10 days to go!

Dont forget to upload your photos into the ACES HIGH GALLERY in order to qualify for your ribbon.
2 people havent done this yet, PM's inbound.

I take it that nobody is going to need an extension?

Nige

Extension, eh?

10 days left, no sweat.

I'll be shooting some paint at the wildcat this weekend and will post a photo soon ... watch this space ....

Now that you brought that up, I might be in need of an extension.
If everything goes well, I shouldn't have much trouble making it in time, but the deadline is drawing near.

Nige wrote:


Extension, schmextension...
I don't need one, b'cause I'm Finally Finished!!!!



This was - without any doubt - my toughest modelling challange so far. I started this build on the first day of the campaign, and I finished it a few minutes ago... The plastic was simply too thick, and hardly anything fitted. This is what the intakes looked like before sanding and carving:

Never before did I have to sand as much! And this on an highly polished NMF jet aircraft! In addition - everything that could break, broke. Here it is the front part of the canopy that was lost! Good thing I had a spare!

Much to my own surprise, I'm actually quite pleased with the outcome!

I experimented a little with weathering on the surface detail to get a slightly rougher look. It took some of the extreme shine away, but I still think it represents the highly polished Shahaks of the IAF. Here's a picture of the real deal:

The missiles are Shafrir 2. Unfortunately, the AML kit did not come with the correct extra tanks that I wanted...

The Mirage is such a beautiful plane, so it was worth all the sweat! It will probably take a while before I start on any other AML kit (I do have their Avia S-199 - didn't someone here build their Me 109? How was it?)
First, however, I'll have myself a well deserved whiskey...

Cheers! // PolarBear

Photos now uploaded.. finally found enough space..

Hi Björn!

Fantastic Mirage!

Sometimes the French do build good looking aircraft, not only monsters. You really made a great job. I would love to publish your work as a feature...

Jean-Luc

Great Mirage, Bjoern! Good to see you finally nailed this beast.

Welcome to the Officers Club guys!
Polar Bear, you made it
Great looking Mirage, and our first jet ace of the campaign.
Fabulous work everyone, very well done.
Nige

Nigel:
Now that you mention it, time is running out. I sure hope I can get the mustang done in time I would hate to miss the party.

Bjorn: Beautiful Mirage

Taylor

Hi all,

The Wildcat is nearing completion. The fit was great; these Hobby Boss kits seem to throw themselves together. Weathering and a wash to come.

Thanks guys! I did put in a lot of work!

Having rested over the weekend, I decided to start on a new AML 1/72 Mirage IIICJ!!! - this time the "tzniut" photo-reconnaissance version for the Paparazzi campaign! I know I must be crazy, but perhaps it is easier the second time around...? Besides, this time it will not be NMF...

A feature, Jean-Luc? Maybe if and when I finish the Tzniut...

Cheers! // PolarBear!

Ps. That Wildcat looks pretty cool! There is a lot of different opinions regarding the Hobby Boss kits. I just might try one of those one day!

I gotta late jump on this one, but will have it complete by the end date. I'm waiting on some goodies for my C-46 build and thought I should better get my Aces subject knocked out asap. Here is the subject I'm doing, P-51B Ding Hao, FLown by Col James Howard, a fromer Flying Tiger with the AVG in China.

and here is where it is at as of 2110 hrs, Monday evening....

Won't be any contest goer for sure, but It'll look good in the case. Back soon with more pics and updates.
"Q"

Björn, great finishes on the Mirage. Both in time and shiny .

I love the look of that Mirage! I'm going to take the easy option when i do one and use the 1/48 Hobby Boss kit- and a desert scheme it will as well. Even though i have to admit that Mirages look better than any aircraft in shiny metal....

Andrew

Thanks, Andrew!

Here's a great site for reference photos of IAF Mirages! In my view, there are many nice birds in NMF. I think there is a campaign comming up? If so, I'll definitely join!

Cheers!! // PolarBear

Woops almost forgot. The two P-51's have been sleeping at the back of the bench just waiting for decals and flat coat, got my finger out today and finished them off.




Luciano

Alittle more progress on my Ding Hao build. Waiting on some putty to dry so I can get some paint on her. The instrument panel on this kit is nothing more than a decal.....no IP to put it on, just some partial tabs on each side wall of the fuselage witha big gap in between the tabs. Would have looked pretty hoky so I decided to leave it out as the canopy is a one piece affair and will be closed up. Anyway, here she is thus far. Should make it before the deadline. Thanks, "Q"

You have a speed build going there Matthew!
Great entries Luciano. Thanks for representing 1:144th scale
There are now 22 Aces in the Officers Club.
Only a few more days to go everyone.
No requests for extensions yet
Nige

Here's one.


I got my 109 glossed but no decals on yet. I'm not gonna make it for the official deadline.

I knew there would be at least one
Ok heres the official line on extensions.
When the campaign finishes I will award the ribbons asap.
If a modeller has enlisted before the campaign finishes, ie Sunday 30th November and posts finished photos in the Aces High Gallery before Christmas I will award a ribbon also.

Does that sound fair everyone?

Nige

Sounds good to me.

Fair enough. "Q"

Getting close! Shot the paint today. It will take some time for it to dry as its Xtracolor enamel. Goes on nice and glossy, but takes forever to dry or at least it did the last time I used this stuff many years ago. Hopefully I should be able to move on with her tonight. Thanks, "Q"

Think I'll work onthe C-46 while she dries...

I was going to be finished on time but I ended up in bed with the flu for most of this week and will be busy out of town until Sunday night! There is a slim chance that I'll get the Yak's gear mounted and sufficient weathering by Monday, but the extension is greatly appreciated!

Decals for Ding Hao! Using the kit decals and they are stubborn, but laying down after a few passes with the solvaset and others. I think I painted my stripes a little too wide. Oh well, not too bad I guess. Not much left to do and she'll be complete. Thanks, for looking. "Q"