Nickthebrief

Hi Chris. With the release of the Airfix Anson I have been looking at Fleet Air Arm schemes and love the all yellow EG317, which has brought me back to your long (long!) running FAA build thread. The Xtradecal sheet has this aircraft with the “bubble” nose. Your reference book cover profile clearly shows it with the more “solid” nose as per your build. The Airfix kit only provides the latter. I guess what I’m asking is: can I be sure that Hall, Taylor (and you!) are right and Xtradecal are wrong? (And I suppose I’m being a cheapskate as I could buy the book and see for myself…) I do have the Classic Airframes Annie in the stash somewhere, but would be very annoyed to raid the bubble nose from that only to produce the wrong result! Any info would be very much appreciated. Cheers, Nick.

Nick has info on all the foibles of the Kinnetic Harriers - including the pylons! I'm slowly building my way through an FRS1 and an FA2 (Lord Riot, your build progress puts me to shame...) and a friend kindly forwarded me Nick's guide that should be entitled "everything that's not quite right about the Kinnetic Harriers". The problem is, once you've seen it, you can't "un-see" it and I've ended up trying to correct far more than I would ever have known was wrong...!!! Invaluable info though... (Another) Nick.

Still following with interest. Your painting is superb and the decals look spot on. It certainly looks like a very convincing Vampire trainer to me! Nick.

Three great things about this post... First and most obvious is your beautiful Sea Gladiator. A masterpiece. Second it was great to see your club stand at the recent show at the NEC - I had a very enjoyable chat with Bill talking Sea Harriers and admiring his fine work. And third I do love a Triumph - whether GT6, TR3, TR4 or any other number of their beautiful (if not always totally reliable) cars. So thanks for sharing... Cheers, Nick.

I'm so glad to read your thoughts on the CA Sea Venom - I entirely agree! I loved building mine and it is MY favourite aircraft too! Quirky, uniquely British and, it seems, inaccurate but I honestly don't care. I don't disagree with anyone who says that kits should be accurate (and go together flawlessly) but ultimately, for me, this hobby is about switching off from work and creating something - even if that something is somewhere short of perfection (a long way short in my case...!) Now, I must go and dig out that CA T11... Cheers, Nick.

One of the nicest, best fitting and enjoyable kits I've ever built. I hope you enjoy putting it together as much as I did and thank you for sharing. Nick.

Oh wow! A Sea Fury. The most handsome piston engined aircraft ever made, IMHO. Which means your recreation will be the most handsome model of a piston engined aircraft ever made if your previous masterpieces are anything to go by. I will be following with much interest. Nick.

Surely that should be "in patient" of Mars - or are they letting you out for the odd day now?

Navy Bird is going large! Brilliant. Will follow along with much interest and looking forward to another of your immaculate builds. Bon chance, mon ami. Cheers, Nick.

Ahhh yes, Classic Airframes kits... There was a time when, if you wanted a 1:48 model of quite a wide variety of aircraft, they were the only option. As a Fleet Air Arm fan, I wrestled with their Seahawk, Gannet, Meteor T7 and more recently the Sea Venom and Defiant Target Tug. All of them challenged my modelling abilities, but ultimately resulted in models that I'm really pleased to have built. So I would say "persevere" and, as you are already demonstrating, you will end up with a Canberra to be proud of. I shall be keeping a close eye on progress, as I have the kit in the stash and will be following your lead one day! Cheers, Nick.

Lovely result there Mick - I look forward to seeing it for real on Tuesday. Cheers, Nick.

Looking really good Bill. Interesting to read about the decal solvent needed for the rudder - Skyhawk rudders are a decal-ist’s nightmare, I imagine. I have really enjoyed catching up with another of your immaculate and highly entertaining builds. Proceed! Nick.

Thank you - and great to hear from another Wiltshire modeller. I agree entirely with the bravery point - just to get in and fly one must have been a challenge - to actually go and use it in anger must have been terrifying. Ah the Gannet - another Fairey masterpiece! (Actually I think the Gannet was pretty successful, wasn't it? But again, no looker!) Having built the Classic Airframes one, I'm quite looking forward to seeing what the up-coming Airfix one will be like - and I might break my usual rule and build it with wings folded as the Gannet fold is so unusual... Thank you for the kind comments about the model too... Thank you David. The post war scheme does seem to suit the Barra. And of course any Buccaneer has to be in white, EDSG or a combo of the two to really look "right"....?! Many thanks for the kind comments, Andy. Much appreciated.

Love the Sturgeon. A classic Fleet Air Arm machine - not great looking (I'm being kind, it's ugly), not really doing the job it was intended for, and bags of character as a result! High on my "I wish someone would do one in 1:48 scale" wish list, but sadly I can't see Airfix (or anyone else for that matter) rushing to tool one up... I'm thoroughly enjoying following your progress with this one. I have built the (1:48) Magna Sea Balliol, and the experience was similar to the one you are describing - big lumps of resin, pretty good shapes but "some modelling skills required"... I shall look forward to the next instalment. Cheers, Nick.

Good luck with the rigging Johnny! The crossed wires immediately in front of the forward windscreen are particularly good fun... They are both looking fantastic and you must be very pleased with how they're turning out. Nearly there... Cheers, Nick.