Homepage Text - August 2009

Monday,    Aug 31  2009

  Malaysia National Day 

  Trinidad and Tobago National Day 

In case you missed it.....there was a big Turkish update on ARC yesterday.

I tried to get this update finished hours ago but I was sidetracked with some minor computer problems.  But here it is.....the special 2009 Malaysian update.  Thanks to all those that sent in articles today.  
Happy Merdeka 2009 everyone.

KH Lee get this special update started with this 1/144 Revell BAe 146This is a “What if” Malaysian private airline and the very attractive artwork/decals were home made.

KH Lee joins us today with the tiny 1/144 Trumpeter SU-34.  This little Sukhoi is finished in Malaysia Air Force markings.

Enghui has done a lovely job on this 1/48 Italeri C-13H.  This model was built for a friend and is posed as an in-flight model and decked out in Malaysian markings.

Thomas Ng is also hare with a 1/72 Heller Mirage IIIO with a  Australian connection.  Thomas gave his Mirage added detail in the cockpit before finishing it off with a great looking camo scheme complete with a diorama base and Australian patch. 

CK Loo has done an exceptionally nice weathering job on this 1/48 Hasegawa Nakajima Ki 43-I Hayabusa (OSCAR).  Read the trick used for the paint chipping........it is a very simple and easy to use technique.  The paint work is beautifully done.

Brian “Mr B” Param joins us with his 1/32 Kinetic Avon Sabre Conversion.  Brian added cockpit detailing before giving his ex-RAAF Avon Sabre a realistic looking chipped paint job.  

Thomas Ng has been busy building his 1/72 Hunter & Canberra – Operation Confrontation, both have Malaysian connections.  The hunter is finished in RAF markings and the Canberra is wearing RNZAF colours.  Nicely done Thomas. 

Brian Param and Thomas Ng are here today with their 1/48 DH Venom & Vampire – Operation Firedog, both have connections to the early days of Malaysia.  The bare metal Vampire by Thomas is finished in RAF markings and the Venom by Brian is wearing RNZAF markings and camo.  Both look excellent.   

KH Lee had a somewhat challenging time building the 1/144 Airfix  DH Comet 4.  Home made decals were used to make this a Malaysian Airways Comet.  The Comet is a pretty cool looking jet airliner.

Sunday,   Aug 30  2009

  Turkey Victory Day 

  Kyrgyz Republic National Day 

Baran Cakmak starts this special Turkish update with this wonderful looking 1/48 Esci F-104S.  This one has a very realistic looking camo paint job and is finished off in Turkish Air Force - TuAF markings. 

M.Tarik Soylu  is here from Turkey on this special update with this 1/72 Revell F-4E.  There are scratchbuilt details added and the "Black Hawk" paint scheme is a special scheme for the farewell of TuAF 172.Squadron. 

Sabri Sencer has created a perfect looking bare metal finish on this 1/72 Academy F-84G Thunderjet in TuAF markings. The decals for this Thunderjet are home made.

Murat Yağan has done a great job building and finishing his 1/48 Hasegawa Spitfire MkIXc.  This good looking Spitfire was finished with Polish markings. 

Ilyas Orhan has done an amazing job finishing his 1/72 Italeri F-5A Freedom Fighter.  The bare metal finish is weathered and finished in Turkish markings.

Zafer Yakar joins us with his beautifully done1/72 Italeri H-19B Chickasaw in TuAF markings.  The nose and cargo door are open to show the detail. 

H.Nejat Arta has done an expert job finishing and weathering this 1/48 Revell F-4F.  I love the artwork on the tail of this Turkish Phantom. 

Murat Yagan is here with a seond model today.  This is the 1/48 Tamiya P-51D Mustang finished off in the very well known markings of the Blue Nosed Bastards.  A lovely looking Mustang with a very well done bare metal finish. 

Zafer Yilmaz joins us from Turkey with his 1/48 Tamiya Fw190A-3a3.  This is one of the more interesting fighters used by Turkey and I love how well this one looks.  Zafer dressed up the cockpit with Eduard PE seatbelts and then used Turquise decals to get the proper markings.

Saturday,    Aug 29  2009

  Slovakia National Day 


Friday,   Aug 28  2009

  Polish (Military) Aviation Day 

Hugo Cabral gets things started today with a most amazing diorama.  This is his 1/48 Signifer G-44 Widgeon which is a very well done resin model, but you must have a close look at the water behind the aircraft......it looks fantastic.

Warren Osborne has revived an old project.  This is his 1/32 Revell Mig21MF with some scratchbuilt cockpit detail and finished in the markings for the Former East German Air Force.  Warren also gave his MiG weathering to add realism. 

Hal Marshman Sr has been busy building his 1/48 Hasegawa Bf-109K-4 in a late war camo scheme.  Hal added detail in all the important places before giving his 109 one of his first class paint jobs.

Heico van der Heide has been busy building the 1/48 Italeri F-22 Raptor.  Heico used some metallic to try to get that special sheen that is on the F-22......I like the finished model......it looks very good.  This F-122 also has a full weapons load.  

I have a review of the new 1/72 Su-15 Flagon wheels & paint masks from Aires.

I have a review of the new 1/72 P-47 Thunderbolts - Part 3 decal sheet from Barracudacals.  This decal sheet provides markings for three P-47D Thunderbolts.  Each of these aircraft includes noseart including one with sexy noseart.  


Thursday,   Aug 27  2009

 Moldova National Day 

Vince Lucente begins today with one of the more colourful F-16s.  This is his 1/48 Tamiya General Dynamics F-16 built out of the box to a very high level of quality. 

Armin KNES has been very busy building his Russian Project - 1/48 Mil Mi-8MT.   Armin spent over 200 hours on this project doing kit bashing and scratchbuilding to make it possible to build this model.

Paolo Yuen joins us today with his very small WW2 Aircraft carrier.  This is his 1/700 Aoshima WWII HMS Illustrous loaded with additional detail sets and scratchbuilt details and then given one of those camo patterns that was common during WW2... 

Marat Sharapov has done some very special work on this 1/48 Tamiya P-47D Thunderbolt.  Improvements include lights behind the gauges and a spinning prop.  You have got to check out the instrument panel with the lights on. 

I have a review of the new 1/72 P-40B/C Warhawk Exhaust from QuickBoost.

I have a review of the new 1/72 NATO Flying Training Centre Hawk decal sheet from Leading Edge Models This sheet is also available in 1/48. 

Wednesday,   Aug 26  2009 
No update today.

Tuesday,    Aug 25  2009

  Uruguay Independence Day 

Theodore Tan begins your Tuesday update with his 1/48 Hasegawa F-16C SpitCon or FalFire.  This is the famous Belgian F-16 with the Spitfire painted on its back.  Theodore handpainted the Spitfire on his F-16 with excellent results.   

Doug Fede has done a gorgeous job building and finishing his 1/48 Italeri AH-1D Huey Slick. Doug finished his Huey in markings for the 7th Air Cav. as it would appear during the Vietnam War.  He then made a diorama base to display his Huey on.

Serge Dompierre is here with his 1/48 Otaki Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat that he built long ago.  Serge finished his Hellcat in the markings for an Ace with VF-6 onboard USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in February 1944.

Ian Cooper joins us today with his very well done 1/48 Hobby Boss A-10A.  Ian built his A-10 as it appeared in East Anglia in 1986.  Ian did a super job on the panel lines and then added a centre line fuel tank and an ALQ pod to complete his A-10. 

I have a review of the new 1/72 F/A-18E Tophatters 2008-2009 markings from Hobby DecalThis decal set uses a combination of regular decals and dry transfers.  This decal set gives you the choice of 5 different F/A-18E with the  Tophatters from 2008-2009.

I have a review of the new 1/72 Bf 109K Exhaust resin set from QuickBoostThese exhausts are hollowed out.


Monday,    Aug 24  2009

  Ukraine National Day 

Tony Curtis gets things started today with his first article on ARC.  This is his very well done 1/48 Academy P-47N "Aloha Bolt" done up in markings for a Thunderbolt with a Hawaiian connection.  I do like how this one turned out and I look forward to seeing more of Tony's models on ARC in the future.  Welcome to ARC Tony!!! 

Artur Oslizlo has been busy detailing and weathering his 1/48 MiG-15 Trumpeter.  Artur added Eduard PE, Aires resin engine and some Part PE and then finished it all off with a very realistic weathering job..

Matthew G. has done a great job building and finishing his 1/48 Revell-Monogram B-17G Flying Fortress.  Matthew chose to build this older kit out of the box in the markings for "Chow Hound" with the classic paint scheme worn by this well known Fort as it fought in the daytime skies over Europe.  Matthew finished it off with weathering for added realism.

Micah Reysio-Cruz joins us from Manila with his diorama entitled The Hornet's Nest: Manila, 1945.  This article tells the family story of the battle for control of Manila as the American forces drove the Japanese from the city.  It's a very interesting story of escape and the diorama is also VERY well done.

I have a review of the new 1/72 F/A-18C exhaust nozzles - opened from Aires.  

I have a review of the new 1/72 "Working the Sands" decal sheet from Wolfpak Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 11 different 1/72 scale aircraft and most of them with artwork of some sort. 

Saturday,    Aug 22  2009

Beginning of Ramadan the Muslim month of fasting


Friday,   Aug 21  2009 
Harv gets today started with his Grave Digger F-14 Tomcat.  Harv painted most of the markings on his Tomcat to match the paint scheme of the Grave Digger Monster truck.  The airbrushing of the artwork on this model is very well done. 

David Rapasi has done an exceptionally nice job finishing and weathering his 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109 K-4.  David gave his 109 just the perfect amount of shading on the paint job to add realism.  This is a very attractive camo scheme. 

Michael Katz is here today with his first article on ARC.  This is his very well done 1/48 Revell A-10 Thunderbolt II with a full weapons load and added detailing.  Michael then mounted his A-10 in a in-flight diorama as it would appear on a  mission.  I like it.  Welcome to ARC Michael!!! 

Shawn "Phantom" Weiler is here with one of the better looking Herc camo schemes.  This is his 1/72 AMT CC-130E Hercules finished in Canadian markings.  Shawn built this Herc for one of the Group builds here on ARC.  I love the job Shawn did on the camo. 

Jael Taillefer aka "Neo" has done a first class job building and finishing this 1/48 Revell F-4J Phantom II.  This is not the best fitting kit, but that didn't stop Jael from getting it looking just right.

I have a review of the new 1/72 MiG-21 MF/bis/SMT Air Intake from QuickBoost.

Thursday,   Aug 20  2009

  Hungary National Day 

No update today due to summertime family activities.

Wednesday,   Aug 19  2009

Dieppe Raid 1942

No update on Thursday due to summertime family activities.

Here's the latest Hot Babe of the Week! photos from Twobobs New Hot Babe of the Week this week are pics of some Hoovers from VS-22. The Checkmates were the last squadron to fly the Hoover in combat and Jose "Fuji" Ramos has graciously provided pics for this week. Look for these markings to be released soon. Last of the Hoovers!

Eduardo Arguijo joins us from Guatemala with his very well done 1/72 Testors AC-119K.   Eduardo added seatbelts to dress up the cockpit and painted his AC-119K in Vietnam era markings and then gave it postshading for added realism.

Rafi Ben-Shahar is here with not one but two of his 1/48 Trimaster Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a.  I tip my hat to Rafi for being able to complete two of these Trimaster 262's. 

Hoa Long has some very impressive 1/72 VNAF Chinook & A-37 digital Art Work.  Hoa tells the story of the Chinook and the A-37 and the mission they flew together.

Gonzalo D. Mendoza has been busy building his 1/48 Hasegawa AV-8B.  Gonzalo added a full weapons load to finished this very realistic looking Harrier.  I like how it turned out.

I have a review of the new 1/72 Mistel 1 conversion set version 2 from Aires

I have a review of the new 1/48 P-47 Thunderbolts - Part 3 decal sheet from from from BarracudacalsAll 3 aircraft have noseart including one with sexy noseart. 

Tuesday,    Aug 18  2009

  Afghanistan Independence Day 

This weeks Twobobs Newsletter is upThis is the last newsletter before the US Nationals begins in a  few days.   Twobobs will be debuting eight new decal sheets at the show as well as having preview images of the T-2C Buckeye kit.  Twobobs will be offering a 10% discount at their booth on their products.  There will be a raffle sponsored by Twobobs, Twomikes and Microscale for some pre-loaded Visa cards .  15 cards will be won during the convention and tickets are $1.00/ea.  There will be no Twobobs party this year.....but that party will return next year.  Drop by Bob's booth and say "Hi".  

Eric Hargett has done a fabulous job detailing, finishing and weathering his 1/48 Hasegawa F-104C Starfighter.  Eric tells the history of the Starfighter in South East Asia.  Eric gave his F-104 a impressive weathering job and finished it off with noseart and US markings.

Theodore Tan has dropped by today with his very nicely done 1/72 Esci Fokker F27.  Theodore changed a few things on the kit to make it more accurate and then gave it the bright markings of the Philippine Air Force Maritime Patrol markings.

Osni Vieira Junior joins us from Brazil with a very interesting 1/48 Gloster Meteor F-8 GIIC.  This Brazilian Air Force plane is painted in a special scheme honouring German WW2 Ace IIGM, Major Walter "Nowi" Nowotny.  It's good to see a model of this special Meteor.

Carlos Reyes has done an outstanding job finishing his baremetal 1/48 Hasegawa P-38.  Carlos chose to finish his P-38 in the Virginia Marie markings with the sexy noseart and the blue accents on the baremetal finish.  This is a very attractive P-38.

I have a review of the new 1/72 IL-2 Stormovik Stabilizer from from from QuickBoost.

I have a review of the new 1/48 Hard Corps Scooters decal sheet from MAW Decals This decal sheet includes 3 different USMC Skyhawks.


Monday,    Aug 17  2009

  Gabon Independence Day 

  Indonesia Independence Day 

Just a small update today.  I was busy all day Sunday at a car show and didn't have a chance to work all day Sunday to get articles made up.  I'll get some content made up today and get back to larger updates on Tuesday.

Brian Param a.k.a Mr B is here to honour the Indonesia Independence Day 1/48 Hasegawa A-4 E TNI-AU.  Brian did some kit bashing to get things right and then finished it off with one of the more attractive camo schemes I've seen.  Nicely done Brian.   

Saturday,    Aug 15  2009

  India Independence Day 

  Congo National Day 

  Republic of Korea National Day 

Polly Singh gets this special India Independence Day update with his beautifully done 1/24 Trumpeter Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC.  Polly has included the fascinating story behind a very important leader in the Indian Air force.....it's well worth reading.  Darn fine job on the Hurricane Polly. 

Murli Rajan isa also here in a  big way today to honour India with his great looking 1/48 Academy MiG-21bis.  I love the look of the camo on this MiG-21.

Murli Rajan is here with his in-flight 1/48 Academy Su-27UB (Su-30MK1).  Murli gave it the grey and blue camo and full weathering before posing in on a  stand as an in-flight model.  I really like the look of this one.

Leonard Prakasam has done a gorgeous job building and finishing his  1/72 Revell Mirage 2000 H.  Leonard added a full weapons load and finished his Mirage in the rare light brown and dark green camo scheme.

Murli Rajan explains in his article what is required to build an accurate 1/72 Italeri Bae Hawk Mk100 (132) as used by the Indian Air Force. Murli gave his Hawk a beautifully done weathering job to give it more realism.

Murli Rajan finishes up this Indian update with his 1/144 Boeing 737 (P8-I Poseidon).  Murli did the correct mods to build an Indian version of this aircraft.  A perfect end to this special Indian update.   Jai Hind

Friday,   Aug 14  2009

  Pakistan Independence Day 

Stuart Saville starts today with his Blue Nosed 1/48 Dragon P-51K.  Stuart used no aftermarket detail items and preferred to build his Mustang out of the box.  He built his P-51 with opened the gun bays and engine compartment, which shows off the wonderful and beautifully painted detail very well. 

Serge Dompierre joins us with another gem.  This is his 1/48 Hobbycraft F7U-3M Cutlass built out of the box in those colourful markings from an earlier era.

Paul joins us from Russia with his beautifully detailed and weathered 1/35 Academy MH-60L.  Paul gave his MH-60L a fully weathered finish to complete this beauty.

Burt Gustafson has done an exceptionally fine job building his 1/48 Tamiya F-84G Thunderjet.  Burt used Alclad to get a perfect bare metal finish and then gave it very colorful markings to finish it off.

Zotz Decals has a new A6M5 'Gekitsuio' aircraft decal sheet coming out.  This sheet will be available in 1/48 and 1/32.  Click the image to see a larger version.

I have a review of the new 1/72 P-38J Lightning Correct Air Intakes from QuickBoostThese are designed for the for Academy kit.

I have a review of the new 1/48 Sk35C Draken 2 seater conversion by Maestro Models Conversions from Rebell HobbyWow this is quite the set.

Thursday,   Aug 13  2009 
Todd Young is here with his first article on ARC.  Todd is just re-entering the hobby after a 10 year break.  This stunning 1/48 Hasegawa Corsair II A-7E diorama is titled "Last Minute Fix" VA-46 and was built 10 years ago. Welcome back to the hobby and ARC Todd.  I look forward to seeing more of your work on ARC in the future. 

Rafi Ben-Shahar has stepped out of his usual scale to build the 2 seater night fighter 1/72 Dragon P-38M Lightning.  Rafi has a very high opinion of this P-38 kit and the finished model is up to Rafi's very high standards. I like it!!!

Gabriel Hawk is one of the first people to build the 1/48 Academy F-22 Raptor.  Gabriel  built this great looking Raptor out of the box and then posed it in a  diorama. I do like the look of the finished model in the diorama.....everything looks just right. 

Michael Mou has done a wonderful job building and finishing his 1/72 Dragon Do335A12.  Michael gave his Do335 2 seat trainer paint chipping to add realism.

I have a review of the new 1/48 Junkers Ju 87D Stuka air coolers from AiresThese are the under the wing units, but you also get some PE parts for the chin radiator.. 

I have a review of the new 1/48 Hard Corps Scooters Part 2 decal sheet from MAW DecalsA very good variety of paint schemes on this decal sheet.


I have a review of the new 1/32 P-47 Thunderbolts Part 3 decal sheet from Barracudacals This new release provides markings for three P-47D Thunderbolts.  with noseart including one with sexy noseart.  

Wednesday,   Aug 12  2009 
David Rapasi starts today with his beautifully finished 1/48 Pro Modeler SB2C Helldiver.  David chose to build his Helldiver in USMC markings and then he gave it a very realistic weathering job. 

Manuel Negri is here today with his 1/48 Hasegawa F-104J.  Manuel finished his Starfighter in Japanese Self Defense Force markings.  He included many photo of the build process of his excellent Japanese F-104.

Harv has done an outstanding job building and detailing his 1/48 Academy CH-113 Labradors.  Harv added scratchbuilt details and then grabbed markings from various sheets to get the markings he needed to complete both of these Canadian choppers.

Alan Williamson is taking a break from aircraft today.  This is his 1/48 British Universal Carrier Mk.II given some weathering and finished it off in British markings. 

Zotz Decals has a new P-38 decal sheet coming out.  The P-38's on this decal sheet are loaded with noseart.....including some sexy noseart.  This sheet will be available in 1/32. Click the image to see a larger version.

I have a review of the new1/48 Spitfire Mk. IXc Cannon Barrels from QuickBoost.

I have a review of the new1/48 NATO Flying Training Centre Hawk from Leading Edge Models.


I have a review of the new1/32 German aircraft machine gun MG-131 barrels (2pcs) from Master.


Tuesday,    Aug 11  2009

  Chad Independence Day 

Juan Luis Daleney is here with his Bolivian Air Force 1/48 Revell F-86F Sabre.  This Sabre was given a very realistic looking bare metal finish by using 3 different shades of silver.  The finished model looks excellent.

Olaf Sprenger has done a wonderful job building and finishing his 1/48 Revell Spitfire Mk IXc.  Olaf finished his Spitfire in the markings of a late war RAF machine.

KNES Armin has been very busy kit bashing to create his 1/48 KoPro Suchoi Su-7 IG. Armin also did some scratchbuilding to create his swing wing Su-7 IG.  A very cool looking model of this very interesting aircraft.

Tigre del Aire is here with something to make the James Bond 007 fan grin.  This is his Scratch 1/72 The Little Nellie.  This model is unavailable in Colombia, so Tigre del Aire scratchbuilt it from pictures.  He also includes the real life story behind this famous auto-gyro and it Wing Commander designer/builder.

I have a review of the new 1/48 F-4 (Long nosed) Pitot Tube & AOA Probe set from Hobby DecalHobby Decal has a large assortment of metal detail parts for a variety of jets and I will features them all on ARC in the coming weeks.


I have a review of the new 1/32 F-16C block 30/40/50/60 exhaust nozzle from AiresThis set includes resin and photo etch parts.


I have a review of the new 1/72 Hunters Hornets & Strikes decal sheet from Wolfpak Decals This new decal sheet includes markings for 6 different 1/72 aircraft including an A-10, NEA-18G, F-15E, F-18C, WC-130Jand a C-141A. 

Monday,    Aug 10  2009

  Ecuador Independence Day 

Fabian Mario Vera gets your week started with his 1/48 Mirage Resin Models FMA IA-58 Pucara.  This special model is built from a resin kit and finished in the camo and markings for an Argentine IA-58 Pucara.  This look like quite the nice little kit to build.  

Bill Dedig has added quite a bit of resin items to his 1/48 Hasegawa F-16D.  Bill used resin from CMK, Black Box, Seamless Suckers (including resin cockpit, conformal fuel tank, and so much more).  He then finished off his Polish Viper with Twobobs decals with a flawless paint and weathering job.  

Steve Negley used old fashioned modelling skill to build his 1/32 Revell P-38J-10 Lightning.  Steve put effort into making sure all the parts fit well before he began building his P-38.  He also rescribed the panel lines and used aftermarket decals for a famous American Ace.  

Osni Vieira Junior joins us from Brazil with his 1/144 Minicraft Boeing 707-320 Beta Cargo.  Osni finished his airliner in the livery for Beta Cargo using FCM Decalques.  This one turned out looking very good.

Zotz Decals has a new P-40 decal sheet coming out.  The P-40's on this decal sheet are loaded with noseart.....including some sexy noseart.  This sheet will be available in 1/48 and 1/32. Click the image to see a larger version.

I have a review of the new 1/48 MiG-17PF Fresco D Correct Ventral Fin from QuickBoost.

I have a product announcement of the new 1/48 M-261 19 Shot Rocket Pods from Werner's WingsThese are available now and will also be at the IPMS/USA Nationals in Columbus, OH along with all the other Werner's Wings stuff, including the new AH-1F decals. 

Sunday,   Aug 9  2009

  Singapore National Day 

  Nagasaki Atomic Bombing Aug 9 1945  11:02AM 
Peacekeeping Day in Canada 

In memory of 9 peacekeepers killed on Aug 9 1974

David C S Teo begins this special Singapore update with his 1/144 Minicraft Singapore Airlines B777-200.  David did quite a bit of extra work to make the markings and engines correct for this particular 777 with excellent results.

Mark Chen has put much effort into building and detailing his 1/48 Kinetic F-16D.  Mark chose to build the F-16 used by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.  To do this he was off to an excellent start with the Kinetic kit and with the addition of aftermarket items from Dr. Pepper Resins and Royale Resins plus parts from other kits to get the drop tanks and weapons load he wanted.  Then he gave it an absolutely stunning weathering job.

Leslie Choy is here with two lovely 1/72 Airfix BAC Strikemaster.  Leslie chose two different paint schemes used by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.  Both Strikemasters came out looking very good indeed. 

David C S Teo is here with a second Singapore airliner today.  This is his 1/144 Revell Singapore Airlines 50th Anniversary B747-400.  Another beautiful model from David. 

Chuang Xue Qian has been very busy on his first ever 1/32 model.  This stunning 1/32 Academy F-16C "Strike Phoenix" had much effort put into it and you'll see this when you read the article and look at the pictures.  The bombs even have messages written on them.

Friday,   Aug 7  2009

  Cote d'lvoire National Day 

New Twobobs Hot Babe of the Week is up and this go-round it's the Kara Sahin F-4E Phantom from the Turkish Air Force. This sheet will debut at the IPMS Convention in both 72nd and 48th scale.

Ørjan Johannesen joins us for the first time today on the ARC homepage with his big 1/32 Academy F-16CJ.  Ørjan did a beautiful job building and finishing his F-16 and I look forward to seeing many more of his models on ARC in the future.  Welcome to ARC Ørjan !!!  This F-16 came out looking very good indeed. 

Fabrice Godart has done a wonderful job building and finishing his 1/72 Academy P-51D Mustang. Fabrice built his Mustang mostly out of the box and finished it with Ventura Decals.

Zdeněk Eliáš has built one of the coolest looking 1/72 Academy Cessna OA-37B Dragonfly.  This Dragonfly is finished in the Dragon markings used by the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana on this aircraft....these decals were custom made for this model.  Extra detail was added using a Eduard PE as well as some scratchbuilt work to make this a correct Colombian Dragonfly..  

Chris Lai has an enjoyable time building the 1/72 Hasegawa Mi-24D Hind.  Chris built his Afghan Hind mostly OOB with some decals from Linden Hill Imports.  It's good to see a Hind in Afghan markings and the camo scheme looks particularly attractive. 

I have a review of the new 1/48 A-4 IDF Skyhawk Exhaust Nozzle from QuickBoostThis nozzle includes fan blade detail inside the nozzle.


I have a review of the new 1/48 J35 Draken wheels & paint masks from Aires.


Thursday,   Aug 6  2009

  Bolivia Independence Day 

  Jamaica National Day 

  Hiroshima Atomic Bombing Aug 6 1945  8:15AM 

Ted Bunn has done a flawless build of the 1/72 H8K2 Type 2 "Emily" Flying Boat.  Ted built this beauty out of the box and dressed it up with weathering for exceptional results.  This really is a sharp looking Emily. 

Alexander Gromov has been busy building the big 1/32 Tamiya F-15E Strike Eagle.  Alexander built his Strike Eagle out of the box to a very high level.  I particularly liked how the panel line darkening turned out as that really shows of the quality of Tamiya's Big F-15E.

Thomas Neuss joins us today with his sharp looking 1/35 Dragon TH-6B "Navy Cayuse".  Thomas chose to build the USNTPS version of this chopper, so he added some aftermarket conversion parts to get the long legged skids and then some added details from Eduard to dress up his model.  This was all finished off with some colourful markings. 

Kare Sláma has done a fine job building and detailing his 1/72 KoPro Mig19S.  This MiG-19S is an Airshow Bird from 1958 and is finished in the markings for the Czech Air force.

I have a review of the new 1/72 Mi-17 Hip H wheels & paint masks from Aires.

I have a review of the new 1/72 RCAF 1955-1956 Sky Lancers Display Team from Leading Edge ModelsThis sheet also comes in 1/48.

I have a review of the new 1/72 J35/S35 Draken Boarding Ladder from Rebell Hobby

Wednesday,   Aug 5  2009

 Russia - End of Kursk operation (1943) 

 Croatian Victory Day or Dan Domovinske zahvalnosti  (similar to a Thanksgiving Day) 

Kim Seok Joong starts your Wednesday update with his 1/48 Tamiya A-1J Skyraider.  This Skyraider has weathering, panel line shading and a full weapons load.  It looks perfect. 

Panos Kalaitzis joins us today with his 1/48 Academy F-16C Block 30.  This is a beautiful F-16 with beautiful photos.

Alan Williamson has been busy adding aftermarket detail goodies to his 1/48 Tamiya Supermarine Spitfire MK.Vb with excellent results.  Alan then finished it in the markings for Fighter Command, Wing Commander, Adolph G. Mallan 

Warren Osborne has dropped by today with his very colourful 1/48 Italeri MB326.  Warren built it mostly out of the box and finished it off in Italian Air Force markings and displayed it on a tarmac display base to get the perfect look. 

Zotz Decals has a new A6M5 'Gekitsuio' aircraft decal sheet coming out.  This sheet will be available in 1/48 and 1/32.  Click the image to see a larger version.

I have a review of the new 1/48 SB2C-1 Helldiver Exhaust from QuickBoost These are designed for the for Accurate Miniatures kit

Here's a product announcement for the new 1/48 Messerschmitt Bf-109V-13/-14 Conversion set from Werner's WingsThere is a limit number of these sets being made.  They will be available at the US Nationals and also from the Werner's Wings website, get it while you can.


Tuesday,    Aug 4  2009

  Burkina Faso National Day 

This weeks Twobobs Newsletter is up and it's a big one!!  Bob has plenty of news about the new 1/48 Buckeye kit, the release date has been delayed and will be after the US Nationals.  Twobobs will have plenty of the various Buckeye decal sheets available at the US Nationals.  Bob has news on the new Turkish Kara Sahin F-4E Phantom decal sheet as well as the new 1/48 B-1 decal sheet.

Kin Wong has been busy adding details to his beautiful looking 1/72 Hasegawa F-14B.  Kin added  some aftermarket details to dress up his Tomcat and then finished it in one of the classic F-14 paint schemes on a carrier diorama base.  Well done Kin.

David Rapasi has done a gorgeous job finishing and weathering his 1/48 Accurate Miniatures IL-2 Stormovik.  David chose to build his Stormovik as its winter version on skis with a dirty white paint job.  Amazing results David.

Osni Vieira Junior has done a fine job on his 1/144 Minicraft Boeing 707-320.  This 707 is finished in the Aerobrasil Cargo livery using 
RBX-Decalques.  Osni tells the story of the crash that destroyed this aircraft, thankfully the crew survived.

Tigre del Aire joins us from Colombia with his great looking 1/72 Revell Fokker EIII.  Tigre del Aire chose to finish his Fokker in the markings for Ernst Udet.

I have a review of the new 1/48 Spitfire Mk. XIV Cowling and Exhaust - Round from QuickBoost.


I have a review of the new 1/48 Bf 109 E3 - E9, T armament set (MG 17 tips, MG FF barrels) from Master.


Monday,    Aug 3  2009
No update today.  Today is a holiday for us and I'll be spending time with my wife and kids.

Sunday,   Aug 2  2009

 Former Yugoslavian Republic of 

Macedonia  National Day 


Saturday,    Aug 1  2009

 Benin Independence Day 

 Switzerland - Foundation of the Swiss Confederation