Zac Yates
@zacyates.bsky.social
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. http://linktr.ee/zacyates
Cool: getting a 50+year old model kit you’ve wanted for a long time, in this case the Frog 1/72 Westland Wyvern.
Less cool: the fact decals age. This could get interesting. Just taking off the wax paper was painful! #histscalemodels
Less cool: the fact decals age. This could get interesting. Just taking off the wax paper was painful! #histscalemodels
November 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Cool: getting a 50+year old model kit you’ve wanted for a long time, in this case the Frog 1/72 Westland Wyvern.
Less cool: the fact decals age. This could get interesting. Just taking off the wax paper was painful! #histscalemodels
Less cool: the fact decals age. This could get interesting. Just taking off the wax paper was painful! #histscalemodels
The Blu-Tack and Maskol technique worked a treat, although I need to do some touch-ups and mask was rough to apply. I remembered that RNZAF Canberras probably had hard-edge camo, but this has been more of a learning build than an all-out accuracy hunt.
Airfix 1/72 Canberra B(I).12 #histscalemodels
Airfix 1/72 Canberra B(I).12 #histscalemodels
November 22, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The Blu-Tack and Maskol technique worked a treat, although I need to do some touch-ups and mask was rough to apply. I remembered that RNZAF Canberras probably had hard-edge camo, but this has been more of a learning build than an all-out accuracy hunt.
Airfix 1/72 Canberra B(I).12 #histscalemodels
Airfix 1/72 Canberra B(I).12 #histscalemodels
I agree with RustyDawg37.
November 18, 2025 at 8:07 AM
I agree with RustyDawg37.
Well, this looks bloody gorgeous in hand.
November 17, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Well, this looks bloody gorgeous in hand.
I felt lucky to watch the Luftwaffe Airbus A321 15+10 on finals over the house on Saturday. It was a lovely day for it.
I’ve been really enjoying seeing this and the two A400Ms from our house and just haven’t felt the need to try photograph them. Just experiencing it is nice.
I’ve been really enjoying seeing this and the two A400Ms from our house and just haven’t felt the need to try photograph them. Just experiencing it is nice.
November 17, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I felt lucky to watch the Luftwaffe Airbus A321 15+10 on finals over the house on Saturday. It was a lovely day for it.
I’ve been really enjoying seeing this and the two A400Ms from our house and just haven’t felt the need to try photograph them. Just experiencing it is nice.
I’ve been really enjoying seeing this and the two A400Ms from our house and just haven’t felt the need to try photograph them. Just experiencing it is nice.
Fun(?) times and good progress on the model bench today. The Corsair and Sikorsky are done, and the Canberra’s almost ready for paint. The fit and accuracy of the Ventura are making me want to find a Frogspawn one. #histscalemodels
November 7, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Fun(?) times and good progress on the model bench today. The Corsair and Sikorsky are done, and the Canberra’s almost ready for paint. The fit and accuracy of the Ventura are making me want to find a Frogspawn one. #histscalemodels
Belated happy 78th anniversary to the Hughes H-4 Hercules! On November 2 1947 it made its first and only flight that was definitely a flight and not just ground effect.
#SpruceGoosereallyflew #Hughestruth
#SpruceGoosereallyflew #Hughestruth
November 3, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Belated happy 78th anniversary to the Hughes H-4 Hercules! On November 2 1947 it made its first and only flight that was definitely a flight and not just ground effect.
#SpruceGoosereallyflew #Hughestruth
#SpruceGoosereallyflew #Hughestruth
I’m getting a lot of enjoyment from three rather different 1/72 model kits: Minicraft Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, Airfix English Electric Canberra B(I).12 and Airfix Sikorsky HRS-1. #histscalemodels
November 3, 2025 at 1:04 AM
I’m getting a lot of enjoyment from three rather different 1/72 model kits: Minicraft Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, Airfix English Electric Canberra B(I).12 and Airfix Sikorsky HRS-1. #histscalemodels
Happy Halloween from Robin ZK-TZI of the North Shore Aero Club. Well done, that pilot!
October 31, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Happy Halloween from Robin ZK-TZI of the North Shore Aero Club. Well done, that pilot!
After having my weekly swimming workout I like to treat myself to a coffee. The cafe at the pool complex has a model theme for some reason! #histscalemodels
October 28, 2025 at 11:39 PM
After having my weekly swimming workout I like to treat myself to a coffee. The cafe at the pool complex has a model theme for some reason! #histscalemodels
After replenishing my paint stocks it’s back into the Hasegawa 1/72 Corsair. Finding a match for Glossy Sea Blue with Tamiya acrylics has been a bit hit or miss but it’s all valuable learning and experience for future models that mean a bit more. #histscalemodels
October 16, 2025 at 4:10 AM
After replenishing my paint stocks it’s back into the Hasegawa 1/72 Corsair. Finding a match for Glossy Sea Blue with Tamiya acrylics has been a bit hit or miss but it’s all valuable learning and experience for future models that mean a bit more. #histscalemodels
Waiting for filler to set on the Corsair and struggling to find nose weight for the Canberra. Both 1/72. #histscalemodels
October 10, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Waiting for filler to set on the Corsair and struggling to find nose weight for the Canberra. Both 1/72. #histscalemodels
At an airshow I scored two relatively scarce kits for quite cheap, one of them being the Airfix 1/72 bomber Canberra from 2009ish. Bigger than my recents but relatively simple.
Any suggestions on making the panel lines shallower without putty? A primer or surfacer maybe? #histscalemodels
Any suggestions on making the panel lines shallower without putty? A primer or surfacer maybe? #histscalemodels
October 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM
At an airshow I scored two relatively scarce kits for quite cheap, one of them being the Airfix 1/72 bomber Canberra from 2009ish. Bigger than my recents but relatively simple.
Any suggestions on making the panel lines shallower without putty? A primer or surfacer maybe? #histscalemodels
Any suggestions on making the panel lines shallower without putty? A primer or surfacer maybe? #histscalemodels
The first coat was some misbehaving aged Humbrol that went on a little lumpy and fumed-up the room for a couple of days, before the tinlet dried up less than 72hr later. This time it’s a Tamiya mix and it went on smooth and with little smell.
I’m really enjoying this.
#histscalemodels 2/2
I’m really enjoying this.
#histscalemodels 2/2
October 2, 2025 at 12:31 AM
The first coat was some misbehaving aged Humbrol that went on a little lumpy and fumed-up the room for a couple of days, before the tinlet dried up less than 72hr later. This time it’s a Tamiya mix and it went on smooth and with little smell.
I’m really enjoying this.
#histscalemodels 2/2
I’m really enjoying this.
#histscalemodels 2/2
I’m learning how to airbrush, close to 20 years after someone first said to me “Hey you’re good, start using airbrush”. As well as the previously posted Idea F-4F here’s a Frog DH Hornet, again in 1/72, so I can learn before potentially ruining important kits.
#histscalemodels 1/2
#histscalemodels 1/2
October 2, 2025 at 12:30 AM
I’m learning how to airbrush, close to 20 years after someone first said to me “Hey you’re good, start using airbrush”. As well as the previously posted Idea F-4F here’s a Frog DH Hornet, again in 1/72, so I can learn before potentially ruining important kits.
#histscalemodels 1/2
#histscalemodels 1/2
The three 1/72 Sea Furies are done! A big “Thank You!” to @jdkightly.bsky.social for his generous assistance with decals, without which these would be back in the stash waiting. I still shudder that Airfix released this kit given its limitations, even compared to Hornby Era designs. #histscalemodels
September 27, 2025 at 1:59 AM
The three 1/72 Sea Furies are done! A big “Thank You!” to @jdkightly.bsky.social for his generous assistance with decals, without which these would be back in the stash waiting. I still shudder that Airfix released this kit given its limitations, even compared to Hornby Era designs. #histscalemodels
The box art, and even the instructions, are the same as the Hasegawa kit. My guess is the seats are so different (and terrible) so as to avoid copyright issues?
I’m building this as part learning to airbrush so I’m not too bothered, but still. How did they get away with this? 🤣
#histscalemodels
I’m building this as part learning to airbrush so I’m not too bothered, but still. How did they get away with this? 🤣
#histscalemodels
September 22, 2025 at 9:32 AM
The box art, and even the instructions, are the same as the Hasegawa kit. My guess is the seats are so different (and terrible) so as to avoid copyright issues?
I’m building this as part learning to airbrush so I’m not too bothered, but still. How did they get away with this? 🤣
#histscalemodels
I’m building this as part learning to airbrush so I’m not too bothered, but still. How did they get away with this? 🤣
#histscalemodels
And some more. The club meets once a month and I’m eager to get along! I’ve long envied my overseas friends who have clubs to join and be part of so it’s an exciting prospect. And a good challenge for my work-in-progress confidence and social anxiety.
#histscalemodels
#histscalemodels
September 22, 2025 at 9:29 AM
And some more. The club meets once a month and I’m eager to get along! I’ve long envied my overseas friends who have clubs to join and be part of so it’s an exciting prospect. And a good challenge for my work-in-progress confidence and social anxiety.
#histscalemodels
#histscalemodels
*on Saturday! Whoops, the dangers of copy paste from other platforms! Some more pics.
#histscalemodels
#histscalemodels
September 22, 2025 at 9:27 AM
*on Saturday! Whoops, the dangers of copy paste from other platforms! Some more pics.
#histscalemodels
#histscalemodels
Today Emily and I went to my first model show, here in Blenheim, and it was great. Not much in the way of aircraft but lots in terms of talent and good conversation. Well worth the entry fee.
Some terrific builds on display and it was great to see and hear how busy it was. #histscalemodels
Some terrific builds on display and it was great to see and hear how busy it was. #histscalemodels
September 22, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Today Emily and I went to my first model show, here in Blenheim, and it was great. Not much in the way of aircraft but lots in terms of talent and good conversation. Well worth the entry fee.
Some terrific builds on display and it was great to see and hear how busy it was. #histscalemodels
Some terrific builds on display and it was great to see and hear how busy it was. #histscalemodels
Thanks for the thought, I really appreciate it! I’m taking it as a learning experience and moving on…to another Sea Fury from the same manufacturer 😅 I have some acrylic spray recommended for custom decals, so I’ve given the decals a shot in hope it’ll make up for the off-register carrier film.
September 5, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Thanks for the thought, I really appreciate it! I’m taking it as a learning experience and moving on…to another Sea Fury from the same manufacturer 😅 I have some acrylic spray recommended for custom decals, so I’ve given the decals a shot in hope it’ll make up for the off-register carrier film.
I used MicroSet and MicroSol as normal, followed by Humbrol Gloss Cote - the pics I shared were after all that. The upper wing decals just tore during the glossing! It’s 1/72 (the character limit prevented me saying so).
September 4, 2025 at 5:29 AM
I used MicroSet and MicroSol as normal, followed by Humbrol Gloss Cote - the pics I shared were after all that. The upper wing decals just tore during the glossing! It’s 1/72 (the character limit prevented me saying so).