Homepage Text - December 2014

Wednesday,  Dec 31  2014                   No update today
       Happy New Year!!!!!.            I hope you and yours have a very enjoyable 2015!!!


Tuesday,  Dec 30   2014 
Nikos Zorotheos is here with his very attractive 1/48 Hasegawa F-4E Phantom.  Nikos chose the desert camo of the Imperial Iranian Air Force and then gave his Phantom a full weapons load and droptanks along with an amazing weathering job.

Joe Youngerman is here with his 1/72 Hasegawa Fw 190F-8.  For markings Joe wanted somethings different, so he went with Hungarian markings.   Well done Joe.

Alex Bigey joins us with his 1/72 Mach 2 AJ-2 Savage Alex deserves much credit for finishing this kit and not giving up as he dry fit all the parts.   Well done Alex.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 F6F-5 Hellcat engine from QuickBoost.  This detail set is designed for the Eduard kit


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC - Hispano Mk II 20mm cannons (with round recoil springs) from Master.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Mitsubishi A6M5a (kó) Armament set from CMK.  This detail set is designed for the Tamiya kit


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX 4-Blade Propeller & Spinner from Ultracast.  This detail set is designed for the Hasegawa & ICM kit


Monday,  Dec 29  2014
Mario Catania begins today with his truly amazing 1/48 Hasegawa F-14 flight deck diorama.  Mario scratchbuilt the entire flight deck diorama complete with figures to display his outstanding Tomcat model.  Wow and all in 1/48 scale......this is quite the diorama.   WOW WOW WOW....I love this diorama.

El Rey joins us from warm Mexico with his super detailed 1/50 Esci OH-58A Kiowa Vietnam Version.  This is an older kit, but that didn't stop El Rey from doing a massive amount of scratchbuilding to turn this older kit into an award winning model.  I certainly enjoyed reading about this Kiowa and seeing all the photos.  Very inspirational work El Rey and it shows what can be done on an older kit by a skilled modeler..

Matt Wohlford has used some very skillful techniques to weather his 1/48 Monogram PBY-5A Black Cats Catalina.  Matt explains how he got the flawless faded weathered look on his award winning black Catalina....his article is a fascinating read and the photos of his model are a treat to see.  Beautiful work Matt.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 B-339 Buffalo Engine from QuickBoost.  This detail set is designed for the Tamiya kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Supermarine Spitfire Part 3 decal sheet from Lifelike DecalsThis decal sheet features four different Supermarine Spitfires.  This is Part 3 of  a series dealing with the Supermarine Spitfire including 2 flown by Americans, 1 flown by an Aussie and one by a Brit that was the highest scoring Ace in the MTO. 


Here's a product article for the 1/48 AIM-9M/L Sidewinder weapons set from Eduard Model Accessories.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 F-4 Deflected Ailerons from Sierra Hotel ModelsThis detail set is designed for the Revell F-4E/F & RF-4C/E kit.


Sunday,  Dec 28  2014

Nepal - Birthday of H.M. Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev 

Australia - "Proclamation Day" in South Australia


Friday,  Dec 26  2014

Slovenia Independence Day 

Our family had a quiet little Christmas with our oldest daughter coming home for the holidays from University.  It was a happy Christmas.  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas surrounded by the ones you love.

Dragan Cvetic has done an excellent job on his 1/72 Hobbyboss F-5E.  Dragan added scratchbuilt detail to the cockpit and wrapped his F-5 in one of those eye popping camo schemes used by the Iranian Air Force and loaded it up with missiles and a centerline drop tank.

Burt Gustafson is here with a very special double header today.  This is his 1/48 Tamiya P-47D and U.S 2 1/2 Ton 6x6 Airfield Fuel Truck Diorama as they would appear at Duxford in the latter part of the war.  Burt built both of these beauties mostly out of the box with great success and ended up with a very attractive diorama.  It is a treat to see this diorama on ARC.

Daniel Truong  has combined the 1/72 Hasegawa + Heller Mirage F1B to create this very special 2 seat Mirage F1.  I'm sure this was no easy task, but Daniel's finish model looks perfect from every angle.. 

Here's a product article for the 1/48 Blackburn Buccaneer cockpit set from NeomegaThis detail set is designed for the Airfix kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 WWII AN-A-4 Radar from QuickBoostThis detail set is designed for the F4F, F6F....

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Spitfire Mk. IX resin cockpit set + vacu canopy from Pavla ModelsThis detail set is designed for the Airfix kit.


Wednesday,  Dec 24  2014

   End of Chanukah (Festival of Lights) 

Serbian Air Force Day

To track Santa on Christmas Eve with your kids...go to this website 
http://www.noradsanta.org/  this is the NORAD Santa tracking website with plenty of great videos of Santa doing his deliveries on Christmas Eve.

WW1 Events - this date in  1914
  • In some sectors of the Western Front, an unofficial Christmas truce is observed between German and British forces.  December 24-December 25

Tuesday,  Dec 23  2014

Japan - Birthday of H.I.M. Emperor Akihito

Paul Coppin has done a stellar job on his 1/48 Tamiya Fw-190-A4 in the markings for Walter Nowotny's fighter on the Eastern Front in early Spring 1942.  Paul chose a very cool camo or his 190 and then scratchbuilt quite the eye catching display to show his model as it would have looked in 1942.  Paul explains the whole process very well in his article.

Shawn "phantom" Weiler is here with a seldom seen Canadian Starfighter from 1971-1973.  This is his 1/48 Hasegawa CF-104 Starfighter #22 complete with a Quickboost radar and a resin ejection seat.  All Shawn's work gave him quite the good looking CF-104.

Chunkymonk is here with quite the engaging display of the 1/35 Academy RQ-7B UAV.  Chunkymonk chose a cool looking paint scheme compete with a sharks mouth and a very convincing in-flight display.  I love the way this drone looks.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 MiG-29 Exhausts from ZactomodelsThese exhausts are designed to fit the Trumpeter kit.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX Flared Exhausts from Ultracast.  These exhausts are designed to fit the Hasegawa kit

Here's a product article for the 1/24 Individual instrument Dial Decals for 1939 – 1945 RAF from airscale.

Monday,  Dec 22  2014
WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Heinz Johannsen has done an amazing job on his two 104 Starfighters.  These are his 1/32 Italeri F-104 & 1/48 Hasegawa F-104 posed in-flight in some very realistic photos.   I love the bare metal finish on these Starfighters.

Vitor Sousa has done a huge amount of scratchbuilding on his 1/72 Extratech Alouette II.  Victor used 130 scratchbuilt metal parts to build the frame on this tiny chopper to give it an extremely detail and delicate look.  Enjoy all the photos of this stunning chopper.

Kees Kuyper joins us here with his Me-262 with Dornier-28 prop engines.  Kees chose a cool looking camo with British markings to complete his "what-if" Me-262.  Kees has a very creative mind.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 MiG-21MF/ SMT exhaust nozzle from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis set is designed for the Eduard kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC - Hispano Mk I 20mm cannons from Master.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 MiG-15 control surfaces from CMKThis set is designed for the Tamiya/Trumpeter kit.


Friday,  Dec 19  2014 
Dragan Cvetic gets things started in style with his 1/72 Air Cast Resin Soko J-21 Jastreb in Yugoslav markings from the 1970's.  Dragan went mostly OOB on this one with the added improvements of seatbelts, a pitotube and the nose light.  Lovely work Dragan.

Carmel J. Attard joins us from Malta with his stunning 1/72 Matchbox/Revell Beech AT-11 Kansan.  Carmel chose a Brazilian Air force aircraft and did some first class improvements to further enhance his model.  Once his scratchbuilding was done, he chose a very good looking paint scheme.  This Beech AT-11 Kansan is certainly eye catching.  Carmel certainly builds interesting models.

Duncan is here from France with his two 1/100 Heller Cadet Jaguar M/E.  One is wearing a very attractive camo scheme and they are both marked as French Air Force jets using some custom made decals to complete the markings.  These are older smaller models that turned out looking excellent.  Well done Duncan.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 CR.42 Falco interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model Accessories.  This detail set is designed for the 1/72 Italeri CR.42 Falco kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 JG-54 Colorful Emils decal sheet from Balkan Models.  This new decal sheet  includes markings for 5 different 1/48 Bf-109E Emils with artwork and great looking camo schemes..  


Thursday,  Dec 18  2014

Niger - Proclamation of the Republic 

WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Frederic Cottin is here with a very fanciful model of a fantasy aircraft that appeared in a Japanese animated show.  This is the 1/48 Fine Molds Savoia S.21 Porco Rosso in all it's glory in a water scene as the hero is about to take off in search of Air Pirates in the Adriatic Sea.  It is a special treat to see this model on ARC.

David Qu joins us with his spectacular 1/32 Academy F-16CG Fighting Falcon.  David chose the USAF version complete with a massive weapons load and an outstanding weathering job.  David's F-16 is loaded with realism.

Rafael Zúñiga is here with his 1/48 Hasegawa P-51D Mustang wearing jungle camo as it appeared during the conflict between Honduras and El Salvador in 1969.  This particular Mustang is wearing El Salvador markings and just the perfect amount of weathering for this Latin America Mustang.  The cockpit is beautifully done.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 A6M2 model 21 Zero Armament + Tail cone from CMK.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 EE Canberra PR.9 pilot cockpit set from Pavla Models.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX Tubular Exhausts from Ultracast.


Wednesday,  Dec 17  2014

Bhutan National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Michael "Chewie" Choo joins us from Downunder with his 1/72 Hasegawa F/A-18F VFA-103 Jolly Rogers in a very striking inflight pose.  Michael added 3 drop tanks plus bombs and missiles to give his Jolly Rogers a very complete load and then finished it off with just the perfect amount of weathering.  This is a great looking super Hornet and looks exellent posed next to his Jolly Rogers Tomcat.

Roderick Vargas is here with one very cool EMS Helicopters that operates in Orlando.  This is Roderick's 1/32 Revell EC135 in a very sporty looking red and black paint scheme that is finished in a very high shine.  I love the look of this one from every angle.

Mike Pattison is here with an awesome looking Vietnamese 1/32 Trumpeter MiG 15 Bis.   Mike has mastered the technique of foiling to get a bare metal finish and his weathered paint is simply flawless.  This is one bare metal war weary MiG you really need to check out.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 Il-2 Sturmovik Exhaust resin set  from QuickBoost.

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 MiG-29 Exhausts from Zactomodels This detail set is designed for the Trumpeter kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Hawker Typhoon Mk IB late type covered cannons from Master.


Tuesday,  Dec 16  2014

   Beginning of Chanukah (Festival of Lights) 

Bahrain National Day

Kazakhstan National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Monday,  Dec 15  2014
WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Shawn "phantom" Weiler is here in style with his 1/48 Hasegawa CF-18 Hornet (#58).  Shawn chose an airshow bird complete with colourful tailart using Leading Edge decals.  This one is a beauty and was flown by an ARC'er during his time in the RCAF. Nicely done Shawn.

David U. Escobar joins us from sunny warm Mexico with his beautifully done 1/72 Lodela Piper Cherokee.  David scratchbuilt the landing gear and did extra work in other areas to improve this Lodela kit and after looking at the photos.....I love the way his Piper Cherokee looks.  

Kees Kuyper is here with another of his very creative designs.  This is his what-if Modified Dornier-28 as it could have appeared in Luftwaffe service.  I love the what-if designs Kees comes up with. 

Here's a product article for the 1/48 AIM-9B Sidewinder weapons set from Eduard Model Accessories.

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models


Here's a product article for the 1/72 LET L-13AC Blanik/TG-10C Kestrel model kit from Czech Master Resin - CMR Models.


Here's a product article for the 1/35 US Navy HA(L)-3 Seawolves decal sheet from Fireball Modelworks.


Saturday,  Dec 13  2014

Saint Lucia Independence Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Friday,  Dec 12  2014

Kenya Independence Day

Carmel J. Attard did an exceptional job detailing and painting his 1/72 Matchbox/Revell Buckeye.  Carmel dressed up the cockpit and nose gear with detail parts from Pavla and then finished in a very attractive blue/Gray camo scheme.  This is one very sharp looking Buckeye.

Ignacio Larrañaga dropped by the ARC corporate office in Uruguay with his 1/72 Hasegawa A-1H Skyraider.  Ignacio added some detail to the cockpit including seatbelts and then gave his Skyraider a full weapons load with drop tanks along with the perfect amount of weathering including the classic Skyraider exhaust stains. 

Dragan Cvetic is here with a very colorful 1/72 Art Model Su-25.  Dragon shows the Su-25 in it's ground attack role with a massive weapons load and finished it off with a great looking camo scheme using  decals from Balkan Models.  I love the colors of the camo on this 'Frogfoot'.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 Sea Fury interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis set is designed for the Trumpeter kit.

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Fw 190 A2 - A5 armament set from Master.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 F-104 Starfighter Gun bay from CMKThis set is designed for the Hasegawa kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Fouga Magister CM 170 resin cockpit set + vacu canopy from Pavla ModelsThis set is designed for the Airfix/Heller kit.


Thursday,  Dec 11  2014 
No update today....I was tied up at the hospital taking an elderly friend in for a CAT Scan.

Wednesday,  Dec 10  2014

Constitution Day in Thailand

Sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse   (1941)

Nat Krairojananan marks Constitution Day in Thailand with an exceptionally well detailed 1/72 Revell AG F-16AM MLU.  This is a Thai AF Viper brought up the the latest MLU standards complete with a full weapons loadout.  Nat modifiec this F-16 in many ways and you can read about the whole build in the article for this amazingly well done Thai F-16.  This F-16 is a pleasure to see.

Chokchai u. is also here to mark the Constitution Day in Thailand with a flawless bare metal 1/48 Tamiya RTAF F-84G Thunder jet.  This F-84 wears some very colourful Thai markings including noseart over the multi-shade Alclad II bare metal finish.  This Thunderjet looks fantastic from every angle.

Duncan is here with something very special today.  This is his tiny 1/144 Sweet SH-3D Sea King in the classic markings for a US Navy Sea King.  Duncan scratchbuilt the interior....yes this is 1/144...WOW!!!  I really liked seeing this tiny Sea King. 

Here's a product article for the 1/48 Mig-21MF Vertical Tail Area from QuickBoostThis set is designed for the Academy kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 MiG-29A Correction kit from ZactomodelsThis set is designed for the  Revell kit.


Tuesday,  Dec 9   2014 
WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Andrew Doppel joins us from down under with his two 1/48 Ibex/Hamilton Hobbies Pilatus PC-9A.  Andrew started with the Ibex 1/48 Texan II and added the Hamilton Hobbies resin set to create these Australian PC-9A.  For markings Andrew got excellent variety with the brightly coloured Roulettes aerobatic team as well a low viz Aussie Pilatus PC-9A.  It's great to see both of these on ARC.

Ignacio Larrañaga has done a stellar job upgrading the detail on the classic 1/72 Heller Sukhoi Su-27 UB Flanker.  Ignacio  used sratchbuilt details  plus aftermarket goodies to detail Flanker and then gave is a subtly faded camo scheme.  The finished model looks very realistic.

Richard Speckley has sent in some additional photos of his 1/48 Tamiya Fairey Swordfish Mk 1.  This one was on ARC back in the summer and it is great to see more photos of it.  It just looks loaded with detail.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 B-24J Liberator Gun Barrels from QuickBoostThis set is designed for the Academy kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 SwAF Seaplanes T 2, T 24, TP 47 decal sheet from Maestro ModelsMarkings for the Heinkel He 115A-2, Dornier Do 24 and Consolidated PBY Catalina in Swedish service.....16 aircraft in all.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Spitfire Mk IX 1-pc Bulged Upper Cowl from UltracastThis set is designed for the Eduard kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Cockpit Details Jet Era decal sheet from Mike Grant DecalsOver 250 gauges and switch panels as found in mid-70’s and onwards jets.  


Monday,  Dec 8  2014
WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Shawn "phantom" Weiler is here with his bright red and white 1/48 Hasegawa CF-104 Starfighter #21.  This was one of the more colourful Starfighters used by Canada and Shawn captured it well.  It is the same colours as the Canadian flag.

Jens Gerber is here from Germany with his amazingly weathered 1/48 Eduard Polikarpov I - 16 Type 24.  Jens did a fantastic job on the exhaust stains on his little I-16.  Beautiful work Jens.

Kees Kuyper has been creative in building his  German Rocket Fighter. Kees made his "What-if" German Rocket Fighter made from a Thunderstreak....it does have a Luft '46 look to it.  I like it.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 Fw 200C Condor interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis set is designed for the Revell kit. 

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Hawker Hurricane wheels (4-spoke) from SBS ModelThis set is designed for the Airfix kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Legacy Hornet F/A-18C CAGS decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.


Sunday,  Dec 7  2014

Pearl Harbor - Attack on U.S. base 1941


Saturday,  Dec 6  2014

Finland Independence Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Friday,  Dec 5  2014

Thailand National Day (H.M. The King's Birthday)

Russia - Soviet winter counteroffensive under Moscow   (1941)

Nat Krairojananan starts this special Thia update in honour of the King with a stunning 1/72 Tamiya JAS-39C Gripen.  This Gripen has a Pavla resin cockpit,  Eduard PE, Aires exhaust, Master Model pitot and AOA probe and a Maestro Models boarding ladder.  Plus the panel lines were rescribed and some scratchbuilding was done to make this Gripen more accurate.  It is all finished with a flawless paint job, This decals from VEHA decal and a full weapons load.  WOW WOW WOW!!!

Nok Apirak joins us on the special Thai update today with a fantastic looking 1/144 Hobbycraft C-130H Hercules RTAF wearing special anniversary markings.  This Hercules has some very attractive tail art and all the decals are custom made.  Have a close look at the tail art....it is quite attractive.

Apirak Petchpradub joins with a Royal Thia Navy bird complete with tail art featuring King Neptune and his Trident.  This is the 1/72 Revell Dornier 228 RTN and the special markings are home made and excellent looking.  It's good to see a RTN aircraft on ARC.

Apirak is here with a very good looking 1/48 Kinetic Alphajet RTAF.  This RTAF Alphajet is wearing some very eye catching tail art from a Siam Scale decal sheet.  You really need to check out the tail art on this Alphajet.

Somchai Rattanasangsai is here with his beautifully done 1/72 Revell F-16 MLU RTAF.  Somchai added some scratchbuilt parts to complete the MLU's on his F-16.  Very nicely done indeed.

Black eye finishes this special update in honour of the King of Thailand with a very colourful 1/72 Ozmods PC-9 RTAF.  I love the paint scheme on this Royal Thai Air Force PC-9.

Thursday,  Dec 4  2014

  India Navy Day 

Ratish Nair starts this special India Navy Day update with his sharp looking 1/72 Zvezda Kamov Ka-28.  Ratish did some extra detailing with great success.....this is a great looking Kamov Ka-28. 

Vivek Kulanthaivelpandian has done a most amazing job on his Indian 1/48 Academy MiG-29UB Trainer.  Vivek used a combination of decals including custom made decals along with CMK pilot figures.  It's good to see a MiG-29 in Indian markings.

Vivek Kulanthaivelpandian is here with his beautifully finished 1/72 Ka-25 ASW Helicopter.  Vivek finsihed his Ka-25 with custom made decals and a great weathering job.  The finished model looks first class.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 B-25C Mitchell Engines and Crowlings from QuickBoost This set is designed for the Italeri kit.

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Hawker Typhoon Mk IB early type cannons with uncovered barrels from  Master.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 P-51D Mustang cockpit set from CMKThis set is designed for the Airfix kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Macchi MC.200 Saetta resin cockpit set from Pavla Models This set is designed for the Italeri kit.


Wednesday,  Dec 3  2014                 No update today.
WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Tuesday,  Dec 2  2014

Laos Proclamation of the Republic

United Arab Emirates National Day

Andrea De Tora is here with a beautifully done 1/72 ESCI Aermacchi MB-326K.  Andrea added an aftermarket white metal seat from Aeroclub and finished this beauty as an Italian jet.  Very nicely done Andrea.

David Rapasi is here with one of his stunning PTO models.  This is Dave's 1/48 Tamiya F4U-1 Corsair as it appeared over the Solomon Islands late '43 and '44.  Dave is a master at weathering and I know you will enjoy seeing photos of his Corsair. 

Emad Tabsh is here today with his beautifully finished 1/48 Tamiya Bf-109 E3.  Emad built his Emil out of the box and then gave it  a flawless weathering job.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 T-38A Talon Air Scoops from QuickBoost.


Here's a product article for the 1/35 OH-58D Kiowa Exterior Detail Set from Zactomodels.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 A-10A N/AW Engine Fan/Inlet Correction Set from Sierra Hotel Models.


Monday,  Dec 1  2014

Central Africa National Day

Romania National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1914

Robert C. Bond  starts today with his very impressive 1/700 USS Princeton (CV-37) and 1/144 CVG-19 Air Wing.  Robert spent 1 year completing this project which included backdating the Princeton model and then tracking down nine 1/144 aircraft models that served on Princeton in the time period.  The whole display is eye catching and I love his choice of these two scales as it makes his display very eye catching but also quite portable, which is handy for traveling model shows.  His article includes full history and there is even a Blue Angels connection.  All I can say is WOW!!! 

Serge Dompierre has been very successful building the 1/48 Classic Airframe CF-5A.  This is not the easiest kit to build, but Serge is highly experienced in our hobby.  Serge used parts from Belcher Bits alng wiht decals from them for a jet that flew from Serge's home province in Canada.  This one is a beauty.

Franck Oudin is here with his with a beauty today.  This is Franck's 1/32 Hasegawa FW190D-9....done up in the usual high standards we've all come to exjoy from Franck.  It's always good to see a 1/32 Dora. 

Here's a product article for the 1/72 C-130H interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis set is designed for the Italeri kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 MiG-15bis Gun barrels from QuickBoostThis set is designed for the Eduard kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Spitfire Mk IX 1-pc Flat Upper Cowl from UltracastThis set is designed for the Eduard kit.