Tiger331

Lucky You !........Understand some are now adding charges as part of COVID-19 'dividends' (i.e. States looking to re-coup non budgeted costs for dealing with COVID-19. Tip of the iceberg, I fear. I think we all need to understand that, one way or another, Governments (and government institutions) will be looking at ways to reccoup money while avoiding the hugely unpopular route of direct taxation increases (so they will do it through indirect taxation - money for COVID-19 measures has to come from somewhere.

And not just with our change of status. Some of the new 'internal' EU VAT rules now mean that I am paying import tax on items I buy within the EU too ! (and I live in Estonia). Since June I have been paying import tax on BOTH UK imports and from elsewhere within the EU (Germany, for example). We are still not sure if this is a COVID-19 'dividend' or what but it is making the hobby that much more expensive all round. I have no doubt that Brexit has had an effect but its not the only culprit......grass is greener on the other side and all that. The UK still has the best hobby base in Europe (when it comes to manufacturers/online retail outlets....yes....and shops too).

Great, great build of one of my favourite aircraft.....and in an unusual scheme too. Another masterclass in painting too, Russ ! Well Done, Sir !

As Tony has already said, masterful finish with the weathering. That is a VERY NICE Tornado with just the right amount of 'wear and tear' IMHO. Well Done, Sir !

NICE Job !. I do like these JASDF F-104s in their ACM Markings. Well Done, Sir !

It was actually a little bit later still. I lived in Malta between 1976-79 and during that time the RAF Lightning and (UK-based) Phantom force regularly deployed on APC Camps, including (in the early period) Lightning F.2As from 19 & 92 Sqn. IIRC 19 Sqn converted to the Phantom FGR.2 in 1976 with 92 following some six months later in 1977 with the residue of RAFG based FGR.2s returning to the UK to re-equip existing ADF Lightning Sqns. We subsequently moved to Cyprus where the 19 & 92 Sqn Phantoms were a regular sight since the APC Camps re-located there after the closure of RAF Luqa in 1978/79. Anyway, none of this really detracts from the fact that you produced a great looking RAF Phantom !

Brilliant Work, Angelo. You have really captured the look of the early RAF Phantoms extremely well and the finish is excellent. My only comment would be with regard to the weapons fit. The early RAF Germany based Phantoms (including those operated by 14 Sqn) were primarily optimised for Strike Attack missions and I don't think (though I may be wrong) that they were ever flown with AIM-9 Sidewinders. They were more commonly observed with SNEB rocket pods, 'Iron' Bombs, BL755 Cluster Bombs or practice bomb carriers (CBLUs). Otherwise, very well done, Sir !

Another of your masterful Vietnam-War themed builds, Russ. I love the little O-2A Skymaster and you have done a great job, as always, with this kit. Well Done, Sir !

Superb !. I am looking forward to the day when I have the time to start on my own kit. I too have the live resin figures and other goodies to complete the model. As you have so amply illustrated with the quality of your build and finish, they really set off the finished model IMHO. Well Done, Sir !

Great job. Well Done, Sir !

Lovely rendition of one of my favourite aircraft. I have both the Kinetic and Kittyhawk Super Etendard in my stash.....not sure which one to start with. Anyway, Well Done Sir !

Welcome to BM Luca. Very nice to see the Hawker Hunter in different markings. I'm looking forward to my own Mk.58 finished in the famous 'Flying Newspaper' special scheme. Well Done, Sir !

Hi Folks, Not that many are contemplating foreign travel at the moment, but for future planning, here is some information on the current status of the Riga Aviation Museum, based on my transit through Riga on business earlier this week. For those that may be unfamiliar, the Riga Aviation Museum was co-located at the International Airport and could easily be seen by anyone transiting through the airport since it was less than 5 minutes walk from the Arrivals Hall. It was a superb (but rapidly deteriorating) collection of Soviet-era military aircraft and helicopters. Many of the exhibits were unique. Sadly it's prime location has become its downfall since the airport is currently undergoing massive expansion and the Museum was given its marching orders on 31 March 2021. The Airport had offered to move the entire collection to the other side of the airport but the downside would be that no-one could actually then visit and would only be able to view from their aircraft window or at distance from the terminal. The owner quite understandably refused this offer and is currently seeking alternative accommodation but, as I observed, the collection has already been broken up and dispersed with a fraction left at the airport. I understand a fund raising campaign has been started but the current status is unknown. As soon as I return to Estonia I will check with my Latvian colleagues and see if I can get further information but in the meantime, I would advise anyone planning to make a visit to cancel it for now. It is a great pity since it was the only collection of former Soviet types of any note in the region. An example of one of the rarer types (Yak-28R 'Brewer D') previously on display at the Riga Aviation Museum. I can confirm (from my transit on Monday) that this particular aircraft still resides at the airport although its future fate is unknown (the photo was taken in 2018) Mark

You will not be disappointed....I can assure you. I actually find it quite surprising that it took Tamiya so long to introduce the F-4 Phantom into their 1:48 scale range, given the type's long-term connection with Japan (both with the USN/USMC and JASDF). In another way, I'm pleased they waited until 2021 so they could take advantage of stage-of-the-art tooling and design etc.

So, looking at these photos, I can categorically proclaim that the Ark kit parts are for more accurate than those of the HB kit. The Ark parts are not perfect (in that they do not include all of the panel lines shown in the drawings here) but the 'reinforcement strips' are far closer in shape and dimension to those shown in the drawings.