Model Maker is the Newsletter
of the Modellers of Ballarat Inc
Club Office Bearers
President: Gary ZimmerVice President: Sean HaleyTreasurer: Wayne EaglesSecretary: Steve PulbrookCommittee : Tim Mitchell &
Mark PilbeamPublicity Officer: Yvette EaglesNewsletter Editor: Leigh Edmonds
Address for correspondence:Modellers of Ballarat Inc, Box 1141, Ballarat Mail Centre, Bakery Hill, Victoria 3354
Editorial Address: snail mail, as above. email, [email protected]
Club Membership Fees: (1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010)
Single adult $30Junior $15Associate (Newsletter only, on approval from committee) $15
Annual membership fees for new financial year are due and payable from 1 July2009(Note: New members who join during or after April and pay full membership aremembers until the end of the following financial year and do not need to pay again atthe end of the current financial year. Fees may be paid in instalments with theagreement of the Treasurer.)
Monthly Meetings:The first Saturday of every month except for JanuaryDoors open at 7:30pm. The meeting starts at 8.00 sharp.Location: Kohinoor Community Centre on the corner of Errard and SebastopolStreets, Ballarat.
Disclaimer:Any views expressed in the articles in the MOB Newsletter are not to be taken to bethose of the club or its members as a whole unless expressly stated. Accordingly,any concerns in regard to any articles should be addressed to the writer of the articleand/or the editor who will pass them on to the relevant person.
The Modelers of Ballarat (MOB) is an incorporated association and operated under the model rulespresented in the Associations Incorporation Regulations, 1998.
President’s Rant
What a great start to 2010. The MOB has met
in the other end of the building before, as a
temporary thing, but hopefully now it will be
permanent. The Potters (Harry, Lt Col Sherman,
Beatrice) for some reason don’t use Room 1 any
longer, so we’ll keep it. There furniture is where we
want it, unlike the hall, so that saves a job.
Tim had given his apologies. Seems he and
Tonya were in Anglesea with friends telling each
other how cute each other’s babies looked. What fun.
I am sure that Charlie Manson, Stalin, and
Blackbeard were probably cute babies too.
The club received a letter from a Mr. Rene de
Koning, who is fuhrer of IPMS, touting their latest
trophyfest called Wheel and Track. It’s a competition
for military vehicles and you can enter anything you
like as long as it’s a Sherman. No doubt a lot of
model clubs received an identical letter. It began: “To
whom it may concern”. Does it take that much
effort? It’s not like we are dealing with typewriters
here. In face the lazy option is to leave a few lines
blank and then use a pen. So I replied: “To whom it
may concern: Not interested. Hope you enjoy your
trophies.” and sent it back.
And that is what it is about, winning trophies.
These people who want competitions really don’t
want competition, they just want people who aren’t
a real threat to make up the numbers. Now there are
two species of model clubs, the ones where precious
egos need to be bolstered by an engraved pot or a
block of wood, and the good clubs, where the
members as a collective don’t give a rat’s about who
is better than who and who gets the pot to prove it.
Here at MOB we don’t have competitions, and that
probably explains why our lives are so meaningless
and empty. Model competitions are irrelevant, they
are not the way to promote the club or the hobby,
they are the source of grumbling and bitching, and a
good way to instigate factionalism within a club. Of
course if you like that sort of thing, then IPMS is for
you. I lasted 5 months.
I hope you all keep your old issues of Model
Maker, they might come in handy.
Zim.
The first meeting of the year for Mobsters
was a great night even though there were a couple of
regular faces missing on the night. Once again the
model tables were filled, especially by Matt and his
Maryborough & Great Southern Railway Limited set
up. Talk about large scale and there’s talk of it going
to be expanded even more. Matt I know where
there’s a scratch built very large scale Loco and
carriage set up that you can actually ride on probably
up for sale.
The holiday break supposedly gives club
members extra time to bash out an abundance of
models for us all to ogle at in the New Year, well,
that’s the theory anyway and come the February
meeting we can all see who has been busy at the
model desk. I can declare the winner of this years
holiday break secret ‘who built what’ competition
has been won by Rod who tabled the equivalent
amount of aircraft that a small (insert appropriate
name here) country may have. He therefore wins the
prize of having earned a chocolate Tim Tam from the
Presidents own private collection.
The best effort I turned out was one model
finished (‘Rudi’ Sinners Me-262) and numerous
starts on whatever took my fancy at the time. I’m still
struggling with my Monogram Voodoo, Academy’s
Merkava Mk.IV, a couple of Thunderbolts, a Hellcat,
more armour, an Israeli Hummer conversion and a
plethora of other plastic goodies. Steve hasn’t been
slack either tabling another five aircraft those being
a Voodoo (I love Voodoos) a Wildcat, Whirlwind,
Mig 17 (I like them too), a Buffalo, Type 90 MBT
and an old T-55 kit. Matt’s effort as usual was huge
Jason’s Tiger I
Matt’s Marder going east
Rod’s Romanian Bf-109E
Steve’s Buffalo
as is his models; his work shed must be the size of
the aircraft hangers at Garbutt airbase. He won’t be
happy until he can have a rail track right around the
Caro convention centres walls at our show. His flat
cars had 88 mm Flak gun, Opel Trucks, Marders, and
an Elephant etc and also he tabled a KV-1 and a
Churchill without a cigar and a bottle of whisky!
Rod’s efforts consisted of a Fairey Fulmar,
Romanian Bf-109E and an IAR-80, a Hungarian Bf-
109G, a Wildcat with his concoction of US Navy
Blue-Grey which turned out spot on, a Bell
Airacomet, an Fw-190F-8 and Vought’s Crusader
late project all very nice. Mick has won his battle
with Academy’s Warrior kit which turned out very
nice, I’ve not heard one person state that they hadn’t
had trouble with this kit in one form or another
(makes me look forward to my Warrior) he also had
a nice Korean APC.
Mark has been busy over the break (not for
him though) building a very interesting diorama with
a certain Herr Heydrich sitting in his lounge chair
besides his Bf-109E. He’s probably thinking hard on
how to elevate himself much, much higher in the
hierarchy by dreaming up a final solution. How
pleasing it must have been later for millions when a
couple of very brave Czech’s validated his ‘leave this
planet’ ticket, the only downside to this incident was
the reprisals against the innocents a recurring theme
that’s still practised to this day and probably will be
as long as man walks the Earth. I liked mark’s
description of the fellow as a practising psychopath,
very apt.
Jason also tabled a nice winter scene diorama
in progress depicting an SdKfz 251 outside a farm
house, can’t wait to see this one finished and also a
very nice Tiger 1 (ya’ missed it Tiger Tim) and Stu
looks like his wrestling with the Bismarck has
finished and he’d also finished the Italeri Puma I sold
him last year and it also looked great, a whole lot
better than when I had it anyway.
Leigh has been busy modelling an assortment
of Boeing 737’s again all looking very nice in an
assortment of liveries; I reckon you should put these
up for sale Prof, especially to companies you model
them on as they look great, also a lovely Phantom
(can never have too many Phantoms) and a Yak 38
graced his little patch of table top.
Zim had his usual assortment of small scale
armour, some easy to identify and the usual esoteric
bits thrown in, always interesting. But the highlight
was the scale working model of the clubs new mobile
club house, complete with a hydraulic powered
balcony which can be lowered once we get to a
members house the pot plants and refreshment stand
can then be wheeled out along with the deck chairs
2010 kicks off
Mark’s Bf-109 diorama
Stu’s Bismark and Puma
Mick’s Warrior
and chaise lounges, all this will be powered by a Ford
V8 of some description or we could use a certain
straight 8 Pontiac motor. Outside rendering will be
finished by members on working bees and most
certainly the models wheels will be replaced when
we can find enough matching modern style steel and
rubber set ups. Copious amounts of hobby paints will
be used on the outside this way we can advertise
Humbrol etc whilst being given the paint for nix, all
members will be expected to front up on a given
weekend with their airbrush/brushes ( “I don’t have
an airbrush” will not be an excuse either!)Just keep
the Prof away from the white paint supply or it’ll
look like an airliner!
As I mentioned at the meeting, so far the club
has received donations from Dawn Trading and
Southern Model Supplies in regards to supplying
raffle prizes at our annual show and I have already
phoned and e-mailed both Mr. John Hunter and Mr
.Peter Thompson respectively thanking them for their
generosity. But we still need you guys to get out there
and try to obtain more raffle prizes. I’ll be e-mailing
off letters/posters and flyers for those members who
need them.
For those members who couldn’t make the
February meeting, the club now has been allocated
Room No. 1 for the rest of the year, I did some
pleading to get the better room back whilst picking
up the key so now we have some comfort as well as
better facilities. I did mention that we originally had
this room but the Potters (probably Harry)
commandeered it off us but there have been no other
clubs/parties on our Saturday nights for over six
months. So make sure Sean they give us the No1
room/hall key as the receptionist set their computer
up for us to be in No.1 room for the whole year. If I
remember that room was a whole damn warmer in
the winter also plus we don’t have to do a chair and
table shuffle now either.
I think that’s enough stupidity from my
keyboard for now, look after yourselves and families.
CIAO, Wayne
PS, do we need kits for sale, parts/decals
wanted or information needed column included in the
newsletter?
Zim’s model of our new club house
Leigh 737s
Wayne’s 262
Steve’s F4F
Westland’s other Whirlwind, the fighter not the helicopter
History
In the late thirties there was a trend for
countries to develop 2 engine fighters to fulfil the
heavy fighter role. These aircraft were seen as the
destroyers of the air being designed to escort
bombers and sweep the opposing fighters from the
sky. Britain generally ignored that trend as they felt
that such aircraft would be easy prey to single engine
fighters that they would eventually encounter. The
British response was to equipped light bombers with
machine gun packs and pretend that these were
fighters. This policy resulted in such monstrosities as
the Blenheim 1F, which in 1938, was quicker than
most other British fighter planes.
The Whirlwind was designed in response to
reports coming out of Nazi Germany about a new 2
engine wonder plane, the Messerschmitt Bf110. The
RAF quickly drew up a specification and most
manufacturers proposed prototypes. The Westland
proposal was accepted and 2 prototypes were
ordered, the first flying in Oct, 38. The design
incorporated 2 Rolls Royce Peregrine engines rated
at 885hp giving a top speed of 360mph and a range
of 800 miles. The armament consisted of 4 20mm
cannons grouped in the nose. The aircraft featured
several novel features including the use of
magnesium sheet behind the cockpit and the first use
of a bubble canopy giving the pilot excellent all
round vision.
The RAF ordered 200 aircraft however Rolls
Royce had meanwhile switched priority from the
Peregrine to the Merlin, judging that that engine had
greater development potential. The production ran
only to 114 aircraft due to the lack of engines, and
these were not ready for issue to squadrons until June
1940. The first squadron to receive these aircraft was
25 Squadron, which received 3 aircraft to replace
their Blenheim 1Fs. These were withdrawn shortly
afterwards as it was felt that the new Beaufighter
would be a more suitable replacement. Aircraft were
then used to rebuild 263 Sqn which had lost most of
their aircraft and personnel during the Norway
campaign. Later 137 Sqn converted to the type and
these 2 squadrons became the only 2 to use the
aircraft operationally.
In service, the Whirlwind soon gained a good
reputation for being easy to fly, and for good
manoeuvrability below 15, 000 feet. The aircraft had
a high landing speed and required a long airstrip
which limited the airfields it could operate from. The
Peregrine engine also developed a reputation for
unreliability and suffered from a lack of available
spares. There were also problems with the armament
due to the limited amount of ammunition that could
be carried.
The aircraft were considered to be perfect for
escorting light bombers and also providing air cover
for allied shipping operating in the Channel as an e-
boat hunter. In 1942, the Whirlwind was equipped
with bomb racks and the role changed to ground
attack. The Whirlwind was effective in this role and
remained in service until June 43. The aircraft was
able to absorb more damage than a single engine
fighter and was highly survivable in a crash as the
engines absorbed much of the impact. It was not
unusual for a pilot to walk away unscathed after a
crash that wrote off the aircraft.
The Whirlwind therefore never lived up to its
potential and is one of the greatest “couldabeens” of
the war. Westland made several proposals to the
ministry to re-engine with merlins, hercules radials
and even American radials, but all were rejected.
There were attempts to reduce the landing speed by
incorporating leading edge slats, these proving less
than successful when the wings were torn off the
modified aircraft on deployment. After this the slats
were wired shut. Later in the aircraft’s career, the
need for a long strip became less of a problem as
heavy bomber bases were springing up all over the
place.
The Kit
In 1/72 scale, the Airfix kit is the most readily
available. MPM have also announced future release
of the Whirlwind 1 and 1A versions. The kit I built
was made by Bilek, which is the same as the Airfix
kit but with worse instructions and decals. The
Airfix kit disappeared for many years and the Bilek
kit was the only one available. Airfix have rereleased
it as a starter set including some Humbrol acrylic
parts. The kit is quite basic with 33 parts and raised
panel lines. These lines are fairly subtle and the
dreaded Airfix riveter had the day off when the
moulds were made. The undercarriage doors are
moulded in one piece and must be cut in half if the
undercarriage is down. Although the kit is the same,
the instructions and decal options are better on the
Airfix boxing. The Bilek version has markings for
A-SF of 137 Sqn in Ocean grey and green cam, the
Airfix kit having markings for an aircraft from each
of 137 & 263 Sqns with a choice of dark earth or
ocean grey cam schemes.
Construction.
Typical of kits of this age there is not much in
the way of internal details with only a rudimentary
seat and a pilot figure provided. The pilot was
utilised to fill the hole and the seat was mounted in
the fuselage half after painting. The fuselage halves
are joined and a nose cap added. The props are next
and when built are sandwiched between the upper
and lower wings. The engine housings being
moulded integrally. (What the “F” is a nacelle
anyway? In 20 years in aircraft maintenance, I have
never heard anyone except a modeller use that word.)
The wings and tail are added with care needed to
ensure correct alignment as the wing tabs were loose
in their slots. After these had dried, all of the joints
were puttied and sanded. The joins of the upper and
lower engine housings being poorly aligned needing
extra attention. When this was completed, the
undercarriage, doors, guns, canopy and antenna being
added. The U/C doors needing to be cut in half as
mentioned earlier.
Painting.
The Bilek instructions supply numbers for
Model Master paints. Not having any of these, I
painted it in a variety of Gunze, Humbrol and Tamiya
paint. Gunze 53 Neutral grey was used for the Ocean
grey, and 302 used for the green. These are pretty
close to the Humbrol 106 Ocean grey and 30 Green
recommended by the Airfix kit. The underside was
done in Gunze 307 as a substitute for
Humbrol 64. I prefer the semi-gloss
Gunze acrylics for cam as the decals go
on easier. The same effect can be
achieved by giving the kit a coat of gloss
varnish. The other colours used were
Humbrol 90 for the sky band and
spinners, Tamiya aluminium for the U/C
legs and bays, Humbrol 24 for the yellow
leading edge strips and generic acrylic
black for the tyres and prop blades.
Paining began by masking the
canopy. I usually use diluted white glue
applied with a toothpick. This usually
needs a tiny amount of soap added to break the
surface tension. The glue when dry will peel off
easily but will last over a year before it starts to peel
off by itself. I usually put on a couple of coats to
ensure full coverage. Next the undersides are
sprayed. This was left for a week to ensure the paint
was fully hardened. The underside was masked with
Tamiya tape and the top cam sprayed freehand to
give a soft edge between the ocean grey and green.
The soft edge was visible in the single colour
photo available on the internet for this aircraft. This
is indicative of the paint being applied at Sqn level
over the older dark earth. The description ocean grey
was also used to describe locally mixed
approximations as well as an official colour. This
paint was also given plenty of time to cure. Some of
the bottom mask was then removed and the sky band
and spinners were masked and sprayed with Humbrol
90. Finally the leading edge bands were masked and
sprayed yellow. The model was then checked any
yellow or sky overspray, sprayed with the correct
colour. All other details would be hand painted later.
Note that the undercarriage was painted with
aluminium pigment paint, and was not raw metal, so
aluminium paint was used rather than a metalizer.
The decals provided were for a single aircraft
as mentioned earlier. They were in register, matt and
colouring was subdue. They went on with no
problems and softened nicely with Gunze Mr Decal
Soft.
Conclusion
The Whirlwind is an aircraft that has been
hard done by in history. It’s reputation for
unreliability is undeserved as it had greater
availability figures than the aircraft that replaced it,
the Hawker Typhoon. The poor record was more a
matter of statistic, 2 engines meant twice as much to
go wrong. The aircraft established a sort of record as
the longest serving un-upgraded type in service with
the RAF. This quite significant bearing in mind the
low number produced and the dangerous nature of
the rhubarb missions. Had there been more built, they
would probably be remembered as well as the
Lockheed lightning or Me110. Fittingly, the last
word should be to record the last combat mission.
The aircraft had strafed a German supply train only
to suffer a jammed wide open throttle on one engine
that eventually led to the engine losing power. The
pilot made it home but crashed in a field destroying
the aircraft. The pilot walked away from the wreck
unharmed.
The table shows a comparison of the
Whirlwind to similar aircraft
Steve
Max Speed Armament Range (Internal
fuel)
Climb to 20K
Whirlwind 360mph @ 15K 4 x 20mm 800 8.6 mins
Me110F 352mph @ 17.7K 2 x 20mm
5x7.92mm
745 9.2 mins
Lightning (G) 400mph @ 20K 1 x 20mm
4 x .50cal
450 8.8 mins
KRAUTPROJEKT 1/10 - Eduard Messerschmitt 110E
Having read the editor’s plea for copy I was
moved to write something roughly akin to ‘What I
did on my holidays’ although I didn’t have many and
didn’t do much. I did manage to finish a model,
however.
IN THE BOX
We are all familiar with the fabulous Eduard
organisation from the Czech Republic, who would
have to be one of the most forward-looking model
producers in the world right now. They are
innovative, thoughtful and cater for the high-end
obsessive market. In particular the detail supplied in
their latest kits makes aftermarket accessories
virtually unnecessary.
I bought their 1/48 Messerschmitt 110 kit
(The E-version boxing) for $70 at Vic Hobbies on a
trip to the big smoke and another (C-version boxing)
for $40 at a swap’n’sell. These kits are most
impressive. The parts fit well, accuracy is spot-on
and there is excellent detail including photoetched
parts, canopy masks and a cockpit interior that could
not be bettered for love or money. The decal sheet is
wonderful, with markings for colourful well-
researched subjects and with all stencils (and a few
spares) included. These kits are complicated,
however. The E-version has a parts count of 289
plastic parts, 76 PE parts and a canopy mask. Many
other parts are included in the box for other versions
(and might find their way on to my old Fujimi kit in
the stash). All parts fit well and the PE cockpit parts
are excellent, which is a good idea as there is a big
glasshouse. I nicked these images from
modelingmadness.com- hope they don’t mind.
MODELLING FOR GOD
As the model gradually formed before me I
was reminded of the Eduard Fw 190A-5 build in
which there are many internal detail parts, many of
which will never be visible - I call this ‘Modelling
for God’. The problem with ‘Modelling for God’ is
that there are quite a few unbelievers who don’t want
to do it and would rather model for themselves.
If one wants to show this internal detail a
different kind of modelling is required, where lots of
hatches, inspection panels etc are removed or opened,
producing what I should like to call an ‘anatomised’
model. Having anatomised many persons I think that
as a rule they look a lot better without their insides
on view and the same goes for models. Some of the
‘anatomised’ models I have seen suggest a lack of
respect for the dignity of the subject and the ones I
have built made me feel as though I were violating
something. I recall seeing a 1/72 Spitfire II with the
engine and fuel tank (from resin) totally exposed
with all plumbing and wiring - clearly a labour of
months of obsession - spoiling its clean lines and
making me feel as if this beautiful aircraft had been
flayed or forcibly disrobed. It’s no surprise that in
18th century England the cruellest punishment
available was for a murderer to be ‘hanged and
publicly dissected and anatomised’. Not only did the
felon lose his or her life, but also their human dignity
and bodily integrity.
(Confession: I did once ‘anatomise’ a Do 335
to show that it had two engines. It’s probably OK to
do it if there’s something that ought to be shown
about the subject - maybe Me262s should show their
jets, etc ... the thought process becomes a bit woolly
after this... end of rant.)
There is of course a third way, as any
Buddhist will tell you. The internal details can be
modelled as they would be seen by the all-seeing eye,
and covered by removable panels. The panels would
remain in place unless there was a requirement for
the eye of man to gaze beneath them. Indeed the Lord
Buddha by his grace might release you from the need
for internal details altogether.
MODELLING FOR ME
The build took about 4 months to do on and
off with all manner of distractions - work, my son’s
Thomas the Tank Engine projects, work, a few
Hobby Boss kits as pot-boilers, work, a visit to
Werribee, work etc.
As just about always, one starts with the
cockpit which includes over 100 PE and plastic parts.
The representations of the instrument panel and
control levers are very good and there is an option for
a PE instrument panel or a nicely rendered plastic
one for those who like to paint really small details.
There are of course PE seatbelts and rudder pedals.
The nose MG17s are very nice and fit is good.
The rear MG17 is also very nicely rendered. There
is some misalignment of the fuselage panel lines and
fit is an issue in the area of the shell ejector chutes
for the cannons. The involved area is partly covered
by the bomb rack, itself nicely done. No filler was
needed for the fuselage.
Some critics have issues with the removable
cover of the nose machine guns which (it is claimed)
may force a choice between oneself and God. It
doesn’t fit as well as other parts but this doesn’t
mean the kit is a failure. I bent the MG cover to and
fro a few times under running hot water to get the
width right and then sanded the mating edges flat. I
rebored the MG blast tubes to allow the gun barrels
through without sticking and the fit is OK. If one
needs to play God and verify that there are four
beautifully moulded MG17s underneath with their
associated gas bottles and feeds, this can be done. I
don’t think the process affects the profile of the nose
significantly and the model does not need to be
anatomised.
I did have a problem at the wing-fuselage
joints. To get the dihedral right plastic shims are
needed in the undersurfaces - this is no big deal.
Oddly enough the leading edge slats are not separate
- this is an easy fix if required, but I didn’t think it
added much so I didn’t do it. Everything else about
the wings is pretty good with good fit of the engine
nacelles.
The detailing of the undercarriage bays is
excellent. The struts and wheels are beautifully done
and masks are supplied for the hubs. The only other
thing I added was rubber brake fluid pipes.
The exhausts are made from individual pipes
attached to a strip that fits over the engine block. I
have become lazy and so replaced them with some
Quickboost items. I’m not sure why they were
moulded in this way as when built up they don’t look
any better than the old Fujimi items and would need
drilling anyway.
All the tiny details - antennae, aileron mass
balances and the like are al nicely done with PE or
fine castings and once the machine is together they
are the icing on the cake.
I used the kit decals for an aircraft of SKG
210 with Eastern front yellow ID markings and a
prominent wasp motif on the nose. They went down
nicely and the end result did it for me.
Now for another one.
Mark
A GREAT FIRST TIME EFFORT.
Recently I showed my friend Len [he came to
the last meeting] a small model resin kit of a British
Fairmile Motor Gun Boat by White Ensign Models in
the U.K. I asked him if he would have a go at it. He
said he would try but not to expect too much or some
similar reply.
After a few questions about how to handle
etched parts as well as what type of glue to use etc,
plus the loan of a couple of tools he gave me back the
finished model less than a week later. To say that I
was very pleasantly surprised would be understating
my reaction as I think that I have not seen such a
creditable result from someone with so little building
experience, and that experience being at least 50
years old.
Len told me afterwards that he said to his
wife, “I think the old bugger is testing me out,” as he
started on the etched handrails [less of the three
lettered adjective Len.] Maybe he used another word
starting with B who knows? Never did I expect to get
the model back so quick or so well done. We in the
club have often talked about the hobby needing some
new and younger blood Len full fills both these
requirements [he is younger than me you bunch of
reprobates even if only very slightly younger.]
This model although not terribly hard to build
is not one that I would give to someone without some
initiative or natural ability and I must say that I
would not have been upset if my offer was declined
I even had an easier semi snap together model ready
as an alternative. He has never ever seen it and would
not now bother to show it to him. The accompanying
photos show the model exactly as I received it back
from Len. Shortly I shall paint the little gem and give
it back as I think its builder should keep such an
achievement.
Matt
THE BACK PAGE(from your humble editor)
OUR NEXT MEETING
Saturday, 6 March 2010, is the date for our
next meeting, at the usual place at the usual time, at
the address found inside the front cover. However,
after Master Wayne’s recent coup with the City of
Ballarat we are now allowed into the posh end of the
hall, so don’t go to the wrong door and be
disappointed.
Beforehand you can go to the Peter Lalor
Hotel on the corner of Mair and Doveton Streets for
dinner. You can get grog and all kinds of meat
dishes, some of which are even American in their
proportions.
COMING EVENTS
that may be of interest
7 March - Eastern Suburbs swap & sell, Box
Hill Community Arts Centre
18 April - Our annual display and swap and
sell at the Caro Convention Centre - contact Wayne
and Yvette who know all.
12-14 June - Model Expo, Sandown
Entertainment Centre, Sandown Racecourse, see
www.modelexpo.com.au
NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
Talk about counter-productive. When I
threaten to publish pictures of French aeroplanes all
I get is stony silence. When I threaten not to publish
pictures of French aeroplanes I get a deluge of
articles. So many that I haven’t been able to fit them
all into this issue. Reverse psychology in action I
suppose. Now I know what really works I’ll have to
delete all those French aeroplane web sites from my
computer.
THE COMPETITION YOU’RE HAVING
WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE COMPETITIONS
Master Mark has reported that upon entering
a well known Melbourne model shop he was rebuked
because we here at the MoB do not hold
competitions. Being more quick witted than I he
responded that we do hold competitions and that we
had a poetry competition a couple of years ago.
This anecdote reminds me that for some time
now I’ve been turning my mind to the idea of holding
another competition to encourage contributions to our
news letter. Poetry seems so passe these days so I
had hoped to find inspiration in some other form of
expression, but the only thing that I have come up
with of any value is the possibility of accepting
reviews in the forms of inter-office memoranda. I
guess the reason that this one comes to mind is
because I’ve read so many in the past year or so. It
does something to the brain, believe me.
Any better suggestions would be welcomed
at the editorial desk.
PAINT IT WHITE
Elsewhere in this issue Master Wayne makes
the somewhat scurrilous comment that I tend to paint
things white these days. This is not entirely true. I
don’t paint everything white, just most things.
Here’s a photo of the models I’m currently working
on to prove it. See. There’s a non-white aeroplane in
there and the others have, or will have, splodges of
other colours on them in due course.
The reason that I’m having an obsession with
white just at the moment is that, like bare metal, I’ve
finally perfected a method that suits me and so I’m
making up for lost time. The process is simplicity
itself so it’s a wonder I haven’t been doing it for
years. First step - polish the model to be painted
with something called Micromesh with a grade no
less then 4000. Then apply two coats of
Modelmaster Flat White in the thinnest consistency
possible and, when that is dry, polish up with
Micromesh around 6000. Then, just to be on the safe
side, another coat of Modelmaster Flat White and
then a coat of Tamiya TS-27 Flat White out of the
can. When that is thoroughly dry - which doesn’t
take long - more polishing and then another coat of
that and a first coat of Tamiya TS-26 Pure White.
Polish that back with Micromesh 8000 and then
12000 and then, if everything looks good, on with a
final coat of TS-26.
This might seem a bit obsessive, but then
aren’t we all a bit that way? Still, after I’d put the
first coat of Drab Olive on the other aeroplane here,
I couldn’t help myself and polished it up a bit before
applying the second coat. Do I need help?