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Also, what's going on with the large panel below the one in question. It looks like a panel locking/opening handle hasn't been closed properly, you can see it's shadow on the airframe. Or is there some kind of aerial or sensor there? Mark R

What a stunner! I've spent a lot of time underneath my C3 Corvette over the recent lockdowns, working on the brake and fuel systems, and I can see the accuracy and detail that you've put into the chassis. Every nut, bolt, cable and pipe looks just right. Also, I had a look at a full size red on red C2 Corvette a few months ago, exactly the same as your model. It's difficult to tell the difference between pictures of your model and the advertising shots of that car. Nice one! Mark R

Hi Martin, Thanks for the info on ratios and airbrush pressures and techniques, just the sort of info to encourage me to get in the shed and try out that Mr Color Clear and Levelling Thinners combo. Who knows, I might even manage a paint job worthy of showing on BM!! Thanks again, Mark

Wow, that clear coat look absolutely stunning, especially considering it's not been polished yet. I can't get anywhere near that even after polishing! I see you are using Mr Color Super Clear III - GX100, can I ask what you use to thin it, and at what ratio? I've recently purchased some Super Clear III and some Mr Colour Leveller Thinner, but haven't tried it yet as I'm unsure what mixing ratio to use. Mark R

Wow, that is really convincing. It was only the giant hand in the last photo that gave the game away, and maybe the 50 gallon drum of Tamiya XF-85! Mark R

I might be wrong here, but didn't the ballast Sparrow also have a blue anodised and riveted on back end as well as the pointy end? Not entirely sure, I worked in the Missile Servicing Flights (MSF) at Wattisham and Leuchars, but on the Red Tops and Firestreaks, not that new-fangled Phantom stuff. Mark R

Hi Gareth, I used to maintain Red Top and Firestreak missiles between 1977 and 1984 at RAF Wattisham and RAF Leuchars, and yes, live Red Tops would have been loaded to QRA aircraft. During that time Red Tops had Dark Green wings and fins, and the rear section of the body (from the fin hubs rearwards) was also dark green. The body tube was a sort of anodized metallic grey colour (dark aluminium?). The four body clamp rings holding the five body sections (Seeker Head, Guidance, Warhead, Rocket Motor, and Control Sections) together were a gold anodized finished (Zinc passivized?).