Santa in the brown suit arrived today bearing a HUGE package. It was one I’ve been counting down the days for, from my editor in the UK. In addition to the Trumpeter 1/24 Spitfire Vb Floatplane model, there was a small bag of pricey resin correction parts, and I got eight bottles of Xtracrylic, which I have been dying to try.
But for some reason he sent three bottles of Sky, two bottles of Extra Dark Sea Gray, two bottles of RAF Dark Slate Gray, and a bottle of Interior Green FS 34151, the standard 1950’s and 60s US Interior Green, used on bomb bays and wheel wells, mostly, not Brit WW II interior gray-green. But hey, I’m not complaining, but I have to find a way to pony up funds I ain’t got, and then find a place besides Hannant’s to buy the right Xtracrylic paints, or just use my trusty old pal, Polly Scale.
Also, there is the mysterious set of new resin correction parts from a firm called MDC with four new prop blades, some cockpit wall plumbing, repacement horizontal tail planes, replacement control column with nicely detailed spade grip. I don’t know what’s wrong with the kit parts that they need replacing: there are no instructions or even paper of any kind with these resin parts, which are beautifully molded.
Finally, one of the most anticipated things was the Zotz/Alabtross sheets for the B-25 that I have been slobbering over since I first saw them and wanted them for my AcMin B-25G to go with my PBJ-1C/D. They are nothing short of stunning, and there are markings for 13 complete examples of the most colorful Mitchells ever to take wing, and in every variant from the C to the J. Then I looked at the front of the color booklet, where it said 1:72 scale. My heart sank. It’s out of print and I couldn’t afford one even if it was available. I have every Zotz/Albatross decal set that is currently in print, and a few that aren’t, and this is the one I wanted. But it won’t fit my AcMin Mitchells.
But lest you guys start pegging me for the most ungrateful, whiny, undeserving character on the planet, just know that I feel like Lou Gehrig right now: The luckiest man on the face of the earth.
Of course, reality will set in when I sit down to this monster model and realize that I have to build it to a standard of craftsmanship I may never have achieved in my life, and that gives me modeler’s block: too afraid to even start for fear I’m going to fail.
The heat is on, so include me in your prayers after you get through praying for the important stuff. aaaaa
Oh, and if anyone needs the best 1:72 set of B-25 markings in the world, I’m up for a trade.
TOM (right now, a hog in his heaven)
Should be an interesting build. Keep us posted.
regards, Rick
Best wishes on your new model. Save room for the Hornet B in your schedule.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]