November Virtual Meeting - with a twist

•  Well, we are back to virtual meetings again, hopefully only for November - fingers crossed.

We have had a good response this month but there is a twist in the tail - see later.

First off, we have the regular featured item. I don't like featuring my own models but I have no choice this month as they are the only ones that I can touch. Anyway, here goes - It's my Tamiya 1/35th Jadgpanther.

This was a very nice kit to make and went together as one would expect of a Tamiya kit except for --- The means of  loading up the fittings for the side skirts was, to my mind, indistinct and I ended up getting the on wrong, which meant that there are visible holes in the side skirts. It's a pity as the rest of the kit oooks really nice to my mind. I enjoy airbrushing the three colour camouflage. It takes a bit of planning with the wheels, etc. but it all got done nicely, except - I tried to fill the fitting holes for the side skirts and paint over the filler but it failed on one corner leaving a nasty smear. Oh well, there is always another kit I can mess up! Wait for it!!!

The Table

OK, lets go down the table. First off, Bill Banks brought along a partially completed Scammell Tank Transporter - I had a Dinky toy one of those when |I was a kid - grin.  This was his second attempt as he previously tried one of the tricky IBG kits but these are full of tiny parts and no fitting points. It seems that the Aurfix kit was a better bet and so it seems as he is nearly there. Bill was worried when he put a Churchill on the back that the scale seemed different but it appears to be correct.

I have been joshing with Colin as he hasn't had any models on the table for the last couple of months, which is not at all like him. Here is his response:

As we're all once again meeting on the internet, I've attached four photos of the reason why I had not put anything on the actual table at the past two Branch meetings. I finally finished this Catalina a couples of days ago - it is definitely not the world's best kit, but I did enjoy the build, despite the inaccuracies in the Revell instructions relating to the undercarriage doors, and some very vague instructions . (Their instruction sheets have improved but, in my opinion they still lag well behind those of Airfix, Eduard, and Tamiya for examples - and as for their ridiculous paint mix "recipes"... Why can't they give the correct names for the colours to be used?)

My model is of a PBY-5A Catalina amphibian of the US Navy Reserve, based at Glenview, Illinois, during 1947.

 

Next up we have my couple of models. I mentioned the Tamiya Jagdpanther earlier so here I have to tell of my efforts with the Italeri RAF F-35B in 1/72 scale. This was a very nice clean kit to put together but... 

I got quite caught up in following the instructions and Youtube videos, all of which place great score by the anti-radar markins all over the fuselage. However, once I got to see an actual RAF plane of reent times, it seems that all of this is very understated and I didn't need to paint all of the intricate patterns. It seems that I didn't need to use some of the decals as well. Still, overall, I am happy with the model. I painted it with the required dark grey but mixed in a little Vallejo metal color steel to give it the required metallic sheen.

John Ovenden's efforts have resulted in huge beast of a model. His offering this month is a Hongkong Models North American B-25 Mitchell in 1/32nd scale! 

He says "Here is my contribution to the next virtual meeting. 

MK Models B25-H Mitchell gunship in 1/32 scale. 

An excellent kit to put together no real problems. At this stage just waiting for Matt varnish to dry so I can weather in sepia ink.

I like the scale, like the detail, liked the build. It’s dear but would recommend. "

Back to old times with Pater Terry's monthly contribution. I will leave it to him to describe it:

Matchbox Lysander 1/72scale

"Pulling this kit from the stash was a big step back in time when Matchbox boxed there kits with excellent box art and the Lysander kit is no exception. This was not going to be a complex build in fact it was going to be nothing added nothing taken away with only one modification and that was drilling out the exhaust pipe.

This was a simple and enjoyable build with good positive fixing of parts of which the fitting of the wings to canopy was easy presenting no problems. I completed my my model in the markings of 16 squadron 1940, the historical not on the art work stated, "Lysander's of 16 SQN attacking a German motorised unit advancing on Dunkirk in May 1940" Given the fact that many sources claimed the RAF were no were to be seen during the Dunkirk operation Matchbox new what we now know is that the RAF were there and active! Well they do say modelling is holding history in your hands...."

 

 Last up is Peter Carlo with a couple of MiG-21 models. 

Peter says "Eduard MIG21

 Camouflaged MIG SMT. The Big Spine variant as used in Afghanistan.

 With the big spine came controllability problems so there were not very many built but they are an interesting shape.

 Silver MIG21 PFM. The best of the MIG family and shown as a Polish interceptor.

 The kits are Weekend and Profipak versions. The only real difference is that the Profipak has resin components, an etch brass cockpit, and three sets of decals.

 The Weekend edition (Ha Ha) has no etch and only one decal sheet; otherwise they are identical kits with interchangeable spine mouldings. They are both good kits but I will only purchase the Weekend editions in the future because of the price difference.

Well that's it for the virtual table.

The Competition

 I came up with an idea that I hoped would inspire everyone to contribute however only the usual suspects are represented so here goes: We would hold a competition whereby each entry would comprise of:

• A photo, or photos of your display area for completed models and
• A description of where you keep your stash.

I was careful not to request photos of the stash as I felt that some members may be overwhelmed with what they saw or might feel a little inadequate we might say. However, some brave souls gave me images which I might just find space for - smile.

This is what you do - read the entry comments and check out the images. Against each entry is a link for an e-mail. This e-mail has the owner noted so you just have to send the e-mail to vote for that entry. Voting for two will result in me coming back and asking for clarification. Voting for yourself is, of course, a no-no and the vote will be discarded. Here we go:

David Pennington

My models are all displayed in three cabinets in our bedroom (mother-in-law has taken my hobby room for now).

My stash comprises of just three kits - a partially built Airfix 1/72nd Phantom, a Revell 1/72nd scale Shackleton and a 1/48th scale Tamiya P-38.  I have provided a photo.

The children's fireman helmet has a back story but not for now.

To vote for David's entry click HERE

Vote for David

Bill Banks

HI DAVID MY COMPETITION ENTRY

1. MY STASH IS KEPT IN VARIOUS WARDROBES AND A CUPBOARD. THEY HAVE TO SPREAD AROUND AS I STILL HAVE MY LATE WIFES CLOTHING SHOES BAGS ETC AND DO NOT HAVE THE HEART TO DISPOSE OF THEM EVEN AFTER 6 YEARS. THUS THEY ARE IN MY WARDROBE AND 3 OF HERS.
2. I DO NOT DISPLAY MODELS AS FIRST I HAVE NO SHELF SPACE AND MY CONSTANT BATTLE WITH DUST PRECLUDE DUST MAGNETS AROUND. ANY I THINK WORTHY ARE DISPLAYED ON THE CLUB TABLE AT SHOWS, THEY ARE KEPT IN BOXES AND IN A CHEST OF DRAWERS IN MY HOBBY ROOM. SEE PHOTOS VIA I PAD

Vote for Bill

Colin Ovens

I have no display area for my models other than suitable bases placed on the tops of a pair of stereo speakers in my lounge, currently they're occupied by a Bristol Blenheim 1f and the newly completed Catalina. (I store all my completed models in large, deep stackable plastic storage boxes: the stack is now currently 12 boxes high - another stack will be started - as soon as I get some more boxes from The Range, after the lockdown, or in the New Year.)

 

With regard to the question of my stash: I like to think that it's held within a certain well known warehouse in Oulton Broad... though it's not yet paid for !!

Vote for Colin

 Jim Smetherham

Jim admits to  a stash of 12 models including 2 in the process of completing kept on the top shelf of a built in wardrobe. Jim says "I have Been in that state since lockdown 😜"

Completed models kept on shelf in rear of garage where my train layout is. 

Vote for Jim

Peter Terry

My entry for the competition is as follows,

 I display my completed models in Wham box storage boxes and bubble wrap. Good for storage and transporting.

My stash is in the loft plus one wardrobe, ready use stack at hand by the modelling table (Further sites being considered !)

Vote for Peter

 Jeff Adams

For my completed models, I keep them in my workshop, which is in the garden. A lot of them are in air-tight, Tupperware containers for protection. However, I also have some display cabinets which were made some years ago by a local cabinet maker. I tend to keep my dioramas in these dust-proof cabinets, which are big enough for these large items.

I keep my stash in two places. first is in my garage. It is a stash of not only kits, but also spare parts and materials and solvents. The main stash of kits is in my loft and has the added benefit of providing extra insulation in the winter!

Vote for Jeff

John Ovenden

John's collection is partially on show and partially in plastic containers. He has a fairly large display!

Regarding his stash, he comments "My stash can be found in the loft (aircraft), in the back bedroom (armour) and in built in wardrobe (figures)

Vote for John

Peter Carlo

From the photos, Peter keeps his completed models on a coffee table in the living room! As he say, he must have a very tolerant wife.

Regarding his stash, he says "When the loft is full and the wardrobe as well you have to tuck them under the duvet!"

Vote for Peter

John Rose

John was away earlier this month so I purposely waited for him to return as I knew that hew would make a "large" contribution to the competition. He hasn't commented so we will let the images speak for themselves.

I know that I said that no images of the stash were required but most people have provided them anyway. Here goes:

Vote for John

Terms and Conditions (grin)

Not really, just that 

1. You can only vote once
2. You can't vote for yourself
3. Last date for entries is 30th November 2020

Pick the entry that you like. Click on the "Vote For" link, sign the e-mail and send it. I will then collate the answers, announce the winner and send him a £10.00 Hannants voucher courtesy of club funds.

Until the results are in ---- David

A Quiet meeting

 Well, we were making plans for 6 in a room with two rooms  but, in the end, it turned out that we could all meet in the usual room. There were only 8 of us for a quiet night.

Let's start with my feature video - this time it is one of  Peter's Starfighters.

(Use the [] full screen option)

Crispen was here with his usual eclectic choice of kits. This time, he had an RB Models Stuart M5A1 Late boxing to show us all. This is a 1/16th scale model so, as usual, Crispen is going for it - LARGE! - grin. We only have the box top for now.

Nearly everyone that had a model brought two along (except Bill who talked about the second one:-) so Crispen's second helping was a WIP Meng 1/9th scale Kawasaki Ninja H2R. This is a snap together, pre-painted kit which, according to Crispen, goes together very nicely.

Bill Banks has completed his Harrier GR3 in 1/48th scale.

His next target is an AIG Scammell Pioneer SV/2S in 1/72nd scale. This is one of Airfix's legacy kits so could be fun!

Peter Carlo brought along two 1/48th scale aircraft - a Kittyhawk Sukhoi 17/22, which was nicknamed "Jelly Legs" and a Revell BAe Tornado F3.

The Sukhoi fuselage is comprised of 6 pieces - no doubt to allow other versions - but with some care Peter got it all to fit very nicely. It also had a complete engine which is now in the 'I can't see it but I know it is there' category. The undercarriage is very finely moulded but see the following video for the effect of this and why it got its nickname.

Peter's other model was a more conventional Revell build.  

John Ovenden brought along a major work which started of easy but ended up a major task. He purchased a kit of a Russian truck being pushed by some troops. Seeing this and wondering what to do with it, he got hold of a Russian horse drawn gun with support team and put together a lovely diorama showing the oft-times forgotten benefit of horse-drawn when the going gets muddy!

Spring Thaw

Peter Terry treated us to yet another of his splendid collection of F104-G Starfighters. This one is a 1/72nd scale Revell boxing. Peter has made this as a Canadian AF aircraft by using some 40 year old decals.

He also brought along an Airfix 1/72nd scale North American B-25-2 Mitchell in RAF colours. He has used a standard Olive Drab overlaid with touches of faded Olive Drab and then some pastels to get a nice weathered effect.

I am a bit concerned about Colin as this is the 2nd month when has not brought a model. We are looking forward to the next interesting plane from your stable, Colin!

Lastly, then, are my two contributions - one was the only figurine on the table just for once!

The figurine is a Nuts Planet 1/12th but of yet another Japanese fictitious Ninja Troll. This is Onibi. She has a copper skin and a flame on the end of one arm!

My second item was an Eduard 1/48th scale Hawker Tempest Vb Series2. This would have been a great model to make if Eduard hadn't over engineered everything - using 5 parts where one would do. I had to do a major reconstruction of the cockpit as some of the structural parts were so thin that they broke very easily. I also managed to break the tail wheel off so I had to re-drill the hole - leave the plane sitting a bit low at the back. However, I was very pleased with it. BTW, I did NOT use all the tiny warning, etc. decals as there isn't enough time left in my life for activities such as that- grin.

That's about it for this month. Next month looks a bit suspect due to further lockdowns but here is hoping that we can all get together as usual.

David Pennington

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