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alex

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Everything posted by alex

  1. not really convinced... the relatively narrow top part of the air intake should give much resistance to the airflow (bundary layer). But we'll see... Alex
  2. A small report in German: https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Russland-praesentiert-neuen-Kampfflieger-article22694290.html . It is targeted as "cheap alternative to the Su-57". Alex
  3. I guess after the first few rounds, the F-5 would fall from the sky in pieces... Alex
  4. looks a lot like a F-35-"inspired" aircraft... Alex
  5. Nice choice. The decals are excellent, I built a Rafale a few years ago in 1/72 with the Syhart decals, too. Alex
  6. Skull and bones sell... the same version is in the Revell-kit 1/72. Alex
  7. Nah, we buy only the newest and most expensive stuff, even if we have no use for it. BTW, we bought some years ago a "Führungsinformationssystem" (I guess it's called battlefield management system), which was first tested in the air force, and then if it was performing well, it would have been introduced a few years later for the rest of the army. It was intended to be mobile, encrypted, down to the individual soldier level and all the nice things the IT departments will promise you. Cost overrun, late delivery, only a fraction of the promised performance was achieved... those who speak german can google "FIS Heer" and be surprised. The same people were not able to introduce a model-airplane-sized drone in time (because the frequencies were already reserved by our national telecom company), they are again a few years late on the new drone (because they changed the whole desing of something they initially bought off the shelf), they upgrade some personnel carrier for a higher price than new vehicules would have cost (google DURO Modernisierung) and are struggling with the new mobile mortar system, which is again few years late. So, as I said on another forum - if they have to purchase something that is more complex than a lawn mower, they fail. Not sure if we should give them a few billions to buy new planes... Alex
  8. Yes, but as I wrote - where are the systems we want to integrate with the F-35? We have none... As we need an aircraft for (mostly) air defence, the stealth is a non-issue. If any serious enemy wants to attack us anyway, our radar stations are well known, as well as our few airports (which have taxyways over public roads... talk about security!). If you want to wage a serious war, the F-35 is a good tool, but not for the needs we have. It's clear why Israel have chosen the F-35. I try to keep politics out, though it's the forth dimension of an aircraft. But first selling PC-21 to France (maybe telling them to expect some offset business?), then refusing to sign a cooperation contract with the EU, and finally buying an American product will not help us get along well with our neighbours. Alex
  9. On the other hand, two third of the hasegawa guided weapons set included... Alex
  10. Yes, this choice was also made, but a bit in the background. We had offers for the SAMP/T as well. Alex
  11. Apparently, rumors are circulating that the offer of the "cheap flight hours" was beacuse LM just mixed the cost per flight hour with the cost of the simulator hour. The others did not, and are quite upset about it. Alex
  12. We bought 34 Hornets. So the F-35 is supposed to replace the Hornet and F-5. The Gripen-Procurement a few years ago was being advertised as "partial Tiger replacement". Many people didn't unterstand (me too, by the way) why we wanted to buy new planes to replace the Tiger, and a few years later, a new evaluation to replace the Hornets. In my opinion, the option to wait a few years and order one type to replace to old ones would have been easier. After watching how we struggle with putting the new drone into operation, I really wonder how well this will go. It's just a few levels more complicated. And the running gag is that we order an aircraft which draws most benefits from "the network". We have no AWACS, no ships, no satellites, no airborne ISTAR, nothing which could be integrated, just a few ground based radars. But hey, it's network-centric! 😁 I was 15 years officer in the swiss air force, and I still have no clue what they are thinking. Alex
  13. It's not over yet. The government proposes it to the parlament. It may be that the decision will be turned over, as many people fear that the connections to the EU can become a bit... complicated, and selecting a US aircraft may not help to fix these problems. The fact that the price per flying hour should be much cheaper than the competition has yet to be proven. The referendum may come as well, but I think it will be approved. It's not just a matter of a majority of the people, but also of the cantons ("Ständemehr"). As we have many small rural cantons, it will most probably pass. Still not sure yet what they were thinking when they chose the F-35. If they were thinking at all. Alex
  14. alex

    Anthems

    The French is a bit blood-dripping, but it tells well the story of the nation. Being Swiss/Italian, I never liked the Swiss one. Boring melody, and lyrics are as one described "a mix of the local weather report and a prayer" (generally, "mountains" and "god"). Alex
  15. OK, so this would make sense, as the airfix instructions suggests exactly that. Grey in front, black back. Thanks, I keep searching! Alex
  16. Good afternoon, the title says it all... I'm building a Gloster Gladiator of the well-known 87 Squadron, the one with the blue fin (K8027). I did some research, but couldn't find anything about the correct propeller colour. After having seen many instructions of silver gladiators, the colours I found were black, a kind of brown or a light gray on front, black on the backside. Restored ones are mostly black, but I don't trust them. Anyone has an idea? Alex
  17. The new half-tracks from Revell are quite good, they are available on different versions. Try either one of the Sd.Kfz 7 (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-03195-sdkfz-7-1--176250) or one of the Sd.Kfz 251 (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-03173-sdkfz-251-1-ausf-c-wurfrahmen-40--102195) If it's an old one, it could be this:https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-03231-sdkfz-251-1--102211 Alex
  18. Not yet, it's a bit stalled... After the problems with photobucket, I stopped to post build reports where I only could link to images, but not upload them. I was not in a mood to re-upload some 1800 pictures and re-link them. Those who want to see the little progress so far, are welcome to do it at scalemates (https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=11437&p=albums&album=32818) or on the german site modellboard.net. Alex
  19. Excellent build, I was just wondering how you coped with the old decals, then read that it were masks! Well done! Alex
  20. Good morning, I am about to finish the Gladiator from Airfix, and I'm a bit stuck about the correct antenna. The airplane will be K8027 from 87 squadron (with the blue fin, wheel discs and stabilizer, but silver hump). I have seen cases of Mk I where the antenna was a straight line from the fin to the middle of the upper wing, and connected to the radio by a cable though the hump behind the cockpit. On other versions, I have seen a Y-shaped antenna, which was attached on the fin and two wing points just close to the aileron inner edges. So, both seem to exist, but has anyone a hint on which version would be correct for a interwar-Gladiator? Thanks and have a nice weekend! Alex
  21. Good to know, since I will build my Hornet heavily armed, the undercarriage would look too "light". You just talked me into getting the resin gear bays as well! Alex
  22. Nice, I want to build the same kit. With Aires cockpit, resin intake, but other decals. The first navy jet to have shot down an iraqi fighter in 1991. Armed with 4x Mk-84... so I hope to get some good tips here! Alex
  23. not sure if they changed colour, this one is clearly white. https://www.old.hermannkeist.ch/component/joomgallery/messerschmitt-me-109/47-581.html And the wingtips look also white to me... http://www.modellversium.de/galerie/9-flugzeuge-ww2/8471-messerschmitt-bf-109-e-3-heller.html Alex
  24. There used to be a quite comprehensive site about the strike eagle, but unfortunately, it has gone. However, the loadout pictures are still existing on many other websites, so do a image search on "f-15e loadout" to find them. I think the big ones (GBU-31) can only be used on the wings, the central fuselage and the middle ones on the CFT. Smaller ones (500lbs) should go on all pylons of the CFT, so at least 12. The small diameter bomb can be attached almost everywhere. So, yes, the set is suited for a well armed Strike Eagle! Alex
  25. Nice review, thanks. Anyone has an info about how this kit compares to the modelcollect? Many people don't like rubber tires, so is Revell the better choice? Alex
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