Firing Line 1/35 Land Rover Lightweight(spelt without the L on the box) soft top.

I do like Land Rovers and have a few models, Defenders, Pink Panthers and so on but not one of these, so I took the plunge and got one on E-bay, not cheap, don’t ask.

The kit contains resin, white metal and photo etched parts together with a two set instruction sheet.
I think some research will be required before the build begins. I have two or three books and the internet has some useful sights, including one about this particular kit
http://www.militarymodelling.com/forums/postings.asp?th=41856&p=5
I will keep dipping into this for advice and help no doubt, and this one on the real thing
http://www.land-rover-lightweight.co.uk/Index.html
Even though it details a hard top some of the details are similar.

The vehicle was developed by the Rover Company to provide an air-portable truck. The Lightweight can be lifted by a Puma or a Wessex and to save weight, doors, spare wheel, hood, body sides, windscreen and bumpers can be removed.
Production began in 1968.
It has 4 forward and one reverse gear with a two speed transfer box.
The engine could be either petrol or diesel 2286cc, electrical system could be 12 or 24 volt.
Wheelbase was 88 inches.
 It had a single dry plate clutch.
Live axles front and rear with semi elliptic and hydraulic dampers all round.
Drum brakes were fitted all round and parking brake on transmission output shaft.
Total production;
Series IIA - 2,989
Series III – 12.334 (up to 1980)
Looking at the lights on the model it would seem to be a Series III.
Maybe I could scratch build a Series IIA – food for thought there.
I have enlarged some plans from Terry Gander’s book – Encyclopaedia of the British Army.

Batch 1 of 3

Here are a few pictures of the illustrious club members at the show and the odd model as well.

I have always liked Seaplanes/floatplanes - call then what you will.

I have already built a few, see WW1 thread  - Sopwith Schneider and Baby,and then the 1/72 Airfix Grumman OA-12 Duck.

Whilst in Australia we visited an Air Museum and I waxed lyrical about the Consolidated Catalina- mistake, what did they buy me for Christmas last year, yes the 1/72 Airfix one.
I am trying to get this finished as they are coming over from Australia in June/July.
So I decided to start a thread on my seaplanes.
Catalina needs a coat of matt varnish and the clear parts adding.

Here we are again, lots of models from the April meeting, 24 members and 3 guests present,

Here we are again.

Well once again, something else took my fancy. I bought these two from Malcolm, so in keeping with the club ethos, they were cheap.
They are the Airfix 1/72 Gloster Gladiator Mk1 kits. They were built straight from the box.
One finished as that at The Shuttleworth Collection has stretched sprue rigging, the other, finished as a Gloster J-8A has fine wire rigging.
Nice little kits.
My excuse, well at least they are biplanes!

Here are the models from the meeting.
The open competition was won by David C with his Hawker Hunter.
Peter B brought along some of his old Spitfire models from the 1950s, they were wearing well.
Another busy club night with a quiz organised by Martin and Mince pies from John.
Merry Christmas and see you all in the New Year.