Steve N

Made my first trip in months to ModelCave in Ypsilanti last week. They're still only doing phone-in orders with curbside pickup, but we needed to get out of the house. SN

Fw-200 Condor. That complex latticework with the wheels sticking way out front looks overcomplicated and just plain wacky. Seems like it wouldn't hold up, but of course the real weak point of the aircraft was the fuselage. Many Condors broke their backs on hard landings. That's what happens when you try to turn an airliner into a bomber. SN

The one real issues I've seen or heard about the Ocidental/Italeri kit are the cowling, which isn't shaped quite right (too round and not tapered properly) and the windscreen, which appears too sloped to my eye. Neither of those issues are really deal-breakers, and other than that it's a very nice kit. SN

We're both 56. Interestingly, I heard recently that it hits Blood Type A people harder than Type O. I'm O+ and had relatively mild symptoms (meaning I was confined to the couch for a few days) and she's Type A, and required hospitalization. In her case, the symptoms were mostly GI-related (vomiting and..you know.) The main reason she went to the hospital was to get some IV fluids and meds, because she was extremely dehydrated and couldn't keep anything down. SN

Quick update. My wife spent six days in the hospital with Covid-19. I've managed to ride it out at home. It's been rough, but she's back home and we're both on the mend. Trust me, you do NOT want this bug! SN

My wife and I had already cancelled our plans to attend this year out of concerns for the pandemic. A moot point now, as we both have Covid-19 and are quarantined until at least early July. AN

I think the Lone Star conversion is 1/48.

FYI, the Bettys used on that mission were G4M1s, not the later G4M2s. Unfortunately the only early Betty in 1/72 is Hasegawa's rivet-encrusted relic from the 1960s. SN

I'd love to see Tamiya "downscale" their P-38F/G to 1/72. At present, the best early model P-38 in Gentlemen's Scale is the RS models kit, which isn't bad, but is decidedly limited-run. SN

"Think you will ever finish your stash?" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣 SN

Fantastic museum! We visited in 2017, and I was surprised at the size of their collection. Most are indoors, but some of the larger aircraft are displayed outdoors. Sadly, I hear they're talking about scrapping the B-47 because it's in poor structural condition and there aren't any funds to rebuild it. SN

Vegas, baby! And 2022 was awarded to Omaha. SN

There was some speculation that Vegas might be bidding again. They put in an unsuccessful bid last year for 2020, but I heard they didn't really expect to win and basically submitted it as a "practice bid" with an eye on submitting a more polished bid this year for 2021. SN

The bombs were carried in the forward bomb bay. I'm not sure what was in the aft bays..I assume either instrumentation and electronics, or possibly extra fuel tanks. SN

I heard they found it docked in Alameda. 😎 Seriously though, this is really cool. I wonder if they're planning to send Petrel in search of the Japanese carriers lost at Midway. I don't think any of those have been located.

You may have to cut down the B-17 props a bit. As I recall, the reason PV-1s used the paddle-blade props is because the engines were so close to the fuselage, but they still needed a lot of blade area to utilize the extra horsepower. The wings were basicallythe same as the Lodestar, which used 1200 hp R-1820s, but the Ventura was upgraded to 2000 hp R-2800s. SN

I've got far more kits than I'll ever build, so per my request Santa brought me a paint shaker. That'll really come in handy, since I have a preference for 30+ year-old Humbrol, with several hundred tins in the stash. I'd give myself carpal tunnel trying to properly mix the stuff by hand. SN

Intriguing. I've been considering building the B-26 Marauder "Flak Bait" in full invasion stripes for the 2019 IPMS Nationals, which are also having a D-Day Anniversary theme category. SN

Yep..saves you having to attempt to install a couple of small windows, which can be difficult to do cleanly.

I built their Rufe some years ago (got it for a buck.) Not a bad little kit, just rather basic. I made scratchbuilt a rudimentary cockpit and added a Squadron vacuform canopy, but I think those were the only embellishments. Jo-Han's boxes showed other a lineup of 1/72 aircraft which included a P-40B/C. Sadly it was never released. SN

I wonder how this will compare to the forthcoming HK 1/32 Lanc? SN

That "P-40" looks an awful lot like a Spitfire to me. SN

It did that to me the other day. I closed it out and reopened it and it worked fine. SN

BINGO! 😎 Marauders of course had Curtiss Electric props. SN

Nope. There is an element visible on the decal sheet that is incorrect (this is just a fun little exercise..not meant as a slam against the kit. More akin to spotting an amusing typo.) SN