daryl_five_zero

Gents, once again thankyou so much for the help. The model's future owner won't be too picky if everything isn't absolutely exact, but I will know! Rescue137, thanks for going through the trouble for that pic. I can assure you it will be grubby by the time I've finished weathering it! I've picked up Xtradecal X72157 for the 'D' and 'XZ558' codes, so that's sorted. The best I've found for the 202 sqn crest is on Xtradecal X72156, so I've picked that up... it looks good enough to my eyes, so hopefully that will do the trick! Now to raid the spares box to find some 'volunteers' to stick their feet out of the side door of this model and play Cadets for the day! Thanks all for contributing to the thread, though. I love how this site makes you realize how little you know about aircraft one might claim to have a particular fondness for, and this is certainly the case here! Daryl.

Ah, many thanks, gents! I really appreciate the help. Yeah, I've been looking all evening for any clearer pics, but they seem to be extremely few and far between. You've both saved me a lot of frustration! Daryl.

Evening, all. Just a quick question for any Sea King aficionados on here; I'm in the planning stage of building a 1/72 HAR3 for a friend, and want to depict the cab they got a ride in up in Lossie when they were in Cadets. I've been shown a few very blurry/distant pics, and can only make out that it's a 202 sqn cab, based in Lossie in 2009, and has 'D' on the tail. I can't make out the tail code, though, and my limited googling skills have come up fruitless. This is the cab in question: If anyone can offer any answers, I'd be very grateful! And as a bonus question, does anybody want to hazard a guess as to the easiest way to get decals for this? Xtradecal X72156 contains the 202 sqn crest, but the 'D' and tailcode may be a more troublesome affair. Many thanks in advance for any help that can be offered! Daryl.

(cough) Harrier! (cough) Need I say more? Daryl.

Zvezda also do a Ka-50 in 1:72; I've only heard good things about it. As has already been said, the Zvezda Mi-24 is the only way to go. It's amazing. Daryl.

It's weird it not having a HUD. Doesn't look right. I'm guessing having everything on your visor negates the need for a HUD? Daryl.

Simply stunning. I've never seen a Tiffie in desert camo before, it looks amazing. I'll be picking a copy of AMW up for sure, if only for this build! Daryl.

That F-22 pic is absolutely jaw-dropping. Nice one, Radleigh! Daryl.

This was the boxing I had. The paint scheme almost drove me mad, and it still turned out half as good as yours! Mine was straight OOB so I didn't bother with sand filters. I've got the Italeri MH-47, which might satisfy my Chinook needs for now, but after seeing yours, I definitely need to add another Brit Chinook to the collection! Daryl

Just got the Brit boxing in the post today, and although I usually go for 1/48, I must say I'm very impressed. You can build it as a 4 or 5 point HIDAS cab, and you can build it with either the original TADS housing or the newer M-TADS arrowhead housing. You do only get the newer 3rd MPG in the CPG's pit, so no ORT tube option. The only thing I would say to be mindful of; if you are doing a 5 point HIDAS cab, and use the stub wing mounted MAWS, you will need to sand off the detail on the top of the MAWS housings either side of the fuselage, as these were removed and blanked over. Other than that, the only thing I can see that is missing is the fuse board behind the Pilot's seat. Although I haven't found a kit from anyone yet that includes this, so I guess we can forgive Academy. I'm really looking forward to starting this! Daryl.

Now that's a tidy Chinook! Fantastic job there! I had the Echo Victor boxing (the granby Chinook) Airfix released, and would love to get my hands on another one down the line. You've done it far better justice than I did, though! Daryl.

Just a couple of my better pics from Cosford. Not up to the same standard as some of the more regular contributors here, but you've got to have aspirations, right? Apart from the weather towards the end, and the surprising amount of no-shows (Sea Vixen, Puma, Gnat, P-51 etc.) it was another good show. Was nice to see the Scout/Wasp, and it was great seeing the Gazelles doing their thing. If only the BUFF could be trusted to fly a little lower during it's flypast... Anyhow, hope you enjoy! Daryl.

That's the same cab they sent to Cosford last year. I love how willing the Dutch are to send really cool hardware over here for Air Shows. I studied up in Liverpool and passed up the chance to go and see the Ark Royal when she berthed in the docks a few years back. Really regret not taking the opportunity looking back. Daryl.

Another pic I just found on a Reddit thread. Here's the source. http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/ov-10-broncos-were-sent-to-fight-isis-and-they-kicked-a-1764407068 Daryl.

The regular Hase -D boxing (PT23) will be fine. The Heritage conversion kit is all you need to do an earlier 4-point HIDAS Apache. The Hase JGSDF kit (PT42) is the best way to go if you want to do an up-to-date AAC Apache, as it contains the M-TADS/Arrowhead housing, and the 3rd MPD in place of the ORT in the CPG's pit. The only thing missing is the extra lumps and bumps for the 5-point HIDAS fit.

Top job, Spence; looks like you've earned that pint! Those exhaust stains look spot on. Daryl.

It's a good book. I've read it a couple of times, and it's definitely entertaining. There's a book out by another Wokka driver - 'Immediate Response' - which I preferred. Mainly due to the difference in writing style. Sweating the Metal definitely feels like it was written by a Crab. Immediate Response was written by a Bootie Pilot, so you can imagine it has a few more, shall we say, entertaining anecdotes. A bit less 'pip pip, cheerio' and a bit more down to earth. Both are definitely recommended reading though. I thoroughly enjoyed both.

I've heard this before, but is it specifically X-20, or does X-20A do the job? The trick I heard was that you have to use the enamel thinners, and it eats away at the carrier film, leaving the decal only. Is that about right? Daryl.

I've got it on good info that the RRP will be £69.99.

Happens to be my favourite scheme on an Emil, and you've pulled it off masterfully. No such thing as too much of a good thing, eh? Daryl.

We've had AAC Apache flying off HMS Ocean for quite a while now. Although we're the only ones flying Apache off ships, it can be done. From the list above mentioning the shortcomings of the Tiger in Aus use, the Apache seems to tick all the necessary boxes.

Sadly, the plot thickens. Russian CSAR Helo has been taken down by Syrian rebels. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/621677/Reports-Russian-helicopter-shot-down-while-searching-downed-jets Such a sad day. I'll refrain from airing my own political views, but I think we can all join and spare a thought for the pilots/crew involved in both the Su-24 shootdown, and the downing of the Helo sent to rescue them. Regardless of why they were there, it's horrible to think of those poor guys being gunned down in their silks, and the Helo crew idling helplessly on the ground being taken out by a TOW. RIP. Daryl.

This is the best I've seen the Revell kit looking! You've done a really cracking job on it; the weathering is great, and there's a lot of attention to detail that really pays off. Great photos to do it justice, too. Top job! Daryl.

This is stupendous. Every time I see a post of yours, I know I'm going to be blown away by the realism and detail in the finish, and this is definitely no exception. Absolutely stirling modelling, cracking result Daryl.

Almost at a loss for words - I might be a little biased (I absolutely love the big 'Cat) but this may be the best model I've seen of yours on here. The F-14 definitely lends itself to a heavily-weathered look, and you've taken advantage of that masterfully! Genuinely impressed here. Daryl.