Joe G Model Hobby

This is another one I finished early in the year but did not photograph. I have always been fascinated by the USS Yorktown CV-10, an aircraft carrier from WWII. I like its history and its look. A few years ago I started to build one of every aircraft she embarked on her final cruise of WWII from July to Sept 1945. She had aboard Air Group 88, with F6F Hellcats, F4U-1D Corsairs, SB2C-4 Helldivers and TBM3 Avengers. I had completed the Hellcat and Corsair and completed the Hel...ldiver this year, and putting up its pictures here now. The Helldiver was nicknamed the "Beast" because it was hard to handle. Many were lost to operational accidents. The problems were mainly attributed to its design, which was built to just be able to fit on the an Aircraft Carrier elevator to be taken down to the Hanger Deck. Some day will be the TBM-3 Avenger.

This is the second 1/48 Airfix Spitfire FR XIVe that I completed. Also has Exito decals representing an RCAF 443 Sdn aircraft from early 1946 as part of BAFO. Not as liberal with the markings of the 416 Sdn Spit, but it does have some personalization, plus an RAAF Kangaroo marking from its time with RAAF 451 Sdn. I didn't post process this one so dark. This makes 13 completed Spitfires in my Collection.

This is a very recently completed build. Those that know me, know my fondness of Spitfires. I tackled the new Airfix Spitfire FR XIVe, actually did two of them at the same time. I will post the other one soon. I was a bit underwhelmed with the kit, but it went together well enough. I chose the Exito Decals set. It came with 2 sets of markings I liked. The first one RCAF 416 Sdn which is highlited here, and the RCAF 443 Sdn markings, both from January 1946 in Europe. A few RCAF squadrons stayed in Europe post war to become British Air Forces of Occupation ( BAFO). The aircraft have been personalized and jazzed up a bit for post war duty.

So I finished something. Well this one I finished in January, but never got to take pictures. This is the Tamiya Panther G Late. It has most of a Photoetch detail set and a set of Friul tracks on it. I experimented with AK Real Colors on this one. I really like how it goes on smooth. I tried to match a tank picture i saw, but there are soooo many reds, greens and yellows in that set of paints. I picked the colors and went for it. ... I have another three of these tanks to try something different.

I have not posted in ages, Not that I gave up this hobby but it has been a busy year. I have indeed been building, just not finishing anything yet. And I have been lax in posting in-progress shots, so here is an update.. The Meng Leopard C2 with Mexas Armour. This example was used in with the Canadian Armed Forces while deployed in Afghanistan in 2007. It will be built in the markings of friend and armour mentor Anthony Sewards, a tanker from Canadian LdSH (RC) Regiment. Need...s weathering. Dragon M4A3E8 Sherman - this will be built in the markings of Creighton Abrams Thunderbolt VII. Asuka M4A1 76MM - Theis will be completed as an Operation Cobra Sherman just after DDay, with green and black color pattern. And My favorite subject - The Spitfire These are two of the new Airfix Spitfire FR XIVe. Done up in post WWII RCAF markings as part of Occupation Forces in Europe immediately after WWII. Just need the last fiddley bit and a flat or matte coat.