Rickoshea52

Quite. The article is vague in that it doesn’t make this distinction, are they loose due to torque relaxing after a given flight time or are they loose due to some other issue that hasn’t been disclosed?

It is common within the rotary wing world that after a gearbox, transmission shaft, rotor head or blade change that a re-torque of any attaching fasteners are done within a given flight time. It’s surprising to see an acceptance being rejected for something like this...unless I am missing something.

Very nice. These are great kits but not without their issues and you’ve made a great Nimrod. If there is one small point to make it is that one of the windows right above the left side intakes was blanked and should be painted hemp but it’s not that obvious, I made the same mistake on mine and I worked on the real thing!

Yes. And I wasn’t the fattest Rigger!

A whole load of unaffordable.

Fortunately it’s an easy fix. Connecting/disconnecting the real things were a bit of a faff but was a source of mirth when you got the fattest rigger on the team to do it.

I must be in a tiny minority, I think the QE, F-35 and the Merlin look rather smart.

If Zvezda really are to produce a modern standard 1/72 Hercules then I am sure they will shift truckloads - a late 70’s early 80’s RAF version would top my list.

Just a small point Andy. The instructions have you install the main landing gear D doors open as you have done, but on the real thing these doors are only open during gear extension and retraction. The only time they are open on the ground is for maintenance when they are physically disconnected from the actuator. She’s looking very smart now with the decals on.

That’s not a forehead, it’s a fivehead! I had a look at one of these at model club last night and was surprised at how crude a short run kit actually is with lots of flash on the sprues, the surface detail looked okay if a little soft. It’s definitely not a kit that my skills could cope with.

Preiser do a set in 1/72 & 1/48 that can be made to look quite convincing - they are rather pricey though. http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=PR72409

Christmas 2020 - Airfix are targeting a November 2020 release.

It looks full of bombs in this image.

If I recall correctly it was something like 6 million candle power. A myth going round the Nimrod world was a searchlight being struck while in a hangar that burned a hole in the hangar door! But I’m not convinced.

I received my Airfix 2020 calendar today with the latest Airfix model world magazine with some new box art style pictures. A Javelin FAW9/9R, Phantom FG1 in Black Mike markings and B-25B launching from a carrier are some that are new to me at least.

The side console decals are very basic but will do if the canopy will be closed. I would recommend waiting for the inevitable Eduard etch set or resin if you want super detail.

Or indeed 43rd sqn.

Quite true. But you’re also right about those familiar with the aircraft often pick up on the details that have to be compromised on for the sake of producing a model for all skill levels.

Those bomb door jacks are a poor imitation of the real thing.

I suspect that might be the wrong way round though it is difficult to tell from your photo. What isn’t in doubt is the real thing has a much smaller arc rod than the kit part.

Like Steve says, there is a clear part for the searchlight itself that isn’t referenced in the instructions - when I built my Nimrod I used a silver sequin for the lens and plastic rod for the burner. The clear dome is for a searchlight fitted jet and the other more domed part I think is for the Nimrod R1 but I think it can be used for the Gulf War roled Nimrod MR2’s - note the sensor moulding.

That is the searchlight cupola, the inside should be a shade of aluminium. Edit: Some MR2’s had the searchlight cupola removed and a composite cupola, similar to R1 versions, instead with a MAWS sensor fitted for specific roles; either way the internal colour was the same.

The Airfix Phantom FGR2 instructions reference Humbrol 130 Satin White, I would go with white too (as I did with a 1/48 build I did) but give it a wash to tone down the base colour.

I’ve settled on which jet to do - XT270 when on 12 Sqn from the Xtradecal X72307 sheet.