roym

Thanks Rich. Ok, then, has anyone managed to make the Airfix decals work? If so, how?

Digging deeper I find myself with more questions.... While researching foreign aircraft landing in Ireland during WW2, I've got these; April 21, 1944 Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax V, LL145 G' of RAF 517 (Met) Sqn / Brawdy, Wales. Wheels down landing in the same field as March 16th; Crew reported based at St. Davids. A/c dismantled and driven across border May 1944. I am assuming this had Merlin XX engines, and am wondering if it would have had the grey/white scheme as above. Any ideas? Also, would it be normal for a crew from St Davids to be flying a plane from Brawdy? For modelling purposes, would this be identical externally to the Matchbox kit? And another new aircraft.... April 10, 1941 Supermarine Stranraer I K7295 BN-L of RAF 240 Sqn., Killadeas, Co. Fermanagh . Apparently landed to deliver fuel to Saro A36 Lerwick I L7267 L from RAF 209 Sqn., Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh in Bundoran Co. Donegal. This Stranraer is one of the options on the Matchbox kit, but there it's listed as based in Scotland. However, trawling the net shows a photo of BN-L quoted based at Pembroke Dock. Was K7295 ever at Pembroke? Hoping there is info out there not on google! Cheers, Roy

Posted this in bargains, thought may as well here... Seeing all these Nimmers going cheap, are any recent purchases coming with usable decals? My experience of the decals so far (instrument panel) are that they are useless in an otherwise excellent kit. If all Nimrod decals are unusable I'll pass. BTW, I emailed Airfix 3 months ago for a replacement sheet. Still no reply.

I was hoping they were going to tool new clear bits, as the rest of the kit is actually OK. (Not great, but ok!) Sorta like they did for the Islander. Pity.

As an aside, does anyone do 1/72 decals for Duxford's Sally B as she was in NMF, or now as a Memphis Belle lookalike? I see that Revell are using her picture on the website for the kit listing, maybe we'll be lucky?

Here we go again..... I've been merrily plodding along with the model since the first post, in-between working on my Airfix Nimrod. I decided to go completely OOB with kit scheme for HR744(mainly because Aeroclub are still offline) and might do another in the future with all the bells and whistles using the Matchbox scheme for HR792. Things were going well, main airframe assembled, all filling and sanding done, white primer on all bits, all glazing masked and attached bar turrets, and I sprayed an undercoat of HU27 followed by Dark sea grey. I then dropped the model........... Fuse join split open from the tailwheel opening back on the underside, and all along the top from the tail right up to the pilots canopy. Cockpit became dislodged, engineers canopy and dorsal windows came out, and the nose/fuse seam on the port side opened. Anger was tempered because I had not invested any time or money on aftermarket bits/improvements...... Anyway, I think I might have made a decent save. She's back together now although the seams are not as good as before. In the meantime, I got myself more confused. Apparently, HR792 (the Matchbox offering) was shot down during an attack on U-228 in the Bay of Biscay on 7 May 1943. However, the Halifax in Elvington has her rear fuse that was recovered from Stornoway. So, if she was shot down over The Bay of Biscay, how did her fuselage end up on Stornoway? I'm figuring this is incorrect, as another web page yeilded these dates for 58sqn locations; If she was trying to make it back to base, her base that time would have been Holmsley South or the detachment at St. Eval. Regardless, you'd think a crippled plane would put down at the nearest safe runway, not travel the length of Britain. Looks to me that she survived with the squadron through Holmsley South, St. Davids, and Stornoway, at least until late 1944 and possibly through to the end of Jan 1945. Got this info from another site; The other question then is, who did U-228 shoot down? By the way, my model is currently awaiting masking for the white. I'll see if I like the monotone scheme before tossing a coin and deciding whether to do camo..... Interestingly enough, the Corgi diecast of HR744/G has dark green/dark earth uppers over white sides and unders!

Worst kit ever? Obviously none of you have seen this thread..... http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.p...=5179&st=20 go to post 37. But be warned. This thread contains scenes which some viewers may find distressing. MilneBay and V, those are some lovely lookng models. Thanks for posting.

This has been fascinating. I didn't realise there were so many well tuned in people with an interest in one version of an unsung warplane doing a role it wasn't originally intended for. Mad or what! Looking again at the pic of HR744/G side letter O linked to on post #8 here and the photo of the same aircraft in the SAMI article taken at a different angle leaves me just as confused. In the linked pic, there seems a hint of darker shades where there should be if it's two tone. This leads me to agree with Graham in that it is the earlier scheme. The second pic in the SAMI article has a slightly better angle of the upper fuse, but looks more single shade. The only differentiation I can make out is there appears to be a different sheen on the centre, this could also be due to the sun 'glint' on that part of the airframe. That pic may also be the one referred to in the Warpaint book by rossm. Either way, the kit decal sheet is missing the '1' subscript. Of course, the other possibility is that both are right, in that HR792/G with side letter A is EDSG uppers as per Matchbox, and it's squadron sister HR744/G side letter O is Temperate Sea Scheme uppers as per Revell. I suppose that I just have to get a Matchbox kit from Epay and do them both. Then no one can argue! Actaully, the more I think about it the more I like that idea.... anyone got spare Matchbox decals? I wonder what scheme Modelcraft suggested for their GRII version when they repopped the kit before Revell? Once again, thanks to all.

Many thanks Alex. I dug my copy out last night. Didn't realise I had such an article. It was rather good. While not wishing to down the fine work done by the historical society quoted in the article, I did notice that they said 58Sqn were based in Cornwall when they were actually based in Wales. Whenever I see a glaring error like that I tend to wonder what else may be incorrect with that reference. Unfair, but there you go. I'm still none the wiser now, as to what way to paint the upper surfaces. Matchbox, and the data shown up in this thread say it should be all EDSG from mid 1943; which is the way I'm leaning towards for a 1944 machine. Revell and the SAMI article (with Halifax Society references) say Temperate Sea scheme for a 1944 machine. Any ideas on the interiors? Cockpit interior green or black? Wheel wells white?

Thanks Deon, PM inbound shortly. Cheers Alex. Made me even more determined! Thanks all once again! Now then, with all this info, should I go to town on the model? Or should I stick to the plan as Matchbox intended? AAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!

That was my plan! While I do suffer from AMS I plan to build this as cleanly as possible, to show to some who have a connection to the (general) area around Pembrokeshire. These people will not be competition judges (or even modellers!) so OOB is fine. It's biggest exposure will be in my display cabinet. Just wanted to have it painted correctly. Having said that, Revell had their own and Matchbox's moulds of both the Lancaster and B-17, but have brought out new tools of both. So there may be some hope of another Halifax!

and I just found this here.... linky Which shows that they got EDSG uppers from 1943, before they got the single letter. Looking again at the Matchbox instructions on matchboxkits.org site it seems they quote their scheme from 1943; and Revell say their scheme is from mid 1944 by when they should have two letters. I think it's safe to go with the EDSG uppers. I can always paint on the Dark Slate Grey later if needed! Now then, the interior and wheel well colours!

Thanks all so far! It's the ones from St Davids as offered in both kits that I'm interested in.

Thanks Giorgio, the names will do. Still need to sort out the interiors!

Hi All, Just got home with a Revell re-issue of Matchbox Halifax. Want to do it in the Coastal command scheme due to a sorta local connection but have found an issue..... On the original Matchbox release the maritime version offered was serial HR792/G with side letter A, from 58 Sqn, St Davids, Wales in 1943(?) -Hard to make out on the internet!) This has white sides and unders, with Humbrol Hu27 Sea Grey uppers. quoted on the instructions. See here Linky The Revell reissue has serial HR744/G side letter O, again from 58 Sqn, St Davids, Wales, 1944. This time, however, the upper scheme is Revell 78 Tank Grey + Greyish Blue79 mix; and Greenish Grey 67, in the standard bomber camo pattern. (Revell paints quoted). I have only got Humbrol paints, so if that Revell concoction can be translated to Hu colours, please help! Which is correct? Or was it possible to have two aircraft in the same squadron with different camos? Also, Revell say the whole interior should be black, Matchbox say interior green with black details. Surely green is correct? Or green cockpit and black nose? On another issue, I've ordered the Privateer from the LMS, but I think I prefer the old Matchbox USN scheme nose art. Would anyone like to swap decals?

Thanks Jorge, My mistake on the bombs. Should have spotted that as they are exactly half the size of the Snakeyes in the ESCI kit. And I was painting them at the same time. As I said above, those "Air Force" style wheels are seen on A-7Es in the film "The Final Countdown", which is set and filmed on board USS Nimitz in 1980. I have struggled to find a lot of pictures of A-7Es with those wheels since, but there are some there. I'm guessing that they were actually some kind of removable cover, as the S-3 (which shares landing gear with the A-7) kits available all have the "Air Force" style wheels. The Airfix can build an AF bird, but only the first few production batch, as they lacked the AF style refuelling receptacle. The AF decals in the original issue of the Airfix kit were for one of those early birds. The paint is good ol Humbrol 129 Light Gull Grey. Many thanks for the complements!

Very similar to the Airfix -7E, similar breakdown, similar intake. Differences are that the upper wing centre section is one piece, going across the fuse instead of the wings butt jointing like the airfix/matchbox. Raised panel lines, even less of a cockpit than the Airfix, (that at least has side panels- just two strips sticking out of the walls, can accept instrument panel decals from the spares box). To my eye, nose looks too pointed, both from above and the side, and the whole cockpit/canopy/aft decking looks too narrow on top, kinda elliptical rather than round. Hard to explain what I mean, it looks more like a F-8 Crusader upper fuse shape than an A-7 shape. Also, if I recall correctly, the exhaust is a separate part but is not blanked off around it, so you can look up the tail and see the interior of the fuse between nozzle and inner tailcone. And of course it can only make an A-7A or B. I'd rate it on a par with the Hasegawa, but behind the Airfix and Matchbox. Old Hasegawa is one of their first generation kits, so think like late Frog standard.

Here's the Airfix A-7E, scrubs up quite ok actually. I've since given it a wash (to bring out the detail, not clean it up) and it looks even better. Will post pics of the Fujimi and ESCI/Italeri kits when I ever got around to taking photos of them. Roy

mmm........ Boxart...

Forgot to put some of mine up the last time.... Sea Harrier (with some help from the spares box) P-40 Did I say I like Matchbox kits? (my version of the local newsagents 27 years ago).

Just recently built 3 A-7Es! Fujimi, excellent model, plenty weapons, poor seat, decals for cockpit. Nice panel detail, full intake (split vertically in two, interior and exterior are on the same parts, joins fuse behind nosewheel well). Comes with MERs, TERs, 2 fuel tanks, 2 Shrikes, 2 Mavericks (not app for Navy??) and a shedload of Mk 82 Snakeyes. No wing fold option. Optional open canopy. Wheels are circumferential slotted type, (like old Wolfrace alloys!) apparently appropriate for Navy, but don't match the radial spoked type on the Airfix -E and Matchbox -D as seen on the barricade scene in "The Final Countdown". Poor Sidewinders (looks sorta like a AIM-9E, but not really appropriate for Navy??) Fit of intake is OK, but not perfect. Seam is inevitable, but only one on the bottom as opposed to two on the sides like Airfix. Refuelling probe is poor and just looks wrong. Got mine from HLJ for €6, picked up at Telford! Italeri is a re-issue of ESCI, which appears to be a clone of Fujimi above. Not exactly the same though, as I put two halves from each kit together and there is a couple of mm difference in length. Intake is now attached to fuse and is blanked only a few mm back, only lip is now separate. Italeri re-issue has a nice FOD cover for the intake though, and a nosewheel well (lacking in ESCI; and Fujimi uses the smooth underside of the lower intake as a roof). Fillet between rudder and top of exhaust cone does not fit well, unlike the Fujimi. Italeri issue also comes with excellent decals. Detail is softer than Fujimi, and same weapons are supplied. Strangely, Shrikes have lost panel lines between ESCI and Italeri issues. Sidewinders are still poor, worse than Fujimi's because of the softer detail. Refuelling probe is still poor and still looks wrong. Both the above have rounded intakes, but the Italeri/ESCI really needs that canvas FOD cover to hide the shortness! I've not seen the HB kit in the flesh, but it has more detail in the cockpit, and the open electronics bays like the Hasegawa 1/48. Loads of weapons, but the only one I know of is the FLIR pod (unique to Navy -Es, which I'd like to get hold of a few for my models). Only source of this in 1/72. Still no wingfold and yes, intake is flattened at bottom. I've seen it fixed with some bending of the lip, and a small bit of filing of the intake. Who needs resin? But then, so is the Airfix and I never minded that before. Old kit, nice seat but nothing else in pit, B-52s worth of load of Mk82s, poor MERs, AIM-9B sidewinders (Actually OK!), OK undercarraige, wingfold as an option. Fine raised panel lines. Still a decent honest simple kit,and looks okay in my cabinet next to the two above. Refulling probe is the best of the 3 kits discussed here. Matchbox is almost the same as Airfix except for poor seat, trenches for panel lines and clumsy working wingfold. And it's a D. (Didn't stop me from building one as an E with Microscale decals about 23 years ago.....)

If the -F is a fully combat capable plane as the -E, then why is there two types? What can the -F do that the -E can't? If nothing, then why bother with the -F? Or do they expect one guy to do in the -E what it takes two guys to do in the -F? I asked these questions on ARC years ago and never got an answer.

What's the story with posting this? Just like our member in Belfast, they won't accept my address in Cork (despite the fact they will post the book that the OH bought in order to bring the basket price above the 25 quids). I'd be willing to pay someone a fiver for their time to buy it and post it to me, and of course I'll cover the postage to Ireland.......

Well, I'm still looking for the day when I have a pair of Garrett turbofans in my hand for my IAC -700. I actually have 2 more kits (as well as one built) and they still seem to pop up on ebay from time to time. Just checked, 6 finished in the last week, ranging from £6 to £12.

Easy enough to paint.... just like the real thing... VMFA-323 Here is the VMFA-531 scheme as the other option in the Hasegawa kit mentioned above. Still a nice scheme. They did..... USS Nimitz CVW-8. Colours were related to squadron colours, so VF-41 and VMFA-323 (Coral Sea)- red; VF-84 and VMFA-531 - yellow. Sorry for the thread hijack, we now return you to your scheduled programmes....