NORTHDUK

Alex, Thanks for your reply. You've certainly solved the problem! Did the cabane (centre section) struts need trimming to fit after you had altered the wing struts? I really like the model. I'm painting mine as a post-war Dutch example but the colour scheme on your model makes me wish I had chosen a more colourful aircraft. Is that an aircraft of JGII? You've made a really good job of the lozenge tranfers. Very effective. Gordon McLaughlin

The lower wing is a one-piece moulding that fits into a recess under the fuselage. Unfortunately, the wing centre section is too narrow. The only way to fit the wing is to cut through the centre section and glue the two resulting parts in place separately. This leaves a narrow gap on the fuselage centre line that has to be filled and rubbed down. I have a feeling that the spans of the wings and axle are slightly less than they should be but I'm not inclined to go looking for trouble. Gordon McLaughlin

So far, I've concentrated on German WW1 biplanes because the V and N struts make wing alignment easier. When I get round to the British aircraft, I shall probably need to rig up some sort of jig. I can't justify the cost of buying one but I can probably improvise something. Back in the 1960's, I built all the 1/72 biplane kits I could find and seemed to have very little difficulty with the struts. Lord knows what they looked like. I wasn't very critical in those days! Thanks for the suggestion. Gordon McLaughlin

I am about half way through building the Roden 1/72 scale kit of the Fokker DVII (Late). The next step is to fit the struts and top wing. My problem is that I cannot get the top wing to fit onto the interplane struts without its adopting an exaggerated angle of incidence. Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution? Are there any other snags awaiting me as the model progresses? Gordon McLaughlin

Thanks. I'd never noticed that! Gordon McLaughlin

I'm interested to see this reference to an upper cowl bulge on the MkXVI. I thought they were externally identical to the MkIX. Where does this bulge appear and is it worth trying to represent it in 1/72nd scale? Is nothing simple? Gordon McLaughlin

Nick, Sorry, I should have included my e-mail address in my last posting. [email protected] Gordon McLaughlin

Nick, That's very good of you. Let me know how much you want for them and I'll send you a cheque along with my address. Gordon McLaughlin

Now that the Airfix Spitfire PR XIX has appeared and seems broadly OK, I'd like to build one as PM660, OI-X of 2 Sdn, RAF. I've had a look at the Model Alliance decal sheet for Griffon-engined PR Spitfires which includes this aircraft and a couple of questions arise. As far as I can see, the roundels and fin flash are given in dark wartime colours. Is that likely to be right in Germany in 1947? The second question is simpler. If anyone has this sheet and does not want the markings for OI-X, would you sell them to me to save buying a sheet for £8.80 just to get one set of markings? I've tried to find suitable markings elsewhere but the red codes and small roundels have beaten me. Gordon McLaughlin

This is a very useful review. Are the wheel wells boxed in or left open as seen on the MkIX? Gordon McLaughlin

I once flew in a Varsity in the 1960's. I remember being surprised at the interior colours. The cabin aft of the cockpit bulkhead was in two colours. Up to the waistline (ie lower half of the walls) was a dark red. Above this was a pinkish beige. The floor was a dirty black-grey. I don't remember much about the interior fittings. There were rearward facing single seats with black cushions. There was a lavatory on the starboard side near the tail and the wing spar ran through the cabin forming a metal box on which you stood to look through the astrodome. Unfortunately, that's as much as I can now remember. I hope it helps. Gordon McLaughlin

According to Bart Vanderveen, this vehicle is Tractor, Wheeled, Aircraft, Heavy, Sentinel 4x4 and is an improved version of the Douglas Tugmaster. He gives the dimensions as: Length 21' 4" Width 8' 0" Height 7' 2.5" Wheelbase 9'2". The engine was a Rolls Royce B80 No1 Mk5 with 8 cylinders giving 160bhp. Gordon McLaughlin

Nick, PM sent with e-mail address. Thanks, Gordon McLaughlin

Nick, Thanks for your message. I had a lot of work to do so had only time to glance at the forum to see if anyone had replied. I thought I would print off your posting later. I'd be glad of the information which was certainly the most detailed treatment of the early Mohawks that I've seen. Scans of the photographs would also be very welcome. I really appreciate your taking so much trouble to answer my enquiry. Thanks again, Gordon McLaughlin

I've recently made the Revell boxing of the Italeri Jaguar GR1A in 1/72 scale and needed information about colours. I posted an enquiry on the Rec Models Scale usenet site and had a number of useful, detailed replies. The detailed information on the colours of doors, airbrakes and other items might be of help to you. Follow the link below to see the correspondence. http://groups.google.com/group/rec.models....arch+this+group I hope this helps. Gordon McLaughlin

Thanks to all who replied to my enquiry about the Mohawk III. I'll look for the books and see if I can find a specific subject aircraft to model. When I had a quick glance yesterday to see if anyone had replied, there was a very detailed and interesting reply which has now disappeared. I hope that I didn't offend the writer by not replying immediately. Thanks again, Gordon McLaughlin

I have a Smer/Heller 1/72 kit of the Curtiss Hawk 75A as used by the French in 1940. I gather that some of these aircraft were delivered to the RAF after France fell and were used as the Mohawk III. I have occasionally seen photogrpahs and drawings of the later Mohawk IV in service in the Far East but have never seen any illustrations of the Mohawk III or any reference to the use made of this version by the RAF. Does anyone know anything about these aircraft in RAF service or know of any references to them? I'd like to finish the model as a RAF machine if I can find markings for it. Gordon McLaughlin

Many thanks to all who reponded to my request. Thanks to the generosity of "Moaning Dolphin", I now have the Hunter nose. Best wishes to everyone for 2009. Gordon McLaughlin

Thanks for your replies. I have seen the Quickboost item and have to agree that it is the wrong shape and generally unconvincing. I know that the complete conversion set is still available from FAA Models but can't justify paying eight pounds for the whole set when I only want the camera nose. I've had no dealings with the manufacturer. Does anyone know if they would be likely to supply the camera nose on its own? It seems a bit of a cheek to ask. Gordon McLaughlin

I have recently bought a Revell Hawker Hunter FGA9 in 1/72 scale with the intention of converting it to a Hunter FR10. Some time ago, FAA Models released a conversion set covering various Royal Navy options including the GA11 and a PR version with a camera nose. If anyone bought one of these sets and does not need the camera nose, would you be willing to sell it to me? If so, let me know what you want for it including postage. I'm in the UK. Gordon McLaughlin