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Nice photos. The snow scene with the Sqn HQ building in the back ground bought back fond memories. I was there from Sep to Dec 88, so we might have overlapped. We changed from 23 Sqn to 1435 Flt during my time down there. I haven't read the Tug Wilson book, I'll have to look out for that one.

I was based at RAF Coltishall for 15 years, 6 of those on 54(F) Sqn, so I have a bit of a soft spot for the Jaguar, and I have to say, that's one of the best 1/72 Jaguars I've ever seen. Well done. Do you have any WiP photos? I'm particularly interested in how you did the flaps and slats.

I was on 11(F) from mid '82 to late '83, and yes, I remember him (how could you forget him!?).

I was on 11 Sqn for 14 months in the early 80's, and don't remember that one, but the Mucky Ducks was commonly used, again due to the 'close formation' of the eagles on the Sqn emblem. In 1988 I spent some time on 1435 Flt Phantoms down the Falklands, and frequently heard them referred to as the 'Twenty-five to Three' Flt. I also spent 6 yrs as Wpns TM on 54 Sqn Jags (best tour of my Service career), and don't recall any nicknames aimed at us at all. I don't think I ever heard the Fighting Newts, as mentioned above. Perhaps it was selective hearing on my part!! Mark R

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?). There was an aluminium closure disc in the rocket motor exhaust. In the second of the two photos above you can make out the long fairing which covered wiring loom connecting the guidance section (front) to the control section (rear). At the front and rear end of this fairing you can just make out the twin dashed lines which were painted around the body of the Red Top. These marked where clamp rings where attached to the missile, for loading and downloading. Also, in the photos above (both carrying live missiles) you can make out the 3" Golden Yellow band (signifying High Explosive) painted around the front of the warhead (behind the front clamp mount markings), and a 3" Mid Brown band (signifying low explosives) painted around the front of rocket motor, just ahead of the wing fairings. The black square you can see just ahead of the fairing is a proximity fuze window. If I remember rightly, there were three of these evenly spaced around the body of the missile. Hope this helps, Mark R