Left this a bit late this year. I just managed to get 3 builds done before the year was out. 2018 has seen me struggle with bad decals, a bad paint mix, cracked canopy and fail at a new technique. I've also finished a project thats been over 20 years in the head, my first winter armour dio and clear my backlog of shelf queens.
I started the year with my first tamiya aircraft, a 1/72nd Bf 109E-4, great kit but not so great decals.
Next, my favorite armour subject, the Sd.Kfz. 251. This being AFV Clubs 35th /4 Ausf C & 10.5cm Howitzer.
Despite its age, Escis MiG 29 was a nice kit but i did muck up the paint scheme. The choice was clean it off and start again, bin it or live with it. I have never thrown a kit in the trash but this was not a kit i wanted to spend lots of time on so i choose the latter.
2017 saw me start a project i first decided to do in the mid 90's, my project dedicated to hans Ulrich Rudel. The highset decorated German serviceman of WW2 and a Stuka pilot to boot. This year saw me complete that project with Hasegawas 1/48th Ju 87G-2, Mitches Models 1/9th bust, a 35th metal figure fom hasegawa and 144 Eduard Stuka.
For my first winter armour dio, i choose Amusing Hobby's 1/35th Löwe. Great kit adn was really pleased with the outcome.
In the UK Airfix is the brand we cut our teeth on in the 70's and 80's, probably our version of Moinograme. But i have avoided Airfix kits for years until they started bringing out their new tooled kits after the take over by Hornby. This year i finally got to try one out. The 72nd Phantom FG.1 was a great kit, though the 250+ stencils did test my patience. 2019's Airfix GB will give me the chance to try a few more.
The ships of the British Flag Gb gave me a chance to buld another new Airfix kit, the 1/350 HMS Trafalgar, a boat i was lucky enough to spend 5 days on in 1997.
And this weekend saw me finish off my last 3 of the year, all 1/72nd.
MPM's Blenheim Mk I
Academy's Apache AH.1, an aircraft i am very familiar with as they are based just a few miles away and fly over almost daily. The kit kits markings for every aircraft in British service and i picked one that arrived in Afghanistan the same month as i did.
And Tamiyas Mosquito B Mk IV. Another great Tamiya kit but even worse decals than the 109.
And finally the shelf queens. These kits had all been finished a number of years ago, 2008 in one case. But i had not got around to finishing the diorama's. The armour kits all needed some repair work as they had taken a nose dive off a shelf a couple of years back.
Academy's 71nd B-17F.
Dragon 35th 251/17 Ausf D.
Tamiyas 35th Mid Production Tiger, my first and currently only finshed Tiger I, i know, shocking.
And last but certainly not least, Italeri's 35th Ostwind.
And thats another year done, more shelf space filled up but the stash still hasn't gone down (how does that happen )
I am looking for to the year ahead, i have a nice line up of kiuts planned including at leats a couple more i have a personel link with, one an AFV i was trained to drive and the other a ship that i have good memories of as a youngster.
And as always, thanks to all the great folks on here. For the ideas, tips, laughs and just generally being a great bunch.