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Mountain goat

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Everything posted by Mountain goat

  1. Mountain goat
    Hi Buccaneer XV337 was an S.2C version and after FAA service joined A&AEE at Boscombe Down until June 1984. There are several pictures to be found on the 'net of this particular period Buccaneer, quite a few of which shot during its appearance at the IAT 1977, and the one above by Mike Freer dated September 1983, although I'm almost sure the date might be incorrect. 🙂 However the airframe (ground instruction post 1984) was later noted at Abingdon in wrap-around scheme. Can anyone please shed some light on Buccaneer XV337's later colour scheme, as worn towards the end of its operational life? Did it ever carry the belly tank? Jay
  2. Mountain goat
    Great space saving solution: Jay
  3. Mountain goat
    Thanks for the clarification. Jay
  4. Mountain goat
    The Facebook statement says the release date has been postponed from early October to mid October. So only a couple of weeks delay? Jay
  5. Mountain goat
    Hear hear; I hope Airfix is reading this! Jay
  6. Mountain goat
    Wasn't the Wooster snap-fit model line of days long gone mostly in 1/250? Wide-bodies anyway. I'm thinking KP's announcement could be interpreted as a move towards desktop models like Wooster's, only without markings so presumably cheap... er? Jay
  7. Mountain goat
    Yes. This was confirmed earlier in this thread but am having technical difficulties so I can't find the post just now. Raised Monogram panel lines are visible in the Revell photos and on hannants. Monogram's kit looks more like an F-111 to me, compared to the Esci so no complaints from me. Jay Edit: just saw the replies above, not intended to come off as arrogant, sorry.
  8. Mountain goat
    Toilet rolls indeed. Though after the worldwide toilet roll panic and having all seen how it exposed the worst in some people (hoarding ridiculous amounts) - this news about Tamiya doesn't sit well with me at all. Toilet rolls are back in stock now. Tamiya's is probably just a relatively small and temporary hitch in production. Jay
  9. Mountain goat
    Looks like the Phantom is on track for an on-time release in August, as per Finemold's announcement. When was the last time something like that happened..? Especially considering the thick soot bellowed out of the real ones (ergo everything should be sooty black)... Jay
  10. Mountain goat
    Theoretically perhaps, but I don't think it will happen. The complex fuselage differences alone mean it would be effectively a new kit. But never say never. Jay
  11. Mountain goat
    But I do wonder what their performance and reputation is in Japan itself. Are the shelves in shops full of Hase boxes that can't be sold, or are sales healthy? In the latter case, we might see the current trend continue and new aviation subjects might one day dry up entirely... and yet... If solely measured by HobbyLinkJapan's availability of Hase kits, then it would seem the monthly glut of Special Editions usually get sold out rather quickly. But that's admittedly more of a worldwide market. No idea what the home market as a whole looks like. Yet their recent 1/72 Emily flying boat and F-35 projects would have been sizable investments... they can't have given up aviation subjects entirely. Perhaps their current motto stresses the importance of diversification. I guess what I'm saying is: Hase's monthly release schedule would be more tolerable if we'd understand what their strategy is - what's on their office whiteboards... 🙂 Jay
  12. Mountain goat
    Can someone tell me whether Hasegawa is doing well financially? Is its reputation in Japan solid or changing for the better/ worse? The answers to these questions may perhaps give some insight into Hase's future strategy. Jay
  13. Mountain goat
    Now we're talkin' Clearprop! This manufacturer manages to keep me on the edge of the seat. Well done! The RV/ KP and Art kits never quite grabbed my attention, but having seen Clearprop's products thus far - this promises to be a stunner! Jay
  14. Mountain goat
    This actual thread contains multiple discussions about the removed parts in the T.11 (they are cut away, not gated off). Therefore when I bought one a year ago, I had hoped it would contain B2 or T4 parts, but I was prepared to indeed find empty spaces where the parts once were. Where I live almost two T11s can be had for the price of one S&M kit, so the latter wasn't ever a realistic option. Missing the T4 parts I'll use a B-57 nose from an Italeri kit I got dirt cheap at a modelling event. Point is, the kit's pitfalls were already very well known and discussed in this thread. Jay
  15. Mountain goat
    I'm not at all sure. At least a hop over to a site like Scalemodels.ru suggests nothing of the sort, instead I see no discernible bias at all against USAF subjects over there, as much as there's no bias against VVS subjects on English language forums. From what I've seen the C-130 is discussed with enthusiasm. I could also offer anecdotal arguments but I'll leave it at that. Jay
  16. Mountain goat
    I have no doubt they already have most designs for the moulds ready for the basic differences between versions, that is long nose, short nose, slatted and non-slatted wings and stabs, etcetera. The breakdown in parts suggest that they have thought out all the steps necessary for bringing out the entire range. Sure the moulds aren't there yet obviously, but methinks it's only a question of time. I get your point. Still I'll put my money on a Phantom Phamily appearing in due course. Of course they won't do everything at once, but in succession. Though regarding funds: I would think that their income thus far (ie. from their current popular kits) have created the means for this investment. When they decided to go for it, FineMolds must have had the sense this would be their largest project to date. That suggests planning way back - and the parts breakdown suggest a larger plan. I don't know for sure and am perhaps wrong, but it would be plausible to assume they went into this for the long-term investment and as large a market share as possible. As for Japan, one would think lots of versions appeal to that market apart from the EJ - the RF-4E for starters. But also Atsugi, Iwakuni, Yokota and Kadena were swarming with US ones back in the day. Anyway I see USN and USMC Phantom models often enough on Japanese blogs. Not saying all this because I want it to be true (these new kits won't be replacing my Hasegawa stash after all) but because I genuinely see reason for optimism. Jay
  17. Mountain goat
    The first of this line of hopefully glorious Phantoms isn't out yet I know - but I'm hoping FineMolds won't forget to include an F-4F in its Phamily at some point in the near future. My bet is: they have already. Jay
  18. Mountain goat
    Thankfully, Brengun's correction set solves the engine problem though admittedly it should have been correct in the kit. Despite Italeri's shape issues (engines, fuselage kink, slightly 'off' windscreen profile, flat profile at the base of the fin and I forget what else) I will definitely keep mine as they will build into nice replicas regardless (this one for example), especially so with the necessary aftermarket bits. Additionally, when finished in dark tones (say the USAF Euro I camouflage or the green/ black one worn by the MC-130E in the 70s), most of the kit's imperfections will be even less conspicuous. (Haven't mentioned the raised panels but that's another subject IMO.) Anyway, looking at the latest info here, there's no question the Zvezda kit will be highly sought after. Jay
  19. Mountain goat
    This looks serious. Jay
  20. Mountain goat
    Hi Still having no access to books I realised Akira Watanabe, who I regard as a consistently safe and dependable source of knowledge regarding modern Japanese military aviation, and whose website is very accessible for non-Japanese speakers, explains the difference between RF-4E and RF-4EJ succinctly. If still in doubt, there's also flyteam's concise fact sheet and photos of the 15 individual RF-4EJs. Jay
  21. Mountain goat
    I'm a bit confused as I had always thought Japanese Phantom types were very well documented. As I understand it: - F-4EJ, interceptor, introduced in 1971. Found to be quite ineffective in some conditions during the Belenko-affair. - RF-4E, recce, introduced in 501 Sqn in 1974 to replace RF-86F. - F-4EJ Kai, interceptor and tactical fighter, modification of 90 aircraft undertaken from 1987 onwards. - RF-4EJ, 15 unmodified F-4EJs that were repurposed into recce fighters in the early 1990s to complement the dwindling RF-4E fleet in 501 Sqn. As Giorgio said earlier, their recce equipment was in pods. However: - RF-4EJ was also the unofficial designation used by McDonnel in its marketing in the early 1970s to differentiate the customer. Several American or US-centric aviation publications erroneously copied this, and I believe I have seen the designation mentioned in a Squadron book on the Phantom. I'm moving so all my books are in boxes at the mo. - RF-4E Kai and RF-4EJ Kai are unofficial designations for the aircraft that recieved some similar updates as the F-4EJ Kai, mostly RWR I believe. Happy to stand corrected as all this info comes from me brain. Books being beyond reach and all. Jay
  22. Mountain goat
    After their somewhat pricey F-14, perhaps FM's Phantom Phamily will be more competitively priced - one may live in hope. Meanwhile, look what I found in the attic: Hasegawa's Phantom Phamily début in their 1990 catalogue (I know, the age shows). The project had been announced earlier, but at least here the different variants were illustrated... some speculation on my part but it appears the in-house modeller had borrowed a couple of Fujimi's decals. Jay
  23. Mountain goat
    Thanks Koen, somehow missed those - excellent news! Jay
  24. Mountain goat
    The sponsons in the CADs are specific for very late H-model onwards (from FY74 I believe?). They extend forward slightly more and extend over the vertical 'warning propeller' line, whereas the earlier versions don't. Also easily recognisable is the small intake at the front end of the starboard sponson. All earlier basic versions have shorter sponsons. Sponsons of the later H (as in the CAD): Sponsons, earlier versions: C-130K sponsons are the similar to the ones in the lower image. Modifying late era sponsons to earlier ones requires some surgery, filler and elbow grease - but one can live in hope Zvezda will include both options from the start - if not, aftermarket will probably help out though. Jay
  25. Mountain goat
    Speculation -> hypothesis -> conviction. That's the scientific way right? 😀 Jay
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