Adam Poultney

Correct Correct https://imgur.com/s4kdU29 As @71chally has pointed out i misidentified this feature, it's to do with the anti icing system. The artwork on the Xtradecal sheet doesn't show this difference properly. The profile of XL158, I think, should be shown with Blue Steel. This photo of my models shows the differences. I wouldn't attempt this in 1/72. I do not think it is impossible, but I think it would be very difficult. The original design was a leading edge flap (hinged nose type, not a conventional slat) Ref: https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/65141/do-leading-edge-flaps-increase-the-critical-angle-of-attack This image of the ill-fated XH668 (uniquely identifiable by the B1 style fin and as the only B2 airframe with the enlarged scoops under the nose) shows the leading edge flaps in the deployed position. Incidentally, this also shows the starboard intake without any vanes at all and the port side with just the two. https://www.key.aero/article/handley-page-victor-prototype-crash-and-investigation Almost all Victors were refitted with a fixed drooped, and extended, leading edge on the outer sections of the wings. This is what is represented in the kit. The final batch of Victors, XM714-718, was built with the later style fixed drooped leading edges. Hence, these are ideal as you do not need to modify the leading edges. In this thread I made the equivalent modification for a Victor B1 in 1/144 scale. You also should omit the refueling probe and fill the slot for it. There are a few other lumps and bumps over the kit that you may need to remove. Just check if you can see them in reference photos, and there should be plenty of them for early Victors. You can purchase resin parts for the nose tip and tail intake here: https://air-graphics.uk/shop/ols/products/ac-032-hp-victor-b2-early-mod-fin-conversion They also have this pretty decent looking decal set for early Victors. https://air-graphics.uk/shop/ols/products/hp-victor-b1-b1a-and-b2 The K2 kit is every kit as suitable as the B2 kit for an early one. You don't need any parts from the variant sprues.

I'll write up a more detailed guide on how to make a non blue steel bomber from either kit (you don't need any of the variant parts) later when I get in from uni.

No, you still need the blue steel parts (easily obtained from an Airfix Vulcan). My previous post goes over the mods to make a B.Mk.2 pure bomber. These can be done to either box just as easily.

The box labelled as a Victor B.Mk.2[BS] can build a Victor B.2R (same thing), and only that variant. This is a Victor equipped with Blue Steel. It contains one variant sprue with all the parts needed to fit Blue Steel, and a Blue Steel Missile. This sprue is also included in the first issue of the new tool Vulcan kit. The box labelled as a Victor K.2/SR.2 can build only either a K.2 or SR.2. It cannot be used to build a B2.R. This box contains two variant sprues. A clear sprue provides the shorter wingtips of the K2 (3ft smaller span, 1.5ft from each wing) and part of the camera array for the SR2. A large normal plastic sprue provides all the other details for a K2 or SR2. If you wish to build a pure bomber, it is more involved than simply swapping the bomb bay out, there were a lot more modifications installed at the same time as Blue Steel that would have to be undone. Off the top of my head, these are: Remove anti shock bodies (Airfix have helpfully moulded these as seperate parts) Remove oil cooler air scoops located under each intake Remove two of the four flow control vanes from each intake Replace the nose tip with early style* Replace the APU intake in the base of the fin with the early style* Replace the outer wing section drooped leading edges with the early style leading edge flaps (except XM714-718) * Resin parts available There is a B1 conversion set available, recently reworked for the Airfix kit. This would be quite an involved conversion, but not impossible.

Or you could do it the fun way! Scrap plastic, putty, a good set of drawings for reference.

The right hand side is walled off now, not sure what it's used for. We still have more than adequate space for the Gliding Club fleet; we could probably fit twice the number of gliders if we packed them as densely as some clubs do! The flying club now flies from the South side with the paved runways. They're often operating at the same time as us, as is the University Air Squadron.

Fantastic! I wonder if it can be adapted for the upcoming GWH kit

I think a move to a proper museum with the resources to look after her is the best outcome. As a gate guardian I suspect it would just prolong the slow demise to corrosion.

They're almost at 25k

Looks like a Discus with winglets

I've been interested in their early Seafire for a while. I wonder if the quality is significantly better than their Astir I have, which isn't great.

Epic build! What are the small bits sticking out just forward of the cockpit?

At the moment this kit is shelved, uni life unfortunately is getting in the way of working on this model. But in other news, today I flew the real 1:1 scale NU for the first time since it went into maintenance last year.

It's a popular suggestion so I think there's some demand, though I wouldn't be buying one any time soon. I am hoping we see a 1/72 cold war jet, either a Sea Vixen or Javelin. So we can have a bit more basis in reality than simple wishlisting, has anyone compiled a list of aircraft Airfix are known to have scanned that haven't resulted in kits yet?

Not far from the £21000 mark now

I don't think too highly of the GWH kit. Reasonable representation of a collection of generic Mk2 Victor features, but can't represent any real configuration without lots of modifications. The Mikromir kit is really nice for a short run. Only a couple of corrections, and over engineered landing gear, to deal with. Plus it's a Mk1, so you get a nice clean Victor at the end of the build.

But you aren't the target market

Ju88 by Wish

Well, this model has unfortunately sat gathering dust for the last few weeks. Uni life can be pretty busy sometimes! It also doesn't help that I can't leave all my modelling stuff out while still having deskspace for uni work. I thought I'd posted the progress following on from the previous update, but clearly not. I glued on the starboard wing and added the engine; it's a disappointing fit as with the first one but also had a bit of a step in the top which I needed to deal with. And of course, lots of my time is taken by gliding! As fun as building models is, you must can't beat the real thing! At the weekend I was over at Lleweni Parc in Wales, in ankle deep mud - definitely land only on the paved surfaces! I only counted three aircraft and a handful of vehicles that needed pulling out of the mud while I was there. Here's a few of the photos from that trip:

I did just think of one thing to add though, a small intake which is missing from the port side wing root. It was filled in on K2s hence why I think it was overlooked. It's just a hole, so find a drill bit of the right size and it's an easy fix.

Beat me to it!

Because its a good 109 variant for a starter kit - not many fiddly bits- and Airfix don't already sell a 109F? That's probably all there is to it. It's a hopping on point for newcomers to the hobby, and without those, there would be no Eduard, Arma Hobby, etc

The momentum isn't disappearing!

Just shy of £15000 now. Almost a quarter of the way there!

Very tempted to pick this up on release! Roughly what price is expected?