Bedders

V interesting to see these new options. If it's any help, I've been studying the Alaska schemes rather more than is good for me in recent months, and I've managed to discern the following. On the first scheme, the aircraft should have yellow stripes on wing and tailplane, probably about 20 inches wide (i.e. narrower than the broad stripes on the third scheme), and positioned at the point where the guns are mounted in the wings. 64th FS (code AA), 65th (AB) and 66th (AC) should have their respective squadron badges painted underneath the windscreen on the right hand side only, like this: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/482659285041333816/ At some point the band on the fin/rudder with the individual aircraft letter was yellow for all three squadrons, but later it seems they might have made them different colours for individual squadrons (can't be sure of this). The very good David McLaren book on the P-51H has some decent photos of 44-64698 flying in Squadron/Group formation, and there are a few other pics of Alaska Hs online. Unfortunately the links to the P-51H photos on this website have broken and (I didn't download them when the link was intact), so the detail isn't clear, but it's still a decent guide: http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=71878 NB for an additional interesting scheme the McLaren book (pg 57) has a tasty photo of a 64th FS aircraft (44-64430, AA-K) with the later Alaska paint scheme of NMF with Insignia Red tail and outer wing panels, like the F-82s. The fin/rudder has a horizontal band for the code letter but I can't decide what colour it is. What's interesting about the H is that they only made 555 of them and they were recycled through various USAF/ANG units in their lives, so you can find pics of the same airframe in a range of different schemes. Justin

Fewer mistakes.

I paused over whether this should go in the Cold War section, but ultimately decided against. Anyway, does anyone know the background to why, on late P/F-51Ds, the decision was made to move from Hamilton Standard cuffed propellers with rounded tips to the uncuffed type with squared tips? Was there a performance gain, or was it a cost-related choice? Interested to hear any views. Justin

Very much enjoying this build. Lots of really helpful pointers on how to get the best out of this very nice kit. Thanks for doing the pics etc. Justin

I bought one yesterday (together with the new Airfix Meatbox) and will start it today. Looks complicated but nice. Probably won't do a WIP as that is often the kiss of death for my builds, but will aim to do an RFI relatively soon where I'll flag any major issues. Justin

Nice. Love the 60s in the doors. Justin

I think you can fill in the rectangular panel under the right side of the cockpit. As far as I'm aware this was an openable cockpit vent carried over from the pressurised Mks VII and X to the type 390 XIXs. The unpressurised fuselages used by the 389s didn't have it. Justin

Worth noting that a type 389 would have had a PR XI type windscreen with a flat front (but still no framing), while the 390s had a new rounded windscreen. Justin

Knobs all round! Happy Friday everyone. J

Thanks for the pictures of an unpainted build - I really want get one of these. I see that Airfix have had a go at the pressure framing around the cockpit tub, but it looks slightly clumsy and could do with a bit of refinement including reducing the height of it slightly, and linking it up properly to the rear of the windscreen, as shown here: https://www.alamy.com/gloster-meteor-f8-jet-aircraft-cockpit-image256178154.html. Still, it's a noble effort and I'm quite impressed. Justin

This made me laugh out loud. Thank-you!

I'm in for a bit of this. (Got an Airfix F6 in the stash, awaiting return of mojo.) In the meantime and for inspiration, this is quite a nice video of Lightnings at Binbrook in 1987: https://youtu.be/w7gTqFU2Qlk Justin

I agree that we should give Eduard a break. The 1/72 revolution is real and Eduard never said they would carry it out all by themselves: they started it sure enough, Arma etc have followed; think also about Special Hobby 109s, P-40s, NF Meteors and Mirages - they're all high-standard kits. Airfix's latest Meteor likewise. So let's enjoy what we've got, support the hobby in these troubled times and look forward to whatever new kits come out next. A new Bearcat by Christmas would be good though...! Justin

Lovely job. And another one added to my "to do" list. Justin

I'm happy to be corrected but I think that mk 4 seats were only used in 2-seat Hunters; single-seaters used Mk 3s. J

Well well, I'm interested all over again. I see they've had a go at sorting the nose out with the inclusion of a ring intake at part 13. That was an omission by Lift Here which caused me to chicken out of a purchase at the time. But I might now need to dig out my bank manager's number after all... Justin

Just had a look back at page 1 and the photos of the originals. And here we are, two little replica gems almost finished. Great stuff. J

A Ferrari of the skies. Absolutely love it. J

I'll have one. Need to buy an 8 first though. J

I think that the Kai Tak-based 28 Sqn Mk 18s had their paint stripped back to bare metal in around 1948-9. TP378 is an example. Justin

Ooh. Yes. Like it. Great pose with the wheels cycling up, and love the paint scheme too. Justin

I love em both. Great work. Justin

Hi PC, I can't be certain it's covered I'm afraid; you're right the full work is a big old thing and won't be cheap. If you can get your hands on a library (remember them?) or Internet-based searchable copy that might be a useful first step. When I had access to a copy I was more interested in the background of the territorial claims (vol 1) and some of the land campaign stuff (vol 2). If I remember correctly there was a decent passage on Goose Green which did get into the weeds a bit, but as I say I don't know if he got into the handling of the carriers. (If there was an issue, it wouldn't be the first time, cf Vian in the Med, which is well documented). Freedman has done other stuff on the Falklands too but I think that's more from a political decision-making perspective. J

Professor Sir Laurence Freedman did the official history, in two volumes. Vol 2 of that might be a good place to start. J

+1 from me!