Gazontipede

Wow, nice! So that'd be, what, around 1/8 scale? I'll have upgrade that to super-nice! No argument on the box art from me. Back when they really were works of art! 😎

That is an absolutely awesome collection, thanks for posting it! What scale is that Fw-190 you've got there? Although the E-3A Sentry kit suggests the model shop dates from around 1972... I'll get my coat!

Very nice choices! DAF also appears highly appropriate as it is still currently about 40 degrees outside. 🥵 If you don't mind, I'll pull up a pew to help get through the next few days (which are likely to be spent with one beady eye on the CFS websites too.)

Sorry for the Wally question, but I assume these 3D transfers operate just like normal ones? I've never used them before.

A must have for me. The Mk.XII is my all time favourite Spitfire. I've successfully built a Sword high back Mk.XIVc and found it tricky in places but quite doable, at least for my mediocre skill set. So order away, thanks for the heads up!

Is Hannants likely to be the only retailer to carry this? I ask for a friend...

Brilliant! I'll pull up a seat if you don't mind? I finished a Mistercraft (convoluted mutant Heller clone) Br.693 a little while back with rather fanciful scratch interior detailing... I'm keen to see how someone else handles this rather ancient kit of an otherwise rather appealing aircraft. (Rather better than I, I suspect! )

Superb work! It really looks convincing on that diorama. I was under the impression that Tamiya kits almost assembled themselves, what problems did the kit give you at the start? I have one of these lurking in the stash and I'd like to know of any pitfalls that may trip up my fat fingers when I get around to it!

That sir, is a masterclass in understatement! I'm not seeing any controls in the basket. Given the wiki description it looks like the altitude control was via winching from the ground tethers. Presumably the engines were started externally as well and ran at a constant throttle setting. Yikes... Speaking of masterclasses, this model is surely one in fine and exquisite detail work! Absolutely stunning,

Remarkable drawings! It almost looks possible to mount the 40mm guns on their sides and have them completely within the wing!

This is excellent stuff, but there is one point that I'm obviously not understanding. AFAIK the F4F-3 never had folding wings, yet in the photos in this thread the aircraft identified as F4s (which also appear to bear the white ensign pennant on the tails) all have their wings neatly folded as do those identified as Martlets. What have I missed?

Sweet! What a blast from the past! She looks the biz. I remember finding one of these in my Christmas stocking back in the mid 70's. I am sorely tempted to get one now for nostalgia's sake!

She may yet survive. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/satellite-photos-give-hope-an-225-might-have-survived/

In the dim dark recesses of my past I was very much a fan of the computer simulation IL-2 Sturmovik by 1C/Maddox games which eventually had the A20C and A20G modeled in game. I seem to recall their loadouts included Soviet FAB-50 & 100 bombs at least. Now, bearing in mind this is only a computer game/simulation (although an apparently competently researched one) if you like I can reassemble my old gaming PC that had this installed and take a look at the loadout options on offer?

красивый стакан!

That is quite the spectacular collection! I must admit Spits do look good in two tone greys/blues. What is the story behind the multiple (5?) hued A-2 coded aircraft? (Second photo from 7:45 batch.)

Angel Interceptor confirmed! Does this mean the VVS (or whatever they call themselves nowadays) will be bringing back female pilots?? Interestingly enough, the majority of the stealth shaping appears to be on the lower and frontal aspects, combined with that fairly sizeable wing I wonder if it is intended to operate at very high altitudes? A bit like the F-22 does?

Well if one discounts the lack of horizontal stabilisers, the sharply canted vertical stabs and the rather unusual Angel-Interceptor wrap around intake plus various sundry other details... I'm afraid I'm not seeing, just like an F-35. To me it looks more like they've been having a peek at some of Gerry Anderson's designs and adapting them for stealth... I admit I'm not convinced by a couple of details of the otherwise interesting drawings. I can see no evidence for the intakes at the roots of the taileron/stabilator or whatever you want to call those tail fins under the tarps. The main wrap around intake is also perhaps a bit speculative. It'll certainly be an interesting reveal!

This is something very special, a real work of art! Here's an interesting little article about the monstrous gun the MiG-27 carried: https://www.quarryhs.co.uk/GSh-6-30.htm that may add a bit of 'flavour' to your build efforts!

Right-ho, thanks! A bunch of sanding and fettling lies in my future then! I'll just have to cry a bit when I sand back all the painted detail I've put in already. Serves me right, I never learn! I might grab a photo or two for posterity though. Anyway, enough of my blather. Proceed sir!

Well we both brush paint acrylics, so I figure I'm in excellent company anyway! Mine is still mostly on the sprues although I've already done a bunch of coats already. (The base gloss black, then some gloss silver over that and some subsequent differentiation of panels in gun metal and aluminium. Still a bunch of coats to go though.) That may have been a mistake given the amount of sanding/filling I suspect will be needed... We shall see! I'm also referencing David Collins' excellent WIP thread for the build as I figure I'll need all the help I can get! How tricky was locating all the cockpit internals to the fuselage? I'm looking at my various sub assemblies (IP, seat stick & floor and battery/radio(?) rack) and getting a little concerned about stuffing it all in there correctly.

I've got an F.1 slowly, ever so slowly, coming together, so I'll tag along on this if you don't mind. I've always found it helpful to watch someone who actually knows what they are doing before I wind up butchering something myself!

The following Phoenix range records were set in the 1970s. In 1973 an F-14A downed a BQM-34E drone at a range of 126 miles (202km). Reportedly, in 1979, this was then beaten by a shoot-down of another drone at a range of 132 miles (213km). Those would appear to be the numbers to beat unless the Russians come up with some KS-172 or R-37M shot data. (As opposed to paper manufacturers claims.)

Thanks for the concise explanation Peter, my eye certainly counts among the untrained. I do have a rather ancient and tired (the binding is starting to disintegrate) copy of Morgan & Shacklady. I must admit I don't use it as much as I used to because it is starting to come apart. In this instance, with a precise page number though I shall make an exception! Thanks again! Cheers, Richard

Fascinating stuff, thank you! The 'Vokes' filter on the Mk.V always looked rather draggy to my eye. However, reading the above, I'm assuming the loss of performance usually attributed to filter equipped aircraft was more a result of the loss of ram air then? Also, would anyone, perchance, have any diagrams of the insides of the later rather sleeker Mk.VIII/IX filter?