Future Projects

What will we be doing next?

     This section deals largely with the Model Aircraft Projects in the pipeline. However there are also various other pieces of work that might also get a mention. Whilst I am working on these Projects the progress is listed in the "On the Bench" section. When complete they will normally move over to the "Gallery 2000" section.

The VVS GPW Project in 1/48th scale

     The "VVS" is the acronym for the Soviet Airforce during the GPW - 'Great Patriotic War' ('World War Two' to Western historians). "VVS" is actually "BBC" in its original Cyrillic alphabet. This Project started in September 2005 and now extends to over twenty-four (24) model aircraft kits. Sounds a little crazy to collect that many kits in the space of a year but it was 26 - I did actually make the Tupolev I-4 and the Yak-3. So I am trying.

    With the exception of the I-4 this project is all 1/48th scale. Something that would have been very difficult ten years ago but is now much easier thanks to the advent of several new manufacturers. The collection looks like this:

• 3 x Yak-1

  • Accurate Miniatures Yak-1

  • Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 with skis

  • Accurate Miniatures Yak-1b

• 3 x Yak-7

  • ICM Yak-7B

  • ICM Yak-7B with skis

  • ICM Yak-7DI/9 early

• 4 x Yak-9

  • ICM Yak-9M

  • ICM Yak-9T

  • ICM Yak-9DD

  • ICM Yak-9K

• 3 x Il-2 Sturmovik

  • Accurate Miniatures Il-2M3 2 seat (swept wing)

  • Accurate Miniatures Il-2 single seat (straight wing)

  • Accurate Miniatures Il-2 single seat with skis

• 7 x Lavochkin Fighters

  • LTD LaGG-3 (late)

  • SF LaGG-3 (early)

  • Hobbycraft/LTD La-5 hybrid build

  • Gremlin all resin La-5

  • Gavia La-7 (x 2)

  • Gavia La-7 (3 gun)

• 2 x MiG-3 (ICM & Trumpeter)

• 1 x Peshka (MPM Pe-2)

...and, to be collected:

• MPM/Special Hobby Pe-3

• ICM Yak-9B

• ICM Yak-7A

• Zvezda La-5FN

• ICM LaGG-3

1/48th scale WWII Bombers

     This collection probably holds amongst the oldest Kits, and the newest Kits, in the collection. This is the second biggest hobby-related love-of-my-life; big WWII bombers:

• Fonderie Miniatures Halifax

• Monogram D-24J Liberator

• Monogram B-29 Superfortress

• MPM He-177 Greif

• Tamiya Lancaster

• Trumpeter Wellington

• Monogram B-17G Flying Fortress

• Revell B-17F Flying Fortress

• Revell Heinkel He-111 (x2)

     The Revell Dornier Do-217 was on this list but this was finished in June 2006. See it in the Gallery 2000 section.

1/48th scale WWII Luftwaffe

     There is great scope for expansion in this area although I was trying to avoid single engined fighter. The one multi-engined type was actually given to me for free by a neighbour:

• Revell-Monogram ProModeller Bf 110G-4

1/48th scale Vintage Soviet

     There are just two entries in this category. Once again this category only really exists because of Kits that were given to me. I can never turn down a freebie or a bargain! These had some vague compatibility with the VVS GPW project so we have:

• OEZ Su-7 BKL BMK

• OEZ Su-25K

• KP Su-17

1/48th scale Modern Bombers & Transports

     ...and finally. The stuff that doesn't fit elsewhere and because I cannot resist really LARGE 1/48th scale anything:

• Revell B-1B Lancer

• Italeri AC-130U Hercules Spectre

• Italeri C-130 Hercules (for spares)

The Philosophy

     The casual reader might think that I just collect kits. Well, you'd be forgiven for thinking so. However, each Kit was purchased with the full intention of building it. Obviously my disposable income vastly exceeds my spare time. However, each Kit represents an individual Project. If you drill down into each you will see that behind ever Model Aircraft box there is another box full of various aftermarket accessories and decals. There are also various reference materials. Most of this stuff is collected for cheap off of EBay. Hence the thrill is in collecting absolutely everything that each kits deserves so that I can make the best of it. Hence I can pull anyone off the shelf and just make it without having to sit down and prepare the shopping list. Hence - no delays.

     Watch this space as we will slowly fill in all the details about what is going on behind each and everyone of these individual Projects. Hardly a month goes by without some small addition to one Project or another.