SPA Modeler

After all this time, I can finally show some finished models. These are all ten of the models I just finished:




These are my completed aircraft finished up just yesterday, starting with my helicopters:

First up is my British Gazelle, an ancient 1/72 scale Airfix kit. After fighting me for awhile, I finally managed to finish this:







Next is my Special Hobby 1/72 scale AH-1G Marine Cobra from Vietnam. This was one tough build as it was so delicate everywhere! I finally got this finished:







For my aircraft, my Italian Air Forces now has two new aircraft to add to their line up. First is the Italian Navy AV-8B Harrier in 1/72 scale by Hasegawa:







Followed by an Italeri 1/72 scale Italian F-16 Fighting Falcon:







Finally, my US Navy now has two mew F-14 Tomcats on active duty. Both of these 1/72 scale aircraft came in the same box as a dual kit from Hasegawa. This first one is an F-14A Tomcat from the Jolly Rogers:









Followed by the F-14B Tomcat, also from the Jolly Rogers:










These are my latest aircraft. None of them are truly contest worthy, but I'm thrilled to have finished them up and I'm very pleased with the look of all of them. I also finished four armor models as seen above in the top pic. Feel free to go check them out as well.

Meanwhile, thanks for looking in, comments are welcome.

Thank you Blacksheep!

Mark, that is a nice batch of builds. They all look good!

Thanks Carlos! I am so glad to get these finished.

Wow - six fantastic builds Duke - All of them superb

I really like those F-14s, both are great looking builds. Is it just me or in the top photo does the high-viz bird look bigger? The Star for me is that Gazelle though. That's not an easy kit by any standards and I haven't tried to build one since the early 90's. You're cracked it though - well done

That’s an optical illusion caused by color. Darker colors tend to make an object appear smaller, and lighter colors make them appear larger. There you have actual proof as the darker scheme makes that Tomcat appear smaller compared to the other.

Thanks Stuart! You are too kind. Yeah, that Gazelle was quite the challenge and almost did get 'cracked' by me.... with a hammer! I appreciate very much the compliments on that bird.Also, Carlos' explanation is spot on about the size 'difference'.

Thanks Carlos, I appreciate the very succinct explanation on the optical illusion brought on by the lighter colors vs darker ones.

You're welcome Duke!

It was a very good explanation and I totally get it - it's the same kit after all. It's a very good representation of one of the reasons for going to low-viz.

I would bet that size distinction had little to do with the low viz schemes. The early Navy/Marine Corps low viz schemes of the late 70s were simply overall gull gray, the same color as on the full color scheme. They had toned down markings in gray, white, or black. Aside from all the flashy colors being removed, one advantage to the overall gray was in air combat maneuvering, it could not be immediately recognized if an aircraft was banking towards or away from an opponent. This effect was enhanced on many early overall gray low viz schemes that had a false canopy painted on the underside opposite the the real canopy. Some false canopies even had painted on white circles for crew helmets. Along with the Heater/Ferris dazzle schemes, and some sky camo schemes worn on the F-16 and F-17 prototypes in flight test competition, during the same era, there was very little that was not tried in experimental schemes on aircraft at that time.