66Foxtrot

Gorgeous. I love the antennae work.

The usual, outstanding work I expect from you.

I don’t know which is correct, but I’d lean towards yellow. The kit had red stickers, though. I like the way it looks.

Virginia Beach in 2008 was good. Columbus 2015 was fantastic. They’re both drivable for me.

Five Bf 109 E-7s were acquired by the Japanese in 1941, without armament, for evaluation. While in Japan they received the standard Japanese hinomarus and yellow wing leading edges, as well as white numerals on the rudder. A red band outlined in white was painted around the rear fuselage. They were used in comparison trials by the Japanese Army Air Force with the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa, Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki and the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien. As Japanese were interested in the DB 601 engine and license-built it for their Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter, they had little interest in the Bf 109 itself. The Allies, expecting to encounter Japanese Bf 109s in combat, assigned a code name of “Mike” to the Messerschmitts. None were flown in combat by the Japanese. Funny story...About 2/3 of the way through this kit, I thought to myself "Damn, those Finemolds guys really knocked it out of the park with this one...it's literally falling together like a Tamiya kit." Up to that point, I'd been having an odd familiarity about the whole process, which I couldn't quite place. Maybe an hour or two after having those thoughts, I noticed something molded into the lower left hand corner of the sprue I was holding: TAMIYA 1996. Well, I had a good laugh at myself at that. I thought this was a new-tool kit when I saw the announcement late last year, and put it on my Christmas list. The Queen got it for me, and I dug in a few weeks ago. I last built it 18 years ago. I distinctly remember putting the finishing touches on it the night before I deployed on 30OCT2004. Anyways, there goes the odd familiarity. Having said all that, it's a relaxing, enjoyable build. Finemolds contributed a small sprue containing an airfield workshop (Pilot, Mechanic, Table, Stool, Machine Gun, Oil Drums), a parachute pack for the seat pan, and a set of their "Nano" seat belts. The decals are very Tamiya-like, in that they are thick and don't respond well to setting solutions (Micro-Sol & Mr. Mark Softer). I've no idea who sourced them. You should build one.

That's gorgeous.

Because this was yet another decision made by the few in charge without consulting the paid membership body. This should've been voted upon by the membership.

Great stuff! I especially like the Monogram Sopwith.

Thank you, Gentlemen.

I managed to complete 15 kits this year, which is a personal best since 2009. Having three months off of work for a partial knee replacement certainly helped, as did a new studio. Here they are, warts and all. 1/48 Tamiya P-38F Lightning "Texas Terror/Mad Dash". I added an Eduard seat harness and E-Z Line antenna. 1/72 Airfix Heinkel He-111H-6 "Motorhead Bomber". This was advertised as a recent release, but I swear it's the 1979 release, right down to the blobby aircrew. People online have disputed me, but there's no way this is a recent kit. One of the worst kits I've ever puttied together. Sweet 1/144 P-51B built OOB. This was an exercise in weathering techniques. Sweet 1/144 P-51B built OOB. This was an exercise in weathering techniques. Antenna is stretched sprue. Revell-Germany 1/144 BaE Harrier Gr.7 OOB Sweet 1/144 Type 96 Carrier Fighter (A5M4) Tamiya 1/48 P-51B Mustang OOB with Kitsworld decals that basically ruined the project. The kit decals shattered in water. Airfix 1/48 P-51D Mustang OOB Tamiya 1/48 Focke-Wulf FW-190F-8 with Eduard seat harness and E-Z Line antenna. Tamiya 1/48 Kawasaki Ki-61-ID Hein (Tony)with Eduard seat harness. One of the nicest, sublime kits I've ever built. Airfix 1/72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1a OOB with wine bottle lead foil Sutton harness. Eduard 1/48 Focke-Wulf FW-190A-5 OOB. E-Z Line antenna. Airfix 1/72 Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat built OOB. Wine bottle lead harness. Airfix 1/48 P-51D Mustang OOB. Tamiya Craft Tools Electric Handy Drill. It's a power tool that you assemble after removing parts from sprues. It's nice and slow, drills perfectly, and is noisy as Hell. I love it.

Beautiful work, as always!

Amazing work, you should be proud! I won a RFM Tiger 1 Initial Production kit in the raffle at Cincinatti's show this year. I haven't done an Armor piece in about 10 years, so it's intimidating.

This, right here. Regardless of what they represent(ed), they are an important part of history. Important as a reminder of what evil really is, and of the memories of all who fought against that evil. Rewriting history and tearing down statues really pisses me off.

Thank you so much Eric. I was finally able to vote.

Same thing as the voting page, probably. I'm either unauthorized or already voted (I can't). I'm done trying.

Wow!

I don't know, but that's REALLY nice!

If I want it, I buy it. It’s good to be the King.

The landing page is ok.

YAY, everything is going back to normal!!

Your skills never cease to amaze me.

Great photos! Wish I'd been there...

I'm curious how many members make up the current membership body?

There's now a Facebook group for the 2021 Nationals, in case anyone is interested: https://www.facebook.com/groups/270897917458272/ 2021 IPMS Nationals Las Vegas "Very Best of the West."

I'm so sorry for your loss....The Robins look great. I think she'd love them.