AAbshier

Hi folks, I've made a ton of money this summer so I can actually afford one of the nice PJ Productions kits. I understand they are not set up to do Patrouille de France straight from the box. What will I need? I understand that a fairing has to be added to the belly for a PAF aircraft--anything else? Thanks Andy Alton IL USA

Nice work! Which scale and kit? Andy

Thanks, Mike. I didn't want to look like a schlemiel, building my Barak with the wrong launchers! Andy

Hi folks, I'm in the middle (OK, I've been in the middle for months!) of a Kinetic F-16D Barak build. Recently I bought the Isradecals set for the Baraks (single and two-seat) and noticed that the aircraft seemed to be flying with the earlier launchers on stations 1, 2, 8, and 9. I thought the Baraks were cleared to launch AIM-120s on the wingtips so would carry LAU-129 rails. Which is right? I was about to set up my Barak with LAU-129s, but now I'm not sure. I haven't installed the rails yet, so can change over. I had planned to mount AIM-9Ms and Python 4s on mine, which can use the earlier launchers. Did any of the IDF Block 40s use reinforcement plates, like their USAF counterparts? Andy

I really like that model! An East African SVC-10 in 1/72nd would make my year! Andy

That really looks nice! I'm in line for a Flogger G to build for Modeling Madness, and I can get fired up for that project looking at your completed model! Andy

Hi folks, The local hobby shop in Springfield IL had a good deal on one of these (US$16.49) so I bought one! I've heard it's kind of a difficult kit so I would like to know where the trouble spots are before starting it. Thanks Andy

I try to keep my costs down by not buying kits when they first come out, and holding out for bargains instead. I found an Eduard Weekend Edition Mirage IIIC yesterday for US$16.99; a Zoom set to fix up the cockpit is US$7.49, so I'll have what I need for about US$25.00. I've also traded from my stash for a lot of what I have now. I have three Tamiya F-16s but only paid for one of them--and that one was purchased at 40% off. Same for my Revell Eurofighter. I did pay almost full price for a Revell Rafale B though--figured I better grab it while it was available! Andy

I built an RAF boxing for Nostalgic Plastic, and have a lot of the RAF markings left. If anybody wants them, email me: aravm98[at]yahoo.com Andy

Well, there you go, taking away our joy again. :-) Actually, the Kinetic cockpit in general is so problematic I was thinking of putting a different cockpit in mine (possibly an F-16A tub and IP from Hasegawa) if/when it gets built. I haven't seen a Revell ADF in years and since I never make it to model shows, I guess that's right out. I can live with the Kinetic bulge being off, if I can fix the cross sectional error you mentioned. As asked below, the 501 pylons are the ones intended for the Sparrows? Andy

The 147th gave up their ADFs in the early 1990s in favor of F-16Cs, and I don't think the ADFs they flew ever got the LAU-129s while they were with them. I did find a pic of a 147th FW ADF with Sparrow pylons in place, so I'm assuming the 147th flew alerts with AIM-7s at least some of the time. Andy

The pics I have of unloaded F-16A ADFs in 147FW service do show them with the earlier-type launchers. I didn't realize that ADFs were later modified for AMRAAMS. ANdy

Hi folks, Just picked up the Kinetic ROCAF F-16A Block 20 and it has all the parts needed to do an ADF! I've been wanting to do a 111thFS/147FW F-16A ADF (that's my hometown ANG squadron) and have the decals for it ready to go. However, though I've found a lot of ADF pics, but none showing a fully loaded alert-status F-16A ADF. My educated guess on the loadout is: AIM-9M: Stations 1 and 9 AIM-7M: Stations 3 and 7 Centerline tank: Station 5 Does this seem credible? Anything else I should know about for loadouts? Andy

A new model company from Brazil, Elaga, has announced a 1/48 Tucano for later release. I assume it will be set up as a Brazilian Tucano, but maybe someone will do the RAF nose in resin. I have the first kit from Elaga, the EMB-202 agricultural aircraft, and it isn't bad. I also have a partially built Aconagua resin/multimedia Tucano which has been a bear and a half to work on; I may end up using the detail parts from it on the Elaga when it comes out! Andy

Further to Jennings' comments, we have a mutual friend who has more than the usual modeling skills (he converted a Hasegawa P-3 to an L-188C, complete with a full interior). He battled one of his KMC 727s for months, converting it to a 727-100, fixing the multitude of shape problems, and ultimately gave up on it, pronouncing it unbuildable. In a fit of pique, he almost sold me his second KMC kit to me for US$10, but thought better of it. Hopefully he got a good return for it on eBay or elsewhere. Andy

Thank you! It is the 1/48 scale kit. I also have an F2 that is about 98% complete, but still needs an ejection seat! (I stole the CE ejection seat from the F2 so that I could get the F1A review build done in a semi-timely manner.) Neomega makes one, and I'll be ordering it soon. Andy

This is my first completion for 2010, and it is one of the best models I've done in years. After battling the Trumpeter 1/32nd scale kit, this one was much easier. One thing I would like everyone's opinions on is the canopy striping. I used the stripes provided on the Eduard sheet, and I think they look far too heavy. Now that the review I built the model for has been published, I'm thinking of stripping these decals and using the canopy striping from the Airfix kit decal, which looks much thinner. For full details on the build see my review: http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/viet/gb/ab48lite.htm Andy

I have a Kinetic F-16D Barak underway right now as a review build for Modeling Madness. I was given an Eduard cockpit and exterior set to use on it for free, so I'm trying it out. I agree with your assessment of the relative flatness of the side consoles, but hey, the price was right. ;-) At least the Eduard parts fit relatively well, which is a relief after using earlier sets. OTOH, the kit seats are significantly undersized, and I'm replacing mine with Quickboost items. Andy

Hi folks, Are the IDF Baraks equipped with dual controls? I was under the impression that the Baraks had a dedicated WSO in the back seat. Andy

Hi folks, Title question says it all. I ran across this in a small model shop in Belleville, Illinois, where I'm working this week. I would like to try it as my first WWI model in many years, but would prefer to know what's in the box first! Andy

Oooh, very good! Thanks very much! Andy

I have one about 60% complete. It is a good kit overall, but with some issues: 1. The flight deck area needs a lot of extra detailing; the ACE etch set is good for this. 2. The wing to fuselage fit was off on one side (the right side, I think). It's fixable, though. 3. The cargo bay roof is inaccurate as given, and the overhead crane given on the ACE set doesn't fit correctly as a result. After battling that crane for several nights, it looks like I'll be building my cargo bay closed. 4. You'll need nose weight, and a lot of it. The space between the flight deck and the cargo bay pressure bulkhead gives you plenty of room. Andy

Do you know of any decals for civil versions? I had planned to do mine as Aeroflot, but if the decals are as cranky as you say, it may not be a great option! Andy

Hi folks, I have a 99% complete Airfix Lightning F2 that needs a seat for the cockpit. I haven't had much luck using PE harnesses on the kit seat, and the CMK seats looked like good alternatives--but I've just tried ordering them from Hannant's, but they were out of stock! Does anyone have a shop or dealer that might have these? Here's what I want: CMQ48018 Martin Baker Mk.4B x 2 includes harness Thanks for any info- Andy

Here you go, complete as of this morning. Full details will be in the article: Andy Alton IL