Aesthete

Speaking of the Ki-45, was the gunsight on the special attack version (Kai Tei) of the 53rd Sentai removed or retained? TIA.

...and the 1/72 P-39 previously announced for 01/2013 - are they (hopefully) also still to be produced, or it would now be safe to order RS Models?...

Any news about the P-39 series (1/72) ?..

Thanks to everyone for the reply. My modelling project should be strictly wartime thimble nosed, fin fillet Beau TFX with white SEAC bands, however, it seems, all what we have so far, is this single photo, which doesn’t unfortunately provide enough info for the correct representation on a model… Anyway, trying to summarize this really interesting discussion: - the colour and location of the s/n as depicted on the profile can probably be confirmed; - the lack of the code letter on the operational a/c is possible; - the first 2 digits of the serial are most likely "RD" and the rest is probably not "747"; - all other known pictures show either post-war or ferry a/c or the ones without SEAC white bands. As for the camo TLS vs. TSS: as said, the caption to the same photo in some old issue of “Scale Aircraft Modelling” does suggest the Temperate Sea Scheme. However, the serials on the RD770 or RD 758 SNAKE (I also have the photos of them) reported to be painted in TSS are located under the horizontal tail, while an alternative location could suggest repainting. The only hope could still be some unpublished photos or other material. Otherwise, the only alternative for the wartime late TF X is the Coastal Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky without any other decoration. Too bad as I really like the SEAC roundels and white bands...

Here is so far the only known to me late type thimble-nosed Beaufighter TF Mk. X with extended dorsal fin at least reported to be flown in combat in Burma during WWII. Here is the profile from the book by Militaria: and here is the photo from the old Osprey Aircam series: While the Temperate Land Scheme seems to be plausible in this case (contrary to the caption to the same photo in some old issue of “Scale Aircraft Modelling” suggesting the Temperate Sea Scheme), considering what is actually visible on the photo, the following questions are arising: The serial “RD 747” as such as well as its colo(u)r and location (not under the horizontal tail as it is the case with some Atlantic-based Coastal Command late TF Xs); No individual code letter: how could then be identified, that the a/c belonged to the No. 22 Sqn? Again regarding the absence of the code letter: could an operational a/c (except PR) be flown without it, or the picture must have depicted rather a ferry flight in this case? Were those long-range external tanks ever used during combat missions and, if so, could they be combined with rockets? Well, I realize, it is hardly possible to clarify all these points having only one photo unless there might have been some reliable documents the captions to the photo and the profile are based on?... Any input or any other pictures of such late type SEAC Mk. X are most welcomed. Thanks in advance

This new Mk. IXc seems to be a better starting point even for Mk. VIII. It looks like it would be easier to do the conversions on the tail wheel well and ailerons rather to clean up the Mk. VIII… At least for those who don’t really care about the kit decals, as it is the case with me… However, I wonder, whether we’ll see some more versions of the Mk.IX or maybe (unlikely) even a new VIII of the same quality, as all 3 current releases contain decals only for early tail, while the kit does include the late type rudder as well. Unless it is just a bonus left from the master for the Mk. VIII…

@Jan / AZ : are you planning some more editions of Mk.IXc (in particular with late-type rudder), or maybe even MK.VIII in the same quality as IX? A PR Hurricane II would also be most welcomed…