alpine_modeller

First RAF delivery slated for 2019, announced today.

Well, I got the legendary e-mail from Hattons.... I had to pay another 22 quid for a DHL delivery because Royal Mail wouldnt touch it. It still worked out a few quid cheaper than getting it direct from Airfix, and of course I wasnt to know Airfix's delviery was going to be brought forwards by a week anyway. According to DHL mine is now in Austria and I am contented I will have one to unwrap on the 25th, which I wasnt sure was going to be the case with Airfix. I am still saddened that Hattons are pulling out of model sales though.

Uh-oh. I remember them doing that now with my Sea Vixen. *sits by phone* Still buries the prce of getting it from Airfix direct. Hattons could raise their prices a bit, still be competitive AND make a better margin, in my opinion. They are a bit too aggressive, and thats probably what is driving them out.

Cheers mate, not only will I definitely get mine before Crimbo, I also saved myself 30 Euros. I also took the opportunity to tell Hattons to not give up on selling models (feel free to roll your eyes..) You're a gent. :-)

Inspired by this thread, I just picked up 3x Revell 04317 for 30 Euro. Will do an RAF 3 or 11 sqn, Austrian Bundesheer 7L-WA, and probably the Nicholson GN-A with an Xtradecal sheet from Hannants. One question for an expert; the RAF version in Revell 04317 is an F2, I believe. So what do I need to change in external appearance to make it an FGR4, like GN-A was ?? Does any do a Flight 1435 decal sheet ?

He/she did. Its 19/12/2016 on the pre-oder page.

Indeed, Paul. I just noticed and this minute pre-ordered one seeing as this SHOULD mean me getting mine from the bloke with the white beard and his red-nosed reindeer (I live in Austria so this just squeezes into the last day for Europe delivery). This morning I was in a state of despair because I missed the 12 hours they had them again earlier this week, and the nice lady at Hornby said on the phone there was nothing in the computer system about a new delivery. Then it came up about 1100 on the website as 15th Jan 2017. I tried again 20mins ago and noticed the 2nd update of the day. Its my own fault, I spent months procrastinating over a pre-order. Its quite a bit of money and the missus wil be none too chuffed.I have to open the bubbly before the pressies this year... ;-) The reason I reckon this chaos is happening is because the Victor is being made in the UK, so there are not long stock lead times; I guess demand is far outstripping production / packaging and Airfix are now taking them as the come out of the warehouse; no collecting up a volume for shipping. This should be good news for Airfix's business figures and further UK production, I guess; how many people go cold on buying the biggie models because of non-availability and having to wait, and in the meantime higher financial priorities come up ??

I just called Hornby and they said they havent got a clue when the next delivery is. So unless there is a nice pallet sat at the back of their warehouse in Margate with the label "Hattons" on it, you're facing a wait as long as the rest of us, sadly. TBH I find it a bit dopey that they only seem to have had enough to fulfill pre-orders...

They reduced the number of parts primarily by reducing the weapons load-outs possible. Also there is only one decal set. But they have increased the price. If I was desperate to build a 1:72 Revell Typhoon, I would stick with 04317.

Wow, Pyotr Velikiy in Jan 2017. Pity the scale is not 1/350..

My understanding is that the Victor is made in the UK, so hopefully Wonderland, Hannants & co as well as Airfix themselves will just get new consignments straight from the manufacturer before Xmas

Already Out Of Stock at Airfix. grrrrrrr...... I really dont get their pre-Xmas stocking strategy. I ended up with a half-empty Xmas stocking a few years ago because they delayed the Type 45 release.

Hasegawa did a boxing of it. Dont know how easy it is to get. EDIT : Version 09878, none on ebay currently.

Got mine direct too from Tokyo-hobby. Excellent on-line store, about to get a Tamiya 61111 1:48 Lancaster B1 Special from them.

Well, looking at some of the comments on here and on Facebook, it really seems that some are never satisfied. I would have liked a 1:48, but I aint gonna sulk about it like some are. Its clear from the bumpf of the release that Airfix view this as a FAA release. Therefore the main decal option will be 892 NAS. Assuming 3 options, I guess 767 NAS and 43 OR 111 will be the others, But its just a guess. Seems sad and almost underlining one of the saddest moments in UK defence history to witness people more excited about 43 and 111 squadron options. But hey-ho - each to his own... And those wanting an FGR2 should be patient; certainly one will be along before the end of 2018, just like a Shackleton AEW2 is imminent (unless Revell have really made this proposition unattractive, in which case it will be later)

Not quite, I managed to acquire a single example before Geoff_B hoovered them up.

Well chuffed. Its am FG1, so 892 NAS will be in the decals. I guess if we buy enough they will do a 48th, like with the Defiant.

I meant that she is already condemned.

If (and I really mean IF) the withdrawal of Bulwark (Ocean is already GONE) and QE and POW adopting the dual role is the price to be paid to allow both QEs being in service at the same time, it seems to me to be a price worth grudgingly paying because of the F35 capability (if that really takes off). I would prefer that Bulwark is kept in extended readiness to cover QEs refits, to be honest. I am assuming Albion is unaffected.

Yes, you are of course spot-on. A Phantom has more appeal world-wide. But that might mean its not a Spey Phantom. I think the difference is too big to be an on-sprue option.

Can only be a Buccaneer or a Phantom

I just weed myself... That's a thing of beauty... No doubt WJ232 will be among the decal options. Was thinking 1/24 was going to happen, but I can live with this

Agamemnon is Astute-6. Revenge, Vigilant and Venegeance have been used on previous generations of British SSBNs. For me, it has to be carrier or battleship names to stress their capital / strategic nature. When you filter down those that didnt come-a-cropper on their last incarnation, the list is limited. Eagle and Ark Royal would just not be right. Illustrious and Invincible to make a relatively immediate return, perhaps along with Indomitable ??

Seems to me the MOD are going for public attention-grabbing names. Therefore I really think Warspite and Churchill are in with a shout for the following 3 hulls. For me Royal Oak and Hood are too jinxed. An outside chance for Fearless. What about Nelson ? I do hope we dont end up with an HMS Ark Royal SSBN. That would be a totally inappropriate use of the name.

The Victor and Walrus are both UK-manufactured ? Excellent news.