Tiger331

Establishing how many shop proprietors take a role in supporting local model clubs would also make a good topic. Many, many years ago when I was actively involved in rejuvenating the IPMS Swindon Branch, Malcolm Toogood (who ran the late lamented Wings and Wheels Models in Bath) and Tim Perry actively supported the club and contributed to its re-birth. They could both be relied upon to bring the latest kits and aftermarket products (which were a bit of a novelty in those days) along to our monthly meetings. Malcolm had originally got into the business through collecting US manufactured car kits (AMT etc) and was always giving us a hard time for focusing on aircraft and AFVs but he did reasonably well each month with some sales. I haven't heard anything about him since the early 90's but Tim is, of course, still on the scene although no longer manufacturing or trading as far as I know.

Can verify Kitty Hawk support, for sure. I had their 1:35 HH-60G arrive minus one very important sprue and Sophia was very quick and efficient in sending me the missing item. Cannot speak for Trumpeter but never had any issues with the 50+ GWH kits that I have bought over the years. On the main subject of this thread, while I am very tempted by the Kitty Hawk offerings I think I can wait a bit longer for the GWH rendition or maybe even a Zvedza kit - if the latter were anything like their 1:72 kits I think they would be a reall winner, especially on price. A GWH kit based on their sublime Su-35 series would be hard to beat too.

I have just completed a major research piece on Mil Mi-24s for one of the publications I contribute to and one thing I have learnt is to take care with assumptions since there are so many sub-variants and sub-sub-variants of the Hind out there !. exdraken is correct in stating that the arrangement of equipment on the 'chin' of the Mil Mi-24 differs between the D and V variant. Both sub-variants were/are operated by the Czech Air Force so, if you can get hold of one, Eduard's 1:72 Mil Mi-24 Hind duo is a good reference point since it includes the Zvedza kit (actually 2) together with the resin and P/E to reproduce one of the Mi-24D marking options in the kit. I am not sure if any aftermarket manufacturer produces a separate conversion set for the D variant. It should also be noted that the Eduard kit includes at least one of the sprues from the Zvedza Mil Mi-24A 'glasshouse' variant kit too, so you may need to buy this kit for some parts - I'm not sure. A quick glance through the 15 different marking options included in the kit also reveals that no two machines appeared to be identical even though they are all either Mi-24Ds or Mi-24Vs !. They all have slightly different aerial and sensor fits, defensive aid suites etc. If you know which particular aircraft you are going to model, I would be happy to provide some scans of the Eduard instruction sheet to try and illustrate the main differences between the D and V sub-variants. PM me if you are interested. HTH

You are indeed correct about Flt Lt Goodall. Known as 'Rocky' (even when he attained senior rank) I worked for him in the mid-1990s and in spite of his seniority, he maintained a good sense of humour. He even featured in a memorable 'Christmas Special' where is name was changed to Goody Rockall in an effort to protect the innocent !. I also totally agree with you on the 'Snow Harriers' and having spent a considerable amount of time in Norway, one of these will feature on my project list for early generation Harriers.

Re RF-4EJ......not necessarily (to complicate matters further). I have now discovered the RF-4EJ is the recce optimised JASDF aircraft with the RF-4EJ Kai (Modernised) originating from both RF-4EJ and F-4EJ airframes so the RF-4EJ Kai designation can be used for two distinctly different aircraft sub-variants !. As always, deep research is the key to determining the accuracy of the final model and whilst I cannot be described as a 'rivet counter' (life is too short) I do like to make sure there is an above average level of accuracy with everything that I do.

Totally agree, They still have quite a few kits in their 1:48 scale 'back catalogue' that are the final word in accuracy and quality in spite of others (F-4, F-14, F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-104 et al) being superseded by more accurate examples from other manufacturers. IMHO you can add the P-40 family, F-8 Crusader, F/A-18E/F Super Bug and quite a few of the Japanese subjects to the ones quoted above and let's not forget the highly sought after kits such as the Henschel Hs-129, for example. Its the same story in 1:72 scale. I think the F-4s are still probably the best around in spite of stiff competition from Academy and Revell and the F-111 and Saab 35 Draken are also highly sought after. It's clear that somewhat greedy importers have hiked the price up in recent years, particularly in Europe (when I compare today's prices with those I paid in Italy back in 2006-8) so I suspect they are focusing a lot more on the domestic market. I imagine some of the major MO outlets in Europe stock a much smaller quantity of kits than before due to the high prices when compared with the likes of Airfix and Italeri, not to mention Eduard (now very much a mainstream manufacturer) and the Chinese companies. I must admit it has always puzzled me why Hasegawa do not continue to pump out some of the more desirable (and almost exclusive) types such as the A-4 Skyhawk and P-40 Warhawk as Limited Editions with the vast array of markings and colour schemes. I know they have done this before but it does seem a while since I have seen a new boxing of either of these kits. One of life's mysteries remains the lack of a P-40F in their Warhawk series too ?. Never understood this.

Keep Calm and Carry On, Gents ! Thanks, one and all, genuinely for your assistance but I do want to avoid this bordering on a flame war with regard to the differences in RF-4E sub-variants !. I have conducted some concurrent research and more or less to come to the same conclusion without overly complicating the situation. I will use a JASDF RF-4E kit to replicate the IRIAF jet (although I have yet to decide which scheme I will do this model in) and an existing 'Luftwaffe' boxing of the RF-4E, with the more angular nose, to reproduce a Turkish Air Force RF-4E in the rather nice two-tone grey scheme that I have just discovered. tony.t.....rest assured, I have al least two other RF-4E projects 'in the works' which will include one of the Hellenic Air Force specials and the JASDF RF-4E in the 'Sea Camouflage' farewell scheme - just waiting for the kit on backorder to arrive !. Again, many thanks to everyone for your interesting and informative research on my behalf. Mark

Hello again Folks, I have a couple of questions related to the McDonnell-Douglas RF-4E Phantom ahead of embarking on a couple of 1/48 projects. I understand, from online references, that the only RF-4Es that had the more angular undernose camera fairing were those operated by the German Air Force (and later Hellenic Air Force when they received ex-German aircraft). Those RF-4Es operated by Iran and Turkey (the two operators that I am looking to cover with my projects) had the more rounded camera fairing/nose contours associated with late-model RF-4Cs and JASDF RF-4E/EJs (according to the references). Several online modelling references suggest that the Hasegawa JASDF RF-4E/EJ phantom boxings should be used for an Iranian RF-4E. Can anyone confirm if this is correct ?. I suspect the Turkish Air Force question could, potentially, be more difficult to answer. If, indeed, they did receive the original RF-4Es with the rounded contours, I imagine they subsequently also received ex-German RF-4Es so they may, in theory, operate a mix of both types ?. Can anyone confirm this too ?. I have a Hasegawa RF-4E (Luftwaffe) boxing to cover this project but now realize this may be the wrong sub-variant. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide. Mark

Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions. The problem may have actually 'gone away' as I have now elected to do my second model as an ANG F-4D and acquired the kit to do this but it is all useful information should I decide later on to do another F-4C. As a, related, aside, does anyone know if the F-4C was fitted with the MB Mk.5H seats throughout its life or whether the later Mk.7H was retrofitted at some stage ?. I am doing a 57 FIS jet in the overall Grey scheme shortly before the unit re-equipped with the F-4E. I have a spare set of Cutting Edge MB Mk.5H seats for the project but I am not sure if they will be correct for the time period in question ?. Anyway, thanks again Mark

TonyOD, Thanks for the comments.........you could well be right about the retention of the original spinner colour. It is most likely that I will opt for White anyway.

Hi Folks, Facing a minor dilemma at the moment. Discovered I have one too few Z-M F-4Cs and one too many F-4Ds to complete future projects. The one Z-M F-4C kit I do have is in storage so I am unable to do a direct comparison between the two kits to determine if the F-4D kit has most of the parts I need to use it for a F-4C project. I also know that, unlike other manufacturers, Z-M's particular modular approach quite often prevents the use of one kit to reproduce another variant. I'm not too bothered about the cockpit interior since I will probably use a resin replacement for this (or close it up) and I know that the external differences between the two are quite small (apart from the fin tip and the fairing under the radome). Is anyone able to provide advice on whether I can actually produce (with some minor fettling) a F-4C out of the F-4D kit ?. Thanks Mark

Thanks for your inputs (especially Blimpyboy with some previously unseen references for the Mk.XIV). Based on what I had read/researched and now been advised, I think I will opt for either White or a Very Light Grey (clearly lighter in shade than the upper surfaces grey colour). Although several profiles show a Yellow Spinner I think this is too fanciful although I guess to could be a possibility since the Mk.XIVs are definitely showing a tendency towards a red coloured spinner and the RTAF may have wanted to positively distinguish between the two Marks ?. Nevertheless, unless I receive further evidence to the contrary, I intend to finish the Mk.XIX spinner in the aforementioned White or Very Light Grey shade. Thanks again for your input. Mark

This one is going to run and run..........I imagine they will end up with 10-15 different boxings by the time Eduard have finished with the P-51 family. As for the VLR edition, my choice will be between 'Fighting Lady' and Mary Alyce. GREAT !

Just received the new release U-2C variant (with ROCAF markings). MUCH better rendition of the forward fuselage and cockpit canopy area so a much more accurate model can now be produced (stand to rivet counters et al). I have only had time to conduct a quick 'fondle' of the plastic but my only gripe so far is the presence of large ejector stubs on the outer surfaces of all of the undercarriage doors.....the mould maker obviously messed up there but other than that, I am very happy with the 'new' kit after the huge disappointment with the first U-2A boxing. I'll be looking to build two of these......most likely projects will be Gary Powers Article 360 and a ROCAF example with the additional avionics hump.

PS888........One of the colour side profiles with the aircraft sporting a yellow spinner is from the well renowned artist Richard Caruana who prides himself on his research but I am inclined towards the White. Mark

Hi Folks, Entering the closing stages of completion on a Royal Thai Air Force Spitfire PR.XIX. I have both the Aeromaster and Model Alliance sheets for this model and have already ascertained that the latter is the more accurate, with correctly sized roundels (of the right quantity too) and black (as opposed to white) serial numbers. The only potential issue is the colour of the spinner since I have al least three interpretations !. The Aeromaster sheet ops for PRU Blue, to match the undersurfaces, Model Alliance suggests it is White and at least one of the on-line references quotes Yellow !. I have found on on-line photo that purportedly shows two RTAF Airmen standing on the wing of a PR.XIX where the colour seems to match that of the fuselage but another, rather poor quality, photo of an abandoned RTAF PR.XIX clearly shows a much lighter coloured spinner (White or Yellow ?). Does anyone have any definitive information to resolve this conundrum ? Thanks Mark

Dick, Great project..............that model must weigh a TON...........Even without the vast (and necessary) reinforcement it must be heavy given the amount of resin content. Superb teamwork too on the painting. Well Done, Sir !

Nicely done.......I do like the way the Airfix kit comes together.....I have a GA.11 on the go at the moment. As others have said, the Academy kit should not be written off entirely.....especially if it is built in 'flying' mode, which takes away the major inaccuracy with the location of the main undercarriage, wheels etc. The cockpit, ejection seat and jetpipe will all need to be attended to as well but a good result can be achieved as the photos bear witness to. I'm looking forward to doing an RAF TWU FGA.9 example next using another Airfix kit and Aerocraft's new resin upgrade set in the near future. Well Done, Sir !

Very nice model of the classic F-4N Phantom ........Great result considering your 4-year sojourn. Well Done, Sir !

SUPERB ! I love these 1940/50s throwbacks that operated over Vietnam and Laos. You have really captured the essence of the USAF slow mud mover with this model. Well Done, Sir !

Very nice model of an unusual and distinctive subject. Always fancied doing an IDF/AF example but would prefer to do it in 1:48 scale. Well Done, Sir !

ANOTHER Great diorama feature....IIRC one of your specialities. Well Done, Sir !

Well Done, Alain, Great to see the classic F-86F Sabre in some different markings. Nice rendition of the Asia Minor scheme on the Ex-Iranian machine and the rarely seen UN markings on the IIAF aircraft.

GREAT Job............Love it. An unusual scheme, beautifully executed. A real winner. Well Done, Sir !

Great job......I've always been amazed by what the Israelis managed to hang off such a small aircraft in the way of stores. Your FAE Kfir underlines this. Well Done, Sir !