Oldynewby

I've just picked up the new Airfix Hawk from my LMS. Is it my imagination or are the pilots a bit small? They seem to compare more to 1:87 railway figures than 1:72 or 1:76. Has anyone had chance to check the dimensions yet?

Glad to know I'm not alone guys! I've got a cunning plan which involves cutting out the area under the airbrake and putting in the nozzles from there, I'm not worried about the linkage as I always intended to glue them in. I'll either make a new false bottom then or glue the airbrake closed and make a flyer, not decided yet...

No, it's the 1/72nd. It's not really worth worrying about, just damned annoying. I'll probably just glue them in place from outside - unless I drop them into the fuselage while I'm doing it!!! I'm just going through a phase where everything I touch turns to poo, which is why I'm not building anything decent at the moment...

I've just cemented the two fuselage halves of my Airfix Harrier GR3 together and didn't put the nozzles in...!

That's probably why there aren't yet any in the local shops. If Airfix have a particularly good run on them at RIAT they might have to wait for more stock before all the orders can be shipped.

On a similar topic, my LMS has been quoted an in-stock date of 3rd August for the new-tool Red Arrows Hawk. On the subject of new tools, I was wondering if the new SHAR FRS1 is a genuine new tool or perhaps the old Italeri tool which is just "new" to Airfix...?

Thanks guys. Obviously to be getting the right answers I need to be asking the right questions. So the slats weren't added to or removed from their original locations but am I right in saying that they were bolted on? Did these remain fully navalised or were they adapted at all? The reason I ask is that I want to build an RAF aircraft from a Fujimi FG1 kit. If I build a 111sqn a/c do I need to adapt the kit or build it fully Navy?

I've been "researching" t'interweb for some proper info on GB Phantoms. So far I've learnt that the FG1 was fitted with Speys, slatted stabilators and long front u/c legs and was intended for RN carrier use. The FGR2 was the RAF designation and some former FG1's were converted but, of the original FGR2's, only around 8 were wired for the reconnaisance equipment so, I suspect were similar in spec to the FG1 but without the long front leg. The F3 (F-4J(UK)) was a pre-loved (One careful owner!) F4-J that was modernised to just short of F4-S standard. This, I believe, being the full upgrade minus external strengthening plates and slatted tails and empty ECR pods where the original US equipment wasn't refitted. Right! Assuming all that's correct (and please feel free to correct me if it's not...), were the original FG1-type tail slats ever fitted to FGR2's? Were the "converted" FG1's allowed to retain their slats (I know that they were only bolted on.)? And were slats normally fitted to the F3's? Would I be right in saying that the "conversion" from FG1 to FGR2 was no more than blanking over the traffic lights on the front u/c door and fitting a new front oleo (or disabling the extension) and that slats might or might not have been fitted to aircraft on an individual basis? There, I think that's covered it... Thanks in advance.

Bought some of this to try (at the latest price of 26p!) after unsuccessfully trying to use my ultrasonic cleaner filled with acetone (nail polish remover) as an airbrush cleaner. No problems with the acetone removing the paint but it melted the plastic parts on the sonic cleaner! First I knew was when I tried to fish out the soggy mess that used to be the basket....

I saw one in my local model shop just last week! Try here http://www.lendons.co.uk Just checked the site and it's not there. Try e-mailing them.

Not yet! Wow, what a sheet! That little Dickie Caruana's a hell of a lad... Windy, They might have made them in the past but they don't list them anymore. Meteor Productions, who took the business over, have also closed.

They don't make them. Grant, Thanks for the sheet dude

Thanks for all the mentions of Modeldecal and Xtradecal sheets. There's also a set by Berna but I'm not sure of the quality. I'm not really interested in the hand-painted tiger with the star in its mouth as I think it looks a bit cack! I fancy the idea of a Gulf wif now. Perhaps 47 Sqn's J's might have been given a stay of execution in order to augment the Tornado F3s already deployed, perhaps because of a supply or servicability issue with the tonkas or because the F4s had better defensive armament so could patrol in Iraqi airspace. Besides I've never seen a pink phantom...

Wow! I didn't realise they were difficult to get hold of. I reckon I'll try the Lightning set after all and adapt as necessary. May not be 100% accurate, perhaps I'll do a Gulf War wif! Thanks all

I think I've found an alternative. Would the 74 Sqn markings in the new Xtradecal Lightnings set be of an appropriate size and style. They look similar on the website. I suppose I could just buy them and find out and stick them on a Lightning if they're not right...

The clue's in the question. Yellowhammer only do 74 Sqn markings in 1/32 and 1/48. Do you think if I bought a set, reduced them and reprinted them at the correct size and then destroyed the originals I'd be breaching any copyright rules? I know I shouldn't copy them but if I destroyed the originals I wouldn't be gaining any advantage would I? Should I advise Yellowhammer of my intentions Seems like a dopey question but If I complete the model and choose to post a picture of it, some nark's bound to ask where the decals came from. Advice please.

Yep, it's all sorted now. Just some more rubbing and painting required. Haven't done much lately due to work but I'll get back down to it soon.

Shouldn't that be Chuff-Chuffed?

No that's not it. I'll redo the pics... It's actually the pattern of the plastic swirl that's come through the paint. Like I said it didn't show through the primer coat yet it's come through the topcoat! While I was redoing the pics I rubbed down the roof with micromesh and gave it another coat of black and the swirl seems to be fading so I'll leave it a week to harden and give it another rubdown and a further coat.

Looking great so far Sandy, I really really don't want to burst your bubble but wasn't the AEW version of the Nimrod a great British turkey? (Meant to put a smiley in by way of apology but the little yellow bleeders have deserted me!)

Thanks Peebeep. Any ideas as to why it happened?

I think I've rrrruined my rrrroof! That's the Scottish dialect over now to the nitty gritty. I had a "swirl" on the roof of my Min but after two coats of Halfords primer it seemed covered. Unfortunately after two coats of Halfords BMW Jet Black it's come back to haunt me. http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-...645154_4771.jpg http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-...645155_5052.jpg Can I polish this out or cover it some other way? Any advice gratefully received.

Give that man a cigar! Yes I painted the alloy rocker box green. The original cars (this is a '63) had green rocker covers but they were pressed steel so it either needs reshaping or putting back to alloy. Thanks to all who entered but there can only be one winner. The fact that he hasn't actually won anything is immaterial. I think I'll paint it grey. I agree with Jonathan.

I've just started my Tamiya Mini build and have comitted a slight faux pas with the engine. If anybody can spot it I'll change it, otherwise I'll leave it alone. Also, does anybody have an opinion on which colour to paint the car? The options are: Tartan Red/Black roof Old English White/Black roof Almond Green/White roof Dove Grey/White roof (My current favourite) Island Blue/White roof

I'm a bit nervous about committing myself as I haven't entered any sort of competition before but I'd like to attempt a Tamiya Mini Cooper. It'll probably be OOB but with easy detailing like HT leads etc. Thanks, Paul.