Bri2k

Now that's something you don't see every day! Well done and that color you used is so pleasing to the eye, especially with those red stars! Bri2k

I tried Vallejo Model Color and found them terribly disappointing. With Model Masters acrylics, I often get away with just one coat. Model Color was three or more and still not as good, unfortunately. Then there's having to decant the stuff because they don't sell it in a real paint bottle which I can't fathom because this paint is supposedly made just for brush-painting. If you've got any tips on making Vallejo Model Color work better, I'd welcome them. I still have two full squirt bottles left. Thank you for your advice. I greatly appreciate it! Bri2k

Magnificent and the rigging is especially well done! I've got the 1/72 Airfix version, not sure I'm brave enough to tackle it yet. What a treat to see this beauty and thanks for posting! Bri2k

Can anyone recommend a Model Masters/Testors acrylic replacement for hand-brushing? I've tried Model Color and it was awful, cheap craft-store paints are better if you ask me. I noticed Lifecolor had a good ref from one of you kind folks. Noted and hoping to hear more. Many thanks in advance for the tips! Bri2k

Thanks for the inside scoop. I'm really hoping you're wrong about MM acryl going away. I can still get it on Amazon and a few other sources. There's absolutely no acrylic that hand-brushes like it, even some that say they're formulated specifically for the old hairy stick (looking at you Model Color, just a waste of money). Guess I'd better stock up while I can still get it. Many thanks again for the head's up! Bri2k

While it's well known that the Fokker Dr. I of Red Baron fame started life as an attempt to copy the the Sopwith "Tripe", it's been forgotten that this process worked in reverse. After the debacle that was Bloody April, the RFC asked for a fighter that could match the German Albatrosses responsible for most of the carnage. Four companies submitted sesquiplane designs but the Sopwith firm was first off the mark with a prototype. Unfortunately, there were issues with the motor-mounts for the license-produced

That's a fantastic take on one of the truly classic Corsair schemes! Well done! Bri2k

That's absolutely cracker-jack! I really like record-breakers and test-beds. Thanks for cluing me in on another interesting MiG! Bri2k

I've liked Sword since they released their 2-in-1 kit of the 1/72 P-40 "short-tail", two kits in one box with killer decals for a fantastic price! I picked up two of these back when they were available for $25 each. I still have one complete kit left and most of a sheet of decals. Great stuff! Bri2k

If there was a any justice, Boeing would be sued out of existence for such malfeasance. I have yet to see anything that justifies their actions or absolves them of responsibility. A text-book case of terrible, criminal management. Bri2k

Well this might explain why Sprue Bros. has been steadily whittling back their stock of Model Masters acrylics, my go-to paint sadly. When I checked a week ago, no "standard colors" like Flat Black, Insignia Blue, Red & Yellow, etc. These have been out of stock for a year now. If you don't carry my paint, you're unlikely to get my business. Enjoy the Mr Paint! If that stuff worked like Model Masters with the old hairy stick, I might be thrilled too. Bri2k

The Studebaker-Packard Aero Division "SPAD" XSP-1A heavy attack prototype featured large dive-brakes to slow it down (ha ha ha!) in the attack run and had built-in armament of six auto-cannons in the wings and one machine gun mounted between the engine cylinders which was synchronized to fire through the propeller. This gun was usually loaded with tracers for sighting purposes. The XSP-1A was powered by the enormous(-ly over-rated) Bratt & Brittney 11 cylinder radial engine which would become a hallmark in the annals of unreliability. Unfortunately, despite

Seconded! Bri2k

Man I wish I could vote for this twice! Here's what I've got so far, all 1/72 scale: Monogram vs. Revell P-36s Academy vs. Airfix early P-40B/Cs Academy vs. Hasegawa P-40Es Academy vs. Hawk T-6 Texans Academy vs. Airfix F-86s I could also add Matchbox vs. Monogram F4B biplanes. I won't get to all of them, but I'd really like to build the P-36s, P-40B/Cs and Texans. Bri2k

1/72 Curtiss P-36 made with modern design/tooling. 1/200 B-36, again with modern design/tooling. Will struggle with the older versions until these flying unicorns show up. Bri2k

Some of my airliner kits have been missing the fuselage windows and I've had to improvise. In 1/144 I've used both white PVA glue (Elmer's) and clear acrylic gloss medium to fill the holes. I do this prior to assembly and paint the area around the windows in the fuselage color and then when it dries, add the Elmer's glue or gloss medium on the inside of the fuselage halves. If I want to get fancy, I paint black or insignia blue or a color matching the windshield decal over the inside of the fuselage once it's dry before I button it all up. I've read there's a specific modeling prod

I'm old school and use a paint brush (a.k.a. the Hairy Stick), often just a cheap Testor's one that came in a set. I use acrylics and just free-hand it all, starting by laying down the light color overall and then painting outlines for the darker portions. One thing I've learned is to go a bit narrow on the dark areas since they can easily be added to, but trimming them with a lighter color can be challenging. Best of luck! Bri2k

Only a few years ago, my pile was maybe 50 kits or so and I was ok with that. I've got friends who have to rent storage space to hold their collections and I don't want to be like that. But now it's getting to a point where I need to just build what I have or risk leaving piles of kits behind when I'm gone. Pretty much the only thing I buy now are 1/72 P-36s (I collect them, have about 20), paint, brushes, & glue. A smaller stash would work for me, but if others want more, it's ok just so we're all enjoying the hobby. "Build what you want the way you wan

This GB idea is so good I came out of hibernation to vote for it. You guys like P-40s, right? Bri2k

I use an aluminum acrylic, Tamiya is my preferred choice. I can't speak to how accurate this is, but I always read about silver dope having aluminum in it. Bri2k

I can't think of any hobby shops inside of city limits. There's a Hobbytown in Robinson Town Centre not too far from the Ikea. Here's a list of Pittsburgh area hobby shops from the local IPMS chapter's site. I hope you have a nice trip and manage to score tickets to the game! Bri2k

Yuk. It looks like it was designed by a grade-school art class. The only thing that stands out about the new livery is its striking blandness. Google American Airlines livery and you'll see that every alternative is better than what they went with. This site has some nice ideas. They should've gotten Jennings on the job! Bri2k P.S. Here's my favorite: It keeps the colors and the stylized eagle yet pays homage to U.S. Airways at the same time and sure is eye-catching. I would've flipped the eagle around so it's facing forward though.

This project began with a bunch of parts including a cast-off fuselage from a 1/72 Tony and the wings from a 1/72 KOR-1. The spats were vac-formed by my friend Jeffry Fontaine. A good day's work later, it looked like this: Decals were from the Italeri CR-42 and a Roundels of the World sheet. Guitar strings were used for the rigging and the model is brush-painted by hand with acrylics. I hope you enjoyed this little "could've-been" and are now aware of the great danger posed by Chop Suey. Bri2k

Colonello "Dom" Domino flew straight for il Palazzo per le Persone Più Importante di Lei (Palace for People More Important than You), official residence of Il Duce. Using the Antonio's upper wing 20 m.m. cannon to great effect, the Colonello completely destroyed the third floor master bedroom and bath. At the time, Il Duce was "seated on the throne" as often happened after a Chop Suey binge and not even his snow peas survived. After this, "Dom" Domino vented the rest of his rage by strafing Greg Foo-Yung's House of Chop Suey on La strada di Generale Tso. Fearing reprisals by the Blac

In November, 1934 during a midnight meeting on the next expansion of Grande Italia, Mussolini, Il Duce, got hungry (planning conquests always made him hungry). Finding the kitchen closed at that late hour, his aide ordered food delivered from the only all-night restaurant in Rome, Greg Foo-Yung's House of Chop Suey. Never having tried Chop Suey before, Il Duce was immediately hooked. Soon he was eating it morning, noon and night and proclaiming the wonders of Chop Suey: Eventually, Il Duce issued a decree making Chop Suey the national food of Italy: There was even a famous conference wit