vildebeest

Modeldecal set 106 says 30" for the Fury Paul

The article in Aeroplane Monthly, April 1995 says that on outbreak of war, six Mk.IIs were still in service, all in the Far East. The main change is that the Mk.I and II's were had two crew, the Mk III had the additional crew member between the pilot and the gunner. Some, though apparently not all, MkI and IIs also had a slightly enlarged rudder and small ventral fin. I also have a vague recollection that there is some small change to do with the horizontal tail surfaces, but I cannot remember and cannot find reference anywhere. Somebody on this forum - apologies, I have forgotten who - established fairly convincingly that the gun mounting on the Mk.III was not the Scarff ring as on the earlier marks. However, I believe the SH kit has the Scarff ring for the Mk.III, so that is not a change you will have to make. Paul

The exact wording of Goulding is "The wing planform of K5083 differed from the subsequent Hurricane wing in having a straight front spar and consequently less leading edge sweep back and considerably more forward taper on the trailing edge. IT is very likely that the change of planform for production aircraft was because of the change to eight Browning guns, the weight of which would have moved the centre of gravity too far forward." No sources are cited . Paul

He's been a bit diverted on to other projects and as he is at uni, only progress during holidays. He has got on to planking now, which he is not finding too difficult but still has to tackle the really bent bits around the stern. He is having fun learning new skills. I am really glad I followed the advice on here though and did not go for anything more complex. When he first opened it at Christmas, I think he was slightly disappointed it wasn't something bigger, but when he opened the box and saw what was involved he fully appreciated why he had to start with a cutter. That and being told that this was based on the combined wise heads of BM! Paul.

There is also some detailed treatment and pictures in Manchester, The Legend Behind the Lancaster What is clear from that is that there were two different systems. The first is the accelerated take off system, This was abandoned in late 1939 before any tests had been carried out. There are no photos of this, presumably because there were no tests. The second is that shown in MA's photo and the description by modeldoc. This was referred to as a "frictionless take-off device". where the main wheels are attached to a trolley which runs along a long track, the tail being held up as shown in the photo. The idea was that the friction between the track and the trolley was minimised. Additionally, the aircraft could be held in the trolley at an angle so that it always took off into wind. Although it is not clear, the author's view is that this was not designed as a catapult as such, that is no external power source. Paul

As Rich says, it was fueled for launching twice but never launched, then ditched as a fire hazard after splinter damage. Paul

Kirby, Avro Manchester, gives L7313 - EM-C - F/O HV Matthews, 6 crew, 1 survivor, target Hamburg Shot down by Ju88 intruder, pilot Oblt H Hahn 1/NJG2. Crashed at Whisby, near Lincoln. Paul

Indeed. Friedman, British Carrier Aviation states "It seems likely that the Swordfish was ultimately chosen over the [Shark - the text actually says Seal but in context it must be a typo for Shark] primarily because Blackburn's limited production capacity was needed for Skuas". Paul

I do not know the answer, but my Dad did his national service as an engine fitter on 617 around 1954. Years ago, I made him a model of one of the planes he serviced. One of his comments were that the bombs were wrong - I had used the ones from the original Airfix 1/72 kit, apparently they were only coming in just before he left, up till then they were using WW2 stock - no problem, I will just close the bomb doors. No leave them open, that reminds me of how they used to sit at dispersal. Unfortunately, he is no longer around to ask, but it is clear that this was a thing from the start. Paul

I have had a look at the various suggestions and it's now clear to me that, as you all said, he mustn't overreach himself on the first one. Thanks to Nigel's suggestion, HM Cutter Sherbourne will be under the tree on Christmas day, Paul

Two Chinooks circling Newcastle city centre at the moment. Paul

Many thanks for the suggestions everybody. I have been away the last couple of days but will follow up on your ideas an come back if I have any further questions. Paul

Does anybody know about these? I mainly model 1/72 aircraft so am totally ignorant, but am looking to get one for son for Christmas. The type of thing I think I am looking at judged on what I see online are ones made by, say, Dusek Son is 19 and has some woodworking skills but not something like this. He would like, I think, something that tests his woodworking skills and he is keen to have a go at rigging (though not 1/72 biplanes!) which is why I have put it in this section but will not have time or inclination to do details like a complex painted stern or a hundred gun ports. I have had a look on line but find it difficult to get a feel for what is actually involved. Any thoughts? In particular: (1) any brands which are recommended or to be avoided? (2) what distinguishes a model which on websites is rated beginner from one which is rated medium or advanced. With the likes of Airfix, it often just depends on the number of parts, but here would it involve additional skills? Particularly with rigging, are there more complex forms of doing rigging as opposed to just more of it? (3) what tools are needed - assuming we already have a fair range of tools for plastic modelling, what else is required? What glues are used? Many thanks for any help you can give. Paul

Modeling-wise, Heller Dragon Rapide, freshly brush painted silver. Silver, of course, especially when fresh, is fairly delicate and can easily be damaged by fingers, solvents and various other hazards. So let's brush on a coat of Clear to protect it and job done. Clear is a clear liquid (the clue is in the name) which comes in a clear plastic bottle. The problem is that white spirit is a clear liquid which comes in a clear plastic bottle........ Paul

If you are looking at Valentias in India, there is a photo and profile based on the photo in Scale Aircraft Modelling February 1994 captioned, "Valentia bomber-transports of 216 Squadron taken over by No 31 Squadron in 1942 were like K3163 in dark earth and light stone. Some of the Valentias remained in aluminium doped finish." The photo shows deeply contrasting shades on the upper surfaces, but I am not going to hazard a guess at what they are, but the undersides are clearly visible and a light colour, definitely not black and roundel on undersurface is visible. Paul

I used (90's) to work in London in an office that backed onto Smithfield meat market where there were early openers. Odd experience, do an all night meeting, go into the pub at 6am in a suit, surrounded by meat porters with bloody aprons. Paul

I have seen Humbrol 25 quoted as a good match for bright blue. I used it on an Airfix Swordfish and it was a very good match for the bright blue on the decal sheet. Paul

And its famous sequel, At the Bottom of the Cliff, by Eileen Dover

Desert Journeys, by Mustafa Kamel

There have been threads on BM, e.g. the one below, which not only has a build with corrections but also links to various other builds. Paul

If you look on the second page of that link, you will see various resin sets to up date the kit. It then comes down to what is relevant for the model you are going to build - all are relevant to some extent - and what you can live without if you don't have unlimited funds - they were all available at Hannants last time I looked but come to over £100 if you go for them all. I am not aware of any upgrade sets apart from these and I have been keeping a watch for some time now. Paul

Yes, I have a Merlin Wapiti, it comes out every five years or so and then goes back. As that review says, the plastic on the fuselage is flaky, and the thought of having to deal with that just makes me think that if I really, really need a Wapiti, converting a Frog Wallace will be easier. I couldn't say how bad the rest is, I have never had enough enthusiasm to check. Paul

As Paul says, Xtracolor doped natural fabric is a good colour but has been out of stock at Hannants for at least six months now. I too feel H74 is too yellow, I have seen H103 suggested as a better alternative. I have not tried it yet, but if the Xtracolor does not come back into stock soon, I will give it a go. Paul

I brush Humbrol matt coat too. My experience is that the key is that it needs a lot of mixing to get a flat surface, you will get a sheen if you do not mix sufficiently. If you do mix, one coat may be enough, two coats will give a very matt finish, though you have to give the first coat plenty of time to dry properly if brushing. Paul

Not directly relevant to the VAT issue, but recently sent a parcel to our son who is student in Germany. Pre-31 December, these took about a week to arrive. There should be no VAT issue as all second hand goods for personal use. Arrived at customs in Germany on 3 February, cleared customs 20 March, so over six weeks in customs, still waiting for delivery. Paul