Harry Lime

@iainpeden You might want to click this link here, seems you can have grey scheme and Gulf War nose art on XX885! Mark.

Not sure how recent the figures are, but the UK MOD quotes that around 40% of RAF officers are ex-cadets and around 50% of all aircrew (all flying roles) are ex-cadets. They also quote that 17% of the annual intake of airmen/airwomen (non commissioned service) are ex-cadets. From my experience in the ATC, those numbers are probably about right, but from my old squadron we didn't all sign on for the RAF. I have a civilian role with a blue light service, and at least two other cadets from my time went on to join the Army. I think the important thing is the experiences you can't get with other youth organisations and the discipline that comes along with being a uniformed organisation. I've used more of what I learned in the ATC in the workplace than from my schooling. Annoyingly, despite our squadron being part of Hants & IOW Wing, we never flew from RAF Odiham. Plenty of Wing sports activities and we drew our weapons from the armoury when doing the long range shooting at Ash Vale ranges, but never got the chance to fly in the Pumas or Chinooks! Mark.

Pretty sure it was Freightdog did the sets I've got. The stash isn't easily accessible at the moment or I'd go and have a look and confirm. Mark.

At the start of their UK service, many airframes can be seen with yellow prop tips. The move towards red/white/red starts after a few years in service and is pretty much done by the mid-70's. Hercules in RAF Service. And see an earlier BM thread here. Mark.

Thanks for the tip, but was already aware of these and not in a good way. Various threads on Britmodeller have pointed out that they are inaccurate so the quest for accurate 1/72 CBLS-100's goes on! I'll be ordering a couple of yours for my Kinetic Harriers though, will certainly provide something different to the usual live weapons. Mark.

Since you've stuck you're head above the parapet, allow me to second that suggestion! Such a common store on UK military aircraft yet so often overlooked by after the aftermarket. Mark.

Are we sure about this? I'm not seeing anything obviously pylon looking on this image. To the best of my knowledge, the RAF ones have always had the fairings where the pylons would mount on the wings. Mark.

From Squadron Codes 1937 - 56, Y3 was used by 518 Sqn between July 1943 to October 1946. It retained this code when renumbered as 202 Sqn in Oct 46 and it remained in use until 1951. In the examples given it lists Halifax III as being LK745, Y3-X and a Mk VI as RG843, Y3-O. 518 Sqn was a Meteorological squadron. Mark.

You're right, they didn't have in-flight refuelling using hose and drogue. They did however have HIFR, Helicopter In Flight Refuelling. Essentially, the helicopter hovers over a ship and an empty winch is lowered. Refuelling hose is attached and winched up and the hose attached to the refuelling point nearest the door! (@Wellsprop just posted whilst I was typing this out and his pic shows this). Mark.

Airfix's 1980 release of the Beagle had those markings if you can find some useable ones. Mark.

Dave, yes. Geoff Thomas's RAF Thunderbolts. Mark.

Mark, Superb selection of shots, really enjoyed seeing these! Mark.

Mike, You might not have to wait too long to see another DHC-2 in your preferred scale! Mark.

Sorry, not being a Tamiya user I can't help with that I'm afraid. Mark.

That might be because the actual colour used is BS381c 361 Light Stone. Seems there'e a lot if duff info out there, see this earlier Britmodeller thread for details. Hope this helps, Mark.