Swanny's Models

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Swanny’s Models instructional video Volume #2 is now ready for distribution. This video covers advanced modeling skills required to assemble and paint resin cockpits as well as everything involved in building a photo etched cockpit. Acetate instrument details are discussed, how to anneal photo etch sheets is shown, basics of working with vacuformed canopies are covered and more. This is well over four hours of modeling bliss and you can get yours now right here. Advanced Modeling Skills; Resin and PE Cockpits.
8/27/07

Swanny’s Models is proud to announce the re-release of the first in a series of instructional modeling DVDs. This DVD will take the modeler from the first parts preparation steps all the way through decaling and basic weathering. The primary purpose of this video is to assist the new modeler in achieving good results early. You can follow this link for more information on the video and ordering information. Basic Model Building Skills & the P-40K.
8/27/07

Did you miss out on the first issue of Swanny’s Models Instructional Videos and are trying to catch-up? Here is your chance to pick up both DVDs and save a few bucks. This link will take you to the package deal location where you can get both Volume #1 “Basic Model Building Skills” and volume #2 “Advanced Modeling Skills”Two Volume Set.
8/27/07

Who am I:

I am 40+-year-old Industrial Engineer/Manager responsible for the development and implementation of chemical coating-removal systems aimed primarily at the automotive, medical and military industries. I am married with three children, two cats and live in Sandusky Ohio, the Roller Coaster Capitol of the World.

What this site is about:

       I remember the first model that I built. My father gave me a Revell submarine kit for my birthday in 1969. I clearly recall the two of us sitting at the dining room table with one of those orange tubes of Testors cement putting that thing together. It was an excellent bathtub toy for many years. Prior to that my older brother had entertained my sister and myself with aerial operas involving a 1/48 scale Monogram SBD Dauntless and a Monogram Corsair – I still have those two planes, dusty and worn but laden with memories that can never be replaced.
       Many times while shopping e-bay I’ve wondered what a particular kit consisted of or how good the detail of casting was or even if a particular kit had raised or recessed panel lines but could not answer these questions until I actually opened the box. While surfing various forums I would see common questions asked many times by modelers just beginning the polystyrene adventure, looking for clues to decaling, weathering and detailing. This site is dedicated to answering some of those questions. While I do not consider myself to be an exceptionally skilled modeler, I have picked up a few tricks over the last thirty years of modeling and will share them with you. Included here are full build reviews, in box kit reviews, construction tips and gallery photos of kits I have built. Most of these are 1/48th scale World War 2 aircraft. Also included here are a variety of links to on-line modeling forums, review sites, internet hobby shops, aviation art sites and real aircraft reference sites.

       I established this site in May of 2003 with the intent to share some model building tips, look inside some boxes of plastic and display a few of my more accomplished builds. I try to add something new each week and now the list is getting pretty long and distinguished, so much so that it is now necessary to archive some of this stuff. The new format will be a breakdown into Allied Aircraft, Axis Aircraft, Civilian Aircraft, Tools and Tips and The Links Page. Whatever is currently in progress as far as building and the current months reviews will be keep on the front page and archived on a monthly basis. Each aircraft category is arraigned alphabetically for ease of navigation.

       This site is a work in progress. I hope that you find it as enjoyable as I have.

       Last updated 5/4/08.

Contact Information:
Questions or comments about this page and the material covered here can be sent to Webmaster@SwannysModels.com

And now, for the good stuff,

During the early years of the First World War the Germans held the advantage in the air with the infamous Fokker Scourge but in 1916 the tables began to turn due to the introduction of the Airco DH-2. The DH-2 was of a pusher design which allowed for the weapons to be mounted in front without concern for a propeller. The aircraft was very maneuverable and relatively easy to fly but technological advances only gave it about 8 months on the front line before becoming obsolete. Here is the Eduard 1/48 release of the Airco DH-2.
5/4/08

Zygmunt Pulawski designed an all metal monoplane in 1929 that was to lead to one of the most advanced fighter aircraft of the early 1930s, the PZL P.11C. The Rumanians purchased a license to build the P.11 at the IAR factory. From here the Rumanians developed the P.24 from the P.11 and produced it for export. Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey all purchased the P.24 fighter. Mirage has produced a very accurate and easy to assemble 1/48 kit of this aircraft and you can check it out here … PZL P.11C.
4/28/08

Only five months have passed since the folks from the IPMS John Glenn club and the IPMS Western Reserve club have hosted a meet but it was plenty of time for the modelers to produce an amazing collection of new stuff to blown your minds. There were over 800 models on display and 96 vendor’s tables plus four seminars. Let’s take a quick look at some of the good stuff appearing at the 2008 show hosted by IPMS John Glenn and IPMS Western Reserve. IPMS Region 4 2008 Spring Show.
4/21/08

In the spring of 1942, soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese Naval Staff passed specifications to Nakajima to develop a fast reconnaissance aircraft that possessed not only speed but long range and rapid rate of climb. Arriving too late for aircraft carrier service it was well suited for use as a night fighter to combat US bombers. Here we look at the last issue from Hasegawa of the this large aircraft in the reconnaissance mode, the Nakajima C6N1 Myrt. 11/3/07 Construction completed 4/13/08

When Ernest Heinkel was developing this aircraft its true military nature was concealed by classifying it as a civilian aircraft. It was considered pleasant to fly but was seriously under powered. Some were used as trainers, some were used as torpedo bombers and most importantly, some were used as SAR aircraft. During the first months of World War II they were used to lay mines and during the Battle of Britain they were used to recover Luftwaffe pilots downed in the channel. Here is Aviation USK’s 1/72 Heinkel He-59B/D.
8/20/07 Construction completed 4/15/08

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