Homepage Text - December 2015

Thursday,  Dec 31   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Roderick Vargas is here with his 1/32 Revell EC145 masterpiece.  The cockpit is scratchbuilt with fantastic results.  Then he added photo etch to and finished his EC-145 in custom markings for a EC145 Florida Hospital Florida Flight 1 air ambulance out of Orlando, Florida.  The scratchbuilt interior is a joy to see.....every detail is perfect.

Carmel J. Attard is here with a very rare post war prototype.  This is his 1/72 MPM XP-56 ‘Black Bullet' in it's bare metal finish.  Carmel tells the history of this short lived prototype that led to further successful designs plus he tells what was involved to build this classic kit.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Vympel R-27ET - AA-10 Alamo-D missiles from Zactomodels.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 MiG-19PM (Farmer E) Pitot Tube and missile rails nose parts from Master.


Wednesday,  Dec 30   2015  
Silly Week reminder;  I've only got a small number of models for this years Silly Week......so if you have some to share....please send them in.

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Floyd S. Werner, Jr. is here with an in-depth experts review of the new 1/48 Eduard Bf-109G-6.  Floyd gives a full run down of this kit and what was involved to build it.  And build it he did....and to his usual very high standard.  It's always a special treat to see Floyd's models on ARC.

Shawn "phantom" Weiler shows us his "hat trick" with his 1/48 Hobby Craft CT-114 Tutor, times 3.  Shawn is building a variety of Tutors in different paint schemes reflecting the 50 years of service in the RCAF for this trainer.  I quite enjoyed seeing the three he shows us today.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 Airwing All-Stars Phantoms Part 3 decal sheet from Furball Aero DesignThis decal sheet has options for six 1/48 F-4J aircraft, all painted in the attractive Gull Gray over white scheme. Enough stencils and data are included to build 2 complete models.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 F-104 Starfighter pylons from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis set includes resin and photo etch parts and a decal sheet.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb Exhausts from UltracastThis detail set is designed for the Tamiya kits.


Tuesday,  Dec 29   2015      
No update today.

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Monday,  Dec 28  2015

Nepal - Birthday of H.M. Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev 

Australia - "Proclamation Day" in South Australia

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Chris Parsons gets things started today in style with his Monogram "box scale" Cessna 180 floatplane.  Chris did quite a bit of extra work on his 185 and then gave it a beautifully applied striped paint job.  The weathering and base do wonders for adding realism.  I love floatplanes.


Burt Gustafson is here with his brightly colored 1/48 Airfix Folland Gnat T.1.  Burt had an excellent time building this Airfix kit and chose the bright colors and markings for an RAF trainer jet.  It looks sharp from every angle.


Here's a product article for the Photo Etch Cut-Off Set - Large from The Small Shop.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Shenyang J-6/F-6 gun barrels set, & Pitot Tube from Master.


Sunday,  Dec 27   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Saturday,  Dec 26  2015

Slovenia Independence Day 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Friday,  Dec 25   2015  
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!  

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Thursday,  Dec 24  2015

Serbian Air Force Day

Larry Randel has passed away.  Larry was a core member of The OHMS (Oregon Historical Modelers Society) and an avid modeler.....he will be dearly missed by all that knew him.  This is very sad news indeed.

To track Santa on Christmas Eve with your kids...go to this website 
http://www.noradsanta.org/  this is the NORAD Santa tracking website with plenty of great videos of Santa doing his deliveries on Christmas Eve.  He has already begun his trip.

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Paolo Yuen has used many many aftermarket sets and 11 months to super detail his 1/350 Trumpeter USS Franklin CV-13.  The Ben Franklin or "Big Ben" had a great looking camo scheme and Paolo did a fantastic job getting everything perfect....I loved seeing the photos and reading about all the detail he added....AMAZING work Paolo!!!

Jens Gerber joins us from Germany with his 1/48 Hobby Boss Antonov An 2.  Jens added a Eduard PE set and that completed his AN-2 to his usual high quality and posed it on a grass Tarmac to complete this beauty.  I love the look of his An-2 from every angle.

Wednesday,  Dec 23  2015

Japan - Birthday of H.I.M. Emperor Akihito

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Richard Spreckley starts today with a Spitfire double-header.  These are both RAF machines.....one operating in England and one from Malta.  These are his 1/48 Airfix Spitfire Mk1 & MkVb with aftermarket resin sets and seatbelts and finished with full weathering.  Both of these are spectacular and built to a very high standard.  It's such a joy to see them.

Emre Tuzun has done a first class job on the classic 1/72 Hasegawa A-10.  This Warthog was built out of the box and given a full weapons load to show the true intent of the A-10 and then finished with a very skillful and realistic weathering job.  I really enjoyed seeing the photos of this A-10 on ARC.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Vympel R-27ER - AA-10 Alamo-C missiles from Zactomodel.  This type of missile  has been carried by a variety of Russian jets.  This resin set includes 2 complete missiles.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Gloster Gladiator Control Surfaces from AiresThis detail set is designed for the Airfix kit. 


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Hawker Hurricane Control Surfaces from Ultracast.  This detail set is designed for the Hasegawa kit.


Tuesday,  Dec 22   2015      
No update today.....my daughter is in town on break from University and I spent the day with her.

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Monday,  Dec 21  2015
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Paulo Castro begins your week with his very special 1/72 Academy P-40E.  This is a Brazilian P-40 with a stunning weathering job.....Paulo has done amazing work bringing the 1/72 Academy P-40E to life.  I love the carefully done weathering job.

Yvan Vansteenkiste is here with one of the best tiger schemes I've seen.  This is his 1/72 Revell Tornado ECR "Tigermeet 2011" in Luftwaffe markings.  I know you'll enjoy seeing the photos of this Tornado.....I certainly enjoyed seeing them. 

Here's a product article for the Photo Etch Extended Roller Set - Use with Brass Assist from The Small ShopThis set compliments the Deluxe Brass Assist Rolling Set without duplicating any of the all metal roller set included with the Brass Assist.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Fw 190A-8 engine from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Eduard kit. 

Here's a product article for the 1/48 F-100 Super Saber Kits (Late) weighted wheels from Royale Resin.


Sunday,  Dec 20   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Saturday,  Dec 19   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Friday,  Dec 18  2015

Niger - Proclamation of the Republic 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Carmel J. Attard is here with another of his vac-u-formed beauties.  This is his 1/72 Rareplanes AJ-2 Savage complete with 3 crew figures and a gentle amount of weathering.  Carmel does a great job explaining the process to building a vac-u-formed kit and believe me....he has plenty of skill and experience at it.

Mohammad Adl did a spectacular weathering job on his 1/144 Revell C-17A Globemaster.  Mohammad add lighting to the interior and exterior which shows off all his wonderful detailing in the cargo area interior.  Mohammad  put a huge amount of effort into his C-17A and it looks fantastic.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Fw 190F-8 wheels from Eduard Model Accessories This detail set is designed for the Revell kit. 


Here's a product article for the 1/48 L-29 Delfín nose nitrogen bay from Aires This detail set is designed for the AMK kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Mirage IV resin cockpit set from Pavla Models This detail set is designed for the Heller kit.


Thursday,  Dec 17  2015

Bhutan National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Thomas Brückelt is here with a What-if model of the 1/72 Airmodel Products Messerschmitt Me 163D.  This rocket powered aircraft was designed to replace the Me 163 Komet but never made it into operational service.  Thomas gave his vac-u-formed model a scratchbuilt cockpit and finished in markings for an operational aircraft.  It's a very cool model and the first Me 263 on ARC.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Vympel R-60 - AA-8 Aphid missile from Zactomodels.  The Vympel R-60 - AA-8 Aphid missile is an infrared homing missile and is one of the world's smallest air-to-air missiles and was carried by a variety of Russian jets including the MiG-21, MiG-29.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Shenyang J-6/F-6 - gun barrels set, & Pitot Tube from Master.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Type 97 Fighter Part 2 decal sheet from Lifelike DecalsThis decal sheet features 6 different Type 97 fighters stationed in Japan, the Philippines, Mongolia, China and Manchuria in the early stages of the World War2. 


Wednesday,  Dec 16  2015

Bahrain National Day

Kazakhstan National Day

No update today...I've come down with a cold and seem to be at the worst of it today. 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Tuesday,  Dec 15   2015      
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Luc Harvey starts today with his beautifully weathered bare metal finish 1/72 Hobbycraft F-86 Sabre.  Luc tried some new techniques on his Sabre with very good results.  I love the way it looks.

John Irwin (11Bee on the ARC forums) is here with something very special today.  This is his 1/48 Kinetic US-2B Tracker that he built as a memorial to the two crew members who lost their lives avoiding a residential area as their stricken Tracker lost power in both engines.  John provides a link in his article for more info on his built.  This is a moving tribute to both crew members.  Beautifully done John.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 P-51D Mustang control surfaces from AiresThis detail set is designed for the Tamiya kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 B-24H 'Witchcraft' decal sheet from Mike Grant Decals.  This was a highly decorated B-24 Liberator that is wearing the mission markings after she completed her 130th mission.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Hawker Hurricane Mk I Exhausts from UltracastThis detail set is designed for the Hasegawa kit.


Monday,  Dec 14  2015

   End of Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Paulo Castro joins us from Australia with this first model on ARC and what a beauty it is.  This is his 1/72 Airfix P-51D Mustang built and finished to a very high standard paying close attention to replicating the details of the real aircraft.  Paulo has high praise for this Airfix kit as well as the Eagle Cals decals he used on it.  Welcome to ARC Paulo...I'm darn pleased to have your models on ARC.


Sertac Bayar has outdone his usual stunning work.  This is his 1/32 Trumpeter A-10 Thunderbolt II in one of the coolest paint schemes ever applied tot he A-10. Sertac added plenty of scratchbuilt detailing to almost every area of his A-10 and even painted the Warthog mouth himself.  This Warthog is a beauty and well worth checking out.


Here's a product article for the 8" Mk R Multi-head Hold and Fold - Photo Etch Bending Tool from The Small Shop.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Fw 190F-8 cockpit from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Revell kit. 


Sunday,  Dec 13  2015

Saint Lucia Independence Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Saturday,  Dec 12  2015

Kenya Independence Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Friday,  Dec 11   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Chris Parsons starts today with his beautifully finished Monogram "box scale" Cessna 185 floatplane.  Chris gave his Cessna full engine detailing including wiring before finishing it in the colour scheme for Pat Bay Air.  The weathering job Chris did shows off the float detail on his model exceptionally well.  It's a treat seeing this float plane on ARC.

Dragan Cvetic is here with something rare today.  This is his 1/72 Revell J-7 in the markings for the Albanian Air Force.  Dragan opened the canopy to show off all his scratchbuilt cockpit detailing. 

Here's a product article for the 1/32 F-104G/S Starfighter Airbrakes from AiresThis detail set is designed for the Italeri kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Best of the Best - TOPGUN decal sheet from Fightertown DecalsThis decals sheet features 26 different TOPGUN jets.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 BAC TSR-2 resin cockpit set from Pavla ModelsThis detail set is designed for the Airfix kit.

Thursday,  Dec 10  2015

Constitution Day in Thailand

Sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse   (1941)

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Nat Krairojananan is here to mark Constitution Day in Thailand with this beautifully finished 1/72 Hasegawa F-16A RTAF 103 SQN.  Nat added Eduard photo etch and a resin seat to the cockpit and used markings from Siam Scale to finish his Thai F-16.  The weapons load looks impressive and complete this Viper beautifully.


Kees Kuyper is here with another quite realistic looking design.  This is his Dornier 28S (Staggerwing) in bi-plane form with only 1 engine.  This is quite the creative design....I love it.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Fw-190 Undercarriage legs & doors from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Revell kit. 


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Bristol Blenheim engine cowling + exhaust from SBS ModelThis detail set is designed for the Airfix kit. 


Wednesday,  Dec 9   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Shawn "phantom" Weiler starts today with his good looking 1/48 ICM C-45 (CC-128) Expeditor.  Shawn used goodies from Belcher Bits and finished off his Expeditor in a classic Canadian paint scheme using Caracal decals.  It's very cool to see Shawn's Expeditor on ARC.

Luc Harvey joins us today with his flawless looking 1/72 Fujimi MiG-21 PFM late.  Luc chose to build his MiG as an Egyptian interceptor with it's attractive camo scheme using decals from Bergemot decals.  Luc added missiles to complete the look of his interceptor.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 Boulton Paul Defiant control surfaces from AiresThis detail set is designed for the Airfix kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Vympel R-27T - AA-10 Alamo-B missiles from Zactomodels.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 MiG-19S (Farmer C) gun barrels set, & Pitot Tube from Master.


Tuesday,  Dec 8   2015      
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Aaron Liles joins us with his first article on ARC.  This highly detailed 1/72 Heller Aérospatiale SE-3160 Alouette III is wearing Lebanese marking and Aaron added special details to make this model much closer to the real chopper.  I love the  very delicate and highly detailed look of this model.  Welcome to ARC Aaron.

Richard Spreckley is here with his very attractive 1/48 Hobby Boss Tornado F3 56 Sqn RAF.  Richard chose the eye popping ‘Firebird’ anniversary paint scheme and finished it off with added photos etch and scratchbuilt detailing.  The whole project pulls together into an excellent model of the  RAF Tornado.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 Soviet Pilot - the Cold War period from Aerobonus.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Hurricane Mk II / Spitfire Mk V Exhausts from UltracastThis detail set is designed for the Hasegawa kit. 


Here's a product article for the 1/48 F-16 Aces II Seat - Early / Loose Harnesses from Sierra Hotel ModelsThis detail set is designed for the Tamiya/Kinetic F-16C/D/N kit. 


Monday,  Dec 7  2015

Pearl Harbor - Attack on U.S. base 1941

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Gerd Wilcken is here with a great looking 1/87 Arsenal M Airpower87 C-47 IAF.  Israel has great looking camo schemes and this C-47 looks awesome with it's sun faded camo.  Gerd added antennas etc to improve the detail on his IAF C-47.  Beaufiful work Gerd.

Burt Gustafson had an enjoyable time building his 1/48 Kitty Hawk JAS-39 A/C Gripen.  Burt added a full weapons load and flawless painting to complete his Gripen with Swedish markings.  This is a beautiful looking Gripen thanks to Burt's skilled hands.

Here's a product article for the Photo Etch Cut-Off Set - Standard from The Small Shop.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Do 335 muzzle brakes from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the HK Models kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 A6M Zero control surfaces from AiresThis detail set is designed for the Hasegawa kit.


Sunday,  Dec 6  2015

Finland Independence Day

   Beginning of Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Saturday,  Dec 5  2015

Thailand National Day (H.M. The King's Birthday)

Russia - Soviet winter counteroffensive under Moscow   (1941)

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Blackeyes is here with to honour the Thai holiday today with his 1/72 Airfix H-19A Chickasaw in a BMF with the most amazing weathering job.....each rivet is dirty.  His H-19 is wearing the Royal Thai Air Force markings, which always look good on any aircraft.

Nok Apiruk is here to honour the King of Thailand with this 1/144 F-RSIN ATR 72 Thai Airways International.  This special Thai airliner is wearing markings that celebrate the King.  The decals are from Siamscale. 

Nok Apiruk is here with 2 Thai 1/72 Hasegawa F-16A/B in special anniversary markings with beautiful tailart.  The decals are from Siamscale.  These F-16's look fantastic.

Friday,  Dec 4  2015

  India Navy Day 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Murli Rajan is here to kick off this special India Navy Day update here on ARC with his 1/72 Airfix Hawker Sea Hawk.  Murli scratchbuilt an ejection seat and then rescribed his Indian Sea Hawk before giving it  a flawless weathering job.  I't s a perfect way to begin this special Indian update.


Leonard Prakasam is here with his first NMF model and I must say he seems to be a quick study at applying Natural Metal Finishes.  This is his stunning 1/72 Cyber-Hobby DH Vampire-FB.52 with some excellent shading around the engine exhaust.  It's great to see this Indian Vampire on ARC....excellent work on the NMF Leonard. 


Aamod Potdar has done a first class job on his Indian Navy 1/48 Airfix Sea Harrier.  Aamod built this beauty as part of a group build on the  Indian Scale Modelers group and for a paint scheme he went with a clean finish as this jet looked back in 1982.  I really like the look of Indian markings on a Harrier.  Well done Aamod.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 F/A-18E/F Superhornet Ball West Coast decal sheet from Fightertown Decals.  This new decal sheet includes markings for 7 different 1/48 F-18E/F's with the US Navy Squadrons on the west coast.  


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Spandau WWI guns from Eduard Model Accessories.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Kamov Ka-29 Helix-B cockpit set from Neomega.  This detail set is designed for the Italieri/Zvezda kit.


Thursday,  Dec 3   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Björn Leichsenring starts today with his 8th model article on ARC.  Björn  did an absolutely stunning job building and detailing the tiny 1/144 Pit-Road Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA.  He dressed up the cockpit and added antennas etc to improve the level of detail and then finished in the paint scheme for the prototype.  His photos look very realistic.

Jens Gerber joins us with his finely detail and beautifully weathered 1/48 ICM Polikarpov Po 2.  Jens chose the winter version of this Polikarpov Po 2 complete with skis and then finished it off with just the perfect amount of weathering.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Bf-109G-10 Corrected Oil Radiator from QuickBoostThis detail set is designed for the Revell kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 F4U-5 Corsair wheels & paint masks from AiresThis detail set is designed for the Hobby boss kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Fiat G.91R 3 resin cockpit set from Pavla ModelsThis detail set is designed for the Revell kit.


Wednesday,  Dec 2  2015

Laos Proclamation of the Republic

United Arab Emirates National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Shawn "phantom" Weiler was busy recently building his 1/48 Kinetic CF-5 Freedom Fighter(s).  Shawn chose 4 great looking Canadian Freedom Fighters with a variety of camo schemes and markings.  He has positive words for the Kinetic kit, but seeing the photos of his finished CF-5's is a special treat.  And as icing on the cake...Shawn has included a photos of 13 of his F-5's.

Carmel J. Attard is here with a classic kit from 1968.  This is the 1/72 Monogram Cobra AH-1G as it appeared in 1972 during the Vietnam War.  This is a very old kit and Carmel dressed it up with better details to bring it up to today's standards.  One part I enjoyed was his description of the instructions......oh how our hobby has matured in the past 50ish years. 

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Vympel R-73 - AA-11 Archer missile from Zactomodels The Vympel R-73 - AA-11 Archer missile was carried by MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-30.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Bristol Pegasus Radial Engine from RESIN2DetailThis engine is suitable for the 1/48 Swordfish, Sunderland or Wellington.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 MiG-19S (Farmer C) - gun barrels set, & Pitot Tube from Master.


Tuesday,  Dec 1  2015

Central Africa National Day

Romania National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

 


Matija Lisec did a first class job on the 1/48 Eduard F6F-5 Hellcat. This is the weekend edition of this kit, but Matija added extra detail and weathering to bring this Hellcat model up to a very high standard.  It's a treat to see this Hellcat on ARC.  This is Matija's 3rd article on ARC.  

Thomas Brückelt is here with a very rare little what-if model of the 1/72 Unicraft Focke Wulf Volksjäger.  Thomas added extra detail to his Unicraft model kit and gave his little jet fighter an attractive camo scheme to complete his model.  This is a cool little jet.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Intruders From The Sea decal sheet from AOA DecalsThis decal sheet includes 16 aircraft from 4 different squadrons during the Vietnam War.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Fw 190F-8 MG 131 mount from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Revell kit. 


Here's a product article for the 1/48 De Havilland Mosquito Tail Wheel Assembly from UltracastThis detail set is designed for the Tamiya kit.