What I'm working on...

[K5054NZ]

G'day all
Well, here we are, my first workshop shoot. Hmmm...(collar being tightened)I'm not that hot with the camera, so fingers crossed. Must warn you...no whifs in sight...yet...

The Heller Yak-3, to be completed as Ray Hanna's ZK-YYY:


The nose, which is having its machinegun ports filled and barrel bulges sanded/cut off:

[Brian da Basher]

That's looking nice Zac...can't wait to see her completed! Thanks for posting. It looks like you've got everything you need to finish that Yak-3.

Brian da Basher

[K5054NZ]

Next up: the Gran 1/72 Lavochkin La-9 of the shoddy fitting canopy and crooked prop fame. Painted as Ray Hanna's ZK-LIX, awaiting decals from folk in the US.


A comparison between my build and a Xavier Meal photo taken at Wanaka last year. As the La-9's top paint colour is different depending on the light (sometimes green, others grey/gray) I used this as my reference.

Opinions? The lower colour is a mix of Tamiya Flat White with a dash or two of Sky Grey (I think...)
Thanks in advance to Bill Ficner for his decals, also to be used for the Yak...

[K5054NZ]

Cheers Brian ^_^ ...you ain't seen nothin' yet! Up next the Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Protoype conversion (decals courtesy Scott van Aken, editor of Modeling Madness webzine). This is actually finished, and will feature in an upcoming edition of Modeling Madness.

...
Okay, Photobucket is taking a while, but pics should be up within the hour. Opinions of the above projects?

[K5054NZ]

Okay...K5054NZ, my build of the Prototype Supermarine Type 300. Airfix's 1/72 Spitfire Mk.Ia, Aeroclub's 057 conversion set and Tasman 7204 decals went into this build. The controversial paint job on my build is Tamiya Light Blue.




Now, keeping in mind that this is my very first conversion using aftermarket parts and my vacform baptism of fire (canopy), what do you all think? Opinions, harsh words and advice mcuh appreciated.

[Ollie]

Brilliant stuff Zac!

   

[K5054NZ]

Um...sorry the Spit pics are so massive...  

[Brian da Basher]

Zac that La-9 is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors you used on it, especially the underside. Those tailstripes are nice too...decals or hand-painted? I really like the Spit, but the pics were a little too small for my monitor.  

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

Well, that's more like it, Zac----thanks!

Your workbench feels completely like home: I'll be over tomorrow morning, let's build some kits, eh!  

Your Lavochin is great and I'm really looking forward to seeing your Yak-3 finished, too!

Good show!

[K5054NZ]

Zac that La-9 is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors you used on it, especially the underside. Those tailstripes are nice too...decals or hand-painted?

Cheers again Brian - the fin's stripes are painted. By hand. Ie, no masking  B) I'm glad you approve. I've bee wanting a Lavochkin model ever since I saw it at the Wanaka air show last year...I ordered one around that time. That was 18 months ago. Then I hear from the owner of the shop "we have an La-9 if you're still interested". 18 hours later, it's on my doorstep! It's my first Eastern European kit, and I've loved it. I'm really looking forward to getting it complete - you guys will be the first to see it.
Ollie, John, thanks also for your support. It's great to have such experienced modellers as you three gents encourage me.   .

I need sandpaper because the Yak's exhausts are a little thick, so progress will be slow on it. Again, pics first here at What If?.

Thanks again guys.

[Tophe]

Nice models, better than mine...
But could you explain a little what is what-ifing in them? Do you plan, from the scale1-photograph-matching status, to include Kiwi roundels or something? It could be funny, original.

[Leigh]

I love that La-9 somehow itseems like it would look just "right" in pre war U.S.N. markings.

And an easy way to reduce picture sizein Windows is
open paint
go to file and open the pic you want
go to file and save (that will reduce the MB by about 50% without changing the pic)
go to file and open it again
go to image and use stretch/skew to reduce the percentage to the desired real size.
go to file and save as then you have both the original and a smaller postable pic.
that's how I do all mine.

[cthulhu77]

I've fallen in love with Irfanview for photo editing...simple free program !

         Great pics...love the workbench, it does look inviting !!!  Looking forward to the Yak, one of the neatest planes to come out of Mother Russia !

           greg

[The Rat]

Nice stuff Zac, keep 'em coming!

I've fallen in love with Irfanview for photo editing...simple free program !

            greg

Agreed. Excellent program, it resizes pictures without all those bubbley blotchy bits that often show up in compressions. The only trouble is that it takes up more bits that way, so uploads to Photobucket, at least on dial-up, take ages, but well worth it for the best resolution.

Just Google irfanview, download free, and enjoy!

[Captain Canada]

Looking good !

Love the 'formation' loop shot from the mag....cool !

The prototype shots are kinda hard to see.........unless you have a 46" monitor !