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Stilwell

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  1. Stilwell
    Looks like the first SHU-16B boxing has been released: https://www.aviationmegastore.com/grumman-shu-16b-albatross-sova-models-svm-72026-aircraft-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=174692 Although, based on the box art, I'm not sure about Aviation Megastore's spelling of "US Navy". I am curious that they have the kit before the ebay sellers based in Ukraine. Jonathan.
  2. Stilwell
    I understand the nose on the MS was a different, more tapered outline, as well as having the shorter radome. The RV kit of the MS provided the nose separately in resin, and the shape is different from the standard kit. Jonathan.
  3. Stilwell
    Just like the real thing... Although apparently they could take the wings off for storage on board: https://i.redd.it/hjet354e9c561.png Jonathan.
  4. Stilwell
    https://finemolds.co.jp/FP/FP48.html https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&u=https://finemolds.co.jp/FP/FP48.html Plus a brass probe set. Jonathan.
  5. Stilwell
    Utilising their assets to get the maximum return on investment for the minimum outlay? (That minimum outlay including focussing on their home market, where the JASDF aircraft sell well, rather than investing in an export network.) Looks like FM are going for two marking options per release, but the options are fairly similar (same squadron, same exercise). https://finemolds.co.jp/FP/72737.html https://finemolds.co.jp/FP/72738.html I'm curious whether they will include both early and later reinforced standard sabilators for the F-4EJkai '95 kit, as the artwork shows one subject with early standard and one with reinforced. Also curious that both kits push the JASDF weapons set on their respective web pages, even though the F-4EJ '82 kit features AIM-4 launch adaptors (as found in the 60's & 70's weapons set) on the photo and the artwork. Jonathan.
  6. Stilwell
    I assume Hasegawa hadn't kept their website security certificates up to date. At least, they hadn't earlier; alternatively, the use of an "https://" prefix was inappropriate (although it defaulted to that when I left the prefix out). But I can connect to their site OK now. Also note that the "December" Facebook link goes to the December 2020 page. The "November" Facebook link goes to the November / December 2021 flyer: http://www.hasegawa-model.co.jp/211112new/ These go to the lists of planned releases: http://www.hasegawa-model.co.jp/month/202111/ http://www.hasegawa-model.co.jp/month/202112/ Jonathan.
  7. Stilwell
    Based on the silhouettes, and the ~4 month lead time to get whatever is planned out in 2021* (given how well covered the new tooling for the F-4C/D/J releases has been), I am expecting the scale modelling equivalent of: Only with a 1:72 Phantom as the immediate backdrop, and one young lady in 1:35 scale. Probably one young lady with an F-4E or F-4EJ boxing, and a different one for an F-4EJkai boxing. The more modern subject equivalent of these previous Fine Molds releases: https://www.hlj.com/1-35-scale-rekiso-otome-history-dress-1-35-aoi-with-1-72-zero-fighter-type-22-fnmhc7 https://www.hlj.com/1-35-scale-rekiso-otome-history-dress-1-35-rosa-w-1-72-bf109-f-4-trop-fnmhc8 I hope I'm wrong, and we do get a slatted wing Phantom this year; not too long to wait to find out. Jonathan. * Google translate has the first line of the Facebook post as "Our new products scheduled to be released in the fall-winter 2021". But under Japanese standards, it wouldn't surprise me if Winter 2021 includes Q1 2022.
  8. Stilwell
    AccsGB is listed as AGB on Hannants, but the Venom isn't listed in Hannants Futures yet: https://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?product_category_id=103&manufacturer_id=362924&scale_id=956 Jonathan.
  9. Stilwell
    https://finemolds.co.jp/FP/FP45.html: https://finemolds.co.jp/FP/FP44.html: For a moment there, I was hoping the common sprue provided two sets of outboard pylons. But as only half the outboard pylon parts include the pins to align with the wing undersurface, I guess each outboard pylon is an assembly of two parts. Jonathan.
  10. Stilwell
    The fuselage halves appear to have a step where the rear edge of the ramp should sit, suggesting the ramp isn't integral with them; The rectangular piece on the sprue with the horizontal stabilisers looks about the right size and shape for the ramp outer surface (given the rounded corners). The short rectangular piece on the tail fin sprue could be the ramp inner surface, and the long rectangular piece could be the floor of the cargo area. Not sure what Answer will give inside fuselage, and given the potential cost, I'm not sure I want much, but the sprues look like the ramp isn't tooled to have closed as the only option. Jonathan.
  11. Stilwell
    Hopefully it will be possible to pre-order both Wildcat and Mustang at the same time - that will make hitting the £135 minimum order size limit for those of us living in Britain easier. Jonathan.
  12. Stilwell
    They aren't the first manufacturer to include enough features to model their chosen subject aircraft, but not the wider fleet. At least they chose a Martlet II for this boxing which featured the underwing pitot probe already included in the kit: http://www.rafcommands.com/database/images/aircraft/A/AJ148.jpg If Arma want to include the top surface pitot probe option on a later boxing, I suspect an etched brass probe would be reasonably easy to add to the kit. Jonathan.
  13. Stilwell
    Looks like different cowl flap options, different front cowl rings, different gearbox cover / distributors and different exhaust configurations. Jonathan.
  14. Stilwell
    The initial issue does appear to have a Martlet II option: https://www.armahobby.com/uploads/blog/main/611630a2d50eb-70047-web2-b.jpg Which the artwork suggests has a different cowl shape to the F4F-4 options. Jonathan.
  15. Stilwell
    Looks like the same kit as Fox One released in 2020, previously covered here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235075206-fox-one-172-jmsdf-fuji-t-5-released/ https://www.hlj.com/1-72-scale-fuji-t-5-fxna127 Same kit number, at least. 3D printed; nice, but eye-wateringly expensive. Jonathan.
  16. Stilwell
    Hannants have had them in stock since the middle of June: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/CPA72034 https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/CPA72035 Which is more than can be said for the kit itself: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AMG72802 Jonathan.
  17. Stilwell
    Looks like the next run of FM's original JASDF F-4 boxings is reaching the shops: https://www.hlj.com/1-72-scale-jasdf-f-4ej-fighter-bomber-fnmfp-37 https://www.hlj.com/1-72-scale-jasdf-f-4ej-kai-fighter-bomber-fnmfp-38 (I've had fnmfp-37 on back order since Christmas.) Jonathan.
  18. Stilwell
    What are you characterising as "early"? This scheme? https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELJ1ui5U4AEVuIy.jpg Or something else? Jonathan.
  19. Stilwell
    Light Aircraft Grey was the preferred colour for the under-sides of RAF combat aircraft in the period between when High Speed Silver went out of fashion and when wrap-around top-side colours became the thing. For the top-sides, Dark Sea Grey was the preferred accompaniment to the Dark Green. Jonathan.
  20. Stilwell
    At least the decal sheet description does not have as many inaccuracies as the write up that accompanies the artwork on Wings Palette: http://img.wp.scn.ru/camms/ar/80/pics/9_5.jpg >Harvard Mk.IIa "Hatters Castle" >Unit: 1832 NAS, FAA >Serial: 203/JA (EZ316) >This aircraft (NA-81 supplied under Lease-Lend) was used from 1942 onwards as an advanced trainer by the Royal Navy. It is shown in post-war (about 1958) markings, still with wartime insignia, serving at Stretton. >Artist: unknown >Source: "Great Aircraft of the World", Book Editor: Len Cacutt Publishers: Marshall Cavendish Books Ltd. 58 Old Compton Street, London W1V 5PA" “JA” was the station code for HMS Blackcap / RNAS Stretton in the late 40s, before it changed to “ST”. 1832 Sqn RNVR was based at Culham, but 1831 Sqn RNVR was based at Stretton from 1947; the wiki says it was equipped with Seafire 15s and 17s, and one Harvard. This may be that one Harvard, but in 1948 rather than 1958. This is backed up by Ray Sturtivant’s FAA Fixed Wing Aircraft since 1946 book, which has it arriving a Stretton on 20 Aug 1947, serving as “203” and “201”, before going to Donibristle for overhaul on 5 September 1949. No mention of the “Hatters Castle” name, though. The book then says EZ316 then spent time with 799 Sqn at Yeovilton before going to the RNAS Gosport station flight on 18 June 1951. It doesn't have any photos of EZ316, unfortunately. There is a photo of a Harvard with 1831 Sqn, but that is KF500, again coded as “203”, in 1951, with “ST” station code and I would guess High Speed Silver with yellow training bands scheme. While the artwork above has been repeated numerous times - including green / grey rather than green / earth upper surfaces: http://www.clavework-graphics.co.uk/aircraft/northamerican_t6/texan_027.html I haven’t been able to find any photographic evidence. Unfortunately, while EZ316 is mentioned on some other threads on Britmodeller: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234957947-royal-navy-havards/ https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234970923-fleet-air-arm-harvards-–-variant-analysis-observations-and-queries/ They also don’t help with evidence. Jonathan.
  21. Stilwell
    Fear not - the Japanese language has two alphabets to choose from. And then there are the Kanji characters.... I'm intrigued that the F-4J interior panels are on a separate sprue from the USN common sprue. I'm not saying that is evidence of a plan for an F-4B (despite needing another new sprue for the inboard wing parts, main gear doors and main wheels), but it will be more efficient to kit an F-4B (or F-4N) if they decide to. Or an F-4S, if they decide to do new sprues for the inboard and outboard wing parts with leading edge slats. Although I'm not sure how different the F-4S interior panels are from the F-4J, but knowing Fine Molds, it wouldn't surprise me if they are different enough to justify a different sprue. Jonathan.
  22. Stilwell
    I'd say that enough -30 J's have flown with the underwing tanks to make it worth leaving them as an available option: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/C-130_J.jpg/1000px-C-130_J.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Italian_Air_Force_Hercules_C-130J-30_departs_RIAT_Fairford_14thJuly2014_arp.jpg https://www.milavia.net/specials/blue-flag-2017-israel/view.php?f=32 https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-02-05/australia-trials-litening-pod-c-130j https://www.dncphotography.co.uk/p603184467/hAABB1DF1#haabb1df1 https://halfpennygreen.zenfolio.com/p286047681/h82A3A191#h82a3a191 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsk0B9FnU5g I am more curious about the second rendering, the one with the -J propellers with the -K standard refuelling probe and pipe work. At least it suggests that the extended fuselage tooling includes the necessary features for an RAF C.3 (except the tail fairing), either for a cross-kit build or a future boxing. Jonathan.
  23. Stilwell
    Yes and yes - the windscreen is on a separate transparent sprue (or at least a separate area of the transparent sprue) from the rest of the canopy, allowing easy selection of the appropriate windscreen length for the variant being kitted. Jonathan.
  24. Stilwell
    At least two new nose cones. I'm assuming the big hole in the sprue tool over to the right of the photo that heads this page of the thread is also a nose cone. This is probably the sprue shown in balwin8's post from 21 April (that post shows the same sprue twice, after and before detailed machining). But it isn't Sprue P. And it isn't the other sprue with a nose cone photographed in the post that shows sprue P, but which I can't read the letter from due to camera shake, So maybe there will be another F-4D specific nose cone? Jonathan.
  25. Stilwell
    It looks like that last picture satisfies my curiosity about how Fine Molds will be dealing with the USN / USMC short nose variants having the retractable refuelling probe on the starboard side of the forward fuselage and the USAF variants not. No Hasegawa style "fill the panel lines" requirement here: The photo suggests there will be one sprue with USN / USMC specific features - spine with no refuelling receptacle, catapult strop attachment hooks, drag chute door, flat top inboard wing pylons and starboard nose half; and presumably an equivalent sprue with USAF features, and a common sprue with the port nose half and nose cone. I assume the USN / USMC specific sprue will also have the intake mounted RWR fairings. All versions of the Fine Molds F-4 have the locating holes for these on the intake parts, but flashed over, And while the main subjects for the USN and USMC boxings (VF-114 & VMFAT-101) didn't have them, I believe the alternate subjects (VF-21 and VMFA-333) did (for a period, at least). Jonathan.
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