rholland

When 56 Sqn's Lightning F3s had their red and white chequered tails, did they have a trainer (T4 or T5) similarly marked? I know about the earlier Firebirds-marked T4. Many thanks!

An outfit called Wolfpack does the wingfold. Sprue Bros usually stock them but are out of them at the moment. I have a set, they are very neatly done. HTH.

Hannants show this version of the Hasegawa kit as in stock, ref HA00945, price 38 quid. Decal options are for two white/grey aircraft (SW377 CJ.B 203 Sqn and SW324 C.B 203 Sqn) and one camouflaged (RF310 RL.A 273 Sqn). HTH. Richard in NZ

Slightly OT, but decals for Gibson's Hampden are on Dutch Decals sheet 48-23. Don't know about 1/72 though. Richard

Many thanks John, I am looking forward to this one!

Any update please? No pressure, just wondering... thanks.

When 39 Sqn received their Marylands they were in the western desert, not UK. My uncle loved the Maryland, he used to tell me they would watch the Fiats (presumably CR42s) climbing up to intercept them, let them get almost within range, then "open the taps" and just accelerate away. As to colour, I am just repeating what he told me. Given that some early WW2 RAF fighters had silver (or silver/black) undersides he may be right. Anyway, I am painting my model green/brown/silver, feel free to prove me wrong!

Sorry to jump into this thread so late, and perhaps to be a little OT - RAF rather than FAA. However, my late uncle flew Marylands with 39 Squadron RAF. He died some 20 years ago, but we discussed the Maryland as (obviously) relatively few pilots flew it. He stated firmly that when 39 got their Marylands they were painted green and brown on top, with SILVER undersides. This struck me then as unusual and has stuck in my mind ever since. I have no verification, photos or such, just the statement from one who was there. Of course, he could have been mistaken...

And I see that the etch is labelled "Demon / Hind"...

www.mistyvietnam.com may be useful. HTH, Richard

I have found that the old Eduard Hannover kit which I have had in the stash for years has no instruction sheet. Ordinarily this might not be a problem, but being early Eduard the kit has a lot of PE. Could anyone help with a scan please? Many thanks.

Hi Pete; I might hit you up for another set of decals, I am in Auckland too! Cheers Richard

Thanks Bill, I was aware of these points but it is very helpful to have them confirmed by an expert. The 230 gallon tanks would have necessitated FGA9 flaps with the cutout, would they not? I am using the FGA9 kit, and am aware of the aileron rescribing required. As for the green, the jury is still out on that one. All the usual hazards of looking at colour images apply; I am thinking emerald green is a bit too lurid, but am open to suggestions. Thank you all for your help to a new guy, it is much appreciated.

Many thanks Andrew, I will go with that.

I have just received the superb Fisher 1/32 Hunter T7 conversion, and am considering building it as the T12. I am aware that there were differences in the cockpit over the years - fitting of TSR2 equipment and so on - but propose to exercise artistic licence and leave it as is. However, one point which is unclear from the references which I have is whether or not XE531 had the gun and associated fairing, the fairing without the gun, or no fairing. I cannot find a picture from just the right angle. Any help would be much appreciated - thanks!

Great news thanks TimK. I have some of the Mushroom books and they are excellent. Richard in NZ

Thanks Aidrian, that is very helpful. Richard

Edgar - that is great news, thank you! Silver Fox - I hesitate to seem unpatriotic, but the NZ ones are very plain compared to the RAF ones in squadron colours... rossm - again many thanks, PM sent. All very helpful stuff, thank you gentlemen. Richard

Many thanks John, I will keep an eye out for them. My principal difficulty (perhaps not surprisingly) is finding details of the area from the front of the cockpit to the back of the engine, including the gun mountings. It appears that the top of the fuselage was "flattened" and the two guns (and perhaps a sight) mounted on this flat area. If all else fails I will fake it - on the "who's going to know" modelling principle... Richard

I have recently picked up the Aeroclub 1/48 Grebe, but references seem thin on the ground. Any help would be very much appreciated, thanks! Richard in NZ

Gentlemen My first post here, so be gentle with me... I have been a lurker for a while, but have now signed up. Let's see if this works. I have an Aeroclub 1/48 JP 3/4 which I will never build, so am open to offers for trades. I am really after a Paragon 1/48 Manchester conversion, but am open to suggestions - 1/48 only though. The JP has been started by the fellow from whom I bought it, but only in a minor way. The upper and lower wing halves have been put together, and the cockpit floor and rear bulkhead have been glued into the right fuselage half. The tip tanks have also been glued together. The work has been neatly done. Other than that, the kit is complete. OK, it is not pristine and unmolested, but from your posts it sounds like it may be the best one can do? Feel free to contact me direct if interested. If this post should be in the For Sale section please move it, but I wish to trade rather than sell. Regards, Richard (in New Zealand)