Next Level Builds

Here is where I am: Competent model building and painting and when the stars align, I might get a result worthy of the display case and a competitive contest entry. I can confidently say given enough time and interest in a subject; I can tame almost any kit. Which is a good thing because I […]

Are we builders or finishers?

I have to admit: this post has been one of the harder ones to write (and to find images for). The content is not controversial but I am trying to make a comparison which is difficult to support with data. That said, in no way is this post meant to be a declaration of a […]

Tips and Tricks for Modeling Aircraft Cockpits

Unless you are making a UAV, your model airplane will have a cockpit. After radial engines, cockpits are probably my favorite part of an aircraft build. Today’s kits typically come with excellent detail right out of the box that just need paint. Of course, there is always room for an aftermarket resin set or some […]

Box Art – An Artist’s Perspective

Does Box Art really sell kits? This seems to be one of those logical things we all believe. In my personal experience, I have only bought one kit because of the box art and that was a long time ago. I am much more likely to buy a kit based on the contents of the […]

Is the Gentleman’s Scale still relevant?

Or is 72nd scale in decline? I have listened to some opinions about this in recent podcasts. One of the hosts from the Scale Model Podcast explained that he does not build 72nd because he has trouble seeing the parts. Yet one of the hosts from Plastic Model Mojo boldly claims 72nd to be God’s […]

Model Kits that broke the Internets!

Cold weather is a great excuse to take the little one to the air museum. No matter how many times I go there, I always find something interesting and last time was no different. I found this gem on the bookshelf in the kiddie drawing & reading room: “Model Planes For Beginners” was first printed […]

OTTAWA’S LOST MUSTANGS

Originally posted on OTTAWA REWIND:
Once Upon A Time in Ottawood, our skies above the capital were abuzz with the sound of Rolls Royce Merlin engines, purring from the fuselages of the graceful and iconic WW2 fighter, the P-51 Mustang. After the war, Canada purchased a total of 150 Mustang P-51Ds from the United States…

The 2020 Dream Kit List

Happy 2020 to you all! I am currently completing a big kit that I hope to write about before the end of the month. But before I get to that finish line, the first week of January is as good a time as any to break out another “Top 5” wish list. Last year’s Top […]

My first real year-end post

There was a post at the end of 2018 but back then Model Airplane Maker was only a few months old at the time. So I am not sure it counted. This time, the site has more than a year under its belt and there is a lot more to say. Speaking of which, I […]

The Quick and Dirty Guide to Modelling the F4U Corsair in “Foreign” Service

I have previously published a quick and dirty guide to modeling the many US variants of the Corsair in 1/48 scale. In that last guide I detailed the differences between the variants as they were developed. Instead of repeating that information, this guide will have a bit more information about the story behind the use […]