Group Build 10 - POLL NOW ACTIVE!

[smeg1959]

Following on with a suggestion from Ian Cowley, you can all start to ponder the topic for Group Build 10 which we could run immediately after the cessation of the Cold War GB (i.e. 1st July).

[cowleyi]

If I remember rightly, There was a proposal to do a Soviet Aircraft GB. What about expanding it along the lines of Red Star Red Circle, (to include Japanese aircraft) .... Just thinking out loud.
Ian

[bootneck42]

What about an Asian Air Arms GB, as a 1:144 scale match with the Asian Air Arms SIG? There should be plenty of choices and opportunities there.

Mike

[ajmm]

Or Africa? I thought that was quite a good idea when it was first raised.

[F_IV]

I quite like the Asian Air Arms idea. There are a few Japanese aircraft that are very high on my bucket list.
I think a Bombing Offensive GB was mentioned last year too, and that would certainly have some scope for RAF/USAAF/Luftwaffe projects.
I'm still keen on an inter-war GB too, though I might need a longer timeframe on that one.

[smeg1959]

The Interwar option was my preference last time and I'm sticking with it. The Soviet build is also in the frame after I discovered just how few builds of Russian aircraft were gracing my shelves.

I still have a desire for a resin kit build at some stage, as it would be an opportunity to win over some members who have yet to try this medium. And, after all, one of the aims of a GB should be to take people out of their comfort zone.

Footnote: F_IV, do you recall this call to arms? A Crown GB ... definitely got enough in the stash if need be, albeit that most are Minicraft rehashes.

[cowleyi]

If there was an agreement on the interwar period for the group build the only thing in the stash that matches is a A5M4 Claude.

[F_IV]

The Claude would be a great choice. Its a very nice little kit.
I've always wanted a Nakajima A1N1 myself, and might well commit to doing one from scratch if an interwar GB was created. Then again, a Hawker Fury wouldn't be half bad either. Or a Dragon Rapide… Oh dear!

[smeg1959]

Apart from scratchbuilding and the albeit relatively few injection-moulded and resin kits covering the interwar period, there also seems to be an ever-growing number of 3D-printed models. My only issue there is that Shapeways appear to have hiked the price of prints in higher resolution materials. Sometimes the difference in cost between the White Natural Versatile Plastic (WNVP, i.e. SWF rebranded) and Smooth Fine Detail Plastic (SFDP, the old FUD) is astronomical. Take Decapod's beautiful Felixstowe F.2a. In WNVP, $US26.50. In SFDP, $US265.81. For a couple of dollars extra, you could buy the Wingnuts' 1/32 scale kit of the same aircraft!

Again, I only wish Shapeways would get more competition. Whilst they are essentially the sole player, they can set the price bar as high as they like.

[F_IV]

Theres a few interwar types kitted that I can think of

Mark I Gladiator
F-Toys Macchi M.20/M.72 Schneider Trophy racers
Minicraft/Roden Douglas DC-3's
Airfix HP.42
Armory Bf-109B-C/ Polikarpov I-15
Sweet A5M's
Valom Fokker DVII (Polish or USA)/Bristol F2B

The Eduard Spitfire could be converted quite readily to an early Mk I. So could the Sweet Hurricane. Are there any more?