Des

Remember Fujimi's release in the 1980s when the FG.1/FGR.2 competition was from Matchbox , FROG/Hasegawa and I seem to recall a pretty disastrous attempt from Revell , well not much competition as the Fujimi mouldings were in a different league entirely. Beyond the parts the first impressions of the very wide-ranging decal sheets with multiple choices and lots of stencilling were also very encouraging . . . . . . until you tried to use them , poor adhesion , silvering . . . . . . a real disaster , thank goodness for Modeldecals !!!

According to Royal Mail my kit will be delivered tomorrow and following receipt of my subscription copy of August Airfix Modelworld yesterday and reading the very interesting two page 'in-box' review which sets out the seat and intake problems I have just ordered the Rockit replacements. With delivery and VAT I saved £10 on the kit which went towards the £33 (including shipping and VAT) for the replacement 3D parts , price of the intake started off around that before additions but finding a vendor that was selling both parts little red discount advisories started to pop up and the price going down as I selected them. AMW article also mentions that the either/or gun fairing/centreline Litening option in the instructions can be resolved (as in real life on post-2010 aircraft) by a slight alteration to the ammunition feed tray. PS A day later and kit now arrived the really only obvious thing I have noticed is that the raised/lowered In-Flight Refuelling probe options look rather narrow-bore and flimsy.

Some more reading material this week , in PDF and in print. From Blurb Publishing Some more PDF downloads of heavily illustrated print-on-demand photo book titles by Peter Foster for £10 or under each , these cover his air-to-air photography in a series of three books covering photo sessions with a wide variety of military types between 1982 and 2019. Rising Beyond Others - Camera Above The Clouds Volume 1 - Pre-Digital Era (2020) , 258 pages covering 1982 to 1999 Rising Beyond Others- Camera Above The Clouds Volume 2 - Toward The Digital Era (2020) , 226 pages covering 2000 to 2004. Rising Beyond Others - Camera Above The Clouds Volume 3 - The Digital Era (2021) , 202 pages covering 2005 to 2019. From Aero Research 1125 A-6 Intruder & Prowler Part 8 PDF Download , latest addition to the series with 154 High Res images. Via Amazon Texan Illustrated: T6/SNJ/Harvard book , by Lou Drendel , latest print-on-demand addition to the Aviation Art Inc. series published via Amazon , 132 page softback in the usual format for the series with illustrated history , author's original artwork , technical manual excerpts and contemporary promotional material , roughly a quarter of the book covers post-war warbirds , civilian teams , etc. From York Military Books Can there be such a thing as too many Lightning books on the shelf , so added another couple of 'as new' titles? RAF Illustrated – English Electric / British Aircraft Corporation Lightning Mks.1-6 book , by Kev Darling , published 2008 by Big Bird Aviation Publications , 260 page softback , 350+ images although other than 9 in colour on the covers all are black & white of which reproduction is fair tending towards pale with some , technical manual drawings are included along with a selection of airframe histories. Famous Airplanes of the World 80: English Electric Lightning book , published 2000 by Bunrin-Do , typical for the series (black cover with dustcover) , in Japanese throughout but with excellent photography in both colour and black & white , scale plans and variant drawings , tone camouflage and marking drawings. From The Community Charity Bookshelf At The Local Tesco’s Mosquito – The RAF’s Legendary Wooden Wonder And Its Most Extraordinary Mission book , by Rowland White , published 2023 by Penguin , as new quality 536 page hardback with two blocks of mainly black & white images relating generally to the individuals involved , focussing mainly around operations over Denmark in general and Operation CARTHAGE in particular.

Have visited the islands a few times and while the landscape is dramatic and often unique it is only fair to say that the television series uses a little bit of licence in some of its background settings especially if they are not integral to the 'Shetland' brand. e.g. if there are very many trees probably not on Shetland , if there are long streets of terraced buildings probably not on Shetland , it it is a picturesque seafront with another picturesque seafront across the water probably not on Shetland , some building styles and backgrounds in incidental shots are quite recognisably from other parts of Scotland (apparently the Ayrshire coast is a frequent substitute) so presumably interiors such as a museum would share similar compromises. You would probably find that Shetland Museums and Archives - [email protected] - would be more than happy to answer your query if it is theirs.

Plod Pension Day splurge covered a number of future projects and pre-orders. Via eBay SGS Model Store - Airwaves AEC48014 1:48 F-4 Phantom Canopy Detail etch. Lee4783 - Wolfpak Decals 48-004 1/48 Choppers Galore decals , another step towards my MH-53M Pave Low IV along with markings for USAF Twin Huey , Osprey , Pave Hawk and Army Black Hawk . . . . . anyone got a scan of the instructions they could share ? From Hannants Cut Then Add Decals No.76 1/48 Skyhawk Adversary Pt.1 decals , for one each of A-4E/F/M and TA-4J , CTA do tend towards pricey but this is the most expensive and smallest of their sheets I have bought too date. Star Decals 35-C1438 1/35 The Troubles In Northern Ireland – Ferret Mk.2.2/3 & Saladin Mk.2 decals , following the Ferret just waiting for Airfix to nail the Saladin (wheels from Stalwart + new everything else - could be in the shops for Christmas . . . . . or probably not) and finish both in Bronze Green/Brown camouflage. Via Amazon WARchive Photo Series 2 - A-4 Skyhawk - Douglas’ Famous Scooter book , by Chris Banyai-Riepl , recent print-on-demand release through Amazon , 96 page softback with 110 captioned colour images taken 1950s-2000s by the author’s father Will A. Riepl ('WAR') and the start of what is advertised as an extensive series to follow. From Key Publications Aviation Archive No. 80 – Attack Helicopters bookazine , subscription copy in the usual format with a mix of images , six archive cutaways ( UH-1B Iroquois , AH-1F Cobra , Mi-24P ‘Hind-F’ , Lynx AH.9 , YAH-64 Apache , A129 Mangusta) and twelve specially commissioned colour sideview profiles ( UH-1F , OH-6A , OH-58B , AH-1W , Bo-105P1 , Lynx AH.7 , AH-64D , AH-1Z , A-129CBT , Mi-28N , Eurocopter Tiger , UH-1Y ) , next issue will cover Dassault Aviation. From Jadlam Models Airfix A05143 1/48 Supermarine Spitfire TR.9 kit , pre-order of latest release . Jadlam price was roughly in line with Hannants pre-order or Airfix with club discount however free shipping made a not insignificant difference.

From The Aviation & Military Book Centre Three of the recent releases by Phoenix Publications , all by Andy Evans. Airmark Profile & Scale Series Number 5 – A-1 Skyraider - US Airforce , Navy and Marine Corps Versions book , 66 page softback with illustrated history including French , Royal Navy , RVNAF , Gabonese and Swedish use , 14 colour sideview profiles , close-up detail images of preserved aircraft (uncaptioned) , 4 modelling articles ( all 1/48 – 3 x Tamiya , 1 x Monogram). Real to Replica Red Series Number 11 – American Harriers book , 110 page softback with illustrated including Italian , Spanish and Thai use , 22 colour sideview profiles (all ‘Harrier II’) , close-up detail images (uncaptioned) , 6 modelling articles (2 x 1/72 Airfix AV-8A/S , 2 x 1/48 Kinetic AV-8A and Hasegawa AV-8B , 2 x 1/32 Trumpeter AV-8B). Airmark In Profile & Scale Modeller’s Airguide Number 32 – Douglas F3D Skynight book , 30 page softback with illustrated history although only 9 of the 34 images are captioned , close-up detail images of a preserved example (uncaptioned) , modelling article on the 1/72 Sword kit. From the East Neuk Modelling Show in Cupar From Various Trade Stands Service History Of The Gloster Javelin Marks 1 to 6 - and - Marks 7 to 9R books , written and published (1975 and 1980 respectively) by Roger Lindsey , both 32 page softbacks , illustrated throughout in black & white with 1/72 tone camouflage and markings artwork, histories of user squadrons and individual airframes by variant. Second-hand and being sold by Alex Crawford (author of MMP Javelin , Combat Meteors among others) who had a notice on the stand about his forthcoming history of the Bristol Belvedere which he hopes will be available before the end of this year. Kits-World KW148152 1/48 British Research And Development Establishment Buccaneers decals. Kits-World KWM481021 1/48 Buccaneer Canopy And Wheel Masks. Model Alliance MA-48013 1/48 Westland Sea King In RAF And Royal Navy Service decals. Skybow TP3504 1/35 WC63 Big Shot US 1.5 Ton 6x6 Personnel Carrier kit being cleared for £10. Skybow TP3505 1/35 US 0.25 Ton US Army & Marine M38AIC with M40A1 106mm Recoilless Rifle kit being cleared for £10. From The Club’s Stand (one member now £90 better off) Hasegawa PT33:2600 1/48 A-4M Skyhawk ‘USMC Attacker’ kit. HobbyBoss 81754 1/48 A-4E Skyhawk kit. Hasegawa JT60:2400 1/48 Typhoon Mk.IB With Tear Drop Canopy kit. Eduard 82125 ProfiPACK 1/48 Tempest Mk.II Late Version kit.

Are you aware of the various 3D Printed Andover kits from One Man MODEL in Japan - https://one-man-model.main.jp/ - bought a 1/72 C.1 kit from them a few years back although never found the time to start it yet.

From HobbyCraft , Dundee Wife was in getting some items for a craft project so while I was wandering and resisting their overpriced kits came across Citadel Plastic Glue and Citadel Liquid Green Stuff which I thought I might give a try. From Scoonie Hobbies , Kirkcaldy Not over in that corner of Fife very often since we moved north and for a long time when we have been across there have always seemed to pass the shop out of hours so it must be over thirty years since I last managed to go in (and bought a Heller/Bobcat 1/72 Harrier T.4 I seem to recall) , very friendly place and very kindly rounded my total down to the nearest tenner for - Airfix A1386 1/35 Ferret Scout Car Mk.1 kit which was released in the past week or so. Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement and Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement – Quick Setting. Have been using Mek-Pak for a very long time and having read about the Tamiya liquid cements thought I might try them.

Via eBay Kinetic K48127 1:48 Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter kit , always wondered why Kinetic have never been as ‘generous’ with stores for their Starfighters as they are with some other types. (MisterCraft MCF33 1:48 SA-342L Gazelle kit , same plastic as the KP kit which in turn was originally the Heller (still stamped in fuselage halves) release with HOT & sights so 1/50 scale , has a very busy decal sheet for German Police/Cypriot National Guard/ Syrian Air Force (captured by Israel)/ Yugoslav Air Force/ Royal Navy/ British Army/ French Army options. From Airfix Pre-ordered BUNDLEA65 Airfix A11009 1/48 Fairey Gannet COD.4 + Collectors Coin , with Club discount and Reward Points worked out pennies under £49 with free shipping. From Raymoco Raymoco R48.154.00 1/48 RF-4E/C Phantom II Radar AN/APQ-99 3D Printed parts for internal bulkhead , radar mounting , scanner , radome and hinge brackets.

Notification received this afternoon from DPD that Hornby have notified them that my Gannet COD.4 pre-order is being despatched.

From Hannants Some after-market odds and ends for various projects. Eduard FE340 1/48 RF-4C Phantom II Cockpit Detail etch. Eduard FE1430 1/48 F-5E Seatbelt etch. Eduard FE1402 1/48 Mi-17 Seatbelts etch. Quickboost 48004 1/48 Martin Baker Mk.7 Ejection Seats resin (pack of 2) Aerobonus 480055 1/48 USN Style F-4 Inner Wing Pylons resin (pack of 2) ResKit 48-0094 1/48 F-4 Phantom II F/RF-4B/C, D & N Engine Exhaust Nozzles (pack of 2). From Books etc. McDonnell-Douglas F-4C/RF-4C Phantom II book , by Gonzalo Ávila and Roberto Yáñez , published 2014 by Schiffer , 48 page landscape softback covering mainly Spanish Air Force service to compliment the Double Ugly title on the same subject that arrived last week. From Spencer Pollard Skyhawk – Ed Heinemann’s Hot Rod book , by Spencer Pollard , self published and released this week , pre-ordered 70 page landscape softback covering builds of 1/72 Airfix A-4Q , 1/48 Hasegawa and Magic Factory A-4Ms and 1/32 Trumpeter A-4E. From Amazon P-39 AiraCobra Illustrated book , by Lou Drendel , latest release in the Aviation Art Inc. series , 92 page portrait softback in the usual format with well-illustrated history , author’s own artwork , technical manual excerpts and contemporary promotional and recruiting material , oddly while the US , RAF and USSR are well covered French and Italian use is covered in one page with three captioned black & white images. From We Buy Books The Ships And Aircraft Of The U.S. Fleet – Thirteenth Edition book , by Norman Polmar , published 1985 by Arms & Armour , 560 page pre-owned landscape hardback for £5.06 with free shipping , heavily illustrated in black & white throughout , includes names/hull numbers for ships in each class along with squadron numbers/tail codes for aircraft types in service.

I was in touch with them this morning and they are working on a vac-form window set for the 1/48 Whirlwind HAS.9 so will be watching for that to replace the resin windows and order the kit.

Already available - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/135709361459?_skw=1%2F48+belvedere&itmmeta=01JVTB35ZBBZATAAWFVHT0PXVJ&hash=item1f98e88533:g:mf0AAOSwXHtmKMA5&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fXBHVOEm0f4MZq9gM2Bma53QUr67pJ3PoVBPaN%2F8T0bIQEYxAabVSO4ljzWKkOVzjLAZ5Gl7dj5SW0U%2F0ned5wC0mXgxhgfiQxc2%2FyZAYZKQ2Vb3k%2BZWedF8aWSCWVWZtC2sIUmnbeTE8rK8BFgnOJNJA%2FtXIRLh8inADKMbEE8kgty3aRqL7aeJYdy9%2FsC%2FxK9Mu6Ceukeh5Tsx5vQYPC1o3k9%2Fb0pwJDFUkYpUrLo9eKoA2EFptvLXrCvQ21XDXJi70HAlbR4SlW6NwVzs0%2ByM7QesObGQ4Cu44zeEHGvg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR_bfjMveZQ - bought a set a couple of weeks back and looks good.

Don't recall any reading about future plans for the AMP kit but would seem odd if it was not developed into other variants but when would be the question (three years between their Kaman HOK-1/HUK-1 and their HH-43) However , there is a 1/48 3D printed kit of the HAS.9 available now through The Dorset Print Man on ebay -https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/135213322477?_skw=whirlwind&itmmeta=01JVSZGCDCGSJ8R8JBZ7RFKMRV&hash=item1f7b5790ed:g:tr4AAOSw8IJmzN0T and they also do an HAR.3 and HAR.10 in 1/72 so might possibly upscale at some point. Have not seen the Whirlwinds but did buy a 1/48 Belvedere from them last year , weak point at that time were the transparencies which were rather very thick and cloudy however more recently the Belvedere has been improved (both the complete kit and as an upgrade to the original) with a clear vac-form insert for the cockpit and vac-form sheets with the other windows which would make the Whirlwind more attractive if they do the same there.

Also re-boxed by Revell