Rob G

Although they built on the work of Cayley and Lillienthal, who were no doubt inspired by Leonardo...

All you real Lotus owners... I feel quite lower class with my humble Soobie. What was it that Clarkson said that time? "That is the throb of a flat four turbocharged engine, a sound which all over the world heralds the imminent arrival of a moron." I resemble that remark.

Right you are skipper. I'll umm... see what I can do then.

Nothing to show in photos. The monster is half-built and likely to remain that way. But if enough people want, I'll dig it out and make some photos - there's not much to see... Robin, the twin-cam Ford in your orange beast looks like my Esci Cosworth - would I be correct in assuming it to be so? I can't add anything to the pool about the real 'uns, as Loti are somewhat thin on the ground where I live - they'd fall to pieces just driving up to get the morning milk. I drive an '09 Subaru WRX - quick, but probably nowhere near as much fun a 7. A lot more practical though.

There's a reason for that. The kit barks, loudly. Although the small plastic figure is a better actor than the young chap who played Mannequin...

I can hear the bells clanging and the ladies fainting from the sheer excitement! Well done sir, well done!

This reminds me of (now way off topic) F.I.A.T. Fix it again-a, Tony!

I'm with you Phil - mine arrived a week ago. It's gone on to the 'must build one day' pile.

It will, in fact, be a far bigger better Lighting than Trumpeter intended (if only by 5mm. )

Very nice. I have one in the stash, with resin bits from someone and decals for Magnificent Obsession from someone else, a machine that lived locally to me a number of years ago (26, after I looked it up. My how time flies...) One day I'll get to it.Technically not a 'Sea' Fury, but meh, who's picking.

Deleted. Just me waffling.

I have a couple of the Tamiya 24ths in my stash, one half converted into a monstrosity with flared rear guards, cycle fenders, wide alloys with low profile tyres, a scratched independent rear end and a resin copy of the Cossie BDA from the Esci Crystal Escort RS1800 kit, fitted with a scratch fuel injection manifold (yeah, the real one would be a hoot, methinks ). The other is still in its box, untouched. I also have the Tamiya 12th Caterham, bought as a started kit from eBay a number of years ago - the original owner had attached the panels and glued a few bits, but there's a lot of work still to do (and I want to find a way to use rivets instead of screws to hold the panels in place.) One day, I'll finish at least the monstrosity. Maybe.

Thanks for the IM Rick. The most definite entry will be a scratch Merganser/Dotterel from Charles Sheffield's McAndrew stories - there's some major dimensions and details given, but I'll have to fake the rest. Also on the list as a possibility is Rama, from the Arthur C Clarke story familiar to all of us (and if you're not familiar with it, stop messing about with that silly Roddenberry nonsense and get some real SF into you. (We need an icon for 'snob'.)) Again, major dimensions known, the rest is (un)informed guesswork. It's also possible that I may do something from film/tv, but not sure if I will yet - I have a few half-finished projects, so I'm loathe to start anything new. 2 will do for a start, I think.

Good thought Hans, thank you.

Thank you Christian, much appreciated. I'll chase the Windsock down, and I will also have to find the 'For Sale' section and see what can be sorted out. (Although I live in Australia, so I fear that the postage may be a killer...)

Hi guys, I'm wanting a 2F.1 for a project, can't find one. I do have the Eduard F.1 version, I'm wondering if anyone's done a conversion, and if so, where did you get information - there's a lot of 'stuff' online about it (photos and words), but no really firm dimensions/drawings etc. My main sticking point is the narrowed undercarriage, which is referenced in numerous places, but nothing in the way of actual data. And and all leads welcome, thank you. Secondly, is the Wind-Sock Datafile on the type worth getting, as far as plans etc go? Again, all comments welcome. Thanks...

Those look rather spectacular Ian. Well done, old chap, what what, eh?

Right, stop that, it's silly. If the hosts would be so kind (and if I'm not too late...), I would appreciate being added to this one. No guarantees that anything will be started, let alone finished, but ya gots ta try...

Cliff, I'm still in for Latvia and Mauritania. Latvia, not sure what yet (but def an oldie), and Mauritania is the Super Tucano.

If I'd had that carrier, I *might* have managed to finish during the year. Great display, and I'm glad that some people are building models.

I can't help with locations Mish, I have no idea where all that happens over there. And unless I win the Lotto (unlikely, as I don't play), I'm not going to be able to attend to display my model; it's a long way to there from here!

For my money, the rules is the rules. If we are going to make make exceptions for people who don't want to play by the rules, it invalidates the GB as originally conceived. The idea behind the build is to let the Lesser Built Air Forces' get some love, and allowing people to build what they want, even if it's already taken, is just wrong. Are these 'overseas members' so one-eyed that they can't stretch a little and find something of interest in the many nations and types that remain unclaimed? If the rules are changed, I for one will probably withdraw; I joined to (hopefully) contribute to an interesting idea, to be a part of something different. Diluting that makes me lose interest.

For your delectation (and possibly frustration), as well as adding to your edumacation and furthering your modelling skills, I present... http://italianhorses.net/Tutorials/FlexHose/flexhose.htm Say thank you after they let you out of the Mental Health Unit. I recall seeing something like this in a Scale Auto Enthusiast many, many years ago, but using diluted white glue instead of the PTFE tape. Rather than a lot of writing in an attempt to explain it, I thought I'd look for a tutorial, with pictures. Hope it helps.

I've been looking around, because I love contra-props... Instead of waffling about with planetary gearboxes, a possibly better option would be to use 2 motors, running direct to the props. That would simplify the engineering a lot. Or, even more simply, one motor with an extended shaft, gears on the each end - the inner prop shaft is driven from the rear gear. These are R/C aircraft threads, but they've got some good ideas... http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661210 http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246407

Looks great! People bag Matchbox all the time, but I built a lot of them as a kid and do not ever recall being disappointed by one - to a 12yo, they looked the bomb, and they went together easily. I have one in the stash, but haven't started due to a fruitless (and an admittedly not very diligent) search for flat rigging wires for it.