I'm pleased to say that the SIG paperwork has been returned and I have requested space at this year's Scale Model World. COVID restriction permitting I am looking forward to seeing as many of the SIG members as possible at what will be the SIG's first show for the 2021 season. There won't be a theme as such, it's been over a year since we've put on a display so I thought it'd be nice to show off what we have been building over the last year or so. 

Take care and stay safe.

Here are the recommended paints if you are following my build.

With various lockdowns and tiers across the UK, the SIG has been packed up and mothballed, ready and waiting to put on a display when circumstances permit. We look forward to the next show.......sometime in 2021.

For now, I would like to wish everyone a happy new year and I look forward to seeing you at the next model show, whenever that might be.

Like many of you, I have been modelling in between  work and family commitments. I thought I'd share my 2020 Luftwaffe builds. 

Matt over at PMModels thought it would be a really good idea that I build a Special Hobby Pembroke. It was quite a build! Here is a two part video showing how I wrestled the kit into submission.

This is a short highlights only video of some of the modelling techniques that I've used to build Manfred von Richthofen's DR1.

When COVID permits, expect to soon quite a lot of the Red Baron on the SIG's display. 

Over on my Youtube channel you can see my latest build, a 1/48 Tornado IDS. It's a detailed how-to build which shows my slightly off-piste construction sequence to tackle potential fit issues with the kit. 

During a Flory Models live show (video below) I had a question on cockpit colours. 

When it comes to giving an answer on what was the colour of a Bf 110 cockpit I wanted to be 110% sure (and the pun was unintentional) It's when I'm on the spot, that self-doubt kicks in. Around the 1 hour 50 mark you'll see me digging through references trying to find a definitive quick answer. The question that started it all was "Question for the Lutwaffe expert. I am building the 1/48 Eduard bf110F. I used RLM02 (1941 version) for the back cockit and wheel wells. I am making an error?"

In queries that followed the live show, an image was sent to me that seems to have started it all. This image has been nicely colorised elsewhere on the internet; but there is no doubt that the cockpit sides and framing are much lighter than the instrument panel. This aircraft was definitely painted in RLM 02 with an RLM 66 instrument panel. Digging an little deeper this image was taken in November 1940. 

Moving forward into Russia in 1941 we have a picture that, once confirms RLM o2. What this picture can't tell us is how old the aircraft was at the time of the photograph. Was it a Battle of Britain era aircraft redeployed to the Eastern front?

The final image is from 1943. The framing appears much darker than the fabric curtain and the crew members parachute straps. 

The generally accepted view from references is that in the 1941 regulation L.Dv 521/1 stated  "RLM 66 was specified for painting all areas visible through cockpit and canopy glazing" (AK Real Colors of WWII page 90).

This is confirmed by my preferred reference book, "The November 1941 issue of L.Dv.521/1....All cockpit areas visible through a glazed covering were to be finished in 7107.66, principally as an anti-glare measure, but also as not to compromise the external camouflage finish" (Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings 1933-1945, Merrick & Kiroff page 207).

So where does that leave a Bf 110 in 1941?I've two thoughts, the change in regulations came out at the end fo 1941 so it is possible that the cockpit was partially painted in RLM 02. Another view is that LDv.521/1 was confirming what was already general practice so the cockpit could have been RLM 66 throughout. I'd personally be tempted to paint the front cockpit RLM 66 and the rear RLM 02, it is visually more interesting and the aircraft was probably manufactured prior to the RLM 66 regulation.

I'd like to finish off with a generally accepted rule. If an aircraft is from after the Battle of Britain its cockpit was probably RLM 66. 

Ivan Jensen Taylor has set up a SIG for the Bf109. Contact details can be found on the IPMS Website.

We are looking forward to seeing their debut display at a model show soon. They also have a website where you can find out a little bit more about the SIG.

The South Cheshire Militaire in Nantwich has firmly established itself as a personal favourite. It is a show that has that certain charm that is unique. It's a friendly show with a wide range of displays that differentiate it from the others shows on the scale model calender. 

There were several new models on the display from myself (Hasegawa 109E and L 11 Schneewittchen) Andy Molyneaux (Great Wall Hobby Fw-189)  and Rick Greenwood (1/72 Tamiya 109G6). `Rick's build was featured in Scale Aircraft Modelling Volume 41, Issue 05.

Moving on from the new builds, here are some pictures of the rest of our display.

Luftwaffe subjects remain popular on other tables too.

And the wrap things up, here are some photographs of the venue and some of the varied displays.

The first show of the decade got the 2020 show season off to a flying start (pardon the pun). Sat between the EE Lightning and Panavia Tornado SIG and alongside IPMS Cleveland we were amongst friends and great company. 

The SIG's display was a general theme, covering as we do all aspect of German military aviation. The highlight of the show for me was finding a Ju-52 tail wheel that got lost at SMW 2019!

​The Bolton show has cemented its position as one of my favourite shows. The day went by so quick that I didn't have a chance to catch up with everyone.  I did manage to pick up a few Airfix kits (Do-17, He-111 and BF110) that will be added to the display in time.

A huge thanks must go out to all the SIG members who add their builds to the display. Here are a few photographs:

We’ve yet to start on our 2020 theme, WW1 builds will start soon. The SIG has signed up to support the IPMS Battle of Britain SIG 'Big Display' at SMW 2020, so if you have a Battle of Britain build on the bench let me know.

As ever, German subjects prove to be popular on other displays; these are a few that caught my eye. That's all from Bolton. As a final note, the Scale Model Shed chaps have persuaded me that Southwell is a show that I should consider adding to the calendar. I shall make some enquiries.

One more thing: thanks to our host for putting on another great display. I hope the pictures below will give some sort of impression of the hard work that IPMS Bolton put into turning an empty room into a model show.