Muzz

Yes, it’s a Hellenic Air Force RF-4E I’m looking to build in a worn SEA scheme as the US delivered airframes were finished. My reference book shows that some the airframes purchased from Germany were later re sprayed in the SEA scheme but I like the look of the more rounded streamlined camera nose. Thanks for suggestions so far. Muzz

So, pretty gutted to say my Hunter build has turned into a bit of a disaster, somewhere between applying the Matt coat (Alclad) and trying oil weathering for the first time, small cracks have appeared on some of the upper surfaces. Not sure if the gloss coat hadn't dried/cured properly before the Matt coat but it had been on for about a week. Or if it's a reaction with the Gunze paint, the lower surfaces in LAG are unaffected and were sprayed more recently. I've had this before but thought that was down to spraying in cold temp. Tried to clean it up today, sanding areas back and cleaning off the remaining oil paints and the decals started coming off. So I'm done with it for now, it's a great kit and I'll buy another. Think I'll probably strip the paint of this one and use it as a doner kit when Ali releases his twin seat convertion.

Looking for some advice of any Hasegawa/Phantom experts, I have the 1/48 Hasegawa RF-4E Hellenic Air Force Special kit and a great reference book on the aircrafts service. The book explains the difference between the ‘American’ and ‘German’ supplied RF-4E aircraft in the Greek AF fleet. Hard and soft wings, different nose camera fairing etc. I’d like to build a Greek ‘American’ airframe in the SEA scheme (to go along with my ‘German’ special scheme) but from checking the pinned reference on in’s & outs of Hasegawa kits it doesn’t look like you could build one straight out a box(ie, no RF-4E kits come with the slatted wing etc), can anyone confirm? Thanks for any help. Muzz

It would be relatively easy to sand a piece of clear sprue to shape and also recall Shaun, who’s a member on here was casting and selling the complete LRMTS in clear resin. Muzz

I also have the GWH kit in the stash and as stated, it looks stunning. One of those kits that I’m building myself up to starting, want to do it justice!! I’d imagine it will also be another GWH kit that will become difficult to get hold of in the future. Muzz

Hi Bob, welcome to the forum, you’ll get plenty help and tips on here. Your just across the water from myself I think?! Muzz

Just finished the decals on mine as well, didn't think it would have so much stencil data! Not helped by the fact I didn't realise there was seperate stencil placement plans for each colour scheme.

Hasegawa's weapon set B has a lot of Vietnam era jamming pods if its 1/48 scale.

Seen that earlier, good to see but incredibly pee’d off by at least one of the childish replies, which was directly abusive towards him. Who are these people?!

Hi Dennis, yes that's the very one, XG223. Great pic thanks very much, also confirms outer pylons were LAG and not yellow. Muzz

I’m at the painting stage with my build and doing an aircraft from TWU at RAF Brawdy in the 70’s, it has a yellow spine and the Xtradecal shows the yellow paint extending all the way to the front windscreen. I can’t find any pictures of the actual aircraft but found some with a similar scheme in red. https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1336656/ This is making me thing the yellow should stop at the rear of the canopy, looking to see if anyone can confirm this? Muzz

https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2019-01-26/its-been-emotional-pilots-tribute-to-the-tornado/

Thanks to Dave and Stephen for your information, most helpful. Muzz

Can anyone tell me when the high speed silver underside gave way to the light aircraft grey? I assume the silver finish weathered into a sort light grey appearance as it's quite difficult to tell the two colours apart even on colour photos. I also note that Airfix call out aluminium for the colour of the intake trunking but it would appear to have been more a dirty dark grey.

Very, very nice.