Now I can join the fray. I'm doing Roden's VC-118 right out of the box. And since we've just had a good look inside the box, let's get right to work.

The kit is very reminiscent of the DC-7 I did last Summer, but a little more refined. The fit is better so far, and Roden remembered to give us a nose wheel mount this time. I didn't need to do nearly as much work tweaking the wings and fuselage to fit together as I did with the DC-7, but I did use the Miliput and finishing nails noseweight technique again. Now on to the pictures.


The wings clicked into place, and even without glue I can see that the fit problems are going to be much less severe.

Jessica! I'll have to try one of these one day. Even if the scale is small they do get a bit more substantial than my MiGs and Drakens!



Magnus

This build is going much more smoothly than the DC-7 did. I've got all the major parts on the model now, and the first coat of putty is on as well. As can be seen, the fit isn't exactly perfect, but it's far superior to the DC-7's.

My next update will be of two finished MiGs!



More about it in the build blog.



Magnus

The first coat of primer is on. There is still some cleanup to do, especially around the engines which haven't had any filler yet, but it's very much better than the DC-7 was (I'll bet you're getting tired of hearing that).

On to the pictures:


The engines, without any filler:

So, I'm calling this one finished! What a challenging little bird! The fit on this Dragon kit was okay, nothing spectacular, and gave me a few challenges. As always it's difficult to handle such a little kit without breaking something. I managed to put a fine hairline crack down the middle of the canopy, but after a dip in future it's hardly noticeable. Paint went on well, freehand Model Master Acryls. It was a fun build but I think I'd like better guidance on a kit than microscopic sketches on the back of the box! HAHA! Next time I'll try Revell's version...

Hi all
calling this one done,


I'm getting into these wee 1/144 kits,I picked this set from a show for £7 and the detail is stunning!!

Great campaign Paul,there are some lovely builds on here.
Andy

Great build Andy! You should talk to Littorio about the flight stands he gets for his in-flight builds. I'm more of a gear down builder but he's built entire squadrons of in-flight 1/144. He knows his way around the aftermarket for braile scale too. He's always my go to guy for yhe questions I have. Post some pics of that duo kit, can't wait to see 'em!!

Andy, really nice build and paint, but I'd junk the F-14 in the Dragon box and go out and buy the Revell one's (F-14A Black bunny or VF-84 or the F-14D NOT the other boxing which is an old mould) you will not look back once you have. The F-18 is a nice kit though and the extra weapons always come in handy for the spares box.

Ray, why thank you sir.

First for Andy a picture of a project I'm working on


And now for my campaign entry progress:

This is one of the pair that come in the Eduard boxing of the Me-262A-1a the other is being used in a different campaign.

After a busy time at work and with the horse I finally found my way back to the bench today, only got it primed but thats another step down

Okay, I just signed up for this build. I have picked to do a FM-2 Wildcat from SWEET models.


http://sweetaviationmodels.com/FM2Ghostbox1.jpg

Here's a quick update on the little progress that I have made on the F-15J. After finishing up the modified cockpit, I was about to seal up the fuselage when I noticed that the inlets have no blanking plates to prevent "see through". I cut up some plastic sheet and made my own blanking plates. Here's a photo of them inserted into one of the fuselage halves.


I also noticed that this kit has a very odd fin at the top of the fuselage right behind the cockpit. I marked it using a black pen in this photo.


This was easy to remove with a sanding stick. Now it's on to putting the big pieces together and making it look more like an Eagle!
Have fun modeling!
Mike

Well my 6 models in 1 is done!
I present the Tb-3 Zveno!!

Whoooo Peter, that is soooooo cool,I've never seen one of these before

I've finished!





A few more photos and my conclusions about the build can be found in the build blog. Now I just have to deliver the article that I've promised Michal !



Magnus

Those are terriffic little kits Magnus. I'm glad you got them done

The VC-118 is getting near done as well. All that remains are the paint, decals, landing gear and props.

Hi Folks,

I must just say the builds so far are really impressive, some of the detail and paintwork is to be commended, well done to all.
My small contribution is the Revell Harrier GR3.

I found this campaign quite a challenge as a) the size of the things and b) they had wings.



Having said all that I may try and do another one.

Cheers
Keith

A nice start Keith.
Practise makes perfect so they say. And doing another will refine your skills and build your confidence to try new techniques.
Worth thinking about getting some magnifying g;asses/loupes to help with the smaller bits.

regards
Peter

Wow! Beautiful build, Peter. Looks very cool. Now go do it in 1/32 scale

Very nice MiGs, Magnus. the color schemes are great.

I plan to start my F-4 Phantom in a couple of weeks. more to follow.

I have now made enough progress on this build so that it looks like an Eagle now! Here are the major components of the fuselage assembled and a first shot of primer added.



It turns out that I was not as careful as I thought or parts shifted when drying when adding the front fuselage to the rear section. I have a wee bit of misalignement with the front part of the fuselage that will need some repair. Also, the primer does highlight quite a few small seems and not too perfect joints. A bigger problem with this kit is that in many places the heavy panel lines do not match up between sections. I did not notice this until I shot the primer coat. I think that this might be a general problem with the kit mold rather than this particular kit.

While I am working on fixing the main fuselage, I should be able to work onthe other subassemblies like landing gear, vertical stabilizers, stores, etc.

Have fun modeling!
Mike

My build will be the Academy 1/144 F-4F Phantom II in Luftwaffe markings.

I started on my build today. An hour later the main construction was finished. A fast build if there ever was one

More to follow

hi all,
sorry i've not been around...life ! :-)

the finished builds from

magnusf
sellsword
torchy
pbhawkin
kayell

are all fantastic, really really good

and the others are all coming along nicely, the standard here is really high.

my own are at the "painting the camo" stage, pix soon.

keep up the good work everyone.

paul

Hi Jasper, I am building the same kit. I found the pilot tube very fragile so I replace it with steel wire. What colors will you use for the greys?

Here's my progress:

I have been working on a 727 for this campaign, but recently Ive gotten immersed in a slightly different airliner, so Ill be reporting on both.
This is a Welsh models vacuform kit of a Hawker Siddeley 748.

Air Marshall Islands flew 748s on daily routes from 1983 until about 2007, I believe.

This is my first ever vacuform kit, I started it a few days ago. Got a few pieces cut out today, and a wing made.