LN-KEH

I have been involved in taking measurements and photos in museums for publications and projects in various scales up to 1:1 scale flying. In general, I have found museums to be very helpful as long as the activities don`t damage the objects or cost them money. Borrowing a step-ladder to get some cockpit shots was not a problem, but when it was necessary with a lift to access an aircraft from the ceiling, we had to pay. (and the museum did also take the opportunity to use the lift to remove paperplanes that had been thrown into the open cockpit). Most museums prefer that we do this on a day when there are no visitors, unless we just need to block off a corner. (Too many questions like: are you taking photos? - when I have rigged lights and stand there with a large camera). And in the UK I ran into problems with a visitor who followed me around to be upset about the flash - even waiting outside the bathroom to be sure I didn`t go somewhere without him tracking me It is similar with old drawings - I paid for professional scanning and the museum and I did both get a set of digital files.

The parachute housing is available as a printed aftermarket from https://3d-chute-expert.myshopify.com/products/f-35-parachute-chute-bay

It looks like the communist cousin of the Stratocruiser. I have some other kits by the same maker, impressive works of art - but I will pass on this one, too large and looking too normal compared to some of the other Soviet aircraft he has kitted.

I can easily imagine a release by Revell of this kit in Alfred Wegner Institute colours - these aircraft have often been seen migrating through Norway. Picture linked in from Tom Gulbrandsen on Flickr https://www.v1images.com/airline/alfred-wegener-institute/

There could be a group launch from the balcony towards the Airfix stand at Telford in November. Any upgrade sets or alternative markings available yet?

Hawker Siddeley HS.748 in 1/72 sounds like a typical Valom project; a medium sized British twin-engined aircraft with military and civilian usage that hasn`t been kitted and unlikely to attract the attention of Airfix or Revell.

You have mye permission to add the images in the .zip file to the Britmodeller Seaking Mk.43 walkaround page, Be aware that they are fairly large, so you may have to reduce them to fit the walkaround page. BRgds Knut Erik

I have uploaded some pictures of Norwegian SeaKing 189 on display at Flysamlingen. We had our IPMS nationals there, so some angles were not possible to cover due to competition and sales tables. Should be available to download (313 Mb) for a week - until Sunday 31st March https://wetransfer.com/downloads/c9beb6a7da3c53749982fa90343f28ea20240324134419/093b9c87fc46a71f261c920c9dec6b6220240324134506/459072?trk=TRN_TDL_01&utm_campaign=TRN_TDL_01&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid

Something like this from lndecals.dk ?

Last time I visited Portsmouth, there were two decent sized aircraft carriers alongside. When HMS QE2 visited Oslo, I saw no wires on the deck - which seemed large enough to land a Tiger Moth on. So maybe there will be another deck landing of a biplane.

Airfix went to "Flysamlingen" at Oslo-Gardermoen to scan the Vampire F.III. F-86F and He 111P there. The museum is only open Sat-Sun except during summer and school holidays and has some room around the exhibits - making scanning possible. Only incident I know about from the scanning sessions, is that they used a lift to get a view from above that very slowly lowered itself - not so much that humans would be concerned, but enough for the scans having to be redone from a more stable lift. There is also an ex-RSwAF Vampire T-55 at Flysamlingen, but it might be risky to base a kit on. It started life as an FB.50, but was converted in Sweden to a T.55 and has in recent years been modified to look like a T.55 in Norwegian service. https://flysamlingen.no/utstillingen/flyene/havilland-vampire-t-55/

SAAB 340 kits in 1/72 and 1/144 should sell reasonably well - the only other alternatives would be some basic vac-forms. They can market civilian versions, SAAB 340s have been with airlines large and small all over the world. The RSwAF and some other nations operate(d) the SAAB 340 AEW and Japans coast guard operate some on SAR missions. I will have a few for SAS and other civilian aircraft operating in Norway.

Flygvapenmuseet in Linköping has Vampire T.55 (Sk 28C) 15745 and a Venom NF.51 https://plasticfantastique.com/walk_arounds/walk-around-the-de-havilland-venom/ Another T.55 (Sk.28C) in Svedinos museum (between Gothenburg and Malmø) And there are also Vampire two seaters in Norway and Finland, including an airworthy one.

I got the 1:72 version, looks good in the box with no visible stepping from the printing process. Somewhat unorthodox breakdown of the parts, remains to see how well it goes together.

I am quite sure CMK has a number of resin and printed accessories lined up like: Deck and weapons crew. More detailed weapons and ammunition. Different weapon fits - some of the KFKs were more heavily armed Wheelhouse with interior and crew.