Lone Star Models has sent us a general "how to" for kit masters and a projected release list for 2014.

"Somewhere in this block of wood is a model airplane!

I must confess I have adult ADD, more commonly referred to as AMS, or Advanced Modelers Syndrome. I no sooner begin a project than I start another. It usually happens when I am looking for information on something I am currently working on and I see an interesting photo or illustration that sparks my interest. It is so bad I have a stack of "I sure want to build this" folders ,each containing information, photos, drawings etc. on many new projects. The stack is over a foot tall! They range from simple small projects like a conversion part to complete kits. Below is just such a project. I was trying to finish up the O2U -1 and R4D projects a week ago when I opened my Bugatti race plane folder.

This plane was a one of, built right before WWII began. It miraculously survived and is now housed at the EAA museum in Oshkosh Wisconsin. At one time I planned to make it in 1/48 but to date there have been at least 3 released by others in that scale. Since it is not a very large airplane I went with 1/32.

Below is step one: layout the Old School way. I enlarged some drawings to 1/32 and lightly glued them onto a piece of Bass.

Here it is! Some drawings differ on what the exhausts look like so I am supplying both. The vertical tail surfaces are in a "V" configuration and have not yet been made at the time of the photo. The kit will include an interior and metal landing gear.

To get to this point in the model took me about 12 hours. Once primed I will add the control surface details ,a few panel lines, and some miscellaneous details. This kit is planned to be available in the late first quarter of 2014. Price in the $60.00 range.

Below are a few of the items I plan to release in the first quarter of 2014. First image is a 1/48 Goppingen GO-9 experimental pusher. The kit has white metal landing gear with everything else in resin and decals are included.

Next is a 1/48 Model T Mail Truck conversion for the RPM Model T Ambulance which I just saw in the recent Squadron Mail Order Flyer, has been re-released. 12 resin parts and decals plus some WWI vintage paper recruiting posters.

1/48 Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk. Resin, white metal and decals included. Figure is just for scale.

1/32 Curtiss Hawk III The export model of the BF2C-1 used by Thailand and China . The conversion includes a new wider chord cowling and three blade prop. For use with the old Hasegawa 1/32 scale kit.

1/72 Bassler BT-67 conversion. Includes extra length for fuselage, turboprops, new wing tips, and engines plus a small sheet of decals . Decals include markings for the US Forest Service, Bassler Aero and Bolivia.

1/32 Heath Baby Bullet race plane. Resin kit with a few white metal parts and decals. This is a very simple model and would make a great first resin kit.

1/48 B57-A conversion for the Airfix B-57 kit. All new nose section with interior new canopy wheel well and decals for a couple of Arkansas Air National Guard aircraft . One of which is pictured here.

The O2U Corsair and R4D/ C-47 conversion are shipping after the holiday rush

There are more but they will be along in the 2nd quarter. Hope you were good this year and Santa will drop off a few hobby goodies in your stocking.
Mike"

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