Victor K2

Same here with regards the work station, lovely neat lay out. Where in the UK did you buy it from? Oh, great build as well, as neat as your work station and some. Bob

Thanks for the reply reference the yellow circles. It makes sense to mark ferrous metal as such, as most aircraft were made of aluminium or other non ferrous materials. As the Mosquito was made of chiefly wood it would have been prudent to have some form of protection in the form of ferrous metal plating and being in the cockpit this in turn would have an adverse effect on the compass. I learn something new every day and long may it be so. Bob

Having recently purchased this kit (along with the HK one as well) I am following all of the builds on this and another popular site with vested interest. I noticed that you have sprayed the yellow circles on one of the bulkheads. Am I right in thinking that this signified that the item was Armour plate? So far I have resisted temptation to even inspect the contents of mine. This I have done deliberately as I didn't want to be distracted from celebrating my daughters birthday yesterday. So I now have something to look forward to this weekend. Here's to yet another fascinating build and to learning yet more from such prolific builders. Bob.

Criticism, like our hobby, must be constructive and not destructive. On the whole, S.A.M. has over the years, maintained it's popularity despite a wrong turn or two. As the esteemed Mr Hatcher has already stated, they would be unable to please everyone with every issue. If, with each issue, the person/person's who had been dis- satisfied with the magazine, either with all of it or with some of the contents, then please let them be constructive with their comments and not to be too negative. Here's to an ever growing trend of reaching for the sky and long may we learn to agree to disagree with good grace. Victor K2 "Going outside" or "Round the outside"

I too have purchased S.A.M. since issue 1 and I also still have them. From the early days it was like a breath of fresh air in my mediocre modelling talent. I would buy models based on their reviews (I now buy on preference and not on one reviewers comments, however valid). I like to think my modest skills have improved by the tips and techniques I have gleamed along the way. Yes, there were times the magazine's standards slipped against some very stiff competition, but like a phoenix it has risen to close to those early very high standards. New and fresh contributors among a very experienced editorial staff along with some older hands (sorry Mr Robinson) help to make this publication a champion's league contender once again. Congratulations to you Mr Hatcher and the power of Blyth be with you. I wish you and all at S.A.M. continued success after such an excellent start. Victor K2 Keep going "Round the Outside"

Just a note about the MLG inner doors, they were indeed closed on the ground, they opened up when the gear was selected up to allow the legs to retract in to the gear bay then closed after them, (sequences valves did their magic). Indecently, the starboard inner MLG door had to be opened manually to prime the hydraulics prior to starting the engines and closed post priming. Great build so far, looking forward to seeing more of this fab build. Bob.

I think the flaps you mentioned earlier are in fact ailerons, just thought I'd mention it. Nice build so far, look forward to seeing her on the deck. I built my first vac form using the excellent Dynovector Sea Vixen kit. It went together a dream and I made it in Drone colours as I used to work on the real Macoy at Llanbedr. Keep up the good work, Bob

Hi, just a line to say you are doing credit to one of Handley Page's finest aircraft. Like bobqpw I too worked on K2's (from 1975 to end of 82) I was present when the team from Matchbox came and took photo's and measurements we were wrongly informed that they were from Airfix, (I should of guessed that was wrong as Trevor Snowdon wasn't there). They (Matchbox) obviously never spent much time photographing the intakes though they may have had the intake blanks fitted at the time. B.T.W. was bobqpw one of the newbies to the Victor who was sent to the fire section for a bucket of prop wash to clean the compressor blades;-). Also they seem to think that the aircraft was fitted with an entry door on both sides. I used milliput to reshape my intakes on my second attempt which I was quite pleased with (it is now in bits after a ham fisted builder broke it whilst fitting Velux windows to my loft) I have about 5 sets of resin intakes to help quicken my next builds. I have more Victors than intakes so I may have to resort to milliput again. Once again fine work and I hope that you continue to keep us updated after your "Rand R" Victor K2

Hi, I served in the R.A.F. from the mid 70's (Labour ) to the mid 80's ( Tory's ). It was in the early 80's that there was a rumour that the Reds were to be sponsored ( not a bad idea in principle ) the only sponsors to come forward were for alcohol, Carlseberg were at the front. However it was thought to be inapropriate to have any assosiation with Alcohol ( shame, free beer ). I would have thought that any goverment would explore all options to save the Red Arrows and the BoBMF. Again we must put practicality ahead of sentement, I for one would like to have our heritage protected and would pay an extra 1% increase in my tax ( opt in or out voluntery ) to help protect it, then we would be entitled to have our say. Victor K2.

If the standards of British 50's technology was anything to go by, then lets not forget that most of our aircraft were over engineered. I remember working at Marham during the falklands conflict, that the Victor was going to be fitted to carry a Martel on one of the wing pylons. It was deemed possible after a Buccaneer pylon was suitably modified ( the hostility's ending deemed it not required ). That said, British inguinity would have made it possible to fit Sidewinders to a Lightning. B.T.W I too am 50's technology, so don't knock the 50's. Victor K2

Hi, I am currently working at R.A.F. Valley and XX156 was still in the Red's scheme in 2003 as it was back at Valley for a short period then back to the Red's again for the winter (as the Red's aircraft under went scheduled maintenance). I am not sure when it returned to Valley, though 2004 seems likeliest when it reapeared "Black" and in 208 ® Sqn markings. I have also had the pleasure of working on XX154 at R.A.E. Llanbedr where it was in red, white and grey (with the number 1 on the fin) and post major in the Raspberry Ripple scheme. A further note, XX154 was a low hours airframe and it had some access panels not seen on other Hawks (nose and forward fuselage area), also it seems that most replacement panels had to be "made to fit" more than on any other Hawk that I have worked on. I first saw the Hawk in the flesh while on detachment to Malta, it was in desert camo scheme on its way to a tour of the middle east. I am not too sure of the serial numbers as I'm not a spotter (no offence to spotters). Victor K2.

Surely a special thanks must go to Trevor Snowdon, as he has been championing this cause for quite a long time (20 or so years). Without his persistance I doubt Airfix/Hornby would have "cut the metal". I for one have ordered mine and am currently working over time to justify a couple more. Victor K2 P.S. I too would like to see a Hawk T Mk 1 in 1/24,a Victor Mk2 in 1/48 same for Valiant oh go on then, Vulcan as well.