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I've just seen your reply Ratch - many thanks (again!) for the advice - Khaki Green it is then! When I've finished, I'll post some pictures (always assuming the '403' situation is resolved by then!

Aha! That explains why they kept disappearing! Sorry I put them in the wrong section.

I’m not sure why a series of posts that I was involved in has simply disappeared. Perhaps moderated out of existence, moved elsewhere or a victim of the dreaded ‘403 Forbidden’? Anyway, I’m still having a dilemma about what colour to paint to my ‘Queen Mary’ trailer and tractor unit for a diorama set on an airfield in England in late 1940 to early 1941. I’ve decided definitely not RAF blue, and I’ve narrowed it down to either Dark Earth or Dark Olive Green. The only colour pictures I can find with dates show a 1940 version in dark olive green, and a 1943 version in Dark Earth/Black, so I guess green is the way to go. Any advice gratefully received before the hairy stick swings into action!

I've answered one of my own questions - Valejo Model Air Intermediate Blue is more or less an exact match for Humbrol 96 (RAF Blue). The other question however remains: what colour should I paint the Queen Mary trailer and tractor unit? I note the comment from Paws4Thot - I was under the impression (possibly mistaken) that Dark Earth was used as a vehicle colour by around 1941/42, so perhaps Bronze Green might be better for 1940/41? As to the theatre, definitely England!

Anyone got any idea why I can't post any images in a reply to this thread. All I get when I try is an error message saying "403 Forbidden".

I built my 1/72 Airfix Airacobra as one being flown by 601 Squadron. I used generic roundels etc, and simply added squadron and aircraft code letters from a sheet from Hannants. The only addition was the winged dagger squadron emblem which I printed myself to produce a decal to go on the tail-fin. I seem to recall the only build problems were getting enough weight into the nose to stop it being a tail-sitter and and also remodelling the canopy and cockpit side so that the ‘car-door’ could be open.

My diorama has a leaning towards 1940-42 although I have got some 1944 invasion period as well - but basically early war years. The bofors gun and tractor were 1940 so I guess it makes sense to standardise a bit!

I'm posting this in the Aircraft section because it relates to aircraft, but I'm perfectly happy if the Moderator chooses to move it elsewhere! I just wanted to say a massive "thank you" to Airfix Customer Services and the Spares Department. I'd been looking forward to building a 1/72 Vampire T11 for a while, but when I went to open it and have a look I discovered that part of one of the wing sections had not been moulded properly. A quick e-mail to customer servces elicited a reply including that it could take up to 28 days - so I was massively grateful and very impressed when the replacement part arrived (safely enclosed in bubble-wrap and in a padded jiffy-bag marked 'Fragile') only eight days later. So very many thanks! I've included a picture of the defective part and the replacement bit - restores one's faith in the system quite considerably /media/tinymce_upload/4666f9901af57a801175130fcf008461.jpg

Some forum members were kind enough to commend my efforts in making a tribute to Eric Lock, and so I thought I’d post a couple more of my “Aircraft of the Aces” that I completed during the lockdown period. So here are two of the aircraft flown respectively by Robert Stanford-Tuck and by Douglas Bader. /media/tinymce_upload/d080203c4c279d6d8c431d7f91490a78.jpg Starting with the Stanford-Tuck Hurricane, I’ve built it as the aircraft flown by him in September 1940 as Acting Squadron Leader of 257 Squadron, based at RAF Coltishall. /media/tinymce_upload/7dc17b69f9819d1e6e34c4571a2d36c3.jpg It was built from the 1/72 scale Hawker Hurricane Mk I (Gift set!) A55111. With the exception of the squadron codes and the serial number (DT-A V6555), and the ‘kill’ symbols along the side of the area forward of the cockpit, everything else was straight out of the box. /media/tinymce_upload/23fe48f0cb974a864d4ff1ba2d894cb4.jpg As usual, it was painted using brush-applied Vallejo Model Air, then sprayed with Vallejo Matt Varnish which I find helps to blend the decals, but also mutes the colours slightly without the need for any pigment filters being applied. /media/tinymce_upload/161784ea59cd2ea49c1fdadc7330de4a.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/ea126207adbd260a0f97cfcf11d0990c.jpg The Spitfire Mk IIa represents the aircraft flown by Wing Commander Douglas Bader, OC Tangmere Wing in March 1941. /media/tinymce_upload/0f35fcab22af4b33b910cd523e1da816.jpg I have to confess that it is not built from an Airfix kit. I couldn’t find a Mk IIa Spitfire currently in production other than the one made by a company beginning with a ‘R’. You’ll be aware that the only visual difference really between a Mk I and a Mk II is the slight bulge of the Coffman starter on the fight of the fuselage just behind the airscrew: /media/tinymce_upload/db929455bd7b9d84fadbf59054f0db97.jpg It does build into a nice little model – obviously I’d rather it was an Airfix kit, but sometimes “needs must”. It was a "Spitfire Fund" aircraft, the money having been donated by the Isle of Man; the 'Manxman' decal was home-printed. /media/tinymce_upload/af6b879ac5caa5327d7294c3fd1d4813.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/804abef5281249c8a9e46d77b48ad0a4.jpg Again, it was brush-painted using Vallejo Model Air, and other than the decals, was also – like the Hurricane – an OOB effort. /media/tinymce_upload/a58abc887bfab14c12aabc5adea30004.jpg Hope you approve!

In a separate post in the Wishlists section of the Forum, I posted that I'd been "fighting" with an old-mould Tempest Mk V (1/72 scale Airfix A02094), so having at last finished it (or got it to the best point that I can), I thought I'd post a few pictures. You can tell from the box that it's a fairly oldish mould - although I suspect from the amount of flash that I had to remove and the amount of filler that I had to use, the moulding is even older than the packaging! /media/tinymce_upload/a8c0f5d95f41cec65784c75e2db43aa6.jpg As I guess was usually the case when it was originally produced, the interior was distinctly lacking in detail - not even a pilot, so one came out of the spares box, and a few token bits were added to the cockpit sidewalls, and seatbelts added (painted masking tape strips) so that Wing Commander Roland Beamont could take the controls: /media/tinymce_upload/fe87445b2fae970c04ac5aeb3a5415bc.jpg Other than that, it was a case of OOB building. I referred earlier to needing to use quite a lot of filler... there were huge gaps where the upper wing didn't come anywhere near the fuselage (on both sides) and the styrene along the top of the fuselage both in front of and behind the cockpit just wouldn't 'mate' properly, even using Humbrol Liquid Poly. I used mainly my 'go to' Vallejo Acrylic Plastic Putty, though I also had to resort to some Humbrol Model Filler - but hopefully, you can't really see the join on the fuselage forward of the cockpit! /media/tinymce_upload/2f2038cbab54a0122da446939ada6490.jpg I had already decided to paint the Tempest as JN751, flown by Wing Commander Roland Beamont of 150 Wing RAF Newchurch as of June 1944 - not least because as a self-imposed task I wanted to try combining brush painting (my usual mode of decoration using Vallejo Air paint) with some hopefully well-masked, selective spraying (using Halfords rattle cans) for the invasion stripes. /media/tinymce_upload/6fa16e55c060bc88ac30194a6e31d735.jpg The decals used were a combination of those that came with the kit, and a few from the spares box (for the R-B lettering, for example). For some reason, although the decals that came with the kit were seemingly relatively modern, the roundels were three separate decals, which to get to conform to the raised panel lines required each layer to be separately applied and softened with Microsol before adding the next layer, in register. I have to confess that the yellow wing edges were a decal rather than painted. /media/tinymce_upload/6f82d36c0e14af9ef1029fda00c444bd.jpg To blend the decals with the brush painted (for the most part) aircraft, and in terms of the year represented, I wanted to show the Tempest as being painted in the S-type finish that would have been in use by then, so oversprayed the whole thing with Humbrol Acrylic Satin, hence the hopefully visible yet subtle sheen. Doubtless that's what enabled the Wingco to fly fast enough to shoot down 31 V1 flying bombs! /media/tinymce_upload/02b9ddb24b826c43bf33b89c7ec236c6.jpg So there we are, another build completed. Other things to mention - the moulding was produced before the exhausts came as separate items, meaning that they had to be very carefully painted in situ; I could have sanded off all the raised panel lines and then rescribed them, but then it wouldn't be the same model, would it? Quite challenging therefore, and definitely confirms my view that a new-mould 1/72 Tempest V is needed to go with the superbly produced Typhoon. Thanks for taking the trouble to look, and just to finish with, one final picture. /media/tinymce_upload/1e45da9d2588b56d5c3e019bd15a466b.jpg

As well as a new mould Fairey Battle, it would be great if the RAF Emergency set, the RAF Refuelling set (both 1/76) could be added to the Vintage Classics range, along with the Control Tower but here's the thing - make sure all the accompanying figures are in proper styrene rather than polythene - and also release the 1/72 RAf WW2 and Luftwaffe personnel in proper styrene, and having nearly finished fighting with the old mould Hawker Tempest mk V, how about a new mould version in 1/72 to go with the brilliant Typhoon?

I'd certainly be in the market for a new Fairey Battle. I built the old one but I've learned a lot about modelling since and I'm sure I could do better next time. And given that prices of the occasional old mould that turn up on flea bay are upward from £30, there must be demand out there!

I'm indebted to Ratch for the advice and pictures that were posted in answer to my plea for information regarding colour of Bofors guns in the early years of the war, and on the back of the advice and information received, I've now completed the model! Fiddly little thing to build, but definitely adds to the diorama. /media/tinymce_upload/e86061f746b66c7e255fc7fd289a2b6d.jpg The sandbags were homemade, using Milliput - rolled into 'logs' then flattened and chopped up with a knife and left to set, then built up using PVA. They were painted using mainly Sand Beige Vallejo. The model itself was painted using Vallejo paints and the inevitable hairy stick. The next picture actually shows the most fiddly bit of the whole build - very, very carefully drilling out the muzzle of the gun barrel! /media/tinymce_upload/c7d0013aa582bce83766dc0aca92ca9e.jpg And now a view from a different angle: /media/tinymce_upload/9882ffbb3942e377e4aac9cc2715de4f.jpg Because Vallejo Air acrylics dry to a not totally matt finish, I sprayed the figures with matt varnish after initial painting, then painted the helmets separately. I used Vallejo Khaki Green for the battledress, and Khaki Brown for the gaiters.You can also see that I've chosen to support the gun on its jacks, with the axles rotated to raise the wheels off the ground. And to finish off, an overhead view (which reminds me I need to put a bit of 'grass' on the base of the officer with the binoculars...): /media/tinymce_upload/915290d423da154bb43fd8a6dc981fe9.jpg Hope you like my efforts!

As the Battle of Britain officially started 80 years ago today, I thought I'd post some pictures of my build of a couple of Airfix 1/72nd scale aircraft, modelled as they were in Summer 1940. First of all, here they are together: /media/tinymce_upload/185947a87a0b07460a4c2484d1520b86.jpg So looking at them in turn, the Spitfire was modelled as KL-B P9398 as flown in 64 Squadron by Al Deere from Hornchurch (although during the BoB, Manston was frequently used). His 'Kiwi' motif was self-printed, and the other decals were a mixture of those that came with the kit and some from Hannants. For the record, Al Deere finished the war with 22 confirmed victories. /media/tinymce_upload/e8ed58c7c8c2bc04cea01e9887304c2a.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/1bbc0406b1061cee576fffa86ad55e0b.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/0cf7580cae018c8cdd2b95cd0c0b16f6.jpg The Hurricane is shown as that flown by Dennis Noble. It is P3179 FT-Y of 43 Squadron based at Tangmere. It's also the airframe that has subsequently been discovered and excavated and can now be seen in the Tangmere Museum. Sadly, Dennis Noble was shot down and killed on 30th August whilst intercepting a raid by Heinkel 111s. /media/tinymce_upload/ea5dd4d3d5aab924967f8a589daeff8d.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/65f477cd023accb01f0250999f4b27af.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/5a9fefaf72837087f290090672510d1c.jpg I'm sure that with the next two months being an extended anniversary, we'll see lots about the BoB in the media, and it was a fitting tribute that this morning's news covered the funeral cortege of Dame Vera Lynn, and also a very moving flypast tribute by two Spitfires. As already mentioned, these two models are largely OOB 1/72 scale. Seatbelts are made from painted masking tape, and I've kept the canopies open to show a bit more detail, enhanced by using a razor saw to have both aircraft with the doors open. Both were brush painted using Vallejo Air acrylics. And I might just post a few more of my BoB models over the coming weeks - but I hope you like these two to start with - shown lastly from a slightly different angle. /media/tinymce_upload/a1116e8147e37257fa23230c8ada2bdd.jpg

It's definitely an 'older' kit - the inside of mine revealed that it was made in 1975 - but apparently it's quite an accurate model in terms of the dimensions and dumpiness. /media/tinymce_upload/07773e2c58bb6d2cc2478dda89b12cbe.jpg This meant that the interior was somewhat featureless - so I added a control panel using a DIY decal. /media/tinymce_upload/7f1021ddc9e8f9fcfe7edb87cd834e39.jpg I decided to finish my attempt as one of the aircraft that fared so badly against the Zero in the Far East, so I used some decals from Print Scale which feature the aircraft flown by Sgt Williams of 67 Squadron in Burma in 1941 . /media/tinymce_upload/606cec321a2d3b58a17df548eae726a5.jpg You'll note that at the beginning of the campaign in that theatre, SEAC light/blue/dark blue roundels and fin stripes had not been introduced, so the aircraft were in dark green/dark earth with black and Sky undersides and 'normal' roundels and markings. I decided I couldn't face the thought of trying to get rid of the massive amount of excessive rivets - it's what it was back in '75! /media/tinymce_upload/0d790625f5decffb1689f54051ed995a.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/6037ec220b64a9c93e6ccb7a3c710c67.jpg So here are a few more views of a different version to that featured on the box! /media/tinymce_upload/e77fcb7b0f9d0b69d621a6361bfebe42.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/eeb4255f43429280be3fde77b71ab496.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/1238370e360fe11fb0ba392e8182dfe3.jpg

I've tried several times to rejoin/renew my membership. I recieved no automatic notification (in spite of having sent the e-mail to request it weay back) and all I get when I try to rejoin/renew is an Error 404 message. Does this mean that the new system has already collapsed? Not at all happy about this.... I wanted to renew as a Club Plus member so I received the Club special edition model. I've e-mailed the contact adress, but no reply as yet. Anyone got any suggestions?

That's brilliant - many thanks for the info and the pictures

A pretty comprehensive list of participating aircraft in the BoB (which will be useful to anyone who wants to emulate what you're doing Pete) - however, and I'm ready to be told I'm wrong, but according to one book I've recently read about the BoB, 808 Squadron FAA based at RAF Castletown flew Fairey Fulmar patrols over Scapa Flow and were listed in September 1940 as part of the Order of Battle - which is why I built one to add to my BoB collection. Unfortunately it's not an Airfix model - I don't know if Airfix ever made one - so I built the offering from the company beginning with R.... But anyway, here it is.... /media/tinymce_upload/13917c2e66e506fbfd715d18290e9729.jpg And as an additional thought, if you go dowen the Battle of France 1940 route, as well as the Fairey Battle as a light bomber, don't forget that the Blackburn Skua (also FAA) was also apparently involved in its dive-bomber role.

I have a question about the 40mm Bofors gun and Morris tractor. The box art depicts a scene in (presumably) the desert, and I gather that the decals that come with the vehicle are 8th Army markings. However… I’ve decided that my airfied diorama (about which I recently posted on this forum and which is steadily expanding…) requires an anti-aircraft gun, and I understand that the Bofors was in use on airfields in England – but (and here’s the question) what colour would the gun have been, what colour would the Morris tractor have been and what colour uniforms would the crew have been wearing on an airfield in (for the sake of argument) late 1940? I understand that AA guns, although commanded by Gen Pile, were under the overall control of Fighter Command, so if on an airfield, would they have been manned by RAF crews or by Army personnel? I’ve looked at lots of images, but nothing really helps. My best guess would be to paint the tractor Dark Earth, and the Bofors gun, but what about the crew? Khaki or RAF blue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the kind commernts T2B. I heartily concur with your thoughts regarding the soft plastic figures - as you say, those produced by the 'other' company are much easier to clean-up - so I've added another figure and persuaded him to lean nonchalantly on an unexploded bomb!: /media/tinymce_upload/b92ccfc1106a0b910a78af1d09064589.jpg I've also added a refuelling lorry (from the Airfix Refuelling set). I decided to use the Bedford QL, but not painted in yellow and blue (as suggested in the instructions); attaching a fuel line to the boom was tricky, and to get the groundcrew to 'hold' the other end, I drilled out his hand and superglued it. The pipe is a piece of fine wire from an old USB cable. It's worth noting that the figures from the refuelling set are made from normal hard styrene, so it's obviously possible! /media/tinymce_upload/4bafc741c2110875fe11fc831d215a7b.jpg I spent a bit of time detailing the pump end of the Bedford, though I had to guess some of the colours: /media/tinymce_upload/c7df2be815a8cea53011d99478b8b55f.jpg The AEC Matador from the refuelling set then posed a problem: to build or not to build. So in the end, I followed the suggestion in the Airfix Magazine Guide No 27 and modified the AEC to become a flat-bed lorry, seen transporting a spare wing... /media/tinymce_upload/78949c42229b3370aaaafc41d57b19e5.jpg The trouble is, having never actually built a diorama before, it's hard to know when to stop! And I've still got the Control Tower and the RAF Reccovery set....

I thought I'd make the most of finishing (for now at least) my D-Day Air Assault set by posting in this forum group some details of the aircraft component of the set - a Hawker Typhoon Ib. If you're interested in how the diorama turned out, I've posted about that separately in the Dioramas section... Look under D-Day Air Assault lockdown project The kit is nice to build. There were no real fit or finish issues, and only a little bit of filler was needed (on the starboard wing root). There is a reasonable amount of moulded detail inside the cockpit area of the fuselage: /media/tinymce_upload/22acf5583738efa384a569b6a11b27a0.jpg However, the cockpit opening, once the fuselage is closed up, is so small that if the pilot is going to be included, you can hardly see any of the detail. But nevertheless, I know it's there! /media/tinymce_upload/3deef14b06766db3f39e0e023ce74281.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/4e1fe54e596b7d9bbde84dcff3f2f361.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/99410c8e2595a9640e24393628fe3eb9.jpg And here's one of 'Stap-me' Stapleton (whose aircraft this was) in the 'office'. I like to use the somewhat better detailed pilot figures produced by PJ Productionsd, but as already mentioned, hardly any of him was going to be visible - besides which I had to amputate his legs to get him in anyway, so I stuck with the figure that was included in the kit, just adding the harness made from painted masking tape... /media/tinymce_upload/6249b288d2ee151749ebdb572e4dc440.jpg One of the nice things about this kit is the option to open up the gun covers in the wings. So I detail painted the guns and ammunition: /media/tinymce_upload/978b9668578e09437221ed50848aac50.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/b5dc192801e480aaf6754bf945a6b56f.jpg As a result, when the wings are closed up, I think it adds a little bit of extra interest (although it's a pity I didn't deal with the ejector pin marks...): /media/tinymce_upload/a7013f476cc01329c182977f29c4a266.jpg Taking this option gives a pleasing extra detail, especially when the neatly folded cover panel is added, and an armourer is allowed to get on with his work: /media/tinymce_upload/7a584230e2a3ccf6c04b56484938d652.jpg Once the painting was completed - as usual, I used brush-applied Vallejo Model Air colours - it was on with the decals (again, straight from the box). I had difficulty getting the invasion stripes to work; even with Microsol, they didn't want to wrap around the wing fronts, line up with the guns and the wheel bays and the rear edge of the wing, and allow for the bomb mounts/pylons to be covered (amnd all at rthe sdame time), so I scrapped them, and masked and painted the stripes (although the stripes at the rear of the fuselage were OK): /media/tinymce_upload/44301137ab92693b579972e2de8de625.jpg Even trickier were the yellow wing edge warning strips, so once again, it was out with the masking tape and on with the paint: /media/tinymce_upload/7279b7b2c029532d7de74585d60f5817.jpg The next two pictures show how little of the pilot is actually visible: /media/tinymce_upload/389d5a5ba0e7d9699f456b5e7988708a.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/d60fc0d3239fff971b4140cab5e3ebb3.jpg As I said earlier in this post, it was actually quite a fun build, with no major problems or issues, even for an elderly newbie like me. And the finished model I think captures some of the rather imposing stance of the actual aircraft: /media/tinymce_upload/4083dc4979bb4154ca2f17891a869a56.jpg And this picture gives a more general overview: /media/tinymce_upload/0c54694610a4a2358a31c61ea5b078e3.jpg As do these two: /media/tinymce_upload/60750b5a08f23191ba26c7317a3654dd.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/79960a8020a0a05ff323ad6ad92ec4a3.jpg I hope I've done this kit justice, and that you've enjoyed looking at a few pictures of this part of the set build. Thanks for reading this far, and just to show you what it looks like in amongst the rest of the diorama set with which it came, here's a picture of the whole thing (with more to look at on the Dioramas forum page): /media/tinymce_upload/fd3739b93c19a0f382c0465606da59ae.jpg

Lockdown has given me the time and opportunity to get the D-Day Air Assault set diorama built. It's the first time that I've attempted something like this, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the project. First of all, here's a picture of the completed project: /media/tinymce_upload/21c9ba907d1f5ea3eb0c5715a97475f5.jpg Then taking the various components one by one, here's a picture of the finished Typhoon Ib: /media/tinymce_upload/37380e633c252f8704b4ca0bf363ab57.jpg And now a close up to show the cut-away gun cover flap and the armourer reloading the 'tanks' whilst on the other wing, someone tops up the forward fuel tank in the wing: /media/tinymce_upload/8b59b2232719b1b9adb899f1da08de29.jpg The various vehicles (the Tilly, the Bedford light truck and the motor cycle) were all interestingly intricate. So first of all, a picture of the Tilly's chassis: /media/tinymce_upload/13e08da8dddb96c46c8a48589b6a8341.jpg And I decided to add a driver and a passenger - the passenger being a pilot on the way to dispersal: /media/tinymce_upload/94afbc849575c7afe56c225fdb26b497.jpg Next the Bedfortd truck, which I opted to model without the canvas top - I thought it made a more interesting and utilisable model with an open back. Again a picture of the chassis (to show its detail) then one of the truck itself, to which I added a bit of my own interest by having the bonnet open and a mechanic getting threatening with a very large spanner. (Don't tell anyone, but the mechanic is actually from the Luftwaffe figure set...). I also added the tow-rope to the nudge bar at the front using a bit of thick thread. The Bedford has a reasonably detailed engine which you can't see unless you model it with the bonnet open: /media/tinymce_upload/87b170aaeab408b85c0f85a1315c652c.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/327ffd2bff883107621ad2ef2d9d5f4c.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/ce12ffd5445e09190eb6ba8f2aead466.jpg And lastly from the actual set, a couple of the figures with the motor bike: /media/tinymce_upload/61c68bfecae1c0a97ae96c2748492f80.jpg I also happened to have the ambulance from the RAF Emergency set, with the appropriate figures, so that's gone into the background as well, and I've added a pilot figure from the slightly out of scale set produced by a manufacturer beginning with 'R'...: /media/tinymce_upload/1738409b0020448c9643b7589e97ed1b.jpg /media/tinymce_upload/0dd6031d3214d22398b280cf881128e7.jpg To work on the base, first of all I glued it to a sheet of plywood, then it was painted with acrylics, then the 'grass' was added using lots of PVA glue. To stop any reflective 'shine' from the acrylic paint, it was all sprayed with Vallejo Matt varnish. /media/tinymce_upload/2f3a16f5a2d0accb9b564104c85f1b3c.jpg As I said at the top, it's the first diorama that I've attempted, and whilst I'm looking forward to going back to just modelling aircraft, I must say I enjoyed the variety of the tasks involved. Although it's largely finished, I'm in the process of adding a fuel bowser (from the Refuelling set) and sometime when I've time, I might get round to building the control tower. So there we are - hope you approve! /media/tinymce_upload/1f511f8b9ca3178af95c96eedd3d345f.jpg

Part of my Battle of Britain themed modelling is looking at the 'Aircraft of the Aces', and with the availability of alternative markings, it of course makes it possible to model specific aircraft. So here is my attempt to produce Sergeant Eric Lock's Spitfire, using the Airfix A68206 Spitfire Mk Ia in 1/72 scale. As usual for me, it was painted using a brush and Vallejo paints. Sergeant Eric Lock is thought - by some analysts at least - to have been the top scoring pilot of the actual BoB period. This is an aircraft that he was known to have flown: EB-G N3162 of 41 Squadron, based at Hornchurch in September 1940. /media/tinymce_upload/f30c8e5e383aa8cecd48922e49734796.jpg As well as the specific code letters, I've added the correct serial number, and also the 'kill' markings. The other 'add-on' (I try as far as I can to build OOB) was the pilot figure, which was a resin PJ Productions figure - to which I added the oxygen tube... In the close-up of the cockpit area, you'll note that I had a bit of difficulty getting the slid-open canopy to fit (which I had to detach with a razor-saw as this kit doesn't have a two piece canopy) and I've also tried to give Eric his stripes (not easy in this scale!). Having the open cockpit door I think makes a huge difference! /media/tinymce_upload/cd61b7bb681951cd743492c46614f36a.jpg

A few people made some kind comments about my previous post (the Avro Anson), so I thought I'd risk another one... this time of the Airfix 1/72 Bf109-G-6. Modelled very much OOB, although I did manage to cut the canopy up with a razor saw so that I could have it open. The reason that I wanted to do this one was to try to see if I could replicate blotch-camouflage using brushes (I don't have an air-brush) - I'm reasonably pleased with the result, so will now be encouraged to try it again on the Bf109E that is sitting on the shelf waiting to be built. I enjoyed the build! I've included a few pict/media/tinymce_upload/d73e21e81576fc1dd9bc7f8792add8a9.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/357f6ea78359639ce800678278a601c0.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/9dadc0b5adbbcf9c90faee2f4194fda2.jpgures... And as an add-on, if anyone can tell me how I can change the name that appears with my posts, I'd be grateful! For some reason, this Forum has decided that my name is null-null98. I've e-mailed airfix@ but no reply... So if the moderator is able to effect the change for me, I'd like my name to appear as Landy

This is my first post on the Airfix Forum – so please be kind with any comments! I returned to modelling after 50 years absence as a therapy following a hip replacement. I live near what was once RAF Warmwell, so that (and The BoB in general) forms a theme in my modelling so far. When I get round to it, I’ll post some images of other BoB builds, but the Warmwell theme has led to trying to build the aircraft that would have been seen there during the summer of 1940 particularly (but also later in the war so I could include a Whirlwind and a Typhoon!). This one is the Avro Anson Mk I, MW-V K8813 of 217 Squadron, which although based mainly at St Eval almost certainly flew in and out of Warmwell. On the 11th August 1940, it took off from St Eval at 12.15, piloted by P/O Anthony Gordon-Peiniger, sent a message at 16.57 saying it was under attack – and nothing more was heard from the plane and the wreckage was never found. The model was built from the Airfix 1/72 kit manufactured I would guess in the 1960s (to judge from the box and the yellowed single sheet instructions!). There were, as one might expect, quite a few issues requiring filling and fettling, and I decided to scratch build the ‘headlamp’ and fit out the interior. The decal sheet was badly yellowed and anyway the serial number and code letters were not exactly what I wanted. The code letters were applied using white letters – I agonised over this, as to whether I should use sky grey or not – but all the pictures I could find (including the box art) seemed to suggest that Ansons carried the letters in white at this period. Vallejo Model Air acrylic was used with a variety of brushes – I haven’t yet graduated to an air-brush…. I’ve included a few images of the final build, but also one that shows the crew in the ‘office’./media/tinymce_upload/f4e37e7901d3da84b571e213b5e47677.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/d1363e29fa7969eb794333220fd0ce8b.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/f8095ba2754d0bf2635dc122ed054426.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/2695ec611d920cab17fc2f0d97da4d1f.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/564ad70f660c6d9d13fcb23c4c2117fc.jpg