I’d been wanting to tidy my space for a few months. It had gotten dirty and disorganized.
So here is my little clean-up.
Some new shelves, more paint racks,.
But mostly just rearranging. After 5 years I had some ideas on how to improve my work flow. Of course, now I’m likely to loose time trying to remember all my new ideas…
Spitfire
That took a lot longer than expected! As I mentioned at the start, the Eduard kit all of these planes were built from, is an involved and sometimes tricky build. Combine that with a few busy months and this got dragged out way too long.
But the good news is I’m pretty happy with the results. It also gives me two Mk II and two Mk XVI, sub-types I previously had none of. Neither is hugely important, I don’t expect I’ll build any more of either type. But here they are.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVIe (bubbletop)
I also like that this basically was two early and two late aircraft. So we see a lot of how the Spitfire and its markings developed.
I’ll admit the embarrassing fact I have enough Spitfire “Dual Combo” kits to revisit this theme three more times! But it will be a couple years.
For now, I’ll build a couple of armored cars. Look for a new theme later this Spring.
Coming Soon… Trainers
A different look appeared for the last Merlin Engined Spitfire produced during the War.
Let’s take a brief look at the end of the line.
Continue readingHere’s a type we all know well. Right?
Let’s take a look at a familiar type, that gets more than a little confusing in knowing where it actually fits into the grand scheme of things!
Continue readingThe first major production of Messerschmitt’s famous “Zerstorer” was in extensive use from the start of the War.
Let’s look at an example that fell, along with the type’s reputation, during the Battle of Britain.
Continue readingThe greater Solomons Campaign extended from the final securing of Guadalcanal in February 1943 until the major Japanese base at Rabaul was isolated and reduced to impotence in early 1944. Arguably even longer, fighting continued on several of the islands to the end of the War, after it no longer mattered to the outcome.
Let’s take a look at a combatant from Summer of 1943.
Continue readingI’m not normally big on product placement or advertising, but I did want to mention this new gadget. And no, it’s not really new! The product has been around for so many years it has number of copy-cats, some are better regarded than the original.
But this is new for me. Sort of a concession to getting older. I’ve found myself often just taking my glasses off when working on models, maybe I need a new prescription (!). But trying to find the sweet spot and actually see some of what I’m working has become problematic.
So my wife gave me the OptiVisor for Christmas, she got one with a light attachment. Talk about a difference maker! Holy Smokes this helps me see a lot more fine detail. It’s only 2x magnification which may sound minor. But it seriously lets me see small parts, seams, alignment issues that I’ve been blind to. And its so easy to use. The band is easily adjustable for the balance of comfort and security that works best for the user, and the visor part flips up and down so easily it barely warrants a thought.
I’ve even been a little surprised that the light attachment seems unnecessary, I’ve not attached it yet. Just that little bit of magnification makes all the difference for seeing what you need to.
Highly recommended for anyone over 30. Or seriously, 14 if you wear glasses.
The final Merlin-engined Mark of Supermarine’s famous product entered service in October 1944 and remained in service until well into the post-War period.
Let’s look at a late War Spitfire.
Continue readingI imagine this type needs little introduction.
Let’s take a look at a Corsair flown by the type’s most famous pilot.
Continue reading
Perhaps the single most famous P-38 of all time. Let’s take a look at a Lightning flown by the top US ace of all time.
Continue reading | atcDave on Avro Lancaster B Mk I |
 | Pierre Lagacé on Avro Lancaster B Mk I |
| atcDave on Avro Lancaster B Mk I |
| atcDave on A Little Refresh |
| Pierre Lagacé on Avro Lancaster B Mk I |
| Pierre Lagacé on Avro Lancaster B Mk I |
 | Chris Kemp on A Little Refresh |
| atcDave on A Little Refresh |
 | jfwknifton on A Little Refresh |
| atcDave on Supermarine Spitfire Mk I… |
 | tinkll on Supermarine Spitfire Mk I… |
| atcDave on Theme Build 5 – Com… |
| Pierre Lagacé on Theme Build 5 – Com… |
| atcDave on Theme Build 5 – Com… |
| atcDave on Theme Build 5 – Com… |
Plane Dave 