Brian J

Upon further study of the resin intakes in question and the Airfix kit large bore intakes comparing them to a photo on page 95 (bottom right) of The Gloster & AW Meteor: A Comprehensive Guide For The Modeller, Modellers Datafile No. 8 I have to agree with John Aero. While the resin large bore intakes do seem, "too fat lipped" to me as well, the kit large bore intakes appear a bit too thin lipped compared to the above mentioned photo. The small bore resin intakes seem to me to be more acceptable. As the subject in question, WF758/E, appears to have the small bore intakes I think I'll be ordering a resin set...of course if someone produces a convincing argument I may change my mind! Thanks to the gentlemen who took the time to add their comments. I always get positive input on this site.

Darn, I was afraid someone was going to ask for images to compare the intakes. I'll have to ask that eight year old kid up the street to help with my computer skills. I guess it is possible to go to the Barracuda web site to see clear images of the two types of intakes they offer. The subject I am hoping to replicate is WF758/E a photo of which can be found at the bottom of page 203 of Cold War Shield, Vol. 1 by Rodger Lindsay. I highly recommend this outstanding series although the first two volumes may be out of print. The more I look at photos I'm becoming convinced that 500 Squadron Meteors had small bore intakes. Pardon my ignorance, but what does, "Jet Age Mk.8" mean?

While looking over my newly purchased Airfix Meteor I was drawn to compare the kit intakes to the Barracuda resin intakes (BR48009) that I had been saving for the older Classic Airfames Meteor. There seems to be a noticeable difference between the two interpretations, my opinion being the resin intakes are more accurate. Has anyone else been able to compare these resin intakes with the kit intakes? . One more question. I have a very old 1/48 Dutch Decal Special sheet that includes markings for a 500 Sqn Meteor. The Meteors from this squadron had the early type canopy. Would Meteors with this type canopy always have the small bore intakes?

Thanks for taking the time to share those images with fellow members. I agree that Ultracast produces great products. My computer skills are wanting but I would also give consideration to the BarracudaCast 'Typhoon Intake and Exhaust ' set (BR48042) as being among the most accurate aftermarket resin sets available. All are a great improvement over those provided in the Hasegawa kits.

Again, thanks Chris for taking the time to clear the fog...the one in my head! It makes sense now. I may be slow but I'm not very bright.

Many thanks for the quick response, Chris. So, I can conclude on the 1/72 Airfix kit I can leave the underside tropical filter on but do not use part C34 as seen in the photo on page 60 of Typhoon and Tempest: The Canadian Story? I guess one of my problems is that I can't figure out when that part (C34) would be used. It seems to be part of every kit and resin add on but not seen when the dust filter is removed. Your insight would be appreciated.

I've spent the past couple of hours trying to figure a way to pose my questions without putting interested members to sleep when I had to stop and take a nap myself!' I'm interested in finally getting around to the three 1/48 Hasegawa kits and one 1/72 Airfix kit I've had on the back burner for way too long. I'll start with the photo references that others may have in their reference library. Typhoon and Tempest: The Canadian Story by H.A. Halliday, page 34 Model Aircraft Monthly, Nov 2004, page 46, bottom right The above references are clear images of of the dust filter with 'cuckoo doors' Typhoon and Tempest: The Canadian Story, pages 37 (bottom) and page 60 show the radiator area without the air filter. In response to my questions on Tropical Air Intakes on February 27 2015, Chris Thomas observed, "...and before anyone asks, MP149 'PulverizerII' did not have the trop filter...looking through a large number of 143 Wing Typhoon photos it does seem that the cuckoo door filters were removed in the winter of 1944/45 (not much dust at Eindhoven then! Mud and snow yes, dust no!" 1. I plan on doing the Airfix 1/72 kit in the kit markings of 5V*X 'Nicky' of 439 Squadron. According to the above photo references and the comments by Chris Thomas my build-up should not use Airfix part C34 nor the under chin tropical filter and just use part C49 as this aircraft was in operational use in early (winter) 1945. 2. I also plan on using, with numerous aftermarket resin parts, the 1/48 Hasegawa 'Special Version' 09311 to build-up I8*P 'Pulverizer II' using the excellent Aviaeology 143 Wing (RCAF) Typhoon decal sheet. The instructions indicate this aircraft had, "Original intake configuration but with tropical oil cooler filter arrangement (see photo pg. 10). This photo is the same as the one on page 60 of the above mentioned H. A. Halliday book. These instructions seem to contradict the comments by Chris Thomas who commented that neither the tropical filter nor the dust filter were used during the winter months. Is it possible that 'Pulverizer II' was operational during that winter and so lacked both the tropical filter and the front filter? 3. I would also like to do a build-up of 5V*G 'Peace River' using the Aviaeology decal sheet. What type of filter system might that aircraft have in place? 4. What type of air filter set up would F3*P (JR249) an early car door version have installed? One final comment on the various interpretations one can find both in kits and after market resin. No two oil cooler intakes/filters are the same! BarracudaCast resin intakes (Br48042) includes two intakes, one with the 'cuckoo doors' and the other I'm not sure where and when it would be used. Can anyone suggest when that alternate resin intake would be used? Do any kits or aftermarket parts, besides BarracudaCast, provide accurate radiators/air filters? I realize this question has been asked numerous times, often with contradictory suggestions, but how would post-1943/44 cockpits be painted? Chris Thomas suggests, "Cockpit initially interior green but black (from bottom of seat level upwards) from early 43-ish." Others suggest various tubing were aluminum. Can I paint the seat and everything else black except the floor and lower area. Museum colour photos only add to the confusion. There, I finished and only dozed off once. Anyone who was able to wade through the above obviously had a good nights sleep!

Many thanks for the gentlemen who responded to my initial question. Been waiting for 'the definitive' photo of the airframe in question and it looks like I'll have to be satisfied with the image provided by '71chally'. I have several On Target publications that always provide the reference for each colour profile so that readers can verify the accuracy of the artists interpretation. Kinda wish that others who provide artwork would do the same for nitpickers like me!

Whenever possible I try to use photo reference when painting or decaling a particular subject. I would like to finish my Alley Cat (AC48023C) FAW.Mk1 conversion in the markings of XN694/463/V using the decals provided with this set, The profile drawing illustrated in the decal placement shows this aircraft with a black nose cone. I have found two other colour artwork references showing this aircraft with this black nose cone. An old Air Combat (?) periodical entitled 'Flying the Sea Vixen' has two page coloured artwork of this aircraft in flight with the black nose cone. Sea Vixen: De Havilland's Ultimate Fighter Aircraft by Richard A Franks (Dalrymple & Verdun Publishing) provides a colour profile on page 71 with the black nose cone. Upon further study I found a b&w photo of this aircraft on the top of page 115 of Royal Navy Aircraft Since 1945 by Ray Williams (Naval Institute Press). The photo indicates that the nose cone was Extra Dark Sea Grey such as would be found on later Mk.2's. Can anyone verify with photo reference that this aircraft did indeed have a black nose cone at one time? In other words can I trust the referred to artwork. I plan on building up a Mk.2 with the later complete EDSG scheme and would like to show as much contrast between the two versions as possible. Opinions and insight would be appreciated.

Has anyone heard about the status of Volume 3 of Cold War Shield by Rodger Lindsay? I have the first two volumes and consider them to be absolutely top notch. I realize that the high level of research that goes into a publication of this caliber takes time but I'm not getting any younger and I don't know if anyone will take the time to read it to me when I spend my last years in rest home!

I would appreciate comments from Sea Vixen modelers on the heavy red 'keep off' markings' found in kit decals. I have always thought these markings stand out too proud and take away from the classic lines of this aircraft. Colour photos indicate that they often faded as did the upper surface colours over the course of a cruise. I have read where some modelers totally eliminate these decal markings on their build-ups. Is that realistic? I am considering applying these decals but over paint them with a thin wash of clear gloss mixed with a very thin grey. Does anyone have a better idea? Hoping to hear other opinions as I have put off attending to my two Airfix Sea Vixens long enough!

I am renewing my acquaintance with a book that I thoroughly enjoyed over thirty years ago, The 'First Of The Few' by Denis Winter (I can't believe I just typed that!) and am wondering if any books are available that consider the topic of a pilots life e.g. training, living conditions, how they related with squadron mates and their enemies from the German or French perspective. Most books on the subject are considered from a British or American perspective. I would enjoy learning how other nationalities experienced that war. On that note, what other books on the general subject of WWI aviation might others recommend?

Many thanks to Dana and Nick for taking the time to add their informative comments. Is it possible to gain access to those original transparencies and have them reproduced for public consumption? They may(or may not) provide conclusive evidence. On the other hand, I recall several decades ago when the colour of late war Luftwaffe fighters was a hot topic of debate. A colour photo of a Fw 190D was published and the experts still couldn't decide what the colours were! Maybe collecting doll house furniture would be more satisfying and less frustrating?

Like others, I am enjoying the exchange of perspectives on a subject that has been debated for decades. I too have opinions but I'd like to share points and questions that may or may not have been considered. I hold the opinions and observations of Nick Millman in high regard and hope he might consider responding to them. 1. Were the two or three aircraft under consideration the same ones that Michael Bowyer and fellow spotters made notes on? 2. Were they in the same markings as in the well known photos? 3. What time of day was it? 4. What were the weather conditions on that day? 5. How far away were they when they spotted the aircraft in question? 6. What was the background and experience of these young 'spotters' at the time of their observations i.e. how old were they what frame of reference could they relate to? I pose these in light of my own personal experiences. Feel free to node off... Years ago while at an air show I had the opportunity to photograph an F-16 over a period of five or six hours. The first ones were taken around 8:30 A.M. under mixed sun and cloud before the gates were opened to the public. Around 3:00 P.M. I took several more photos in bright overhead sunlight. When I got the slides back I was surprised at the different shades of grey relative to the sunlight, something I hadn't noticed while taking the photos. It was as though they were two different aircraft! I'm not sure the example used by Nick concerning the inability of his father to recall exact colour schemes over a period of many decades is relevant to the discussion. Over a period of many weeks or months he probably saw numerous airframes and they become a blur in his memory. I'm sure it would be very difficult to recall one or two airframes or aircraft types. I recall reading that observation about the 361st ground crew, "practically wet themselves laughing" about the 'blue' Mustangs. I too might be skeptical if only one or two cast doubt. How many were in agreement? One, two, five or six? If the latter or more surely their opinions would have to be taken into consideration. What squadron were they from in the 361st? What was the time frame i.e. were they talking about mid-1944? Were they considering the same airframes i.e. did any of them work on those aircraft? If the camouflage was a green or olive drab, would the reflective qualities vary in bright sunlight or overcast or the time of day? Did the young spotters observe the aircraft in the early morning overcast and were they covered with morning dew? Would it vary in shades of blue or bluish grey? I don't gots no answers...just a lot of questions! I'd like to close by sharing an encounter I had with Ben Drew in Detroit, Michigan back in April of 1997. He was holding court and signing autographs behind a horse shoe shaped display area which was covered with paintings, large photographs and models of his well known Detroit Miss. For ten dollars he would autograph one of the photographs. I recall him pulling a wad of bills out of his pocket that would choke a horse...a nice way to make some extra cash! I asked if he could verify the markings of his well known Mustang as no two references were in agreement. After autographing my copy of Osprey Aircraft of the Aces, Vol. 1 by Jerry Scutts, he observed that the colour profile at the top of page 52 was pretty close except that the horizontal stabilizers tips should also be red. He also noted that the plate around the gun muzzles would not be red, as in some artwork, but should be grey. How he could recall that is beyond me as he was unaware of any colour photos. Should we be skeptical? He was asked how the aircraft got its name. He said the crew chief was going to paint on a name and asked if he had a girlfriend back home. He said, hell, I was only 19years old (actually he was twenty by then). So, the crew chief asked, where are you from? He told him, Detroit, so he painted on that name. He related several more very interesting stories about things you seldom read about in books. I doubt this is the last word on this topic and hope others can add their observations if this horse hasn't already been beaten to death!. In closing, I extend Holiday Greetings to everyone! Have a happy and safe one.

Thanks for your thoughts. I was the guy that started that thread/post a while back. Kinda lost interest as folks wandered away from my initial question. Hard to believe in this day and age the 'definitive' 1/72 Spitfire Mk Vb has yet to be produced.

I have one of the original issues of the Hasegawa B-24J (01559/E29) with Cocktail Hour as the nose art. While it includes a clear part for the front nose section it only provides the other clear parts of the nose for a J version. I have the kit half finished but it sure looks nice so far.

Who makes the most accurate 1/72 Spit Mk Vb? I've read so many contrary opinions on the subject. Kit bashing several are an option.

Thanks JackG for your latest post. I too have the Victory Productions Spitfire sheet as well as the Aviaeology sheet. To my eye they both appear darker on their sheets then they do on the colour image comparisons you posted. The codes on my Arrow Graphics sheet appears close to the Aviaeology image you posted which I'm quite happy with. Thanks to all who took the time to add insight to my original query. It was good to learn that in fact tail bands, unit codes and spinners seldom if ever matched as they were applied at different times with different types of paint. My education continues!

Okay you guys...let's get serious here! I'm looking for the meaning of life (at some level) and you're contributing very little!

Thanks for the heads-up. Just spent the past while going over the five pages of that thread. Gotta lay down as I'm dizzy and confused! For the most part the discussion is about comparing the various model paints that are available. But what is the standard they are comparing them to? Is the (US) Federal Standard Colors colour fan a reasonable reference point? Again, when referring to wartime colour photos there is a noticeable difference when compared to most model paints. I particularly enjoyed the comments by Nick Millman, whose opinions I hold in high regard, especially comments #48, #53 and #85 on that thread. It appears that aircraft were often repainted at the unit level in the field and there was no real standard and these paints were unstable when exposed to the elements. What makes things interesting is that a modeler often has to paint tail bans and spinners the shade of the unit code decals which magnifies the difference in shade when models are arranged next to each other. I have numerous after market sheets for unit codes but as others have observed, there was often no font or size standard for unit codes. I have an old Arrow Graphics sheet that has lighter codes for 'Pulverizer IV' (I8-P) and 'Peace River' (5V-G) that I will probably use instead.

I'm sure this has been discussed many times in the past but I would like to hear opinions on this subject relative to my most recent experience. I just received the latest decal sheet from Aviaeology (AOD48008) for the Typhoons of 143 Wing (RCAF). Several things caught my eye. The instruction sheet is nicely done in colour, and the decals appear to be well printed and very accurate. What I found troubling is the colour interpretation of the unit codes. They seem much too dark to my eye. I reexamined many of the decal sheets I have in the three major scales and find there is no consistency in the colour interpretation of Sky. Everything from a light grey to a pale green to a dark beige can be found. I found three colour photos on the inside and back covers of the AJ Press #94 Hawker Typhoon that show the codes to be almost light grey. The back cover shows HH-N EK139 with a spinner and tail band to be an almost off white. A colour photo on page 3 of the Aviaeology instruction sheet shows a Typhoon being rearmed. This same photo can be found on page 616 of Volume Four of '2nd Tactical Air Force ' by Christopher Shores and Chris Thomas. The unit code 5V can be seen as a relatively light grey/green (?), much lighter then the colour of the codes on their decal sheet. I suppose at some level it would not make too much difference except when you display three or four build-ups next to each other and notice the discrepancy. What do these decal companies refer to when they produce their sheets or did the companies that manufactured Sky during the war have different standards much like the colour Olive Drab in the USAAF?

Dave's extensive listing of Ju88 units prompted me to get off my butt and go through my references in more detail. I have the three major references that Dave referred to but what I find a bit disconcerting is the lack of detailed or accurate photo captions in many instances, especially older publications (the 1967 'Junkers Ju-88' Caler Illustrated Series by Heinz Nowarra comes to mind) or photos that fail to show unit markings in any detail. I hope that Dave is willing to continue discussing the topic on this form so we all can share his findings. I dug through my decal stash and found an old Super Scale sheet, 72-669 which included markings for a Ju-88A-1 of 7.Staffel/KG 51, 9K+LR (serial 5045). A photo of this aircraft can be found on page 11 of The Squadron Signal 'Junkers Ju-88 in Action, Part 1.' A colour profile can also be found at the top of the colour profile centre section. If Dave, or anyone else has access to this sheet I would enjoy reading any comments they have as to the accuracy of this sheet. I recently ordered the Zveda A-5/A-17 kit and hope that I can do my build-up as the above A-1 or an A-5 if the above mentioned decals are inaccurate.

While viewing this thread I noticed that Dave listed the units that used the Ju88A-5 during the Battle of Britain. Can anyone list references that include photos of these units as I try to use photos whenever I build a model. The only reference I can find so far can be found on page 119 of the Classic Colours 'Kampfflieger, Vol. Two" which has a colour profile and photo of M7+FH of KGr 806. Does anyone know if this unit carried any unit markings on the nose?

Thanks again to those who responded to my questions. Johnd, may I suggest that you check out any posting or comment by Chris Thomas. Like money in the bank!

Last week Chris Thomas was kind enough to somewhat clarify the shape issue concerning the tropical filter fitted to the rear of the radiator of late war Typhoons. Would the piece provided in step twelve of the 1/72 Airfix Typhoon instructions accurately represent this filter? Secondly, what size bombs are provided in this kit, 500 or 1000 pounders? It is difficult for me to tell and it is of some importance in that the racks were further outboard when the larger bomb was carried. Opinions and observations would be appreciated.