Arctic Decals + Dekno Northrop Gamma 2C conversion kit

Not so long ago I started to play with the venerable Northrop Gamma kit from Williams Bros.
I modified the original kit, scratched some parts and was able to obtain more arcane and attractive versions from it.
http://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2017/05/conqueror-gamma-conversion-completed.html
and
http://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2017/07/modified-northrop-gamma-experimental.html

In those occasions I commissioned the decals from Arctic Decals.

Fortunately for many modelers, Arctic Decals decided to partner with Dekno Models to take matters further, and offer modelers the necessary conversion parts for the Conqueror Gamma cast in resin and meant to marry the newest version of the Northrop, the Delta released by Azur/FRROM, which shared the same wings and stab with the Gamma.
So instead of using the Williams Bros kit, you will be using the Azur/FRROM release to match the provided resin parts.
Here some photos of the contents that include, in true Arctic Decals detailed and meticulous fashion: -instructions with photos and plan
-many accompanying notes to facilitate building and decal application
-decals
-a mask option for the registration in case you want to paint it instead of using the provided decals
-masks for the canopy
-resin parts
-vacuum-formed canopy
-clear resin landing lights

Since the original had a few mods, decal options are included to reflect those changes.

In the future I'll be building this conversion, but for the moment I just wanted to let fellow modelers know about it, because only a limited number of copies were made.

Arctic Decals (link to item):
https://www.arcticdecals.com/products.html?id=45671/613557


I would like to mention that I have no financial ties of any kind to this endeavor, nor any gain.
Dekno's rendition and parts are their own, and not based on my scratched parts. They designed the conversion parts and cast them to complement Arctic Decals' set and as said to match the Azur/FRROM kit necessary parts.

Miles Aerovan completed - Mikro-Mir, 1/72nd scale

I enjoyed this build a lot, in spite of the few shortcomings of the kit.

The subject is very appealing, civil and unusual.

Final notes:

Read the detailed construction post:

http://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2017/08/miles-aerovan-mikro-mir-172nd-scale.html

Other than that:

This is a very stubborn tail sitter. Even with quite a bit of lead it will tail seat.

The landing gear is weak (because it is to scale, which is good). So instead of adding lead -as I did-, prop the aft fuselage with the short propping leg -seen in some photos of the real thing- that I added at the end of the construction to the model.

An open tail and a ramp -that also "holds" the aft fuselage- is another possible approach.

Check photos, since some inaccuracies seemed to have made their way into the kit's painting schemes and decals, regarding geometry and color.

What finally decided me for the PH-EAB registration is the fact that it has a larger glassed area on the nose, whilst other liveries, as tempting as they were, had less glass area, hiding detail on the cockpit. Of course it also helped that the decals for the chosen version came with the kit, but the instructions to paint the model are quite inaccurate, and you have to check photos where you can clearly see the differences. PH-EAB went through some changes (even in the clear panels on the nose), so again, look at photos. At one point it had light racks on the fuselage sides for night advertisement.

I really liked this unusual subject. The molding is in general good, you get a few optional liveries (there are plenty more options, surely a matter for the aftermarket entrepreneurs), but you have to work on the fit of some parts.

Most of these issues were covered during the building and posted here.

Reflecting a bit on the build, it is evident that a subject that has for the modeler a great appeal, helps to overcome the faults that all kits, one way or another, seem to have. An appealing subject keeps the interest alive throughout the build, and the unusual aspect of this plane is surely an asset.

Perhaps this build will eventually spur the dig up of more references and details on this machine by other modelers/enthusiasts, for the benefit of us all.

I love civil planes, and I love unusual, so for me this was a rewarding build. Wish more manufacturers (some already do) would produce more subjects on those lines.

'Till the next one.

Compared to the Shorts Skyvan:

Scratch-built 1/72nd Thompson Brothers refueling tender completed

With superb decals from Arctic Decals of Finland.

There were several models and modifications of this refueling unit.

I scratched this model a few months ago, posting some images of it still without decals here on the blog:

http://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2017/06/scratchbuilt-thompson-brothers-mobile.html

but got to apply the decals just now.

Very small detail printed sharply:

The gold characters are amazing:

The quality of the graphics is exceptional: