RichG

Or £67.49 on back-order (pre-order)...

I can recommend some British Infantry figures in realistic poses from the 1970s /1980s from the range currently produced by Supply Line Studios . They produce high quality resin 3d printed model kits of figures and AFVs from different countries, from different eras and at many different scales and printed to a very high standard. The models were previously owned by Osiris Models and seem to have changed hands, but seem to be available again. Rich

What a beautiful and inspriational build Goran, particularly the painting and panel line treatment. Perfection in plastic! Thanks for sharing @GoranD Rich

Mine is on the way from Jadlam. Wonder if this heralds an "Airfix Summer" with a rush of new kits...? I noticed on a YouTube box opening review there seem to be 2 different front radiator grill parts in the box but couldn't see any reference to this as an option in the instructions. This got me wondering if Airfix had different versions in the pipeline for a planned future release (knowing they like to get good usage from their toolings)? I know some marks of the Saracen had a Bren gun on an anti-aircraft ring mount accessed through a roof hatch and there were ports on the sides through which troops could fire. So wonder what version Airfix could be planning as a follow-up? Perhaps an early mk Saracen as used initially in Op Banner in Norn Iron or perhaps a vehicle used in the Aden or Malayan Emergencies? Might be more clues once I get a peek at the plastic inside the box. I know I should be satisfied with this release and not be greedy but its always fun to speculate on what's to come... Rich

Great review! I missed this when it came out and have recently been looking for some suitable civilian figures like these. I'm thinking this set will be ideal for a Cold War diorama I'm planning of an early Chieftain MBT driving down a quiet German street - probably West Berlin in the 1970's - with civilians looking on in the sunshine whilst enjoying a coffee or beer at a pavement cafe. The woman's mobile phone will be problematic for the era so may have to substitute a paperback, but with a different colour shirt "double denim" guy should be spot on for the 1970s... it was a seventies fashion staple I recall!😀 I'm also planning to use MiniArt's modern Ukrainian traffic signs set, suitably modified with German signs. Rich.

Pheonix from the ashes! Love watching restoration builds - even more satisfying to watch than a new build from the box; It must be really rewarding too. Although I've no particular interest in a B-17 its starting to get me thinking... I know I've got the old 1960's Airfix B-17G with the red stripe box (with fanstatic box art), have I got the new one too? Looking at the Revell kit I'm tempted to try riveting an Airfix one. Anyway great work @Brigbeale Rich

Agreed Trevor, especially with the USMC connection and the lack of competitors in this scale. I built the original Revell 1/32 HS Harrier "Jump Jet" in 1972 (54 years ago... yikes!) and thought of it as a "superkit" at the time! A little bit surprised at the amount of negativity over Revell's early announcement. From what I understand 18 month gestation period seems about right for most kits, even optimistic, especially with the seperate engine its really 2 models in the box; Revell have invited us to come along with them on this journey. This more open development process gives people opportunity to see regular progress and to raise issues and for the design team to take them onboard before its too late. I mean how often do we hear people moaning about some error in a new kit... "If only they'd asked SME's on this or that forum to get involved..." etc. I think the team at Revell should be congratulated on their new approach to engaging the modelling community; innovation with the seperate engine model; and an inspired choice of subject in the revolutionary Harrier / Sea Harrier. Rich

To my eye and in comparing the two fuselage halves together, the KP kit's nose looks the same as the Airfix kit, both in profile shape and length. If there is any shape difference then it must be very, very subtle as I can't see it. Air-Graphics Models do a replacement/correction nose for the Airfix kit, which illustrates the difference between noses. It may well fit the new kit too. Me, I wanted the original old school version so I'm happy. Not sure if the new kit represents significantly better quality/value over the Airfix, and I do like the new Cartograf decals on the recent Airfix Classics edition of the Hawker Siddley Dominie T1; the Airfix decal designer has done a superb job and I plan on using these on my KP kit. I do like this little jet and the RAF red/white/grey scheme. Rich https://air-graphics.uk/shop/ols/products/ac-040-hd-dominie-t1-nose-replacement

Top build there mate @SimonL The DBG colour looks spot on to my eye. The Jadlam website has the Airfix Stalwart Mk.2 Limber Kit as due to be released later this month (April 2026) although the Airfix website has it as "Autumn 2026"... Jadlam have it available to pre-order at £31.49 with free delivery in the UK (RRP is £33.99). I've got the ITA3 3D add-on bits and also the Gecko Models L31A3 2 shells 105mm ammo boxes set as a load waiting for it. I see Gecko also do a bulk jerry can load and modern British 20ltr Fuel Can & Water Can set in 1/35th scale. So no shortage of suitable loads. I'd better get the Stolly pre-ordered in case the price rises. Rich

Yes I've built a couple Airfix Stollys. Mine did have some very minor sink marks on the cab sides and lower front hull most are on flat panels so not too hard to eliminate. The worst on my kit is also insides of the drop-down side panels; looking at photos these seem to be lined in sheet metal so thin plastic card might be the way to go. Interestingly the real thing seems to have some "sink marks" of its own... well it is an army truck! 😁 I think I got off lightly compared to others or maybe the worst problems were with the early batch of kits and things settled down in the production run nevertheless Airfix are following their first release with the FV623 Limber artillery ammunition suppply vehicle so hopefully lessons have been learned and they've got things sorted. I wonder if Airfix will produce an Abbot self-propelled gun next? Despite its critics I think Its a nice kit and great progress sorting out its short comings @ivan-o Rich

Sorry if this sounds pedantic; I've heard a lot about "short shot defects" in recent years, particularly in relation to Airfix products but aren't those sink marks? I'd always thought short shot defects were where the plastic fails to fill the entire mould cavity, resulting in missing sections / incomplete moulded parts. Whereas sink marks are depressions on the surface of the part, usually occurring in thick, slow-cooling sections. Or am I look at the wrong thing? Rich

Postie just delivered my order from Modelu for their new range of Early-Post War RAF figures. These cover the Royal Air Force from the mid 1940s, 1950s through to the end of the 1960s, and feature pilots, technicians, and ground personnel in very authentic post-war dress and poses absolutely ideal for dioramas set during the early stages of the Cold War, Suez Crisis and Korean War. I got them in both 1/72 and in 1/48 scale and will be ideal posed next to Airfix Meteor F.8/FR.9 and hopefully the new Airfix Canberra B.2. We're so lucky to have so many great kits now enhanced with suitable figures to the same standard. As ever they've done an excellent job with these figures. They're spot on and look quite superb and I look forward to the range being expanded in future perhaps to include figures from the 1960s Middle East/Far East in tropical kit, KD shorts etc. (but perhaps need to wait for some warmer/drier weather here in the UK! ). Anyway great job @Modelu Chris and the team at ModelU! https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/collections/early-post-war-raf Rich

Hi John Ah, thanks for sharing, makes sense now.🙂 Your dad enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in Feb 1942. Most RAFVR aircrew enlisted only "for the duration of the emergency" meaning their service was only intended to last until the end of hostilities, after which they were "released to civil life". Class A was the primary, orderly release scheme for RAF personnel post-WW2 based on the principle of "age and service" (older personnel with longer service were released first). For your dad not until 3 Jan 1947. Following the end of WWII, although many personnel were rapidly demobilized, the RAF did encourage "rejoiners" (ex-regulars) to return to service. For those with previous skilled experience, special terms of enlistment were available to return to their former trades, involving structured, short-term engagements for a defined period (3-5 years). Personnel re-enlisting could generally retain their highest war-substantive rank, this was not guaranteed if no suitable positions were available. Your dad re-enlisted in the Regular Royal Air Force for 3 years (+ 4 in the reserve) but at the new rank of Pilot II (Sergeant) until his discharge in 1950. During WWII, nearly all (99%) promotions to higher ranks—including appointments to Warrant Officer—were for the "duration of the emergency" only. This meant rank was often temporary or acting rather than substantive (permanent). These temporary, or non-substantive, ranks allowed the RAF to expand rapidly and demobilize quickly after the war. I'm speculating here, but it seems likely this is why his rank was Pilot II and not Master Pilot on re-enlistment. So during his wartime service in the RAFVR he was a non-substantive Warrant Officer (holding a substantive rank of Sergeant); following re-enlistment through to discharge in 1950 he was Pilot II. This is the short lived Aircrew II (Pilot II / P2) rank insignia. Rich

Hi John I'm making a few assumptions here but If he was declared medically unfit to fly, he would've been grounded immediately, and his condition assessed as either temporary (requiring treatment and recovery) or long-term. If medically unfit for aircrew duties but fit for service, he would likely have been remustered in a ground-based role, such as ground instruction, flight operations, safety management, or a staff position. I guess the critical date would be when he was actually declared unfit. As the end of P-47 flying in Burma would have predated the introduction of the new NCO aircrew rank system he could've remained a Warrant Officer in a non-aircrew capacity for the remainder of his RAF service, but not Master Pilot (as he was non-aircrew). The new P2 rank wouldn't have applied for similar reasons. Did he fly as aircrew after service in Burma? Rich

Yes he's definitely wearing rank insignia of an RAF Warrant Officer (the Royal Coat of Arms) worn on the lower sleeve of the service dress John. After 1 July 1946 Warrant Officers serving as aircrew (including pilots) were formally re-designated Master Aircrew (MAcr) with pilots becoming Master Pilot. Their new rank badge being the Royal Coat of Arms encircled by a laurel wreath to distinguish them from ground-based Warrant Officers. Perhaps the photos of your dad predated the change (or he hadn't yet got busy with his needle & thread 🙂)? RAF Warrant Officers were considered elite, highly skilled specialists (often pilots or aircrew) who held a unique position between NCOs and commissioned officers and were granted their Warrant by the Air Council. I am wondering if the P2 in your dad's service records actually relates to something different: an assessment in the PES (Physical Employment Standard) grading perhaps? P2 grade signifies high physical and mental readiness, with no major employment limitations and that personnel are medically fit for unrestricted service worldwide. "P2" can also refer to the "P2 Application Form" used by existing RAF personnel to apply for changes in trade or commission. A master aircrew's rank insignia: Great photos btw. Hope this makes sense Rich