Since my last update in May 2024, I have not finished any further models but I have made progress on some new projects since returning from a six-week overseas trip in June-July.

1. Wake Models 1/350 Admiral Ushakov 1905

I briefly resumed work on the 1/350 Admiral Ushakov in July but encountered some significant problems with the kit and put the project on hold until I could solve the issues. I did make some progress on preparing the hull for mounting on a base (see below) and preparing all the main parts.

1. Tamiya 1/16 T34 / 76 model 1943

Meantime, in August I got started on something completely different, Trumpeter’s 1/16 T34/76 Model 1943.

Through to January this year I have done 160 hours of work on this huge model. The hull and turret interiors are complete (see below) and the exterior surfaces have all been painted. I was about to start weathering when I noted that the turret decals (patriotic slogans) had partly silvered. It seems that they simply would not remain properly seated on the roughcast turret surface despite copious quantities of setting solution. I am going to have to strip them off and replace them with something else. The project is now on hold until I can source some press-on transfers. Unfortunately, the company which made these, Archer, has closed, so tracking down a set may take a while. Otherwise, I am pleased with my work on the interior

1. SS Models 1/350 HMS Iron Duke

In December 2024 and January this year, due to being stalled on the two projects above, I have started some other projects; first up was a 1/350 3D-printed model of HMS Iron Duke, Admiral Jellicoe’s flagship at Jutland. The kit is produced by SS-Models of China and I bought it on Ebay. I made a start on joining the three hull sections, deepening the waterline with card and filling the overscale hull-plating detail.

Unfortunately, the model also suffers from massively overscale deck planking and some other serious deficiencies, so I have abandoned the project after 15 hours of work as I have found a much better 3D-printed kit (by Gaga).

1. Tamiya 1/350 IJN destroyer Kagero

Following the disappointment with the Iron Duke project, on New Year’s day I started Tamiya’s excellent plastic kit of Kagero. It is a beautifully engineered kit and I am using the Infini Model detail set to further enhance it. I am working slowly on this project due to all the photo-etch I am adding.

1. Amodel 1/72 Yakovlev Yak-28P

I have no rational explanation for why I started this project. I came across it while browsing my stash and spontaneously decided to build it. The Amodel kit is the only option to build this futuristic aircraft in 1/72 scale, though there are much nicer kits in 1/48 scale. I had no inkling of how bad the kit was when I started, though my past experience with Amodel should have raised a red flag. The moulds are very worn, some parts are mishapen and the fit of parts is generally awful. Nonetheless, with the aid of Milliput and Tamiya filler, I have assembled the kit and am at the stage of priming and final surface preparation before spraying natural metal finish coats. I will mount it in flying mode on a Perspex rod. This was a necessary decision due to the awful state of the undercarriage parts.