forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: PrzemoL on January 22, 2021, 02:51:03 AM
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My modeling New Year has started with this off-topic build. Yet, its presence on my bench is very much related to WW1 aircraft modeling as the purchase of this kit was equally inspired by both, my interest in this classic biplane trainer and my will to support Roden on their resolution to return to WW1 models after WNW demise. So, here it is. And I will do my best to build it despite some claims that this kit is unbuildable...
As is my favourite approach, I plan to build something very different than ordinary US trainer, yet keeping the very much appealing yellow-blue livery. Thus, after some research in the web I chose the Peruvian markings. The invaluable help from Mr. Amaru Tincopa who sent me a couple of great photos of Peruvian Stearmans and my friend Mr.Decal who prepared the decals is gratefully acknowledged here.
(https://i.ibb.co/682ZLWz/20210121-171926.jpg)
I have also acquired two Eduard PE sets with some interior bits and seatbelts. They are dedicated to the ICM kit but I am quite certain they will work here, too.
(https://i.ibb.co/wSY4DCm/20210121-171759.jpg)
So the work on the interior and the engine bits led me to the stage just before my airbrush will be busy. All around a fair amount of flash to be removed, some sink marks, including nasty ones on the propeller and on the engine cylinders, were filled with CA glue or with plastic inserts, drilling out of the sockets for pins... A usual modeling work I daresay, but one so remote from the shake and bake WNW kits I got accustomed to recently...
(https://i.ibb.co/3dWr25x/20210121-171524.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/WWrGLcB/20210121-171548.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/GFd8BKs/20210121-171604.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/N1WkWjP/20210121-171506.jpg)
To be continued...
PS. Dear Admin and Mods, if you think that this build by the virtue of being the biplane and being released by our dear WW1 32nd scale aircraft modeling company Roden deserves a space in the usual Under Construction section, please feel free to move it there.
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PrezmoL,
I really look forward to following this build. I am very fond of the Stearman biplanes. As a child they were the first biplanes I remember
flying overhead. They were "crop dusters" working the farmlands around us.
Thanks, Kevin
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Prze,
I will be following your progress on this adventure . Have heard great things about this kit and I know you will give it your honest opinion . Engine seems to have good detail to it , are the exhaust hollowed in the kit ?
Alexis
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Hi Prze,
I was gifted the Stearman for Christmas. I will gain much knowledge from watching your progress.
Enjoy!
vB :)
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Interwar biplanes stand among the most fascinating flying creatures. Definitely a build to follow, good luck.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Thank you for getting in and leaving kind comments.
Engine seems to have good detail to it , are the exhaust hollowed in the kit ?
Alexis
The detail is fairly good, yet the cooling ribs are barely marked and disappear on the sides. Lots of flash, not too good a fit, which required some sanding and drilling the clogged holes.
The exhaust in Continental R-670 is just one - the pipe at the side of the ring manifold - I had to drill it out. The pipes connecting the cylinders to the ring are not open, so they do not need any drilling. And there is also the air intake to the carb to be placed under the engine - it had to be drilled out, too.
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The work goes on. The interior truss assembled and ready to take zinc chromate green paint.
(https://i.ibb.co/7SL82n2/20210123-200602.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/zmY7cdS/20210123-200541.jpg)
But before this the linen on the inside has to be painted and masked. The colour is on, the masks pattern traced.
(https://i.ibb.co/mc8skh5/20210123-200623.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/16FsjVV/20210123-200524.jpg)
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Thanks for your reply Prze .
Are you able to enhance the rib detail on the side ?
Alexis
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This is the best I could do.
(https://i.ibb.co/jfC0W2G/20210123-211922.jpg)
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Das nein gut , with the close up it is very soft in that area . Not sure if one of those PE micro saws that is curved will help in restoring the detail ? I have them , but not good for replacing this kind of detail in 48 scale , but 32 scale though ..now you got me wondering about this .
:)
Alexis
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I think I will leave it as it is. The plastc however is quite soft, the redoing should be feasible, on the other hand the access is not easy. Hard decision to make.
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Pretty disappointing engine, for such a visible feature in this scale I think I would invest in an aftermarket replacement from Silverwings or Vector.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Are these engines available anywhere, Dave? Anyway, I will paint the kit piece and then take the decision if it indeed requires any treatment
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Nice start, Przemo! This is a wonderful project, and I do like your interesting choice of markings! I few little problems there, but won't be very visible, I'm sure... Regards, Marc
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I was mistaken about Vector, but Silverwings has the Lycoming R-680 listed, no other information, might be worth an email if you're interested.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Looking good ! Will follow with interest :)
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I was mistaken about Vector, but Silverwings has the Lycoming R-680 listed, no other information, might be worth an email if you're interested.
Cheers,
Dave.
Ah, now I see why I could not find it. The problem is that PT-17s in 1940s, as my example, were powered by Continental R-670 engines, not Lycoming...
Thank you, Pup7309 for your comment and interest.
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Some colours applied. And the engine looks just fine to my taste. I will not do anything to its shape.
(https://i.ibb.co/Fhkt5pr/20210127-205029.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/BBdmhXR/20210127-205012.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/HrX9Cb6/20210127-204958.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/BZfNSY8/20210127-204937.jpg)
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Looking fine, engine and inside structure.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Engine looks good under primer . :)
Alexis
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Nice work. The painted structure inside the fuselage sides looks good.
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Thank you.
Some progress, the interior painted, assembled and enclosed. The headrests have nasty gaps which will be filled, sanded and airbrushed, soon.
(https://i.ibb.co/fpkLnwf/20210128-201233.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/Z6WQ2Lb/20210128-201216.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/L523zrd/20210128-201148.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/7bWXd4P/20210128-201545.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/DKkcTLc/20210128-201655.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/NyYhRkX/20210128-202538.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/K9y2trM/20210128-202522.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/XZcxd2s/20210128-202633.jpg)
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The cockpit is taking shape wonderfully . Don't like the gap at the head rest , makes it weird to fill in .
Alexis
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Beautiful work, Przemo! I'm enjoying the slightly different techniques used here... ATB, Marc.
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Thanks, Marc.
And, yes, Alexis, the headrests looked nasty but now they are filled, sanded and painted.
Lots of other cleaning all around, too. But it is slowly taking shape and heading for true colours.
(https://i.ibb.co/Lr52Mr7/20210204-161050.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/PCWz262/20210204-173809.jpg)
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Excellent outcome with filling in the head rest Prze :)
Alexis
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Thanks, Alexis.
The lower wings attached with zero dihedral. The joint is very loose, they could literally flap, so the cardboard jig was vital. Now to fill the joint gaps, the CA glue will also add more strength. Also the undercarriage subassies are prepared.
(https://i.ibb.co/YZ4d0n3/20210207-123836.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/4fdV4qC/20210207-123709.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/MZNSZFb/20210207-123725.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/PrhBnGK/20210207-123650.jpg)
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Over fit of that wing looks decent from your photo . I do like the extra long mounting tap on the wheels and should give it that support it will need .
Alexis
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Again a very clean build and paint job!
Cheers,
Frank
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Thanks!
The bulk is taking shape, seams filled and sanded, heading for rigging preparations and airbrushing.
(https://i.ibb.co/59ZkmVB/20210211-192603.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/HVG7ffp/20210211-192549.jpg)
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Nice progress, Przemol. The wheels look like resin. Did they come with the kit?
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Nice progress, Przemol. The wheels look like resin. Did they come with the kit?
Thanks. The wheels are the standard kit elements, made from two halves. Funny enouugh on one of them the fit was not good and I had to fill a part of the seam.
In the meantime I attached the cabane struts using the top wing as a jig. These come complete with massive imitation of rigging. I decided to make use of these to facilitate keeping the geometry and now when the glue is set I will carefully cut the rigging off with a sharp razor and prepare the usual rigging stations. I have also checked the fit with the N outer struts. It seems the kit is designed for a slight dihedral because the Ns fall a bit too short with 0-dihedral. Still I will manage to upheave the lower wings during assembly. The fit of the strut pins into the holes is quite fine, usually too tight requiring drilling out the holes. Yet, the pins are quite long and I am sure they will make a job, except for the lower rear joint where no pin is present. I have provided wire bits to strengthen these points.
(https://i.ibb.co/PmdMq7W/20210212-160753.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/SQ9HnKg/20210212-160638.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/wh36kNn/20210212-200124.jpg)
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This is really looking great ! In spite of any fit issues you are turning out another beauty! Hopefully I will be working on the SPAD soon!
RAGIII
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Great progress here, Przemo! Yes, those long thin wings need some rigging support! I read on another site that the rigging on this aircraft was actually metal rods and probably a bit thicker and smoother than rigging wire, I don't know if this is worth taking into account. Regards, Marc.
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RB Production had some nice steel rods in 1/32, but the site seems to be down due to Covid :(
Cheers,
Frank
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Thumbs up Prze , she is coming along wonderfully so far :)
Alexis
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just been catching up with this build and i'm loving it 8)
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Looking good, coming along great!
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Hadn't seen this one until today, Prze. It's certainly shaping up into a nice build.
Cheers,
Gary
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Colours, colours! The hard struggle with yellow paint is over, the inner sides of the wings are postshaded, too much on some spots, but I will not change it. The cockades on the outer sides are being applied, then shading will follow and then, the blue fuselage and struts.
(https://i.ibb.co/sj0jMKX/20210307-160204.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/4gBHXkv/20210307-160229.jpg)
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That's going to be nice!
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I have only just seen this Prez and have enjoyed reading your thread. I note that in your first post you wrote that this kit is reportedly unbuildable. Well you are demonstrating beyond any doubt that it is truly buildable in the hands of a very skilled modeller.
Stephen.
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The yellow looks great. Once the blue and roundels are added it should look quite striking!
RAGIII
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:) :) :)
Alexis
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She's coming beautiful. I like your yellow paintwork, has the perfect look.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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the paintwork looks fantastic, once the blue is on it's really going to pop
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Streamline rigging wires. I have read that photoetch RAF type wires can contract and expand, due to temperature changes, leading to problems. Flat elastic does not add any strength to the wing structure like nylon monofilament. Could flat nylon monofilament be created by passing regular round monofilament through a cranked jewelry rolling mill at near zero clearance? Too expensive to purchase one these but maybe a jeweler would let you use his for a few minutes.
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Streamline rigging wires. I have read that photoetch RAF type wires can contract and expand, due to temperature changes, leading to problems. Flat elastic does not add any strength to the wing structure like nylon monofilament. Could flat nylon monofilament be created by passing regular round monofilament through a cranked jewelry roller set at near zero clearance? Too expensive to purchase one these but maybe a jeweler would let you use his for a few minutes.
I have seen on FB that some Modelers are letting one end of the steel PE wires "Float Free" in a tube used as an anchor allowing it to move when the wing flexes. I don't know what method Przemo will use but I am sure his skills will prevail 8)
RAGIII
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I am afraid that I will disappoint you. I am planning the ordinary rigging of black 0.16 mm fishing line with the polyimide tubing to imitate the anchors.
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I am afraid that I will disappoint you. I am planning the ordinary rigging of black 0.16 mm fishing line with the polyimide tubing to imitate the anchors.
Not disappointing at all. No need to complicate the build IMHO.
RAGIII
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"The hard struggle with yellow paint is over."
Prze,
The next time you spray yellow, try undercoating with pink. It works!
Looking lovely.
vB
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"The hard struggle with yellow paint is over."
Prze,
The next time you spray yellow, try undercoating with pink. It works!
Looking lovely.
vB
Pink you say. I would have never supposed it. Thank you, Bob, I will give it a try when I will tackle Tiger Moth...
And with blue it was a piece of cake, a pure joy of airbrush work...
(https://i.ibb.co/QX2Mnw2/20210311-205254.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/BVcg5kY/20210311-205138.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/89srjjc/20210311-205352.jpg)
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The blue looks great. Looks awesome with the upper wing mounted and totally different with the red/white/red roundels!
RAGIII
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Now that is a really nice shade of blau !
Alexis
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Great that you like the blue. It is the one recommended by Roden in the kit instructions.
More fun
(https://i.ibb.co/jDKMRXw/20210316-211426.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/9TckvjC/20210316-211449.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/fvwYGFn/20210316-211512.jpg)
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Beautiful clean work. The Stearman always had a look I admired. Saw a few of them flying at airshows etc.
Cheers,
Gary
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The final assembly and rigging underway. The end is near!
(https://i.ibb.co/RjWd00g/20210320-130228.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/DwmfT7M/20210320-221123.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/bFB5PcL/20210320-221033.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/3YWXcWm/20210320-221018.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/JnxwQf5/20210320-221001.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/0jPkvTz/20210320-221303.jpg)
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What can one say but Outstanding work! Especially on a kit that was "Unbuildable"
RAGIII
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Very pretty !
Looking forward to the final pic's ! :)
Alexis
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Thank you, Alexis and Rick, for your continuous support. No doubt that you have a share in the completion of this "unbuildable" model. Done!
A couple of tentative shots, the proper gallery will follow soon.
(https://i.ibb.co/wNTTYXt/20210321-232044.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/60tWCZf/20210321-232023.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/HtfKM1J/20210321-232000.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/zJgZzSC/20210321-231940.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/DKzkPCq/20210321-231915.jpg)
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That looks fantastic, Prze. The model turned out beautifully with sharp detail and paintwork.
Cheers,
Gary
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Hey Prze :)
My , that does look gorgeous !
Looking forward on seeing more pic's when you get them posted . It was nice seeing you tackle something a bit different :)
Alexis
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Pretty much perfect.
Steve
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Beautiful Results Przemo!
RAGIII
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That looks stunning, Przemo! Such amazing contrasting colours! Lovely! Marc.
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Thank you, Lady and gentlemen. And here is the promised final gallery.
Boeing Stearman PT-17, 28 Escuadrón de Instrucción, Base Aérea Las Palmas (?), Fuerza Aérea del Perú, March 1942
(https://i.ibb.co/n3gqdF4/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/P1Py5zJ/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/vQ719bK/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/L9DPV3h/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/X8vFprJ/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/sJ21fnd/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/7r8Lr4Z/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/z6SQJLt/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/KGMbvRB/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/2WvNf6x/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/S6T1NG4/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/5GM3DWB/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/BLw3BW9/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/YDdT6gR/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/xCxDSvB/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/b3PrfFs/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/gmmTW5h/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/WsT4cgN/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/kgvZwr8/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg)
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Wow Prze , she turn out prefekt !
So the question now is ...what's next ?
Alexis
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Wow Prze , she turn out prefekt !
So the question now is ...what's next ?
Alexis
Thank you, Alexis. I am glad you like it.
And since my workshop does not stand emptiness, the work has already started on WNW Roland C.II. ;)
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Hey, you did a really nice job on that "unbuildable" kit!
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Excellent results, PrzemoL. I think the engine is outstanding.
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Lovely job all round Prze,
Looking forward to seeing the Roland!
Guy
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I do not associate unbuildable kits with you Prez - just super enhanced and super-detailed models of the very highest standard. This one is no exception, just masterly work from start to finish.
Stephen.
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Many thanks everybody for watching and leaving nice comments.
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Prze,
Magnificent! A beautifully constructed and finished model, as I expected! My compliments on another top notch addition to your collection.
Cheers,
Lance
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Magnificent, the colours make this one so eyecatching and a built to first class standards. Thank you for sharing.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Regards of the kit, era or markings, always a surperb model !!
Ed
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Brilliant modelling, Przemo! That rigging is superb! (as always!) Regards, Marc.
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Many thanks for your kind comments. I am extremely glad that my plan for such a colourful model worked fine 😉