David Womby

Here's a pic of mine if it helps. Mind you, mine's in flight so I filled the blow-in doors but the intake lips slope slightly - top edge of intake is further ahead than lower edge. in construction David W.

I have a few questions about Rhodesian Air Force weapons during the UDI period. I found this quote: "The Air Force ......sponsored the production of a singularly lethal range of aircraft weapons - the Frantan, Alpha and Golf bombs and the under-used flechette" and these photos on the web. 1. I think this photo shows a FRANTAN (a locally made napalm bomb). I labelled it A. Am I correct? 2. Does anybody have more info or a photos of the ALPHA or GOLF bombs, please? 3. What was the 'flechette'? 4. What is the rocket pod that I labelled B in the above photo? It looks like it has 5 or 6 unguided rockets in it. Is there a source for one in 1/72? It was also carried by their SAIA-Marchetti SF 260 Genet aircraft. 5. The second photo (below) shows a locally made addition to the Canberra (this one is a T4) - rocket rails below the nose. How many rails are there - 2, 3 or 4? What would be carried there? One RAF WW2 HVAR type rocket per rail? Thnaks for all and any help! David W.

I've been pondering this for a while too, Julien. It's based on Bomdardier Global Express which is a development of their Challenger or Regional jet but significantly different. If you can live with 1/100, there's a snap together Gloabal Express from Modelcraft in Canada. If you want 1/72 or 1/144 - you're out of luck without major scratchbuilding or adapting of an existing RJ kit - the wing is VERY different. Another thought is getting one of those Philipines mahogany wood models made in suitable scale but that's probably pricey and the accuracy may disappoint - there are some available on eBay but the scales aren't standard. Please let me know if you come up with something else. David W.

Please share the marking details. I have never seen a pic of this aircraft although it has always intrigued me since I read Paul Brickhill's book. Was it a P-51B or D? David W.

Looks really good. What paints did you use? David W

Thanks but I already own several Airfix S2 and NA39 kits, already have the Aeroclub seats and all the decals I need and I wouldn't bother with the etch set - so that's £23 I wouldn't need to spend going that route. That, coupled with the need to actually build stuff in the stash is why I will manfully resist buying the CMK kit and try building a hybrid. So, you vote for Airfix kit as basis - Mbox nose? David W.

Ok - I have a question. I know the Czech Resins one is best by far. I know the SAM upgrade kit is available to improve the Airfix but my question is what bits of the 3 injecton moulded kits (Mbox, Frog, Airfix) would combine to make the most accurate Buccaneer S2? I have multiples of all three and really don't want to buy more stuff. I like the Mbox shape best I think and can easily fill the trenches but would replace its wings with those from Frog or Airfix (Mbox has no vortex generators). But I would value other opinions - what's best kit to use as a basic starting point, which nose to use, which fin, which fin bullet, which tailplanes, which wings, etc. Thanks David W

Thank you. I had wanted that decal sheet for years. I won the auction for 99 pence! I greatly appreciate the pointer. David W.

Phil Wonderful work but I'm burning with curiosity about the Phantom below your signature. Is it a 56 squadron bird 'zapped' by 5 squadron? I can't make it out. Can we have a bigger pic of it, please and is it based on a real event? David W.

Thanks - I was having exactly the same thoughts after your original post. I was thinking I might be able to make a 56 or 263 squadron F.IV using that sheet and chopping bits of serials together. By the way - lovely job on your F.IV. How did you do the airbrakes - I was going to photocopy them onto clear decal. David

Practically all my reference materials, paints, decals etc are in storage but I am trying to do a weekend build in a week or so of a Novo re-issued Frog Meteor IV with what I have. I do not want to go buy tons of paints and decals sheets. So - I have glue, putty, sandpapers, a spray can of silver enamel, two brushes, acrylic black, white, red, blue, grey and brown. What I do not have is useable decals!!! I would prefer to make an RAF machine with colourful markings. I would happily have made this as the RAF 263 Sqdn machine that Frog offered but this one from Novo either had no decals or they got lost. So I have nothing - no roundels, no codes, no squadron markings. Apart from finding a useable Frog set of decals (anybody got a spare set?), what other aftermarket decals are readily available that I could adapt to meet my needs, please? Thanks for any suggestions David W. (in San Francisco)

From the front to the wing leading edge - yes, although the exhausts would need changing. From the leading edge back - I'm not sure. IIRC, the DB and Paragon engines for Lincoln are just from front to leading edge and use the Lancaster nacelles from there back. So: Shackleton engines and cowlings grafted onto Lancaster nacelles? I hope that helps. David W.

Gary, as far as I can tell the Airfix kit has a couple of failings - the length is right but the wings are too far back. The plug in the SAM resin set lengthens the rear fuselage and makes the overall plane look better but there should really be a corresponding shortening of the fuselage ahead of the wings - tough to do. The intakes are also too deep where they join the fuselage. That said - it makes up to look like a pretty good Hunter to my aging eyes. You are right about the tailpipe - basically the F5 and earlier had a more noticeable upsweep to the lower rear fusleage - depending on how precise you are, sanding the area to shape will probably be enough although I have toyed with the idea of trying the rear rusleage from an old Frog/Novo F1 kit on an Airfix or Revell Hunter. David W.

Thanks, Mike. Seems a pretty active forum you have here. David W.

Merv, Not quite - the F3 has a longer REAR fuselage too. Only the F2 had the same rear fuselage as the GR or IDS versions. David W.