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A few years ago, Italeri released a 1/12 model of the classic Fiat 500. They then followed it up with the sportier Abarth 695 version which I picked up. The box Art depicts the racing version with the wide fender flares and propped open trunk to assist in cooling the engine. I'll be doing mine as a street version but with the fenders. Even in 1/12 scale, it's not a big car. First up, I built the engine. The fit is okay, but there's a fair number of sink marks to take care of. Here's the completed engine. Nothing like @DocRob and his MFH kits. That's as far as I've gotten at the moment but more to come. Carl

Time for painting! At last, we move on to painting the interior parts! Although there is quite a large area to cover, much of it will not be visible, so I’ll be focusing on the most prominent sections, such as the cockpit and the gun positions. The primer used was Mr Surfacer Black, thinned with Mr Levelling Thinner. Once dry, it provides a smooth, even, satin finish. After it had fully cured, I applied the interior colour (Interior Grey-Green), also from Gunze and thinned with Levelling Thinner. As with the primer, once dry it results in a uniform, satin surface. At this stage, I also painted the frames of the transparent parts. I’m very pleased with the results so far, and will now move on to painting the smaller details and applying the decals on the pilot instrument panels. Thanks for watching!

As my variety is the spice of life thread seemed to go down quite well i thought i might try another 😀 People usually build to the box art or maybe build and change the decals but here is an idea that can get you thinking , 2 models 2 different finishes. This is Italeri s 1/12 Fiat 806 And here it is again Take 2.......you get the idea Italeri's Harley WLA 1/9 Italeri Alfa 8C Italeri Triumph 3HW 1/12 Italeri Mephistopheles 1/12 now with mudguards lights and spare wheel Its always nice to build authentic but its also great fun to play around even if it upsets the Purists . more pictures of above or any questions feel free.

Hi Guys! thanks for watching ! a little update on the build :) Using the templates provided at the end of the instruction booklet, I placed Tamiya tape over the corresponding mask and proceeded to cut it out. In fact, the process is quick and makes this task—often quite difficult for many modellers—much easier. In this case, there are 60 masks 😊. Even the more complex masks, once cut, fit very well onto the corresponding parts, with virtually no need for adjustment. The alternative approach of cutting directly on the transparent part with a blade is also valid, thanks to the level of detail and the raised frame lines. Some of the components are already masked and ready to be fitted. I will be applying the interior colour from the outside. Meanwhile, the right-hand half of the fuselage is ready for painting. Some injection marks can be seen in the photo, but they will not be visible on the finished model. I’m also taking the opportunity to share a photo of the jig I’ll be using for assembling the engines — two sprues are provided.

Racing through the last laps with the BT52. I finished the body work and rear wing with it´s riveting and went to another delicate part of the build, adding the blue tinted windscreen, which I already cut out beforehand. I used double sided transparent adhesive tape for vac parts on other MFH kits, but decided, The tiny rivets would hold the small windshield, when glued from the inside. Then I decaled the windshield, where it is slightly visible, that the white surface of the decals was a bit marred. With clear coat on the large body decals this vanished, but there was no way of getting me to varnish over the vac part. I airbrushed the aluminum rims semi matte black, added the branding decals and oversprayed everything with a semi matte finish. Of course, I forgot to test fit the valve stems and also of course, they wouldn´t fit properly. I managed to drill the holes out, without destroying the finish. The pre printed tyres were added then and rubbed a bit with the bare hand to dull the shine. Lots of wiring and tubing was finished, a terrible task, as the manual often doesn´t show were the plumbing leads. I took some liberty there and there are some wires vanishing somewhere unseen in the abyss. I still have to add some plumbing, before calling the Brabham done. I also made a lot of paint touch ups. And that is where I am now: Cheers Rob

Hi all, The markings have been applied using spare decals and Xtradecal letter/numbers for the serial number. Slight weather applied using Flory Models dark dirt over Tamiya X35 semi-matte clear coat. Next up is other weathering, painting of remaining parts and pre-rigging before the upper wing is fitted, Mike

Hi all, Just a few updates. The completed engine has been fitted with the top cover panel. I added ignition leads from 0.3 mm lead wire (PlusModel). Also, the support strut for the top cover panel, located between the engine crankcase and underside of the panel. Of course the leads and strut can't easily be seen. The propeller is not from the kit as that propeller is not well produced. I've used the propeller from the Lukgraph BE2c model I made as I used a proper Plane propeller on that model. The BE2c and FK.3 used the same engine and propeller. The propeller is painted and just needs the manufacturers logos adding to the blades. Most photographs of this aircraft show that the propeller was made by F. Tibbenham Ltd of Ipswich. Their logo is shown below. Fortunately, the decal set from LF Models (British WW1 propeller labels - part III - 3208) has the logo. Once they arrive I'll add them to the propeller blades. Now it's onto the pre-rigging stage, Mike

I just happen to like the early B-17's even though there's not a lot of diversity in the way of markings. I'll get started on this one today. I figure it will go well with my previous build of the 1/72 B-17D "Swoose". That was the Minicraft label kit while this one, although the same kit, is under Wolfpack label. 😃

Hi all, A little more progress on the model. A few areas of minor weathering applied, including wheel splatter on the undersides of the lower wings. The interplane, cabane struts and lower wing hoops painted using Windsor and Newton Raw Sienna oil paint. Landing gear and wheels painted. Engine and exhaust pipes also painted. Once it's all sealed with a semi-matte clear coat it'll be time to pre-rig the model, Mike

Hi all, The landing gear and the tail skid have been fitted, prior to fitting the upper wing, Mike

Hi all, The rudder, elevators and fin bracing has all been rigged. Gaspatch Type A and C turnbuckles with 0.08 and 0.12 mm mono-filament and 0.4 and 0.5 blacked tubes. The tail skid and landing gear have also been fitted. Next is to fit the upper wing, Mike

all in all that worked quite well but the secret with these kits seems to be getting the parts spot on as you go or the further you get, the more creeping errors will catch up with you further down the line. Also dont expect anything in the box to be straight. The drive shafts here were a few degrees out but over their length that throws everything else out as well. The bottom tie rods are also critical and however carefully get them to length it makes no odds if you drilled the holes for them to deep or too shallow or at the wrong angle and both those dimensions are for you to work out so dry builds ahead of any glue are again essential. Apologies if i am stating the obvious to those who have built these before 😉.

Hi all, The vac-formed windscreen has been fitted. Also, the underside of the upper wing pre-rigged. Now onto the rest of the pre-rigging, Mike

I have got some of the rear drive on the left here. it took me hours as the hub is basically held in its position by 5 suspension arms that all converge on the stub axel . The trick will be getting the other side symmetrical to this side . Everything is very bendy at this stage but once all 5 arms are in position the whole thing becomes quite solid. A small bend on 1 part does throw the whole thing out.

Nice Carl, I have the same one in stash, so following your progress and experiences with this kit. Cheers Rob

I was tidying up my computer this morning, and waiting for the postman so i thought as i am new here i would post a few of my builds from the last 10 years A few years ago i got stuck in a rut with 1/48 aircraft with Aires resin detail kits but now i have learned to try anything (once ) 🤣

Almost there, I added the wheels, some spacers on the cars underside, the rear wing, tiny wings on the sides, mirrors, etc. and now there is "only" the body to fit. Cheers Rob

Some succesful tests with the vacformed gun turret

Perfect

Welcome to my first finished kit of LSM MK. II. Overall the Brabham BT 52b was an enjoyable build, with only a few negative aspects. When finishing a MFH kit, I´m always a bit proud, but also a bit annoyed by myself, because of the errors I made and the shortcuts I took. In the end, the guided missile looks good and I think, it is the nicest car of the turbo era, where many oddities where racing around. I listed some positives and negatives about the kit in a list. Good: - Super detailed kit, with no need for AM - Great decals, opaque enough to cover the dark blue body. - Realistic looking carbon fiber decals with fitting paper templates to cut. - Pre printed tyres - Blue tinted vac windshield - Aluminum rims with cast metal inserts. - Choice of braking types with carbon or steel discs - All parts for two different rear wing options included (see bad) - No parts missing (Seems to be self evident, but is not with MFH kits) Bad: - The manual is poor for wiring, often not showing, where the wires leading - Some larger resin parts, like cockpit tub didn´t fit the side fairings, which lead to problems - Many bent metal parts and not only the flimsy ones - The real heavy rear part with engine, … is only fixed by a tiny screw. Careful handling of the finished kit is necessary. - White decals where marred on the surface. No prob under clear coat, but on the windscreen - No decals for the small rear wing version included, despite supplying all the parts for it. - No parts list supplied, which is really needed. You can print it from the MFH page in bad quality, which keeps you guessing at times. Not kit related: Number Five BT52 white paint is way off and unusable, I used MP4 white instead, which matched the decals. Pics, pics, pics: Cheers Rob

This is available for pre-order. I'm hoping it is available at NATS too. Photos from 2025 NATS. These were test shots. I've seen other photos on FB which are more recent.

Since the B-17C was such a headache and wound up on the SOD, I need something that is ENJOYABLE to build. This Corsair fills that bill perfectly. 😁 I haven't yet decided on markings but am considering a "production line" theme. We will see.....

HD Models' Polsten 20mm AA gun. I bought this to mount on a British LVT-4 kit in the stash. It's nicely done but there are no instructions for assembly. The box says to go to their website and download them but I couldn't find them anywhere on it. Took a bit of effort to figure out what goes where but I got it sorted in the end. Now to build the LVT at some point.

Decided to be sensible and pick up a nice Volvo wagon.

She is a true beauty. Well done, Rob 👍 ! Hubert

After 6yrs away (almost) from plastic, I need to get my Spit 16 complete, but the first totally new project I'll be building is the Aladdin Models AVRO Anson, along with @Jeroen Peters Just thought I'd stick my flag in the ground and commit myself to this project!

I'm not sure why, but MFH dont like to make parts of any length , instead they will make 2 parts with a stepped joint in the middle like this an easy upgrade is to cut the joints and fitting off the ends and in this case drill them 1mm , cut a new one piece rod from ally tube and insert 1mm pins Super glue the whole lot together and fit Much better than an obvious joint.

Some progress, no fit problems so far, its all going worryingly well 😆

This is with one layer of defuser cloth , its sort of heading in the right direction, a second layer might take that highlight off the top

Cool kit😀 Nice work Carl.

So... I thought about it and I might... 3d draw a turret without framing and 3d print the separate framing. This is tricky because the framing should be really thin and the fit should be flawless. I did a quick trial in 3d and I think it might work. Not sure yet. I think the vac form I pulled with the framing incorporated will do nice as well. Masking it is doable too. We'll see.

Started painting the figures. 6 in total m. First time using vallejo water based paint.

Sounds like my dentist. :)

Yes most MFH publicity shots for their models are the same as above so I'm sure its done through lighting. I have never quite put my finger on why high gloss seems to look wrong on even 1.12 cars but i think it might be that you can scale down the car but not the reflection. This Ferrari gives it away From the front you can see the glass like shine but from a 3/4 angle its almost matt I will have to get my light box out and play around a bit.

It was just a bad day. I was breaking off details as the thing has become increasingly difficult to manipulate on my relatively shallow bench. I decided to call Carl for a therapy session and he was able to save the day with some positive attitude. Or just being a friend. Good friends are everything.

All very nice🥇. I have found that the best way to learn is to go outside your comfort zone from time to time. For example, by changing the scale or by making some fantasy or scifi models from time to time.

That some nice works there Paddy 😉

First windshield vacform test is promising

I have to agree with Hubert😀 Beautiful! and,once again, your photography skills shine!!

Thanks Rob! The kit reminds me of a '70s vintage Tamiya 1/12 kit. The parts fit isn't bad but some parts need a careful cleanup of seams and even mating surfaces. It's not helped by them being moulded in silver and black.

After spending a summer a couple years ago listening to my boys argue about which was the better tank, StuG III or Panzer IV, I broke down and picked up a BluRay of Girls Und Panzer. Nothing like watching a Panzer IV do a bootlegger turn.

I picked up some Mr Color from a local shop called Gundam Hanger. $3 CAD a bottle so it would be impolite not to. PS for us Canucks. They still have Mr Surfacer in spray cans. I also got a AM frame upgrade for one of my Gundam models. This is the Dot Workshop metal frame kit for the Bandai RX-93 Ver.Ka kit. The best way I can think of describing this would be it like replacing all the internal parts on a ZM kit with metal ones. The base kit is known for eventually getting worn out joints and then keeling over. So hopefully this solves that issue. Carl

So far i can say i’m really impressed woth the fit and detail. Really diving deep in my references and i only spotted a few minor things: Fire extinguisher could be better shape and detail wise. The props are off. I drew a new set. Wing sack is too prominent. The wings were plywood and only showed a little sack. There is a venturi tube missing on the top of the left engine. That’s it for now

Nice builds. Love the old Fiats. Certainly have a Steampunk look to them.

Looking fantastic Rob! I must admit I have put my build on hold for a bit, need a break from it and don’t think it was the ideal choice for my first mfh build.. but then I suppose none of them really are!

I thought about that. I'd need to draw a new version with just the bottom ring and the opening. Then add the framing later with strips of tape I guess. I would not want this ribs to overlap, making it more work than I initially thought. I think masking this turret in the end is easier. Maybe...

OOB build for me at the moment. A quick (ha!) distraction while stuff on the pair of FWs dry. Italeri's Abarth 695.

Martin, as always I'm glad we talked. I should have done the same thing and spoke to someone before I ditched my B-25s a few years ago. I regret that a bit from time to time and I think the kits know it as I'm always finding leftovers from the builds around the bench. Now go find a legendary shield in Borderlands2! 😆 Carl

I like (or liked in case it´s binned) your build, but I can understand that you prefer a glass nose . Cheers Rob

This just arrived!