Hobby Craft/Academy Sabre

The Academy/Hobbycraft 1/72 Sabre 5 done as the sole Canadair Sabre 3 used by Jackie Cochran to set a woman's speed record in 1953. Then her nemesis Jacqueline Auriol broke that record in both a Mystère and a Mirage and Jackie had to go trump her again in a TF-104. The model was built for a display at the Museum of Flight on women in aviation. 

And when I say, Academy/Hobbycraft it really was a combo. The HC kit was later slightly updated by Academy and I used the Academy fuselage and HC wings. The finish was Tamiya LP-11...awesome stuff...and the dayglo was a cheat with decals.

On display in the case with the Mirage used to represent Jacqueline Auriol's record breaker.  Note the tiny Jackie.

Sword 1/72 TBF-1 Avenger “Over Midway and Guadalcanal”

The Avenger?  No, no, not the comic book, the Turkey. My review of the new Sword 1/72 TBF-1 has been posted over at Model Paint Solutions.

Canadian Tempest Restoration

Cool video about the Tempest being rebuilt in Kelowna. I cannot wait to see this in the air!

And in case you missed part one:

Modeler's Note: Looks like we are getting new tool 1/72 Tempest IIs from KP and Edward/Special Hobby.  I think I'll wait for the Eduard/Special Hobby collaboration.  And don't believe what Knights says, the Matchbox kit ain't that bad.

Special Hobby 1/72 Harvard Mk. IIB

I didn't get into Harvard Law, but I've flown Harvards! My review of the new Special Hobby 1/72 Harvard has been posted over at Model Paint Solutions.

Plastic Model Mojo # 37

Strangbrush 2: Electric Boogaloo

Plastic Model Mojo Episode 37

Tim Nelson's tanks

An inspirational article from Tim Nelson on Model Paint Solutions about his 1/72ish World War One tanks. #Dioramasalwaysbetterwithaskeleton

P.S.:  Inspirational, as in, his build inspired me to buy the Airfix Vintage Classics reissue of the WW1 Male Tank!

HB Bearcat progress

That escalated quickly! It's a simple kit and the fit is pretty good, but it brings up the question, how does one make a blue blob interesting?

Maybe I'm too influenced by warbirds, but I got the idea of trying to use aluminum to highlight the panel lines. My original idea was to use Abteilung 502 Silver oil paint. Unfortunately, the metal particles were way too large, kind of like Tamiya Flat Aluminum acrylic. Idea number two was to try turn a AK Aluminum pencil into a slurry, but it appears that while the colour AK pencils will go into solution the Aluminum will not. I then pulled out the MiG Ammo Oilbrusher Silver. Diluted with Mona Lisa orderless thinner, it appears to work as a panel line wash. More experiments needed...

Hobby Boss 1/72 Bearcat inbox

A few weeks ago the new Hobbycraft 1/72 F8F-1 Bearcat arrived in the mail. It is one of their Easy Assembly kits and pretty simple. The cockpit is modeled as part of the fuselage and the engine is integral with the cowl. (These are impressive moldings...I just wish the engine and cowl were separate pieces.) Gear and wheels are also one part, but there is decent detail in the wheel wells. It looks simple to assemble, is well molded, and a test fit shows good fit.  Dr. Strangebrush from Model Paint Solutions pointed out something is quite right with the shape around the tail fillet...Hobby Boss didn't get the transition between the fillet and the rear fuselage quite right.  In my opinion, it isn't a dealbreaker, but John did notice it right away. Decals are provided for the Beatle Bomb and a VF-3 Bearcat. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking and report back when it is finished.

I'm not sure what to think about this one. It would make a perfect starter model and it certainly will assemble quick and easy for us colour and markings guys. But I don't love the integral landing gear and wheels and I'm still not sure how I'll paint the engine.  For those of use that are lazy it is probably the best Bearcat in 1/72. For those that love detail and want a bit better shape accuracy look for the defunct Attack Squadron Bear in resin or the Sword or Art Model short run kits.

How does one paint this? Other than very carefully that is...

Plastic Posse Podcast v. Plastic Model Mojo

Somehow I got involved in the PPP v PMM cagematch. I won't tell you who wins, but hey, I'm the only one listed by name!

Plastic Model Mojo # 36

A model show in person?  Wowie!

Plastic Model Mojo Episode 36

More Pig Progress

Mah friends...still working on weathering.  #scalemodelling #tinytank

Plastic Model Mojo # 35

Vegas, baby!

Plastic Model Mojo Episode 35

Have I ruined it?

Mah friends...much like the Bay of Pigs op itself, things are starting to go off the rails. Testors Acryl British Interior Grey-Green hand-brushed for highlights. I have trouble staying in the lines.