Ranger626

Any sign or rumors of a Block 10 from Kinetic in our future?

Thank you Gents. Sutton belts it is. (I happen to have several sets in my parts bone yard.) As to the fuselage band, I think I'll go with very light blue. I've seen several photos showing where the band crosses the sky undersurface colour and it seems to be a somewhat lighter tone than the sky undersurface, so light blue seems a reasonable choice given the historical uncertainty. Comment: I'm always impressed by the collective knowledge of the people who participate on this board and their willingness to share their knowledge. Again......thanks.

Can anyone help me with two questions regarding RAF Buffalo 339E aircraft in Malaya 1942? 1) what seatbelts were they equipped with? RAF (sutton perhaps?) or American pattern? Lap belts only or shoulder straps also? 2) what colour was the band around the rear fuselage? Tamiya kit provides decals that appear much too dark. I'm leaning toward RAF sky or very light blue. Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you gentlemen. Each of you contributed some useful information for my build research. I am always impressed by the collective knowledge of folks in this on-line community and their willingness to share generously of that knowledge.

Use of Northrop Improved ejection seats? I'm modelling some F-5E aircraft (1 from each of the 4 USAF Aggressor Squadrons) and I have been unable to find information about use of the "Improved" seats vs. the "Standard". I did find a information that the Improved seat superseded the original seat from AF serial 76-1664 onwards, However I cannot find if the newer seats were retro-fitted to the earlier production aircraft later in their service with Aggressor squadrons. All of the aircraft I plan to model are 73 -75 production, but several are in 1980's service. My working hypothesis is yes seat retro-fitting occurred; so for mid-1980's aircraft I plan to use the later seat, and for prior to that, the improved seat. Can anyone tell me if retro-fitting improved seats did occur for these squadrons? And, if it did, perhaps when it occurred?

I'm quite happy with the Tamiya C versions. Eager to see the sprues of this Kinetic A. If it is as good as their delightful F-104, I'll probably get a couple. Hoping they include parts for a Block 10 in this or following versions.

Thanks for all the good ideas. What caught my interest about this aircraft was the camouflage scheme was noticeably different from the many other Turkish F-104 aircraft in the SE Asia scheme. Most of them like the two photos RidgeRunner posted clearly have both a dark green and a medium green pattern along with the tan; and the three upper colors are approximately equal in area coverage. 9-633 has either only a single green or two greens that are extremely close in color; and the tan color has the dominant coverage. Maybe this was indeed a one-off trial scheme. Also, I have since found an on-line photo of this aircraft probably taken at a later date. This pic appears to have been taken at an outdoor museum display. I'm re-thinking my desire to model this bird. I stay pretty much to operational color schemes and equipment fits.

Sorry gents; I do not have the hardware to copy from a book and post (there might also be a liveware problem here). I don't have the serial number, but the aircraft code is 9-633. The aircraft is on a runway with a hardened shelter in the background. Does not appear to be a museum ship. On closer examination in better light, there may indeed be two different greens, but still noticeably different from the typical SE Asia camouflage in both color and pattern. The tan dominates the upper pattern. I'd like to model this scheme if I can figure out the colors.

I have seen several photos of Turkish F-104 aircraft with a new-to-me camouflage scheme. It appears to be a modified SE Asia scheme, but with only two upper surface colors: a tan and a single green pattern and a light gray underside. Can anyone tell me what the the colors are? My guess is the usual SE Asia FS 36622 for the underside and 30219 for the upper tan, but the green has me puzzled. Too light for 34079 and not quite right for 34102 (but maybe close enough). Also does anyone know if this was a one-off trial camouflage or a standard operational scheme? If anyone has the new MDF Starfighter book and you want to see what I'm talking about, there's a nice color photo on pg. 177. Thanks for any help offered.

Yes, the new Kinetic 1/48 F-104G/S kit 48093.

I received my kit today. Looks great. And there is a centerline pylon included: its part F11 on the new sprue. Looks like it fits into the recess on part B6 on the ventral centerline (that recess was covered by part PE1 in all previous versions and also in this kit. This, combined with the inclusion of a B57 nuke on this kit's F sprue makes me think a strike version F-104 G is in the pipeline. Hope they include the Italian version Orpheus pod in a future release. I really like these Kinetic F-104 kits and hope they keep coming!

I ordered the ModelCollect B-52G correction parts from them when they were listed as available a few months ago. I had just about given up hope, when yesterday, what should my wondering eyes did appear, a package containing the correction parts sprues! If listed as available, go ahead and order. Have faith, be patient. Build another kit or two (or three) while you wait.

I'm starting my research for a future build of a 1/48 Mig-25 PD/PDS. I would value some advice or opinions on which kit to use: ICM or Kittyhawk? I have a 2013 Brit Modeller message string started by Ya-Gabor about the Kittyhawk kit and it identifies many corrections that could be made. Many of them are within my skill level, or use aftermarket parts, or I would be willing to ignore. How does the ICM kit compare to Kittyhawk? I 'think' it is more recent. Is it more accurate or easier to build? Which would you recommend? I have searched for, bit not yet found any head-to-head comparison reviews to aid my kit choice decision.

I am modelling a 1/48 German F-104G using the (beautiful!) Kinetic kit. I want to represent a Quick Reaction Alert aircraft mounting a B43 nuclear weapon. Requesting help on two questions that I have not found answers to yet: 1) How were the B43 fins configured? In an "X" configuration or a "+" configuration? The Eduard B43 is molded in a "X", but the Daco detail has B43's molded as a"+" and specifically say the bottom fin was left off. Also, the "+" with bottom fin omitted would give more ground clearance. I'm leaning toward the "+". Anyone know for sure? 2) Did German QRA F-104 aircraft have the florescent orange bands on the wing tip tanks? Seems like aircraft cocked and loaded for a quick take off combat mission would not have those high-vis markings; while regular line aircraft during peacetime would value the high visibility. I've seen plenty of photos of German F-104 aircraft both with and without the orange bands on the tip tanks, but do not know if I can imply any meaning to their absence. My guess is that each JaboG had a few aircraft set up for QRA with no gun, no high vis tank bands, and other special equipment for that mission, while the rest of the squadron aircraft had the high vis bands. I'll omit the orange tank bands unless someone flags me off. Thanks to anyone who can share their knowledge.

Can anyone tell me if the dual store adapter that was sometimes carried on Tornado GR.1 belly pylons is the same as the carrier used by F-104G and Harriers? (those I can source) If the Tornado dual stores adapters are indeed a different device, is there such a beast in 1/48 scale, either as aftermarket or included in a kit? I need 4 of them for an Operation Granby Tornado I am preparing to build. Thanks for any information offered.