Another one of my 'Places what I have been to' kits. This is the 2008 rebox with new decals of the Strikemaster first released by Airfix in1973 and as such it has raised panel lines. Consisting of 90 parts, some not used depending on which version you build, those being a RAF Jet Provost T.5, two Singapore AF Strikemaster Mk.84s and a RNZAF Mk.88. I'm building as a Mk.84. This will be OOB except for the ejector seats which I'm replacing with resin aftermarket ones.

What colour's that? It looks a muddy grey.

Impressive.

A coat of US Dark Green was misted over the whole model to try and break up the Olive Drab then Klear was applied where the decals would be going. For a nigh on 50 year old kit these went on quite well but I still treated them with Set and Sol. There was a fair bit of carrier film which was trimmed as close as I dare go. The cab rear window was glazed with Glue and Glaze and the front ones were cut from thin sheet. This was where I made my biggest mistake, I didn't mask the front ones when I sprayed Matt varnish on, doh!!!! I eventually found out that if you rub Isopropol onto the varnish it helps lift it. There are a few bits remaining but further pressure could have popped the windows out. The ballast box was kitted out with some representations of home made ballast plus various items of kit and boxes via Col. Tony, as was the chain on the towbar, and wire and tools from my spares. The 'wedges/ramps' normally used for loads were also stowed. Weathering was with Revell powder and a Flory Wash.
The vehicle represents one from 452 Tank Transporter Company in North West Europe 1945. Before the build I'd decided that the load would be the ModelCollect E-100 Waffentrager bare chassis as a war trophy which used the left over parts from a previous build. The M-19s trailers were frequently overloaded in real life and there are photos online of them carrying LCIs (Landing Craft Infantry) which over hang so the model isn't that far fetched.

THe time Ellie was born at and your attempts to get Isobel on the housing ladder?

It looks a good fit Kev, well done.

Another great model and diorama.

Slow progress on this build due to concentrating on the M19. Positioning of the front pulsejet supports is very vague in the instructions so I went with the position shown in the markings on the reverse of the box which matches near enough that in the Polish book. They have angled faces which helps a little in the positioning. The aft supports aren't shown at all in the instructions and it was only by checking the sprue trees again that I found them, again fitted as above. I was all set for a rummage through the spares box or having to make them.