2024 ended in a mire of modelling confusion, obfuscation and self loathing. Nothing was going right, interest had been lost in the existing builds. I really couldn’t let this rotten state of affairs continue into 2025. I headed for the part of the stash that exists for quick easy wins, Tamiya’s 1/48 wheeled military vehicles. Just two sprues, simple paint scheme, they can be done to a good standard in just a few sessions. Cue a Dingo scout car. It was a blast.

In the groove, mojo restored, resisted the urge to throw myself into something bigger. Kept it simple, low parts count, simple schemes. Forgotten I had the Wild Catfish, it proved to be an easy build, then onto a basic Zero. I gave the “hairspray method” of paint chipping a go, not overly happy with the results, will stick to sponge effect.

Things are going well, maybe a step up, slightly more complicated, something bigger. How about a Sukhoi -15, NATO code name Flagon. One tiny detail, for obvious reasons I am trying to avoid using the Soviet Red Star. A bit of sleuthing, there were rumours that a few had been sold to Egypt, highly unlikely in reality but there is wriggle room.

Andreas (Slightly Caddish) suggested that as the two of us had recently bought Ki-61s we should do a buddy build. This turned into a full blown group #TonyTonyTony. It was a blast, for many members this was their first entry into the world of Japanese aviation. Tonys had a complex camouflage, which a lot of us attempted. I liked the subject so much that I built 2 in the month allowed.

Next up, a request from my sister Jackie to build something for the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Guernsey. I had just the thing in the stash, a P51-D that flew the last combat mission in Europe, top cover for the troops coming ashore.

I don’t enjoy building cars, but I had acquired the very first production Toyota cheaply in a job lot. It will be handy for a more complex build in 2026.

I rarely go long without putting the Hinomaru on an aircraft. Up next was a Nakajima C6N1 Myrt, closely followed by a kit I had wanted for some time, a Mitsubishi Ki-15 because who wouldn’t want a Babs?

So far so good, on a roll. Of course that came to an end. I don’t know if it was the size and complexity of the kits, or the amount of cricket I was watching that created inertia, but neither the Yak-130 Mitten nor the Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer made it through the summer. Instead I went with eggs and toons. Very simple, designed for young kids, but with scope to practice your painting. They were fun.

That toon T-34 gave me a yearning for armour. I feel that armour requires a story, but that enlarges the project which runs the risk of losing interest. I had bought a book on winter weathering techniques which needed a going over, Tamiya’s old Soviet Su-122 was the perfect canvas. As always with Soviet dioramas I set them with either menace or incompetence. These guys are lost and pissed.

Andreas started another Group Bulld, Heavies. Four engines please. I just couldn’t get going. Stuck to my own schedule. I had bought an engraved deck section of the IJN aircraft carrier Zuikaku. This would be a test on whether I can make a piece of grey plastic look like planks of wood. I rarely look back on my model work and say “yeah, that’s good” but I think I nailed this. Of course something had to go on it, Nakajima B5N2 Kate marked up for that carrier worked a treat.

Oddly I went back for another crack at armour, this time a prototype , a little Su-18. Managed to get both menace and incomptence this time, it has broken down on its first outing and the commisars are not happy.

Back to Japan, a controversial A6M5 Zero and a A6M2 Rufe. The Rufe was simple, the Zero more complex with a lovely cockpit. You may have noticed that I have a thing for Japanese aircraft. Not sure if my years at Hitachi has anything to do with it.

It is common knowledge amongst my model friends that I adore Eduard kits, but they drain me as they are quite exacting. Reckoned I could squeeze another one in before year end. It was an old kit, so not as difficult as feared, a Yak-3.

One last build for the year, another group build set up by Tom. FestiveTankChallenge. I decided to have a bit of fun with another toon, done and dusted in 2 days.

I make that 20 builds, this year. Purchasing was seriously scaled back, so a stash reduction of 8 which will please my wife Shona.

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a good modelling 2026.

Cheers

Steve aka Badger