Not from the postman but shopping at yesterday’s South Carolina Scale Model Mega Show
Happily scored this vintage kit Italeri or Italaerai as they said back in 1973.
Hate to say but this was 
a box art purchase as it’s the 1973 box I believe.
More vintage goodness, $40 for these four verse $40 for a Meng Leo 1 A4 was an easy choice. Lot’s of good deals were available.
Having not attended a model show in 14 years, I do miss browsing the vendor tables.
Not delivered today, but around three years ago I think. Just getting round to building this. Got the Aber turned metal barrel for it too.
I’m not familiar with Dragon products but the instructions are probably the most chaotic, busy, unclear and downright confusing i’ve seen. Is this typical of Dragon or just this kit do you think?
Gotta love those smooth bottoms and the motorization holes.
Italaerei : short for Italian planes, a more correct wording would be “Aerei italiani”
but Italaerei is a snappier company name
They do what they can, to the best of their abilities, to keep their instructions at the same “easy to read” level. They were easier to use in the early years.
Kits are generally OK (not the Black Plague ones) but the instructions do leave a lot to be desired …
Every dog walk I go on I am always on the look out for decent natural foliage I can use … so much more realistic 
This is a very detailed kit and i’m led to believe is one of the best, if not the best '88 to be had.
I’m told that the kit builds up in ‘typical’ Dragon fashion, in that lots of small stages result in a very detailed kit overall. But the instructions are something else. I find myself studying them for long periods of time to understand what goes where, when and for which option. And for some parts, i’m finding that you have to move on a few stages in the instruction diagrams to get an idea of how the part you’re fitting now should look and be orientated because it isn’t always obvious (not to me anyway).
Plus, the instruction sheet is odd - its narrow across but at least twice as deep top to bottom than say, for example, Tamiya - which makes it awkward to use on a work bench especially if you’re working to a stage at the top of the page.
Need a black belt in Origami.
AFV-Club makes an 88 as well but it is a different version (Flak 18).
The only other option for the version you have is the old Tamiya kit
which was a fine kit back in the early 70’ies but time and technology
has moved ahead since then.
In short: You have the best kit for that version.
Dragon produces/produced a few other 88’s to cover all the versions
using the front and rear dual wheels trailer:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/dragon-6260-88mm-flak-36--108332
AFV-Club provides the other trailer with singles up front and duals at the rear:
https://www.scalemates.com/sv/kits/afv-club-af35088-88-cm-flak-18--103728
The barrels are different between the versions so there are some pitfalls when
buying AM metal barrels.
Your plastic sprues provide the Flak 18 and the Flak 36 barrels, check which
AM barrel you have since that controls which version you can build.
The other options are with/without loading tray, with/without the gun shield,
firing or transport mode. Choices, choices …
I definately have the correct Flak 36 barrel. Interestingly, although the kit does come with a Flak 18 barrel, apparently, you can’t build a Flak 18 from the kit. There are several differences that Dragon neglected to incorporate (rivets, controls etc.) - so in actaual fact, you can ONLY build a Flak 36 from this kit. I believe, but could be wrong, that the Flak 37 was the version that was dedicated to the AA role (but could be used as AT) as it has these instruments fitted that you don’t get with the kit
The barrels could be swapped around so Flak 36’s could be seen with Flak 18 barrels.
There is a 36 with 18 barrel in the Imperial War Museum
Fun every day …
" In some sources it is mistakenly stated that the Flak 37 was not equipped for anti-armor operation. In fact all 8.8 cm Flak guns were capable of operation in the dual role.
The parts of the various versions of the guns were interchangeable, and it was not uncommon for various parts to be “mixed and matched” on a particular example.
Both Flak 18 and Flak 36 had the same permanently attached fuze setter with two “Zünderstellbecher”. The Flak 37/41 had the simplified fuze setter of the 8.8-cm Flak 41. "
This source claims that the Flak 37 was incapable of anti-tank work (which I do not believe)
Now known as Italeri, it’s shocking how years of economic weakness has led to an Italian vowel shortage…
Maybe they just gave up in frustration since no foreigner was ever able to handle all the vowels and diphthongs (say that fast 10 times in row after a few pints) 
Wasn’t able to attend with graduation season, how was the rest of the show?
Ryan, it was an excellent show!
I especially liked the format for the contest. Having your own display space with a chair if you entered the contest was fantastic. This encouraged modelers to socialize much more than at any contest I’ve been to before and I’ve been to a hundred plus.
This type event absolutely helps modelers without an entourage (or click) of friends with them connect on the hobby level. It’s much better than any IPMS style endeavor I’ve attended. Honestly, it’s the blue print for helping the hobby grow among younger modelers. I was shocked at how many under age 30 modelers were present and building gundams. Probably half of the gundam builders I talked with also expressed serious interest in armor modeling and other sci-fi.
Making connections with friendly modelers, talking etc plus a written judges score sheet, can really help modelers wanting to improve. Unlike ~80% of the IPMS shows I’ve attended, I DID NOT hear anyone upset or angry about the contest outcome. Since one is seated with the other contestants and talking with them, it’s very obvious how folks feel about the contest and judging.
That’s quite an accomplishment 
The venue is probably large enough for an AMPS National level show if additional rooms are used for seminars etc.
The show was well ran, well organized with interesting venders and good attendance. Judging quality was professional level and outstanding. I’d estimate about 250 models total on display. I had an opportunity to meet @SdAufKla Michael and chat. Mike and the club put on an outstanding show.
Speaking of outstanding, pictures don’t do Mike’s Scud project justice!
Here’s a few of the many models I found interesting…
An outstandingly sweet collection of Vietnam War era US AFV’s really caught my attention. I think @Carl-W built these who’s also on the forum.
D Day had many outstanding entries.
This Merkava was exquisite, however it’s color and shading proved impossible to accurately capture with my camera.
My section entries.
Entered the 22 year old recently finished shelf queen Panther D to be judged as an advanced entry. I’m very happy the “D” won Silver medal. Glad the x-wife dug it out of the trash bin back in 2002.
More eye candy 
1/16 scale and very impressive Stug III G
Gold medal, Best Auto & Best of Show!
Looks like a tough ride…
On of my 
favorites
There’s just too many motorization holes to fill and kit bash fun with simple kits not to like these oldies.
The Russian’s are coming! to their own build thread eventually one of these years. I can hardly wait to slap MiniArt wheels & Sector35 tracks etc on these classics!
Cheers 
Forgot about the Border kit 
Sometimes it is useful to look across the border… 
Arrived today, still in the frames so images from the site are easier to see, so as I’m always on the hunt for 1/72 air defence and oddities I found some 3D printed kits from Poland. Loads more of interest on their site.
ADATS
Well couldn’t help myself with this last one
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