Narses2's Blog - or what I'm slowly making progress on

[NARSES2]

Well after an inordinate amount of time it's finally finished.




https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=52726.new#new

[kitbasher]

Ooer, big guns!

 

[NARSES2]

Intending to make a start on the Airfix Me 410 later this week or early next, busy weekend again. However the more I look at my plans for the first one the more I have to face one of my modelling phobias, Luftwaffe WWII mottles    As a kid I was quite fine with them, but when I returned to the hobby decades later airbrush use had become far more commonplace and the quality of mottling had increased expediential, or at least the number of people who were able to do good mottling had. I've stayed with the brush and if I'm honest have avoided them ever since, but I have to face my fears eventually so will be practicing with a couple of techniques rattling around in my brain while I work on the kit. If I still can't do them to a semi reasonable standard then it might get done in a desert camouflage 

Meanwhile I'll also be working on a real world Spitfire Vc with an interesting colour scheme and the Airfix kit will do well for that 

[kitbasher]

No mottling with this one: https://i0.wp.com/www.destinationsjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/RAF-AM72-TE209-Messerschmitt-Me-410A-1-and-Mosquito-2-.jpg?resize=1994%2C1200&ssl=1

[NARSES2]

True. I found a captured example this morning when I was looking online, but it didn't have the prototype P.  Also looked for 110's operated by other air forces but it was only the early examples, C/D's, that had simple non mottle schemes.

I do like the Hungarian 210's with their red/white/green tail fins, but a lot of mottles. Still now't ventured, now't gained.

[Gondor]

Try these two items

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200416269869?&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338992361&toolid=20006&customid=CjwKCAjwkuqvBhAQEiwA65XxQL9ekpPzEfclb8sLvmQCeyoMLEkp_auLEPYBfaCWa22BUydA44gffRoCA1kQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAjwkuqvBhAQEiwA65XxQL9ekpPzEfclb8sLvmQCeyoMLEkp_auLEPYBfaCWa22BUydA44gffRoCA1kQAvD_BwE

https://www.kingkit.co.uk/product/xtradecal-decals-1-72-72213-raf-sky-numbers--prototype-ps

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

I've got the Fantasy Printshop 'P' decals and they work very well, even though they look a bit pale and washed out. They aren't...............

[The Wooksta!]

Ye olde Matchbox kit had an option for KG51(?) and that was a two tone 70/71 upper surface scheme with no mottling from what I recall.

[kitbasher]

Ye olde Matchbox kit had an option for KG51(?) and that was a two tone 70/71 upper surface scheme with no mottling from what I recall.

And I have an unused decal sheet from that kit if you'd like it, Chris.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/matchbox-pk-113-messerschmitt-me-410--131714

And the FROG 410 also had a non-mottled camo option.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/frog-f178-messerschmitt-me-410-a-1-fighter-bomber-or-me-410a-1-u4-with-cannon--1254874

[NARSES2]

Ah thanks gents, much appreciated 

I'm going to experiment with the method I have in mind for mottling on a piece of plastic card as I must try and get over my fear of it for future use if nothing else.

However those examples without mottling mean I can at least proceed down that path with a clear conscience if necessary 

Seriously considering a Hungarian built example, they built the 210 under licence, and am very tempted to allow them to use those old Italian paints they have laying around in that hangar near Budapest. Probably not, but as I say, I am tempted. 

[NARSES2]

Non modelling related, but mainstream UK tv now is so poor when it comes to things to watch, I'm obviously not in their target groups even though my age group probably pays the bulk of the licence fee  , that I've been trawling various Freeview channels and came across PBS America. Some great history documentaries, but I've just watched Ken Burn's film on the US Civil War over 7 episodes and it's absolutely superb. I did need to get a map of the East side of the US in order to follow some of it    but it certainly opened my eyes, especially the casualty rates.

Now recording a series on the Ottoman Empire, a particular interest of mine, and if it's only half as good 

Well done PBS America 

And before anybody suggests services like Sky etc I'm currently strictly Freeview although I might have to think about it when I get a new tv.

[kitbasher]

Is that US Civil War series the l one that was on the BBC donkeys years ago?

[NARSES2]

Is that US Civil War series the l one that was on the BBC donkeys years ago?

Quite possibly Dave. It's 1990's, but has stood the test of time very well.

[NARSES2]

Now recording a series on the Ottoman Empire, a particular interest of mine, and if it's only half as good 

It appears to have been made by a British company for the Discovery channel . Watched the first two episodes out of three and it's been a fairly good overview of the Ottomans from early days through to the second siege of Vienna. Not been much that I wasn't already aware of, but then I've read a couple of the books written by their on screen experts    For the non history buff however it would be an eye opener, especially for a western rather than central/eastern European audience and as such is to be applauded.

One episode to go and that appears to cover the 150 years or so of conflict with Russia starting with Catherine the Great and then I assume the final days in WWI. My own knowledge is a little more hazy  on this period so should be interesting.

[kerick]

The various series by Ken Burns are all really good. The one about baseball is outstanding. He really is a great historian and documentary maker.