Peter, great wimpy and Warwick, I'll have to take a look and place an order with you for a wimpy for sure soon.

Jim, found the UK outlet for these bases and picked up a couple, they are nice and I'm tempted by the Nimitz

Well for me I'm back at the 1/144 bench, a couple of things on the go but no photos to show yet, I'll see what I can post up over the next couple of days.

I've been obsessed with 1/144 since I first bought my first 144 kit. The models are just so cute when finished . haven't been able to finish one yet except for a Dragon StuG III but eventually I'll finish a F/A-18E...

Good Evening Folks,
I was just sorting through my "Stash". (Need to get ideas for the next project) Just wondering, has any built, or seen a Revell 1/144 A-400 built up yet ? This surprises me as the kit looks quite nice in the box, and I have yet to see one built. Now granted, on this side of the pond it might not generate quite that much interest. But having said that, even Revells 1/144th C-17 I have only seen a handful built. Perhaps that might be due to the less than tremendous color (or colour) schemes. I figured by now the Canadians would have come up with a Great scheme ????
What's everyone's thoughts ?

Keep building,
Bruce

Bruce, not seen one built yet myself but I have just picked one up this weekend gone at a show and you're right it does look good in the box. Mine has however gone into the stash for now as I also picked up some of the Valom 1/144 WWI aircraft, I plan to do an inbox review with a finished build soon on these so watch the reviews section, although not to closely as I have a few things to do first.

I am always amazed at the work you guys do on these tiny kits, it's quite impressive. I would love to tackle one of these little kits but my eye's would never allow it.

Folks,
It has been awhile since I posted any results here. I was off modeling "Huge Scale" subjects. But I just had to return to my main love - 1/144 ! Attached you'll see my newest. Granted, whenever I need a "Quick Kill" I grab a Revell 1/144 F-18C.. and go to town ! As usual, I grabbed the Revell kit, and a Gorgeous decal sheet from MYK decals of Japan. This is actually an F-18A++ of VMFA-115 "Silver Eagles". The kit is tremendous, and the decal sheet is top of the line...so any and all errors are mine.
But more importantly... what's everyone else building ?
Take Care, Bruce

Wow Bruce that's a beauty.

For me I'm in my version of modelling heaven 1/144 and ships, yes I know not aircraft but they are 1/144. Hope you don't mind me posting this here?

The little one is the Trumpeter LCM(3) which is ready for paint, while the big one is the Revell LSM (early) which still requires filler, lots of detail and bigger parts and of course paint.

Luciano,
As for the Hornet... Thank You for the kind words. I really enjoy that kit and a multitude of MYK decals for it.

As far as I'm concerned - 1/144th is 1/144th - period ! I've heard about the Revell LSM. Is it actually 1/144th ? And how bad is the kit ? Although we all know ANYTHING is doable... some of them take so much work the pleasure fades quickly.

I previously had heard about the possibility of Revell doing a 1/144th Corvette of WWII. That would be extremely interesting, but I haven't heard anything more.

projects looking good Luciano, keep us advised !

Bruce

Bruce yep the LSM is 1/144, Revell have also released a post war Germen version with heli pad on the back, I have that version as well. The 1/144 Flower class corvette came out last month, I'm itching to start that however it could do with a AM set for the guns and other fine detail. I also have Typ IIB and Typ VIIC/41 U-boats and a Holland class sub waiting their turns.

If you didn't know we are to expect some 1/144 Star Wars X-wings and TIE fighters from Dragon at some point.

Luciano,
Thanks for letting me know about the Corvette ! I'll have to start the "Hunt" !
And just to also bring up a previous thread... I still have not seen one A400M completed yet over here. Strange...it looks like a decent kit - just needs some Color.... or Colour... whichever you prefer !

Take Care,
Bruce

Interesting news on the corvette. I only new about the 1/72 scale kit. Might have to look into that! Do you know if there are 1/144 RN/RCN figures for the decks?

Rumor has it that the Millennium Falcon is offered in 1/144, too.

Jim

Jim, no luck as yet finding crew for the Flower class even been trying on Shapeways. The kit needs some AM for the guns and fine detail.

Regarding the 'Falcon' it's not a rumour it's been out for some time, this side of the pond we have to personally import from Japan as Bandai only have a license for Japan it may be the same for you, check the bay and A'zon. Finemolds did one 8 - 9 years ago, I have one of these they also did Slave 1, Boba Fett's ship again I have one with a limited edition Han in carbonite.

Jim,
To add in with the info Luciano gave you. I just managed to get the 1/144 Corvette. You can pretty well just think of it as the 1/72 kit pantographed down to 1/144th. And yes... there is some "Clunky" parts, but considering what we've been modeling with over the years... it is a Corvette, and a joy in 1/144 !

As for the crew, I suggest take a look at Preiser's 1/144th figures... or even their "N scale" (1/160). The N scale may be a little small, but this is on a ship - and not all crewmen are 6' tall. (Trust me, I'm a Smurf ! )

Take Care
Bruce

Here is the Wirraway that I have down.
It is a conversion of the available T-6 Texan from either Platz or F-toys.
I have changed the wing and fuselage and the other pieces use the donor kits parts.
Here new rudder and Mg bulges added:


Interior framing added (I made a copy of the interior framing from a Foxone Lysander kit as a basis for the framing):


To represent the quite noticeable fuselage ribbing I cast this layers of the Lysander fuselage which had suitable ribbing effect and sanded it to it was almost transparent:


The wing was cut and straightened as well as having the tips extended and rounded (with pieces from a Ju88 kit!)


Wing and fuselage master finished. I have added the pronounced wing strengthening rib as well as the added Oil cooler and extra air cooler intake to the side of the cowling:


Painted in Polly scale RAAF paints and interior and turnover protection cage added as well as weathering done:


Cockpit added (used the F-toys one):


Need to add the aircraft letter 'D' as well as 3 bladed prop, large radio antenna and aerial and that should be it!

And photos of it finished:





And compared to a Texan:

Cracking job mate, beautiful conversion!

Just finished my model of Walrus L2247 that was on loan to the Australian cruiser HMAS Australia whilst on operations in the Med, as it's usual Walrus was under repair. Unfortunately this plane was shot down by Vichy French Hawk 75A-3 and lost with all crew.
Here is a picture of it on board HMAS Australia prior to it's last flight.


And pictures of the model:

Peter,
Tremendous job on the Walrus ! Keep them coming.

A conversion of the AFV club P40B to a Hawk75A by replacing the inline engine with a radial casting taken from the Shapeways 3D printed Hwerke Hawk model.


This is the Vichy French aircraft that shot down the Walrus in the above post.



believe it or not but this plane has 44 decals on it (can you count them?).

Hmmm, I just realised that I haven't shown the finished Shapeways Henschel 126 by Kampflieger that I previewed two pages back!

Beautiful work on that camouflage on the Henschel.
the colorful Hawk is an eye catcher too!

Greetings Fellow "Smurf Modelers". It has been a little while since I've posted anything. That's also because I've been working on another beloved C-130. This time I used the Minicraft WC-130J kit - and modified it to the MC-130J " Air Commando II". As always ... any and all comments are very welcomed.

We've been getting quite a few newer kits in our beloved 1/144th scale. Minicraft released the C-130J-30 Stretch, and Roden just released the C-141B. Lots to check out !!!

Very nice Bruce.

Which herky bird do you recommend? I'm looking for one just to add one to the collection so looking for an 'a typical' version.

I work in 1/144 quite a bit for airliners and large bombers.
I don't do the smaller subjects, jet fighters, WWII prop fighters etc. in this scale because they are too small. The airliners and large transports however seem just the right scale for 1/144. I also,as some have mentioned, use an opti visor magnifier, not just in 1/144 but ALL scales. You guys do some NICE work. My last 1/144 offerings, a Revell HC-130H and a
Minicraft American Airlines MD-80.---John
Hercules 4 by jvandeu53, on Flickr
mad dog 80 6 by jvandeu53, on Flickr

Luciano,
Depending which Country and colors you're looking at, there are several. I would definitely stick with Minicraft"s C-130 family. The Older Revell can be reworked but will take a ton of work. If all you want is a modern day C-130 - then see if you can find the WC-130J. This is the basic J model with the newer engines and props. The engines are a problem with ALL Minicraft C-130's in my opinion. They give you square intakes ... it just isn't so. But after trying many different cures, including expensive resin updates, I believe I have found the simplest cure - 3/8" plastruck tubing. Just cut off the offending intakes with your trusty Xacto, then cut a 3/4 piece of tube and glue it in place, sand it down, then fill to blend. takes about 30 minutes for all 4 engines. Just take a good look at any pics of the 130 engines. Other than that, I would say to find a C-130H model - they are probably the most popular at the moment in the world.
If I can be of any further assistance, just let me know.

Happy Modeling !