeks or months thinking about how I wanted it to look.  My next favourite part of the process would have to be researching the subjects, reading through books and looking at photographs, and conversing with fellow amateur historians and modellers.  I find that reading about the subjects and the people, and talking to others with similar interests to me, is most fascinating. 

In terms of construction, it is hard to say – each step provides its own individual joys. I do love scratch building details and the simple joy of painting and construction, however I must confess a soft spot for applying paint and decals.  It is here where you finally begin to have an appreciation for how the finished product is going to look, and can start envisioning how you really are going to weather the model to achieve the final desired finish.

What's the scale of choice and why? 1/72, 1/48..

Definitely 1/48 scale, though I do not mind building 1/72 or 1/32 occasionally.  I find 1/48 is big enough to include lots of detail, and big enough to actually detail a subject well and with a certain level of ease, but small enough to fit into my small display cabinet (and small enough to omit some details without anyone really noticing!).  I do have a soft spot for detailed 1/72 models as these just have a “wow” factor that always amazes me, but I am not quite good enough to master 1/72 just yet!

You're mostly famous for your WW1 aircraft models. Why do you prefer WW1 subjects?

Whilst I certainly do not think I am “famous” in any modeling sense, I suppose the subject of WW1 aircraft is my most recent love.  I have always been interested in WW1 and WW2 subjects (less so with jets), simply because there is a certain simplicity associated with the exploits of the young men who flew these flimsy craft into battle many years ago.  WW1 appeals to me more so because the aircraft were all so different, and the art of air warfare was literally being written day by day during this period of history.  The subjects are also visually very intricate and interesting – the aircraft were not sleek or aerodynamic – they had square wings, wires, and protrusions everywhere.  They were also very “natural”, often made of wood, some metal, and doped fabric, which produces unique textures and characteristics. They were also quite colourfully marked, notably French, Italian and of course German subjects – individuality was often encouraged in aircraft markings of this time (British aside!). I think it the combination of these factors that makes these aircraft so interesting for me and visually appealing for others.  Many think that these models are so much more difficult than others – the fact is, they are just like any other model – all you need is patience!

That all said, I do occasionally model interesting and unusual WW2 subjects.  For example, I have built a Japanese WW2 autogyro, and a German Messerschmitt Bf-109 V tail prototype, but to name a few.  I have also now tried my hand at armour for the first time, having recently built a Tamiya 1/35 SdKfz 222.  I would also love to get into some figure painting once my skills allow – so I am interested in trying something different every now and then!

Do you the particular built model that takes the special place in your heart? :)

 
There is no one model that really has a special place in my heart other than my very first, and my vague memories of the first models I used to help my father build.  More recently, the models that take a place somewhere in my heart are the ones where I have tried something and learnt something new for the first time, that is, the models where at some point I have said “wow” at something that I have achieved.  Some examples are my first panel line washed model, my first pre-shaded model, my first biplane, the first time I scratch built a whole cockpit and put an aftermarket detail set into a model, and the first time I experimented with wood grains and lozenge decals.  I usually like to try something different with each model, so every one tends to hold a small place in my heart somewhere.  This is probably why I haven’t sold any of my models despite a number of people asking.

How many models do you have in process? Do you also have a "shelf of doom"?

I like to try and restrict myself to one or two on the bench at one time; otherwise I would never get anything finished!  That said I do have around 6 or 7 models started that I have not worked on for a while.  I think the longest “started but not worked on for a while” model that I have has sat idle for around three years, but I will get back to it one day!  Usually a build will bog down for me once I have achieved a milestone, like finishing the cockpit of an aircraft model, but I have a long way left to go – the end is no where in sight - and another project takes my interest.  Either that or there is some critical part or detail that I need to scratch build or obtain a detail set or reference for, and the whole thing bogs down.  I think we all suffer these sorts of things with our modeling.  They key to get out of this rut is to tackle a quick and simple build, or just stay determined and focused on one or two models until they are done – most important is to relax and have some fun – it is a hobby after all!  

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I really would like to thank Brad personally for the interview and the photo of his model shelf. Thanks a lot, Brad! I really appreciate that.

DZModels blog

I'm really glad to share this kind of news with you. Daniel Zamarbide, which step-by-step feature articles I really like to read and follow his advices and tips, has started his own "Step-By-Step" builds' blog. You can find almost all his online builds on Daniel's blog. Enjoy!

Eduard 2010 Catalogue and built Fw190 D-9 Dora pictures

In the end of January Eduard published their 2010 catalogue, which is available for download here.

You might also want check new Eduard 1/48 Fw 190 D-9 Dora built model images here. Looks quite promising to me.

PYN-Up and Cutting Edge goodies

I've received the news from Dave Klaus (the man behind Cutting Edge, YellowHammer Models and PYN-up decals) - that he still has some very interesting stuff available. What was the most interesting to me (you might have already guessed) - PYN-up decals. Which are very rare and yet very (I mean very) qualitative. Check some available goodies here.

Eduard F6F-5N Nightfighter (added)

In my previous post "1/48 F6F-5N Nightfighter Eduard Profipack Review" I forgot to mention one really important Eduard 1/48 F6F-5N Nightfighter kit feature - Express masks!

(Express masks are that small yellow piece of masking paper)

These will save you much time and nerves masking canopy and wheel disks. This are very handy and easy to use. I'm very glad that Eduard switched from the masks that were made from some kind of RLM02 :) coloured film to Tamiya type masking tape. Canopies are very sometimes hard to deal - especially keeping them crystal clear after laying and cutting masks.

So the express masks provided inside the kit will definitely fill the list of the advantages.

1/48 F6F-5N Nightfighter Eduard Profipack Review

Every modeller has the special subject or history period he/she is crazy about. Some of us are into World War 2 USAAF fighters, some of us build Soviet post WW2 jets, some of us collect models of mysterious Luftwaffe 1946 projects. I know that the part of scale aviation modellers build the certain models just because those models depict certain country and certain history period aircrafts.

You know, I'm different. I build the models of the aircrafts that appeal to me. It's a matter of taste and sometimes even a matter of mood. Sometimes I find that no WW2 air-fighter looks sexier than Fw 190D-9 Dora. Although I know it's so petite and fragile compared to another WW2 airfighter (bomber as well ;) P-47 Thunderbolt. Jug (aka P-47) on the other side is big and heavy. Thunderbolt model surely feels good in hands :)

That's why I build Luftwaffe, USAAF, WW1 and other aircraft models. I build the models which shapes and outlines appeal to me and that seems to interest me. Just like some of us love skinny girls, some us love fat girls, some love big girls, etc. It's just the matter of taste. But the biggest part of men enjoy watching naked girls. Even scientists have proved that men who stare at women's breasts live longer. Watching naked women is good for health! :)

"Naked girls and aircraft models?" - you might ask.

Yes, the thing that connects those two subjects of our interest - Pin-Up art. Pin-Up art in aviation were the drawings and paintings of naked girls on the aircraft bodies. But generally Pin-up art is associated with USA aircrafts. Bombers, fighters, transport, reconnaissance airplanes proudly sported those pin-up girls. I bet they also do now. Although Russian (not Soviet!) Nieuport fighters of WW1 are also known to wear half naked mermaids and mademoiselles on the fuselages:

Sometimes ago I've found out that Eduard is releasing their next 1/48 F6F Hellcat. I'm aware that there were other kits of this classical WW2 US warbird, including a 1/48 F6F Royal Class kit with tons of different stuff inside. New 1/48 F6F-5N Nightfighter Profipack (catalogue Eduard's Catalogue #8226) is different. It features pin-up decals! All the Hellcats (that you featured in this kit) were all over painted in Navy Blue only! No more 3 colour camouflages! :)

Imagine how happy I was to receive the kit! The kit is really superb! I feel that new Eduard kit beats general 1/48 scale Tamiya & Hasegawa kits in terms of quality:

• you get colour profiles with description;
• you get resin part to detail the model more;
• you get beautiful recessed lines and even riveting;
• you get photoetch fret

There're many Eduard F6F-5N Nightfighter Profipack kit reviews available by now online. I would like this one to be different.

You might have already found out that the kit features following contents:

• 125 plastic parts (6 sprues + 1 clear (this one is really cristal clear) plastic sprue)
• Highly detailed building instruction sheet (haven't seen any better yet)
  
• Colour photo-etched details
  
• Resin parts: wheels, canons, exhausts and radar
• Colourful decals for 5 Hellcats (pin-up decal comes in two - just in case you ruin the first one) - check those F6F-5N profiles here 

I must confess the box is really big. Almost just like a 1/72 scale bomber or 1/48 P-47 ;)
Here you can see the kit in company of a small Gunze Sangyo paint jar near the box (Gunze Sangyo paints are not included in the kit):

So let's look inside the box, shall we?

Every sprue is in its own bag to avoid scratches and broken parts. Resin parts in the separate bag - they're very delicate and I even plan to put every part in its own separate bag. There're also 2 separate fuselages on 2 separate sprues!

Love the smell of fresh plastic! :)

Not sure starting from when Eduard started to rivet their models, but their F6F-5N Nightfighter is no different. Rivets are very delicate. One thing I don't get - why are the rivets only shown alongside the panel lines? Here's naked fuselage surface in rivets:

Next thing that I know you're very interested to see are resin parts. Wheels look very smooth and delicate. No sign of bubbles or any flaws. Wheel protector is just perfect. How and who makes the master for those resin wheels - I'm sure that no man would be able to carve or simulate somehow that precise geometrical pattern :) Check them out:

  

I know this wheels look much better than the original plastic parts in the kit.This is a noteworthy improvement.

The next thing is one of the most interesting to me. Drum rolls......

Decals! Pin-up decals!

I have PynUp P-47 1/48 scale decals ("In the mood" + "Too Big and Heavy") in my stash, so naturally I was very excited to compare those with Eduard's (actually printed by Cartograf for Eduard). Frankly speaking I haven't seen decals more precisely printed than PynUp's beatiful pin-up girls. Although I'm aware that there're other companies producing pin-up decals for WW2 subjects. I took close macro pictures of both - PynUp (brunette) and Eduard (blonde) to compare. From the pics below you see that both naked ladies look very good :) and there's no any colour displacement (and no visible signs of cellulite ;)

   

As you can see both are printed in a very high quality. But PynUp decals cost almost half of the Eduard's F6F-5N Profipack kit.

So what do we get after all with the kit?

• Top quality decals; 
• Very good plastic parts with engraved lines and rivets (and 2 fuselages);
• Brilliant resin wheels and other resin parts (radar, guns, exhausts)
• 2 Frets of photoetch parts
• Clear plastic canopy parts (for both opened and shut positions)
• Best in market colourful instruction sheet

It's definitely top quality kit and I really can't wait to start building it. The kit has everything to build interested and fairly detailed model. Quoting classics:

"Highly Recommended"

I wish to thank "Modelimex" hobby shop for the sample.

F6F in action

This goes for all F6F Hellcat fans - F6F Hellcat pilot instructions. And it's about how to operate with reall aircraft - not just F6F scale model building feature video :) Enjoy!

New Eduard 1/48 Focke Wulf Fw 190D-9 + Other News & Plans for 2010

Big news today - Eduard has posted their January 2010 newsletter. There're lots of new kits and also other interesting stuff.

The most interesting to me is Eduard's 1/48 Focke Wulf Fw 190D-9 (Dora). Old Hasegawa's Fw 190D-9 1/72 scale kit was the first the model I've built and painted. Brush painted ;) I have also built Tamiya's 1/72 Fw 190D-9 in Papagei Staffel of JV44 markings (using brilliant EagleCals decals). I really like Dora's lines and design - it's slick yet agressive. So I'm really looking forward for this kit.

Here're Eduard 1/48 Fw 190 D-9 kit contents according to Eduard site:

Contents:

• 6 attractive Luftwaffe marking options

• Early flat and late bulged canopy (I guess it was also "Galland canopy")
  

• Color photo-etched details

• Express mask

• Machine gun hatch engineered for all know hatch variants

• Kit provides realistically engineered open landing wheel well roof with engine backside and other inner fuselage equipment inside

Marking Options:

• 5./JG 301, Bad Langensalza, Germany, May 1945

• Oblt. Hans Dortenmann, IV./JG 26, 1945

• Stab/JG 4, Frankfurt am Rhein-Main, April 1945

• I./EKG(J) or V./EJG 2, Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, May 1945

• Stab/JG 6, Prag – Rusin, Czechoslovakia, May 1945

• Oblt. Hans Dortenmann, I./JG 26, Spring 1945

I guess Eduard did a brillinat job with this one. I'm sure the kit will the same bestseller as their lines of 1/48 Fw190A. So the first kit to hit the shelves will be profipack - everything you'll need to build highly detailed (including engines section) model of Fw-190 D-9. Eduard did great job with the kit already preselling it - you can download model building instruction sheet.

Other Eduard's plans are impressive as well. We'll see from World War 1 biplanes like Albatros D.III OEFAG to modern era fighters like Mig-21.

What is more interesting and surpise is that Eduard is entering resin seats market with their brand new line - Brassin. As far as I understand - those will details sets combining resin and photoetch stuff:

Anyway, for more news and updates visit Eduard January 2010 newsletter here.

Some cool builds for your Christmas and New Year

Found some really great in-progress forum posts that will keep your "modelling fever" temperature high during holidays :)

The first one is from agiosdimitrios from theaerodrome.com WW1 aircraft modelling forum. It's particulary interesting because of some really great in-progress pics of how to build WW1 aircraft spoked wheels. This forum post also features some great photo manual of rigging.

Another one is 1/32 F-4D Phantom build by Daniel Zamarbide called "Midnight Cowboy" in 6 parts:

As usual for Daniel all his builds come as small tutorials where you can always learn something new. Highly recommended! ;)

1/32 F-15c

Found great video about super detailed 1/32 F-15c Eagle. That's really astonishing example of super detailing!

WW1 and WW2 photos

One of the fellow WW1 and WW2 aviation from Russia have published his collection of the pics found on eBay. There're many photo scans of German, French, Russian, British, American aircrafts during the both conflicts. Some really interesting examples. Recommended!

http://picasaweb.google.com/1994minsk/EBayAircraft2?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/1994minsk/EBayAircraft3?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/1994minsk/EBayAircraft4?feat=directlink

Tamiya Zero A6M5

One of my favorite modelling masters Jun Temma translated his building feature article from Japanese to Engish. So now you can also see some interesting in-progress tips and advices on building Tamiya's Mitsubishi A6M5/5a Zero.
Mr. Temma shares some very well investigated geometry issues of both Hasegawa's and Tamiya's kits.

New blog

Dear Readers,

From now on you can also read my news here - plastic1.posterous.com

Welcome!

Mi-2 Weathering

Couple of days ago found great photo showing some signs of heavy weathering. For all heavy weathered warbirds' fans.

This is Russian Mi-24 Hind

Russian Helicopters

After the long period of silence, I'm finally back with some stuff for you.

Anyway, here're some photos for all your helicopter fans. These were taken in the Museum of Helicopters in Torzhok (Russia). What I also like about these photos is that it's possible to see some decent sign of weathering - that you also apply on your models. Here're some of the pics that link to page with the photos. Enjoy: