PaulR

Hi all, Am currently building an Airfix Whirlwind - second time around, since the last time I built this was a shocking 27 years ago! It's as good as I remember, and an excellent rendition of one of my favourite aircraft. On checking my Warpaint monograph on the Whirlwind, however, it seems they were painted in a 'mixed grey' rather than Ocean grey. Now I am sure I read something somewhere that said that mixed grey was an interim paint until ocean grey could be supplied, but does anyone have any idea how I could make up a reasonably accurate mix? Thanks for any help. Paul

Hi all, I find this absolutely staggering. Surely shome mishtake? Could you post a link to the relevant forum? Cheers Paul

Cheers! Paul

Hi all, am just about to start 'bombing up'my MSG Tornado GR4, and for a bit of relief I thought I'd bung some inert bombs on it. Photos for both dumb and laser inert bombs show a combination of blue and green - any pointers on some good colour matches? Ta Paul

Hi all, does anyone know of a good source for modern RAF bombs in 1/48th? I have some LGB's from an ancient Airfix Tornado, but they are a bit clunky. Any aftermarket suppliers out there? Best regards Paul

Hi all, I recently got given an Iwata HP-B, minus instructions, air hose etc. I finally sourced an airhose for it yesterday, but immediately hit two problems. 1) With the two detachable caps on at the front of the brush, no paint comes out and the paint bubbles violently in the gravity cup. Removal of these two caps/nozzles allows the brush to spray beautifully. However, it is annoying because obviously it is suppposed to work with these on. They are both completely clean, having been cleaned with airbrush reamer and a q-tip; the only thing I can think of is that there is a bit missing. On an old revell airbrush I have, when you take off the front two caps there is a detachable nozzle that is shaped (roughly) like two bells end to end. Should my Iwata have one of these? 2) Immediately after getting it to spray, the trigger packed up. Pressing it now releases no air. When I first got it up and running, the trigger was a bit sticky (would keeping spraying air for a second or two after I had released the trigger) but after I had given it a general clean with reamer it seemed to be fine - not any more! The stupid thing is that pressing the trigger without the airhose you can see the plunger moving, and you can hear air passing through it if you blow through it. If I leave it for a bit and switch the compressor back on, it works for about 4 presses and then stops. I dropped a tiny amount of lube through it (Bisley gun oil, the best stuff I have) but this doesn't seem to have made any difference. Can anyone help me out before my blood pressure gets any higher?!? Regards, Paul

Hi there, was just wondering about the typhoon ZJ943 that came a cropper in the US last year. Does anyone know if it is being re-built, or is it a complete write-off? Would be grateful if anyone could advise. Regards, Paul

Cheers mate - I'll drop them a mail and see what's what! Paul

Hi all, I have just pulled my 1/48th Airfix Hawk MK127/LIFT Hawk from the stash, and have remembered why I put it away in the first place- its nose. Close examination of photos of the real thing show (to my eyes at least) an grossly inflated nose that does not reflect the slim lines of the original. I've started to sand it down quite aggressively, but it crossed my mind that there might be a resin replacement. In fact, I'm sure I've heard of one, in Australia I think, but can't remember any more than that! I think there could be a market for this, especially since the new RAF T2 will be coming on stream soon - any resin manufacturers interested? Regards, Paul.

Hi there, was just wondering if anyone knows if any decal manufacturers out there are planning on releasing any updated Harrier decals. I would really like to do a gr9 in 1 or 4 sqn marks and in the new overall MSG scheme, but nobody as far as I know does the characteristic GR9 fin logo and squadron flashes, at least not in 1/48th. I guess I am hoping that Xtradecal do another RAF update sometime soon! Anyone else got a wish list for decals? Regards, Paul

Hi there I am modelling a Tornado GR4 using the revell kit plus MA gr4 update, and I was wondering if anyone has any decent photos of the ALARM wing pylons. The kit has the relevant missiles and missile launch rail, but the kit suggests placing these on the belly pylons. I want to do the wing pylon arrangement, which seems to be more common, not to mention looking very cool! Anyway, what photos I do have seem to show ALARM plus missile launch rail plus a stub adapter which fits on the wing pylon. It is the adapter that I need info/piccies of. I did orginally think it was the same angled stub adapter used for the sidewinders launch rail, but it seems to be rectangular and attached to the wing pylon at 90 degrees rather than the approx 45 degrees of the sidewinder stub pylon. If anyone has good photos or drawing/sketch or similar, it would be v. helpful in knocking up a scratch built effort! Many thanks in advance, Paul

Thanks to everybody who responded - very illuminating! On the off chance, has anybody got a set of 200 pipes spare that they might be prepared to flog? Best regards, Paul

Hi all, can anybody advise what the difference is between the 200 and 300 series jetpipes on a Vulcan? I understand that the former were installed on the first 40 Vulcans, and I get the impression that the jetpipes on these were different to that of the Airfix Vulcan. Has anybody got any clear pics or ideas on how to mod the kit's jetpipes? Thanks in advance, Paul

Some fantastic builds there - especially like the Jag! By the way, on the picture of the Spit you have a big pile of sanding sticks that look alot like a pair I use - but mine are falling apart and I can't remember where I got them or who made them! They're the best I have used - you couldn't tell me who made them and where you got yours by any chance? Cheers Paul

Hi all, I have the Model Alliance 111sqn flagship decals for Tornado F3 ZG753 (Now I just need to find a 1/48th Italeri F3!! ) but on closer inspection they seem to have done it before the squadron added the white O Bandirante 3 inscription under the cockpit. Any ideas on how could I produce these marks myself, or is anybody out there who is able to make them? Would be very grateful for any pointers! Thanks in advance, Paul

Cheers mate! Not going completely mad then! Paul

Hi all, Don't know if I was dreaming it but was a thread recently where somebody (Mike at Two Mikes???) was developing a resin replacement nose for the Revell 72nd Tornado?I've tried different searches but can't seem to find anything. Anybody know if it has been released? Many thanks in advance, Paul

Hi all, Don't know if I was dreaming it but was a thread recently where somebody (Mike at Two Mikes???) was developing a resin replacement nose for the Revell 72nd Tornado?I've tried different searches but can't seem to find anything. Anybody know if it has been released? Many thanks in advance, Paul

Hi all, Was wondering if any Tornado boffin could help me out. I am planning to do a model of a gr4 in 13sqn colours in the overall MSG scheme, as per a picture I have. The airframe in question has the fin number of 100, but I can't see the serial. I think it may be ZD792, but I would be very grateful if anybody could advise on this - thanks in advance. Paul

Cheers chaps! I'll think I'll try for a Siskin or gamecock for the 20's, while a bulldog or gladiator would do for the 30's I think. I am trying mainly to have just one plane from each decade, so that lined up you would be able to see the development of airdefence arrangements over the last 100 years. If I get them finished, I'll post the pictures. Cheers for all the comments! Paul

Hi all, I am currently building a themed collection at the moment. I don't know about anybody else, but I definitely tend to get stuck in a rut building the same aircraft, or service or time period, and so to keep my interest and motivation up I am going for themed builds which involve alot of different plane types, camo schemes and so on. For instance, I'm currently on a mission to do a row of 1/72nd planes to represent the air defence of Great Britain, from WW1 to present. Now, there are a whole bunch of planes I could include, but I sort of want to keep it to a plane per decade, with possibly a couple for WW2 and shortly thereafter to reflect the vast pace of change during this time. This is my list so far. WW1 - Sopwith Pup (Airfix, not started) 1920's - ?? 1930's - ?? 1940's/WW2 - Tamiya MK1 Spitfire (completed in 66sqn colours) Academy Tempest Mk 5 (completed in 80 sqn colours) Late 40's - Airfix Vampire (awaiting decals, probably in RAuxAF) 1950's - Airfix Meteor F8 (not started, probably kit decals) 1960's - Revel Hunter F6 (completed in 14 sqn colours) 1970's - Lightning F3/6 (awaiting Academy or Trumpeter kits - hope they're decent!! - would like to do 56 squadron or 74 squadron) 1980's - Phantom FGR2 (Need to get a Fujimi kit for this - 23 sqn I think) 1990's - Hasegawa Tornado F3 (completed in 111 sqn colours) 2000's - Revell Typhoon FGR4 (in 11 sqn colours). I'm trying not to replicate squadrons either. Anyway, what do you guys think? What should I put in for the 20's and 30's? Any obvious omissions for other decades? I'd like to hear of any other themed builds people might be doing - my next is going to be the Norwegian Airforce, I think! Regards, Paul

Hi all, been off for a while, but was wondering if anyone knows about the status of a few of typhoons, specifically T1 zj810 (the one that had the nosewheel collapse), f2 ZJ915, and F2 ZJ918. Are the latter two currently being upgraded to FGR4 standard? Unusually for the RAF, (and judging by pictures of Airliners.net) they seem to be issuing upgraded FGR4s back to the same squadrons they came with, complete with the same codes. Anyhow, any info would be appreciated. Regards, Paul

Hi there, Was just looking back over an old copy of AFM and saw the crash report on Typhoon T1 zj810. This was it seemed, slated for repair, but I haven't seen it RECENTLY on airliners.net or any other website/magazine. Is anybody able to update on this airframe? On a similar note, I was flicking through the new RAF yearbook, and I saw a two seater typhoon from 17 sdn with the PIRATE sensor, which I guess makes it a T3. it was coded AY, but I couldn't see the serial. Does anyone know what it is? Is this a rebuild of one of the first T1s/T1As, or is it a new build? Also, was it the plane that made a belly landing in the US recently? The news reports I read made reference to both pilot and a WSO and that it came from 17 sdn, which would make sense if it was there on trials. Would be very grateful if anyone has any info they are able to pass on. best regards, Paul

Hi there, Was just looking back over an old copy of AFM and saw the crash report on Typhoon T1 zj810. This was it seemed, slated for repair, but I haven't seen it RECENTLY on airliners.net or any other website/magazine. Is anybody able to update on this airframe? On a similar note, I was flicking through the new RAF yearbook, and I saw a two seater typhoon from 17 sdn with the PIRATE sensor, which I guess makes it a T3. it was coded AY, but I couldn't see the serial. Does anyone know what it is? Is this a rebuild of one of the first T1s/T1As, or is it a new build? Also, was it the plane that made a belly landing in the US recently? The news reports I read made reference to both pilot and a WSO and that it came from 17 sdn, which would make sense if it was there on trials. Would be very grateful if anyone has any info they are able to pass on. best regards, Paul

Hi all, Have been visiting Britmodeller for a few months now and thought it hightime I put up one of my efforts! I recently finished this Hasegawa F3. I have, since the age of 12 and the first F2 prototypes, always liked the ADV Tornado. I am not at all disappointed to see it in service for another 5 years, it just means I''ll just have to wait a little longer for the inevitable Warpaint monograph on it! As far as the kit is concerned, I added the Airwaves wings with dropped slats/flaps, Aeroclub whitemetal E/J seats, scratch-built under fuselage flare dispensers, BOL rails adapted from the Hasegawa weapons set, ASRAAMS and AMRAAMS from the Revell Typhoon, Hindenburger tanks from the Revell GR1 Tornado, and the 111 sqn decals from Xtradecal. I was drawn to this scheme because of the new Medium Sea Grey paint job and hi-vis roundels, and not least because the single overall colour made painting a damn sight easier! Incidentally, I used the Tamiya rattlecan for this, and finished off the whole lot with an airbrushed application of Humbrol mattcote. By the by, does anybody know why the Tamiya spraycans have been withdrawn, and when they will be available again? I found the kit itself an easy build, with just a smear of filler where the front fuselage joins the rear. The top of the fin needs a few swipes with a sanding block to give the front edge its characteristic curved profile, but aside from that it practically built itself. The drop in Airwaves wings gives the whole thing a suitably busy look. There seems to be some debate as to how good the Hasegawa kit is, but I'm never quite sure if people are referring to the fit of the kit or the actual accuracy/final shape; but in either instance, it seems fine to me. I'm sure I'll be corrected, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy it! Paul