MattJ

Oops, this should be Chapter 20, "Toko/No.851 Kokutai" Sorry, must proof read more betterly before hitting 'Go'.

...Nope. * Chapter 22, "Yokohama Kokutai" - profile of one green H6K2 (tail code Y-49) - sunk at moorings by US forces 1942, intelligence papers later recovered from the plane. The other seaplane chapters: * Chapter 6, "no.14/802 Kokutai" - green H6K4 (tail code W-17) - as it appeared in the Shortland Islands July 1942; - green H6K4 (tail code N1-17) - same aircraft, as it later appeared at Rabaul Dec 1942 * Chapter 20, "Too/No.851 Kokutai" - green profile H6K4 (tail code O-46) - anchored in Shortlands mid-1942 - green H6K4 (tail code 851-36) - involved in a battle with 11th BG B-17E south of Guadalcanal, survived with battle damage - and: two photos of silver Mavis' in flight (O-32 from underneath; O-13 from rear right quarter). These are small photos of some but limited use. I wonder if it would be worth emailing Michael at Avonmore - he must be amongst the very few people who could either give or direct you to some info. All the information he distils into his Profiles is based on evidence he has accumulated, and some more silver Mavis's must feature in his data banks and thoughts. He's been terrifically affable on a few occasions when I (and many many others) chatted with him (at model shows in Australia). Best wishes Matt ... Mind you, gee whiz this is a good book, I reckon : ) It is a book of Profiles, and not history it's important to remember, however the introduction (covering IJN markings and IJN structure after their 1942 shake-up) and Chapter One (with notes on aircraft use and characteristics, including a table giving which units were where/when) are succinct and well written. For me, these sections that set the scene were very welcome and may be helpful for you.)

Just got home. Will have look, after rummaging around in a few boxes to retrieve it. Back in a bit, Dave : ) ...

One other place is Michael Claringbould's Pacific Profiles Volume 13, "IJN Bombers, Transports, Flying Boats & Miscellaneous Types South Pacific 1942-1944". (I have many of their titles, incl this one, and like them all.) From their website: https://avonmorebooks.com.au/?page=3&id=187 Cheers, Matt

Thanks everybody! That was interesting : ) ResKit it is. (Haven't found any Aerobonus ones near me.) (Dov, in retrospect, I think I've read about your Eduard frustrations some time in the dim past. Thanks for your insights, appreciate your patience and time!) Cheers all Matt

Hi everyone I'm considering going aftermarket for the Multiple Ejector Racks on the Hobby Boss A-6A, for a mid-Vietnam era plane. I've found three maker's, but unhelpfully their blurbs are quite different while their pictures (that I can find) seem similar: Eduard Brassin 648227: "MER 1/48" ResKit RS48-341: "Multiple ejector racks A/A37B-6 (MER-7)" and then specifying "F-4, F-100, F-105, F-8, A-4, A-7, A-10, Kfir" Aerobonus / Aires 480057: "1/48 US NAVY multiple ejector rack MER-7 (A/A37B-6" Is there something different about the MERs of the USN or USAF? Unless anyone objects, simply for reasons of availability, ResKit may win. Grateful for any advice! Matt

Hi Heather I've just have a catch-up that's covered the last few weeks. And a while back there was some puzzling over the ventral turrets of the early planes. Serendipitously (maybe!), I found an animation by a YouTuber today on the Short Stirling FN25 ventral turret - so, just in case it's new to you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUBqaqqvk2o Enjoying your thread! Thanks for the fun. Matt

Mike, it looks great. Particularly like the pilot's space - simple but evocative. Your engine looks terrific when seen in situ, too. (And isn't the pale blue a good colour choice?) Curious about the wood panelling - why have you used the darker tone? It's representing the tinted varnish that might have been used? It's very effective, what ever the reason.) Enjoying your work, thanks! Matt

No, I don't think they did - I remember reading this recently (that is, that the regular bombsights were both not needed for the use of the Upkeep mines and in fact hindered how they were aimed) but can't find proof ATM. (They did use a large bomb-aimer's blister, and have observation blisters on each side of the cockpit glazing.) A helpful reference is the recent Wingleader Photo Archive 18, which is part 3 of their Lancaster books and includes Type 464 and the B.I (Special) planes - it only has a few pages of captioned photos on Type 464, but all 12 of them are gold! (From this, while not exactly answering your question, on p62 a photo caption reads: "...AJ-N is seen after after Chastise ...Although now sporting a SABS bombsight the aircraft is still in Upkeep configuration...). Like all their books, it's interesting while also easy and quick to read, and affordable. Have fun with your model. Will you post progress reports, please? Matt

Ah hah, that's better. Thankyou!

Hi Anirudh This may be a me-thing, but I can only see one of your attached pictures so far (the last one, of your first post). This has been over several days, and with Chrome and Safari viewers. (No problems with your Simpsons vid, though!) Cheers Matt

Ray, that "ADF Serials" site is a goldmine! Thankyou for mentioning it. Cheers, Matt

Hi Michael Try Aussie Decals set number A48044 (I think there is also a A72044 as well). I don't think it's still being produced, and you'll find it hard to track down their suppliers too. I bought one about 4yrs ago for Tamiya's Lanc, so I know they were recently available, and I reckon I saw one at this year's Model Expo in Melbourne : which means Red Roo Models (in Melbourne) and Aeroworks (Adelaide) are your best bet. Try: Gary, Richard, Ed at Red Roo Models, www.redroomodels.com, [email protected] - but they are closed until 10th Jan due to illness Craig at Aeroworks, [email protected] - the have a shop, (08) 8357 4756, and are on Facebook, but no website Good luck, let me know if you need more info Cheers, Matt

Will have to find it amongst the boxes in my garage - will let you know tonight when I get time after work. Actually, I bought the book a year or two ago for the same reasons as yourself - I wanted a model of the aircraft, and have been holding onto a Special Hobby kit for years but had been frustrated by the lack of helpful references until Valiant Wings released their book. Have read it, and remember being impressed, but don't recall the specifics. (I have a Special Hobby CA-12 (early) in my pile, and have been tempted by their CA-13.) : ) Matt

Not sure about on-line sources, but another really good book is Valiant Wings Publishing's "(Airframe Album 03) CAC Boomerang: A Detailed Guide to the RAAF's Famous WWII Fighter" by Richard Franks. I'd reckon it's a one-stop book, although I'll check tomorrow to see if it has the info you want - will let you know if it's not in there. The blurb reads: "8 x 11 paperback. 100 pages. The third title in the Airframe Album series covers the Commonwealth Boomerang, and provides an excellent contrast to the previous two titles on The Heinkel He 219 and Hawker Sea Fury. The Boomerang has proved to be a popular subject with scale modellers in recent years with kits available in all major scales. A wealth of historical and modern photographs; pictures before, during and after restoration; Isometric views by Jacek Jackiewicz; colour profiles and camouflage detail by Richard J. Caruana; lists of all Boomerang kits, accessories and decals available in 1/32nd, 1/48th and 1/72nd scales." Cheers, Matt