galgos

Thanks both Troy and Tony for that info. I'm going to build the 1/32nd PCM Hurricane in the RATG colours as you may remember Tony. I've recently got some Aeromilitaria magazines containing articles written by Dave Newnham which includes info about the Hurricanes including the Met Flight serial AG244 and that excellent picture. I've sent copies of these to John Shipman so he's already "in the frame" Troy. Regards Max

They were also used as test beds for all sorts of engines, that would make a fascinating build! Max

Two of the most glaring faults aren't mentioned in that earlier thread: firstly there are some "scoops" shown in the assembly instructions, one under the leading edge of each wing just outboard of the fuselage. Tamiya would have you position them with the outlet facing forward, like an intake. They should really face rearwards, they are actually vents for excess cockpit heat. I managed to find a picture of a rather dented one on my Photobucket account. and a better picture from G-George in the AWM. The second fault concerns the rear turret, the major supporting frameworks (almost K or R shapes) are shown completely the wrong way round, certainly in the earlier kits though I believe this may have been corrected later. Check your references, I've got a feeling the four Brownings are in the wrong configuration too but I'm going from memory and I'm 4000 miles away from my references right now. Belcher Bits nacelles are ok but difficult to fit and to get right: Oh, and the window near the w/op's position is too far forward but in my mind that's a fault that's fairly easy to live with (though I did alter mine! ) Max

So many justifiably correct comments about the realistic and beautifully applied paint work and weathering, but thank goodness NO pre-shading! Max

What are the dates for this GB please? Could well be interested since I'm putting a small dio together over the next couple of months. Max

Well done Hovering, spot on! Max

Some research at the National Archives might pay off, some can be done online. I don't know how complete or detailed the ORBs (Operation Record Books) are for 115 squadron, they do vary from squadron to squadron, but it shouldn't be too difficult to find crew and hence serial number/ squadron code details. You might also consider joining the RAF Commands forum, some very knowledgeable people there. What's your friend's name? Max

Beautiful work and finish again Tony, how many Hurricanes in the collection now?! Max

Lovely crisp build, superb finish and great attention to detail including the stabilising wires on the tail planes, not many people research enough to include those. Max

Thanks chaps, I can hardly wait to get to the slappin' on some paint stage. Max

The progress made isn't in proportion to the amount of time and effort put into research and production! I've been focussing on the instrument panel as previously mentioned, I've carefully measured and cut out the front and rear IPs plus backing pieces. The bodies of the instruments will be visible on the rear IP so I cut the moulded ones off the KH IP and glued them onto mine, adding a jumble of wiring which hopefully will just "disappear" into the depths of the cockpit! The front IP is nearing completion, all the dials are from AirScale (I've matched them to the correct instruments as far as possible) filled in with Kristal Klear and this morning I used a couple of sections from KH's decal on the lower part, though I'm not really convinced about this and may whip them off. I've kept "masters" of the sections should I be mad enough to want to make another Harvard! The hood was made from a piece of plasticard carefully heated over a candle flame then moulded over a balsa wood former that I carved. Regards Max

Absolutely magnificent Tom, wonderful from Go to Whoa. Max

I don't share the excitement over the Tiffie, I won't be buying one for several (immaterial) reasons, but talking of references I do have the Aeroplane magazine from June 2004 which focuses on the Typhoon including the type history, scale and cutaway drawings, recounts of teething problems etc., its role in the invasion of Europe, what it was like to fly etc. 20 pages well illustrated with B&W photographs - free to whoever may be interested (except P&P charges). Send me a PM with a name and address. Max Gone!

Chris, G-AIDL was coded TX310 not TX130. According to the Air-Britain book on the de Havilland Rapide family TX310 (RAF serial 6968) has no real service history as such but was sold back to DH in May 1946, changing hands many times, finally registered by the time of book issue (2003) to Air Atlantique. I feel confident in saying that she never had her silver/blue/white livery during her time with the RAF, that's much more akin to the 1950s Transport Command colours. Max

Yes it does Julien but it's not the forum that it used to be with its broad spectrum of contributors and there is no access to the wealth of information that was on the original forum. Max

Time for a mini-update! The front and rear cockpits are finished (I'd added a few switch boxes and the undercarriage warning horn etc) apart from the IPs, I've been researching those for the RAF Harvards and making some up. One thing that's clear is that I'll have to scratch a new IP hood for the rear cockpit, the supplied one is far too narrow at the top. Having joined the fuselage halves (the firewall is yet to be secured), I found that the "panel section" on the rear top fuselage isn't a particularly good fit. I don't understand why KH saw fit to make this as a separate part rather than making it part of the fuselage mouldings. As far as I can see from my photographs, including detail ones from my visit to the FAA at Yeovilton, there isn't a removable panel there so I reckon it's just to make an extra part for the modeller to stick in place!! The trouble is that it needs considerable work to get an acceptable fit, this is after a little sanding and before putty and Mr Surfacer: I'm using the AMS resin prop blades, the picture shows the kit blade on the left and AMS's on the right. The Hamilton blades were 9' 1" nominal length which are correctly reproduced by AMS so I don't quite know what KH based theirs on. Max

Sadly Miggers Larry Wright pulled the plug on the Forum a couple of years ago, so much interest, material and expertise lost at that point. Max

Slow progress on small details! Taking this kit from a rather "mongrel" Texan (so it seems) to a 1943 Harvard means lots of research trying to get the cockpit as right as possible, especially since so much of it will be visible on the finished model. There are many features to add, some as obvious as a compass, and others to bin. This picture shows what I've added or replaced so far: Unit "X" in the rear cockpit is, I suspect, wrong for the period as was a larger unit containing VHF radio switches etc in the forward cockpit, but whilst I've changed the front section based on the pilot's notes, I've no idea what the rear cockpit looks like so I'm probably going to do a mini-version of the front. Another view showing how well the framework structure fit into the fuselage: Max

I've not had too much time for modelling over the past week I'm afraid, just a few detailed bits like drilling out the wings for some replacement fuel caps made from sprue: and making a blind flying hood for the rear cockpit: http://s69.photobucket.com/user/galgos1/media/NA%20Harvard/DSCN4331_zpsd65f4082.jpg.html'> I've also cut off the panel on the starboard side of the cockpit because it's clearly not that fitted in the wartime Harvard, so I'll be scratch-building a new panel based on the picture in the pilot's notes: Whilst I'm at it, here are the other pictures of the forward cockpit area from the notes, including an hydraulic hand pump on the port side which I'll be adding: and the instrument panel, work in progress! A few details, pipe runs and a battery added to the firewall: More time over the next few days I hope. Max

Thanks for your comprehensive answer Troy, that's very useful. I'm amazed that so little is available in 1/32nd for a Hurricane, I want to do this one: but it has to be in 1/32nd to stand alongside the Harvard, so the Airfix 1/24th is out. I don't mind spending on AM bits nor doing a bit of fettling and I'm not a purist about 100% authenticity! Just looked at Tony's marvellous looking Hurricane including the tropical filter, so PCM's the one for me! Regards Max

Can anybody advise me about what's available to build a 1/32nd Hurricane including a Vokes filter? Max

Thank you SF for your very generous comments. I'm enjoying the Harvard build enormously but I'm really looking forward to the painting stage because I'm using some new (to me at least) paints by Mr Paint. Pre-thinned ready for the airbrush and in tests that I've done they spray beautifully. For the first time ever I'm using stencils supplied by Mal Mayfield for all the roundels and codes so a new learning curve there! Max

Hmmmm, learn sdk?! I hope so but I don't count myself any more than an average modeller however what I do for all my builds is a lot of research so that I'm as familiar with the subject matter as I can be. I've recently discovered some facts about the RATG colour schemes that I didn't know before so these will be incorporated into my model. Max

I'm in for this, I'll keep my 1/48th Aeroclub one for it. Max

Funnily enough I've got two Harvards in 1/48th to build! Mad or what?? Max