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The Tomohawk Kid

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Posts posted by The Tomohawk Kid

  1. 13 hours ago, misterblank said:

    If 26 decals boxes it I will buy it.  I’m not going to settle for a laser decal for such an expensive kit (don’t know the price yet, but I know it will be high).

     

    Best regards....Duncan 

     

     

    Just be aware that 26 uses laser decals in some of thier boxings - I have the 1/48 BN Islander with the Olympic livery and the decals included in that are laser.

     

    I'm in for an Aer Lingus BAC 1-11, as I would be for a British Eagle one if it was ever made available.

     

    Tommo.

    • Like 3
  2. Its interesting to note that the prices are broadly similiar to when the Aoshima kits were last available on import here in Blighty a few years back. The big difference this time around will be the availability.

     

    I'm personally of the opinion the sizes are nice, with the possible exception of Fireflash - that would have been nice if it was a little larger. But, hey! It is nice to have them on the shelf again and easily obtainable.

     

    Tommo.

  3. 9 hours ago, Will Vale said:

    but they're just Mabuchi FA-130 motors so should be easy enough to track down.

    Will

     

    Absolutely.

     

    It will be however, interesting to see if Bachmann start selling the motors seperately, or will they be included in the kits? I can't see the later, as I have a vague recollection because they are classed as toys they can't. But, I'm more than happy to be proved wrong/corrected on that.

     

    Tommo.

  4. 54 minutes ago, Test Valley Models said:

     

    I'm expecting the demand to be high for a couple of models in particular  ( Mole and TB2)

    The launchbay diorama's look really awesome.

     

    I have the Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 3 launch dioramas from when they were last released by Aoshima. In all honesty the TB1 one is underwhelming as it is made up of a lot of printed card stock and small bespoke 1:350 TB1, not the 1:144 one which is available seperately and makes up into fantastic model and is easily one of the best TB1 kits ever made. On the other hand the TB3 launch silo dio is fantastic as it includes the highly rated 1:350 TB3, which is available as a seperate kit in this range. However, it appears AiP/Bachmann have decided against releasing the TB3 launch silo kit for moment, which is a shame.

     

    The Mole is a fantastic kit with many features/poses and diorama possibilities are nigh on endless, it an impressive size too, as you mention it should sell well. I don't have the TB2 dio or seperate so can't comment on either, likewise with TB4, but I have heard and read good things about it.

     

    My personal favourite is the TB5 kit, as the retooling and additional parts really does set it apart. I would expect Fireflash (the Worlds most unluckiest airliner) to be a good seller too, but it makes deceptively small model in the chosen scale.

     

    I would say extremely unexpected, but very welcome news.

     

    Tommo.

  5. 14 minutes ago, AT7GMK said:

    Hello Tommo,

    Saw about these on the Rails of Sheffield website

    Nigel.

     

     

    It looks like Bachmann are using their existing 'model 'rail' distribution network to kickstart getting these kits out - I would imagine we are going to see them for sale at other outlets soon. I was surprised that Jamie Anderson's Gerry Anderson Store didn't get the inside skinny on these. But, I'm sure they will be showing in stock/pre-order soon enough.

     

    Tommo.

    • Like 1
  6. Thunderbird 1

     

    Thunderbird 3

     

    Thunderbird 4

     

    Fireflash

     

    The Mole

     

    All  the above all relatively new toolings and very good they are too.

     

    -----

     

    Thunderbird 5 received a major overhaul with additional sprues to replace the more 'clunky parts' parts of the original kit including a new accurate gravity ring. It also includes all the parts to motorise  it and light it. The space station slowly rotates on the stand and the radar spins as well. The Aoshima iteration included a lighting kit, but not the motor which needed to be bought separately, but is relatively cheap at a couple quid. It will be interesting see if the the AiP version comes with lighting kit, but just shy of 80 spondulaks one would hope so. It was possible to motorise the Mole kit too. but if memory serves that needs two motors one for the drill bit and the other for the tracks.

     

    This is good news to have  these kits relatively easily available without the addition of significant international shipping costs.

     

    Tommo.

  7. I believe its proper name was Hay Mills Rotor Station (or Rotorstation) and was active from 1951 >1954, intially starting operations with the re-engined S-51s that were taken off the Liverpool <> Wrexham <> Cardiff route when that ceased timetabled operations. Then S-55s with the odd Bristol (171) Sycamore service operating between Birmingham and London (Northolt) with a very short lived branch service to Leicester.

     

    I have a 1950s BEA brochure that optimistically indicated an extensive route map for the proposed helicopter services across the UK, very few operated and those that did, did'nt last for long, typically less than a year.

     

    Other than noted above, the following places had heliports:

    Leicester

    Wrexham

    The Southbank (London) This was probably the most lavish affair and I believe had a regular shuttle service to Heathrow.

     

    Wrexham I believe was a glass fronted Terrapin Hut with a few chairs and 3 bar electric heater - the height of luxury in the '50s no doubt!

     

    Tommo.

    • Like 4
  8. 12 hours ago, Ex-FAAWAFU said:

    Indeed; you can see Mr Rooney in my picture, just below the left hand set of rotor blades.  He will not be featuring in my build; mine will be EDSG over Sky aircraft from HMS Bulwark ship’s flight 1955.  Eventually (before anyone gets excited...)

     

     

    Nor mine, when I bought my BB kit an epoch ago Mike Belcher made me some custom BEA decals and I have no snagged the LF 1/48 BEA decals since to go with AMP kit. To add to that have some original BEA literature including a time table and a 1st day cover of World's 1st ever scheduled passenger helicopter service and intend to make a nice display of the BEA machines.

     

    Incredibly Birmingham had a bespoke heliport back in the '50/'60s, it was truly was a pioneering age.

     

    Tommo.

    • Like 2
  9. 13 hours ago, rob85 said:

    oooohh is see, it’s clear plastic, all looks a bit to simple for you.

    Rob

     

     

    Unfortunately its not styrene plastic, its acetate and that brings its own challenges. Yes, the cast metal pieces are very nice - particulary considering how long ago it was produced.

     

    The one pictured the acetate looks to have 'browned', my copy has not, how strange.

     

    Tommo.

     

    • Like 1
  10. 59 minutes ago, Tarkas said:

    I'm curious: how long is the aircraft, and how long are the elevator cars? It'd be interesting to know because by scaling up the latter in comparison to the ones that came with my 1/144 TB2, we could get an estimate of how long the Fireflash is meant to be. It'd have a horrible margin of error, like most of these estimates.

     

     

    The length of the fuselage is just over 300mm from memory, without digging one of mine out from my waaay to large to build pile. I would take the 1/350 with a pinch of salt.

     

    Tommo.

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