Biggles81

Best laid plans, looks like the Growler will go on hold as I have just been warned out for an overseas posting, so 8 weeks back in Oz and then off again for 2-3 years. The WIP will have to wait.

Greg, I know you love these discussions but agree it is now getting somewhat arcane (even if Defence did trade off a koala for a real force enabler) so I will leave it with a quote "... if one accepts that premise, air power provides our Government with multiple options for exerting coercive influence, or delivering precise blows or merely putting an adversary at risk in order to influence his behaviour; then it is obvious that air power must take its place at the centre of our national security strategy." That is why when I get back to Australia around the same time that Ronin Graphics releases the appropriate decals I may spend my leave constructing one of these great modelling subjects rather than bemoaning the absence of an SPG in the orbat.

Intrigued by this Greg. The Growler was subject to full capability development consideration and entry in the Whitepaper, and as far as I can see nothing suffered for the ADF in acquiring it, certainly nothing that has significantly altered the balanced and networked force we have been working towards for the better part of the last 20 years. The mechanised battlegroups in Army seem to be progressing apace so nothing I can see for you to complain about as a result of Growler. Currently seeing the Growlers doing some amazing things in support of the ground force right now in an untidy part of the world and all I can say is glad we are getting them.

mmmm yes, like Abrams tanks and black plastic stocks for the EF88s.

Actually the Op IMPACT Hornets were carrying GBU-12s, but now almost exclusively GBU-49s and GBU-38s, sometimes in mixed loads. Depends on what is being targeted or if they are tasked for XCAS . Here is an early example from Nov 14 with 2xGBU-12 and 1 x GBU-38: http://images.defence.gov.au/20141110raaf8202385_0446.jpg and here is a later one with GBU-49s: http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?find&catalog=photos&template=detail_eng.np&field=itemid&op=matches&value=69794&site=combatcamera occasionally GBU-49s paired on BRU-55s: http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?find&catalog=photos&template=detail_eng.np&field=itemid&op=matches&value=67348&site=combatcamera or just a pair of parent mounted GBU-38s: http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?find&catalog=photos&template=detail_eng.np&field=itemid&op=matches&value=67258&site=combatcamera

Garett, Slater above has pretty much nailed RAAF practice for inert bombs. In all my years I have never seen a live MK84 loaded on a aircraft along with a practice bomb dispenser (that is both on F-111 and F/A-18 experience).

Yes oddly enough I finally heard back from them with the same email overnight. I had previously heard nothing from them until I started this thread.....

Nope I have received the clearly labelled X32055 FAA/RNZAF Corsairs sheet (labelled as such on both the instructions and on the sheet itself). I already had 48136 RNZAF Corsairs (no FAA subjects on the 1/48 sheet) with which to compare, something I felt I should do after seeing the 1/32 sheet and thinking the FAA markings appeared somewhat on the small size, which they are indeed by an order of magnitude.

In the immortal words "Houston we have a problem....", I just received my copy of Xtradecal X32055 FAA/RNZAF Corsairs the other and thought that they seem a little underscale. Just pulled out my scale rulers and confirmed they seem to be a perfect 1/48 scale. Also confirmed the roundels etc are a perfect size match for those on X48136 RNZAF Corsairs in 1.48 scale. mmmm...

Just to clarify, 36440 was the specified undersurface colour for the olive drab, dark sea gray scheme, hence the mention for lower surfaces on Mirage IIIOs.

Another social media fail for Airfix, not to mention a massive yawn in the actual announcements.

This was my take on this elusive Seafire: http://hsgalleries.com/seafireiickb_1.htm Noting I somehow back in 2000 came up with MB269 for this airframe base in Sturtivants Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939-1945 and the photo in Poolman, fortunately it seems as good a guess as any. I started with the Aeromaster decals for this subject which proved "C" for the carrier code, which I corrected to "S" but did not know at the time about the larger letter. Live and learn. Not much help but I thought I would throw this in the mix and see what else comes up. Cheers, Ken PS just noticed I committed the ultimate heresy in my naivety back then and painted the crow bar red. Doh!

Hey Shane, Looking very nice, I am keen to see this one in the flesh. Cheers, Ken Canberra Australia

Hi Roger. When I last posted criticism of this sheet I was told that RAAF "experts" checked it over before printing and passed the artwork. They got a reasonable attempt at the code letter variations of this airframe, but the nose art was pathetic and inexcusable given the number of photos available . I understand Hannants fixed problems with the RNZAF option according to Pete Mossong, but they ignored the issues with the 13 SQN option. I guess it highlights the calibre of their RAAF "experts". For those interested, in addition to the AWM image see: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/Ventura-A59-85 Cheers, Ken B

I wouldn't. Despite the many photos available on the web, the 13 SQN option is only a passing resemblance to the real thing, nose art particularly. If there was as much attention paid to the other optIons as that one then it would be just as bad as the kit options.

I don't know about soon - but I got these in 2011 for the old Planet Models kit. Still looks to be available. http://www.4pluspublications.com/en/publications/44-aero-l-29-delfin-colours-and-markings

Hmmm interesting, metal ailerons and a DH? prop. Both not what I expected from a Mark II, but still gives even more options from the kit.

Not sure about that Pappy, I have not yet flown with him. I have driven with him and that was bad enough........

Hey Pappy, My little brother just graduated from ETPS in November last year so I have embarked on this same kit as a (belated) Christmas gift for him. Lovely work as always and some good pointers for my build so I will also follow with interest. Of course I will be using the current Black scheme befitting the jets he has been flying. Cheers, Ken

Or a wartime F Mk 8

wow this looks fantastic. I will be up for a couple, especially if a Foward Air Control variant is forthcoming as well.

Hannants, what have you done? I just saw that the description for the 1/48 version of these sheets has just been altered and the Chesapeake and Helldiver have been dropped. I have been waiting for years for these to be done,Mehta with te excellent Monogram SB2C and AM/Azure Vindicator as A basis. What are they thinking!? Rant mode off......

I Have to concur with all who have gone before. RAAF Lincolns were painted standard RAF (high speed) silver externally but much of the interior was an interior green often described as a bright apple green behind the cockpit area. Here are more photos of A73-64 from a couple of years ago in its current resting place high on Mount Superbus. Nimrod, no comments on the group photo as a much younger me may be in it!

It is a Lincoln nose section, so no surprise if it looks like a Lancaster.

A68-166 was a CAC built Mustang, not a lend-lease P-51D/K. The trial alluded to above seems to have been conducted in 1954 to assess various pressure heads for a nose pitot boom for the Vampire Mk 30 program.