Truro Model Builder

Nice to see something not painted grey. I know, olive drab like most Apaches... On the subject of the engine, a friend of mine who used to be a technician on AAC Apaches tells me that working on a helicopter which combined an engine designed in metric with an airframe designed in Imperial posed a few interesting problems in the workshops. He reckons there will be many sighs of relief at Wattisham with the GE engines.

Time for Kinetic to bring out a range of 1/48 Hawks?

Exciting news for insomniacs: only one more sleep till Christmas.

Well found. It is still on their list.

To the best of my knowledge they were fitted with the Stencel from construction. I've often wondered why British standard colours were specified for the AV-8A. I understand the adoption of the RAF camouflage as it was suitable for Marine operations, but in light of the size of the order and the USMC-specific alterations I have always been surprised that BS colours were used.

I wonder if somebody will do decals for the RNZAF Boeing 757...

A solicitor calls his wealthy art collector client, who also happens to be a member of the House of Lords. "Lord Malcolm, I have some good news, and I have some bad news," he says. "I've had an tough day," Lord Malcolm replies wearily. "Give me the good news first." "I met with Lady Malcolm today, and she informed me that she just invested £50,000 in some pictures that she thinks will soon be worth about £5 million. I've looked at them and I think she could be right." "That's incredible!" Lord Malcolm exclaims. "My wife is a shrewd investor. You've just made my day! Now I can handle the bad news. What is it?" "Well," his solicitor tells him. "The pictures are of you and some rent boys in a hotel room."

When the bear attacked the tent I got it all wrong and played dad instead of dead. Now the bear can ride the bike without stabilisers.

I had to go into B&Q the other day. "Do you have a bleeding valve for a radiator?" I asked the assistant at the service desk. "Not with that attitude, sir."

I have a longstanding girlfriend. The other day I finally had enough and asked her to sit down.

I suspect the only one they worry about is the one on the other side of the Persian Gulf...

I suspect that the Israeli proposal stands little chance due to the possibility of the US exercising a veto again. The Rafale, while they may be a cheaper purchase, may be a more expensive aircraft to operate, so I believe it will end up as a straight fight between Gripen and the F-16V. If so, the US will almost certainly offer a lower price to the Swedes. Whether Croatia goes for it is another matter.

I think the worst bit of 2020 is realising none of the UFO stuff, or indeed any conspiracy theory, can be true. If this year has taught us one thing it's that there is no way the useless idiots in charge could have organised a successful cover up of anything.

Well, the market has been desperately crying out for a new 109. We see so few of them.

Somebody was letting fireworks off at my windows last night. That's bang out of order.

As the burglar entered the darkened room, I put the red dot right between his eyes... ...and then let the cat do the rest.

More like the T-6, Super Tucano or PC-21.

Having opened my C-130 this evening () I can confirm that both types of tail extension are included.

My understanding is that all 66 C-130Ks were delivered in natural metal to Marshall's and painted there. I believe they also fitted some of the British specific equipment, but I'm not sure what exactly.

My favourite childhood memory is falling asleep on the settee and waking up in bed. I really miss teleporting; it never happens to me any more.

First year we've had no trick or treaters on Halloween. Mind you, the wife kept opening the door to them last year.

In the early 1980s, alongside the US Air Force’s European Distribution System Aircraft (EDSA) that led to the supply of Shorts C-23A Sherpas, a requirement was noted for a smaller, fast aircraft that would allow high priority movement of personnel and to enable pilots on ground tours to maintain their flying proficiency; in essence a modern version of the base ‘hack’. After considering transferring T-37 or T-38 aircraft from Flying Training Command, the USAF ordered sixteen Hawk 60 aircraft in April 1983 to fulfil this requirement. Acquired off the shelf, the Hawk was seen as an ideal choice, and a support and maintenance contract was signed with British Aerospace under which the company would provide all depot level maintenance at Dunsfold. Designated T-45B, Hawks were delivered in the standard European One camouflage scheme. 100-Imperial gallon auxiliary fuel tanks were normally carried, while a baggage pod based on the ADEN cannon pod was fitted on the centreline. The first T-45B was handed over to USAFE at RAF Upper Heyford in January 1985, and further single aircraft were based at Aviano, Bentwaters, Bitburg, Hahn, Incirlik, Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Ramstein, Spangdahlem, Torrejon, Woodbridge amd Zweibrucken. With the drawdown of USAFE T-45Bs were officially withdrawn in 1992. They were placed in storage at Dunsfold and sold to Kuwait the following year. ****************************** That's the idea. Let's see how it goes. The kit will be out of the box, with only the addition of a pair of PJ resin pilots. Hank and Frank should be reporting for duty some time this coming week.

'What do you do about pilots' Believe me, plenty have asked, including navigators, engineers, passengers, air traffic controllers, to say nothing of wives and girlfriends...

To be honest I have yet to talk to any Merlin aircrew, whether pingers or junglies, who are not enthusiastic about it. The RAF's loss was definitely the CHF's gain, but the Chinook mafia have always been eager to lay the boot in. I also remember when the EH101 was facing off against the S-92 for the original Marine One replacement Sikorsky were always running it down. There used to be a member on PPRuNe who seemed to treated as a demigod by many, who was forever denigrating it. It's a shame, because it's a fantastic machine and deserves better luck in the export market. But, dare I say it, it's not built in Italy so Leonardo don't seem to be as bothered about it as they are about some of their other products.

Still, at least they can take a good hard look at our world-beating Military Flying Training System (MFTS) and see how NOT to do it.