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As some of the denizens of this forum may be aware, I have for a while been chuntering on about a large project that I have had in mind for some time now. The nature of this project is to build the two types of aircraft that formed the air group of the Dutch carrier Karel Doorman on it's final deployment in 1968: namely the Grumman S-2A Tracker and the Sikorsky SH-34 helicopter. This idea was sparked off by the issue, some while ago, of the Flevo Decals set on this very subject. I have the Kinetic kit of the Tracker and the Gallery Models kit of the H-34 laid down along with a raft of accessories, all or some of which will find their way into the project. Both kits will, naturally, be super detailed to within an inch of their lives. Regarding the Tracker, it is my intention to fully detail the flight deck and scratch build the two observers positions behind. The weapons bay will receive full detailing as will the radar compartment and I may well expose the radar itself to view. The wing fold will receive extra detail and the searchlight added from scratch. At least one engine will be exposed to view and I may or may not open up the nose cap. The SH-34 will have extra detail added to the engine and I will probably open up the transmission compartment. Extra detail will be added to the cockpit and the cabin will be fitted out for the anti-submarine role. Following a poll on the Cold War section of the forum, the two builds will be conducted as part of the same thread (over 80% in favour of this) and I estimate that the project is going to take the best part of two years. This is only a rough estimate as I have never tried such a complicated project before. I am also factoring in the probability that I will want to do the odd quick build of other subjects along the way in order to preserve what little remains of my sanity! as well as trying to finish things already in progress such as my Gotha. Thinking about it, as the builds progress, I will have no choice but to finish the Gotha as I will need the space big time! I had hoped to start this build in my forthcoming man cave but I have got fed up of waiting for the promised room to become available. I must admit that I am kind of hoping that, on this occasion, Sod's Law will work in my favour for once and the room will become available as soon as things get under way. Anyway, enough waffle from me for now. Here are some pictures of the raw materials for the project. Thanks for looking Martin PS: Both kits were presents from my wife Gill, the Tracker being a Silver Wedding gift. So no pressure at all to make a good fist of things then!!

As many of you will be aware, life at the moment is a never ending series of serious embuggerances which have severely limited work on my current projects. Accordingly, I feel the need to step firmly back into my comfort zone. For me, this usually means building a helicopter 🚁 and preferably a colourful one at that.. God willing, I have a few days free of problems and have decided to pull the Airfix Lynx out of the stash and intend to at least make a start on it. We are most fortunate with this build in that we have a certain Lynx driver and noted naval aviator of this parish in the person of Crisp aka @Ex-FAAWAFU who has "volunteered " to lend his experience to the project. Why a Danish machine? Well, firstly it is colourful and secondly, I was impressed by a documentary on the Danish vessel HDMS Absalon which featured one of her Lynx shooting the proverbial out of some Somali pirate vessels. the thread may be a bit intermittent as, at the moment I don't know from one day to the next whether I am going to be in Oxford or Poole. Thanks for looking and let the mayhem begin! Martian 👽

Hello Chaps, since my engine teaser '' Rollout'' several month ago i went on pretty slow but build up the cockpit and inner fuselage parts and hopefully can close the fuselage over the weekend...... Since this is not a classic ''Work in progress'', i'm building way too slow for that i will add further pics from time to time.... For now some cockpit shots, hope you like it... Cheers Hans Some Prop & Parts....

Just started another F-4 PHANTOM, this one has the pilots in the cockpit Mike So just adding some more WIP, this shows the tail with its moulded rivets, which is ok, but I want it to be better than that. this pic shows the re drilled rivets, some sr done some are not, but you get the way these are going to pop, its not for every one ,so I=I am just shearing my preferred method. And here is the finished result, its especially good if you have a big decal on the tail, this way you don't loose the detail.

Just received these in the post on Monday so I thought I would get a start on them,give me some painting to do over the Christmas break,I was told by the seller that these are an old set of Victrix,I have spent more time cleaning up the seams and mould lines,I'm just over half way with all the figures,(60 in all)not sure that I will build everyone,but once cleaned up they look OK to me(I'm no expert) .Cheers.

The new set to upgrade "old" 1/48 A-10 models to modern standards and improve overall accuracy of them. The set is shown here on Hobby Boss model. Pics have high level of magnification.

Mirage F.1 Update sets 1:72 Special Hobby Following on from their excellent kits of The Mirage F.1, Special Hobby are now producing their own aftermarket sets. The first of these are for the wheels, exhaust, and Radar units. Wheels These are for all aircraft, and again as well as being designed for the Special Hobby kits they should fit the kits from Hasegawa and Esci. The wheels are well cast with the tread visible, one has a tiny pin hole only visible under magnification which paint should fill with no issues. They are a direct replacement for the kit wheels. Uncovered Radar Unit This uncovered Cyrano IV radar unit is designed directly for their new kit. The mounting plate fits directly onto the front of the kit fuselage in place of the nose cone. The radar unit itself and the scanner dish then fit to the mounting plate. The units are highly detailed and should enhance the front of your model if you wish to show the unit in place. Pressurised Radar Unit This covered and pressurised Cyrano IV radar unit is designed directly for their new kit. The mounting plate fits directly onto the front of the kit fuselage in place of the nose cone. The radar unit itself then fits to the mounting plate. The unit is highly detailed and should enhance the front of your model if you wish to show the unit in place. Exhaust Unit This is a direct replacement for the kit parts in the new Special Hobby kit. There are three resin parts and a small PE fret. Conclusion These are high quality parts and should add to what are already great kits from Special Hobby, and of course the kits from other manufactures. Very highly recommended. Review samples courtesy of

Large update to the website much delayed (apologies) including various films of Buccaneers and Scimitars in action plus our very own Buccaneers being restored and run. We also have some HD in cockpit footage captured from Ollie pilot of XW544 shot with a GoPro camera mounted on his helmet. Makes for some interesting viewing. Here is a run down of the new additions: We have a large number of updates since our Buccaneer Open Day back in March. In our latest July 2012 update to the site we have the following: A unique collection of Peter Rolfe’s personal photographs from XV Squadron between 1971 and 1979 whilst serving as a Buccaneer navigator. Coverage of the Cold War Jets Day from May 6th 2012 including HD in cockpit coverage from XW544 and footage of XW544 performing a Fast Taxi. We have added Blog pages for XX900 and XX889 bringing all four Buccaneers at Bruntingthorpe onto this website. New video of our very own Francis Wallace on Malta TV covering Buccaneers at Bruntingthorpe. We have some updates on the Events page regarding the unique Lightning scramble event held on July 15th at Bruntingthorpe which also included one of our Buccaneers. To new FAA videos - Hands to Flying Stations covering Buccaneers and a second video on HMS Hermes with great footage of Scimitars and Sea Vixens. Individual aircraft histories are now available if you click the individual aircraft registration number XX894, XW544, XX900 or XX889 in the relevant aircraft blog page. New selection of Photographs covering three days from the Buccaneer Open Day by Ian Finch VIdeo updates in the blog pages of XX894, XW544, XX889 and XX900 WWW.TheBuccaneerAviationGroup.com