Tiger331

I understand there are very likely to be several new decal sheets, from at least two manufacturers, covering the earlier RAF machines in the three and two-tone pre-GRANBY tactical camouflage schemes, timed to coincide with the release of this kit.

I suspect they are both Ex-AM kits......if so, i'm interested since, combined with some nice PE and possibly resin parts and a lovely set of decals they will be both real winners....doubt anyone is going to venture to produce another P-51B/C whilst there are at least two IMHO perfectly acceptable kits already available in 1:48 scale. Tiger331 ,

Reading between the lines of your excellent review am I to understand that you can build a standard B Mk III from this kit (with, as you say aftermarket decals and ordnance).....?.....so the kit does include a full dorsal turret assembly, bomb bay doors etc ?. I thought I would have to wait and cross kit the B Mk II with this kit but that does not seem to be the case now ? Mark

Thanks Guys ! Invaluable information with which to make a decision.....I think I'll probably opt for the three tank fit with a mixed load of AIM-7s and AIM-120s......photos particularly useful so thanks again for your help Tiger331

I'm completing a USAFE F-15C project for a work colleague and need advice on the typical loadout for a late 1990's era RAF Lakenheath based F-15C of the 493rd FS. I'm not a big expert on Eagles and cannot be sure when they swopped over from the older generation missiles to the latest ones. Grateful for any advice you experts can provide !. Thanks

Has the closing date for this GB passed ? I may be persuaded to join in...it would be my first but I'm long overdue doing a Bug in 1:48 scale Tiger331

You seem to have nailed the fitting of the Aires CDS well......I really struggled with mine and ended up with fuselage sides you could almost see through. The other problem I hit was that the cockpit canopy (fortunately only the opening bit) does not rest properly - the bulge in the fuselage sides (even with the extensive sanding that took place to accommodate the resin pit) means it is now a fraction too narrow.....the windscreen and rear portion are unaffected but it does mean I will need to finish the kit with the canopy open. Glad to see someone else needing as much filler as I did on this so-called 'shake and bake' kit......Still, its a nice kit and I'm looking forward to fitting a Cutting Edge CDS to my next one....already ascertained its a much better fit in the Hasegawa kit... Keep up the excellent work...

Never heard of Mildy......is this a new, secret USAFE Air Base.....??...I know RAF MILDENHALL and 'The HALL' but I've never heard of the other place Grrrr

Martin, You're welcome. Let me know if you need any reference photographs for your Turkish F-16s...I have loads of general and close up shots, particularly of the special markings...I would be happy to send you some in due course. Cheers Mark

Martin, Congratulations on a great build......I remember it well....I participated in NTM '07 at Orland and thoroughly enjoyed the Open Day we hosted on the last Saturday of the show, in brilliant sunshine. The Spanish endeared themselves with the General Public when the EF-18C pilot took off to deliver his aerobatic display. He asked how long he had to do the demonstration - we were blessed with almost unrestricted airspace that far north and it was a weekend too so he was told "take as long as you want"....so he did....We were then treated to a half-hour display during which he demonstrated practically every capability the EF-18 has, twice over !.....Happy days and thanks for bringing back the memories with your great model. Mark

They're going like hotcakes......listed yesterday and they've sold almost 50% of their first stocks of the Spitfire kit in just over 24 hours. Tiger331

So...........a little bit like the proportions of the Serbian national insignia on the late-lamented Afterburner MiG-21 Fishbed decal sheet that I understand (from your own posts) that you had a hand in.... Tiger331

Yep......you got it.....of course, if things started to get a bit hairy for the Alliance the JP233 would have been replaced with a WE.177 or two !. I regularly deployed with the Tornados to Nellis for Red Flag and Green Flag exercises in the early to mid 1980s but I cannot remember exactly when they swopped out the second Skyshadow for the BOZ107 pod....as someone else has said you may have to expand your timeframe a little and you will definitely need to do some research into the 2-fin vs. 4-fin drop tank discussion....again the changeover for these is a little hazy. CBLS were regular stores fits on Red Flag with both standard 'iron' bombs and BL775 being used in RAFG. We (the RAF Coltishall Wing) did concurrent work at Red Flag with the LGB trials on Jaguars so these would not have come on stream with the Tornados until some years later and, of course, the larger 'hindenburger' drop tanks were not seen on the mud movers until Gulf War 1 in 1990/91.

Just ordered from the Big H........cannot wait Tiger331

John, I'm with you on those not so promising Colour Side Profiles. The forward part of the engine nacelles and the fin do not look right to me and I'm really not sure about those markings.....I'm no Hornet expert but those profiles simply don't add up. I really do hope that whoever is contemplating this kit in 1:32 has not gone too far down the design road and that they do consult those in the know who have generously offered to assist. Mark

Cheers Si, I'll get to work and let you know what I have in mind Mark

So pleased to find this thread which I will be following avidly.....just took the plunge and bought the kit and looking forward to receiving it in due course.

Have to pretty much agree with my co-respondents. For Post-War RAF/FAA I'd go with the Airfix Sea Vixen, A2ZEE Models Vampire and Fly Models Jet Provost T.5 and then wait a while for the Kittyhawk (or Italeri) Jaguar GR.1/3, Revell Tornado IDS and Airfix Javelin....All of these manufacturers are trending towards the production of high quality kits at fairly reasonable prices. For WWII, the brand-new Eduard Spitfire Mk 9 will probably be the apogee of Spitfire kits in 1:48 scale (Hopefully). The Eduard Tempest is also pretty good but you will definitely need the A2ZEE correction set for the tail....In fact, I think Ali does a special deal on the combo. The latest Hasegawa Limited Edition re-issue of the Typhoon, whilst pricey, includes new resin parts to correct the inaccurate tailplanes of the original issue. I can also endorse SaintsPhil's recommendation for the Eduard MiG 21....I'm half way through one and it's great. Another great kit, which is also on my workbench right now, is the brand new Great Wall Hobby MiG 29 Fulcrum. The kit is pricey but you simply do not need anything else to create a great looking model....the detail is superb as Spencer Pollard has alluded to in his RFI thread on BM. We've never had it so good in spite of what the ne'ersayers often spout on this website and others so good luck with your quest !

No, its not a moot point.....this import/export business works both ways and you are right to point it out. Over here in Norway we 'enjoy' nicely inflated prices for Airfix and Revell kits.....The Airfix 1:48 Canberras are a snip at £60+ and a 1:48 Spitfire will set you back about £30. Revell kits were much the same until quite recently with a 1:72 Lancaster seen for £35 and the Tornados working out at around £25....Thankfully someone appears to have got a grip of the importer for the latter and they are now a little more competitively priced. Mark

OK.....I'm getting a little lost with all the recommendations but you are obviously THE Land Rover expert, so I'm after some advice since I mainly build aircraft and very few AFVs/vehicles. I want to use the Hobbyboss 1:35 scale Land Rover Defender as a basis for an IFOR/SFOR general 'runaround' but understand it would be best to use some of the aftermarket bits now available. I've got the Bison decal sheet for inspiration and my memories of tooling backwards and forwards from Sarajevo (where I was based) to Slipper City via Gorni and the Glamoc ranges in one of these vehicles in the mid 90s. I've picked up some of your tips and want to do a good job but it does not need to be 100% accurate....I'm not a rivet (or nut) counter ! Thanks in advance Mark

I would endorse this too. I have found the "kit research" pages (as they are called) on the Modelling Madness website, invaluable in determining which kits to buy. On more than one occasion, I have avoided a costly mistake by referring to these references before purchasing a kit. The 1:48 scale pages are just as comprehensive and appear to be supplemented weekly. HTH Tiger331

Very nice......raised panel lines which are not too bad particularly if you rub them down for an overall natural metal or black finish. As someone has already said, some of the fit is iffy but this was before the era of true 'shake and bake' and the majority of the kit goes together well. The late lamented Meteor/Cutting Edge Modelworks had some really nice resin sets to upgrade/convert the kits but these have sadly long gone. I was lucky enough to pick up the original Revell gun nose and Monogram glass nose variants...I understand the current Revell-Monogram 'Firebomber' does include the bits for the glass nose bomber but I'm not sure about decals....probably have to go aftermarket for these. Worth a punt though, particularly if you pick one up cheap. Tiger331

Yep.....I share your enthusiasm for Monogram kits. They still have some unique kits in their 'back catalogue' that now seem to be thankfully re-appearing under the Revell-Monogram label and all very reasonably priced. If only they did some re-tooling to create engraved panel lines on their B-17, B-24 and B-29 (amongst many) they would be onto a real winner. Sadly, the mainstream US kit industry seems to have given up on producing new kits of late. Perhaps if some of our Stateside based modellers spent less time dissing new kits of Asian and Eastern European origin and more time lobbying the US kit manufacturers we would see some new material emerging from the old powerhouse of 'Quarter Scale' aircraft kits. Tiger331

I used to subscribe to several magazines but, of late, have become quite dismayed with the quality of editorial content in the vast majority. SAM was my all time favourite in my younger days but is now a shadow of its former glory, with shallow articles and near tabloid style of editorial. SAMI has become no more than a glorified monthly catalogue. The one magazine that I have subscribed to from inception is MAI which has the annoying habit of lurching from an extremely interesting and informative edition to one with next to nothing though I guess this is down to readers' individual interests. Airfix Modelworld, IMHO, is going from strength to strength and, as one co-respondent has already alluded to, one can learn from articles covering other genres so all is not lost when you pick up a copy with a fair number of non-aircraft related material. One thing about living and working in Norway...I have had to become far more selective in my magazine buying...the cheapest in my local Newsagent is Fine Scale Modeller and that works out at £11 an issue.....Airfix Modelworld is £12.50 so I do turn to the internet more often these days. In sum, I would opt for MAI and Airfix Modelworld for a healthy balance of news and reviews together with some cracking reference and meaningful build articles. Mark

How refreshing it is to read a thread with only a very slight hint of 'kit bashing' in parts....the majority appear to applaud the rather bold and brave approach of the kit manufacturer to produce something that has long been on many individuals' 'most wanted' list. We really have never had it so good, particularly when one considers that most manufacturers hail from countries that are still in the grips of a world recession . Their dedication and commitment to keeping this great hobby going should be thus rewarded with encouragement and gratitude and I'm pleased to see plenty of that in this particular thread...long may it continue Mark