I
have had a number of long
standing dreams fulfilled
over the last month. It started
with ordering my first brand-
new car, for which I have chosen
all the boy toy options. And by
the time you read this I will
have been to the US Nationals
in Phoenix, visited the Grand
Canyon and the aircraft bone
yard at Davis-Monthan AFB. And
finally I will have flown home
on the top deck of a Boeing 747,
something that I have always
wanted to do since visiting
Heathrow in the early 1970s with
my aunt and seeing my first
B.O.A.C (Now British Airways)
Boeing 747 jumbo jet in the flesh.
But my biggest dream was one
that I have been working towards
achieving for over fourteen years!
When my wife and I moved
to our forever home we had a
number of criteria it had to have.
Apart from the obvious access
to a good school, work, and
shops I needed to have a space
that I could use as a workshop.
The house we eventually
purchased had a loft that already
had the centre space floored over,and was large enough to hold two
kitchen tables and enough room
for me to store my kit collection
in the eaves. For the last fourteen
years this has been my workshop,
but it did have a number of issues.
To access my workshop I
had to climb a rickety metal
ladder that over the years has
become progressively more
rickety (nothing to do with my
middle age spread of course!)
And for six months of the year
I had the summer sauna! As an
example, temperatures in my
loft during the first week of July
2018 reached over 100 degrees
(38 c in modern terms). Good
training for the IPMS American
Nationals in a desert in August!
So after 14 years of saving
my loft has undergone a major
upgrade. Two windows set into
the north-facing side of the
roof have had a major positive
effect, adding large amounts
of natural light as well as some
much needed ventilation – no
more airbrushing until a fog of
overspray forces a session to end!
The loft access has also been
upgraded with a robust woodenconstruction and a much enlarged
entry, so I can now start work
on that HK Models 1/32 B-
and actually manage to get it
downstairs once finished. So
no more risking life and limb
coming down the ladder on
the verge of heat stroke and
having to go straight into a
cold shower to cool down.
But all this work had a
downside: it took two days to
bring just 30 per cent of my kit
collection downstairs, plus
disassemble the work tables, and
finally remove a large number of
boxes containing tools and paints.
With all the building work done
it was time to put everything back
and it was then I had a brainwave
and decided to catalogue exactly
what I had in the workshop. As I
write this I have just finished this
mammoth task. I knew I had a lot
of kits (my loft has been compared
to a Hannants transplanted
to the midlands), but I would
never have dreamed that there
were over 600 kits and nearly
1000 accessories and decals.
What was more staggering
was that the replacement valuewas over £25,000 at today’s
prices. So a quick phone call
to my insurance company was
required to massively increase
the house insurance, as well as
a stern lecture from the wife
that I had better not be buying
any new kits any time soon!
So be careful what you
wish for...though I plan to have
many years of modelling in a
wonderfully light and airy loft
workshop, I think my chances
of getting any new kits have
been dramatically reduced.
Unless of course they are
review samples, or that’s what
I will tell the dearly beloved!David Francis, Editor
[email protected]Subscribe
see page 6264 Photo Report
IPMS USA Nationals – Phoenix 2018Sam
THE First Looks• Dora Wings 1/72 Percival Vega Gull’s• Tamiya 1/48 F-14D Tomcat- Eduard 1/72 Spitfire Mk.VII Profipacksee page 42
September 2018 WORLD’S BEST MODEL NEWSPAPER ‘FREE’ http://www.sampublications.com
Percival Vega Gull’s DW72004: Percival Vega Gull (military service) 57 injection moulded grey plastic parts 9 injection moulded clear partsFirst look at Dora Wings 1/72 Percival Vega Gull’s by Tim Upson-SmithDW72002: Percival Vega Gull (civil service)47 photo-etched steel partsCanopy and wheel masksFilm instruments I must confess that I have been looking forward to this release, as 1930s Golden Age aviation has been overlooked by a lot of model companies, which is a shame as this period
most attractive aircraft. The box and assistance during the kit’s art for both versions is superb; I especially like the civil box art showing Alex Henshaws Gull flying over a DH 88 Comet. The introduction on the instruction booklet credits John Adams of Aeroclub with providing the drawings on which the kit is based and for providing every help produced some of the world’s development. As Dora Wings state, ”You’re the man John!“ I found this statement about the cooperation between the established company Aeroclub, and this newer company, Dora Wings, rather heart warming. Long may it continue! So what do we find inside the top-opening box? Let’s take a look: we have an A5 colour-printed
brief introduction to the type, a colour names or manufacturer’s sprue layout diagram, and the step-by-step construction diagrams. The marking schemes are illustrated in colour at the back of the booklet. Strangely though, no instruction booklet, which has a paint codes are given, so you will need to do a bit of research for the interior colours and then match the paint to the decals for your chosen civil option. This will be easier for the
options are all-over silver dope and The four colour schemes the fourth option in the standard RAF dark earth and dark green over pale blue undersides. The civil options include two Gulls with red fuselages and two with a turquoise fuselage, which looks to be almost the same colour as the cockpit of Russian MiG’s from the 60s and 70s!military version, as three of the provided in the civil version are:• G-AEKE, the winner of the 1936 Schlesinger Race, flown by C.W.A. Scott and Giles Guthrie. Turquoise fuselage with silver dyed flying surfaces.• VP-KCC, flown by Beryl Markham in her September 1936 Atlantic flight. This is in the same- G-AFBW, flown by Alex rudder, and flying surfaces.Henshaw 1938 in Cypress. This aircraft has a red fuselage with white trim line (provided as a decal). The flying surfaces are finished in silver dope. • G-AFBC, flown by Lady Sherborne in the 1952 Kings Cup Air Race, race number 67. The fuselage is red with silver doped cowling, fin, turquoise scheme as option A.• OO-ANC, requisitioned by the The military service boxing also has four markings options, 3 of which are overall silver dope.• NZ571 42 Sqn RNZAF, Rongotai, 1944. This Gull is dark green and dark earth over pale blue undersides.Belgium government during the
This silver doped • T-6 ex -L7272, sold to the Gull has Belgian roundels over the civil registration. • L7272 ex G-AFWG was delivered to the Secretary of State for Air in 1939 and allocated to the Air Attaché in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Overall silver dope.Phony War in 1939. Argentine Government in 1946. The aircraft retained its overall silver dope finish.The plastic parts are bagged in a resealable bag and the clear parts are bagged separately inside it. The decals, masks, and photo-etch are also bagged separately, which is a really nice touch as it
photo-etched steel fret offers be fairly self-explanatory. The to have good colour density. The masks are the grey vinyl type and the kit supplies them for both the canopy and wheels. No mention is made in the instructions of how to fit them, but if you have used masks before it should in the Ukraine by Decograph and are in perfect register and look lap belts, the instrument panel, and some internal and external detail, including the pitot tube.The plastic parts are well-moulded and feature raised or recessed details as appropriate. There is a bit of flash and moulded seam lines present that will need condition. The decals are printed ensures the parts arrive in perfect to be cleaned up, but nothing major. Depending on the version you are building there are various optional parts, so it might be worth marking the parts you need on the instructions or removing the parts you don’t from the sprues before you start.The transparencies are supplied as multiple parts, with the cockpit doors being provided as separate parts. The parts are not the clearest I have seen but by the time they have been dipped in Johnson’s Klear/Future and the frame lines painted I think they should look fine. CONCLUSIONThis looks to be a really nice kit from Dora Wings, but due to the lack of colour notes I would recommend it to perhaps the more experienced modeller who doesn’t mind doing a bit of research before they start. For me personally that is half the fun of our hobby, but I know it’s not for everybody. There does seem to be a revival of interest in British inter-war civil aircraft from kit manufacturers, which I for one applaud. Long may it continue, as companies like Miles and Percival designed and built some very pretty aircraft, which I would love to see produced as mainstream injection moulded kits.
My thanks to Dora Wings for supplying us with this kit for review. Once my current project is finished this will be going on to my bench, so look for a full build soon.
First look at Tamiya F-14D TomcatTomcat variant the F-14D.Just as we were about to go to press we received Tamiya’s new F-14D Tomcat. When the F-14A was released in 2016 it was obvious that further variants would follow and two years later we have the final F-14D TomcatOriginally over 300 new build F-14D models were ordered but this was cut back to just 37 new build aircraft and 18 upgraded from existing airframes.The main distinguishing features of the D are the twin pods under the nose containing an infrared track system and TV
pod of earlier models. The other illustrate the D Models change recognition feature shared with the F-14B is the General Electric F-110 engines with their noticeably different exhaust pipes. The new Tamiya kit correctly captures all of these features as well as the various other smaller changes of the F-14D.Where this kit excels is in the underwing stores, which camera rather than the single from out and out Interceptor to a Multi Role Aircraft.The kit supplies enough weaponry and equipment to produce an aircraft in a number of different roles starting with the original Fleet Defence role using a mix of Sidewinders, Sparrow and Phoenix missiles. , For the Reconnaissance role we have a
nice representation of the TARPS reconnaissance pod. This is the best I have ever seen in any scale with a under the port wing glove pylon.cameras something I have never load outs using GBU-12 and GBU-16 laser Guided Bombs as well as the GBU-31 JDAM joint attack munition. To support the bombing role, you nice representation of the internal targeting pod which is mounted seen reproduced before. Finally we have a choice of two bomber One of the two decal sheets supplies full markings for all the of the ordinance as well as the airframe stencilling. If you like colourful markings this sheet will not disappoint as it supplies also have a nice representation of the AN/AAQ-25 LANTRIN marking for all four operation squadrons including three examples with very attractive full colour markings, while even the fourth subdued example still feature a rainbow on the rudder as well as a full colour unit crest.• F-14D, VF-2, Bounty Hunters, CAG Bird, USS Constellation May 2003 .• F-14D, VF-11, Red Rippers, CAG Bird, USS Carl Vinson, 1995.• F-14D, VF-101, Grim Reapers, September 2004.• F-14D, VF-213, Black Lions, USS due to its widespread distribution This new kit is sure to be popular Theodore Roosevelt. March 2006and ease of construction and is a fitting tribute to the last of the proper US Navy fighters.Our thanks to Tamiya’s UK importer the Hobby Company for supplying the review sample which is now available from all Tamiya stockist.
42 • SEPTEMBER 2018 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL WWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2018 •^43FIRST LOOK! FIRST LOOK!>> NEW ITALERI TF-104G 1/32 SCALE TRAINERWWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COMWhat a lot we got
Koverdrive with a number of new ittyhawk seems to be going into
announcements. confirmation of the colour schemes for the new We start with a
F-5F trainer in 1/32 scale. Kittyhawk have also revealed a small bonus in this kit in
the shape of two resin pilot figures. These are far more animated than we normally see. The front pilot is seated
and is examining a checklist or map while the back seater is in the process of climbing
aboard the aircraft. This will make a very animated mini diorama straight out of the box.
will be the dedicated reconnaissance Another F-5 variant
version the RF-5E Tiger Eye. Over the years this version has carried some
attractive schemes, though the only option we know of for sure is the company
demonstrator seen on the box art.announcements Other new
for later this year include all new 1/48 scale North American FJ-2 and FJ-3 Fury’s
an announcement that will please many modellers.
a surprising move, they have also announced a new tool 1/32 Fw-190A-5 whatever next a Bf109G?While in
rumours of a new 1/48 scale Vought Cutlass from Kittyhawk is true. Though it was totally useless as a naval fighter it certainly had a presence and I Also, though not confirmed I also hope the
would like to add one to my US Navy Collection.A Two-Seat Star
Tchange from the single seat fighter is the extended two-seat fuselage and he first sighting of the new Italeri TF-104G 1/32 scale trainer came with no surprises and the main
new canopies. An attractive selection of schemes including USAF Bicentennial as well as Spanish, Canadian, Italian and German options on the decal sheet.
This means you have a nice variation in colour schemes to choose from. in hobby shops as you read this.This new kit should be appearingAnd there’s more
Aan impressive range of obscure with the occasional mainstream nother manufacturer announcing
subject in diverse scales is Mikromir. 1/1444 scale of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Though this model may be small, The smallest new subject will be a
it will not be short of detail coming with a reasonable amount of detail in the cockpit and Bomb bay that would not look out of place in a 1/72-scale kit.
Mikromir is that they do pick some very obscure and overlooked subjects like the Supermarine S.5 Racer which they One of the things I like about
are planning to release in the autumn in 1/48 scale. Though overshadowed by the later S.6B, the S.5 was an attractive,
colourful subject and is part of a revival of interest in the between the warsis also a beat of a niche aircraft, but it fulfilled its role well despite its less Some would argue that Kaman Husky aviation of the 1920s and 30s.
than orthodox appearance with its twin intermeshed rotors first seen on the Flettner FL282 Kolibri (See “The German
Hummingbird” elsewhere in The News). it served with USAF in Vietnam and surprisingly an example of type can be Used as an early SAR helicopter,
found in the Coventry Air Museum.from the old Testor kit when I was a teen I remember building a 1/32 Husky
and I look forward to doing so again in 1/48 scale when this kit becomes available at the end of the year.WWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2018 • 3535 The SAM
US Nationals Special!
All the latest news
from around the world,
including the US
Nationals in Phoenix4 • SEPTEMBER 2018 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
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Scale Aviation Modeller International
September 2018 • Volume 24 • Issue 9004-05-Contents-0818.indd 4 16/08/2018 17: