A Junkers Ju 52 / 3M transport plane sporting a friendlier livery compared to the usual WW2 crosses and yes, this airline existed and flew four aircraft in Switzerland.

I had originally planned a Stalingrad airlift aircraft but doing some research I saw the decals for this and immediately bought them. I could not resist although the purple is a shade darker than it should be. The decals were also difficult to lay down on the corrugated surfaces of the model. I have still to clear coat it but once done, I will move onto my next build. I have three builds I am making some slow progress on, two WW1 aircraft and a WW2 Airspeed Oxford but I shall take my time with these builds.

They are short run kits from the nineties so a lot of work required to build them but well worth the effort. I continue to have issues with rigging and appropriate glues. I have some new CA (super) glue but the fishing line I bought just melts. I will experiment with sprues, lines and assorted glues to find a solution…no pun intended. A dank, grey and cold day but at least it is dry.

In other news, Winnie is definitely on heat so we are being extra careful with the outer doors and windows. A friend popped in yesterday and we had to warn her about the lively kittens as both were doing zombies around the house including racing over her! Helping her to exit the house whilst a small cat on heat was determined to also leave was fun.

TTFN.

 A brief update, mainly about models over the past few weeks. The Panzer Mk III is pretty much completed but whilst I did the weathering on it I worked on one very quick build, the Tiger Moth shown below in Portuguese livery...

I also worked on another Spitfire, a Photo Reconnaissance Mk.XI in Danish post war colours.

This took a lot of work for what is at first glance a simple kit to build. It's a garage produced kit from New Zealand and the sprues and internal ejection marks require a delicate touch to remove and then the use of a 'dremel'* to clean up. I have several of these kits from Ventura / Tasman / JAYS models and I like the challenge to ensure a good build. I have started the next build which should take me few weeks to build, a Tasman Airspeed Oxford Mk.2 dry fitted below as I am also working on a larger build, the Heller Junkers Ju 52. The latter will be painted and decaled in an unusual colour scheme, as far removed from the usual war colours schemes as can be imagined. That won't be revealed for another week or so but it is eye catching and immediately took my fancy when I saw photographs of it.

The Panzer III Ausf. J as an Afrika Korps vehicle with figures awaiting a suitable diorama base. From a photo last week as the figures have now been touched up with paint and some further tidy up.

I am having to rethink how I display builds as the kittens can climb, burrow into and attack anything that takes their fancy. A set of curtains in the modelling room has had the lining shredded and they are particularly adept at shredding wallpaper and paint! We'll be glad when they can finally go into the garden and Sue has bought harnesses for them as that is what No.1 son wants for them.

Otherwise, things are quiet on the home front but the days are getting brighter and longer and I can't wait for Spring.

TTFN.

*Cheaper version of a Dremel.