DocMark

Hi Peter, I'm in Perth and interested in one please. Mark

Must get onto building mine. Had been waiting for the CMK pilot figure shown in the instructions, but it looks like he won't be arriving after all

Just came across this thread, a couple of years ago I used gold leaf to simulate the Kapton insulating foil on one of the Dragon 1/72 Apollo LEM. Was a bit of a faff, but worked well in the end, especially as crinkly and wrinkly was the effect needed.

Some amazing work there. I have one in the stash, would love to think I could finish it to the standard of those. Mark

Have just had a copy of the Vautour IIN "IDF All-Weather Fighter" turn up in the post. First impression on opening the box is that it looks like a pretty good effort by MPM. Recessed panel lines, some internal frame details and generally very neat moulding. Single piece wings which look to have a bit of an airfoil section to them. Transparencies are separately packed in a ziploc bag, not too thick but there is a little bit of distortion looking through it from one side to the other. You get transparencies for both the IIN and the IIB, obviously cheaper to do the mould that way. As I also have a IIB on order I'll have two sets of transparencies and see if there is any difference. The Etch fret is quite nice, there are also films for the instrument panels, seat belts - seats are made up of four IM parts and five etch belts each - and other details including the wing fences. Markings are for four IDF aircraft; one in overall NMF, two in green/brown/sand/blue, one in green/dark blue/light brown/grey. Decals are by Aviaprint CZ. A brief go through of the instructions doesn't reveal any significant problems. Some parts marked 'not for use' obviously for the other variants. Not having references to hand I can't comment on the accuracy of the kit at present, but in its sprue-bound state it looks pretty much like a Vautour and a lot prettier than its namesake! Mark