Homepage Text - April 2020

Thursday,  Apr 30  2020

Saigon fell, end of Vietnam Conflict  April 30 1975

Rafael "RSK48" has done an exception job building and weathering his 1/48 MustHave F-86K Sabredog.  Rafael did some scratchbuilding to make his F-86 more accurate and then finished in in an amazingly attractive blue/gray color.  Another beautiful aircraft to commemorate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Venezuela Air Force.  I really enjoyed seeing this jet on ARC.

Burak Tokgozoglu is here with a very rare helicopter.  This is his 1/72 Italeri RAH-66 Comanche "The Duke" modeled after one of the two prototypes for this aircraft.  This a very cool looking chopper.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Vympel R-60 - AA-8 Aphid missile from Zactomodels.  This missile set is the Vympel R-60 - AA-8 Aphid missile has been carried by a variety of Russian jets including the MiG-21, MiG-29.  This resin set includes 2 complete missiles.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Bf 108 interior resin & photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Eduard kit.  You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Wednesday,  Apr 29  2020

Israel Independence Day

H. Davis Gandees starts this colorful update with his 1/48 Eduard- Bell X-1.  This is an out of the box build with excellent results and some insight on how to add weight to keep the nose wheel on the ground.  Beautiful work!!

Marcello Rosa joins us with his first model on ARC today.  This is his 1/48 Italeri F7F-3P Tigercat with some skillfully done engine detailing and a weapons load and drop tank.  Marcello finished his Tigercat in a colourful scheme.  Welcome to ARC Marcello.

Shawn "phantom" Weiler is also here with a colourful model today.  This is his 1/48 Hobbycraft CT-133 Silver Star in RCAF markings and a very colourful paint scheme.  I always enjoy seeing these jets flying.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 IL-2 Sturmovik interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model Accessories.  This detail set is designed for the Tamiya kit.  You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Tuesday,  Apr 28  2020
Jean-Charles Goddet gets things started in style today with his 1/72 Revell Lockheed Martin F-16AM Belgium Solo Display.  His F-16 wears a great looking paint scheme and Jean-Charles gives info about the finer parts of this paint scheme and how it was done.  I really enjoyed seeing this Belgium Airshow bird.

Colin Latta has done quite a bit of extra work on his 1/48 Classic Airframes Bristol Blenheim Mk IV.f .  Colin improved the kit by rescribing the panel lines and other work, then scratch built parts for the RCAF aircraft he was building and then added aftermarket resin parts and decals to complete his build.  He then gave it a great looking weathering  job.  It is amazing the gem you can build from the Classic Airframes kits if you are patient and determined.

Bob TheDoc joins us from India with his sharp looking 1/48 Trumpeter T-38A Talon.  Bob did some spectacular work in the cockpit as you will see in his photos and even his weathering in the landing bays looks awesome.  Bob has included some of the history of the T-38.  It's good to see this beauty on ARC.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 A-4F interior & exterior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesHobby Boss kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 P-47 Thunderbolt gun barrels, pitot tube, gun sight detail set from Master.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Monday,  Apr 27  2020

Sierra Leone Independence Day 

South Africa Freedom Day

Togo Independence Day

Netherlands King's Day

I'm pleased to report the updates will be bigger this week thanks to the added number of submissions.

Also I have now completed the complete rebuilding of over 100 walkarounds.  That project continues to move forward.


Patrick Vossenberg begins today with two beauties.  This is his 1/72 Hasegawa F-104G (2x) finished in German and Belgium markings with beautifully done weathering in 2 great looking paint schemes.  Beautiful work Patrick. 

Shawn "phantom" Weiler is here with a first on ARC.  This is his 1/48 Battle Axe HUP-2 as it appeared many years ago in Royal Canadian Navy markings.  This is a limited run kit and Shawn got it looking perfect. 

Carl Jarosz joins use with his 1/72 Hobby Boss A-7A Corsair II VA-215 “Barn Owls” wearing a Bi-Centennial paint scheme.  I always enjoy seeing these red-white and blue schemes from the 1976 Bi-Centennial.  Carl always does excellent work on his models and they are a treat to see.

Here's a product article for the 4" Hold and Fold - Photo Etch Bending Tool Mk IV from The Small Shop I've been a fan of the The Small Shop products since I got my first Hold and Fold long ago.  They are a family run business that make very high quality product. 


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Fw 190 Landing Gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions.  This detail set is designed for the Tamiya kit.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Sunday,  Apr 26  2020

Tanzania Union Day


Saturday,  Apr 25  2020

  Australia and New Zealand - ANZAC Day 

Italy - End of WW2 1945


Friday,  Apr 24  2020
No update today.  I've come down with a cold and I am staying in bed and taking it very slow, just incase this sore throat is not a cold.

Thursday,  Apr 23  2020

England - St. George's Day

Turkey National Independence and Children Day

Mukul joins us with another of his beautiful Spitfires.  This is his 1/72 Hasegawa Spitfire Mk VIII finished with sexy noseart as a post war Indians fighter.  Mukul added extra cockpit detailing.   Beautiful work Mukul.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 P-51H interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Modelsvit kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Supermarine Spitfire C wing - Hispano 20mm cannons in fairings from Master.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Wednesday,  Apr 22  2020
Luqmanul Hakim A.K.A Mee Wan did an amazing job weathering the 1/72 Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai.  This model captures the weathered look of a WW2 Japanese aircraft very well.

Burak Tokgozoglu has done an outstanding job detailing and weathering his 1/72 Plastyk Su-22.  Burak added 3D printed detailing and weathered it using the pre-shading technique.  The grey camo scheme looks fantastic.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Vympel R-27R - AA-10 Alamo-A missile from Zactomodels.  This missile set is the Vympel R-27R - AA-10 Alamo-A missile that was carried by MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-30.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Mirage 2000C interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Kitty Hawk kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Tuesday,  Apr 21  2020

United Kingdom

Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second

Red Baron Manfred von Richtofen shot down 25 yr old (1918)

Mukul is here on ARC for the first time with an RAF Spitfire that served in India.  This is the 1/72 AZ Model Spitfire Mk VIII built to a very high level of detail with flawless weathering.  The finished model is a treat to see.  Welcome to ARC Mukul!!!

Here's a product article for the 1/72 F-15I interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Great Wall Hobby kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Mirage IIIC Landing Gear from Scale Aircraft ConversionsThis detail set is designed for the Italeri kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 P-47 Thunderbolt .50 Browning M2 barrels from Master.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Monday,  Apr 20  2020
Jean-Charles Goddet begins your week with something that will be hugely popular with the Star Wars fan.  This is his 1/72 Hasegawa Boeing EA-18G Vader with tail art that includes Darth Vader's helmet.  Jean-Charles gave his jet a full weapons load and finished it with an excellent weathering job.

Shawn "phantom" Weiler joins us today with Two 1/48 Accurate Miniatures and One 1/72 Sword kit Avenger.  It's cool to see this domed Avenger in RCAF markings on ARC.  Thanks Shawn.

Wire Assist Forming Tool - Photo Etch Bending Tool from The Small Shop.  This Photo Etch Bending Tool is the Wire Assist Forming Tool.  Matched Grab Handles Every Time!


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Sunday,  Apr 19  2020

  Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)  


Saturday,  Apr 18  2020

Zimbabwe National Day

Doolittle Raid - U.S. bomb Tokyo (1942)  

P-38 mission to kill Yamamoto (1943)

S K Loh is here with a special P-38 that help shoot down Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.  This is his 1/144 MiniHobby Models P-38 Lightning which was giving quite a bit of scratchbuilt detailing and an excellent display remembering this special mission. 

Friday,  Apr 17  2020 

Syria Independence Day

Orlando Sucre Rosales joins us from tropical Caracas, Venezuela with 2 very special models.  These are his 1/72 Academy P-40E Warhawk and Heller P-39Q Airacobra in similar camo schemes.  Orlando goes into wonderful detail in his article about the building process that was a treat to read.  Both his fighters have subtle weathering that looks perfect.  I enjoyed seeing both of these WW2 fighters on ARC.  Lovely work Orlando.

Jean-Charles Goddet has done a gorgeous job on his 1/72 GWH Boeing F-15E D-Day 75th Anniversary.  Jean-Charles tells the story behind this special paint scheme and the whole build process.  I was unaware of the special D-Day F-15 and I was quite impressed to see it on ARC.  It is always a treat to see your models on ARC Jean-Charles.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 FJ-2 Fury interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model Accessories.  This detail set is designed for the Kitty Hawk kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 C-2A Greyhound Landing Gear from Scale Aircraft ConversionsThis detail set is designed for the Kinetic (and Italeri when released) kit.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Thursday,  Apr 16  2020 

Denmark Queen's Birthday 

Shawn "phantom" Weiler is here with a trio of Avengers.  These are his 2 , 1/48 Accurate Miniature Avenger" Also a 1/72 Sword Avenger all in RCAF markings using aftermarket items.  These are cool to see.

Orlando Sucre Rosales is here with his sharp looking 1/72 Monogram A-10A Thunderbolt II.  Orlando did some added scratchbuilding and finished it in the classic shark mouth markings that look so good on the Warthog.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Vympel R-73 - AA-11 Archer missile from Zactomodels.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 B-17G wooden floors and ammo boxes photo etch detail set from Eduard Model Accessories.  This detail set is designed for the HK Models kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Wednesday,   Apr 15  2020
No update today.  I've been devoting long hours to rebuilding the walkaround section.  85 walkarounds have now been rebuilt from the ground up.  1052 still to be done.  I am making productive use of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Tuesday,  Apr 14  2020
Shailesh Karkhanis is here with a very attractive Indian 1/72 Airfix MiG-29 A Fulcrum.  This one is wearing a special paint scheme using aftermarket decals.  Very nice indeed.

Rafael is here with 2 very special 1/48 Tamiya P-47D Thunderbolts.  This were finished as Venezuelan P-47's with homemade decals.  Rafael explains the history of the P-47's in Venezuela.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 F-15I interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model Accessories.  This detail set is designed for the Great Wall Hobby kit.  

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Monday,  Apr 13  2020
Dirk Schenk is here with his great looking father and son project.  This is their 1/72 Airfix Arado Ar-196 A-2 beautifully built out of the box and very nicely finished.  Dirk has included some AR-196 history.  I've enjoyed seeing this one on ARC.

Here's a product article for the Photo Etch Cut-Off Set - Standard from The Small ShopThis Photo Etch Cut-Off Set - Standard is designed to hold the photo etch fret as you remove parts from the photo etch fret.  This is a big help so parts don't go flying into your carpet or parts unknown. 


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Su-24 Fencer Landing Gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions This detail set is designed for the DML / Italeri / Revell / Zvezda kits.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Sunday,  Apr 12  2020 

Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. First Human In Space (1961)


Friday,  Apr 10  2020
RSK48, Rafael is here to commemorate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Venezuela Air Force with his 1/48 Airfix Canberra B (I) Mk.88.  Rafael gave his Canberra Venezuela markings using home made decals and a flawless weathering job.  I love seeing Rafael's models on ARC.

Bob TheDoc is here with a rare aircraft that isn't seen very often on ARC.  This is his 1/72 Revell He-70 F-2 with some scratchbuilt details in the cockpit and an amazing weathering job.  It is great to see this gem on ARC.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 P-51D-5 interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Airfix kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 P-39 Airacobra Landing Gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions.  This detail set is designed for the Kitty Hawk kit.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Thursday,  Apr 9  2020 

Portugal "Dia do Combatente" (The Fighter's Day)

Day of remembrance (La Lys Battle 1918)

Carl Jarosz had quite the journey adding a F-86D Sabre Dog 196th FIS, California Air Guard  to his display case.  This is his 1/72 Hasegawa F-86D Sabre Dog finished with decals from another kit in a popular Day-Glo orange markings.  Carl had quite the time on this build and he tells the whole story in his article.

Terry Chan is here with a product article for the 1/32 Alamo Missiles from Zactomodels.  


Here's a product article for the 1/48 P-51D-5 exterior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model Accessories.  This detail set is designed for the  Airfix kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Wednesday,  Apr 8  2020
No update today...I've been focusing my time today rebuilding the walkaround section....a huge task to say the least.  But I have rebuilt 23 walkaronds, but there is over 1000 to go.

Tuesday,  Apr 7  2020
JD has done an outstanding job on his 1/72 Academy B-29 "FiFi".  JD painted his B-29 to better replicate the real FiFi and his finished model looks exceptional.  Fantastic job JD.

Shailesh Karkhanis has done a marvelous job finishing his 1/48 Revell MiG 21 FL.  Shailesh finished his MiG-21 in Indian Air Force markings and also tells the history of the MiG-21 in his article.  I love it.

Here's a product article for the 1/72 MiG-21PF exterior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model AccessoriesThis detail set is designed for the Eduard kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


Here's a product article for the 1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Vb Hispano 20mm cannons in fairings from Master.  These were used on the Supermarine Spitfire with B wing.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Monday,  Apr 6  2020
Andri Sanjaya starts today with a great looking 1/72 Academy F/A-18C VFA-195 Chippy 401.  Andri gave this Hornet a full weapons load and drop tanks and a full weathering job and then finished it in some great looking markings.  Very nicely done Andri.

Dirk Schenk has done an outstanding job finishing and weathering his 1/72 LS Laboratories Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa.  Dirk gave his Hayabusa a peeling paint look and finished it in Indonesian Air Force markings from the late 1940's.  This is an older kit, but it builds up into a great looking model of this Japanese fighter.  Excellent work Dirk, I like the Dutch connection in your article. 

Here's a product article for the Photo Etch Extended Roller Set - Use with Brass Assist from The Small Shop This Photo Etch Extended Roller Set is the Photo Etch Extended Roller Set - Use with Brass Assist


Here's a product article for the 1/48 F-8 Crusader Landing Gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions.  This detail set is designed for the Revell/Monogram kit.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Saturday,  Apr 4  2020 

Senegal Independence Day


Friday,  Apr 3  2020
Mark L. Rossmann has done an outstanding job building and finishing his1/48 Revell F-86 Sabre Dog.  Mark chose 2 Greek Sabre Dogs in quite different paint schemes to give good variety.  His article includes very good F-18D history and Greek Sabre Dog operational history.  Mark's article are always a treat to read and I love seeing his models on ARC.

Pablo Angel Herrera is here with one of the more interesting 109 camo schemes.  This is his 1/32 Eduard Bf-109E-7 Profipack with a unique field applied camo and subtle weathering.  I always enjoy seeing North African 109's.

Here's a product article for the 1/48 B-17G ammo feed chutes photo etch detail set from Eduard Model Accessories This detail set is designed for the HK Models kit.


Here's a product article for the 1/72 Tornado GR.1 / IDS / ECR Landing Gear from Scale Aircraft Conversions.  This detail set is designed for the Revell / Alanger (new tool releases: 1998 to present).


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Thursday,  Apr 2  2020 

Falklands War Anniversary

Pablo Angel Herrera built the classic 1/48 Monogram F-105D Thunderchief with an upgraded resin ejection seat and resin 3000lbs M118.  Pablo finished it in the "reverse camo" seen during operation Rolling Thunder and finished it with the perfect amount of weathering.

RSK48, Rafael is here again today to continue markings the 100 Year Anniversary of the Venezuela Air Force.  This is his 1/48 Classic Airframes Fiat CR-32 Quater finished with custom made decals for the Venezuela Air Force.  It is very cool to see this Fiat fighter in Venezuela markings.

Here's a product article for the 1/32 Mirage 2000C interior photo etch detail set from Eduard Model Accessories.  This detail set is designed for the Kitty Hawk kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


Here's a product article for the 1/32 Gloster Meteor Pitot Tube from Master.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.


Wednesday,  Apr 1  2020 

Canada - RCAF Birthday

United Kingdom  - RAF Birthday 

Thomas Brückelt has given me a big grin today with his what-if 1/72 Moebius Models Colonial Viper Mark II in a Blue Angels themed paint scheme.  Thomas has high praise for this kit and he did given it some added rocket pods under each wing and posed his Viper in-flight.  Very cool to see this Thomas. 

Eric Hargett has done an exceptional amount of extra work to create his 1/48 Hobbycraft Messerschmitt BF 109C-1.  Eric did some kit bashing and also used aftermarket parts and scratchbuilding to get his 109C-1 perfect.  

Here's a product article for the 1/32 MiG-29 Exhausts from Zactomodels.  This detail set is designed for the Trumpeter MiG-29 kit.  These resin/photo etched exhausts are designed for the big Trumpeter MiG-29 kit and these take the model to a whole new level of extreme detailing. 


Here's a product article for the 1/72 MiG-21PF exterior photo etch detail set  from Eduard Model Accessories.  This detail set is designed for the Eduard kit.

You will be required to fold the photoetch in this set, but if you have one of the Hold & Fold photo etch benders from The Small Shop, then this will be an easy process.  They have a variety of benders for sharp corners as well as rounded corners and in many different sizes.


In the ARC Joke Page there is a new daily funny photo and daily joke.