RichG

That's a very tidy Tornado. Well done.

Are you sure? I'd read Tupolev Tu-95 Bears were most recently used to attack Ukraine on 29 June 2025. Based on available information five Tu-95MS strategic bombers took off from Olenya airbase in Russia’s Murmansk region as part of a massive combined attack on Ukraine. This may, of course, be incorrect; I was under the impression, however, that TU-95 Bears have been frequently deployed to launch Kh-101 cruise missiles and drones for long-range strikes from Russian or Belarusian airspace to hit targets deep within Ukraine. Always happy to be corrected. Rich

Both kits are now listed on Hannants' Future Releases section priced at £24.30 (10% off - £21.87 if back ordered). Go nicely with my Airfix Westland Wessex HC.2 also back-ordered... Rich

Not sure; which specific bits you are referring to? The majority of British components are made in the UK, clearly the global nature of the F-35 program means some integration, testing, or support activities occur in the US. Approximately 15% of each F-35 aircraft is produced by British industry. These are manufactured at facilities such as BAE Systems’ sites in Samlesbury and Warton, Lancashire, and other locations across the UK. BAE Systems produces the aft fuselage and tails in the UK, while Martin-Baker manufactures ejector seats at its UK facilities. Rolls-Royce’s LiftSystem for the F-35B, including the lift fan, is also produced in the UK, with some assembly in Bristol and testing in the US. Clearly some components may involve collaboration or final assembly in the US due to the global supply chain. For instance, while the UK designs and manufactures many parts, some electronic systems, like components of the electronic warfare suite, are integrated or supported by BAE Systems’ US facilities in New Hampshire and Texas. Additionally, Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, oversees final assembly of F-35s in the US (Fort Worth, Texas), and some UK-made parts are shipped there for integration. Rich

From the outset the UK was a partner in the original Joint Advanced Strike Technology programme in 1993 with the aim of replacing several disparate US and UK aircraft with a single family of aircraft resulting in the F-35. The UK plays a significant role in the F-35 programme with around 15% of every single one has ‘Made in Britain’ stamped on it, by value. This includes components like the rear fuselage, vertical and horizontal tails, ejector seats, electronic warfare suite, and the lift fan system for the F-35B variant, primarily produced by BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. Every new order for the F-35, be it from Japan or Belgium, includes this proportion of British content. There are some 500 UK companies taking part in the construction of the F-35 as suppliers and collaborators with Lockheed Martin. In the fishing town of Stranraer in Scotland, for example, just over 100 people work for Gentex, making the high-tech helmet systems and components worn by every F-35 Lightning II pilot. We shouldn't underestimate the value of that contribution. According to the latest available data, approximately 3,500 F-35 Lightning II aircraft have been ordered worldwide by various countries. Whilst some countries are reviewing their commitments, and others face geopolitical or contractual challenges the programme is set to continue growing.

A 16 Sqn Canberra B(I).8 from Laarbruch during 1972 would have carried RAF Type D markings. According to the instructions/information sheet for my old ModelDecal Set 47 (Postwar British RAF Type D Roundels & Fin Flashes) which includes a comprehensive list of the common sizes for RAF post war aircraft types, Canberra roundels were: Fuselage = 36in Upperwing = 84in Underwing = 36in Fin flash = 24in x 24in It does include a caveat that the information provided in the instructions should be regarded as a general guide and that a particular aircraft type may have carried variations throughout their service lives. It is never too difficult to find exceptions to a general rule. ModelDecals were designed by Dick Ward who had a well deserved reputation for accuracy. Hope that helps. Rich Edit: sorry @Dave Swindell beat me to it!🙂

I've never been fully happy with the colours used in modern Xtradecal decals. In particular the red in RAF markings always seems too bright to my eye. For small unit markings its not such a problem and fortunately the decals in Airfix kits seem spot on. So in the case of the Jaguar it could be a case of using the kit decal sheet in association with specific aircraft squadron markings/codes. If you're going for a specific aircraft, the KW Jaguar sheet does also helpfully provide a comprehensive range of the white outlined black tail code letters, which are otherwise a challenge to source or make. Rich

X48256 (BAC/SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1/GR.1A Part 3) Sepecat Jaguar GR.1 XX746/'BD' of 17 Squadron Royal Air Force, based at RAF Bruggen, Germany, 1984. Having now seen the decal artwork for the 3 sheets unfortunately it looks like 14 Squadron, Royal Air Force didn't make the cut... coincidently 14 Squadron, Indian Air Force, based at AFS Ambala, India, late-1980s got covered twice, albeit in different colour schemes. Rich

In the 1980s/90s the airshow at RAF Abingdon was fantastic. Abingdon at the time was home to the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMS) responsible for in depth maintenance on complex aircraft including the Jaguar. The AMS hangers were incredibly accessible during the show and you could wander round and see major maintenance work underway. I've always wanted to recreate a typical hanger scene of maintenance on a Jaguar, but the very thought of chopping up a new Airfix Jag would be sacrilege for me. Then I remembered I still had the Kitty Hawk Jaguar GR.1 purchased about 10 years ago but put to one side after reading too many negative reviews about it: a case of give a dog (cat) a bad name... The KH kit has the distinct advantage of already having a lot of the airframe "opened-up", with engines accessible, open panels, separate rudder etc. And also with a lot of after market available to correct things and add more detail. How much further to go would be subject to references. So using the new Airfix Jag as a reference build alongside, I've decided to reevaluate the Kitty Hawk Jag as a basis for a maintenance diorama, using builds like this fantastic model by @Bjorn to identify the kit's problems and issues in advance. I have to say, armed with sanding sponges and total elimination of any sprue tags that might compromise alignment, my dry fit experience so far has actually been pretty good. Not Tamiya quality, but by no means as bad as I was expecting. It's entirely possible of course that there were bad/warped mouldings of the kit out there and I just got lucky. Doing a maintenance scene also means I don't need to source the appropriate pylons or stores for it. Just the markings down the line. I came across an image of an unbuttoned "Goldstars" (31 Sqn.) Jag online so that's my current thinking. https://www.airhistory.net/photos/0094175.jpg I've also found a great website for super detailing - https://jaguarxx764.co.uk/ It's on the restoration of Jaguar GR.1 XX764. The site doesn't seem to have been updated in the last year so not sure if the project is still active. I really hope so; some incredible work being done here. Rich

I think the box art on Airfix kits in the 1960's-70's must've played a massive part in the establishment of the Airfix brand and was responsible for many entering the hobby as youngsters - in the UK at least. Similarly with Frog and then Matchbox in the 70's. By the 1980's and 90's Japanese kit makers like Hasegawa and Tamiya established supremacy with artists like Shigeo Koike producing stunning box art that screamed "buy me" from model shop shelves. Significantly, after several years of bland or mediocre presentation, today's Airfix kits have returned to having stunning box art by Adam Tooby; presumably because they know great box art sells a lot more boxes... This was my Christmas present in when I was about 6 or 7 - not sure it would have made Santa's shortlist without that box art... happy days!

Thats a bummer. So I've now got my clear parts out of their bag and examined them really, really, closely and I have to say they look flawless to my eyes. I've not seen any mention of this fault in the numerous reviews popping up online. So the good news is at least it doesn't appear to be a common fault with the moulds across the board; so if you can get a replacement part it should be fine - if that's any consolation. Rich

Disappointed to find the clothes pegs missing from my kit (instructions: stage 52)... I may have some spares - Humbrol 89? Rich

As a further option Airfix have thoughtfully included a pair of intake covers (perhaps for those afraid of dark tunnels; or who just want to add a splash of colour...). 🙂 Rich

The truth is out there...👽

Yay! My big cat has also just landed on my doorstep. Well done to DPD delivering on a Sunday, an unexpected surprise. Kudos to the team at Airfix also; despite intense speculation earlier in this thread on the possibility of a new Jag (will they; won't they; should they; what scale etc) Airfix only actually announced this kit on 14 January and here it is in my hands on 30 March. Airfix used to get a lot of flak for long gestation times and delays (often beyond their control) following announcements but they seem to have taken this on board. I know many would probably like to have a kit days after its announced, but people also want to know the future programme too. A good compromise. Oh and the kit looks fantastic too...! Rich