Des

The topic seems to have drifted away a little bit from the question about the fairing under the port side of the fuselage which as Steve McArthur has mentioned was a FLIR and concentrated instead on the LRMTS on the port side which is not really visible in the photo originally posted. FLIR was slightly longer , had a different shape to the LRMTS and was fitted as part of the GR.4 upgrade necessitating the loss of the port Mauser cannon (where applicable) and provided Forward Looking Infra-Red vision for the crew in the low-level Cold War role which the Tornado was initially intended for. Here are a some images of one from November 2008 on ZA400/011 (originally a GR.4A) ‘Scud Hunters – Go Get Em Boys’ with sharkmouth then at RAF Lossiemouth while operating with No.14 Squadron carrying a form of its 2003 Operation Telic nose-art. By that time the reconnaissance role had passed to podded systems such as Raptor carried on certain GR.4 but former GR.4A were distributed around the squadrons to reduce training hours on the fully operational fleet and according to my guide that day were not too popular on away trips because the recce gear had been kept in place to avoid centre of gravity issues and there was little to no room for essential tags , covers and turnround tools far less crew baggage.

No consolation for those like yourself in New Zealand etc. but notice that on their website it has already been reduced from the release price of £8.99 down to £5.00. Reductions after a couple of months along with frequent more general sales offers across the board seem to be part of the Key business model , great for catching up on publications that one might pass on when new because of price here in the UK with free delivery but would imagine that shipping at cost would soon take the shine off buying from elsewhere in the world.

Excellent and highly recommended especially if you like your aircraft shiny.

Ordered a copy through Books etc. (for a bit less than RRP) which arrived today and from the first flick through I am very impressed by the way that the subject has been approached. I had bought RAF In Camera 100 Years On Display quite recently and while in itself an excellent book I felt that it rather concentrated more on the ceremonial aspect of the RAF's public face at the expense of the 'At Home' events that perhaps much of the country were more exposed to which has been remedied here. Also from my first look through the explanation of the policies , practices and thinking behind the events is fascinating.

Top of the list when I Googled 'Singapore Hunter decals' was https://www.sozoplamo.com/decal-sheets then on the 'Images' option of the Google search the first link is to individual pages of the instruction sheets at https://www.carousell.sg/p/rsaf-hawker-hunters-decals-1-72-1-48-1-32-1029009390/ , decals are available in 1/72 and 1/48.

Like the 1987 images. Recall that the 'Q' activity was actually genuine that year with one aircraft returning that had gone off before the gates opened in the morning and another departing later in the day , from memory think that it was announced that an Il-38 'May' had been at least one of the culprits.

Mainly stockpiling aftermarket odds and ends this week for kits already on the shelf Via eBay AML Accessories AMLA 48075 1/48 Hellcat FR.II Reconnaissance Conversion Set in resin for something different to do with a half of an second-hand Eduard Combo picked up at a model show earlier in the summer. OWL DS48040 1/48 Hellcat FR.II 898 Squadron decals , and ditto as above. Eduard Brassin 748 022 1/48 F-4 Exhaust Nozzles Early Style , for the Trumpeter RA-5C with an early service build in mind for which I had previously mistakenly bought late style nozzles which will be redirected to one of the Phantoms in the stash. From Hannants Eduard F264 1/48 A-7D Corsair II etch , cockpit details. Eduard FE308 1/48 RA-5C Vigilante etch , cockpit details. Eduard 49761 1/48 EKA-3 Skywarrior etch , cockpit and interior details. Aires Hobby Models 4442 ESCAPAC 1G-2 Ejection Seat resin , x 3 for the A-7D. Aires Hobby Models 4443 ESCAPAC 1G-2 Ejection Seat resin , x2 for the A-7E (early). All for recent Hobby Boss / Trumpeter buys. Via Ali Express 4D Models 1/100 ‘Click Assembly’ Tanks - Tiger I , StuG III & StuG IV , a family member has recently taken up ‘Flames of War’ gaming and I bought these for him at just under £3.50 each including delivery and VAT to see how they compare in detail and price as an alternative to the branded items for bulking up a table-top army. From Key Publishing Aviation Archive No.63 RAF Fighter Command , usual mix of contemporary photography and cutaways (11) along with some current colour sideview artwork covering Fighter Command aircraft from 1936 – 1968. Boeing B-29 Superfortress bookazine , covering B-29/B-50 to C-97/Stratocruiser from WWII to Cold War. From Airfix Airfix Club Magazine , Issue 05 2022

No idea what you are trying to say here or even why you are saying it. Scale Aircraft Modelling (SAM) is indeed and always has been a different publication from Scale Aviation Modeller International (SAMI) but as SAM Publications are not the publisher of Scale Aircraft Modelling (SAM) which is in fact published by Guideline Publications why is there a need to clarify something which was never said in the first place. SAM Publications is/was the name of a publishing company not the title of a publication and I quoted that company name as one of the rebrandings that has led to the recent launch of the title subject but at no time did I refer to either of the magazine titles Scale Aircraft Modelling (SAM) or Scale Aviation Modeller International (SAMI) by name so the need to clarify what was not being discussed seems rather odd.

https://www.facebook.com/ScaleAviation/ a.k.a. over the years as SAM Publications . . . . . MA Publications etc. etc. ad infinitum.

Glad that you have enjoyed them Mark , hopefully will return next September with 'Twenty Years On From 2003' and 'Ten Years On From 2013 - The Last Ever Battle Of Britain At Home Day'

RAF Leuchars Airshow 2012 which had grown from being one of many RAF Battle of Britain At Home Days to being the only one still held on an operational station was held on Saturday 15th. September which was by coincidence the officially designated Battle of Britain Day. Through a not too unusual meteorological quirk the East Neuk of Fife exhibited its famed microclimate by basking in almost constant clear skies and sunshine while poor weather elsewhere had the effect of preventing some attendees making the journey north. Unfortunately the lighting conditions made one or two displays such as the rare B-52H flypast and RAF Lossiemouth Tornado GR.4 Tactical Display duo just a bit too difficult for me to capture well on camera. 2012 had been the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which influenced some of the participation and colour schemes in the flying display including some representatives of aircraft types that had been in UK military service on the succession in 1952. The day of the airshow was also used to hold the official parade to mark No.1 Squadron re-forming to fly the Eurofighter Typhoon at Leuchars and while none of the squadron’s aircraft flew that day almost every Typhoon from co-located No.6 squadron did. These provided a four-ship flypast for the No.1 Squadron formation parade , the mount for the Typhoon solo aerobatic display and finally the Diamond Jubilee and Sunset Ceremony diamond-nine flypasts to close the event which involved ten FGR.4 (one being an ‘air-spare’) and a T.3 flying as formation whip. Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ZK328/FB from No.1 Squadron under tow while the ground display area in front of the old Control Tower and flag was being rearranged from the formal morning parade for the closing Sunset Ceremony which while not actually flying was the only movement by the squadron aircraft during the display. Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ZK331/EE from No.6 Squadron makes a performance take-off in re-heat as last of the eleven aircraft to depart for the closing Diamond Nine formation , ‘EE’ was also the mount for the Typhoon solo display flown earlier in the day and carries only a centreline tank and outer wing pylons. Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 from No.6 Squadron in the Diamond Nine formation flown to celebrate the Queen’s 60th. Anniversary and to close the show in the usual Sunset Ceremony flypast with the station flag being lowered and lone piper playing , various combinations of drop tank/wing pylons can be seen as can the white coloured RAIDS Pods carried by some of the aircraft. Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon T.3 ZK381/EX from No.6 Squadron clears the runway after returning from acting as ‘whip’ for the Diamond Nine formation and carries a RAIDS Pod on the outer wing pylon. Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ZK302/EA from No.6 Squadron clears the runway after returning from flying in the Diamond Nine formation and also carries a RAIDS Pod on the outer wing pylon. BAe Hawk T.1A XX230/(230) from 208 Squadron in the Union Jack inspired colour scheme for that Diamond Jubilee year’s Hawk Solo Display Team seen being prepared for the display with canopy and various hatches open while the display pilot Flt. Lt. Phil Bird checks paperwork. BAe Hawk T.1A XX230/(230) from 208 Squadron in the Union Jack inspired colour scheme for that Diamond Jubilee year’s Hawk Solo Display Team taxies out to display piloted by that years solo display pilot Flt. Lt. Phil Bird. Some either love them or head for the catering marquee as the nine BAe Hawk T.1 of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team ‘The Red Arrows’ arrive in ‘Big Battle’ formation to salute the parade being held for No.1 Squadron re-forming nicely silhouetted against a rare but photogenic patch of high level broken cloud on what was an otherwise mainly cloudless day , bit early for lunch so saved that for their actual display later. Shorts Tucano T.1 ZF269/269 from No.1 Flying Training School in the Union Jack inspired colour scheme for that Diamond Jubilee year’s Tucano Solo Display Team piloted by that years solo display pilot Flt.Lt. Jon Bond returns after its display. Shorts Tucano T.1 ZF374/374 from No.1 Flying Training School in a Diamond Jubilee adaptation of the standard overall black training scheme was the display spare for the 2012 Tucano Solo Display Team and is seen here taxying out to depart following the display. The two Shorts Tucano T.1 Display Team aircraft from No.1 Flying Training School departing Leuchars following the display with ZF269/269 in the Union Jack inspired colour scheme for that Diamond Jubilee year’s display aircraft and ZF374/374 as display spare in a suitably modified adaptation of the standard overall black training scheme. Boeing Sentry AEW.1 ZH102/02 from No.8 Squadron gets airborne for its flying display having spent the earlier part of the day as part of the static display on the main ramp. Boeing Sentry AEW.1 ZH102/02 from No.8 Squadron seen head on as it manoeuvres onto the Operational Readiness Platform at the end of the Leuchars runway following its flying display having spent the earlier part of the day as part of the static display on the main ramp , the ORP had originally been built for dispersed V-Bomber operations. Beech B200 King Air ZK455/O ‘Vagabond’ from No.45 Squadron being used as a VIP transport about to depart during the late afternoon. Boeing Chinook HC.4 ZA713 from the Odiham Wing flew as the Chinook Solo Display Team with a joint No.18/27 Squadrons crew like the other helicopters in the flying programme operated from the cross runway. Hawker Sea Fury T.20 VX281/VL-120 (G-RHNF) of the Royal Navy Historic Flight displayed straight from its arrival overhead from Yeovilton and landed afterwards to refuel , despite having served with both the Royal Navy and West Germany as a twin-seater the aircraft has been repainted in the colour scheme and markings of an F.10 single-seat aircraft from 799 Naval Air Squadron when based at RNAS Yeovilton in 1949. Hawker Sea Fury T.20 VX281/VL-120 (G-RHNF) of the Royal Navy Historic Flight complete with typically extensive oil stain taxies out to return to Yeovilton following its display at Leuchars , sadly following repair after a wheels up landing in 2014 it was written-off after crashing due to an in-flight engine failure in April 2021. Avro Vulcan B.2 XH558 (G-VLCN) operated by the Vulcan To The Sky Trust displaying over Leuchars , unlike previous years this was quite literally a flying visit originating and ending from its home base at Doncaster. Gloster Meteor T.7 WA591/FMK-Q (G-BWMF) owned by Aviation Heritage in Coventry and restored to the markings worn when operated by No.203 Advanced Flying School at RAF Driffield in the early 1950s seen on the display aircraft ramp looking as good as new and continuing the Diamond Jubilee theme by being an aircraft not only in service when the Queen came to the throne but of a type also then operational at Leuchars. Gloster Meteor T.7 WA591/FMK-Q (G-BWMF) owned by Aviation Heritage in Coventry and restored in the markings worn when operated by No.203 Advanced Flying School at RAF Driffield in the early 1950s during its display sequence , the aircraft has since been exported to the USA. Hughes OH-6A Cayuse or more commonly ‘Loach’ 69-16011 (G-OHGA) owned by MSS Holdings and restored to the US Army’s 20th. Transport Company markings it carried in combat over South Vietnam is seen early Saturday on the area of the cross runway used by helicopters in the flying programme. Bell UH-1H Iroquois or more commonly 'Huey' 72-21509 (G-UHIH) owned by MSS Holdings and restored to the US Army’s 129th. Assault Helicopter Company markings it carried in combat over South Vietnam is seen early Saturday on the area of the cross runway used by helicopters in the flying programme. BAe Jetstream 41 G-MAJG in Eastern Airways colours being used by the manufacturer to transport corporate guests to the airshow holds short of the runway prior to departure late Saturday afternoon as three Extra 300 of the The Blades Display Team precede it having being one of several sports aerobatic displays during the course of the day.

RAF Leuchars Airshow 2012 was held on Saturday 15th. September that year which actually coincided with the official celebration of Battle of Britain day much like its earlier days as one of many RAF Battle of Britain at Home Days but was a week or two later than in more recent times leading to a clash with by then well-established events on the continent. Many participants in the main ramp area of the static display in Parts 1 and 2 were photographed during Friday as arrivals or during the late afternoon ‘ramp plod’ but others which had arrived earlier or had turned off at the runway mid-point for the northern taxiway static area were not accessible until Saturday morning on the day of the airshow itself. Consequently barriers and spectators were more of an issue that on the Friday and helicopters especially which were parked on the grass between the taxiway and runway that year were not best placed in the strong morning sunshine for photography. Gaps left by the lower than usual level of European military participation were filled by some less common visitors including the Dutch Coastguard Dornier 228 , Army Air Corps Defender and the first visit of the then recently acquired Royal Navy Avenger as well as some preserved aircraft of which some had links with Leuchars in times past. Panavia Tornado GR.4 ZA614/(076)EB-Z from No.41 Squadron with markings to celebrate that years London Olympics , Group Captain Don Finlay had been a pre-war Olympian and a wartime commander of the squadron. Panavia Tornado GR.4 ZA542/035 from the Lossiemouth Wing wearing what had become the more standardised style of markings across the fleet without squadron identification. BAe Hawk T.1A XX203/CC from No.100 Squadron wearing a more intact set of squadron bars than XX184 which had been photographed on the Friday. Leuchars based Grob Tutor T.1 G-CGKL from the East of Scotland University Air Squadron. English Electric Lightning F.3 XR713/C in No.111 Squadron markings had been the long-time gate guard on that squadron’s HAS site during its 21 year service at Leuchars on the Tornado F.3 which had ended the previous year. Port side view of Britten Norman BN-2T Islander AL.1 ZG845 from No.651 Squadron Army Air Corps with the early morning sun highlighting the heavy riveting around the doors and mission related hatches and patches along the fuselage. Starboard side view of Britten Norman BN-2T Islander AL.1 ZG845 from No.651 Squadron Army Air Corps has the surface detail appearing somewhat less brutal when shaded against the prevailing light. Westland Lynx AH.7 XZ645 from 9 Regiment Army Air Corps perhaps not best placed to photograph again the low sun. Aerospatiale Gazelle AH.1 XZ334 from No. 665 Squadron Army Air Corps not from the best angle but it does show the bars fitted for carrying surveillance cameras and similar equipment . Beech King Air 350ER Avenger T.1 ZZ500 from No. 750 Naval Air Squadron which had recently replaced the Jetstream in the Observer Training role made its first visit to a Leuchars airshow. Dassault DA20 Falcon G-FRAW operated at that time by Cobham as threat and target simulators capable of carrying a wide selection of underwing pods depending on the specific mission was one of many operated by the company that were frequent visitors to Leuchars during exercises and for local training while it was an active air defence fighter base. Dornier Do228 PH-CGN from Kustwacht , the Netherlands Coastguard , was an unusual and colourful first time visitor to the show. Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1 (G-WINI) XX546/03 now privately owned but in the typical colour scheme carried during the many years that similar Bulldogs were operated by the RAF at Leuchars (and elsewhere) on University Air Squadron and Air Experience Flight service. Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1 (G-BZFN) XX667/16 also now privately owned and in the typical RAF colour scheme although in this case with the blue fuselage band of the Royal Air Force College when operated by No.3 Flying Training School at RAF Cranwell. Finished as de Havilland Chipmunk T.20 ‘169’ of the Irish Air Corps the aircraft is actually former RAF T.10 WD305 now G-ARGG and owned by Caledonian Chipmunks which was parked alongside similarly finished ‘170’ formerly WP857 and now G-BDRJ , in RAF service the Chipmunk had preceded the Bulldog on UAS and AEF duties at Leuchars and elsewhere for many years. CASA 1131E (a licence-built Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann) E-3B-599/791-31 retains its Spanish Air Force colour scheme and markings albeit overlaid with its somewhat intrusive civilian registration G-CGTX although this was later removed. Preserved nose section of Hawker Hunter FGA.9 XE597 in No.1 Squadron markings with whom it served as ‘A’ during the early 1960s although the camera nose might possibly have been a later addition.

The penultimate RAF Leuchars Airshow was held on Saturday 15th. September 2012 which while coinciding with the official celebration of Battle of Britain day and in line with the once widespread post-war holding of RAF Battle of Britain at Home Days was a week or two later than in more recent years and as a result clashed with several equally well established shows elsewhere on the continent. Consequently usually stalwart supporters of the event were unable to attend which compounded by poor weather in the south of the country and unplanned serviceability issues had an impact on participation both in the air and on the ground. Despite the reduced overseas participation there were for the first time a pair of French Air Force Rafale B in the static display connected with the visit of Lieutenant General Guillaume Gelée and exchange flights with senior RAF officers. The Italian Air Force provided a pair of Eurofighter EF2000 on their first visit , the Royal Norwegian Air Force a pair of F-16 including one in a Centenary colour scheme and the USAF a trio of CONUS based ‘heavies’ although unusually no F-15s from Lakenheath. Pooled logistic support for the reduced European participation was provided by a visiting Royal Netherlands Air Force C-130H Hercules. The Norwegian Historical Squadron provided their T-33 and a pair of Vampires for the flying display which also flew their authorisation/practice displays on the Friday. Lockheed C-130H G-781/Bob van der Stok from 336 Squadron Royal Netherlands Air Force provided logistics support for the visiting French Rafale arrives on Friday , the wingtip DCM fittings are an RNLAF modification. With rear ramp still lowered Lockheed C-130H G-781/Bob van der Stok from 336 Squadron Royal Netherlands Air Force begins engine start-up to depart after providing logistics support for the visiting French Rafale. Is this really how you get in? – nose detail on Lockheed C-130H G-781/Bob van der Stok from 336 Squadron Royal Netherlands Air Force which provided logistics support. Dassault Rafale B 322/113-HU from EC.01.091 ‘Gascogne’ of the French Air Force shortly after arrival with white overalled RAF groundcrew denoting its VIP crew still in attendance , a Typhoon crew ladder has been used pending the arrival of the dedicated Rafale item. With canards and rudder typically deflected and canopy lowered Dassault Rafale B 322/113-HU from EC.01.091 ‘Gascogne’ of the French Air Force sits parked on the ramp with dedicated crew ladder lying alongside after its delivery by RNLAF Hercules. Compared with the nose-up attitude of the Eurofighter the Rafale , in this case one of the visiting Rafale B , has a definitely far more pugnacious look to it when seen from head-on. Dassault Rafale B 319/113-HN from EC.01.007 ‘Provence’ of the French Air Force taxies out for its VIP exchange flight around Scotland piloted by Captain Marc-Antoine Gerard with Air Vice Marshall Stuart Atha then Commander of No.1 Group RAF in the rear. Dassault Rafale B 319/113-HN from EC.01.007 ‘Provence’ of the French Air Force on the ramp following the VIP flight piloted by Captain Marc-Antoine Gerard with Air Vice Marshall Stuart Atha then Commander of No.1 Group RAF in the rear by which time both the dedicated crew ladder and French groundcrew had been delivered by RNLAF Hercules. Eurofighter EF2000 MM7296/36-22 from 36 Stormo/12 Gruppo of the Italian Air Force arrives for the static display carrying an inert IRIS-T AAM on the outboard pylon , this was one of two EF2000 met en-route and escorted to Leuchars by a No.1 Squadron Typhoon FGR.4. Eurofighter EF2000 MM7297/36-23 from 36 Stormo/10 Gruppo of the Italian Air Force arrives for the static display carrying an inert IRIS-T AAM on the outboard pylon , this was the other EF2000 met en-route and escorted to Leuchars by a No.1 Squadron Typhoon FGR.4. Lockheed Martin F-16BM Fighting Falcon ‘305’ of the Royal Norwegian Air Force which operates he aircraft through the Forsvarets Logistikk Organisasjon/Air Force Logistic Organisation pooled system whose fin flash the aircraft carries , a Sniper Designator Pod is carried on the intake cheek position. Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon ‘686’ of the Royal Norwegian Air Force in the special scheme applied to celebrate 100 years of Norwegian Military Flying. USAF ‘heavies’ static line-up with (from the front) KC-135R , KC-10 and B-52H all of which had arrived earlier in the week with the RAF VC10 C.1K approaching to land in the distance behind them. Boeing B-52H Stratofortress BD/61-0031/Judgement Day from the 93rd. Bomb Squadron of the United States Air Force Reserve Command. Boeing KC-135R 62-3576/ Stratotanker of the 133rd. Air Refueling Squadron , New Hampshire Air National Guard , United States Air Force. McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender 79-1712 from the 305th Air Mobility Wing of the United States Air Force. Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 133599/NX865SA was at that time a recent addition to the Norwegian Historical Squadron and retained its Canadian paint scheme with non-typical low-viz Royal Norwegian Air Force markings and is seen here returning from its practice/authorisation flight. De Havilland Vampire T.55 PX-M/LN-DHZ of the Norwegian Historical Squadron was actually Swiss built and operated until acquired and restored to a colour scheme worn by 336 Squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force in the early 1950s and is seen here taxying out for its practice/authorisation flight. De Havilland Vampire FB.52 PX-K/SE-DXS of the Norwegian Historical Squadron was actually Swiss built and operated until acquired and restored to a colour scheme worn by 336 Squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force in the early 1950s and is seen here returning after its practice/authorisation flight.

From Furball Aero-Design Furball 48-022 1/48 Killer Whales Part 1 decals , recent re-issue of their 2013 A-3 Skywarrior Decal Sheet , unlike another noted US decal manufacturers Furball still accept individual orders from the UK so having missed this first time round ordered the re-issue as soon as it was in stock although its delivery coincided with them arriving at Hannants so could have saved on shipping had I known they were going to arrive there so quickly - new releases from the other manufacturer mentioned to traders in the UK are months behind. From Nautilus Models Nautilus Models 48-801 1/48 RA-5C Internal Brace , laser-cut ply fuselage brace to provide the necessary strengthening for the Trumpeter kit for those like myself lacking the skills/confidence to lash something up from sprue , didn’t realise that the pack included a pair of very nicely cast resin engine-intake blanks complete with handles. Via eBay From Mastercasters_1 , Master AM-48-080 1/48 RA-5C Vigilante Pitot and ADA Probe , had a look at the kit plastic for the pitot and it seems a bit too delicate so maybe more survivable in brass.

The penultimate RAF Leuchars Airshow was held on Saturday 15th. September 2012 which for an event that started as one of many post-war RAF Battle of Britain at Home Days actually coincided that year with the officially celebrated Battle of Britain Day. While holding these events as near to that date as possible had been the norm in years past more recent shows had been slightly earlier in the month which meant that in 2012 the date clashed with other shows in mainland Europe which limited visiting participation. However among the reduced overseas visitors there were for the first time a pair of French Air Force Rafale B in the static display connected with the visit of Lieutenant General Guillaume Gelée and a special flight around Scotland involving senior officers of both air forces. 2012 was also the year of the Queen’s 60th. or Diamond Jubilee , the London Olympics and several Squadron Centenaries and other Anniversaries as reflected by some special marking schemes and displays. I attended the show on the two-day Enthusiasts Package which included access (sometimes ahead of the barricade team) on the Friday beforehand for arrivals and practice displays from which this first block of images show some of the Leuchars based and visiting Royal Air Force aircraft involved. Starboard side of Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ZK326/FB from No.1 Squadron as it taxies out to meet a pair of Italian Air Force EF2000 en-route to the show. Port side Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ZK326/FB from No.1 Squadron returns after meeting a pair of Italian Air Force EF2000 en-route to the show. Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ZJ936/QO-C from No.3 Squadron in centenary markings arrives for the static display. Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon T.3 ZJ381/EX from No.6 Squadron taxies out for the Rafale/Typhoon VIP flight piloted by RAF Leuchars Station Commander and Air Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Gavin Parker with Lieutenant General Guillaume Gelée of the French Air Force in the rear. Leuchars based Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ZK312/EM from No.6 Squadron in the static display gives an idea of the number of protective covers and plates along with ‘Remove Before Flight’ pins and tags that are fitted to an aircraft at rest on the ramp. Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 ZK305/DE from No.11 Squadron arrives for the static display. Panavia Tornado GR.4 (originally designated a GR.4A) ZA398/(087) from No.2 Squadron in centenary markings arrives for the static display. BAe Hawk T.1 XX184/CQ from No.100 Squadron departs as photo-ship to accompany the Rafale/Typhoon VIP flight and shows that decals can be a problem no matter what the scale. Bae Hawk T.2 ZK031/V from No.4 Squadron arrives for the static display and demonstrates that unlike the earlier T.1 the canopy can be opened while taxying. BAe HS125 CC.3 ZD703 from No.32 (The Royal) Squadron provided transport for VIPs (as signified by the white overalled marshaller in the background) in connection the French Air Force visit. Raytheon Sentinel R.1 ZJ693 from No.5 Squadron arriving for the static display. Boeing Sentry AEW.1 ZH102/02 from No.8 Squadron arriving to take part in both the static and flying displays. Starboard side of Vickers VC10 C.1K XR808 from No.101 Squadron in squadron 95th. Anniversary/50 years of VC10 Flying markings arrives for static display. Port side of Vickers VC10 C.1K XR808 from No.101 Squadron in squadron 95th. Anniversary/50 years of VC10 Flying markings arrives for static display. Boeing Chinook HC.4 ZA713 from the Odiham Wing operated by a joint No.18/27 Squadrons crew during its practice display.

No idea if this if purely a local/regional initiative or if it is more widespread but it might be something that some might want to either take advantage of or help with. For the past week our local Tesco branch has had a small bookcase of books set up near the entrance along with a collecting tin for any contributions that those taking books might want to make as part of an initiative to fund warm coats for children this winter in addition to the donations the chain already makes in this field , as of yesterday the first week here in Montrose had raised £250. The first few days it seemed to be old stock that had been lying around the warehouse to get the project started but now they are inviting customers to drop off unwanted books at customer services to offer as well. Might be worth looking at to either make a cash donation to stock up on reading material for the winter or to contribute some of those books that many of us are going to do something about some day - already been able to move brand-new duplicate Haynes Spitfire/Lancaster/Wellington Manuals and a Harpia Chinese Warplanes book bought at 'Bargain' prices that have been lying around annoying the management for well over a year . . . . . so brownie points for 'doing something about that room upstairs'.

Via Ali Express From ModelFans Store - Trumpeter 02809 1/48 North American RA-5C Vigilante kit , industrial inaction added around a week to the delivery time but not likely to be getting built this week/month/year so no problem – cost started around half that of current UK prices and even once shipping and VAT were added was still a saving making the aftermarket less painful. Via eBay From Puzzle-Craft - Aires 4118 1/48 F-4E/F/G/J/EJ/S Phantom II Exhaust Nozzles , resin and etch set , essentially the same parts but slightly cheaper than the designated Aires set for the RA-5C and leaves the kit engine parts untouched when the Nautilus internal body frame (en-route) is used , recommended on the Nautilus site but now realise that to eventually attempt an early RA-5C the Aires set 4128 for the F-4A/B/C/D/N would be more appropriate – swop anyone? From Tonna Books - Combat Report Magazine Issues 1-4 November 1986/June 1987, free shipping and delivered within twenty hours of ordering , all issues for one of the many excellent but short-lived aviation/modelling magazines that popped up in the late 1980s/early 1990s , in this case bi-monthly and edited by Jerry Scutts containing a mix of mainly B&W photography with colour profiles.

Of course but can see where you are coming from so thought I would mention my own experience which while quite expensive and would have been happier to spend on sweeties was not quite up to eBay Global Shipping standards seen last night with a decal sheet priced around the dollar equivalent of £6 had shipping costs of £136 sending via USPS.

Ordered one last weekend , include a postal surcharge of $2 and then shipping $24 and it almost adds up to twice the cost of the item (which cost $14) however as far as shipping anything from the US to the UK these days that is far more reasonable than many companies charge for their goods and from everything I had read beforehand the frame is essential unless one is very confident in their skills to build one out of scrap/plastic rod. Although at the moment at least the current exchange rate is rather travelling in the wrong direction.

Via Ali Express Hobby Boss 80346 1/48 TA-7C Corsair II kit , originally had a ten week delivery date but arrived after four although another Chinese purchase (Trumpeter 1/48 Vigilante) with an expected delivery date during the past week is somewhere in the UK presumably still heading north on a slow lorry from Heathrow because of the latest Royal Mail industrial dispute. From Creative Models via Amazon Eduard Brassin 648477 1/48 SUU-7 Dispensers , pack of four resin pods with flush ended tubes , the separate identifier letters for each of the dispenser tubes must be the smallest and finest individual decals I have ever seen although cannot imagine ever applying them even after I have next been to Specsavers. Eduard Brassin 648601 1/48 AN/ALE-41 Chaff Dispenser , pack of two resin/etch pods with choice of dispenser fairing. By the vagaries of the mighty river of e-commerce both part of the same transaction , one qualified for free Prime delivery but one did not , both delivered at the same time from the same shipping address but in separate parcels. From Key Publications Catching up with some Bookazines old & new using an offer code. Aviation Archive – RAF Inter-War Bombers Aviation Archive – German Bombers of WWII Aviation Archive – Jet & Rocket Powered Aircraft of WWII Aviation Archive – Aircraft That Changed the World Aviation Archive – Transatlantic Flight 100 Glorious Years Aviation Archive – Classic Airliners of the 1950s Aviation Archive – Hawker Aircraft Aviation Archive – British Airliners , The Post-War Years Tempest – Unsung Power Player From my local WH Smith Supermarine Secret Projects 1 – Flying Boats and Supermarine Secret Projects 2 – Fighters and Bombers , both by Ralph Pegram and both published 2022 by Mortons Media Group.

Or perhaps some other firm with a bit more imagination than constantly re-issuing pension-age kits with new decal sheets. Very roughly a 1/72 Neptune would not be too dissimilar in size to a 1/48 Do 217 , Ju 88 , A/B-26 etc. so well within the capabilities of a company such as ICM and their proven track record for multi-variant kit families.

Frog's original Neptune kit was to 1/173 scale , had around twenty or so parts , embossed markings and was released in the late 1950s. However FROG did release the 1/72 scale Hasegawa parts in their own boxes and with different decal sheets in the early 1970s during a period of cooperation between the two companies which saw quite a few of the Japanese kits released in the UK.

Ordered the 1/48 Trumpeter Vigilante kit through Ali Express a couple of weeks ago with the same idea for the CTA decals I had just bought , notified at the end of last week that it had cleared UK customs so expect it in the next few days following mail strike and holiday weekend . . . . . no idea when I will ever get round to building it.

As well as some more recent local and UK purchases some interesting things arrived from interesting places although some other parcels that have been notified by Royal Mail have been held up by their end of week industrial action and then the holiday weekend. From Art Scale Distribution in the Czech Republic Quickboost QB48714 1/48 Kamov Ka-27 Helix Seats With Safety Belts - lovely cast resin replacements for the Hobby Boss kit parts. Two x Quickboost QB72216 1/72 TA-7C Corsair II Drag Chute Housing - again nicely cast resin BUT the Hobby Boss kits I have are in 1/48 and unlike the 1/72 kit include the housing . . . . . yet another of those Specsaver moments !! From Plastic Models Store in Ukraine CAT4 R48073 1/48 TA-7C Corsair II Intake for Hobby Boss kit - resin replacement intake lip and lower fuselage halves including separate integral boarding step and hatch to remedy the kit shape. CAT4 R48065 1/48 A-7E/D Corsair II Intake for Hobby Boss kit - resin replacement intake lip and lower fuselage halves including separate integral boarding step and hatch to remedy the kit shape. Two x CAT4 R48063 1/48 A-7A/B/D/E Corsair II Nose Section Hobby Boss kit - resin replacement radome to remedy the kit shape. From HobbyDNA.com in China Sprues from various Trumpeter 1/48 A-3 Skywarrior variant kits for ‘dove’ tail fairing , standard tail fin , more suitable canopy to provide some (but far from all) help with converting their ERA-3B kit into the earlier RA-3B , Hobby DNA might well be the online spare parts and kit sales division rather than a third party contractor as the customs document identified the sender as Trumpeter itself. Via eBay Combat Slicks CS48014 1/48 Yankee Seat and Ram Cover , Horizontal Stabilisers and Elevators (plus Replacement Main Wheels) for Tamiya A-1H/J Skyraider kit - very reasonably priced resin replacement parts ,the new main wheels were not mentioned in the item description and were a welcome addition. From Aero Research 1103 USAF Collection No.15 , latest release as a PDF download with 150+ photos from across the years. From Amazon Bandai 0501203 1/48 Xabungle Hobuggy kit – a sort of a flying scooter from a Japanese cartoon series to encourage a Gundam modelling family member to (slightly) widen his interests although if I was building it there would be guns and rocket pods. Black Hawk Illustrated book , by Low Drendel , latest in the Aviation Art Inc. series of book published by Amazon and released this week covers all US services to varying extents as well as foreign and civil use At The Aberdeen Modeller’s Society Scale Model Show From Rif Raf Models - Academy 12294 1/48 F-4C Phantom ‘Vietnam War’ – late afternoon money burning a hole in my pocket choice , almost went to a model show without buying any kits. From Moryayvia - Nimrod Walkround Model Making CDR - some reference photos of the different variants and a detailed walkround on an MR.2 for one whole British pound. At The Montrose Airfield Museum Open Weekend Fly-In From the Scottish Aero Club tent - Scotland’s Airlines book , by Charles Woodley , published 2008 by Tempus , second-hand for a couple of pounds and a slightly deeper subject that I was previously aware of.

Also towards the smaller biz-jet range there is the Heller Dassault Mystere/Falcon 20 (depending on release date) in 1:50 scale , engine pods nothing like production aircraft , door on wrong side of the fuselage , basic undercarriage as well as tending towards the rare/expensive end of the second-hand market.