V-1 Flying Bomb - The World’s First Cruise Missile

The V-1 flying bomb is widely regarded as the world’s first operational cruise missile, marking a significant - and troubling - milestone in the history of guided weapons. Deployed by Germany during the later stages of the Second World War, the V-1 was used primarily as a terror weapon against civilian targets, most notably London. Despite its technological significance, the system was notoriously inaccurate and unreliable.

This model is presented in 1/48 scale and was assembled using components from two different kits. The launch cradle and catapult equipment were taken from the Tamiya kit, while the V-1 airframe itself is an older MPM release. The decision to combine kits was driven by accuracy concerns, as the Tamiya V-1 suffers from several dimensional issues, including an engine cowling that is too long, resulting in an incorrect stanchion length between the fuselage and pulsejet.

Additional detailing was added to improve realism and fidelity to period photographs. These enhancements include work in the fuel section, rudder control mechanisms, cradle details, and a number of smaller corrections and additions. The goal of the build was not to present a flawless or refined weapon, but rather to capture the crude, utilitarian nature of the V-1 - a weapon significant for what it represented historically, not for its effectiveness or precision.

JGSDF Type 74 - Precision and Adaptability in Armor Design

The Type 74 main battle tank was developed for the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force during the Cold War, reflecting Japan’s emphasis on defensive capability, mobility, and operation in complex terrain. Manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the Type 74 entered service in the mid-1970s and remained in production through 1988, with a total of 873 vehicles built.

Armed with a 105mm main gun, the Type 74 was designed to engage contemporary armored threats while remaining compact and maneuverable. One of its most distinctive features is its hydropneumatic suspension system, which allows the tank to adjust its ride height and pitch. This capability enables the vehicle to lower its frontal profile, increase gun depression, and take advantage of hull-down firing positions - a particularly valuable trait in Japan’s mountainous and forested terrain.

This model is finished in acrylics and depicts the Type 74 with its suspension adjusted to show the depressed nose and lowered gun position. The goal of the build was to highlight the tank’s unique engineering features and restrained, purposeful appearance, presenting it as a practical defensive weapon rather than an aggressively styled battlefield machine.

I-27 - Imperial Japanese Navy Long-Range Submarine

The I-27 was an ocean-going submarine of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed for long-range operations during the Second World War. Built to operate across vast distances, submarines of this type emphasized endurance, range, and the ability to project naval power far from home waters rather than short, coastal patrols.

This model is presented in 1/350 scale and was finished using acrylics with oils applied for subtle weathering. All of my submarine builds are displayed on standardized bases of the same size, constructed from hand-cut hardwood and painted to represent a simple slipway. This approach allows the focus to remain on the vessel itself while providing a consistent presentation across the collection.

Each base incorporates three reference elements: the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure placed nearby to provide an immediate sense of scale, and a QR code that can be scanned to access detailed historical information about the submarine. The intent of this display is to combine accurate modeling with context and education, presenting the I-27 not just as a model, but as a small-scale historical reference piece.

Victor Class (Project 671) - Soviet Hunter of the Cold War

The Victor-class submarine, known in Soviet service as Project 671, was a nuclear-powered attack submarine developed during the height of the Cold War. Designed to counter Western submarines and surface forces, the Victor class emphasized speed, depth capability, and aggressive patrol doctrine, reflecting the Soviet Navy’s growing focus on open-ocean operations.

Submarines of this class were intended to hunt enemy submarines, escort strategic missile boats, and challenge NATO naval forces across the world’s oceans. Their long, streamlined hulls and powerful propulsion systems gave them a distinctive profile and made them among the faster attack submarines of their era, prioritizing pursuit and interception over stealth in their earliest variants.

This model is presented in 1/350 scale and was finished using acrylics with oils applied for subtle weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, it is mounted on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base painted to represent a simple slipway. Each base includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for immediate size comparison, and a QR code that links to detailed historical information on the submarine depicted.

The intent of this presentation is to combine accurate scale modeling with context and education, allowing the viewer to appreciate not only the form of the Victor class, but its role as a fast, purposeful instrument of Cold War naval strategy.

 

USS Nautilus - The Beginning of the Nuclear Navy

USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine and one of the most significant warships ever built. Commissioned in 1954, Nautilus fundamentally transformed undersea warfare by freeing submarines from the endurance limits imposed by diesel-electric propulsion. With nuclear power, submarines could remain submerged for extended periods, operate at sustained high speed, and maneuver independently of surface support.

Nautilus proved the revolutionary potential of nuclear propulsion in dramatic fashion, most notably in 1958 when she became the first submarine to transit beneath the North Pole. This voyage demonstrated the strategic value of nuclear submarines in polar regions and marked a major milestone in Cold War naval operations.

This model is presented in 1/350 scale and was finished using acrylics with oils applied for subtle weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, it is mounted on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base painted to represent a simple slipway. Each base includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for immediate size reference, and a QR code that links to detailed historical information about the submarine depicted.

USS Nautilus is preserved today at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Connecticut. This build was intended to capture not only the physical form of the vessel, but its historical importance as the starting point of the nuclear submarine era.

USS Virginia (SSN-774) - The Modern Standard of Undersea Warfare

USS Virginia (SSN-774) is the lead boat of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines and represents the United States Navy’s post–Cold War approach to undersea warfare. Designed to replace aging Los Angeles–class submarines, the Virginia class emphasizes stealth, versatility, and advanced sensor integration rather than raw speed alone. 

Unlike earlier Cold War designs optimized primarily for deep-ocean submarine hunting, the Virginia class was developed to operate effectively in both open-ocean and littoral environments. These submarines are capable of intelligence gathering, special operations support, land-attack missions, and traditional anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, reflecting the broader mission set of modern naval operations.

This model is presented in 1/350 scale and was finished using acrylics with oils applied for subtle weathering. As with all of my submarine builds, it is mounted on a standardized hand-cut hardwood base painted to represent a simple slipway. Each base includes the national flag of origin, a 1/350 scale human figure for immediate size comparison, and a QR code that links to detailed historical and technical information about the submarine depicted.

This build was intended to capture the clean lines and understated presence of the Virginia class, emphasizing function over spectacle and reflecting the quiet, persistent role these submarines play in modern naval strategy.

 

Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat - Learning Curves and Carrier Decks

This Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat represents a United States Navy carrier-based fighter assigned to the USS Ranger during World War II. The model is the older Tamiya kit built in 1/48 scale, consistent with all of my aircraft builds.

The F4F Wildcat was the primary U.S. Navy fighter during the early years of the war, entering service in 1940. Although it was outperformed in speed and maneuverability by aircraft such as the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Wildcat proved to be a rugged and dependable fighter. Its ability to absorb battle damage, combined with effective armament and disciplined tactics like the Thach Weave, allowed U.S. Navy and Marine pilots to remain competitive during critical early battles including Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal. The Wildcat helped hold the line until more advanced fighters such as the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair entered widespread service.

From a modeling standpoint, this project served as a personal learning platform rather than a showcase piece. It was my first serious attempt at building an aircraft model in over forty years, following my earlier Stuka build. The Wildcat became a deliberate testbed for multilayer paint chipping and weathering techniques, making it something of a guinea pig for experimenting with new methods and materials.

Considerable time was spent debating whether to reduce the level of weathering, but in the end I chose to leave it as completed. The finish reflects both the harsh realities of early-war carrier operations and the learning process itself - a snapshot of technique development rather than a polished endpoint.

While not intended as a definitive or competition-focused build, this Wildcat marks an important step in returning to aircraft modeling and rebuilding skills that had been dormant for decades. It stands as a reference point for growth, experimentation, and progress in subsequent aircraft projects.

Royal Air Force MQ-9 Reaper -Persistence at Altitude

This build represents a United States–manufactured MQ-9 Reaper operated in Royal Air Force service. The model was finished primarily with acrylics, using multiple very light airbrushed layers to introduce subtle tonal variation and simulate sun fading from extended operations at altitude rather than heavy operational wear.

The MQ-9 Reaper evolved from earlier unmanned systems into a true long-endurance, multi-role platform, capable of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and precision strike missions. In RAF service, the Reaper has played a significant role in modern expeditionary operations, emphasizing persistence, sensor capability, and stand-off engagement rather than traditional air combat.

From a modeling perspective, this build focused on refinement and correction as much as assembly. Resin was used for the laser-guided bomb optics, while the forward sensor turret lens was created by cutting and stripping a DVD disc of its multi-hued layers and inserting it into the optics housing to achieve a realistic glass effect. “Remove Before Flight” tags were added using fine scale wiring for attachment points.

One notable correction involved the lower rudder assembly, where the kit omitted the bottom delineation lines entirely. This error appears frequently in other builds of this kit, but was corrected here by scribing the missing lines and enhancing them with Tamiya black panel liner to create proper shadow depth and definition.

The kit itself, produced by Kinetic, proved challenging. Instructions were vague and inconsistent, and many of the decals were subpar. As a result, several upper surface markings were airbrushed instead of using the kit-supplied decals to maintain consistency and scale fidelity.

Overall, this project emphasized problem-solving, subtle surface treatment, and attention to modern aircraft details rather than dramatic weathering. The finished model reflects the clean, utilitarian appearance typical of operational MQ-9 Reapers while highlighting the technical nuances that define contemporary unmanned aircraft.

Bayraktar TB2 - A Modern Naval UAV in Ukrainian Service

This build represents the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle as operated by the Ukrainian Navy. The model was built in 1/48 scale from the Clear Prop kit and finished in acrylics, with an intentionally restrained finish to reflect the relatively clean appearance typical of operational UAVs rather than heavy service wear.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed and produced by Baykar in Türkiye. Since entering service, it has been adopted by multiple countries and has gained particular prominence through its extensive operational use during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In Ukrainian service, the TB2 has been employed in reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strike roles, demonstrating the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern naval and joint operations.

Compact in size but highly capable, the TB2 exemplifies a shift away from traditional crewed aircraft toward persistent, networked platforms able to operate with reduced risk to personnel. Its success has made it one of the most recognizable UAVs of the current era.

From a modeling standpoint, the focus of this build was on clean lines, correct proportions, and a subtle surface finish rather than aggressive weathering. The result is a scale representation that reflects both the technical simplicity and operational effectiveness that define the TB2 in real-world service.