Phil

Orac is an odd name to choose.

Waiting for a G....

Well yes, it's a good start. I actually posted in another thread, but will copy it here - Marcus' comments are generally correct by the way. Looking at the CAD drawings the following points stand out as needing attention/adding: Outboard weapon pylons. Smoke marker dispensers on rear fuselage AN/ALE-47 CMDS dispensers on rear fuselage. FLIR in LH Nose door. ESM antennae on nose doors and tail. Different Flotation pack fairing either side of the nose and different MLG Fairings. Looking at the CAD Drawings, it isn't showing inboard pylons and AUX tanks, but that might just be the drawings as these were even fitted to the Fs. Decklock HF Aerial running down LH side of rear fuselage. Different rear cabin layout and LH cargo door might be different too. Winch boom on canted bulkhead. So, quite a bit, but at least you don't need to scratch build the G model engines and main rotor blades like you would if starting with the Matchbox F kit. Oh yes, and rivets! The Seasprite is covered with raised rivets, they really are quite obvious.

Outboard weapon pylons. Smoke marker dispensers on rear fuselage AN/ALE-47 CMDS dispensers on rear fuselage. FLIR in LH Nose door. ESM antennae on nose doors and tail. Different Flotation pack fairing either side of the nose and different MLG Fairings. Looking at the CAD Drawings, it isn't showing inboard pylons and AUX tanks, but that might just be the drawings as these were even fitted to the Fs. Decklock HF Aerial running down LH side of rear fuselage. Different rear cabin layout and LH cargo door might be different too. So, quite a bit, but at least you don't need to scratch build the G model engines and main rotor blades like you would if starting with the Matchbox F kit.

That looks like a much better starting point for an SH-2G(NZ) or (I) than the old matchbox F.

Yeah the Manawatu isn't exactly renowned for its beaches.

I used to tip them into an old rotting tree stump in the garden. Unless we all get together and stand around the container, I don't think so.

Although I'm currently living in Auckland, I used to live in Feilding and own a house there.

56 was still pre Kahu in 1987 when painted in the gold anniversary scheme. Technically it was still a G model, being one of the ex RAN aircraft purchased in 1984. You wont need to update it to Kahu standard for this scheme.

They evaporate pretty fast, you could simply let them.

Me too. And on Monday I'll be back to fixing Sprites, but only because they pay me.

The black markings are not 'low viz' they are 14 SQN Markings, while the red and yellow markings are 75 SQN markings. Both are 'Hi Viz' (as apparent by the roundels), they are just different Squadrons.

Are your question mark and exclamation mark keys a bit sticky or something?

I used to have MEK, now I use Tamiya extra thin.

Looks fantastic. We had HMS Richmond exercising with us in the South China sea as part of Bersama Sheild 11. We had her Merlin come hover alongside to conduct a HIFR (Helicopter In Flight Refuelling, basically a refuel where the helo hovers alongside the ship while under way and winches up the fuel hose. Kind of like a RAS, but with a helicopter) and she was berthed at Sembawang just down from my ship, HMNZS Te Mana.