Homepage Text - September 2008

Tuesday, Sept 30  2008

  Jewish New Year  

Eid Al Fitr - Muslim Family holiday to mark the end of Ramadan

  Guinea-Bissau Independence Day    Botswana National Day  

Carmel J Attard starts today with a seldom seen model.  This is his 1/72 Rare Plane RC-12D Cuckiya which is a vac-u-formed kit that builds up into a very nice little model.  Carmel explains the history and build process in his article.   

Ray Hemenway has changed gears and tried something other than his usual WW1 models.  This is his big 1/32 Tomy Mustang P-51D complete with a host of scratchbuilding to bring up the detail level and finished off in the markings for Frenesi, which gives this Mustang a great look.   

Bob Herbert has shown with his 1/72 Academy A-10A Thunderbolt II (Warthog) that although he builds 1/48, he can turn out a great looking model in 1/72.  Bob added RBF tags and weathering plus a full weapons load to show his A-10 as it would have appeared during the Gulf War.   

Darin Bellis adds some colour to the ARC homepage with his 1/72 Amodel Pitts Special.  Darin made his own custom decals for the colourful markings on his Pitts Special with marvelous results.   

Monday,   Sept 29  2008 
This weeks Twobobs Newsletter is up.  Click here to read the latest from Twobobs.  Bob has info on a special F0-16 sheet he's doing up for the  NDIA UAV/Targets Conference being held in San Antonio in the next couple of weeks.

Bob Herbert contacted me about a great "Missile and Aircraft Reference Website" with info for missiles and aircraft for color and type!  The URL is http://www.milviz.com  This site has a huge amount of helpful info and I've added it to the ARC links pages.

Daniele Dotti starts today with a 1/72 Hasegawa Hurricane Mk.2C.  Daniele finished this Hurricane in RAf markings for a night fighter, which looks very good.   

Ian Buick is here with a selection of 1/72 RoG Typhoon FGR.4 (X4).  If you are building this kit......then Ian's article is a must read.......he's had plenty of experience with this kit.   

Bla’k Ja’k has done a marvelous job building and finishing his 1/72 Heller Canadair CL-415.  This is one of the well known fire bombers in it's bright colourful paint scheme.  

Louis Chang has done an outstanding job detailing and weathering his 1/48 Academy MIG-21UM.  Louis used a conversion set to create this special MIG-21UM.   

Sunday,    Sept 28  2008 

Artur Oslizlo starts today with his detail rich 1/48 Tamiya P-51B Mustang Mk.III.  Artur used the Aires Super Detail set to add plenty of extra detail to his Mustang and finished it off in markings for a Polish pilot.   


Warren Inman joins us from down under with his 1/32 Revell F-4F Phantom.  Warren finished off his big Luftwaffe Phantom in the colourful Wild Horse Phantom markings.  No doubt about these markings are eye catching.

Saturday,    Sept 27  2008 
Lefteris Legatos has taken the 1/32 Trumpeter A-10A Thunderbolt and done a huge amount of detailing and scratchbuilding.  There are many panels that were opened and detailed with glorious scratchbuilt detail and then it was finished off in the Snow Hog paint scheme. 

Shawn "Phantom" Weiler is here with his 1/48 Italeri CH-147 Chinook.  Shawn captured the look of this big Canadian transport helicopter very well.

Friday,   Sept 26  2008 
I've added a link to the ARC Manufacturers links page for Professional Plastics.  They sell Plastic Sheets, Rods, Tubing & Films.

Professional Plastics, Inc. (Fullerton, CA) offers more than 500 different plastic materials and products online from their e-commerce website www.professionalplastics.com .

Products are shipped from 15 locations throughout the USA & Asia. Mil-spec and hard-to-find materials are in stock for immediate shipment.

Tom Berres has done a marvelous job building and detailing his 1/72 Revell Seaking ASAC.7.  Thomas scratchbuilt details and added details using aftermarket resin parts.  No doubt about it......the folded rotors and tail really set this model apart.   

Bob Herbert joins us from New Zealand with his 1/48 Hasegawa A-4K Skyhawk.  Bob used aftermarket decals to complete his Skyhawk as a RNAF fighter.  Nicely done Bob!!   

Malcolm Reid has been busy getting the detail correct on his 1/72 Revell C-160Z Transall to make it into a SAAF Transall.  Malcolm tells the history of the South Afracian Transalls and what is required to build a Transall.  Malcolm displayed his with the doors open to show off the interior detail. 

KNES Armin has been busy converting and detailing his 1/48 AA-models MiG-21 F-13.  This conversion required a good amount of work create this version of the MiG-21, but Armin kept with it and turned out an excellent looking MiG-21 F-13. 

Thursday,   Sept 25  2008 
Tom Berres has been busy getting the details right on his 1/72 Aeromaster (Heller) Mirage 2000D.  Tom did a little bit of kit bashing a a whole lot of scratchbuilding to detail his Mirage with excellent results.   

Juergen Klinglhuber joins us with his very colourful 1/72 Aeroclub, Pilatus PC-7 - Viper.  Juergen made his own decals and airbrushed some of the markings to complete this special aircraft.     

Malcolm Reid had  a good time building the classic 1/48 Monogram F-106.   Malcolm used Fox One decal and a subtle weathering job to finish his F-106.

Douglas Conrady is here with his spoecial diorama he calls The Birth of Air Power.   Douglas captures the moment Billy Mitchell sunk the Battleship Ostfriesland on July 21, 1921 and showed the ability of aircraft to sink battleships.

Wednesday,   Sept 24  2008
No update today.
Tuesday,   Sept 23  2008

  Saudi Arabia National Day 

Here's the latest Hot Babe of the Week! photos from TwobobsThese new Hot Babe of the Week is up courtesy of the Air Force Flight Test Center. These are from back in 1997 at the Edwards Air Show. 50th Anniversary of Supersonic Flight.

Here is a link to to a new forum set up in Ireland by the IPMS Ireland chapter http://www.ipmsireland.com/forum/
It has only opened for business recently so it's a little bare but will hopefully build into a good reference for topics related to Irish aviation, both military and civil. Already, there is a thread up and running on available kits of the Irish Air Corps in 1/72 and another on the colours of IAC aircraft. 

Ricardo Santos is here to gets things started in a  big colorful way today.  This is his big Scratchbuilt 1/35 Spad XIII C finshed off in one of the most colorful paint jobs I've ever seen. Ricardo scratchbuilt everything on his Spad.   

Dragan Cvetic 1/72 KP MiG-21 MF.  Dragan  rescribed the panel lines and scratchbuilt the cockpit.  He then finished it off in Egyptian markings with weathering done with ink mixed with liquid soap.

Yun Chong has done a fine job building the 1/72 Academy Apache.   Yun Chong built this Apache out of the box with some careful drybrushing etc to bring the details alive with very effective results.  

Mario Araneda did a beautiful job building and finishing his 1/72 Hasegawa F-104 Starfighter.   Mario finished this good looking Starfighter in Italian Air Force markings.  

James Kelley is here with a review of the 1/48 VX-30 Bloodhounds decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This decal sheet features markings for 5 different VX-30 Bloodhounds jets.


Monday,   Sept 22  2008

 Mali Independence Day 

This weeks Twobobs Newsletter is up.  Bob has the instruction sheets for the new 1/48 A-10A Philadelphia Freedom Hawgs and the 1/48 F-16C Wisconsin 60th Anniversary Dairyland Vipers decal sheets.   Click here to read the latest from Twobobs.

Aaron Spilling has set up a very special resource for scale modellers.  It is The Ultimate Paint Conversion Chart which now has over 25 brands and standards included over 60 pages, with more to go.  I've added a link to his Paint Conversion Chart to the top of the ARC Tools 'n' Tips main page.  This will be an ever growing and very helpful resource.  Well done Aaron.

Carmel J Attard has been busy getting the details right on his 1/72 Eastern Express An-74 and Italeri/Dragon Su-24.   Carmel finished off both of these eye catching models in desert camo and Iranian Air Force markings.

Bob Herbert is here with the second model he has built since re-entering the hobby.  This is Bob's 1/48 Hasegawa P-47D Thunderbolt-Razorback.  Bob gave it some weathering and paint chipping  which all came out looking fantastic and then he finished it off in American markings with sexy noseart.  It doesn't get much better than this....enjoy the photos.   

Andy Bannister has added extra details to his tiny 1/144 Revell Black Bunny F-14.  Andy added weapons and then finished it off in the Playboy Bunny markings to get a great looking tomcat.   

Pierre Christian Baudru has joined us today with his detail rich 1/72 Fine Molds BF-109F-4.  Pierre dressing up the cockpit with some pre-painted Eduard set for the cockpit and finished it off in the attractive desert camo..   

I have a review of the new  1/48 F/A-18C VFC-12 and NSAWC Blue Bandits decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 6 different 1/48 F/A-18F's with VFC-12 and NSAWC.  

I have a review of the new 1/48 Double Ugly II Hill decal sheet from Afterburner Decals  Sea & Euro Seymour Johnson Phantoms decal sheet.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 9 different 1/48 Sea & Euro Seymour Johnson Phantoms in 2 tone gray paint schemes.  


Irene Shurson of All Occasion Aprons makes and sells Aviation Print Aprons for the Scale Modeler.  These are the ideal thing to keep paint off your clothes and to help catch small part from being lost in the carpet. 


Sunday,    Sept 21  2008

  Malta Independence Day 

Nick England gets things fired up today with his 1/48 Revell Fokker DVII.  Nick got the wood grain on the prop and all the rigging looking the way it should and then he finished it off in the markings of a infamous ace.


Steve Sliger has a talent for building space models and today he is here with his Explorer 1 satellite kit by RealSpace Models.  Steve was vert creative in the way he chose to display his model in-flight on a  diorama base.

Saturday,    Sept 20  2008 
geedubelyer has built his 1/72 Revell AH-1W Super-Cobra in a  way most of us seldom do.  It was built out of the box and painted in a  couple of hours....just like we use to do when we were kids.  Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.    

Artur Oslizlo has been busy getting thing right on his very sharp looking 1/48 Airfix BAe Hawk 127 LIF.  Artur used three CMK resin sets dedicated for Airfix kit and Eduard color zoom set and finished it all off in RAAF markings with excellent results.   


Friday,   Sept 19  2008

  Chile - Anniversary of the Chilean Army 

  Saint Christopher (Kitts) and Nevis Independence Day 

Peter Doll is a well respected modeller and member of ARC and when you see the photos of his 1/32 Republic F-105D Thunderchief, you'll understand why.  Peter fixed problem areas in this kit and added a pilot figure and he usual impeccable painting and weathering before he took fantastic photos.   


Vladimír Žucha has done a wonderful job finishing and weathering his 1/48 Revell F-4U-5 Corsair.  Vladimír added paint chipping around panel edges as well as full weathering to his out of the box build and it looks excellent.   

Brian Pruitt has been bust dressing up his 1/72 Dragon / Northrup P-61B Black Widow.  Brian added resin engines and resin wheels to go along with his full weathering job on this very historical aircraft.

Rafi Ben-Shahar is here to make you grin.  This is his 1/48 Hasegawa Skyhawk A-4N  with the addition of two aftermarket resin kits by Cutting Edge and used Isradecal's Skyhawk decals to create this stunning Israeli jet.  Rafi never fails to deliver.

I have a review of the new  1/48 F-4 Double Ugly Hill Gray Seymour Johnson Phantoms decal sheet from Afterburner Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 5 different 1/48 Double Ugly Hill Gray Seymour Johnson Phantoms in 2 tone gray paint schemes.   


I have a review of the new 1/48 F-14A/B/D VF-101 Grim Reapers decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 8 different 1/48 F-14A/B/D's with VF-101 Grim Reapers.    

I have a review of the new 1/48 resin S35E Draken Recce conversion by Maestro Models Conversions from Rebell Hobby.  This new resin nose  permits you to converts the 35E Draken into a Recce nose S35E Draken and is designed for the new 1/48 Hasegawa J35 Draken.    


Thursday, Sept 18  2008

  Chile Independence Day 

I've added a link to Flevo Aviation Hobby  Here's what Neils & Björn Dol, have to say about their site.  This will be a website full of Aviation Hobby and Scale Modeling items.  On the picture section you'll find pictures of airshows etc, Davis Monthan AFB "The Boneyard", and Walk Arounds.  The Scale Modeling section will contain Kit and Decal Reviews.  At this moment there is just a small section online, but we will try do do weekly updates!  We hope that this site will be a welcome addition to other aviation hobby and scalemodeling sites!

Gabriel Stern gets things started today with his Scratch-built 1/72 American (Shelton) AG-4 Gyro Crusader.  Wow.....this is one very streamlined aircraft......I love the look of it.  A job well done by Gabriel on the model and an interesting article to go with it.

Dennis Brackett has hit a home run with his 1/72 Hasegawa F-104N.  Dennis explains his tricks to finishing this beauty and then he photographed it in flight.  Wow...beautiful. 

Resin Builder is here with something you don't see very often if at all.  This is his perfect looking 1/288 West Coast Hobbies/CMR Martin Mars JRM-3 Flying Tanker.  This is a famous water bomber that can be seen fighting fires in Canada and the United states during the summertime forest fire season. 

Huy Hoang has been busy building, detailing and finishing his 1/144 Dragon EA 6B Prowler.  This is a tiny kit with almost no cockpit detail, but that didn't stop Huy Hoang from scratchbuilding some cockpit detail.

I have a review of the new  1/48 VX-23 Salty Dogs Test Super Hornet decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 3 different 1/48 F-18E's and F-18F's with VX-23.  

Floyd S. Werner, Jr. joins us today with a book review of the new Messerschmitt Bf-110C, D, E: An illustrated Study. 

Wednesday,   Sept 17  2008 
Here's the latest Hot Babe of the Week! photos from Twobobs.  This weeks photos include tailart on VMFA-122 Hornets "Werewolves".

Juergen Klinglhuber has been busy building his 1/72 IMPS Austria Kit, Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer.  This a limited run multi-media kit that Juergen turned into a great looking model of this Swiss-made military trainer.

Paul Nortness did something different when building his 1/48 Monogram F-4J.  Paul built this kit as he would have when he was a kid with some very satisfying results.  Paul finished it off with SuperScale decals. 

Joseph R. Dias has done an exceptionally nice job building, detailing his Three Fighting Men.   This is a figure model is his first article on ARC and is of the Vietnam Memorial Statue which is a very creative approach that brings this memorial to live.  Welcome to ARC Joseph!!!

Dragan Cvetic did a beautiful job building, detailing and finishing his 1/72 KP MiG-21 MF.   Dragon added extra cockpit detail and finished his Mig-21 in Iraqi markings.

Laurent Boildieu joins us with his well weathered 1/48 Morane Saulnier MS 406 C that was flown by a French Ace in 1940.  The model looks very good and the diorama base tells a story with the figures.    

I have a review of the new 1/48 Scooter Trainers decal sheet from Afterburner Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for seven different 1/48 Scooter Trainers in a variety of paint schemes.  


I have a review of the new 1/48 F-14 VF-103 Final Tomcat Cruise decal sheet from Fightertown DecalsThis new decal sheet includes markings for 4 different 1/48 F-14's with VF-103 Jolly Rogers during the Last Tomcat Cruise in 2004 including one hi-viz jet and 3 line jets in lo-viz markings.  


Thierry Dekker is here with a  product announcement for the new CORSAIR F4U-1 profile print from DekkerArtWork.


Tuesday,   Sept 16  2008

 Mexico Independence Day 

 Papua New Guinea Independence Day 

This weeks Twobobs Newsletter is up.  Click here to read the latest from Twobobs.  Bob has artwork and instruction sheets for the aircraft that are represented on the 72nd/48th/32nd set of releases of our Werewolves of Beaufort series.

Azlan Yusof gets things started today with his first article on ARC.  This is his first model after many years and he chose to build the 1/48 Academy Mig-29N and finish it off in Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM).  Nicely done Azlan.

Loďc Lemarchand is here with Part 2 of his 1/72 Academy B-17F.  Today Loďc shows how he did the diorama base for his crash landed B-17.  The battle damage on the tail looks very realistic.


Yvan Vansteenkiste is here with Part 2 of his 1/32 Tamiya F-16.  Yvan took has a talent for painting and you'll see this in the excellent job he did on his F-16.  He then finished it in Hellenic Air Force markings with special anniversary tailart.

Javier Córdoba is here from Mexico today to honour the Mexico Independence Day with his 1/32 P-39Q “Airacutie”.   Javier got the great markings for his big P-39 from Zotz Decals.  I love these markings.

I have a review of the new 1/48 F-14 Santa Cat VF-103 decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 3 different 1/48  F-14's with VFA-103 including one in the Santa Cat markings.     

I have a review of the new  1/48 Scooter Bandits TA-4J Adversaries Pt. 2 decal sheet from Afterburner Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for seven different 1/48 Scooter Bandits TA-4J Adversaries sized for the Classic Airframes kit.     


Richard Wood has a review of the new Pro Modellers Weathering Wash.  If you're looking for an easy way to do washes.....this might be the perfect solution for you.   

Monday,   Sept 15  2008

  Battle of Britain Day 1940 

  Costa Rica Independence Day 

  El Salvador Independence Day 

  Guatemala Independence Day 

  Honduras Independence Day 

  Nicaragua Independence Day 

Artur Oslizlo is here to mark Battle of Britain Day with one of the two RAF fighters that turned the tide.  This is Artur's beautifully done 1/48 Tamiya Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb that has been upgraded with an Eduard Zoom set with excellent results.    


Shawn "Phantom" Weiler has dome a first class job on his 1/48 Hasegawa A+ and C Hornets.  Shawn dressed up these models with wing folds from JF models and resin cockpit parts from Black Box and finished them off with markings for  CVW-8 and  VFA-87 from Afterburner decals.


Loďc Lemarchand is here with part 1 of his 2 part article on building his 1/72 Academy B-17F diorama.  Loďc tells the history behind the crash landing for this B-17 on Bastille Day, 1943 and the fate of the crew.  Loďc also explains how he created the battle damage on his B-17.  


Federico Kunz is here with a model of his 1/72 Revell Tornado.  This was a gift from his young son Olaf and I must say young has good taste and  Federico did a fine job on his Luftwaffe Tornado in anniversary markings.


I have a review of the new 1/48 VF-32/VFA-32 CAG Jets F-14B & F-18F decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.   This new decal sheet includes markings for 2 different 1/48 jets including an F-14B with with VF-32 and an F-18F with VFA-32.  


Sunday,    Sept 14  2008 
Brian Pruitt starts today with his A Tale of Two ZerosBrian's article features the  1/72 Hasegawa Zero and the Academy Zero.  Brian added a well weathered look to each of his Zero's to give them a more realistic look.    

Micah Reysio-Cruz has done a marvelous job building and finishing his  1/72 Academy F-86.  Micah tells the story of attending airshows as a child with his Dad.  His sharp looking Sabre is finished with a very well done bare metal finish and Haribon Decals.     

Saturday,    Sept 13  2008 

Chuang Xue Qian joins us from Singapore with an great looking 1/72 Academy F-16CG Block 40.  Xue Qian was quite impressed with this Academy kit and decided to finish if in the markings of an F-16 in Kunsan Air Base, South Korea.       


Sébastien "Tyconderoga00" Stock has done a marvelous job building and finishing his 1/48 Trumpeter Westland Wyvern S4 Early.  Sébastien finished his Wyvern in the markigns for 827 Naval Air Squadron - HMS Eagle in June 1955.


Friday,   Sept 12  2008 
A sale from the Small Shop.....makers of Photos etch folding tools.
We are thrilled to announce that Master Model Builder - Floyd S. Werner, Jr. used The Small Shop Hold & Fold workstations, PE Cut-off Set & Rolling Sets in the New Master Class Model Video.

Master Class Clinic #2 Aircraft Series: Advanced Aviation Modeling with Resin, Photo-Etch and Vacuform Canopies.

"We absolutely loved your products and the three member production team fought over who would get what at the end of filming. LOL Your products were great and performed flawlessly. Excellent stuff." Floyd S. Werner Jr.

Special limited time offer: Order either or both of the Master Class Videos along with any Hold & Fold Workstation or Rolling Set and receive 10% off your entire order (except shipping). Enter Coupon Code MCVS10 during checkout and the 10% will be credited to your order.
Andre Liebenberg starts today with his highly detailed 1/32 Trumpeter NA-10 N/AW.  Andre opened quite a few panels and added resin cockpits to improve the detail of his two seater A-10.  The finished model is quite the eye catching beauty.   

Paul R. Miles "Huey Gunner" is here with his spectacular 1/32 Wedell-Williams Racer.  This is a limited run kit, but Paul didn't let that slow him down and he added detail and kept at it until he had a museum piece of a model of this vintage racer that he could give to his step-father.  

Miroslav Adamovic was determined to complete his 1/32 Tamiya F-4J Phantom II  in the true style  in detail and finish that this big wonderful kit deserves.  Miroslav added resin intakes and exhausts as well as a Blackbox cockpit before finishing his Phantom in USMC markings for a jet lost in action with it's crew KIA during the Vietnam war.

Nick England had a busy time building his 1/72 Airfix Lysander.  Nick finished his Lysander in special ops markings to end up with one sharp looking model of this RAF aircraft.   

I have a review of the new  1/48 Scooter Bandits TA-4J Adversaries Pt. 1 decal sheet from Afterburner Decals.   This new decal sheet includes markings for seven different 1/48 Scooter Bandits TA-4J Adversaries sized for the Classic Airframes kit. 

I have a review of the new  1/72 CF-18 "Nightmare 01" decal sheet from Leading Edge Models.   This new decal sheet includes markings for one specially painted CAF CF-18 "Nightmare 01" aircraft #761 with 409 Squadron

Thursday,   Sept 11  2008

Terrorist Attack on World Trade Center and Pentagon 2001

No product reviews today out of respect for the Anniversary of Sept 11.
Burt Gustafson is here to honor the Sept 11 Anniversary with his 1/72 Hasegawa F-16C.  Burt chose an F-16 involved in 'Airforce One' escort duty on Sept 11.  Burt added a resin seat to dress up the cockpit and finished it off with a diorama.

Tom "Timi" Modłasiak joins us today on ARC with his beautifully weathered 1/48 Tamiya A-1H Skyraider.  The Skyraider is very difficult to get the weathering correct, but Tom did an amazing job finishing his Skyraider.  Welcome top ARC Tom!!!!   

Paolo Yuen is here with his big 1/400 Heller Charles De Gaulle.  Paolo added plenty of scratchbuilt detail to many areas of this carrier which include a deck full of aircraft and hanger deck detail.   

Dennis Robert R. Ferriol joins us from the Philippines 1/32 Tamiya Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero.  Dennis added cockpit and engine wiring to complete his Pearl Harbor attacker.  Look carefully at the paint finish.......it's amazingly well done. 

Vladimír Žucha is here with his 1/48 Italeri F-86 Sabre.  Vladimír changed the slats, ailerons and flaps to the deployed position and pulled off an excellent baremetal finish before finishing his Sabre in colourful markings with noseart and a sharks mouth.  

Wednesday,   Sept 10  2008 
Here's the latest Hot Babe of the Week! photos from TwobobsTomorrow is Sept 11 and this weeks photos taken by Peter Fey feature a Prowler in 9-11 artwork. 

  • The Columbus 2009 IPMS/USA National Convention Web Site is up and running thanks to the efforts of Scott Sharkey ( 2009 Convention Webmaster).  You can find it at http://www.ipmsusa2009.org

Elia Pagani joins us for the first time today with this stunning looking 1/48 Italeri Fiat CR42Elia did much effort to get the details correct including adding a scratchbuilt cockpit with tubular framing and finishing it all off with a beautifully done paint job in markings from North Africa.  Welcome to ARC Elia!!!

Carlos R. Eckardt had an enjoyable time building his 1/72 Revell F-16C Block 50/52.  Carlos built his F-16 out of the box and to my surprise the very smooth finish was done without an airbrush.  Excellent work Carlos. 

William Di Filippo joins us from Italy with his beautifully weathered 1/48 Italeri Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat.  William built his Tigercat mostly out of the box and finished her in the markings and weathering of a plane stationed in Korea.    

Paul Nortness is proving to be quite the expert on the F-14 and you've seen from his recent articles focusing on the Tomcat.  Today Paul is here with his 1/48 Academy F-14A Bombcat that he built out of the box with a nice application of weathering to complete the look of his bombcat.   

Gabriel Stern is here with another of the oddities from aviation history.  This is his Scratch-built 1/72 Farman 250, which is a boxy little passenger plane that I must admit I'd have second thoughts of being a passenger in.  Gabriel scratchbuilt this model to his high and exacting standards.  Gabriel must have one heck of an interesting display case at home. 

I have a review of the new  1/48 Desert Storm Nose Art F-14A's VF-84 & VF-41 decal sheet from Fightertown DecalsThis new decal sheet includes markings for 3 different 1/48 F-14's with nose art with VF-84 & VF-41.  

Tuesday,   Sept 9  2008

 Tajikistan National Day 

 Democratic People's Republic of Korea 

No update today.
  • I'm pleased to report that on Monday, September 8th, Cobra Company resumed normal business. After a lengthy illness that required hospitalization, Chris Miller the owner of Cobra Company  has recovered enough to resume work. Chris would like to thank you all for understanding the necessity to close.  He will work to ship orders as reasonably as possible so please be patient.  Chris Miller is known as Chief Snake in the ARC forums.   http://www.cobracompany.com

Monday,   Sept 8  2008

First use of V-2 rocket lands Chiswick area of London (1944)

This weeks Twobobs Newsletter is up.  Click here to read the latest from Twobobs.  Bob has info on the 9 new decal sheets that are at the printers and will be available soon.

  • Victoria Scale Modelers Island Open XV, Annual Show and Contest 13 September in Victoria, BC, CanadaClick here for more info http://www.vsm.bc.ca
  • Gateway to the West Invitational and Swap Meet  in Eureka, Mo  Sept 13  .  Click here for more info http://ipms-gateway.com/invite2008.htm
  • IPMS - Fort Worth Scale Modelers SuperCon 2008  9:00 Am to 5:00 PM  13 September  Arlington, TX,  Click here for more info http://www.fwsm.com


Andrea Cittadini starts today with a fantastic diorama of the 1/72 Revell/Matchbox Walrus MK.I Andrea did some scratchbuilding to complete this diorama and add detail to the interior of this Walrus.  The water has to be seen to be believed.  Sit back and enjoy the photos.    

Bas Kuijper has done an outstanding job building and finishing his 1/72 Hasegawa Luftwaffe F-4F.  Bas was very busy on his Luftwaffe Phantom using the AirDoc decal sheet with stunning results. 

Emad Tabsh joins us with his sharp looking 1/72 Italeri RQ-1 Predator.  This little kit turns out very well as you'll see when you look at Emad's photos.  

Kin Wong has done a wonderful job on his 1/144 Dragon F-14As.  It's amazing the level of quality and finishing detail that is possible on these 1/144 kits.  Well done Kin. 

Laurent "Angus" Beauvais did a stellar job on his 1/48 Hasegawa Junker Ju-87 B2.  This is a first class kit and with Laurent's weathering job it looks perfect. 

I have a review of the new  1/48 Test Cats F-14A/D decal sheet  from Fightertown Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for different F-14's involved in Test programs including 5 different paint schemes. 
 

Sunday,    Sept 7  2008

 Brazil Independence Day 

 Pakistan Air Force Day 

Guilherme Kosciuv starts this special Brazilian update with his 1/72 Italeri C-119G.  Guilherme did some scratchbuilt modifications to create the G version of the C-119.  The finished model look excellent.  

PJ from Brazil has done a wonderful job detailing, finishing and weathering his 1/48 Eduard Hellcat.  PJ gave his Hellcat sharks mouth markings with a very interesting white panel lines to replicate salt in the panel lines.   

Guilherme Kosciuv is here with 62 photos from the recent XIII Open GPC Contest in Brazil.  Use the slideshow feature to view the photos easier.  There's some very detailed models in these photos.  

Guilherme Kosciuv joins us with his fine looking 1/72 Revell and Academy P-47D's.  These 2 P-47's served during WWII and these Brazilian pilots were very successful in their fight against the Axis powers.  Guilherme finished hisP-47's in bare metal finishes with noseart.  

Saturday,    Sept 6  2008 
Aaron Hughes has put quite a bit of effort into his BIG attractive 1/24 Heritage Aviation Lightning.  This great looking Lightning is a vac formed kit and took 6 months to build.....wow.....quite the winter project with an excellent pay off for Aaron's display cabinet in the end. 

Lyle Brown is here with something a bit different today.  This is his Cessna Citation XLS+ artwork.  

Friday,   Sept 5  2008 
Tomorrow is the Kalamazoo Air Zoo Model Contest, Saturday, September 6, 2008, 9-5 in Kalamazoo, MichiganGo to their website for more info.  www.ipmskalamazoo.org

Nick England is here from Dubai with his 1/48 Airfix Spitfire Mk22 Nick built this kit a few years back and decided to rebuild it with a bare metal finish and markings for the Southern Rhodesian Airforce, Rhodesia, 1953.  No doubt about it this Spitfire is quite the eye catching model.


Agnieszka Kuś has a passion for real space models and today she is here with her 1/30 Ogoniok Soyuz 7K-OK.  Agnieszka  did her usual excellent job and she chose a Spacecraft with a Polish connection.  But you've got to see the photos she has of her model in space and orbiting earth.......amazing.    


Rafi Ben-Shahar joins us today with his noseart adorned  1/72 Revell Lancaster I.  Rafi gives this kit very high marks and after seeing the finished model I must say it does look excellent.   


Paul Nortness has been quite busy building big Tomcats.  Today he is here with his sharp looking 1/32 Revell F-14A Tomcat.  and if you are planning on building this kit then Paul has some very helpful tricks to make the process much easier.  


Rick Martens is here with his D-Day 1/48 Dragon P-51.  Rick chose decals with noseart and full D-Day stripes and then added full weathering to complete the look.  Have a close look....this one has a stunning finish.  


Here is a preview of the new 1/48 F-4F Press to Test "Elefant" decal sheet decal sheet from Twobobs Aviation Graphics.  This decal sheet includes complete markings for the 50th Anniversary F-4F of the WTD61 Flight Test unit from the German Air Force. 


I have a review of the new  1/48 Adversary Bad Cats NSAWC & Topgun F-14 decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This decal sheet includes markings for 10 different 1/48 F-14's in Adversary markings and even one in Iranian markings.     


I have a review of the new  1/72 F-15S, F-22A, F-15K, AC-47D, AC-130U & F4U-5N decal sheet from Wolfpak Decals.  This decal sheet includes markings for 7 different aircraft including a F-15S, F-22A, F-15K, AC-47D, AC-130U, F4U-5N.    

Thursday,   Sept 4  2008

  Swaziland Independence and National Day 

German Schmitz joins us from Santiago, Chile with his first article on ARC.  This is his 1/72 Roden Antonov An-12BK done up in the markings of the Russian Air Force.  German explains the little tricks to make this beauty.  Welcome to ARC German!!! 


Paul Parkes is here with one of my favourite subjects....Tiger Meet jets.  This is Paul's 1/48 Airfix Super Etendard finished with a set of his custom made decals.  I really like how this one turned out.   


Shawn "Phantom" Weiler is back with a well known Canadian aircraft.  This is his 1/48 Academy CH-113A Labrador modified with a Belcher Bits resin APU tail and decals to create a Canadian search and rescue CH-113A Labrador.  Very nicely done Shawn.


Oliver Peissl is here with a stunning looking 1/48 Tamiya F-16CJ Block 50.  Oliver finished his F-16 as an Hellenic Air Force (HAF) jet with resin and photo etch goodies with enhance the detail and he finished it off with a flawless weathered faded paint job.


Here is a preview of the new 1/72 & 1/32 F-16C Buckeye Vipers #1 decal sheet from Twobobs Aviation Graphics.  This sheet is a combo sheet in both 72nd and 32nd scale for the Ohio ANG.  There are enough markings to build two 72nd scale jets and one 32nd scale jet.  Enough options are available for all three jets.


I have a review of the new  1/72 VF-154 "Black Knights" Final Combat Cruise decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This new decal sheet  includes markings for 4 different 1/72 F-14F's with VF-154 Black Knights.  


I have a review of the new  1/72 P-3C AIP, EP-3E Aries II, C-119L, F-16C+, Su-15TM, EA-7Land an A-10A decal sheet from Wolfpak Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 8 different aircraft including a P-3C AIP, two EP-3E Aries II, C-119L, F-16C+, Su-15TM, EA-7Land an A-10A.

Wednesday,   Sept 3  2008

  Qatar National Day 

The Kalamazoo Air Zoo Model Contest in Kalamazoo, Michigan is happening this Saturday, September 6, 2008, 9-5  Go to their website at www.ipmskalamazoo.org for further info

Here's the latest Hot Babe of the Week! photos from TwobobsHere's some photos of the F-16 up in Alaska.  Enjoy. 


Mike Mitchell is here to mark the anniversary of this airliner being shot down by a SAM missle.  This is Mike's  1/144 S&M Models Vickers Viscount.  Mike added aftermarket parts to complete this airliner.  Read his article for the full story of how this plane was shot down by a SAM missile.  


Vladimír Žucha joins us with his very nicely done 1/72 Zvezda Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut.  Vladimír added an aftermarket seat to this fine looking Su-47.   


Daniele Dotti had a good time building t his excellent looking 1/72 Hasegawa F4F-4 Wildcat.  Daniele built this Wildcat out of the box and finished it in markings from Dec 1941.  


Artur Oslizlo has done an exceptionally nice job building and finishing his 1/48 Trumpeter Shenyang F-6.   Artur added Eduard photo etched parts to improve the detail on his Shenyang F-6 and then finishd it in Pakistan air Force markings.


I have a preview of the new 1/48 & 1/32 F-16N Old School Adversarys decal sheet from Twobobs Aviation Graphics.  This sheet features three complete jets in two different scales to round out this 48th/32nd Combo Sheet.


I have a review of the new  1/144 VFA-103 Jolly Rogers First Super Hornet Combat Cruise decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 3 different 1/144 F-18F's with VFA-103 Jolly Rogers.  

Tuesday,   Sept 2  2008

  Vietnam Independence Day 

V-J Day  Japan surrenders in Tokyo Harbour

Steve Filak has set up the new ARC Telford 2008 UK Nationals Forum and I've created a link for this big show on the top right corner of the ARC homepage.

This weeks Twobobs Newsletter is up.  Click here to read the latest from Twobobs.  Bob has the artwork for the upcoming Philly Freedom A-10 sheet decal sheet and the artwork on this one is going to be very popular.


John Wolstenholme starts today with his Tools N Tips article explaining Simulating Wear and Tear in Cockpits etc.  John is a very talented modeller and his will give you a new  technique to try on your next model.


Jeff Hamel has done a wonderful job on his  1/48 Italeri Gripen JAS-39.  Jeff finished his Gripen in South African Air Force markings, which looks very good on the Gripen. 


Paolo Yuen is here with his award winning 1/144 Revell Airbus A-330.  Paolo used plenty of aftermarket items and finished his Airbus.    


Gidi Vitkon has done an amazing job detailing, finishing and weathering his1/48 Revell AH-64D-I 'Saraf'.   This is an older kit but with plenty of effort and aftermarket goodies from Isradecal/Isracast a stunning AH-64 was created with full weapons and that great looking Israeli desert camo.  


John McCormick has been very busy building, detailing and finishing his1/32 Revell/Monogram RF-4C Phantom II.  John did a ton of work on his Phantom and pulled it all together with a SEA camo scheme with gentle weathering.   


I have a preview of the new 1/48 F-15C Lindbergh's Eagles decal sheet from Twobobs Aviation Graphics.  This sheet features three different F-15's with enough stencils included to build a total of two.  


I have a review of the new  1/72 KC-135R, F-16C, A-10A & B-24D  decal sheet from Wolfpak Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 5 different aircraft including two KC-135R, F-16C, A-10A and B-24D.   

Sept 1  2008

  Libya Independence Day 

  Slovak Republic Constitution Day 

  Uzbekistan National Day 

World War Two begins in Europe - Germany invades Poland (1939)

  • No update today.....it's the Labo(u)r Day holiday and I'm taking the day off to spend time with my family before my kids go back to school on Tuesday. 
  • My best wishes go out to everyone waiting for Hurricane Gustav to reach landfall.  Stay safe everyone.......I hope New Orleans is spared further damage.