franky boy

Nice choice Will be following with interest. That resin wing section is a big casting! James

Go on, you know you want too!

Spot on review Mike. I've had mine for a month now and have been very impressed by them. No more carpet monster problems! James

Dave Thanks for posting the photo. It's an interesting shot besides having the aircraft that I plan to model in it. Can deffinately see what you mean re the matt finish compared to the other two aircraft. Dark earth and light slate grey would stand out nicely in the modelling cabinet! Thanks again James

Thanks for interesting info Giorgio. I've seen pictures of FR Meteors and Canberra's before with this camouflage pattern but hadn't realised that the darker colour was slate grey. I always had this down as a FAA colour. Thanks again James

Thanks Craig. Yes i thought the same re the slate grey. I've done a bit of internet searching and it does look right, it's deffinately not dark green. Thanks Col Yes me too. I haven't seen many finished builds either. Thanks Joseph I'll look that one up. Thanks for the info Steve. Yes I've seen the F8 plastic a while back and agree that this moulding does look better. If that is the case then all the parts for the F8 are in this box and I think at the same price.... Thanks also for the heads up on the windows. Look forward to seeing your finished build in the RFI section. Regards all James

Great idea Craig I really had no idea that the Yugoslavs used such a wide variety of aircraft until this gb. Will follow with interest. James

Nice choice Glynn Will be following with interest. James

Hi eveyone So we're of again on another decade of Cold War modelling fun! My entry for this one will be the newish Airfix Gloster Meteor FR 9 in 1/48 scale built straight out of the box. I have to say the plastic lovely. And the box art is pretty good too IMHO. And in the markings of a machine from 2 squadron based at Gutersloh, West Germany in May of 1953. I thought these markings make an interesting change from the normal Meteor markings with the slate grey/medium sea grey uppers with the high demarcation line. The decals also look very nice. Think they're printed by Cartograph? Looking forward to making a start. James

Nice choice Werner Intersting paint Scheme to if go ahead with that option. I have one of these kits in the stash, it looks very nice. James

A great subject. Will be watching with interest. James

Hello chaps Im planning on building a Mosquito NF36 in 1/48 scale for the upcoming NATO/Warsaw Pact 50's GB. Im going to use the Tamiya NF xiii/xvii kit as the base. I have the very nice Pangolin Models two stage merlin engines which covers that base. As far as I can make out the other main external differences for an NF 36 are the shrouded exhaust covers with the gills and the fighter canopy with the bulge on the starboard side only. A bit of internet research leads me to believe that only Paragon Designs produced resin exhausts of the correct type. Another source maybe the Airfix NF 30 kit but I'm loathed to pay around £25 on eBay for one of these purely for the exhausts. Does anyone know something that I don't on this one? And also re the canopy as above I think only Paragon produced a vac form one of the correct type unless there is aldo one in the Airfix kit. I know there are one or two aerials and blisters here and there but they'll be easy enough to scratch. Any info greatly received. Thanks James

Hi all Hope you’ve all had a good Christmas. Just trying to narrow down my choices for this one. The list, all 1/48 - Airfix Spitfire xix Airfix Meteor F8 Hasegawa Skyhawk from the USS Intrepid’s Med cruise of 1958 with a bid green arrow down the side of the fuselage. Tamiya Mosquito converted to an NF36 with Freightdog decals. Belgian or French AF Thunderjet, or both. Tamiya and/or Monogram kits. So far the Spitfire is probably the front runner because it’s straight forward and I’ve got my name down for loads of GB’s this but we’ll see. And then of course there’s always that subject that appears from nowhere at the last minute! What do you think? James

Thanks At Sea, I think Father Christmas is bringing me that book? Looking forward to getting started with it. James

If you're already using Gunze maybe try their Aqueous flat varnish. I can't remember the number right now. I also use Tamiya and Gunze paints mainly and find this gives a much flatter finish than XF-86. HTH James

As Tonka said above. Non in the kit but I would highly recommend the Daco set. You can also buy the sprues individually as the whole set is quite expensive. James

Great work Greg! Is this the Monogram kit? James

Top work Roger Im enjoying following your build very much. James

Hi Chaps Thanks for the kind comments. Hi Bob Yes I did. I had to thin down the inner surface of the canopy quite a lot including the lugs or what ever they're called thank stick out the back? And also trim a lump out of the fuselage sides where the lugs slot in so that the canopy sits at the right angle when open. Handy thing is that when you fit the canopy the plastic insert that makes up the internal frame rests on the back of the seat and you don't notice this from the outside. HTH. Cracking kit though, you'll love it and goes together quite quickly. All the best James

Wow! That is bright. Well done, a great build. James

Hi all I started this one for the Carriers Ahoy GB earlier this year and never quite made it over the line until now. This is Eduard's re-boxing of Hasegawa's very nice Crusader kit in 1/48 with all the usual extras which builds up into quite a sizeable and impressive model. The kit is finished in the colours of an a/c from VF 194 aboard the USS Ticonderoga during 1966. Weapons are from various Hasegawa weapons sets. Pitot from Master. Paints are Humbrol, my first try with them for a while and i was pleasantly surprised. The metal area around the tail is AK Xtreme metal dark aluminium. Florey models wash and some oil streaks. Hope you like it. Thanks for looking. Questions and comments welcome as always. James

Hi Wez Operated by Canada in West Germany. Thanks James

Hello chaps Can someone please advise the easiest route to a Sabre Mk2 in 1/48 scale please. As I understand it the Mk2 was equivalent to the F-86E but I can’t find an Academy or other kit for love nor money. And also which would be the correct wings for this mark as Sabre wings always confuse me? Thanks James

Nice work Tony and an interesting choice of subject as usual. James

Thanks Glynn. As you know yourself these AK paints make mmf's so much easier. So onto the next one! Hi Bill Thanjs for the info. The next ladder I do will be well and truly battered!! James