sandy

The only real difference between the BPK kit (USN early blocks and RAAF) and the MRA.1 (RAF and the Norwegian P-8) is the rear of the engines and the size of the cone at the rear - have a look at photos of early block USN P-8s versus RAF ones (and later USN) and you will see the differences - its very obvious once you see it as this kit is based on the early engines.. I have build this kit and this is a very easy fix that just requires cutting back the cone. Otherwise USN / RAAF / RAF /RNorAF are external identical as all the aircraft come of the same production line as FMS sales which means they are identical to the USN aircraft - the P-8I is the only one that is different as it has a different avionics fit and a MAD boom at the back. There are other omissions in the kit such as the beacon lights on the top of the fuselage, the two large beacon lights just forward of the undercarriage and several GPS antennas on the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit. The kit also has the eyebrow windows moulded into the clear canopy section, these windows have been deleted on P-8. All these are easy additions or deletions. Ps I work very closely with RAF P-8's hence the 'observations' above. Sandy

Spaddad , I did finish the Italian mouse version but I've no idea where it is and I cant find any photos unfortunately. I suspect the local kids have it along with the subject of this thread - I only have so much storage space !! lol Sandy

This is a blast from the past guys !! Forgotten about this one , think the local kids have it know , if I remember rightly its the 1/48 hasegawa kit. Sandy

I`m wondering if anyone can clear up some confusion I`ve got. I tried the net with no luck and all my ref books are 400 miles away so I`m a bit stuck at the mo. What I`m trying to find out is the difference between P-51D -5, P51D-10, P-51D-15 , P-51D-20 and P-51D-25. I`ve figured out the that the D-5 didn`t have the tail fillet ( or it was retro fitted later) but i can`t figure out ( or find out ) the difference between the others. Basically I`m looking at doing a D-15 but the Tamiya kit only covers a D-5, a D-10 and a D-25 so I`m trying to figure out what parts i need from each variants to get the one I want. Thanks in advance for any info Sandy

17 years service, ops over Iraq and Afghanistan and several other places and now looks like I`m about to get the sack - and i voted for Cameron - I`m not bitter honest !!!!!!! Sandy

Hi Nick , the build was done for Geoff Coughlin's online subscription modelling magazine www.scalemodellingnow.com It you put that in the search engine it should take you to the site. The actually finished build review has 100+ pictures and 5000+ words. The first part is available to subscription members now and the whole article should be available in the very near future. The site explains the magazine in a lot more detail than I can here. I hope this explains "SMN". Regards Sandy

Hi Guys , to answer a couple of questions that were posed: The kit is by a new Japanese Manufacturer called Zoukeimura (put the name into a search engine to find them) and is only their second kit , the first was a Shinden and the next one for the new year is a Skyraider - all are 1/32. Without going to deep into it as it was built for review (over 100 pics and 5000 words!!) the kit is pretty good, not quite a Tamiya Spitfire ( but was is !!) but definately up to hasegawa standard which is impressive seeing as this is only the second kit they`ve produced. There are no major issuses but i personally found the coloured sprues a little gimmicky and it was over engineered in areas ( reminded me of the Eduard FW190A series) - biggest issue though is the price as it pretty steep and there is no UK distibutor at present plus C&E/ post office will want there slice. The figure is by Ultracast and I got it from Sprue Brothers in the US as they were the only people with them in stock. Ultracast make a range of these figures in 1/32 and alot are also available through Relish models - the molding on them is stunning and they just bring a kit to life. Hope that answers everything, Sandy

Hi Gents ,I know this is for a review (SMN) and the number of shots I can show are limited but seeing as no one else has posted a complete one yet here`s a couple of pics. Sandy

Hi there , any chance of the Nimrod 40th anniversary scheme , I heard mutterings that you were looking at it but haven`t seen anything , Cheers Sandy

Gents ,firstly thanks for all the comments but alot of the credit needs to go to the kit and aftermarket bits I used - they were all quality products . I will sort the RAAF in the title , really must read my reference material properly . Can't go into the build detail here to much as it is a future review for SMN but I used alot of the barracuda bits ( interior, engine rocker covers and seat) , Montez masks and hobbydecal dry stencils ( all the main markings are masked and sprayed and as said the stencils are dry transfers - there isn't a decal on the kit) and alot of scratch building round the engine. Sandy

Hi all , haven`t posted for a while but thought I`d share this with you. Its the Tamiya 1/32nd MkVIII with alot of extras. Just the 4 photos I`m afraid as it`s been done for review for SMN and should be in it in the next couple of weeks. Top kit , can`t fault it. Sandy

Yes it was at Perth along with another which was very nicely done aswell . Thought they looked pretty cool together. Sandy

Yes , the kit was built straight from the box, the only things I added were some supports for the drop tank - otherwise everything you need is in the box Sandy

Oops sorry, wasn`t meant , just getting it posted before going to bed !! Do like your `all buttoned` up though , easy option was to leave it all open as there was no possible fit issues - I therefore took the easy option out !!! Sandy

Just a couple of pics of my latest build as its for review in scalemadellingnow.com. The kit is pretty damn good. A testament to this is I had a time line to do it in as I`ve other things to do so it was done from start to finish in 8 days ( well a couple of hours most evenings over an 8 day period) !! There will be a full build guide on the afore mentioned site in a week or so with 80+ pics and alot of words !! Sandy