Juan R-S

I do have the Airfix Buccaneer. Has plenty of goodies I can use on the Matchbox kit when the time comes for assembly. My original intent was to use some of the Airfix kit's pylons and sea eagles. That is until I read about the Germans being interested in using them prior to receipt of the Tornados. Then I saw a pic of a Tornado IDS lugging a couple of Kormorans ...and voila!!! The idea came up. The Matchbox kit came with fuel tanks and NO pylons or any other weaponry. The what-if intent is to keep it simple. No work inside the cockpit. Probably wheels up. Just a "fun project". We'll see what happens next. Thanks all for your comments.

I read that the German Navy was interested in purchasing Buccanneers to augment their F-104g's until the arrival of Tornados. However, the deal fell through. I was wondering if the Buccanneers would have been able to lug a couple Kormoran anti ship missiles or would have settled for the Martells or Sea Eagles. Looks to me like a potential what-if with a Buccanneer in German livery. Good way to use my Matchbox kit.

Good afternoon!!! Back in the late sixties-early seventies I built a tank in 1/35 scale(or so) of the Crusader tank. The tank was motorized which, for a kid, was the coolest. I have looked at some websites but cannot seem to hit a motorized Crusader. Could I have been thinking of another tank? Comments appreciated. About that same time, I built a panther tank. Also motorized and of same scale. I always thought they were cool being motorized. For some reason I did not find it interesting when on aircraft.

I forgot to mention that my plan was to use the Airfix 1/72 Spitfire 22 scale kit. Sorry for the confusion. There is a a Rareplanes Spitfire Mk 47. I am not sure if there is another Spitfire Mk 47 in 1/72.

Can you convert a Spitfire Mk 22/24 to the Spitfire Mk 47 without drastic surgery? Not having plans but a thought so I won't start a firestorm of controversy.

THanks for the offer. I will see first if these book is for sale at the Nationals. I understand scaling from one scale to another with the use of a printer(percentage reduction). It is how you manage to not lose the graphic sharpness when doing so that has me intrigued.

Thanks for the info. Now it seems that I have to get the Kagero book to get the decals. THAT is a bummer. I am surprised that no aftermarket decal company has reproduced these markings (actually there is a bunch of P47 markings that need to be reproduced to decals). Hopefully I may find that book on sale in the upcoming IPMS Nationals in Chattanooga. One thing that makes me wonder: some pics of the P47 suggest the text was in red or black and some showed the text with some kind of outline to make it stick out over the red cowling. Could it be possible the markings may have been repainted at different times? This is just speculation.

Thank you for the offer. However, I am trying to stick to 1/72 since it is my preferred scale.

Hello all, Looong time ago, I built the Airfix P47D Razorback with CPT Johnson's markings of "Penrod and Sam". I was wondering if some decal company has this same scheme in 1/72 scale. I looked in my stash and the net but no success.

Thanks guys for your kind comments. Looks like I may have to wait for Airfix to do an accurate JU-88 A-1. The World waits....impatiently.

Hello all, Does the old mold Airfix Ju88 A-4 have the same wingspan as the JU88 A-1 and early A-5? It may be possible to change the engine oil cooler/pan and use a canopy with single rear gunner to do a conversion. All other detail anomalies and mold age may be forgiven. Can someone please confirm above query?

Talk about timing. Will be on the lookout when they go on sale. Not seen in USA yet. However, anybody has info on the rear cockpit mounted fuel tank? TIA Juan R-S

Hello all, Spain used AT-6 Texans against insurgents in Morocco back in the 50's/60's. They carried Saetta machine guns in the wings and could launch rockets and bombs. One item I read was that the Texans carried an extra fuel tank in the rear cockpit. Does anybody have photos/diagrams that show how the fuel tank was mounted in the rear cockpit and rocket launchers/bomb harnesses on the wings? TIA Juan R-S

Dear friends, I just purchased the Revell Halifax MkIII kit. Excellent molding, at least inside their plastic bags. The instructions say you can build a MkIII, MkV and a MkVII. However, I do not see the wing extensions for the MkVII version. Also, I believe the MkV used different engines than those of the MkIII kit. My question is: did MkVII used MkIII wings during its development, therefore justifying Revell's claim that you can build a MkVII? The same question goes with the MkV version. Funny thing that with the above versions available in the kit, Revell only offers decals for two MkIII schemes. Thank God for Xtradecals!!! I may have to hold on to my Alley Cat wing extension conversion from MkIII to MKVII if I cannot use the kit wings. Finally I heard a rumor that Airfix is working on their own version of the Halifax MkIII. Anything true about that? I thought Airfix parent company was having financial troubles. Would not see them committing to a four engine kit if that is the case. Thanks for all replies to my queries. Juan R-S

Hello all, I bought an 1/72 Airfix Spitfire MkVc at a model contest. Looking at the reviews, I understand that the Vc wings are on the thick side. The part(no pun intended) that got me curious are the extra parts not mentioned on the instruction sheets or in modelling websites. They are composed of what seems to be an open as well as covered hatch parts along with a hook. To me they look like parts for a Seafire. DId Airfix do a 1/72 Seafire? Sure would like a copy of the kit instructions. If not, can someone guide as to what to do with these parts to make a Seafire? Thanks in advance to all who help. Juan R-S

Hello all, I came across an old Esci decal No.57(Whitley/Short Stirling). One of the schemes was for a 15th Squadron Stirling Mk I(J-LS). This aircraft showed a court jester with bombing mission markings. The aircraft codes are painted in white and I was wondering if they were correct or should they have been mid gray. Also, are there any pics in the internet of this aircraft? I googled but did was not lucky. My plan is to use them on an Airfix Stirling a friend gave me as a gift. It is already half built but should be good as a SOB. Yes, I am going "old school" all the way. Thanks for any help.