2996 Victor

"Is it me?" as dear old Terry Wogan used to say..... Who else is guilty of going through their followed threads and using the Update Preferences button to group like threads together? For instance, I've got the equivalent of a page of Spitfire threads, almost two pages worth of Beaufighter threads. I haven't dared consider the Hurricane threads. And when a new one is started that's got lots of good info in it, who then does Update Preferences again so that the new thread is grouped with all the others on the same subject? Like I said, "Is it me?" I suspect the padded cell and canvas jacket with extra long sleeves await..... Cheers, Mark

Brilliant idea, Ian! I love the idea of nostalgia builds like this. The trick must be to not give in to the temptation to add details like PE, but, as you say,to build straight from the box but to your best possible standard. I think I might give it a go Cheers, Mark

Latest arrival is yet another Airfix Beaufighter, making five in total. On order are High Planes horizontal tail-planes and fin/rudder correction sets, and a Beau' Ic conversion set. Also received yesterday my eagerly-awaited copy of WingLeader No.10 Tomorrow when I get paid, AlleyCat Beau' Mk.II conversion..... Cheers, Mark

Dust Clouds is a great book, absolutely fascinating! I had the pleasure of chatting to a chap in my local pub, oh 25-odd years ago, who was a friend of a fellow customer that my Dad had known for years (my family had been landlords of that pub years before). He'd served in the RAF as an aircraftman in Iraq during Raschid Ali's rising. One of my greatest regrets is that I didn't run home for my copy of that book and get him to sign it Cheers, Mark

I always think Renault need to be more careful when they name their cars - to my way of thinking, Kadjar sounds like "catarrh", while Koleos sounds distinctively bowel-like Cheers, Mark

Absolutely beautiful work, Simon, while the historical background and base add immensely to the meaning of the model. Superb! Cheers, Mark

Thanks, Simon - I missed it!!! No great surprise there, I suppose Beautiful result, if I may say so! Cheers, Mark

Hi Simon, Not sure if perhaps I missed an RFI, but did you complete this beautiful Beau? I've got several in my stash, and I've got to say that your build will be my go-to when I make a start on them! Cheers, Mark

Thanks for the update - any photos of progress? Cheers, Mark

Hi Graham, That's fascinating and a side effect of fitting a different "format" of engine that I'd never have considered. But having had it pointed out seems obvious! That's quite a large increase! I read somewhere that the outline in plan form was unchanged, so that the tail-planes on dihedral Beaus were slightly longer but appeared identical to horizontal Beaus when viewed from above. But 13 inches apiece is much greater. When my horizontal tail-planes arrive, I'll have a quick measure! I wondered why this was added, but it makes sense where directional stability is of paramount importance! Thanks for this, Graham, is enormously appreciated. Cheers, Mark

Hi Graham, I was aware that the actual span was the same, meaning that the dihedral tail-planes were actually longer. The improvement in longitudinal stability I wasn't aware of - I presumed it was something to do with roll characteristics. As regards tail-planes vs exhausts, I wondered whether there was simply a correlation in terms of timeline. In other words, were the shrouded exhausts seen with the horizontal tail-planes? Incidentally, I've got the WingLeader Beaufighter book on order, which I hope will provide some insight. Somewhere, I've got Victor Bingham's monograph. I'm also looking to find a copy of Jerry Scutts' book. Are there any others that are worth their weight in salt? Cheers, Mark

Hi @The wooksta V2.0, did you get any further with this? I have a similar project planned, and I'd be interested to know how you're getting on. I haven't yet ordered the AlleyCat conversion, as I'm not sure whether to go "early" or "late" with regard to the exhausts. Can anyone shed any light on the relative numbers of the two types of exhaust? Is there any correlation to the type of exhaust and the retro-fitting of dihedral tail-planes? Many thanks and best regards, Mark

Now I got a case of Clouseau-envy! Enjoy, Alistair, I'll be with you in spirit Cheers, Mark

Absolutely! The trail of carnage as Clouseau and Maria go to the various restaurants and bars is hilarious, as is Dreyfuss' growing mania: "Francois, I've cut off my thumb. Mmm-mmm, ha-ha!" I really want to watch one of them this evening , but I've lent my box set to my Mum! Cheers, Mark

"Zat iss not mein dog!" Jane isn't a great fan of the Panther films, but she absolutely loves the "crossing the moat" scene I love them all, but the first two especially - the gorillas and the safe and the end car chase (which I've always thought could have been a bit longer) in The Pink Panther, and the billiards scene in A Shot In The Dark (my absolute film favourite of them all) still reduce me to tears of laughter That's cheered me up no end! Mark