Blue Monday

Can anyone say if this kit of the DC-8 has the correct fuselage length for conversion into an EC-24A? Thanks. BM.

Is there any further news on this kit? I'd imagine that the current issues in that part of the world are affecting the production of this model. BM.

That is a gorgeous model. BM.

Great to see some helicopters mixed in with all your other excellent fixed-wing stuff. BM.

Thanks exdraken. No, I haven't built it yet but hopefully it will be an OK kit. The early eighties were a good period for helicopters from Airfix and they probably released their finest classic kits in that period. I found a build article on the kit in an old Airfix magazine and it mentions that some filler is required but overall the fit was good. The cockpit needs some additional detail but the pilot/co-pilot doors are moulded shut so no need to go crazy in that area either. Yes, it is increasingly looking like Monogram and Hasegawa are the two best options in 1/48th for an AH-64A. Verlinden even released a fairly comprehensive upgrade set for the Monogram kit so maybe that might be the route to take.👍 Your comments are the first I've read that indicate the Italeri 1/48th AH-64 kit is not so good. Some of the online builds look quite nice but the lack of information on this kit has me questioning whether it would be a good purchase. BM.

I'm seeking some advice on 1/48 scale AH-64 kits for a few possible future build. I purchased an Airfix 1/48 AH-64 Apache recently for a very good price. It was the first 1/48th AH-64 ever released and it accurately depicts the Phase II Pre-Production Hughes YAH-64. Looking at the kit, it got me thinking, wouldn't it be cool to attempt to build all the various versions of the AH-64 that the US Army has flown over the years since service entry in the early 80's? And so, here are the various versions that have flown with the US Army Phase II pre-production prototype Hughes YAH-64 (Airfix are the only game in town for this version). Early-Service Hughes AH-64A. Late-Service AH-64A. Prototype AH-64D Production AH-64D. Production AH-64E Guardian. Hasegawa have numbers 5 and 6 covered for sure. There is no real competition there. For numbers 2 and 3 on my list, Hasegawa might have the best overall A model. However, I understand it is quite a complicated kit as it is said to be over-engineered, similar to their D and E (same base kit?). Therefore, my question is: Are there 1/48th AH-64As from other manufacturers that produce nice models without being overly challenging or difficult to build? The two options that come to mind are the old Monogram kit from 1985 and the Italeri kit from 1991. The Revell/Monogram kit appears to build up nicely though possibly needs a little extra detailing here and there to get a nice model and looks like a reasonable option for an early-production A model. The Italeri kit looks OK too and the latest (AH-64D - Kit no. 2748) boxing of this kit contains all the original A model components and also comes with an extra sprue that appears to cover many of the additional lumps, bumps and antennae needed for an A model as they appeared in service at the start of GWOT. Any advice on these or other 1/48 scale kits that would allow the versions mentioned would be gratefully received. For option number 4, am I correct in thinking the Italeri AH-64D (Kit no. 863, released in 2,000) might be the best option. It appears to have decals for an AH-64D prototype but are the EFABS the correct shape? If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks. BM.

I secretly always fancied building a model of ZK-HHQ from "Race for the Yankee Zephyr". Maybe when they release the 1/48 scale version of the kit. BM.

Really nice B-47. BM.

In my flying days, I enjoyed flying these little machines. Needed to be flown with a little care but a sturdy little machine nonetheless. I have this kit in the stash too. Hopefully one day I'll be brave enough to start it at some point. Yours is coming along nicely. BM.

I probably should have known that. I have a 1/72 and 1/48 hangar in my stash from them. I think it's a different model of hangar to yours but they come out well. I am looking forward to building mine in the future. 👍 BM.

Nice little layout. Did you scratch build the hangar? BM.

Nice work on what looks like to be a challenging kit. Maybe we will never get a mainstream injection moulded Osage/Hughes 300. In any case, you have made a fine TH-55. BM.

I wonder can they go further with this mould and produce an SH-2F version of this kit? The Airfix SH-2F is a fine kit but portrays an early production SH-2F. A new SH-2F to this standard would be nice. BM.

It is strange that none of the box art shows any weapons carried on the wings. Is that for political correctness, I wonder? BM.

Very nice model of your MH-6. The Academy kit looks really good. BM.

That is a very nice Hiller. I'm tempted to try that kit. BM.

Surely a helicopter that will actually have a decent rate of availability, carry missiles and deliver them on-target is an improvement over the Tiger which is no good if it can't even get out of the hangar. The AH-64E is probably what the German Army really wants but European countries will "buy European" if at all possible. BM.

Very nice Bronco. BM.

Nice work on one of Italeri's neat little kits. BM.

I'd imagine the Matchbox kit might be the best starting point for one of the two prototype YA-10 prototypes though. The tail plane vertical surfaces do need to be modified but overall the kit seems to capture the different shapes of the prototypes. It seems to have the correct shape around the nose and even gets the different canopy framing correct. The wheels look a a little skinny though and probably need to be replaced. The cockpit certainly needs a few additions to liven it up. I hope to build one in the future as -11369. BM.

Is there any projected release date for the 1/32 scale OH-6A? BM.

Yes, it would be nice to have him back. His expertise of the Lynx is very welcome, as are his excellent models. BM.

I hope they include the correct rear doors with the small window. It would be nice to be able to build a National Guard OH-6A or one of the Loaches assigned to a Police force or Sheriff's office after retirement from the Army. BM.

Nice to see an old kit being converted into an interesting prototype. Proper modelling! BM.

Does anyone know if the Airfix 1/72 A-10 is reasonably accurate for an early-production late-1970's Hog? Is it suitable out-of-the-box to build as a JAWS aircraft? It doesn't seem to get too much attention in these discussions aboutt best and worst A-10 kits. Thanks. BM.