2011 NorthWest Scale Modelers Show Part 2

A really nicely done Royal Canadian Navy HO4S.


Hammy Grey's FAA Corsair.


Much red on the Canadian table...this being a 421 Squadron CF-104.


A 1/48 scale Avenger Firebomber.


A Heller CL-215 in Newfoundland provincial markings.


Another red bird, this time a Skystreak.


Quite a bit of work must have gone into updating the Matchbox Stranraer into a Queen Charlotte Airlines bird.


Another neat float plane What if...this time based upon a Vampire.


A Macchi captured by 417 Squadron RCAF.

2011 NorthWest Scale Modelers Show Part 1

Last Saturday, as part of a trip to Seattle, I attended a model show at the Museum of Flight put on by the Northwest Scale Modelers who are based out of the Museum. The show is held in the Museum's Great Gallery and it is hard to imagine a better place for a model display, right under the real things.

Notice I used the word show and not contest? Yes that is correct, it was a display only show; a refreshing change from the contests I usually attend. There were many models on the tables, I didn't try to count them all, and the show theme of arranging the models by nationality made for an exciting display. As expected the U.S. tables were packed, with the U.K and German tables not far behind. I was happy to see the Canadian table was well populated and many most smaller countries were represented. Not being a contest and freed from the pressures of judging, there was both a larger number and variety of models, and some subjects you just don't see much very often.

One of the themes was the T-6/Harvard/SNJ with about a dozen of the North American products on display. While a miniature of Bud Granley's Golden Hawks SNJ was on the table, I was a little disappointed not to see a yellow RCAF Harvard represented. Guess I should have packed one in my luggage.

I had a great time at the event and hope to be able to attend again in future, and maybe even bring some models to display.

Sorry for the lesser then great picture quality, I used my phone camera as an experiment. Not a terrible failure, but next time I'll use the real camera.

Does it get much better then this?


You don't see the Hasegawa T-34 Mentor built very often. It sure looks great in RCAF markings.


Must have taken a lot of work to get something this nice out of the A-Model kit.


Just for Smith...some pink.


A very literal take on the Sea Hornet?


I though Jon would enjoy the Slovakia corner.


A nice slip wing Hurricane in 1/48


A Heller F-94 just for Rick.


Black and White A-26 in French markings.


A nice yellow T-28.


An eye catching MiG-31.


Bud Granley's SNJ in Golden Hawks markings.


An neat model of a Caribou paper project surrounded by U.S. subjects.



To be continued.

One Man's War

Title: One Man's War
Author: Stuart E. Soward
Publisher: Neptune

I picked up this short book after hearing that the author died in January and that the subject of the book, Richard Bartlett, passed away in December. Dick Bartlett was a farm boy from Saskatchewan who joined the Fleet Air Arm and flew Skuas off the HMS Ark Royal. The book focuses mostly on the ill-conceived attack by the Skuas on the German battleship Scharnhorst in a Norway fjord, and Mr. Bartlett's time as a Prisoner of War after being shot down in that attack. Both sections are eye opening. It is hard to believe a human could survive some of the treatment he received at the hands of the Germans, and that the FAA leadership could have held out any belief that the Scharnhosrt attack was anything but a suicide mission. Mr. Bartlett's will and tenacity to survive both the raid, and his time as a POW, are impressive. The book is a quick, breezy, and interesting read and well worth the time for the Canadian aviation fan and/or students of the Fleet Air Arm.

Mauve Over

The Spitfires get some colour. The recent Airfix 1/72 Spitfire IX will be finished in Charlie Fox's 412 Squadron markings, while the Spitfire I was converted into a PR.XIII and will be finished as a 400 Squadron bird in the RAF low level PR scheme. Hence the very bright PRU Mauve underside.

Proof of Life

CAF Mi-17 Hips

A long while ago I mentioned the Mi-8 Hips leased by the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan. Recently, a newspaper article was publishing asking questions about the helos. Ok, Canada's military procurement and spending is always political, but what was really interesting was the quote "The Mi-17s operate in Canadian military markings and are flown by Canadian Forces pilots, said Rozenberg-Payne." Huh? I thought the Mi-8s were in civil markings with civil registrations. Turns out Canada has traded in the leased Mi-8s for leased Mi-17s and they are carrying CAF markings. See here for a picture. So the Mi-17s are designated CH-178 and the serials for the four aircraft are 178404 to 178407. (What happened to 178401 to 178403?) I understand these are Kazan Helicopters Mi-17-V5 versions of the Mi-17. Cool, eh.

Modeler's Note: Hobby Boss makes a very nice Mi-17, but it does not have the correct configuration to build the CAF variant. (What's new.) There was a conversion of the kit to the beaked nose/rear ramp Mi-8/Mi-17 in a recent Scale Aviation Modeller International.

RCAF Sabres in 1/72 (Draft)

I only deal with RCAF Sabres, so I don't know much about F-86Ds, Hs, and Ls, but I've seen lots of comments on 1/72 Sabres recently on some of the boards after the recent issue of the new Airfix kit. Much of it I find a little odd...so Sabres for discussion.

Fujimi: Issued as both a F-86F-30 and F-86F-40. Really nice kit with great scribing and good detail. However, it has always looked really fat in the nose and cockpit area to me, almost like a cross between a F-86F and F-86H. Speed brakes are square, which they aren't in real life. It also has a intake on the rear fuselage which I believe is a JASDF only addition, remember to remove it for a Korean War bird. Tanks and Sidewinders for under the wings. Closed slats only on the F-40 wing. Probably the best place to start for a F-86F even with the fat nose area.

Hobbycraft/Academy: This is the kit I get most frustrated about when it is discussed online. No matter what Hobbycraft or Academy say, or for that matter "the experts," neither of these kits can be built as any USAF F-86. These kits are Orenda engined Sabre 5s and Sabre 6s. When Canada changed engines, vents and panel lines were altered for the Orenda engines, and these kits capture most of those changes. Also, the slatted 6-3 wing was used on no USAF Sabre. Both kits are missing the sugar scoops that were retrofitted to RCAF Sabre 5s and 6s. As for the kits themselves, they are not quite as nice or as detailed as the Fujimi kit, and the scribing is a little less crisp. They also have those square airbrakes and at times seem "inspired" by the Fujimi kit. The slats are separate in the Sabre 6 boxing, but the area under the slats is not correct being recessed. Another interesting anomaly with this kit is that Academy modified it slightly when they started reboxing it. The canopy was retooled to include scribing for the ADF antenna, while the nose gear and cockpit assemblies were modified to make assembly easier. (Good.) Obviously the best place to start for a Sabre 5 or Sabre 6.

Hobbyboss: It appears from some online builds, that something is off with the shape, and it sits way too high on its landing gear. Issued as a F-86F-30 with the 6-3 hard wing and a F-86F-40 with the slatted 6-3 wing with extensions. Basic easy build kit. Looks like a fun weekend project kind of kit.

Heller: Old school with raised lines. I'm not sure what Heller was going for here, it is sold as a F-86F, but the kit is a mishmash of Sabre 6 and F-86F features. Oddly the wing chord is a little short, so while not 100% accurate, it is the closed we have out of the box to a Korean War F-86E. It also is much slimmer then the Fujimi kit, which I think is correct, but the tail is substantially shorter then the Fujimi and Hobbycraft/Academy kits. I'm not sure whose tail is correct. No underwing stores other then tanks. Detail is actually pretty good for a 70s kit, I've always believed that during this time period Heller's kits were way head of their time.

Airfix: Have one on the way, but the online sprue shots look promising. Bombs and pylons are included which is a first in 1/72. Another 6-3 hard winged F-86F-30. Arg. (It will also be issued in the new year as a 6-3 hard winged Sabre 4.) No matter how good this kit is, I feel this is a major missed opportunity for Airfix. I get why they want a Sabre in their line, but if they had done a slatted wing F-86E/Sabre 2/4 they could have cornered the market, rather then having just another 6-3 hard wing Sabre. And it doesn't make sense, as the F-86E would have allowed for a Korean war boxing, and the Sabre 2 would have allowed for a RAF boxing... But the good news is that it may be possible they tooled other wings based up on the breakdown of the parts... More comments when I get the kit.

70th Anniversay of the Battle of Britain - The Canadians

I missed posting this on Battle of Britain Day in September, but in honor of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, here is an example of the Canadian contribution. While many Canadians flew in the Battle in RAF squadrons, only 1 RCAF Squadron flew combat during the Battle of Britain. 1 Squadron RCAF arrived in England in June 1940 and were reequipped with RAF Hurricanes to replace their old RCAF fabric wing Hurricanes they brought with them. During the Battle they claimed over 30 aircraft destroyed with CO Squadron Leader Ernie McNab leading the way with 4 1/3 kills. Here is S/L McNab with a 1 Squadron Hurricane I at Northolt, England on September 12, 1940. (Photo courtesy of the Canada Department of National Defence/Library and Archives of Canada.)

Modeler's Note: There are really only two choices for a Battle of Britain Hurricane I in 1/72. You can either build the old, but recently reissued, Airfix kit or the new Hasegawa kit. The Airfix kit captures the spirit of the Hurricane well, but doesn't have much in the way of detail. The newer Hasegawa kit has more detail, some of it poor like the cockpit, but has exceedingly exaggerated fabric rear fuselage detail and is really expensive, if you can find it.

Well, when you can't get spare parts...buy some pricey Marine Ones...

The Canadian EH-101 saga may take another strange twist...

Finish the Spitfire!

You may have seen David's many comments to finish the Spitfire. The 1/72 Airfix Spitfire XIX to be specific. I started the kit upon receiving it last year and all went ok until it came time to mask the canopy and paint. Sure the scheme is simple...overall PRU Blue...but I have a total fear of my airbrush. (In fact, as a small child whenever the lights were turned out I was always scared there was an airbrush hiding under my bed or in the closet.) Anyway...David went to China this summer and managed to acquire a special mystic scroll during his travels. He had the scroll blessed by a posse of Buddhist monks and sent it to me to motivate completion. (For you readers that are not Space Cowboys, please note that the scroll says "Finish the Spitfire" in Mandarin. "Ni ta ma de. Tianxia suoyoude ren. Dou gaisi." Oh...sorry Captain Mal...ok...I won't mislead my readers...it really means "Complete the Task," but that isn't nearly as good a story is it?) While I haven't got the Spit finished yet, I did manage to get a coat of paint on it. I used my new Grex single action brush for the first time, and for whatever reason the paint went on thick and grainy. (I'm sure it was the user, not the airbrush...) David was shocked to hear not only that I used the airbrush, but I painted the Spit. He demanded proof of life. Here is it:


I broke out the micromesh and have smoothed out the finish. Look for a repaint and completion soon. Seems I also need to practice with the Grex.

SVASMCON 26

On Saturday I attended the Shenango Scale Modelers contest in Sharon, PA for the first time. It was a small show, but there were many nice models on show. A few photos are attached of models that caught my eye. The vendor room was kind of weak and, shockingly, I purchased absolutely nothing...

James Kelley's 1/48 Trumpeter Sea Fury.


An old Airfix bus converted into the Pigeon Loft by Karen Rychlewski.


You don't see the Heller Cap-10 built very often.

Barry Numerick's beautiful 1/72 Heller Bf-108.


A 1/72 Hawker Hurricane.

Eric Larson's Wingnuts LVG C.VI.

A 1/72 Academy Swiss Hornet by James Kelley.

Another 1/72 Battle of Britain participant...a Tamyia Spitfire I.

Fast and Easy Natural Metal Finishes

Like aircraft in natural metal finish? Lazy? Have an airbrush phobia? I use a fast and easy natural metal finish technique that almost completely relies upon spray cans. But not just any spray cans, Tamiya’s synthetic lacquer spray cans. Besides having a fine grain, and a natural metal look, they are lacquer based and will stand up to masking. In fact they are so durable, you can save time and cut down on clear coats as well. I also find that these cans spray so much smoother and easier than other spray cans I’ve experienced.

Step 1: You have two choices here, either have you assembled kit perfect with no flaws or relay upon a primer. I like Tamiya’s Fine Surface Primer (in gray or white, your choice) in the spray can. If I use a primer I do polish up the paint with fine micromesh before I apply the silver.

Step 2: Make sure the model is free and clean from dust and oils. I usually swab off the model with common drugstore isopropyl alcohol. (Sorry Gunze’s Mr. Whiskey will not work here…) After wiping off the model only handle it was latex gloves.

Step 3: Here is where the secret weapon is revealed. Tamiya AS-12 spray metal silver. I find that his paint leaves a beautiful slightly oxidized natural metal look. Not too shiny, but not too flat. Heat the can in warm water…but not on the burner…we do not want to send the can into space, just have the paint flow better. Shake well and apply in thin coats. In my experience silver enamels take forever to dry, but the lacquer dries super fast.

Spousal Interjection: Buy a spray booth. This stuff is smelly.

Step 4: The nice thing with this paint is that there are more options than just the AS-12. Tamiya also makes TS-17 Gloss Aluminum and TS-30 Silver leaf. If you wish to panelize you airplane, mask off panels and use either or both of these cans to add some panel variation. I find that the TS-17 leaves a nice silver doped look often seen on control surfaces. I usually mask with Tamiya tape or drafting tape. You can also mask off anti-glare panels, etc. at this time. See isn’t this paint fun? Mask all you want and nothing pulls off.

Step 5: If you are really lazy like me you can skip your clear coat and just apply decals. I usually use Future floor polish to apply decals to my natural metal aircraft. Either place a small amount of Future where the decal will be placed, apply decal, and cover in Future or just dip the decal in the Future and apply. The Future will suck the decal down into the panel lines, fuse the decal in place, and prevent silvering.

Step 6: Depending on how neat you are with your Future you can either finish the model as is or actually break out the airbrush and apply a final clear coat of your choice.

Wasn’t that fun? A nice metal airplane and no need to break out the airbrush. Sometimes it pays to be lazy.

Scale Aircraft Modelling July 2010

About a year ago my long term subscription to Scale Aircraft Modelling ran out and I choose not to renew it. I wasn't enjoying the new make-over and the magazine no longer was in line with my tastes. However, when I saw that the July 2010 issue would be another Canada Day Special, I forked over my $11.99 (ouch) and decided to see if things were any better.

My big complaint with the new SAM was awful proof reading and articles with few words and little meat. Sure most of the builds were nice, but the articles didn't teach me anything. Sadly I have to report little has changed.

Things start off poorly on the cover. There is a focus on the Special Hobby Baltimore which they deem "Impressive!" What would be really impressive was if there was anything on a Special Hobby Baltimore, or indeed if Special Hobby actually made a 1/48 Baltimore. Of course they are talking about the new Maryland...but whatever...details don't matter right? Also what is a CF-5B? You see it used all the time, but there is officially no such thing. The Canadair built F-5s operated by the CAF were designated CF-116 and named CF-5A for the single seat version and designated CF-116D and named CF-5D for the two seater. Again, why would we care about details in a modelling magazine? The Title Page states: "The CF-5 was a licence-built Tiger II by Canadair..." Huh? Tiger II...um, no it was a licensed build F-5A, not F-5E... (It's ok, later in the magazine in the Next Issue section a build of the F-5E is titled Freedom Fighter...) Oh and the editorial mentions that they are grouping a book review on the Bf-109 along with some conversions to make it easier on the modeler. That sounds like a decent idea, other then there is no Bf-109 book review.

After all that, I was actually scared to read the CF-5 article, but guess what? It was decent. No major gaffs and even the designations were correct. The photo captions have some issues, like reference to the natural metal finish of the CF-5D (actually it was aluminum lacquer, which is correctly noted in the profiles), and embarrassingly a caption makes mention to note the bolt on refueling probe on an aircraft that isn't carrying it. Some nice looking drawings and plans are included for the CF-5D.

The Editor's CF-5D's built of the 1/72 Italeri kit is nicely finished, but really isn't that well built...there is a seam where the kit's front and rear section were mated that he didn't fill. Flip back a few pages and look at the pictures...it isn't here in real life. He mentions in the article that he didn't need to use any filler...well yea, he did...

The Kinetic 1/32 Sabre 6 article is ok. However, the builder clearly has little clue about Sabre wings. In the "'6-3' or not '6-3'" section he mentions how it is an important question with Sabres, and then goes on to mention that "a large proportion of them...seem to have been retro fitted with this wing at a later stage in their flying career." While this is true of RAF Sabres, it is not the case with RCAF Sabres. In fact the only RCAF Sabres ever to be retrofitted with different wings may be the few early Sabre 6s built with the '6-3' hard wing. No other RCAF Sabres ever carried more the one wing during their military carrier. Also, just which brand of interior green did the builder use for the wheel wells? Lifecolor or White Ensign? (He mentions both.) Nice model though.

And I don't even want to get into their asinine book review page. Why waste space on the publishers puffery? Just dumb. A review is a review, not rehashed marketing fodder.

Not all is terrible. I enjoyed the article on building the 1/72 MPM A-20 and even picked up a nice tip on making your own decals and the review of the 1/72 Airfix Widegon conveyed just how much fun these old kits can be.

Sadly, nothing in this issues made me regret my decision to stop buying the magazine. The cover price is out of sight, and the content is thin. The editing is terrible and many details are overlooked. But hey, the pictures are nice...maybe some think that is worth $12. Not me.