Filler

It’s a Spitfire IX (which I don’t think is specifically a mark operated by the BBMF) and that I always intended modelling as MH343, circa 1987, a privately operated Spitfire. I’m just fixated on aircraft that you might have seen in Western Europe between about 1985 and 1990. Late ‘86, early ‘87 being the sweet spot. And that is why 99% of my stash qualifies for this GB.

That's fine. Was just curious as to what the precise definition of being in NATO was. Great news though as the BBMF Hurricane means 75 out of 76 of my kits qualify!

I have a 100% failure rate in GB's and this year I haven't even got near a model kit at all, but next year is a new year and this is the perfect GB for me. Out of 76 kits in my stash, 74 qualify. And of the two that don't qualify, one could possibly, maybe, at a real stretch still qualify as it's a Hurricane that I intend to model as PZ865 in BBMF use circa 1987. After all, the BBMF is part of the RAF which is part of NATO. Obviously I wouldn't actually chose that subject and pick one of the many other options. However, it does lead me to ask one question. I am assuming that any military equipment belonging to a NATO member nation and is/was operated during time of membership would qualify. But is it possible that not everything in a nations armed forces was assigned to NATO? So perhaps for the RAF, the BBMF and Royal Flight might not qualify and maybe some other units, maybe training squadrons/types?

Oh bugger, the urge to visit Taiwan has just reduced a fair bit. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/taiwan-is-finally-saying-goodbye-to-its-f-5-tiger-ii-fighters You were just in time Andy.

That is absolutely stunning work and a cool subject too. Not that I could ever meet your standard, but i's builds like this that really make me wish I could do some modelling again.

We've been treated to some great photos of aircraft we don't see in Blighty very much (ever) on here recently. These too are brilliant. I notice that the last C-130 photo appears to be another example of the new 'no markings' directive for USAF/AMC transport and tanker types. Very sad.

Also, post JASDF Phantoms, is Taiwan actually a better destination now? No F-35s!!?

You’ve done it again Andy! Taken great shots of awesome subjects and made my eyes green with envy!! Is South Korea not so photographer friendly outside of airshows? And is Taiwan just as tolerant as Japan is? Looking at the 4Aviation Japan tour, looks like I’ll be in the country at the same time. I’ll have to see if I can manage to bump into you at a fence somewhere.

That’s my understanding. Is a pity as I got the impression that is where most of the best acquisitions came from. Probably great news for the actual traders though.

Thanks for the replies all. I guess for tools and the like it makes little difference and as pointed out, kit wise you won’t know what you missed and with no kit swap or under table sales the second hand bargains or rarities aren’t so much an issue. Suppose it is just the more sort after new(ish) kits at better than online prices that will be missed out on. The idea of it being a bit less packed on Sunday is definitely a bonus.

A kids birthday party means the Saturday isn’t an option for me. So, with a focus on the shopping side of the event, is it still worth going on Sunday, or has everything good (particularly kits) been hoovered up on the Saturday?

Not absolutely certain on this, but I believe it’s something like, about 20 Gazelles were to be replaced by 5 H135s (Juno’s?) but before they got off the production line the MOD decided they didn’t want them anymore. So they were finished in Police chopper colours and placed in storage. Someone will probably know a more accurate account. Ultimately though, there’s no replacement for the Gazelle and it’s role.

That’s a fantastic set of photos and in lovely light too. Especially envious of the C-5 as I haven’t clapped eyes on one in about 30 years! The most worrying thing about the markless USAF heavies is that I fear that their NATO allies will eventually follow suit. It’s already tough times for military aircraft enthusiasts/photographers without this development.

Just thought these might be of some interest as the Aérospatiale/Westland Gazelle is being withdrawn from service after 49 years with the Army Air Corps. At I believe the third attempt, three Gazelles made a journey from RAF Aldergrove via a few old haunts ending at Fleetlands on Monday 23rd October. I along with a good couple of hundred others packed on or around the Barton (Manchester) aerodrome control tower to see them stop off for a refuel (aircraft and crew) and take a few snaps. Westlands Gazelle AH.1, ZA772, 5 Regt AAC at Barton Westlands Gazelle AH.1, XZ320, 5 Regt AAC at Barton Westlands Gazelle AH.1, XZ320, 5 Regt AAC at Barton Westlands Gazelle AH.1, XZ320, 5 Regt AAC at Barton by Phil Childs, on Flickr Westlands Gazelle AH.1, ZA775, 5 Regt AAC at Barton Westlands Gazelle AH.1s, 5 Regt AAC at Barton Aerodrome Mcr On the modelling front, I'm not sure what options there are for an AAC or RM AH.1. I don't think that either the old and undersized Fujimi kit or newer AMP kit actually offer an AH.1 option specifically in 1/48 and in 1/72 I think that there is the 1972 vintage Airfix kit that I'd imagine is miniscule, maybe about 15cm long?

Can’t quite put my finger in it, but there’s something that makes me think this is the best modelling bench I’ve seen posted on here.

Was it always known that this was another C? Are A modellers still choosing between Tamiya*, Monogram, Italeri and HobbyBoss? * sure I’ve read that Tamiya’s represents a pre service A model.

Lots of talk of online shop courier delivery, but is there any possibility that any brick and mortar shops might have any stock of these on their shelves?

So, the AEW.2 Hasegawa kit is actually just a Sikorsky SH-3 with an inflated radome sticking out the side? Given the upset over recessed rivets on the Airfix kit, it’s amazing that Hasegawa’s inaccuracy warranted north of £100 a time on eBay. Does the Hasegawa kit have raised or recessed rivets?

Thanks for the answers above chaps. One other question I have is, and I'm sorry if this has been covered elsewhere but, is this Airfix kit deemed to have smashed the Hasegawa kit out of the water altogether? I just wondered based on not having seen boat loads of Hasegawa kit appear on that auction site and the few I have seen are not being sold at noticeably lower prices than before.

Given at least half the options on the sheets (most if you include the overseas operators) are not types listed on the Airfix box, can this been seen as a guarantee that Airfix will be releasing many more variant boxings in the not too distant future? Or are Xtradecal assuming that knowledge, skills and aftermarket sets will allow the release as is to be built as all these many variants?

Excuse me for asking a question that would usually wind me up a bit, but can this kit be built as a German or Belgian version with simply aftermarket decals or is it way off? Asking only out of curiosity (plus the Belgian camo is gorgeous!) and there are for sure at least three fantastic builds/schemes right of the box!

Absolutely brilliant!! How often have I watched eBay auctions for the Hasegawa kit and seen it go for well over a ton?! I’d buy a couple, if only fatherhood hadn’t brought modelling to a complete halt for the next 16 years. This kit will probably be selling on eBay for £150 plus quid by then…

Fantastic modelling. Can I ask, is this the same mark of Spitfire as the Roll Royce owned G-ALGT 'RM619' that crashed at the Woodford air show in 1992? Having been there and witnessed the tragic fatal accident, I have often thought that I'd like to model this aircraft. I could attempt this build, but I seriously doubt I could achieve such a flawless result.

Perhaps not significant, but being in quite a bad area and situated under the Manchester airport flightpath, it couldn't be totally ruled out. I suppose if for some strange reason a film crew had come to film us over a year and used less than 6 hours of footage, they could perhaps have carefully edited a version that seemed steeped in jeopardy. I do have faint recollection that some of the officers/instructors got more vexed over our failure to execute a bowline than the tv series portrayed the officers reaction to going someone going AWOL. But time does things to our memories.

He won’t steal his own car!!