AntPhillips

Lovely build, I can remember the positive reviews of this kit when it was launched, you've done a fine job of it.

Beautiful build, that's one to be proud of.

Nice build of what is not Airfix's cleverest design. I started one of these back in January, hoping for a quick build that I could get on with whilst I recuperate after my hip op. Unfortunately the lower fuselage and wing piece was well warped and although clamping it whilst glueing it to the wing spars has helped to straighten it out, the fit of upper and lower nose sections leaves a lot to be desired, so much so that it's gone back in the box and I'll pick it up another time.

I have fond memories of building one of these myself back in the day, easily 40+ years ago, it was an impulse buy based purely on that box artwork, but I remember it still as a great kit to build too.

Lovely build Richard, I'm so glad those parts were able to help you get it finished 👍

Beautiful build and finish Ben, I look forward to seeing the STOVL trio in due course.

Thanks Chris, How could I forget the Minnesota ANG, the boys from Duluth had one of my favourite schemes. But I hadn't realised that Kansas had ADC Gray a/c, being a TFS and not an FIS, I just presumed they had tactical camouflage only.

Double checked in my copy of Jon Lake's WAPJ F-4 Phantom ; Spirit in the Skies and it confirms the 194th FIS only flew the F-4D variant, and initially they flew a/c that were finished in a mix of ADC Gray and SEA schemes. Incidentally, it would seem that the only front line USAF unit to use the ADC Gray scheme was the 57 FIS flying out of Keflavik, initially with the F-4C and then the F-4E, all the other units assigned to ADC were provided by ANG units: 194 FIS, California ANG (F-4D) 199 TFS Hawaii ANG (F-4C) 171 FIS Michigan ANG (F-4C/D) 136 FIS New York ANG (F-4C/D) 178 FIS North Dakota ANG (F-4D) 123 FIS Oregon ANG (F-4C) 114 TFTS Oregon ANG (F-4C) 111 FIS Texas ANG (F-4C/D) There were a number of Test Squadrons that also had Phantoms in ADC Gray the 3246 & 3247 TS at Eglin AFB, the 6512 TS at Edwards AFB and the Air Defence Weapons Center at Tyndall AFB. Hope this helps. Ant

Fabulous build, I love the treatment of the burnt paint on the rear end, it looks very realistic.

Lovely build, the Starfighter just looks so good in any of the Italian schemes. Reminder to myself, I must get one of these 😉

Here's a screen grap from the Kinetic 1/48 F/A-18C kit instructions of the sprue containing the Sparrow and the pylon (the pylon isn't used in the Hornet kit just the Sparrow missile), you could resize the image using the Sparrow as a guide to give you some basic dimensions for scratchbuilding purposes. I've read somewhere that carrying the Sparrow lead to some longitudinal stability issues, particularly if carried assymetrically, to the point where in live firing exercises they would be fired as a pair. Hope this helps Ant

Lovely build, and an interesting scheme too 👍

Welcome Don, as you've been a lurker for a few years you probably know your way around already, hope to see some of your builds too 👍

It's Chinese New Year Holiday at the moment, traditionally we get the Trumpy / Hobby Boss catalogues just after.

I also seem to remember seeing a picture or artwork that showed them in a similar Lt Blue as that used on the Buccaneer but with a black outline. I can't seem to turn it up now though.

Your expectations are correct, the US Navy uses the -35C and the USMC the -35B, of course all USMC aircraft are financed from and come under the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics budget.

Looking at the instructions on Scalemates they mysteriously have you fit the bow gun (part B17), but then it morphs into a blanking plate in the rest of the instructions, theres no indication of a part no. for the blanking plate though.

Fabulous build of one of Airfix's most under-rated kits. I remember building one years ago, a nice simple but lovely build if I remember correctly, and yes it did come in a massively oversized box with the sprues cowering in the corner.

Interesting to note in todays Airfix Workbench blog they mentioned that they also LIDAR scanned the AEW.3 at SWAM in St. Athan. Either @71chally kept that very quiet or they just didn't tell him knowing just how excited he'd be 🤔 🤫 😉 🤣

If you take a look at the Kit Research pages on Modelling Madness website, you'll find a list of the Hasegawa kits with a list of the sprues contained in each kit, together with a cross reference of what parts are on each sprue. The British specific parts are mostly on sprues W, X & Y http://modelingmadness.com/splfeat/kr/has48e.htm

Wow, that's a whopping 0.2 mm in 1/350 scale, you'll have to seriously reconsider restarting from scratch 😉 Seriously though, this is a stunning project, so glad to see it back on the go 👍

Beautiful pair of builds, I must say that JP is a real looker. I bought a starter kit JP for my daughter a few years ago when she expressed an interest in building a kit, unfortunately she never really caught the bug and the kit is still languishing there unbuilt. I dont normally build 1/72 any more but I think I might give it a go, quite fancy finishing it in 79 squadron markings, I'm off to look at what Xtradecals are about now.

Fabulous looking model, as others have said it's one of the best looking Lightnings I've seen, the natural metal finish is superb. I'll have to look out for the book👍

Hi Rich, I have some spare slipper tanks too, I've got the props boxed up but haven't sealed it yet, so I'll pop the slipper tanks in there with them 👍 Happy modelling Ant 🐜

@Olmec Head incessant rain has briefly eased off, parts retrieved and PM inbound 👍