Seasons Greetings

have a Jerry Christmas and a Jappy New Year! This was a common saying after Japan entered WW2 where 'Jerry' refers to Nazi Germany a 'Jappy' the Empire of Japan. All this happened so long ago and now seems so unlikely to have ever occurred and yet it did. We really do live in a different world.

Australian Spitfire pilot's final resting place found

Mail Online reports Riddle of missing Spitfire ace shot down after D-Day is solved after his plane wreck is found 66 years on.

I have mixed feelings about whether what is a grave should have been disturbed however the recovery does bring closure.

My preliminary reasearch reveals that the Spitfire was a Mk IX, MJ789 coded FU-B.

Competition time!

Win a copy of the soon to be released decal A013204 'Shark Attack! for use on Tamiya's 1/32nd Spitfire Mk VIII kit. All you have to do is take a look at the Mk VIII build article using A013204 'Shark Attack! decal 'How to build it, the tips and tricks!' and identify the particular a/c being modelled.

You know it is an a/c from No. 457 Sqn but what is the individual a/c code letter and A58 serial number? (hint, it's A58-6** and it was flown on operations by two RAAF aces. )

If you know the answer email me; the first correct answer received is the winner. Entries will close in about 2 weeks time when I reveal the identity of the a/c in the build article. If you attended my recent research night on the Spitfire and P-40 in RAAF service you have an edge as I mentioned this a/c. Mmmm, now you wish you were listening more closely :)

UPDATE!!!!


We have a winner already, you guys are quick! Ok, so to keep the competition going I'm going to provide a second copy of the decal as a prize. All answers received no later than 22 November, 2010 will be put into a hat and the first correct answer drawn will win a copy of A013204 'Shark Atack! Don't delay get your answer in now!

What's the difference between Alps and regular decals?

This is a common question that I'm currently working on providing an answer to by way of an article I'll publish in the FOR section of Aero Imageworks website. As a decal producer and consumer over many years I'll provide the reader with a unique insight into the production and application of scale model decals together with the pros and cons of Alps and screen printing. Whether you are a novice or experienced modeller I'm sure you'll find it interesting.

Some of it will seem pretty basic such as how I apply decals. However, it's worth mentioning as every modeller has his own technique so there maybe something about my approach that others like and can adopt. I'll also comment on how to review decals. Time and time again I've read decal reviews where the reviewer hasn't really thought about what decals are and how they are applied. Decals end up being cut to pieces (literally!), dunked in water, dissolved, patted, pressed, squeezed, dried, coated with clear paint and finally weathered. Pretty rough treatment!

Tamiya Spitfire with RAAF markings

check out the latest progress building Tamiya's Spitfire Mk VIII in 1/32nd scale

Spitfire and P-40 Research Night

Last month I held a 'researchers night' for those interested in the Spitfire and P-40 Kittyhawk in RAAF service during WWII. The presentation was very well received and it was nice to see a good mix of people, not just scale modellers! Although the night went well, it was a lot of work to set up so I think it will be a while before I have another open night. If you missed it, you will probably catch at least some of it on YouTube!

'Spitfire Women' documentary

Recently I saw a most interesting BBC documentary on the ATA pilots during WWII. This small band of women pilots ferried all types of RAF aircraft including the Spitfire. If you have an interest in WWII aviation this is a must see documentary.

Spitfire and P-40 Research Night BOOKED OUT

Please note my research night is now booked out.

Aero Imageworks decals are now available for Spitfire in 1:32nd scale

AI has completed some minor changes to the 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk VIII decals A01320, A013202 and A013203 following the release of Tamiya's Spitfire Mk VIII kit. Now you can build the kit with accurate RAAF markings just the way it should be.

Aero Imageworks Spitfire Mk VIII decals in 1:32 scale

Aero Imageworks 'Shark Attack!' decals A013201, A013202 and A013203 have been temporarily unavailable due to them undergoing minor changes following the release of Tamiya's superb Spitfire Mk VIII kit. The changes are more of a minor 'tweak' to the decal in particular the sharkmouth so it fits nicely onto the Tamiya kit nose. They should be available in the next few days, check the AI website.

Speaking of the Tamiya Mk VIII kit, this blog was actually the first to announce it was going to be released! My source in Japan gave me the inside info a couple of weeks before it became generally known. Unfortunately the gun detail that I was expecting did not make it into the kit. Seems something was lost in the translation! The hot tip for the next Spitfire mark to be released is,drum roll ..........wait for it,......XVI. I know what I'll be building it as, FU-? of No. 453 Squadron RAAF.

Steady progress on building Tamiya spitfire Mk VIII

After building a few of these kits you'd think I should be speeding through building this kit. Alas, no, the kit is complex and there really aren't any shortcuts. This is a good thing given the kit is rather expensive so you are getting your monies worth with this type of kit. Go here for build article. It looks like I've made this huge jump from parts on the sprues to wing and fuselage ready to join. The steps in between are pretty much as for my earlier build of the Spitfire Mk IX so I didn't want to go over old ground. Some minor changes to cockpit detail was required that I'll refer to later.

Research Night - Spitfire and P-40 in RAAF Service

I'm planning a 'Research Night' for October (date to be confirmed later) to discuss the Spitfire and P-40 in RAAF service with particular emphasis on camouflage and markings. My previous research nights have been adhoc, informal meetings of a small number of local aviation history researchers and scale modellers. What I'd like to do is present a more structured night to a wider audience. I'll present some interesting bits of aviation history which will include a large number of period photos collected from private photo albums. The P-40 photos will no doubt be of interest to scale modellers as will the new Spitfire photos. If you are interested in attending please let me know by email. Venue to be advised, light refreshments to be provided but numbers will be limited. If you have old aviation items (uniforms, badges, memorabilia etc.)or old photos, please feel free to bring them along.

RAAF Spitfires research night

Had a very interesting 'researchers night' discussing the Spitfire in RAAF service with particular emphasis on the Mk VIII. This was very timely as Tamiya has only recently released their beautiful 1:32nd scale model of the Mk VIII. A number of films and photographs were viewed and discussed at length particularly those depicting the 'sharkmouth' adorned Spitfires from No. 457 Squadron (see photo above). Much of the discussion centred on identifying the aircraft, a task that is not as easy as it may appear. The end result is that we have uncovered the c&m, serial and individual a/c code letter of many previously unidentified RAAF Spitfires. Not bad for an evenings 'work' :)

Tamiya Spitfire Mk VIII

It's Friday and what better way to end the working week than to find a large box had been delivered to me direct from Japan. Inside the box was another box! Tamiya's Spitfire Mk VIII kit in 1:32nd scale. All that has been said about the Spitfire Mk IX kit released late last year also applies to this kit. It is simply superb and like the IX kit has plenty of extra bits and pieces to build any number of sub-variants. I'll post a few pics later and prepare an article on building the kit along the same lines as I did for the Mk IX kit. As you would expect, there are plenty of RAAF c&m options available for the kit, the problem comes is choosing which one to use!

Update 21 July : Havn't started the kit yet due to local modellers calling in like bees to a honey pot, wanting to see the kit! All were unanimous in their praise, like the Mk IX this kit is simply superb. It's available NOW! from your favourite mail order hobby shop but you better be quick.

D DAY at Aero Imageworks for RAMROD #2

Aero Imageworks has released part 2 of the RAMROD series of marking masks and decals.

Tamiya Spitfire Mk IX build

Aero Imageworks has an interesting article on building Tamiya's superb Spitfire Mk IX kit. Go here to see it.

funny clip from classic war movie, 'The Dam Busters'

JEJ Mini decal to be released soon

Following on from my previous post, Aero Imageworks will be releasing a simple correction decal for the 1:32nd scale Tamiya Spitfire Mk IX kit. It comprises replacement maple leaf marking and Wing Commander rank pennant for JEJ flown by 'Johnnie' Johnson. Coupled with the kit decals you can now build a pretty good representation of this famous MkIX. RRP is only AUD $9.95. Keep an eye on Aero Imageworks website for details.

Spitfire MK VIII from Tamiya

I'll be getting this kit asap via my contact in Japan who late last year got me one of the first Spitfire Mk IX's. Unfortunately I'm restricted to only one kit from this source so I have also pre-ordered one from a Japan based model shop.

The kit includes a fully detailed Hispano cannon and wing machine guns, something that was originally intended for the Mk IX. When the Mk IX was released I was told that it missed out on these 'goodies' because they weren't ready in time. I've since learned that this is untrue! Tamiya could have included these armaments in the kit but didn't for marketing reasons. We all bought the Mk IX, now we are all going to buy the Mk VIII if for no other reason than to get those extra bits for use in the IX! Clever marketing it certainly is but its all wasted on me. I was always going to buy both kits!

Spitfire Mk VIII model in 1/32nd scale and the big Mossie

I have it on good authority that Tamiya will be releasing a 1/32nd scale Spitfire Mk VIII this year. Yes that's THIS year, 2010. If you already have the Mk IX version you would have noticed that Tamiya has made provision for further marks including the beautiful Mk VIII. This is good news for RAAF scale modellers who are looking to build an RAAF Spitfire Mk VIII. Expect to see it around xmas time.

I'm still working on Airfix's BIG Mossie in 1/24th scale. As I mentioned before, the kit is a bit of a disappointment and isn't in the same league in terms of quality as Tamiya's 1/32nd Spitfire IX. The large scale has in some ways worked against the kit making it look somewhat 'toy like'. In this scale any kit needs to be highly detailed or else it will simply look like a big toy. Unfortunately Airfix treated it in terms of detail as it would say a 1/48 kit but in 1/24 scale this just isn't sufficient. It may end up hanging in the apricot tree this summer to scare away the birds!

Get pernickety!

Tamiya's 1/32nd Spitfire is good but it's not perfect. Aero Imageworks 'Pernickety Spitfire Mk IX' brings the kit a few steps closer to perfection. It includes replacement cockpit instrument panel decals plus detail information. RRP $29.95. Past customers of AI pay only $24.95. To be released soon!

Mosquito Squadron

Here's some highlights from a classic war movie featuring the sleek de Havilland Mosquito. Great viewing while you build Airfix's huge de Havilland Mosquito kit. The kit is a bit of a disappointment with a 'toy-like' feel and quality to it in stark contrast to Tamiya's Spitfire Mk IX.

'We like it better that way' - Spitfire fighter sweep in 1942

Spitfires Mk VB's from No. 64 squadron armed with 20mm Hispano cannon and .303 browning machine guns feature in this wartime newsreel.

Ring Ring!

Had a phone call yesterday from an angry and belligerent David Harvey making threats. Simply appalling behaviour from someone who unfortunately seems to be incapable of showing due respect to his betters.

How to build a 1:32nd scale Tamiya Spitfire Mk IX

I'll start this week an illustrated article on the Aero Imageworks website describing how to build Tamiya's superb 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk IX as JE-J EN398 flown by W/C JE Johnson. The kit will be for the most part built straight out of the box but with a few deviations and amendments. I'll be deviating from Tamiya's instructions when it comes to the camouflage and markings for JE-J as these aren't particularly accurate. Much of the information presented in the article isn't exclusive to JE-J and would be relevant to any 'early' MK IX. There's also some interesting details that have been uncovered that perhaps only those with a ground or aircrew background would have picked up.

How to build Tamiya's Spitfire Mk IX