Moments of Zen

[Old Wombat]

Not sure if i should be thanking you for that... but now i know your pain... but don't worry, from this day forth, i shall refer to it as tadpole... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc5QARfhkO4

Can't say I think that's an improvement, except that it's not a song I was forced to learn as a child & is, therefore, unlikely to impinge on my thought processes.

And that helicopter does look quite like a tadpole.

[NARSES2]

I saw these in Hannants new releases this morning. Not sure how easy it is to get Portugese markings, so thought I'd post it so you are at least aware of them 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/DMK7223?result-token=Zzt8Z

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[DogfighterZen]

Not sure if i should be thanking you for that... but now i know your pain... but don't worry, from this day forth, i shall refer to it as tadpole... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc5QARfhkO4

Can't say I think that's an improvement, except that it's not a song I was forced to learn as a child & is, therefore, unlikely to impinge on my thought processes.

Well, at least i tried... 
It does look like a tadpole... and i can't help it, brings to mind another couple...
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I think one can say the resemblance in uncanny...  

I saw these in Hannants new releases this morning. Not sure how easy it is to get Portugese markings, so thought I'd post it so you are at least aware of them 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/DMK7223?result-token=Zzt8Z

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Thank you, Chris! 
Truth is i already had them on my watchlist cause:
A)  It's been introduced in the Scalemates database very recently and i check the site almost everyday so i caught them early. 
B) I have lots of models planned to be built as PoAF machines so i need lots of decals.
C) Although lately there has been some increase in offer with Model Maker decals and a few other brands, PoAF's markings are not the easiest to find, especially of good quality.
Those will be useful, that's for sure.

Looks like i was getting a bit a head of myself and was forgetting that i still had stuff to paint on the Cobra before i could spray a gloss coat but, i did get stuff done and will be posting the progress on the build thread.

 

[NARSES2]

Thank you, Chris! 
Truth is i already had them on my watchlist cause:
A)  It's been introduced in the Scalemates database very recently and i check the site almost everyday so i caught them early. 

No problems. I'd always rather be told about someting a few times than not be told at all 

[DogfighterZen]

Thank you, Chris! 
Truth is i already had them on my watchlist cause:
A)  It's been introduced in the Scalemates database very recently and i check the site almost everyday so i caught them early. 

No problems. I'd always rather be told about someting a few times than not be told at all 

Same here, all it does is make me wanna buy it sooner...  

[DogfighterZen]

Well, it's a new year... and i have no big plans or resolutions, especially in model making.
Most of the kits i've always wanted are in my stash and there's not much that really makes me really want to spend money so, it's time to focus on the aftermarket bits i need for the plans i have for most kits.
At 305 kits, i have more than i ever imagined i'd ever have and even having quite a few kits that were bought just for parts or to be bashed with something else, there's plenty to keep me busy for at least 30 years...

Regarding the current state of my bench, there are two real world PoAF subjects, the stalled Kinetic F-16AM in 48th and the Heller 72nd Alouette III gunship, which has been getting the little attention i've been devoting to models since i finished the PoAF Cobra last month...

There have been a few developments in the Alouette's cockpit area, which is almost ready to be put aside for some work on the rest of the model, especially the engine.
Latest progress was made on the ammo feed chute, just a strip of thicker aluminium foil, folded to create the appropriate thickness, then i ran the Trumpeter riveting tool over it to simulate the articulated feed chute. Not exactly the most realistic representation but i think it'll do the trick after some paint and a wash. Also added rudder pedals on the pilot's area.

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Also added a few details to the ammo boxes but those still have to be refined, and i've also managed to separate the doors from the roof of the cockpit.
Took me a bit but it paid off being careful cause it's very easy to mess this up and crack the clear parts and i started cutting knowing very well that i'd probably have to waste the left rear door in the process but fortunately, my hand was steady and the blade was sharp so i have every bit cleanly separated and ready to use.
All the work with that may very well have been a bit wasted cause i've seen a few pics of these machines in service during the wars and some had the rear door removed for use of the MG 151 so i'll have to decide later on in the build.
Still a lot to do on the engine and fuselage itself, not to mention the crew figures...

Now, this is definitely a rare thing, i have two real world builds on the bench at the moment but had no whiffs since i've finished the Cobra last month...  
I know, it's shameful and i admit my guilt so, after i read a post on The Wooksta's blogs, it reminded of a WWII prototype i really like, and yesterday i finally decided to dig up a couple of kits from my stash and test out a couple of things to see if my idea can work... but that will be put on hold for some time because Lee made an offer of a few resin details that will surely eliminate most of the work needed to convert a PM1/72 Sea Fury into a production model of the original Fury I with the Napier Sabre engine.
I've had that one in the back of my mind for a while but never realized i already had most of what i needed for the build so i can thank Lee for mentioning the Sabre engine and the Fury in his blog post cause that's what reminded me of this plane.

With that one on hold, i guess i'll have to find another whiff project to work on while that one waits...
Good thing that while looking for the Tempest and the Sea Fury, i also found a box of another late WWII "SuperProp" project i'd already been doing some preliminary work on, and that one has never been built in the real world. It's an RS models P-51H fuselage with a RR Griffon engine and a 5 blade prop and 4X20mm cannons in the wings. This would have the Mustang following the Spitfire's evolutionary steps in terms of engine and armament. Griffon engine upper nose fairings, prop and cannons are being donated by the Xtrakit Spitfire Mk.22, bought for this purpose.
I believe that something similar has probably been done before but i don't think i've seen it and i'll give it a shot anyway cause that's how i'd love to see the Mustang in real life.

Guess i'll have enough on my hands for the foreseeable future...

[NARSES2]

Guess i'll have enough on my hands for the foreseeable future...

Possibly   

[DogfighterZen]

So, as i expected, i've had my hands full with just a couple of models... The real world PoAF Alouette III has been progressing now that the air filters arrived so, i decided to tackle the engine, which is such a poor rendition of the real thing that i had to get the small scrap styrene bits and get to work.
I decided to try doing everything in styrene cause i feel like i can control the stuff with TET better than with CA glue.
The original bit, just after i sanded the nozzle's interior to reduce the thickness...
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After spending most of my weekend's bench time working on it, this is where it's at...

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Only bit of metal glued with CA was the bit of guitar string to represent a ribbed hose present on the real thing.
There are a couple of tube left to add so i'll probably do those today after work.
I'm actually enjoying this build a lot but i believe that painting all that detail is gonna be "interesting"...   

[NARSES2]

Nice work sir   

[PR19_Kit]

That's amazing!   

[frank2056]

Wow - it went from an odd lump of styrene to a jet engine! Great work.

[DogfighterZen]

Thank you, gentlemen! 
I was actually a bit apprehensive about doing this because i wasn't sure how it would come out and if i ruined it, the whole build would probably go in the bin...  still, i don't want to speak too early because i still have a couple of tubes to do and then painting, which is also scaring me a bit.... It'll make it better or completely ruin it so, i have to choose a day when my hands are steady or else, i'll probably make a stinking mess of it...

[Old Wombat]

Keep your chin up! You'll be right!

[Nick]

Now that last pic looks like a proper engine 

Good work!

[DogfighterZen]

Keep your chin up! You'll be right!

Now that last pic looks like a proper engine 

Good work!

Thank you for the support! 
I think i'll have another go at that ribbed hose, though. I'm not happy with the way it looks and will probably redo it to try to get a cleaner result.
I haven't looked at the main rotor but i suspect it's also getting some attention... it's an old and basic kit but unfortunately, it's the only available option in any scale...
Actually, i think that helicopter kits in general have been overlooked by most brands in the past 20/30 years, the Gazelle, Puma, Alouette, etc. are perfect examples, IMO.