Boman

With service introduction ~2020 the last of the existing P-3 Orions will have ~4 yrs service even after the recent updates. The aircraft will most likely be stored at AMARG when retired except for that/those few airframes reserved for museums and/or gate guard.

In short, that the Norwegian Government has secretly signed an Letter of Intent with the US to buy 4 off P-8 Poseidons, with estimated service introduction around 2020. It is expected to gain broad support among all the parties in the Parlament when the new defence spending plan is to be agreed this fall. Value of the agreement is ~11 Billion NOK (~1,25 Billion USD) Edit 12.08.16: Improved translation

https://www.nrk.no/norge/_-regjeringen-kjoper-etterretningsfly-til-11-milliarder-1.13082919 A bit strange that this hasn't(?) been prosessed through the Parlament (Stortinget)? One would think that an investment of this magnitude would have a broader political process?

Spitfires are nice

The 212 and 412 are very similar, so possibly a mix-up by the BBC?

The RAF have 412's - these are the ones that once made up the Belize flight, returned to the UK from Belize some 5ish years ago. Fully owned by RAF - no civilian contractors

Nice! Always loved the 352FG Bluenosers

Some sources here; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lockheed_F-104_Starfighter_operators#.C2.A0Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Netherlands_Air_Force#Cold_War_era.2C_1960s.2C_1970s_and_later RNoAF stopped using the F-104 in 1982 BAF stopped using the F-104 in 1983 RNLAF stopped using the F-104 in 1984 RCAF stopped using the F-104 in 1986, however I believe they were gone from Europe well before this time as the first CF-18 went to the units in Europe after introduction in 1982. RDanAF stopped using the F-104 in 1986 (Esk 730)

Belgium and the Netherlands like Norway and Denmark retired the F-104 with the introduction of the F-16 in the early 80's.

By 84-85, Italy, Turkey, Germany, Canada and Greece was still flying the F-104. Of these, Canada and Germany are closest geographically, although Italy can be a good bet too. Checking the Scramble link above, both Alconbury and Bentwaters shows in 1985 were visited by MFG2 of the Germany Navy.

It's been loong since I saw the D available on Ebay. I recommend to use a "normal" D, then add the decals from the C - should work quite well.

You can occationally find it on Ebay, however the F-16C is more readily available than the F-16D (in 1/48)

Damn, that old Airfix Mustang brings back memories Nice builds!

Very nice!

It would have been single-rail Mavericks. Triple rail Mavericks were out of use by this time, or relagated to training stateside, mainly due to drag issues.

Nice!

Nice!

Very nice!

Yes, and more so

Fantastic - thank you very much

Thanks - single color it is then

Hi Did this perticular Harrier carry a single color scheme during its service with 1sq during the final period before retirement in 2010? Or did it carry the "normal" 2-tone? Thanks

Is it just me, the angle of the photos or is the kit actually a bit short in overall length?

Nice pics Interesting to see the F/A-18F from VFA-211 without the WSO

This is a bit of an ironi, as for a while back, modellers were screaming for the possibility to model engines, covers and others straight from the basic kit. Kinetic along with other manufacturers met this requirement. But what happens then? Yes, people start complaining about too many panels, options, ill fitting inserts. Kinetic's F-5A/B's are still the best ones on the market, just like AFV has the best F-5E/F's on the market. Both manufacturers follow the same philosofy with inserts, modular molds and the like - and both still rank as the best for each their kits. Looking forward to being bit by the F-5 bug again - it has been a while since I completed by RNoAF RF-5A