I'm not a plane guy but....

I gotta get me one of these eventually...

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/hb/kit_hb_80366.shtml

I've always been a F-14 nut but this looks like it blows everything else out there completely out of the water, the bigger issue no pun intended is finding a spot on the shelf for it since Tomcats can be pretty big in 1/48 which is why I haven't built my Monogram B & D pair.

Spitfire Mk. II

About The Build

Manufacturer: Revell

Scale: 1/48

Subject: Spitfire Mk. II

Kit Number: 85-5239

Date Built: September 2012

Modifications:

• N/A built straight from box

  2012 marks the 70th anniversary of the year 1942, and as a tribute the forums at finescale.com hosted a group build to commemorate some of the vehicles and battles of 1942. I chose to model my P8088 as it appeared  at the 61 Operational Training Center in September of 1942. I built Revell's 1/48 Mk. II Spitfire straight from the box in about a week and a half, which is pretty fast for me. The kit only has 30 pieces or so which makes it a simple yet frustrating build but being an older release there are numerous problems with fit and detail as compared to modern kits. The raised panel lines are easily erased during the seam filling stage which requires you to rescribe the raised detail or create a new set of recessed panel lines. The decals have issues as well, I found them to be thick and difficult to apply even with applications of Micro Set and Micro Sol. I'd recommend this kit as a beginner aircraft to teach basic techniques and practice a three color camouflage scheme, however for veterans Tamiya and Hasegawa are far superior options for an early Spitfire.

Buildup

Completed Build

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Fokker Dr. I

About The Build

Manufacturer: Revell of Germany

Scale: 1/72

Subject: Fokker Dr. I

Kit Number: 85-4116

Date Built: July 2012

Modifications:

• N/A

Revell of Germany's Fokker Dr. I is a tiny model measuring in with a 2" long fuselage and 3" wing span. I had had this kit sitting around for several years finally deciding to build it as part of the Finescale.com "The Great War" group build. Rather than do the standard Red Barron scheme, I settled on a generic flat black plane from Jastas 11. The kit went together fairly quickly with only three days put in to assembly, however there were some areas I was disappointed with. Some weight bearing assemblies have small attachment points which are hard to align and prone to breakage primarily the landing gear. After the airframe was assembled, I sprayed it with Tamiya TS-6 flat black, then to simulate the brushed finish commonly seen on Dr.I's I mixed a black/gray color close to a dark gunship gray. Using a damp brush, wetter than a full dry brush, but not as damp as a full brush lightly brushed streaks across the frame and wings. The propeller was brushed with an acrylic base and given the wood grain effect with burnt umber artists oils.

Finished Build
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