Homepage Text - September 2015

Wednesday,  Sept 30  2015

Guinea-Bissau Independence Day

Botswana National Day 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Michael Jack is a top notch modeller with a passion for real space.  Today I'm quite excited to show you his 1/16 Resin Astronaut kit - Astronaut Alan .B Shepard Jr. - Apollo 14.  This resin kit had quite the different pose, but Michael cut it apart and repositioned the figure for this new pose.  Michael has a passion for modelling the space program that shows very much in his photos.


Shawn "phantom" Weiler has been busy modifying his 1/48 Pro-Modeller B-25 Mitchell.  Shawn chose to build his Mitchell as a post war RCAF radar trainer bird which required some mods and he explains all this in his article.  This B-25 looks quite good in it's post war RCAF paint scheme.  This is Shawn's 268th article on ARC.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 P-36A Hawk Engine from QuickBoostThis detail set is designed for the Academy kit.

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 MiG-21-BD3-60 early-pylons from Zactomodels.  These new resin MiG-21 weapons pylons are the early style MiG-21-BD3-60 early-pylons.  The later style MiG-21-BD3-60 'heavy duty' pylons are also available from separately from Zactomodels.


Here's a product article for the 1/24 Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC - Hispano Mk I 20mm cannons from Master.


Tuesday,  Sept 29  2015
I'd like to wish a Happy Birthday to ARC Moderator Albert Moore Happy Birthday Alby!!!

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Lorenzo Cassinadri gets things started in a big way today with his 15th artile on ARC.  This is his 1/32 Hasegawa Kawasaki Ki-61-I Otsu as it appeared in 1943 on New Guinea.  Lorenzo covered his model and added the weathered camo and he explains this process in his article.  As you will see in his photos, this technique gives fantastic results if you are patient and careful.

Serge Dompierre joins us today in style with his 50th article on ARC.  This is his 1/48 Hasegawa CF-104 Red Indian which was an anniversary scheme and one of the better looking schemes worn by the CF-104.  The decals for this beauty came from Leading Edge.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 B-26 Marauder Engines from QuickBoostThis detail set is designed for the Monogram kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 TBF/TBM Avenger Pilot Seats from Ultracast.


Monday,  Sept 28  2015
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Carmel J. Attard is here with an article that tell the historical story of the Bottishan Airfield 374 and its Mustangs.  And of course Carmel talks about some of the Mustangs he built and what was involved in building each kit.  His article is an interesting read and I realise that I was near the Bottishan Airfield on my recent trip to the UK and I possibly drove through it with out knowing it was there.  Excellent article and first class models Carmel. 


Ian T. M. Holahan joins us with his 18th model on ARC.  This is Ian's big and quite impressive 1/32 Trumpeter F-105 Thud.  Ian added seat belts and aftermarket items to further enhance this very nice kit including a pilot helmet and then after painting and weathering he chose the markings for the "JEANIE II/ I DREAM OF JEANIE".  I love the look of this Thud very much...excellent work Ian.


Kees Kuyper is here with his very creative what-if 1/72 Hawker Hurricane float plane.  He used Seafox floats on his Hurricane....it actually looks like a real design.  Nicely done Kees.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 F-16CJ Block 50 Falcon Engine from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Tamiya kit.

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 P-47 Thunderbolt Engine from QuickBoostThis detail set is designed for the Academy kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Il-2 Sturmovick weighted wheels from Royale ResinThis detail set is designed for any Il-2 Sturmovick kit.


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

Saturday,  Sept 26   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Friday,  Sept 25   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

I got home late last night after over 29 hours of travel.  Time to catch up on sleep and get over jet lag.

Val Golez starts today with this tiny and highly detailed 1/144 Revell E-2C Hawkeye.  Val scratchbuilt the wingfolds and the flaps on this tiny little gem.  Amazing work on the detailing.

David Wigley is here with his first article on ARC.  This is his stunning  1/32 Revell Tornado GR1 in Gulf War colours and markings.  Of all the Tornado schemes......the Gulf War ones always seem to look the best with all the artwork and desert camo.  Beautifully Done David.....welcome to ARC!!!  I look forward to seeing more of your work on ARC in the future.

George Ting has been busy scratchbuilding and improving his great looking 1/48 Heller OH-58A Kiowa.  George scratched built the rotor head and opened the door to show off his added interior detail.

KNES Armin has done a huge amount oif scratchbuilding and detailing to create this 1/48 Yakovlev Yak-17.  Wow....this one is quite the project.

Thursday,  Sept 24   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Today's update is being done while sitting on the floor at the Manila airport....1 hour before a 13 hour flight home.

Stephan Mühlberger gets things started today with this very rare 1/48 Airfix Saab Sk37E 'Stör-Viggen'.  This is the 2 seater version of the Viggen and Stephan used aftermarket and scratchbuilt detailing to build the 2 seat cockpit and other items to complete this conversion.  Stephan then finished this beauty with a awesome camo paint job.

Louis Chang has done a marvelous job detailing and weathering his 1/48 Hasegawa Ki-84 Frank.  Louis added extra details with a combination of aftermarket items and his own scratchbuilding.  Louis then gave this Zero the full weathering treatment complete with paint chipping and peeling paint. 

Peter Wilkinson has gone the extra mile and then some on his 1/48 Hasegawa Phantom FGR2.  Peter added an Aires resin cockpit, Aires exhausts, Seamless Sucker intakes, Check Six decals and then plenty of work and effort to make all these parts fit correctly.  But you have to admit, it's a beauty and well worth the effort.

"Kit" has done a beautiful job on the 1/48 Tamiya F4U-1A Corsair.  "Kit"  added an Aires cockpit and gave this Corsair full weathering to complete the job.  It looks perfect.   The article is in Italian and English.

Wednesday,  Sept 23  2015

Saudi Arabia National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Carlo Morelli starts today with a winter camo 1/72 Hasegawa Harrier Gr Mk 3.  This is one of my favourite Harrier camo patterns.  Carlo is displaying his Harrier in a  diorama......enjoy the photos. 

Paolo Yuen has been busy building the big 1/32 Revell JU 88A-1.  Paolo added aftermarket items to the cockpit which really made that area look excellent.  Paolo then gave it  the classic Luftwaffe camo. 

James Petit is here with his amazing 1/72 Heller Atlas Cheetah C.  This plane is covered in Cheetah spots and you will be amazed to find out these spots were done with a  special pen. 

John Doerr is here with his coral colored 1/48 Hasegawa P-39Q and AMT P-40N.  John explains the story behind this unique color on these aircraft.  Both of these are great looking models. 

Tuesday,  Sept 22  2015

Mali Independence Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Manuel Negri joins us today with this beautiful 1/48 Hasegawa Mitsubishi T-2.  Manuel gave his Mitsubishi T-2 full weathering.

Paul Mortimer is here with a rare bird.  This is his 1/48 Hasegawa P-47D Razorback with Eduard seatbelts to add more detail to the cockpit.  Paul then used Loon Models resin dinghy packs & smoke flares to create a rescue P-47.  He then posed it in a diorama with a staff car and figures.  Cool P-47 Paul.

Don Bryans has been busy building the 1/72 Modelcraft Whitley Mk.V.  This is a classic kit, so there was some effort required to get it to look good......but with some patience and a vac-u-fomed canopy, Don ended up with a great looking Whitley.

Monday,  Sept 21  2015

Malta Independence Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Carmel J. Attard joins us from Malta on this special day with his eye catching 1/72 Airmodel of Germany IMAM Ro-43.  This is a resin kit but Carmel is an expert at resin kits so that didn't stop him from building an excellent model.  I LOVE the paint scheme.

Peter Athanasopoulos is here with his eye catching 1/48 Academy MIG-29A Fulcrum.  Peter did an excellent job on his MiG, including the cockpit. 

Massimo Busolini joins us from Italy with his 1/48 Hasegawa CF-104D Starfighter in a bare metal finish in the markings for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.  Massimo added an Aires resin cockpit and finished with weathering to complete his Starfighter

Ermanno Bonafin also joins us from sunny Italy with his 1/48 Eduard F6F-3 Hellcat.  Ermanno carefully weathered his Hellcat and finished it in the markings for an American Ace in the PTO during WW2. 

Sunday,  Sept 20  2015

  Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Saturday,  Sept 19  2015

Saint Christopher (Kitts) and Nevis Independence Day 

Chile - Anniversary of the Chilean Army

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Friday,  Sept 18  2015

Chile Independence Day 

POW/MIA Recognition Day

USAF Birthday 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to our friends in Chile after the recent destruction from the terrible earthquake and tsunami.

Rodrigo Rejas - BlackLight gets this very special Chile Independence Day update started with his 1/48 Italeri Bell UH-1H Huey.  Rodrigo added plenty of scratchbuilt details to improve the detail and accuracy of his Huey with excellent results.

Oxiel Carrizo (Necsac) has added many scratchbuilt details as well as aftermarket items to this outstanding 1/48 Hasegawa F-16 D Viper Block 50.  Oxiel did an amazing job making this an accurate Chilean Viper.

Juan Manuel Ossa Salas (Flakus) has done an outstanding job finishing his bare metal 1/48 Academy P-47 D Thunderbolt.   Juan added weathering to make his P-47 look as real as possible.

Rodrigo Rejas - BlackLight has done an amazing job finishing his 1/72 Revell Hawker Hunter FGA.9.  Rodrigo added scratchbuilt details to his Hunter and then finished it off with some homemade decals and a flawless paint job. 

Reinaldo Orellana (Shark) is here with his first article on ARC.  He  has been very busy building his 1/48 RVPH HU-16 B Albatross.  This is not an easy kit to build, but Reinaldo was careful and worked hard to build this kit into a beautiful model.  Welcome to ARC Reinaldo!!!  I hope to see more of your models on ARC in the future.

Axel Grundmann  is here with his first article on ARC.  This is Axel's 1/48 Italeri C-130 H with extensive scratchbuilding in the cargo area and elsewhere on this lovely model.  Axel as rescribed the whole model.  WOW....this one is fantastic!!!   Welcome to ARC Axel!!!  I hope to see more of your models on ARC in the future.

Thursday,  Sept 17   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Tolga ULGUR has been busy building his 1/48 Classic Airframes Northrop F-5AThis kit has fit issues and I admire Tolga for completing such a fine looking model of a Turkish F-5A from this particular kit.  

Theodore Fonbonne is here with his first article on ARC.  Today Theodore is here with his very nicely done 1/72 Yakovlev Yak 9-K which he carefully weathered.  I did like how well his antenna wires look.   Welcome to ARC Theodore, I look forward to seeing more of your models on ARC in the future.

David Mielke (VMFA314 Knights) has done a stellar job on his 1/48 Hasegawa F-4G.  This particular jet flew in "Operation Southern Watch" and is David's 100th model built......I think this is the perfect plane to mark such an occasion. 

Wednesday,  Sept 16  2015

Papua New Guinea Independence Day

Mexico Independence Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Shawn "Phantom" Weiler starts things off today with not one, but two 1/48 Hasegawa F-86 Mk5 Canadair Sabres.  Shawn chose to build a bare metal Sabre as well as one in camo......both look excellent.  

Jamie Cheslo is here with one of my favourites....a 1/48 Tamiya Mosquito FB Mk.VI wearing D-day stripes.  Jamie added some pre-painted Eduard PE to dress up the cockpit, as well Jamie did some added detailing before finishing his Mosquito in the very attractive D-Day stripes.

Carmel J Attard has done an exceptionally nice job building and finishing his  1/48 Revell Bo-105.  Carmel chose to build the anti-tank version of the Bo-105 and finished it in German markings.  Carmel's article tells the history of the Bo-105 as well as what to look out for when building this kit.

Bruce Scott has put a pile of effort into conversion of his 1/144 Bandai Wing Club Spitfire MkVc.  Bruce dismantled the kit.....added cockpit details....this is 1/144 remember....and then he finished it off as an RAAF aircraft complete with Tasmanian Devil nose art.  You've got to admire anyone that details a cockpit in 1/144.

Tuesday,  Sept 15  2015

Battle of Britain Day 1940

Costa Rica Independence Day

El Salvador Independence Day

Guatemala Independence Day

Honduras Independence Day

Nicaragua Independence Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

My Dad was a 14 year old school boy in London watching the dog fights in the clear blue sky above London and in 1969 he was quite excited to take me to the theatre to see the movie Battle of Britain.  He recalls seeing a fighter pilot baling out of his stricken machine and he rushed over with his friend  to see the "Hun" up close....only to discover it was a young Canadian pilot flying with the RAF.  It turns out this was the first time he met a Canadian.  Later he would move to Canada and be a career soldier in the Canadian Army.

Ian Buick is here to honour the Battle of Britain Day with the  RAF's 2 epic fighters from the pivotal air battle above Great Britain on the Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary. Thank you Ian.  

Pete Malaguti has not only built the poor fitting 1/48 HobbyCraft CF-105 Avro Arrow, but he has done quite a bit of scratchbuilding to create an outstanding model of the Avro Arrow.  Then he set it up in a diorama.

Raúl Corral is here with 2 models and one fighter was flown by the legendary USAAF Tuskagee Airmen.  Raúl has done a top notch job on his 1/72 Academy P-51C & Tamiya P-47 Razorback complete with weathering to add realism to his fighters. 

David Rapasi has done a particularly nice job on his 1/48 Hasegawa F 15 C Eagle.  David dressed up the cockpit with goodies from Eduard P.E. and an Aires seat before giving it a full weapons load and finishing it off in markings for the 58th Fighter Squadron. 

Monday,  Sept 14  2015
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

No update today.......the internet signal was brutally weak today.

Sunday,  Sept 13   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Saturday,  Sept 12   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Friday,  Sept 11  2015

  Terrorist Attack on World Trade Center and Pentagon 2001

Wow...it's been 14 years since the horrific events of 9/11.....at the time I recall some people saying it was an event that would shape the lives of this generation....it seems that prediction was correct.

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

George R. Mustafa is here to WOW you in a VERY BIG way with his diorama called The Mighty Beaver.  This award winning model started off as a very basic kit with 26 snap together parts.......now if you know George like I do, you know he is a master scratch builder and he added over 110 scratchbuilt parts including a motorized prop and complete water diorama for this masterpiece.   

Sláma Karel is here with a 1/32 Trumpeter Me-262a flown by the famous General Adolf Galland.  Sláma gave this 262 an amazing paint job as you will see when you view the photos.

Burt Gustafson has done a gorgeous job building and finishing his  1/48 Hasegawa P-40N.  Burt chose the markings for Kansas City Kiddie III, which looks very good on his P-40N.  Nicely done Burt.

Thursday,  Sept 10   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Pushed into the late evening to travel to an island with an internet signal.  

Agnieszka Kuś has a passion for real space models and today she is here with her 1/30 Ogoniok Soyuz 7K-OK.  Agnieszka  did her usual excellent job and she chose a Spacecraft with a Polish connection.  But you've got to see the photos she has of her model in space and orbiting earth.......amazing.    


Rafi Ben-Shahar joins us today with his noseart adorned  1/72 Revell Lancaster I.  Rafi gives this kit very high marks and after seeing the finished model I must say it does look excellent.   


Paul Nortness has been quite busy building big Tomcats.  Today he is here with his sharp looking 1/32 Revell F-14A Tomcat and if you are planning on building this kit then Paul has some very helpful tricks to make the process much easier.  


Rick Martens is here with his D-Day 1/48 Dragon P-51.  Rick chose decals with noseart and full D-Day stripes and then added full weathering to complete the look.  Have a close look....this one has a stunning finish.  


Wednesday,  Sept 9  2015

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Tajikistan National Day

I'm staying 2 nights out in the countryside in the Philippines at the house of Angel's family.  To upload the ARC daily update, I need to do a 40 minute walk to the main road to get an internet signal.  I made the walk today in the heat and humidity only to discover there was no internet signal.  I'll be going to a different island tomorrow that I do know has internet.

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Tuesday,  Sept 8  2015

First use of V-2 rocket lands Chiswick area of London (1944)

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Monday,  Sept 7  2015

Brazil Independence Day

Pakistan Air Force Day

  Labor Day / Labour Day 

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

José Maria Reis Jr begins today's update marking Brazil's Independence Day with his excellent looking 1/72 Academy NA T-6G.  José built this beauty out of the box and then finished it off as a Brazilian trainer using aftermarket decals.  Beautifully done José.

Graziano Marcat joins us today with this heavily modified 1/48 ESCI F-104X Starfighter.  The fuselage is longer, intakes are larger, the cockpit is upgraded with a  modern cockpit, modified tail and much more.  Then this modern Starfighter is given a proper Italian camo scheme with Italian markings.  WOW!!!. 

Rafi Ben-Shahar is in fine form today with his 1/48 Dragon Junkers Ju 88P-1.  Rafi added extra scratchbuilt detail and then finished it off in an amazingly realistic weathered paint job.  Nice one Rafi.

Sunday,  Sept 6   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Saturday,  Sept 5   2015  
WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Friday,  Sept 4  2015

Swaziland Independence and National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

I'm spending the weekend in Manila before continuing on to my final destination.  Manila is a city with it's own special charm.

Sláma Karel starts your Friday update with this 1/32 Revell He-162 Salamander.  This very nice looking He-162 includes noseart and a diorama setting complete with pilot figure. 

Mike Maynard has done plenty of scratchbuilding on his award winning 1/48 Monogram USCG PBY.  Mike finished his PBY in US Coast Guard Search and Rescue markings. 

Heico van der Heide is here from The Netherland with this big impressive 1/72 Revell/Monogram German submarine type VII U295. Heico added full weahtering to add realism to this beautifully done U-Boat. 

Rafael Colindres has been busy making things accurate on his 1/72 Tamiya F51-D Mustang Cavalier FAS 404. Rafael tells the story of his Mustang and the modificatiosn made to create an accurate Mustang from the War of 100 hours.

Thursday,  Sept 3  2015

Qatar National Day

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

I've arrived in Manila on an overnight flight....the weather is warmer than Canada.  :-)  Now I need to get a portable internet connection arranged.

Mark Littrell gets things started today in a  big way...literally.  This is his 1/24 Airfix Bf 109E-3 with added detailing and custom made decals to bring this old lady up to modern standards.....and no doubt about it.........it DOES look good now that Mark has worked his magic. 

Daniele Dotti is here with something you don't see often.  This is his very nicely done 1/72 Hasegawa Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusuicomplete with tape seatbelts to dress up this Out of the Box Build.  I love the orange colo(u)r.

Michael Katz dressed up his 1/48 LS Yokosuka K5Y Willow trainer in all the important ways.  One very cool feature he scratchbuilt was wood wing struts and propeller.  He then added seatbelts from tape, modified a couple of figures and created a diorama to tell the story.  No doubt about it.....it looks great.

Timothy H. Zarco is here with something a bit different today.  This is his 1/16 Trumpeter Soviet Officer done up with all the wonderful shading that brings figures to life.  Looks excellent Timothy. 

Wednesday,  Sept 2  2015

Vietnam Independence Day

V-J Day  Japan surrenders in Tokyo Harbour

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Tuesday,  Sept 1  2015

Libya Independence Day

Slovak Republic Constitution Day 

Uzbekistan National Day

Singapore Air Force Day

World War Two begins in Europe - Germany invades Poland (1939)

WW1 Events - this date in  1915

Thomas Brückelt joins us from Germany with a very interesting late war aircraft design.  This is the 1/72 Airmodel Products Lippisch P.15 Diana and it is a combination of a variety of aircraft from the Me 163 and the He 16 and even includes Me 109 main landing gear.  Thomas had big praise for this resin kit and his finished models look very good indeed.  This is a very interesting aircraft design.

Kees Kuyper is here with a very realistic looking floatplane racer.  This is his 1/72 Macchi Folgore floatplane using Seafox floats and painted to represent an raceplane from the time period.  This model looks quite realistic in it's design.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 MG 131 for Fw 190 from Eduard Model Accessories.

This detail set is available directly from Sprue Brothers Models.