PhoenixII

Superb Rhino!!! Will she be making an appearance at Telford this November? Either as a competition entry or on one of the club/S.I.G. stands? Paul

Hi Wayne, this probably won't help with the colour scheme, but it may help avoid pitfalls! http://www.skywriters.net/Features/rodney_...ntury_stuka.htm Full build article on the beastie. Paul

Hi Mike, just a thought, resin gives off a LOT of heat while curing. DON'T leave the model in situ, it WILL melt. Probably better to go to a railway modelling shop, some carry single part water, (no heat) some for fairly still, others will model moving water. Hope this is of help. Paul

Would suggest a 2" household paintbrush, and NO! you can't use the one you used on the dinning room year before last! Second coat is fine, give it about 30 mins to dry then away you go. If the matt paint used was Tamiya, you will probably need at least three possibly more coats. It will reduce the shine with a coat of matt varnish. One more thing, you can use Klear as a decal adhesive, apply the decal onto a patch of fresh Klear, blot away the surplus, leave 30 mins then apply a top coat. Mark, get some while you can. They are changing the formula to something that is virtually useless. Just glad i'm not selling it commercially any more. Regards, Paul

Hi Erwin, great build and finish on a somewhat 'interesting' kit! Which paints / colours did you use? as i've come across some varied schemes. Soon to have the 1/48 Tamiya kit, so these and other questions need to be asked!! Paul

And in (very) similar vein H.M.S. Trincomalee is the oldest commisioned warship afloat. (Though she'd look a lot better if they'd clean the 'duck pond') Sun's over the yard arm, so, Paul

Hi all, led to believe that the colour know as "High speed silver" comes from a change of nomenclature! 'Silver' previously know as aluminium (dope?) 'High speed' Semi-gloss / Gloss. Ergo - High speed silver = Semi-gloss / Gloss Aluminium. Pick yer favorite Gents! In the words of our favorite ad, Simples! Paul

Oh look.............Mikes giving back our joy! or should that be our mo-jo? Paul

Hi Steve, there's always White Ensign, BUT, at the mo there all enamels, however, they WILL ship paints only, ONE tin at a time if you want! Paul

Slightly O/T, recently! returned from the local Sainsburys where they are selling 500ml bottles for £1.20. Paul

Hi Piero, superb build, great paint job, BUT, hope you realise you will be a target for the JMN / JMZ?!! To read more on this topic go to the 'loony bin' :- www.whatifmodelers.com Please take this as an invitation, come over to the 'dark side'! Off there now, will make sure there's a comfortable chair for you. Paul

FWIW, used to work with a chap who served with the R.A.F. in Germany, 19 and 92 Squadrons. This question popped up on occasion! Only thing he said was "either roundel or oxford blue" Oxford blue was used, overall, on the Hunters of 92 Squadrons 'Blue Diamonds'. But knowing R.A.F. stores, closest gets the job done! Paul P.S. Great build Graham

Hi Santiago, don't know if i can help? Know it's not the aircraft you are after, but.... Had the privalege of doing an almost complete 'walk around' of the Hurricane IIa at the Malta Air Museum last year. The aircraft, Z3055 "HA -E" was the possible 'victim' of an in flight fire, flying from Hal Far (S.W. corner of the Island) She has been rebuilt as she was before the crash, and as such is the only survivor of the mark. Thing is the aircraft is finished in Dark Green / Dark Earth upper, and 'Sky' type S undersurfaces. One interesting 'Anomaly' is that this aircraft carried 'formation keeping' lights cut through the first fabric covered panels aft the cockpit. YES, you can see right through the fuselage, and i have the 'photos to prove it! P.M. me if you would like a copy of the file. Paul

Could do worse than contact Paul at Little cars, carries twist drills (Archimedian screw type) and box sets of micro drills. Paul

Hi HomeBe, just posted on ARC, read the whole!!! Paul

Hi Paul, Na, just sort out the original article from among the pile of Airfix mags! 'T other Paul!

Hi Norman, you can also get a replacement rudder from Cammett, straight one-for-one swop. Regards, Paul

Hi all, just a few! observations. Nothing on the planet is perfect. We don't live in utopia. Couldn't agree more. If you want to build to maximum acuracy, DO IT! If your happy with it as it 'comes in the box' GREAT! I don't know enough about ANY aircraft to be pedantic. Know a few 'erks' both currently serving and recently 'demobbed' some know a lot, others little. My ex father-in-law worked for Armstrong-Whitworth, Hawker-Siddley, BAC and BAe, knows SOD all about aircraft! Does know that 'Red Arrows' Hawks gave him a heart attack (Embodiement loan) Drawings are 2 dimentional, aircraft are 3. Could someone explain how drawings can be 'acurate'? The above is a retorical question as i used to draw with pencil (needle sharp) and set squares plus drawing board. Yes, i am THAT old, no CAD/CAM for my generation. Lofting drawings are the best, lead to believe there is a set of plans for the Mosquito (lofted) at Hatfield Hall, draw on the wall full size. But ENOUGH, as Mike says, 'storm in a teacup' lets all build to suit ourselves. If someone knows through personal experience (Edgar) ask the question, accept the answer, then do as you will. If you don't know, and arnt bothered, do as you will. Simply put, IT'S A MODEL!!! It'll NEVER fly, NO, you can't throw it from the bedroom window So, if you'll excuse me, i'll vacate and go over to the 'what if' site for some sanity!! Paul

Hi Gareth, just my two pen'orth, sorry, two bob's worth. For decal (transfer) solution use klear, darn sight cheaper than 'set' and 'sol' and it pulled the kit decals on my Javelin down over the vortex generators, can be used as an adhesive for decals, plus nothing to wash off! Extra thin cement, great but very 'hot' don't use on thin plastic, i'll melt! Super glue, for general use 5 tubes for a £1 from poundland. Zap-a-gap is fine BUT it sets solid in the bottle unless you build large numbers of kits, and at £3.99+ a bottle........ No cheap alternative to Tamiya tape, yet! Mr. Surfacer in liquid form use a brush that is 1. CHEAP 2. you don't want to use again! Aerosol is o.k. BUT use outside unless you want to eat 'humble pie' for the rest of your born natural!! Milliput, go with Mike on this, but you will find out what you prefer, either epoxy or solvent based. For the latter try Revell. Good set of mini drill bits, LOTS! They DO break, regularly, this from a man who regularly breaks No.8 and No.10 masonry bits! Invest in a good twist drill, not an Archimedian (corkscrew) they break, yeah, guilty as charged! Scalpel and spare blades, lots of blades, 10/11/11A, no don't break them, they go blunt, but the blunt ones are good for spreading filler, or as a handy place to put a drop of superglue, just make sure that it's still attached to the handle, guess!! X-acto heavy duty handle for using a razor saw, just have more control. Cocktail sticks for applying superglue, sticking small parts to for painting etc. On this point, had any Ferrero chocs for Christmas? clear plastic box with green florist sponge in is great for somewhere to put the cocktail sticks and its stable in a rigid container. Tweezers flat nose and pointed nose, beware, point nose come with a cover, use it, they make lousy arrows! Sponge sanding sticks and emery boards (he, he, guess who's got daughters!) The 1" wide green/black hairy thingy in the photo above is a slice off a best quality Wilko's scouring pad, not as vicious as sanding stick/wet'n'dry, and don't be mean, don't take it out of the kitchen tidy, buy yer own! Side cutters (black handles in photo), best you can afford. Voice of experience here, brought cheap, blade shattered, not good. Brushes, still as it always has been, best you can afford, and look after them. Paints, how long you got? Acyrilic, dry in the time it takes to make a cuppa, enamels, more forgiving, just don't touch! Gunze paints available from M.D.C. in Belper/Ripley? Good range, good covering power, mainly acyrilic. Enamels, White Ensign, range is bigger than the old authentics range ever was. Know what you mean about having a good rummage, but, you have a lead on the place in Stoke, also if you go to Derby, Modelzone has just opened....CHADDERS!!!!!!!!! Other one is at the top of Normanton Road. Lastly join a club! With most all you will have to do is pay your club fees, but you have I.P.M.S. Stafford close by, and NO you don't need to be a member to go, plus they have Raddish, no, this is not an dieting tip or a disease, just hope you like the 'little rocky horror show'! All the best from a re sited staffordian, Paul.

Hi Dan, MIS = Military In Scale. UK publication, Spence is the Editor (or the bloke you throw.............(insert suitable!) at!!) and YES the plan is to run the article in the March '09 issue. (Aahhh, know what you're doing over Crimbo Spence!) Cracking build Spence, any Hawk pilot would be proud to own it! In no particular order, SAM = Scale Aircraft Modeller SAMI = Scale Aircraft Modelling International MAM = Model Aircraft Monthly AMI = Aircraft Modelling International All Mags, that are as much of a 'must have' as the latest kit of the Scruggs Wonder Plane, AND get just as much stick! Nice being an editor innit Spence?!!!!! Paul

Hi all, talking to Oracle aka Mr. Snowdon friday evening at SMW, Quote: "1/48th PR9 should hit the shops in the next two weeks, (Done, thanks Trev!) 1/48 TSR2, ship is DUE to dock 24/12/08, late delivery is due to some problems being ironed out, release to the shops early January. 1/48 B2 & 1/72 B2 AND B(I)8 approx. February. " Unquote Bill, old adage in the supermarket trade, "stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap!" Through put will give the margins, playing the big boys at their own game, and good luck to him. How many of us have brought from Des (Mr. Models)? Paul

Hi all, just to add a bit to Dave's post, GR1A 13 Sqn. Serial ZG729/M Norway. All stencils visable on forward fuselage as is the angled fin flash, squardron I.D. letter 'M' and the 13 Sqn. shield and fin top stripe. Hope this is of use. Paul

Hi all, speaking to Mr. Snowdon aka the Oracle on Friday evening. Spit and Me109 are brand new AIRFIX tools no leasing agreements! Previous moulds are going to be drawing their pensions quite soon, moments silence please. To quote a phrase, "watch this space" got the info that there may be something for everyone in the mix like a number of other moulds going! Control people! NO Valiant or Scimitar on the horizon Cranberries, 1/48 PR9 released to the trade in the next 2 weeks, B2 early in 2009. 1/48 TSR2 arrives in the U.K. 24/12/08, so Santas decided anyone that wants one will have to wait until after New Year! Wooksta, stop growling into your beard, 1/72 Cranberries B(i)8 AND B2 due to be released first quarter '09. The above obtained "from the horses mouth" our Trev. Paul

Responsibility lies with the retailer, they sort your problem then take it up with their supplier. Covered under the "sale of goods act" either 1976 or '78, "item must be suitable for the purpose for which it was sold" In this instance Hannants must replace or refund, any grief bring in trading standards! Hope you get things sorted without having to resort to the latter. Paul

'Blue circle' Tonkas strike again!