Stephen,

My "secret" is Floquil bright silver and old silver. They're easy to use and dry nice and hard.

I'm proclaiming victory on the MiG-21, I have successfully decaled, including stencils, the entire airframe. Now I just have to build and decal the rocket pods and stick on the fiddly bits.





While all those stencils can drive one crazy, I'll admit they really add to the look of the model.

Michael

I've heard a lot of good things about Floquil paints but haven't been able to find a UK stockist. I now only have 2 model shops in my local area. One right next to where I work, but only carries a limited stock of Humbrol enamel and another a few towns out who carries Humbrol enamel and acrylic and Tamiya acrylic and sprays. Leaves me a bit limited on what paints I can get my hands on.

I managed to get a bit more done on both models this weekend.
First off, the Mossie. The fusleage and wings are finished and ready for the next stages. The nose needed a lot of filler to blend it all in and get a clean airframe.

I also cleaned up the undercarriage and painted the wheels. The legs are very delicate and needed a lot of care to sort out. They are then glued into the nacelles before they then attach to the wings. While it makes a fairly strong unit, its not a method I like as it can lead to breakages during the rest of assembly and painting.

And finally the Lightning.

Cockpit is more or less assembled. I stuck the instrument panel to a piece of plasticard to make it stronger and have a backing for the hollowed out dials. The ejector seat was a joy to work with. Just needed a quick file to remove the pour stub and then glued the 2 pieces together. I made a firing handle from thin wire. They just need a spraying with primer and then I can start painting those. The 2-part wings are together after filling in the annoying ejector pin marks and so are the overwing fuel tanks.


Stephen

Nice work Stephan!

Well, here's the MiG. I freely admit a couple of issues, the static dischargers and the odd rods on top of the tail. The odd rods went AWOL and the dischargers just weren't happening. Nevertheless, here it is, the Eduard 1/48 MiG-21SMT, 296 IAP:





And here are the Yak and the MiG together:



Thanks for looking and nice campaign everyone! Don't forget to post your finished builds in the gallery .

Michael

Hi All, I'm in with a pair of Thunderbolts, nice builds everybody, and really Jessica do You ever sleep?

Looking forward to seeing them. Nice to know I'm not the only one doing a speed build!

You guys can do it, I have faith!

Michael

Have no fear Michael I'm not about to give up. Been working on the Mossie's undercart the last few nights and I now have that sorted. Its the only part of the kit that is an absolute pain in the derriere. Also did some painting of the Lightning's cockpit. I've got a couple of weeks off work starting this weekend so I'll be knuckling down and getting them finished.

We can Do it!!!!!

Afraid I had more going on this week that I'd hoped. Damn these holidays, always something needs doing around the house! Anyway I got the Mossie assembled and ready for paint, and the Lightnings fuselage is buttoned up. Had to do some trimming to get the etch cockpit to fit but got there in the end. No nasty surprises in the fit of the fuselage halves which is flawless and no gaps. Pretty good for a kit that was tooled when Lightnings were still in service. I also found out that the lovely white metal ejector seat I planned to use is the wrong type for a Lightning! The seat is an Martin Baker Mk.3 used in the Hunter and Javelin. I needed a Mk.4 seat. I good rummage in the spares box turned up a Mk.4 from a Trumpeter Lightning. Basic, but it will do the job.



On holiday down in Hastings next week but I'll get back on with them when I return. It is however increasingly unlikely that I will meet the deadline.
Bets of luck to everyone else.
Stephen

Only 13 days left everyone, time to go to afterburner!

Michael

Afterburner engaged, luckily both kits have nice fitting and don't require a lot of filling and sanding.

Starting the painting:-

Almost There!!!!!!!

Four more days everyone. Richard and Gonzalo, you're very close. Do you think you're going to make it? Stephen? Anyone else?

Michael

Hi Michael
I am on target to complete by the 30th!

Didn't get back home till late on Friday night. Not had a chance to get to the workbench yet, but I'm not giving up on this. I'll stick at it but not going to reach the deadline.

Hi Michael,excellent build, love that shinning Mig
On target for the 30th, P-47 done and A-10 almost done.

Hi all!
My Wimpy is complete and the CF-18 requires a few more decals to complete my then and now entry, looks like it will 2nd may Canadian time before 100% complete I hope that's ok?

Can't speak for the date, Richard, but, I can say 'Wow!!!'. I only hope you'll treat us with more than just one photo.
They're looking mighty fine.

Hi Ben
More photos soon, I will display them together with an extra detail common to both AC.
life/work keeps getting in the way!

I'm willing to hold off a few days. Looks great!

Michael

Thank you!

Gonzalo, awesome work on the P-47. The nose art is very nicely done.
Richard, the Wellington and Hornet are looking great. I never would've guessed that they were both roughly the same length!

Life has really gotten in the way of any modelling this week, but I will keep everyone posted as the builds continue.

Hi All!
It's still the 30th April over here in eastern Canada!
First photo is of the 425 squadron badge:-

The badge is derived from the squadron nick name "Alouette"' and the motto from a French Canadian folk song.
425 squadron was formed in Yorkshire, England in June of 1942 and was designated as the'First French Canadian Squadron".
The Lark emblem - "Les Alouettes" the motto- "Je te Plumerai" means "I shall pluck you"
The next photo is of the Vickers Wellington Mk III of 425 squadron,aircraft KW-E x3763 was lost in a raid on Stuttgard in April 1943.

425 squadron was decommissioned in 1945.
Reactivated in 1954 at St-Hubert, Quebec with CF-100 then CF-101 Voodoo.
In 1985 the squadron was re-equipped with CF-18 Hornets.
The model in the next photo is in the markings for AC 767 during -`Operation Mobile Libya 2011

Both models are 1:72 and you can see how thw two compare size wise


Thank you Michael for an interesting campaign,I enjoyed doing the research and tracking down the models and decals.