On this New Year’s Eve, I am revisiting the builds I completed during 2019. I was not nearly as productive as in years passed, but perhaps that was due to a few of these builds being far more involved than normal.
Started off with Monogram’s old Wright Flyer. This was a kit I tried to build when I was in 5th grade, and let’s just say that effort was a disaster. Many years later, I was much more successful.
Next up was Trumpeter’s 1/350 U.S.S. Texas (BB-35). This was a complicated build with lots of PE details, but in the end I was able to produce a nice replica of the world’s only surviving dreadnought that participated in both world wars (and is currently in such a bad physical state that she may sink).
My next two builds took me into the realm of science fiction. First up was the C-57D Space Cruiser by Polar Lights as featured in the classic 1956 movie, Forbidden Planet. The kit was not particularly a good one; I never could get the spinning red light to actually spin as the motor was well under-powered for the task given all the thick plastic that surrounds it.
Then it was on to a galaxy far, far away with the Fine Molds 1/72 Jedi Starfighter with the hyperspace ring, as featured in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Nice kit with lots of tedious decals.
Back to this planet and the Second World War … Tamiya’s fabulous 1/32 P-51D Mustang. This was a challenging build with a difficult NMF finish, a lot of parts even for one of their 32nd scale beauties, and an aftermarket decal sheet (Lil’ Aggie).
Here is the real Lil’ Aggie:
I finished my year’s work with 4 C-47 variants - two WWII gooney birds, and two AC-47 Spookys. Three different Monogram kits plus a Trumpeter.
Original Monogram (1/96):
70’s era Monogram (1/48): 
2000’s Monogram repop as AC-47 (1/48): 
Trumpeter (1/48): 
That was it for me this year. I haven’t done more than a couple of hours of work on anything since August, when I went back to school to gain some new skills in the software engineering world. Now that I am done with school, I am back to work on my current projects - not one, but two Monogram B-29 Superfortress bombers. Those are daunting builds, so no clue how much longer I have but let’s just say I’m not finishing them tonight.[:D][D]
Here’s hoping for many good builds for everyone in the new year!