Truro Model Builder

What about a 1/24 Hawk? A Red Arrows boxing with paints etc would earn the money back before you even had to think about other boxings.

It will buff out.

I shall be there all weekend, lurking on the IPMS West Cornwall stand or wandering around the halls with a bemused, glazed expression (no change there, then). Probably dribbling as well, hoping for some kind soul to take me by the arm and put me somewhere where I can't get into trouble. At Telford? Fat chance...

I hope we stick with the Wedgetail name. Atlas is a superb name for an airlifter, but I'm not so sure about Voyager, and as for Airseeker...

Yes there are, but with the intention of forming a cadre of Wedgetail-experienced personnel rather than the normal exchange programme, much the same as the Seedcorn project to maintain experience in the maritime role. The RAF are planning in advance for the Wedgetail, as the original media article suggested. And as much as I am loathe to see more work for Boeing, in this case I do not see any alternative that will be available in time and without forking out for development costs. Or will Saab and Airbus pay for the integration costs on the A330 or A320 themselves? Wedgetail works and is proven.

Replacing some of the early ZA-serialled Chinooks has been mooted for a while, unsurprisingly seeing as they were originally built in 1981-ish. Perhaps Bravo November will have its well earned rest in the North West London home for Retired Aeroplanes and Helicopters after all.

Now that's my type of lunacy.

There is some wonderful stuff at Wroughton. Sadly the Science Museum has not opened the collection there for a number of years and does not appear to have any plans to do so. Anyway, back on subject.

There is an excellent article on the Airacobra in RAF service in volume 6 of the International Air Power Review. None of the photos show drop tanks fitted, though there is also one of an Airacobra I, BW114, being evaluated by the RAAF at Laverton with a tank under the centreline. It may have later gone to the USAAF in the Far East along with other Airacobras intended for the RAF. After a less than glittering evaluation by the Air Fighting Development Unit, the type being described as "utterly useless", No.601 Squadron started to receive Airacobras in August 1941, trading in its Hurricanes at Duxford. A detachment was made operational at Manston from 6-11 October, during which time three operations were flown on 9th, 10th and 11th, with a total of eight individual sorties -five rhubarbs and the other three as escort for some Hurricanes on reconnaissance. Only three of the former aircraft fired their guns against enemy targets. In the end, a combination of poor serviceability, bad weather, unfamiliar handling techniques and mediocre performance marked the Airacobra's period of service and No.601 re-equipped with Spitfire Vs in March 1942.

Nice shots. The contrast between the KC-10 and the Cessna reminds me of a favourite story I once read, in which a Cherokee was holding for a cargo DC-8 to land at an airport somewhere in the US. The DC-8 made a somewhat heavy landing, after which the controller gave the Cherokee permission to take off. A cocky comment came from the DC-8, along the lines of "cute little aeroplane? Did you build it yourself?" "Yes," came the reply. "And if you land like that again I'll have enough parts to make another one."

Ah, but is that just what they WANT you to think?

And no doubt somebody will be straight along with, "Is it just me or is the nose not quite right?".

I wonder if he managed to avoid getting his camera caught in the flying controls? Nice retro Tucano, by the way.

It is one of those 'did-they-didn't-they' subjects. My own view, as with other such colour controversies, is to accept that they did until definitive evidence to prove otherwise comes along.

At least one was operated alongside Austers by the Army-staffed No.1903 AOP Flight in Korea with RAF roundels.