(February 2007) By 1961 the Soviet Union had built up a considerable lead in the space race. It had launched the first artificial satellite in 1957 and the first manned space flight in April 1961. By 25 May 1961 the only American manned space flight had been a fifteen minute sub-orbital flight. Even so, … More Apollo-Saturn V in 1/144 by Airfix
(November 2020) I don’t get to read many books these days but here’s one that has captivated me and which I only managed to put down without reading it straight through by sheer force of will. It’s A Pound of Paper, Confessions of a Book Addict by John Baxter. Doctors seem to be taking a … More A Ramble on Books and Collecting after John Baxter
(November 2020) From what I’ve heard on old blues records it appears that when people wake up in the morning they feel the need to dust their brooms. I’m not really sure what kind of dusting that means but anyway that’s not how I woke up the other day. When I woke up there … More Boeing F8B-1 in 1/72 by Valom
This month begins with another 1/144 Airbus A.320, this one in the livery of the Air New Zealand ‘Crazy About Rugby’ airliner. The kit is you standard Revell kit and the main decals are from PAS Decals in Russia. Staying in 1/144, here are two little experimental British aeroplanes that come as bonus kits with … More Models for November 2020
(March 2006) The P5M was a direct descendent of the Martin PBM Mariner that served with many air forces around the world during World War II. Towards the end of the war the US Navy began considering development of a more modern flying boat and the Martin company’s proposal for an improved PBM gained … More Martin P5M-2 in 1/72 by Hasegawa
(December 2005) The Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé (that could translate as Forward, Ahead of or Front Armoured Vehicle) was developed by Giat Industries and Renault Trucks to give the French Army a fast and mobile troop carrier. It’s simple design and the use of a commercially produced engine made it relatively cheap and versatile. … More VAB in 1/72 by Heller
(November 2005) At the beginning of the Cold War the United States’ and the Soviet Union’s main long range bomber was the Boeing B-29 and its Russian copy, the Tu-4. However, the development of the atomic bomb and the jet engine revolutionised the potential performance and striking power of strategic bombers and the Soviet … More Tupolev Tu-16 (Badger-A) in 1/72 by Trumpeter
(February 2006) At the end of World War II the French government decided to develop light aviation in a big way, an action also taken by many other governments including Australia’s. As a first step the government purchased a large number of ex-war Tiger Moths and Magisters very cheaply that it passed on to … More Robin DR.315 Petit Prince in 1/72 by Dujin
Here are three new models made from kits that do not go together without a fight. Let’s begin with the little Azmodels 1/72 Morane G. This little pre-World War I fighter might look simple but it is not simple to make because it is a limited-run injection moulded kit with fairly vague instructions. I had … More Models for October 2020
(A version of this piece originally appeared in ANZAPA Mailing 316, August 2020) My life is remarkably unexciting, sometimes in an interesting way. Take last Tuesday for example. I count it as a good start to the day when I sleep in to 7am, so the day began well. Other days I can be … More Tuesday
