Douglass SBD-3 Dauntless

Posted on May 3, 2023 by atcDave

The US Navy’s famous workhorse of the early War period was just entering service as a combat ready type the summer before the US got into the War.

Let’s take a look at one from the transition period just before the start.

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Posted in Bomber - Naval, USA | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib

Posted on April 20, 2023 by atcDave

This big fighter was best known as a ground attack aircraft with the 2nd Tactical Air Force, the scourge of German tanks, and trucks, tents, guys on motorcycles…

But the Typhoon started as a high altitude fighter. Let’s take a look.

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Posted in Britain, Fighter | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

M20 Armored Utility Vehicle

Posted on April 12, 2023 by atcDave

This light armored vehicle was in broad use with US and allied forces from the middle of 1943 to the end of the War.

Let’s look at a common, and often unrecognized vehicle.

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Posted in Armor, USA | Tagged , | 8 Comments

A Little Refresh

Posted on March 21, 2023 by atcDave

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…

I may have to spend a few more years on this!
Posted in Administrative | 4 Comments

Theme Build 5 – Complete

Posted on March 16, 2023 by atcDave

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.

Big change in the markings the last year of the War. The RAF decided to return to its peacetime insignia, with the yellow, blue, white and red roundel. Basically the high visibility version of the marking. Even more than that, its a brighter blue and red than the drab wartime insignia.

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 IIa

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIb

Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVIe

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

Posted in Theme Build | 8 Comments

Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVIe

Posted on March 15, 2023 by atcDave

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.

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Posted in Britain, Fighter, New Zealand | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Curtiss Tomahawk Mk IIb

Posted on March 12, 2023 by atcDave

Here’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!

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Posted in Britain, Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Messerschmitt Bf 110C

Posted on February 19, 2023 by atcDave

The 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.

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Posted in Fighter, Germany | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Mitsubishi A6M3a Model 22 Zero

Posted on February 4, 2023 by atcDave

The 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.

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Posted in Fighter, Japan | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

OptiVisor

Posted on January 27, 2023 by atcDave

I’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.

Not only a useful tool, but so stylish!

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.

Posted in Miscellaneous | 17 Comments