The latest addition of Random Thoughts has arrived and once again, it is a great read. This edition also includes one of their great decal sheets, something available only to IPMS Canada subscribers. This edition has six articles, all but the first one related to the decal sheet subjects.

First up is the main cover subject, a Canadair Sabre Mk.6 by John Lumley. This is a 1/32 build based on the Hasegawa 1/32 F-86F-40, so there was modification required on the wings and fuselage. Naturally, John used a lot of aftermarket on this one as is usual for magazine builds. The result is well worth the effort put into it.

Next is an article on a CF-18A that received a very short lived special marking that has something to do with hockey. This doesn't have a build, but Steve Sauve provides a lot of notes and photos that will be helpful when duplicating this scheme.

Third is a very interesting article on Snowbirds T-33s by Jim Bates. While it focuses on the white aircraft shown on the cover, it also provides info on all the others used by the unit. Again, no build, but a lot of notes and photographs.

The fourth article is by Jim Bates on the P-40E-1 Kittyhawk Mk.1a as used by the RCAF Western Command in 1945. Apparently these planes had some rather unusual camouflage schemes and that is the focus of this article. It also provides a basic rundown on the different Kittyhawk variants used by the RCAF. What sticks out in this article are not only the neat photos, but the fact that some are in color.

The next offering is a piece of military equipment, the Korean War M4A3(76)W HVSS Sherman. Anthony Sewards provides a lot of detail information along with a goodly number of period photos that is sure to help modelers reproduce one of the vehicles.

Finally, something a bit more modern in the form of the CAF CT-156 Harvard II. In 2016 one aircraft was painted in a special scheme to commemorate the BCATP and Steve Sauve provides not only detail info, but a lot of photos of this aircraft so one can duplicate it.

The decal sheet itself offers markings in two scales for all aircraft but the main subject. That means 1/72 and 1/48 for aircraft and 1/35 for the Sherman.

Another fine edition and one I look forward to every quarter. So, you are wondering, just how do I get this great club magazine and the cool decal sheet. Well, it is simple. Just trade boring money for full color magazines. IPMS Canada is a great group of people so you will be in very good company. Can't get much better than that.

But wait, there is more. If you join, you also get the electronic Beaver Tales delivered straight to your computer, and you can get the periodic decal sheets that are only provided to members. 

October 2023

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