Boman

Very very nice!

Given the May release, the date in the subject header should be updated?

And where did March newsletter go? 🤔 Edit: Simple adjustment of the April link and I found it; leaflet2024-03eng.pdf (eduard.com)

Rumour has it that Academy will release also earcly and late A-10A's. If you look at the fuselage breakdown, you will see that this is implied there aswell.

Thanks Giampiero, that's the CC630 for the Mirage 2000 as used by RoCAF. My question was related to the CC420 for the Mirage F1

Hi, just found this thread, and it contains great info. Anyone know if the CC420 gun pod is available in 1/48?

According to Scramble.nl, they are all in storage since November 2022 https://scramble.nl/database/military/ec#results

Thanks for the link. Too bad they go with vacuum formed turret glazing. That is such a turn-off to be honest.

The Cheyenne turret was retrofitted to many earlier B-17G's, so the staggered waist windows shouldn't be an issue, but need to check the plane number with production details. Would you have a link to Resin2Details please?

I've tried to see from the sprue shots posted, but cannot say for certain - do they include the closed wheels in the IIb release as it may appear from the sprue shot rendition given on the postings so far?

The UAE adaptor and pod is nothing like anything you find on any other jet. In addition it is mounted on the left intake instead of the right one. Hasegawa has released the F-16E in 1/72 scale, so you could lobby if anyone has one to spare? The alternative is to give a hoot about this perticular targeting pod, and instead opt for the AN/ASQ-33 Sniper targeting pod which the UAE has begun using. This will make the build quicker and easier, and contemporary in the process.

The background for the block 40/42 was the need to operate the lantirn system including the navigation - represented in the 2 pods originally seen on these. Originally designated the F-16G. For this they also needed the WAR hud. During the lifetime of the block 40 they also did some design changes which later proved less than stellar, and the solution was to add the reinforcement plates currently seen on the 40/42's. The block 50/52 was intended as the replacement Wild Weasel, purposbuilt to carry the HTS pod on the right inlet station. This was originally known as the F-16J The US congress got mad at LM as they got the impression that LM was selling them the F-16 atleast twice, and to counter this the block 40/42's became the F-16CG/DG, while the block 50/52's became the F-16CJ/DJ. From the outset, they had different missions; the block 40/42 was to carry and dropp precision guided munitions like GBU's, while the 50/52 was to carry the Wild Weasel role after the retirement of the F-4G. In the early 2000, as a follow-on from the MLU program for the F-16A/B, the CCIP program was launched for the block 40/42 and 50/52 fleet, eventually bringing them to the same standard when it comes to the computers and software. Currently both are known as F-16CM/DM, despite each retaining the block specific HUD's. As part of the CCIP program, the block 50/52's received the "birdslicers" in front of the canopy, while only some of the 40/42's have received the same, mainly those serving the ANG. The block 50/52 also has the strengtheners built into the airframe, which is shown by the bulges on the wing root of the jet. This is ofcourse the short version. You can read a lot more on this on www.f-16.net. Per today, the US F-16 fleet has been brought closer to block 40/72 standard, even if this block numbering is not used by the USAF/ANG/AFRC. The block 70/72 brings new radar, new computers, new software and more.

Greece still flies the M2000 with 331sq.

Never seen a Tamiya kit that is unbuildable More a question and a back up plan, as I have the Italeri kit already, and as it has 2 gunpods, while I so far haven't been able to find the gunpod in the preview of the Tamiya kit. Which btw is now highest on my to-buy list