Fred

Unless someone knows something I don't, I cannot procure a room from any of the hotels listed on the IPMS/USA site. I would like to attend, so if anyone who already has a room wants a roommate to cut costs, please contact me. My name is Fred Sirois. I am a member of the IPMS/NENY club. I can be reached at fred_sirois@yahoo.com or 518-598-8917. Thanks in advance.

Am (almost desperately) looking for the 3 detail sets made by Cutting Edge for the 1/48 Monogram OS2U Kingfisher. Will pay almost top dollar.

Hello All, I am searching for reference material on the USS San Juan CL-54. Specifically, I need drawings, sketches, and/or good quality photographs of the camouflage pattern that the USS San Juan was wearing early in WWII. The pattern was called Measure 12 (modified) and as we all know, that pattern varied from ship to ship . I own the Warship Perspectives book on Atlanta Class Cruisers in World War Two by Glenn R. Arnold. There is a color illustration of the port side of the San Juan in the color plates, albeit simplified. There are also a few photographs of the port and starboard sides with the ship in that pattern, but it is somewhat difficult to make out the details. Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated. If there is a cost involved, I am willing to bargain. Thanks. Fred Sirois

Guys, As the subject title says, I am looking for a welded hull conversion kit to model a USMC M3A1 Stuart tank. Specifically, it would be either Tank #11 or #14, 3rd Platoon, C Company, 2nd Marine Tank Battalion that fought on Gavutu-Tanambogo on August 8, 1942. I have the Academy M3A1 kit, but it is known not to be the correct hull for a true M3A1. I have read Steve Zaloga's "Modelling the M3/M5 Stuart Light Tank" and his correction to the Tamiya hull is a bit beyond my skills. Therefore, I am looking for one of two welded hull conversion kits that were produced by companies that are now out of business. They are the Formations Models item #F026 and the Tiger Models item #AR-0375. If anyone has one of these kits and is willing to part with it or knows where I can get one, please contact me at fred_sirois@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance. Fred Sirois

Greetings all. After a long delay, I am reviving my plans to build a 1/700 USS Albany CA-123. Of course, I will need to purchase one of the Oregon City kits to accomplish this. Before I do, I have a few questions. 1. Which kit is the better value, the Niko Models kit or the Admiralty Model Works kit? I know which one is less expensive, but which is the better kit? 2. Were there any major or noticeable differences between the Oregon City and the Albany that I may have to incorporate into the build? 3. Since I will need different hull number and ship name decals, what would be a good source? That's it. (That's enough!) Thanks for the help.

Hey Folks, I recently picked up the re-release of the Airfix 1/48 Seafire FR46/FR47. It is a nice little kit, but I want to spruce it up a little without going overboard. I purchased the eduard PE 48424 mostly for some cockpit stuff. I'm tempted by a few other things, but I need some clarification and advice. Are the kit rocker covers for the cowling OK or do I need to replace them? Same question regarding the prop blades. Also, are the exhausts for the FR46 variant circular or flattened (fluted, whatever)? I'm confused by the Quickboost offering because their set for the FR46 has the exhausts flattened, but other pictures show them to be round. What say ye? Thanks for the help.

Hello All, I am trying to find 1/35 scale 47mm ammunition and casings in either resin or brass for a Japanese Type 1 47mm anti-tank gun. No-one seems to make that product. I am thinking of purchasing a 50mm ammunition set produced by Dnepromodel (an eastern European outfit) for a German gun. I know the shape may be incorrect but, since that is the closest in size, I may have no other choice. Before I drop the hammer, does anyone know of a source for 1/35 scale Japanese 47mm ammunition? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

I know that Fujimi is releasing a 1/72 scale kit, which I will probably get. I was wondering if one of the "big boys" was going to do a 1/35 scale kit. Anyone know? Thanks. Fred Sirois

I plan to model a 1/48 scale SBD-3 Dauntless in the markings of VS-71 or VS-72 from the USS WASP, CV-7, during the Guadalcanal campaign. I have purchased the Accurate Miniatures kit of the SBD-3, Coral Sea markings (black box). The issue I am having is that the AM kit has the single 0.30 caliber flexible gun in the rear seat. Information that I have gathered seems to indicate that the WASP SBD-3’s had twin 0.30’s. The question is this: what would be the easiest and/or cheapest way to put the correct configuration of the twin 0.30’s in the rear seat of the AM SBD-3 kit? Thank you in advance. Fred Sirois

Hello All, I've read rumors that eduard was going to either re-release their old kit or release a new mold tempest last year. Does anyone know if and when they might do that? Or is another manufacturer gong to come through with one? I just saw a Profipack Tempest go for over $100 on e-bay! That's nuts!

I hope and pray that Lindberg (no "h") has their collective act together and that this F-35 is a decent kit. I said that the prospect (with an "r") of them making a kit makes me cringe because of how they mucked up the 1/72 Japanese submarine. Many were anticipating that kit and many were disappointed by how bad it turned out. I will keep my fingers crossed!

While visiting a ship modelling site, pictures of the recent model expo in Japan were displayed. The focus was mostly on a proposed 1/144 USS Arizona by Lindberg, but in among the photos was a 1/32 F-35 Lightning II, also by Lindbergh, that is planned for future release. Has anyone else seen this? Is there any further information? I like the idea, but the pospect of Lindbergh doing this kit makes me cringe.

Paul, Thanks for the tip. I will post my question on Hyperscale as soon as I am "accepted" by the board there. I guess my proposed membership is "under review".

I recently purchased the old Monogram 1/48 Typhoon Mk 1b kit. From what I have read, it is not a bad kit, and the price was right (cheap!). I wanted to “tart it up†a little so I’ve purchased some aftermarket goodies to add to it. Just as I was going to start working on the kit, someone in my club mentioned that I ought to put Tempest horizontal tailplanes on it if I wanted it to be correct, since it has the 4-bladed prop and the bubble canopy. I did some searching on the net and the only tailplane correction set for the Monogram kit was done by the now defunct KMC (Kendall Model Company), kit # 48-5099. There are some other sets made for the Hasegawa kit, namely Ultracast and Sami. So, I have two questions: 1.) Does anyone know where I can get the KMC set? 2.) Which of the sets made for the Hasegawa kit would be the best fit for the Monogram kit? Thanks for the help.

I recently purchased the Trumpeter 1/35 LAV-AD (Air Defense) kit. I am no expert on the LAV, but it looked like an interesting variant. Upon examining the instructions, I discovered that there is nothing in there with regard to painting information except for the basic exterior colors. I know that something called "sea foam green" is the overall interior color, but I need some help with the rest of the details, especially the turret. Any suggestions? And speaking of details, Eduard makes PE sets for every variant of the LAV except the Air Defense variant. I'd like to add some PE, so which of the available sets would be the best choice? Thanks for the help.