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I've moved and merged the blogs to a webpage in the Aero Imageworks website. Go here to see the new blog.

This blog has moved

This blog has moved to a new home. I've moved the blog to a webpage within Aero Imageworks website. Go here to see the blog.

CEASE FIRE ORDERED, 15 AUGUST 1945

The Empire of Japan capitulates, the war is over!

I was not surprised to find no mention at all by the mass media of this historic event that occurred yesterday all those years ago. Does it matter? I for one think it does. We should remember our past and acknowledge that it is no accident we enjoy freedom and peace in Australia.

mid-air crash at Duxford airshow

A P-51 Mustang (actually a Commonwealth CA-18), 'Big Beautiful Doll' and a French Douglas Skyraider collided in mid-air while banking away after a formation fly-past at low level. The Skyraider lost a large part of its starboard wing in the collision but landed safely. The pilot of the Mustang parachuted to safety leaving the aircraft to crash into a field. Both pilots were miraculously uninjured.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-14101641

I just hope that people don't over-react and call for the end of warbird airshows. What they do need to look at is the level of training and practice pilots undertake prior to any proposed formation flying. Formation flying is inherently dangerous and requires its own unique set of pilot skills; it's not the sort of thing most civilian pilots are familiar with.

History forgotten

I was somewhat disappointed that there was virtually no mention in the mainstream media of the Battle of Midway on the 4 June 1942 and the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944.

In the Battle of Midway the US Navy inflicted a devastating blow upon the Imperial Japanese Navy that turned the tide of the Pacific War in favour of the US and her allies.

On the 6 June the largest amphibious invasion in history took place on the beaches of Normandy, France. The invasion marked the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany's occupation of western Europe and ultimately led to the end of the war within 12 months.

It's a pity we don't make the effort to educate our citizens so they can see that it is no accident that they live in a free country. It could so easily have been very different had it not been for the efforts and sacrifice of a previous generation.

Queensland Flood Relief Appeal

Please give generously to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal.

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.