Brian1

I have a Hold and Fold 5 speed and it's brilliant - easy to use, well made and very effective - very highly recommended! It should last you a long time but on the other hand it's not cheap and unless you're going to use quite a lot of PE on a regular basis a simpler and cheaper solution might be best. Brian

An excellent product (available from Hannants) - I have the 1/32nd scale ones (in Ali) for the Super Sabre and Hunter FGA 9. They're far better than the very clunky kit-supplied versions - highly recommended! Brian

If you look on F-15E.info you should be able to find all the information you need. Regards, Brian

For anyone interested, if you look at www.fineartofdecals.com you will see that Dave Klaus (formerly of Meteor Productions) has a selection of Cutting Edge decals for sale that I thought had gone for ever a couple of years ago. I came across this by accident when looking for something else and picked up the 1/32nd scale markings for Don Schmenk's Super Sabre. Apart from other sheets for that aircraft there are a number of other interesting items in both 48th and 32nd scale. I suspect that once these are gone they will disappear for good so the site is well worth a look. Brian

I've also got a pair of these and they're absolutely brilliant - highly recommended! Brian

Some of you may know of this technique already, but for those who don't ...................................I needed to put non-slip surfaces on parts of the trailer for a tank transporter. Somewhere on the Web I came across an article suggesting the use of textured paint, and talking about Plastikote Terra Cotta 'Touch', a rattle can (£6.99). I tried it today and it worked a treat - perfect in scale non-slip surfaces without effort, dry within an hour - highly recommended. The method is to spray a series of light coats, waiting 10 or 15 minutes between each until you achieve the desired result. The hardest part was the masking. I should add that I'd never tried anything like this before, and if I can do it anybody can!! Brian

I use a lot of photo-etch and purchasing a Hold & Fold was, for me, an inspired investment. It wasn't cheap but with PE it makes life so much easier - very strongly recommended!! Brian

I just saw this, hence the delayed comment. A couple of months ago I acquired a pair of Xuron model 9180ET PE cutters and they are excellent for both very fine and heavier PE. These are the extended tip version and a marked improvement on their earlier PE cutters (which I also have). It's much easier to get at very small fiddly bits with these, and you always (with care!) get a clean cut without any distortion. They're not cheap but if you use a lot of PE as I do then they're worth getting. On the other hand using a no.11 Swann Morton knife blade on a piece of glass or hard tile does work well as long as you're careful not to let small components ping off to parts unknown - i.e. the carpet monster!! Brian

Up to your usual standard Andy - very nice indeed!! Brian

Modelling related - Xuron 9180ET professional PE scissors, Xuron 2175ET professional sprue cutters and four extra knife handles plus three books - 'Meteor from the Cockpit' (Peter Caygill), 'Flying the Buccaneer' (same author) and SEPCAT Jaguar Tactical Support & Maritime Strike Fighter' (Martin Bowman). I like flight sims too and having played with DCS Black Shark for a year I've now been given the cash for DCS A10C Warthog although it's only out in beta form at the moment and I'm going to wait for the finished product (hopefully before Easter!!!). Brian

That's a beautiful piece of work Andy - you've raised the bar again!! Brian

Flightpath do an excellent (but very complex) PE tailpipe set for £27.90. i have one (acquired for the Tamiya F15E) and it is excellent but not a job for the fainthearted or for anyone not used to dealing with PE. Dave Parkins also has a large selection of bombs and missiles in PE and resin and these are equally worthwhile but sadly not cheap. It depends on how far you want to go. As far as I am aware he doesn't yet do the drop tanks. Dave is a very helpful bloke - give him a ring and he may be able to guide you further. Brian

Very nicely done - I have a friend and close neighbour who used to fly these, and I'll make a point of showing him the photos of your model. Brian

Well, the model looks OK - and as others have said we've all been there! Nevertheless that is the most entertaining account of a disaster recovery I have ever read!!

That's very nicely done, Andy, but it's seriously strange!! Brian