SkyKing

Nice work!

On a recent modeling podcast, a modeler heard that S. C. Johnson is no longer producing Futre/Klear/Pledge Floor Care. Ge wrote to them to ask, and here is the reply he received: "Hi (name withheld), Thank you for reaching out. I’m sorry to share Pledge® Floor Care is no longer being made. That said, your continued interest has been shared with the Pledge® team." It is the end of modeling as we have known it. 😢 You may send your unbuilt kits to me for disposal.

I never claimed they are “benign,” no paint is. But the chemistry does sound more like the old Floquil lacquers than anything else. What I found most interesting is (1) they are available to match all FS 595 colors, and (2) they are available in many quantities and a variety of application methods.

Easy???!? If you armor model builders make a mistake, all YOU have to do is cover it with a jerrycan! 🤣

Available as acrylic enamel in many sizes of bottles, sprays, and cans: https://www.crosslinkpaints.com/Federal-Standard-Matched-FEDSTD595-Touch-Up-Paint.html

The Orion was almost entirely (perhaps completely) flush riveted. They would not be visible on a 1/72 scale model.

The following are Ukrainian kit producers and related companies according to a post on the Britmodeller forum: Armory Models Group Big Planes Kits A&A Models MikroMir Dora Wings ICM Models Miniart Masterbox Roden Models Armoury Models Aim Fan Mode Arsenal Model Group Art Model Avis Modelsvit Riich Models Unimodel Printscale Decals BS Decals Metallic Details Dan Models Reskit Foxbot Decals Roden Models Clear Prop! REXx Some have posted on their Facebook pages that martial law has been declared and all deliveries suspended for the duration. Vendors such as HobbyTerra, Models.UA, Hobby.dn.ua, and Plastic Model Store are also affected. Russian companies including Zvezda and Eastern Express will doubtless be affected as well.

There’s a great group of guys over at San Antonio.

I think putting it in an action setting on a simulated sea with attacking aircraft as you have done makes it a diorama. Ed will have the answer, however. Beautiful model, by the way.

Earlier today I received the following via the 72ndscaleusmilair Google group. All of us who built the Airfix B-26 Invader in "Monie" markings were familiar with Bob. The official message from Chris Mikesh, Bob's son: "Hi All, "I have the sad news of telling the modeling community of another MIA. My Father, Robert C. Mikesh, passed away this morning, one week short of his 95th birthday. "He served as an Air Force Pilot for 22 Years. Was decorated in Korea flying B-26s ('Monie' often modeled) and later in Vietnam flying Forward Air Control in O-2s (2 tours). His flying career included: T-6, B-25, T-11, C-47, B-26 (Douglas), T-33, F-100, A-1E, O-1, O-2, B-57A, B, C, & E versions, Cessna 150,172, 182, & 337 - just to name a few. On retiring he became a Curator at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum for 20+ years. His "collection" included the most historically significant aircraft in the world - and he got to play with all of them (so did I occasionally)! In that time he wrote many notable books like Japanese Aircraft Interiors, B-57 Canberra, Flying Dragons, Japanese Aircraft Equipment, Excalibur III, Broken Wings of the Samurai, and Zero Fighter - just to name a few among his numerous articles. "He was an avid model builder - both flying and static since he was 7. Many of his models are on display in the Ottumwa (Iowa) Airpower Museum, Smithsonian, and National Museum of the USAF. Most if not all are scratch built-in numerous scales. During WWII, he built 1/32 scale Stearman N2Ss for graduating pilots at NAS Ottumwa - each with their soloed serial number (only $5.00 each). I have many models including a Betty Bomber in white with green surrender crosses. Unique to this model is that the clear parts are made from the clear plexi from the real plane! (Documented). He produced many other unique aircraft models also. "Not everyone could have a career in aviation like my Dad. In aviation circles, he is probably the most envied man in the world. Our family will miss his caring and humor, but I know he is without pain and regret. Revelation 21:4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. "God bless you guys - I'll stay in touch. "Chris Mikesh"

Ay, there’s the rub!

Want to know the exact colors for your modern French aircraft, ship, or armored vehicle model? They’re all here in this 186-page document, publication NORMDEF 0001, Edition 1, March 2009. Includes digital color chips and colorimetric data. https://ereverra.files.wordpress.com/20 ... def_fr.pdf Associated AFNOR color deck (scan): https://www.aluplex-signaletique.fr/pdf ... _afnor.pdf Edition 2, September 2017, can be found here: https://docplayer.fr/82727244-Norme-defense-normdef-0001-edition-02-septembre-2017.html Edition 3, July 2018, can be found here: https://docplayer.fr/148426879-Norme-defense-normdef-0001-edition-03-juillet-2018.html Profitez!

Hannant’s is my go-to shop for the items I’m interested in, mainly European kits and hard-to-find resin, photoetch, and decals that are slow to arrive in the U.S., if they arrive at all. I’ve also used Hobby Terra for the same reason. Service and turnaround from both is excellent. I’ve also occasionally bought from the Aviation Megastore (Luchtvaart Hobby Shop) in Amsterdam, but their shipping is very expensive although their service is excellent as well. My go-to U.S. vendor has been Dauntless Hobbies, doing business on eBay as Scott’s Model Workshop (seller i.d. “RebelAlpha). He also seems to have the stuff I’m looking for, and his service and turnaround times are excellent as well.

As a former editor and sworn officer of the Grammar Police (motto: “To Serve and Correct”), I propose the following definitions: Kit: What comes in the box/bag Model/Contest Entry: What goes on the shelf/contest table (Disclaimer: I am not a National contest judge and was not involved in drafting the BKB rule.)

Words fail me, except to say that models like this are the reason IPMS needs a separate "Real Space" category for the national contest.