whiskey

Imma stop you right there @Aardvark. 1) In the first video those soldiers are conducting MOUT, and I'd bet 10 to 1 that the "cambula" is supposed to be a flashbang. Yes the soldier went through the doorway immediately following the deployment of the flashbang and if it was live, he would have been incapacitated and become a liability to the others going through the fatal funnel. However it would have provided an instrumental and interesting training opportunity. On top of that, I've seen American and British soldiers make the exact same mistakes numerous times and there is probably videos on YouTube of countless other Armed Forces doing similar "goofs." Even law enforcement makes the same mistakes. But that's why it's called training. In the second video the soldier loads the belt fed ammo backwards in what looks like an PKM. Again I've seen too many young soldiers do the exact same thing on M249s, M240s (both Bravo and Charlie), and M2 .50 caliber machine guns. It happens. Especially at night when troops are tired and on ranges. Hell I've seen it in combat too when the adrenaline is high and nerves are totally racked. There's probably more videos floating around of the same thing from other militaries.

I've never been attracted to the F-51D but this has most certainly changed my mind! What did you use to coat the model before applying the decals, before/after the wash? What did you use for the wash on the metallic surface?

GOOD GOSH! Those are turning out to be beautiful Rich! I am so envious! With yours as a guide, and a few others I have come across in the last several days, I cannot wait to try my hand at a Spitfire. Still waiting on the postman to deliver it, the few extras, and paints for it all. I can only hope mine turns out near as well as yours. Great too on the washes and clear coats. Will have to experiment with those as well. I like the idea of doing only the top as that is what's exposed to the elements more.

@Super Aereowow that's a blast from the past for sure, as some of the previous mentioned threads. Here's my question, is there a match, or close enough, from paint manufacturers like MRP, MiG, Hataka, etc, for the 71-021? I would go along with the idea that it's the color of the underbelly.

Says it was a rocket in the video description. Now I know what it looks like to be on the receiving end of one of these.

This is all starting to hurt my head.....

Looking good so far! Waiting to see how your paint work goes as I purchased the same set.

What a beauty! You should be very very proud of your work. I've got the Hi-Decal set for the IIAF F-4's but how did you like the Print Scale ones?

@72modeler Will do. I was just there Friday and Saturday picking some stuff up. They are closed except through appointments these days but still making it through. Most of their business is conducted through eBay now, even the consignment sales.

Ordered some of those MRP paints you used for your desert Spitfire Rich, thanks for the tips. Once I get everything in from the postman I'll get started on mine. That darn RAF Dark Green color is super hard to come by here in the States though and need it for two other kits. Also got the AMMO by MIG desert RAF color set so should be some interesting times. Yours look great.

I didn't realize that HobbyBoss made an Avenger. This is stunning and beautiful. How was the build? I need to find out how this stacks up to the two ACM kits I have.

This is an awesome example of the historical research you guys go through! Just snagged an Airfix Mk Vb for $10 USD. I would love to do a unique Spit like the one mentioned above with the 109 kill. Keep the info coming, love reading this stuff.

I am looking at buying some of their paint sets, like this: I am just confused a bit. Does the "orange line" need to be thinned before spraying or can I drop it in the cup and go? I've read many conflicting accounts of this. Also what is the "red line" paint? Is that the acrylic version?

Rich are you thinning those MRP paints or they ready to go right out of the bottle?

Yes! Excellent. Thank you Graham. Sounds like I'll go with the Airfix Vb kit, pick up the Alley Cat Vc wings (full span, large bulge, 2 cannons), and one of those pretty Yahu IP's. Is the prop correct in the Airfix?

I'm going off of the 4 different options for the Alley Cat wing conversion set. https://www.alleycatmodels.co.uk/alleycat-aircraft-sets-148-scale-232-c.asp

Appreciate the pointers guys. If I wanted to go with Airfix and use the Alley Cat wings correction for the VC, does anyone know which one it would be? There's 4 different options to choose from. According to Graham it most likely would NOT be a clipped wing, so that leaves the early versus late versions. I think I'm looking for two categories with this, ease of construction and general accuracy (shape, armament, correct canopy, etc.). I don't super detail kits when building but I do like to try and get the basic accuracies correct. I found this diagram too but can't tell which kit/ conversion would still get me there yet.

I have absolutely no clue about Spitfires so please excuse my ignorance. I am thinking about joining the GB as I just snagged this sheet and am looking to build the fourth option. Just by doing some light reading over the last half hour or so I have discovered there are all sorts of differences in the MK Vc that make an F-16 look easy to me (clipped/ large span/ early/ late wings, etc.). If I were to go ahead and jump into it, would the Tamiya MK V Trop. kit be the best go to option? I am aware of the Airfix kit but as I understand it the Tamiya is better for ease of build. Are there any wing variations I need to be concerned about or can I just go OOB? Thanks gents.

That may be a tall order. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-the-hustler-beat-the-previous-tokyo-london-flight-record-by-an-raf-20593006.html Here she is in her more present glory.

At least it wasn't an Adult XXX website .......

Cessna Skymaster flew over us. Wish I had my phone with me to snap a pic. Almost wanted to dig for my 1/48 Testors kit, almost.

Awesome. Even if it's not exact it's a start. The predshade and dullcote steps probably are the single most items I need to know. That dullcote really gives it the flatter finish which I absolutely love. Thank habu!

Thanks for the input Mark. Just trying to wrap my head around this. I will probably pick up an Eduard as well as those seem pretty straightforward OOB too. This will be a really fun time as I've avoided WWII kits since I was a kid and I am truly looking forward to it. 1 question though, why are there several different AM manufacturers producing several different set of control surfaces for the Airfix kit? I've seen 3 or 4 I believe and that vary in parts and detail. Are the kit flaps, elevators, and rudder not good enough?