Falklands War 40th Anniversary GB

Definitely a matter of chalk and cheese!  I had ICM send me an entire sprue  for free to replace one part that I admitted I had lost, and then Dragon who wouldn't even sell me a decal sheet.  I grant that this specific kit was a limited release from 15 years ago, but they wouldn't even sell a sheet from the version from this year.  

Definitely something I will be considering with future kit purchases.

I am also amazed that there is not an a generic modern Royal Navy decal sheet to be found in the aftermarket either.

Glad to hear your able to sort somthing out Robert. Its a shame DML would not help, even if you didn't get it from a retailer, you were still asking to buy the decals. Clearly not the level of service i have found in Eastern european companies.

Bish, the Scorpion turned out great!  Well done.

Steve, I really like that Mirage.  While trolling Ebay I came across that kit and was tempted, but I stayed strong.  Well done to you as well!

Just a quick update on my Type 42 Destroyer. I got nowhere with DML's customer support on my request to purchase a replacement for the missing decal sheet  because I didn't buy from an actual retailer.  I saw that they just re-released a Type 42 Destroyer that I thought about ordering, but then I'd still be stuck with a kit with no decal sheet.  I instead ordered a generic 1/700 US Navy decal sheet instead, they won't be exact but at least they look close enough.  I hope to get that within the next week or two from Hong Kong.

Anyone got anything to report.

I hasd planned on starting the Victor once the Wimpy and Beau were finished, hopefully in a fortnight. But we are going away for a week to Cornwall at the start of Sept, so have changed plans on going to get back to my U-Boat and start on the Victor when i get back. I am hopeing the tow tractor i want for this build will be bacjk in production by then.

Thanks Chad and Fotofrank. I really enjoyed this build very much. I will be buying another Modelsvit kit at some point 

Steve, Your Mirage came out great! The camouflage is terrific. I really like seeing the airplane posed in flight. Now I have an example for the finish of my Eduard Mirage.

Steve that looks wonderful!

Cheers Bish.

I looked for years for the Sheffeild, either 1/700 or 1/350 but couldn't find one.

You know me though, I like doing something diffrent,

Isn't that bloody typical steve. Came out great, and its well displayed. Thanks for shareing that here. Pity about the ship, i would not mind getting a falklands war RN ship myself, bt there don't seem to be any in 350. But this is certainly a very nice replacment.

DONE! and I must say, I like it wheels up . Of course as soon as I finished and was cleaning the workbench... I found the nose gear .

Here she is, the Mirage III EA loaded with the Mantra R550 short range air to air on the outer racks and centerline Mantra R530 short to medium air to air missiles. While the Elevons are down so I guess it's about to land ?

Bish, thanks for another fun GB. While I wanted to do a ship I'm glad I tried a Modelsvit kit instead. Use whatever pic you wand. While the head on looks cool to me, you really can't see the whole build.

Thanks G!

I am converting it and of course the doors don't fit perfectly but, that's why they make sandpaper . I'll have to come up with a base but that won't be too hard. Back in the early 90's, all of my planes were flying or taking off.

WOW Steve, that Mirage is looking great!  As for the missing nose gear...  Use the Force.  Reach out and find the misisng part.  The Force will flow when you are calm, at peace.

And figure out where those darned Rebel Scum's secret base is located!

Cheers Bish

Thank you Frank, I think I'll just go ahead and do it rather than try to get one from Ukraine.

Looking forward to yours. 

modelcrazy, your Mirage is terrific! If you can't get a new nose wheel definitely go wheels-up. Jets always look better in flight.

I have an Eduard Mirage III I'm about half finished with. The Mirage is a slick looking airplane.

Love the look of that Steve, really nice job on the weathering. Hope you can get that nose wheel sorte, just hate it when that happens.

Here's an update on the Mirage.

I attached the decals and decided to take a diffrent tack regarding the weathering. I smeared black oil over the plane and wiped it off. It didn't turn out too bad I think.

On the left side of the picture is the side I already did. There's a nice diffrence.

This is a pic just after applying the black oil to the left side of the plane.

The finished results.

The bottom after the treatment. This wasn't as drastic as the top so I when back over the bottom with targeted oils like is my typical way (no pic of that)

Well this is bloody embarrassing. After installing the weapons, wheels and doors I can't find the nose gear! Since it was one of the first steps I constructed it and placed it in a contained for safe keeping.....and I lost the container.

I spent and hour looking for it

I'll keep looking and I'll see how Modelsvit's customer service is in obtaining a replacement.

But, for now here's the almost completed build. If all else fails I guess I could modify it to wheels up. 

Looks like I forgot to remove the mask on the front windscreen.

Once I get the nose gear, or modify it to wheels up, I'll put up completed pics.

Thanks Bish.

I finished the camo but still have a few things left to paint.

Coming on nicely Steve.

OK mate, I got some more work done on the Mirage.

So far this Modelsvit kit has been very impressive. Like I has said, no aligning pins but the fit has been supurb. My only issue so far and almost doen is the canopy fit with it closed. Not a big deal and It may have been poor placement on my part, but I did have to scrape and sand some areas for the canopy to close. These shouldn't be seen because it is covered by the frame.

Next is to touch up the cockpit, attach the canopy, some fiddly antennas and such, any final PE and start the paint.

Thanks guys.

I know what you mean about space. I keep the base as small as possable, and as i don't do diorama's for my British armour, mainly due to a lack of figures, its not so bad. My 32nd aircraft and ships overhang the edge of the base so thats ok, its the diorama bases that take up the space.

Well done, Martin.  I don't have plans for individual bases but someday I hope to build bases for photos appropriate to different scenes.

Bish

Thanks mate. I could not imagine doing some sort of base for a build.

 

The only reason I typically don't do bases is room. I can squeeze the 1/72 aircraft in tight on the shelf. Ships are a different story of course. 

Thanks mate. I could not imagine doing some sort of base for a build.

Cracking build mate! Superb 

I also always enjoy your bases. Really make the come to life 

Got the Scimitar completed last night. Final weathering consisted of adding some mud useing the same celluclay mix i used on the base. Once this was dry i used some AL wet effects to give it all a wet look. I kept it all low down, the terrain on the Falklands is mostly peat so it doesn't get very dusty. With that done i added some stowage and got the turret fitted. I was going to add a 35th fabric flag but it looked a but large, even though it was the right scale so i have ordered some 48th and 72nd ones and hopefully can add one of those to an antenna.

I am really pleased with this. Nice kit and lovely AM from SMM. Deffinetly going to get some more from them.

Next up i will be doing the Victor, but i have a couple of other GB's to build for first.

Thats looks good Steve, great looking pit.

Cheers Bish.

I completed the pit and finished the exhaust section. Next will be to install everything into the fuse (including weight) and glue it together.

Nice start Steve.

Bish,

I startred the Modelsvit Mirage III EA the other day and began on the pit and engine.

Still some more work to the pit and painting the engine interior. The kit comes with PE, masks and nice decals. Their only problem is there ore no aligning pins, but if I can't assemble a kit without aligning pins after all these years and builds, then I need to get out of the hobby. The third pic is taken down the tail. You can see the PE ring. Nice kit.