Leaderboard

The Stuka aircraft is just about done. After I finished the weathering, decals, and top coat done I detailed and painted the canopy frame and then installed the canopy. The antenna line inside the canopy was made with 32 AWG wire. The antenna line from tail to mast was done with some EZ-line. The aircraft was then set aside (more weathering to be applied once it is set on the base) . I then started on the portable generator for the display. For the engine I added the fuel line and ignition wires. The cable to hook up to the aircraft was part of the kit. I painted it German Gray and weathered it with gray, brown and black pastel chalk. I will add the grass and dirt stains later when it is mounted to the display base. I am now starting on the display base. The base is a 16” diameter, 1/8” thick maple base. I will be using Scene-A-Rama accessories to make a grass field next to a paved runway. I also have the tractor and seven figures to build, detail, and paint. You can see all the photos and details from the start in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-ju-87b-1-stuka/

One small update from yesterday’s work: I forgot to get a better shot to show the sidewall wood grain effort and now that the oil wash on the engine has dried and I do not need to worry about it staining my photo booth, here’s a photo of the engine

I first became aware of Squadron through their ads in the late 1970's in the old Challenge Publications rag "Scale Modeler", and I first ordered from them in 1983. From 1983 through the mid-1990's, they were my go-to. Then I started working in a hobby shop (Warrick Custom Hobbies in Plantation, FL) where I could get whatever I wanted by tacking it on to a stock order, and had no use for mail order (or, as became more frequent, online purchasing). I moved in 2001, and the next time I used Squadron was in 2005--what a marked difference. Shipping prices were through the roof (not 100% Squadron's fault, to be sure, but...), and their "Specials" were less frequent and could be hit or miss. After Jerry sold the business, I noted a lot less models on special and a lot more tchotchkes in stock and at a deep discount. To be honest, I believe the decline started with the rise of the internet. Groups like Stevens International (through their MegaHobby arm) and what we now know as Sprue Brothers embraced the technology, while Squadron resisted. When they did finally acknowledge that that was the future, their first attempt at a website was dismal, at best. Then Jerry sold the business, and that guy got in over his head. Then came Gwinne Gorr from Franklin Mint, but by that time the writing was on the wall. I recall reading somewhere a few months ago (about the same time Jef V. left and started his venture) that Gwynne, too, was out. I guess that coincides with a change in ownership... The funny thing is that MMD never missed a beat--probably because many shops were, up until recently, ordering via phone and fax. The HobbyTown I worked for only started using electronic ordering after MMD synchronized their system to the HobbyTown SMART software. Before late 2015 all our orders to MMD were done via phone, simply because it was easier than using their online ordering system. An added bonus was that you received confirmation of stock as you placed the order... If they're simply reorganizing, I will be eager to see what changes they've made. If they're down for the count, it was a long, fun ride... R