Mike Ashley's modeling tips

 Now talk about a breathe of fresh air..  No ego, just straight modeling tips.  Mike has published modeling guides and now a video series.   The series is not bad.   But you decide for your self.  Here is video number one.

How to make 400 gal A4 tanks

 Here is a simple quick fix to my your wing tanks look good,

IPMS Canada "Buzz Beurling Scale Modelers.

 Found this great Canadian Modeling site.   IPMS "Buzz: Beurling Scale Modelers". The site is a wealth of model tips and information on the RCAF,  

Take a look here: The Buzz Beurling Scale Modelers

About IPMS "Buzz" Beurling

We are one of several model clubs in and around Toronto, and one of two IPMS/Canada chapters (strangely enough, the other one is called "IPMS Toronto"). [For those of you from south of the border, or who are just interested, here is a link to the IPMS/USA web page.]

After some thought during the initial meeting, back in 1976, and since the name "IPMS Toronto" was already taken, it was decided to name the chapter after "Buzz" Beurling, a Canadian fighter pilot and ace, during the Second World War.

After a hiatus from the IPMS Canada fold for a number of years, the club has, again, rejoined IPMS Canada as a chapter.

Although a elatively small group, the chapter does keep busy with appearances at annual displays, and helping to sponser model competitions. Membership isn't confined to the Toronto-area. Several members come from well outside the Toronto boundries.

Our monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday. Dave Brown, of Hornet Hobbies, has been kind enough to offer us room to meet in his store, where we can hold i the meetings - having meetings IN a hobby store is great, but can provide temptation to devate from one's current project...

``Buzz'' meetings are about as informal as you will find. We typically bring along something to build (or make Dave happy by picking up something from the store shelves), or just plain chat about models.

At some point, during the day, we manage to cover any chapter matters (like how's the weather, and what shade of plastic tastes best...), but most importantly, just enjoy each other's company, while doing a little modeling.

If you're in the area, we invite you to drop in and see what we're about!

For more information on the club, including annual dues, joining, and where to meet, you can email :

Chosing the correct wingpattern for a Bf109G-6 by "The Profile paintshop"

 The article belt is from the "The profile Paint shop"  The Profile Paint shop"

Chosing the correct wingpattern for a Bf109G-6

The Bf109G-6 was manufactured at three different factories in Germany (and one in Hungary which is outside the scope of this post), each with a distinct style of camouflage that can often quite easily be identified with a little help from other their distinguishing marks. Identifying which factory an aircraft stems from will help pick the correct camouflage pattern for the wings, something that both model companies as well as decal companies are getting wrong, constantly. The profiles has been made to highlight the important main differences. There were many more subtle differences between different batches but that will not be dealt with here, this is supposed to be a rough guide only. 

(Click the pictures for higher resolution versions!)

Messerschmitt Regensburg aircraft can be recognized by the wavy, scalloped demarcationline along the spine which goes down below the canopy, combined with a sort of banded mottle in colors 02, 75 and 74. These aircraft have the same basic camouflage pattern as in 1940! 

WNF aircraft are closest to the official specs for the camouflage pattern. The demarcation line on the spine is more straight, with an even, often soft, mottle. Most noticeable on WNF aircraft is the pattern on the spine with the 74 further back leaving the canopy in 75. The wingpattern is sometimes very angular and sometimes a little softer. Notice both ailerons in 75, breaking the pattern.

Erla aircraft have the most distinct markings and pattern of them all. On these, the canopy is in 74 but the plate in front of the windscreen is very often in 75 leaving a "gap" of 75 between the 74 on the windscreen and enginecowling. Also very distinct is the spotty mottle, very typical for Erla. The crosses on the undersurfaces of the wings has the thin black outline which neither Mtt Regensburg nor WNF aircraft does. Erla built aircraft carries the sawtoothed camouflage pattern. 

A1 Skyraider in Vietnam

 

Sad Day for Model builder. Bill Koster has been placed in Hospice today

 This is off the monograph modeler face book page.

  Bill pictures below with all his kits he designed.  Plus his creation from Koster Aero Modelling

Some sad news about a modeling icon. Bill Koster will be under hospice care starting tomorrow. He has cancer. Bill fought the disease once before but he could win this battle. He took a fall on 8/22 and has been hospitalized since then. His wife Devorah wishes to let all his modeling friends know. He, of course , was an special person to us modelers. especially those of us who grew up with Monogram Models. He was also a vacform pioneer. But for me personally he was also a fellow draftsman / designer as well as a friend. This information was kindly provided by Ed Nowak a fellow modelling friend of Bill's.

Eduards BF-109G special "Wilde Sau" Episode one: Ring of Fire.

 This Eduard special release is based on Neil Page research into this unit.  Neil has a great Luftwaffe blog Flake Eins. Here is the link to his blog: Falke Eins Blog