GMK

That looks amazing! As the F35 now has 12 European operators, is it the true claimant to the “Eurofighter” title?

Yep. Rule 1 w/rotary wing: never buy European.

A mock-up CR3 turret with Trophy APS has be trialled in Israel, defeating multiple incoming PG-7 rockets. Screenshots from the Rafael promo video. Not the most elegant of integrations.

Looks like the protection from first-person view & suicide drones for CR2 has stepped up a notch.

Yep, the S-70A-9 fleet was three-colour camouflage. Originally acquired by the RAAF, it had some customisations that’ll be missed when the UH-60Ms enter service. Centreline, outward facing seating vs. tiered seating, cabin steps, & the Fast Roping Rappelling Device that supported ten soldiers simultaneously airborne rappelling or two fast ropers vs the FRIES system (two each).

First two UH-60Ms delivered. Two UH-60Ms for the Australian Army were delivered to RAAF Richmond via USAF C-17 on 30 July. They’ve now been flown to Luscombe Field at Holsworthy barracks in Sydney’s south west. Very plain Jane US Arny-spec Mikes.

Another return on investment for Australia. We risked & paid a lot for the integration of the AESA onto the 737. With each AESA sold, Australia is paid a royalty.

Hellfire integration onto Tiger was paid for by Australia, so there’s a possibility that the French are tapping that integration vector. Good news for Australia, as we get a royalty payment from Airbus.

Another couple from the SCALP PR event. Reportedly, the jet had SCALP on the left pylon & Storm Shadow on the right. Pylon w/Ukrainian markings.

Now with ERA, or NERA, in this case Bradley Reactive Armo(u)r Tiles (BRAT), part of the Bradley Urban Survivability Kit (BUSK).

Another variant or a variation on a theme?

YouTube in-box review: https://youtu.be/ZlATWOm75tY

Better pic of the pylon for Storm Shadow.

Yes, the Ukrainians have US mine clearing line charges (MICLIC), seen here: https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1669616546673467398?s=46&t=NgApUr0JxJVmdHJ5mss_Sw

Depending on the assets available, breaching an anti-armour obstacle could use the following, in sequence: - explosives (mine clearing line charges) - ploughs (dig mines up) - rollers (roll over mines, blowing them up) - vehicle-launched bridge/fascines (cross ditches/wet/dry gaps) With mines in particular, most armies use more than one tool, both for redundancy & to “prove” the route through the breach.

Thanks, Toby. I tend to mess up Airfix’s plastic more than other manufacturers, for some reason. Nice tip on the Milliput. Great info & link - thanks. Maybe Arma will have a go, or Tamiya will scale down their lovely 1/48 kit? Any insight on Swords single stage renditions? I reckon you’re right about Eduard. They like their part counts! I’ll look at KP online. Thanks for the recommendations. Good tip on the cockpit width & associated dihedral issue for Airfix, thanks.

Lol - smaller Irwin clamps would certainly be handy for some applications. Thanks for following along. Loving your Leo2A4, btw.

From 1977-2006ish, the Australian Army operated a fleet of 100 or so Leopard AS1s. Based on the Leopard 1A3, it had a few modifications to meet Australian requirements; a “tropical” engine air intake, SABCA fire control system, & some sponson-mounted stowage boxes. Over their life, they gained a few more mods, including a subset of the fleet being modified to fit the RAMTA track-width mine plough or TWMP. Also in 1977, Tamiya released a 1:16 RC Leopard (1)A4. It was re-released sans RC elements in 2010. It’s a little basic, but a good basis to convert to an AS1. Having a garden tank nearby, plus loads of references, I was able to CAD up the basic conversion in Fusion360. Whilst I’m using the Tamiya hull & turret, it’s useful from a design perspective to mock up these elements digitally to locate conversion items relative to one another & the host kit. Here are the turret mods: Here’s the hull: The biggest element on the hull is the tropical intake, requiring the design & print of the new part, as well as the milling out of the existing screen. Also designed & printed fittings & fixtures to locate & secure the kit parts for drilling & milling. Upper hull secured: Intake test fitted: Also redrew the exhausts to include the tow rope stowage. Test print & primed. Onto the plough/plow. First the mounting frame. Than the moldboard. Brought together with the push beams & the rest of the design. Thanks for looking in.

There’s been a lot of new releases of early Spitfires in 1/72 over the last decade or so. I’m looking for opinions on the “best” 1:72 kit against the following criteria: Shape accuracy/look, Buildability, & Detail accuracy. Being a bit time poor, I’m keen for a simple, accurate build. Thoughts?

And twin Storm Shadow.

Now with AIM-7!

Lovely work; an absolute joy to behold.

Nice work, Steve. Enjoying how creatively you solve problems.

In war, armoured vehicles are a consumable, so it’s just a matter of time.

Some more pics have emerged.