Nigel Bunker

just as a point of interest, RAAF acquired four F-111A as 'attrition replacements (A8-109, 112, 113, 114). These were initially operated with short wings in SEA camouflage until they were bought up to F-111C satndard (including long wings). Here's a picture of my RAAF F-111A, which started life as a Hasegawa EF-111A which I picked up at a cheap price. And folding the wings on this kit is a major exercise - I wouldn't have done it if I had known how much fun it was!

It's easier to build an RAAF F-111G from an FB-111A. This might help with construction and I know from personal experience Roy at Southern Sky Models does a very good and fast mail order service for decals.

Well I bought the latest copy of MAM yesterday and I regret it will probably be my last. I only took up buying the magazine when Neil Robinson took it over and the content changed to something I was interested in. Many years have passed, and now the magazine is back where it started - not the type of magazine I want to buy. And the latest copy was tucked away with wargaming in my local WHS. The change of title and content may be it's suicide note.

Can I suggest you go here. Either post your question or pm tsrjoe - he has lots of information on this plane.

Right - I have done some checking and the model I am going to build is RC-135V with CFM-56 engines, which is what I presume the RAF will be getting - if they don't, it will be my biggest What If. So it looks like I will need to make the bigger nose myself.

Cheers Haydn

Does any manufacturer make the nose for this variant in resin?? I have the side pods from Spectre Resins to convert my KC-135R but unless somebody makes the nose, looks like it's down to plastic card and milliput. I have spoken with Mark ar Spectre and he has no plans to make a resin nose.

The acknowledged expert on the Su-27 is Ken Duffy who posts here as Flankerman. This link shows how he made an Su-27 into an Su-30, admittedly in 72 scale but as they say, the principle is the same.

With regard to the two Sky finishes, my money is on a typing error, 338 & 358 being very similar. Unlike today's word processors, to sort the mistake would have meant re-typing the whole page. This was before the advent of Tippex, the typist's best friend.

Well having built the Project X P1154 RAF vac-form in 72 scale, to convert a Harrier to a P 1154: Build Harrier undercarriage. Keep pylons and stores. Throw rest of Harrier away, Using spares box and plastic card, scratch build P1154.

It's to do with where they have agreements to show the film or programme, normally with the participants and makers. It's no consolation but I get the same message if I try to watch some video links to US or Aussie sites, or if I try to watch the BBC when I am on holiday abroad. . I guess that they read your IP address which tells them which country you are in, and let you view or not. If only some nerd would come up with a way of letting us overcome this annoying feature.

I brush paint my models and use Xtracylics for preference. The problem I have noticed is that there now appears to be some colur variation between pots (or batches). I painted a Scimitar in EDSG/White and needed to touch it up. Having moved on to a new pot of EDSG, once the paint had dried the touch up was noticably lighter than the original - not light enough to suggest that DSG had been wrongly labelled but just light enough to notice. has anybody else had this problem, or am i just unlucky?

If you need a picture, I refer you to page 115 of "British Secret Projects: Jet Bombers Since 1949" by Tony Buttler (MCP 2003) which shows the first two F-111Ks at the General Dynamics factory, one having been fitted with standard wings, whilst the other has yet to have wings fitted. Also, the artists impression on p 114 shows a camouflage scheme.

Pausing to stick my head briefly above the parapet: I think the Crowood book is wrong about the wings - the F-111K was to have had standard wings - the idea of longer wings comes from a cutaway drawing done at the time showing the erroneous long wings. The main undercarriage was to have been the same as the FB-111, designed to take a higher loading. This was all thrashed out on www.whatifmodelers.com about a year or so ago - a search there should bring up the threads on it.

As to the Typhoons, the Revell of Germany ones are far better than the HobbyBoss ones, and also cheaper! And you'll end up with some spare weapons at the end. Both have the inner pylon missing, but some plastic card should fix that.

I recall being told by a model shop owner that those weapon sets did not exactly fly off the shelves, and so I guess we won't be seeing them re-issued in the near future. Considering Airfix kits come fully equipped with ordanance (unlike certain Japanese manufacturers), casual sales are likely to be low.

James, speaking as a 'Whiffer' of many years standing, paint your Phantom as you choose, and when you've done it, posta picture for us at the What If Modellers forum where you will find a group of like minded modellers.

Just the one, from the look of it.

The kits were: LaGG3, MiG 3, Yak 3, & Anatra DS Anasal. I believe they had their origins as unissued Frog Kits from the 1970s, but I presume somebody else had more knowledge as to their accuracy.

The latest Ventura book has information and a colour profile on the rear cover of a PR.IX. Apparently 15 were built, though to my eyes, they look very similar to PR.X versions.

Why not find a picture, get some plastic sheet, and make your own?

If you want to make your own Manchester, get a Lancaster kit, some balsa, talcum powder and dope plus a copy of Airfix Annual number 2 and Alan Hall will lead you through it. And Wooksta, yes, Contrail did a complete kit - I have one in the loft - it even included decals!

Julien This link may be of interest to you. Nigel

Nimrods, the basic types are: MR1 - the original Nimrod, 1969-seventies (Can be made out of the box with the Airfix kit) R1 - ELINT version (converted from MR1) 1974- present (Can be made out of the box with the Airfix kit) MR2 - upgraded MR1 1975- present (Can be made out of the box with the Airfix kit) AEW3- MR1 with large radomes front and rear. Never went into service, Boeing Sentry AEW1 purchased instead. (Cammett do a conversion for the Airfix kit) MRA4- rebuilt MR2 with new engines, wings, etc. Due to enter service 2010/2011/2012/................................. (No conversion kit for Airfix yet, though I guess it's just a matter of time) If you can tell us which version you want to make, people will be happy to give their advice

There have been promises for turbine engines for the Islander, but as far as I am aware, nothing has happened. So I'm afraid it's with the plastic card and filler to do those modifications.