petetasker

I've had another look through my references and still can't find any A Flight aircraft with a stripped hook. Where you can see the hook they all appear to be a single dark colour or you just can't see it at all. The only thing I've found is the illustration below (HMS Ark Royal Fifty Years of Flight 1955-2005) of XL472 circa 1960 presumably pre flamboyant red/black spinners red and black fillet stripes. It has a yellow and black stripped hook but is of course just a side view rather than a photograph. The text however does give the references used for the photo. Appreciate it doesn't really help but the reference used might be of help as a follow up if anyone has the book.

Fascinating photo with the Palouste starter under the wing.

I’ve had a good look through my references this morning and can’t find anything other than a solid colour ie no stripes. Difficult to say what the actual colour is though but I can imagine it got very grubby.

cheers mate

Don’t want to be greedy so I’d be happy with just a 1/48 Jet Provost - Mk.4 preferably but a 3 or 5 would do (in that order). Have to say I’ve been well pleased with the new 1/48 toolings Airfix have been bashing out over the last few years. ps Not a new tooling but please re release the 1:48 Lightnings - though if you do want to re tool them that’s fine as well.

Superb just the job. Unless anyone can prove otherwise I would have thought they would be the same. Thanks again

I’ve been trying to find some decent quality photos of a Hunter with its nose cone removed that show the detail of the radar ranging dish installation. If anyone can help it would be very much appreciated. Pete

Definitely interested in a book on the Belvedere.

Can't really answer your last questions but if its of any interest I can thoroughly recommend 'Gnat Boys' by Rick Peacock-Edwards & Tom Eeles (Grub Street Publishing) especially for its RAF coverage though both Indian and Finnish use is also included.

Noticed it appeared again in the preorder listing at Hannants about a week or so ago AMP48022 - does that mean its not far away?

Good luck finding more evidence re use with the CFS but the information I gave you was taken from the individual aircraft histories in 'Folland Gnat' by Victor Bingham.

Hello mate Sorry only just had time to sit down and look at this. According to my references XM698 was one of the pre production aircraft that never actually entered RAF service. She did appear at the 1961 Farnborough show in an overall silver and dayglo orange scheme. They also painted a CFS flash on the nose as the type was about to enter service with the CFS though as I say 698 never actually entered service spending its life on development and trials. The following year they painted it in an overall yellow scheme for the 62 Farnborough show. I'll copy across a colour shot of the aircraft at 61 Farnborough show - I won't post it here as I don't own the copyright. Hope it helps. Pete

Not got time to look properly now but I seem to recall Airfix included 698 in one of their 1.48 boxing’s. CFS flash, early 60’s, overall silver with dayglo tanks. Can’t double check until tonight.

Hopefully getting close, Hannants now have them both up for pre order.

Lovely build. I’ve always thought the Nimrod was a beautiful aircraft.

Superb

One more from Dave Watkins 'History of the De Havilland Vampire' book.

There's a couple of shots of 208 AFS aircraft in Keith Wilsons RAF in Camera 1950's.

There's a couple of shots in AirDoc's 'British Harriers in RAF Germany'. Drill rounds but still maybe of interest.

pm sent

Hi Colin Can I ask where your sourcing the Saltier from?

Nice. Think there’s going to be a lot of Airfix Navy SAR Sea Kings on Britmodeller over the next year or so - hopefully mine as well. Like you I was thinking of doing a Prestwick bird. I had hoped one might be included on the forthcoming Xtradecal sheets but it seems not.

Well I’m shocked. I’ve absolutely no interest in the F-35 what so ever but I find myself wanting to pre-order - what’s going on?

Lovely work. Nice to see something different and very well done.

Beautifully done - very nice indeed.