fightersweep

Thanks RJP! Certainly sounds like the Heller or Academy kit would be a better start, and I have them anyway. I haven't used Falcon canopies....but I think I may have to invest! I shall therefore build the Yale as a Yale! Thanks for the replies chaps! Best regards; Steve

Good question! Maybe I thought that as the Yale kit was new, that it would be a better start. I think also that the all important canopy looks correct and there's some nice paint masks coming from Peewit....and I was hoping it would make life easier. I probably should just scrub up the Airfix kit I suppose. I think I'm just affeared of Harvard canopies in 1/72 scale! Best regards; Steve

Thanks for the reply. Good call on the wingtips. I hadn't noticed that, but then again, I haven't received the Yale kits through the post yet. I was thinking about the possibility of using parts from either the Airfix or Heller kits to get a halfway decent Harvard II, and I think it might be possible. I might be wrong, but the ailerons on the Yale image look slightly different too. All in all, I think it could be done....well, I hope so anyway! Best regards; Steve

Hi All; Just a quick question. I've just picked up a couple of the new RS Models NA-64 Yale. I was wondering if the kit would make a good candidate for conversion to a Harvard II. I'm no Harvard expert, but it kind of looks do-able to me. I'm not afraid of a good kit bash, but was wondering what the thoughts of the Harvard experts was. Thanks in advance; Steve

How do-able would it be to convert the Yale into a Harvard II? It looks possible from where I'm sitting, but then I'm no harvard expert! Best regards; Steve

Thanks for the detailed reply. I must admit I've never used aerosol paint on a model. I use an airbrush on my bigger models, but I'm quite happy to use brush painting on 1/72 stuff as I like to maintain and develop brush skills. Is there a knack to getting a fine, smooth finish with an aerosol can? Sorry, I feel like I'm hi-jacking the thread! Best regards; Steve

Oooo! Does that mean it works on white too? I hate painting white! Best regards; Steve

It's funny you should say that. I've always hated brushing yellow, but stumbled across the method of a thin coat of Klear between coats of yellow, and voila! A perfect brush painted yellow surface that is smooth and uniform in colour. I actually fell of my modelling chair in amazement! Best regards; Steve

It might be just me, but I really like the Italeri range of brushes. Been using them for some time now and find them to be excellent to use and not too expensive. Best regards; Steve

Thanks for the photos! Think this was one of the last Hall's I went to myself after 10 years. Do miss those shows, and fond memories of the over enthusiastic car park marshalls (who made you feel as if they were parking a Tomcat on a carrier deck, and not a Cortina Mk V), and of course the endless supply of cool Budweisers, Polish Dogs and the yummy burgers dipped in that Mildenhall bar-b-que sauce! I used to spend the week there, staying at a B&B in Beck Row, and did the arrivals days from the mound at the end of the runway. Seem to recall a F-15 going supersonic in a dive (well, the large boom must have had something to do with it), and the day the B-1 surprised the step ladder brigade on the mound (wasn't just Jack and Jill that fell down the hill that day!) Sorely missed! Best regards; Steve

I thought that might be the case. I shall keep my eyes peeled on eBay....I see there have been a few of the Skybirds 86 Hornets for sale recently, and there is a vacform Prentice in Canada for sale. I seem to remember the Skybirds kits being advertised in Aircraft Modelworld back in the 80s....couldn't afford them at the time though. Best regards; Steve

Oh I like this a lot! Lovely, lovely build! Where do I find one of these kits? Best regards; Steve

Hi Paul; Appreciate that! Thanks for remembering. I'm just about to ramp into my 83 West Malling build as I've been rounding up the necessary kits. Got Piston Provost G-AWPH built and I think the only kits I can't source are a Fiat G.46 and Max Holste Broussard (both of which I know are out there but hen's teeth to find) and a Howard 500 (which I know hasn't existed in kit form) Not sure what to start on next, but I'm considering Piper Navajo G-NMAN which I know didn't display, but was there as Gary was the sponsor. Just another quick thanks for the first batch of photos...they've been really helpful so far for the little details. I did have a camera myself that day, but it was a crappy little 110 (all I could afford...I was only 13) and only one snap has survived! Best regards; Steve

Hi Paul! Bumpity Bump.... Did you manage to find any more 83 West Malling photos? Sorry to be a nag! Best regards; Steve

Thanks Graham! That's good to know. So fingers crossed for the new "rumoured" Harvard II kit then? Best regards; Steve

I very much like the sound of that! I could use a few Harvard IIs in the collection! I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, an expert on Harvards, but how many previous kits have enabled a true Harvard II to be built? I'm guessing Airfix for starters. There needs to be more trainer kits out there though, although in fairness, there are quite a few already in 1/72. Still want a Fiat G.46, because I can't find the Sign resin kit anywhere! Come on Italeri, you know you want to! Best regards; Steve

I've actually got an acute urge to buy that A-20 again. Had it back in the 80's and remember not being able to chose which version to build! I've also got a question about the Walrus kit. I've had and seen a boxing with the original Matchbox logo and the early 80's boxing with the tri-colour flash, but I've never seen the Walrus in the mid/late 70's boxing with the rounded off logo. Did it ever appear in that style of box, because I've never seen one. I almost found the same with the Fw-190. Seen loads in the early boxes and loads in the 80's boxes...but the mid 70's boxings are quite hard to find. Well, it took me long enough to find one! Best regards; Steve

Thanks for posting those photos up Giorgio. I can see exactly what Nick is talking about now! Not the most accurate kit ever produced by Matchbox is it? Nice restoration though! Best regards; Steve

To be fair, my memories of the kit go back 30 years or more. Just remember it being a breeze to put together, and had no idea of the accuracy of the kit. I can't imagine why the Zero would be any rarer than any of the other Matchbox kits, but I know I sold one on eBay over 10 years ago and got £26 for it. I was mildly surprised to say the least! Best regards; Steve

Of course, some heavy bomber units were based at some of the Essex airfields before the 9th moved in. For example, the 94th Bomb Group were based at Earls Colne with their B-17s from May until June 43, before an exchange with the medium bomber groups. I've got some cracking un-published colour film of Earls Colne when the 323rd were there...would love to share it here. Good luck with the project. A subject close to my heart after spending 15 years of my life with the Rebel Air Museum first at Andrewsfield, and the later Earls Colne. I explored most of those airfields, and practically lived on a few of them. In fact, I was offered the control tower at Earls Colne for £26000 in 1992! Should have bought it! Fond memories too of hosting reunions of the 322nd, 323rd, 397th and 381st Bomb Groups...great bunch of guys they were too! The airfix B-26 is still a nice kit in my opinion. Built enough of them for museum displays, and of course you get the "Mild and Bitter" decals too. Hope we get to see some photos! Best regards; Steve

If you look on page 168 of this link, there is a photo of Erich Meyer with Werner and Victor Moelders. Victor Moelders was shot down the same day as Erich Meyer. He was shot down by Sgt Eric Wright of 605 Squadron. I used to have both of their signatures on a first day cover once upon a time! https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_X0NJgnvas4C&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=Erich+Meyer+JG51&source=bl&ots=g4ZLDVDDOG&sig=dKodk_YZVMYRL65huEOrgW6gWTU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3572l0oXTAhVqDMAKHSY5DL8Q6AEINzAH#v=onepage&q=Erich Meyer JG51&f=false Best regards; Steve

I did wonder if it was the "Hawkinge" Messerschmitt, but I wanted to check first. If you go over to Amazon, you can pick up a copy of "The Reluctant Messerschmitt". It's all about the recovery in 1976 and back story. Best regards; Steve

I'll have a look through my copies of Luftwaffe Crash Archive. Should be some information in there. Best regards; Steve

I was kind of counting on that happening Mike!

Hi Mike, Thanks for the interesting links and your memories of the Howard...I appreciate that and no, I hadn't got as far as the research stage yet, so many thanks for sharing. Jessica, Thanks also for the youtube link. Those fly-bys must have been pretty impressive in person...and the sound must have been awesome! I'm not sure if I have the necessary modelling Jedi powers to try and build a Howard 500, but I've got nothing to lose in having a go. Either way, I'm learning a lot about a type I wasn't that familiar with, so that initself is a good thing. Thanks too, to all those that have/are contributing to the thread! Best regards; Steve