ACDC

I agree with Giorgio, the Esci/Italeri kit is far superior. I started the Airfix FA2 kit a few years ago but got frustrated with the amount of inaccuracies, both in detail and dimensions, that I gave up and converted an Esci kit I got from ebay. It is a lot of work but makes a far better representation. Get yourself some good scale drawings to work from. I used the Pavla FA2 nose (but needs extending 3mm), Pavla cockpit and seat, new resin 190 gal drop tanks - I think from Freightdog, as Airfix ones are the wrong shape and the Esci kit has the 100 gal. The fuselage 'plug' I made from Plasticard and filler. The various antenna and pitot were donated from the Airfix kit. The Airfix decals were also used as they are pretty good quality.

Re. KingTiger435. The restraint cables on the ramp are only needed if the ramp is open in flight so the crew can stand there safely, or have a GPMG fitted. If the ramp is in contact with the ground for loading purposes, then the cables are not fitted.

Thanks for the replies. I have found the Squadron B-29 Vacuform on ebay, but only available from the USA but costs an arm and a leg including postage! I will take Grey Beema's advice and try the plunge moulding again.

Appreciate this might be a long shot, but does anyone have spare 1/48 Grumman Avenger bubble windows or know where I can get some? My wife bought me the Hobby Boss Fleet Air Arm Avenger (which actually isn't) which I want to model as 853 NAS on HMS Queen 1945 which my Dad served on, but the kit only has the standard TBF/M-1C flat window. I have tried my hand at plunge molding but unsuccessfully so far. Many thanks. Brian

Xtracolor X013 from Hannants is an accurate match. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/X013?result-token=4bCvl

Pappy. A good photo on this post. https://twitter.com/navylookout/status/816567496945831936 there are 10 sonobuoys on each dispenser https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-begins-initiative-to-maintain-its-anti-submarine-edge/

Troffa is correct that the early Merlin wheel bay and torsion boxes were black, as that was the standard spec. Later variants are all painted to either customer specification or more commonly to match the airframe. e.g. the NAWSARH aircraft wheel bays were painted black on the first aircraft but the customer then wanted it changed to white along with the landing gear.

Pappy, I think the landing gear is Light Aircraft Grey the same as Lynx. Gear wells are MSG the same as the airframe. If you look at the photos in https://www.seaforces.org/wpnsys/SURFACE/Stingray-torpedo.htm the photo half way down of the Stingray with a yellow band on the forward end is a 'Warshot'. There would still be a black nose cap fitted for an air dropped torpedo to protect the sonar sensors. BJ

ROYAL NAVY and cabin door codes - 8" A/C serial numbers and ship's flight code on tail - 4" Ship's name on nose - 1.5 - 2" depends on who applied them. Xtradecal (X72157, X72158) do sets of black and white stencils in various sizes for 1/72. The 2" letters will be hard to find. Look up Railtec Transfers, they do a lot of waterslide decals for model railways in various fonts and sizes.

As Georgio said above, the letters are 'Spandex' vinyl stickers locally made in the dope shop. The 'silvering' is a clear lacquer (intended for use on tool colour coding) applied to seal the edges and prevent them lifting due to constant exposure to salt water.

Look in www.I8ter.com RAF_PW_ATH is the one you are looking for.

Neil there are a few Pavla FRS1 cockpits around but getting hard to find: https://www.super-hobby.it/products/Sea-Harrier-FRS.1-Airfix-1743424.html This is for the Airfix kit but can be modified to fit, I have used it on the Esci/Italeri kits very successfully. The seat is different on the FRS1 - MB Mk10H available at Hannants: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/PAVS72060 You could use the Eduard etch (again for Airfix) available on ebay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eduard-73384-1-72-Photo-Etch-For-Airfix-Sea-Harrier/254781429070?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225114%26meid%3D560e2c8d5be54ac1936e36ace68ff7a1%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D254781429070%26itm%3D254781429070%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DEduard&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Aedeb5745-2d4c-11eb-889f-f2f438a04678%7Cparentrq%3Af3948a801750ad4eac5acf27ffed6616%7Ciid%3A1 There are a few differences in the instrument panel layout. There are some good reference photos available on line, But you could easily modify the GR3 cockpit in 1/72 scale and get away with it. Good luck.

If you look at the instruction sheet .pdf here: http://www.belcherbits.com/lines/kits/bk5.htm there is some useful info on modelling the different variants.

NeOmega Resin do a Super Lynx detail set (Top engine cover, turbines, exhausts, IR sensors, blade linkage etc) for the Hobby Boss kit, which is basically the Mk 8 stuff, but the engine bay doors can also be used for a Gulf modified Mk 3. I have used a couple of these and they are pretty good. https://www.neomega-resin.com/172nd-super-lynx-146-p.asp

have a look here: http://www.theworldwars.net/resources/resource.php?r=camo_rafmod There is some useful stuff on this website.

Very impressive start. Looking forward to following this. If you have a printer you will need to make these crests. Top = (510mm) 10.6 mm high in 1/48th Bottom = (400mm) 8.3 mm high in 1/48th - you will need to flip this for the stbd side. The Fluorescent Red/Orange finish is RAL3024 I can also be of help for any details, but as Wellsprop said as long as it is not sensitive.

You may find these useful; describes all colours used along with BS numbers and equivalent model paints and explains your question. RAF: http://www.theworldwars.net/resources/resource.php?r=camo_rafmod Fleet Air Arm: http://www.theworldwars.net/resources/resource.php?r=camo_rnfaa