4scourge7

They were originally to have replaced the thirteen Type 23 on a one-to-one basis; then eight advanced ASW frigates and five cheaper`multi-purpose` frigates using the same hull; and now just eight Type 26 with a smaller, cheaper Type 31 making up a class of `at least five`. I see your point, and again, I think the original two designs using the same hull idea has made the Type 26 very big for a frigate (even bigger and of greater displacement than the Batch 3, Type 22 frigates that were essentially destroyers in all but name). Ironically enough, that idea has now been binned in favour of the mix of T26/31 hulls. Of course, way back when, when this was the `Future Surface Combatant`, there was to be a `C1, C2, and C3` version. The possible ASW advantage of strike length Mk 41 launchers is the ability to take American ASROC, or similar system. How likely or practical this is, however, is open to debate. Hope against hope that a world-class price tag delivers a world-beating ASW frigate. With Artisan, Sonar 2087, and Sea Ceptor etc already in operation we can hope that the some of the risks associated with the T45 are mitigated on the Type 26. Cheers, Ian

So, it is £3.7 billion for the first three, then `upwards` of five billion for the remainder. This remains an estimate as the deal for the remaining five won`t be done until early 2020s. I don`t know if that includes the £1 billion invested already, but I assume it does. This still makes them, R&D and all, more expensive than the Type 45 destroyers, although this may become a bone of contention when the six T45 get their Project Napier refit, said by the UK Defence Journal to be £280 million. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/cost-type-45-destroyer-fix-revealed/ Almost a year ago, Commons Defence Select Com. established £8 billion cost estimate of the T26 with Harriet Baldwin and the First Sea Lord. http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/defence-committee/naval-procurement-type-26-and-type-45/oral/35261.html I didn`t realise it had become so costly. I only hope the nation gets it`s £8 billions` worth. And, of course, the addressing of the recruitment issues that Bentwaters refers to. Our island nation needs the best ASW that money can buy. If we get it, those responsible should rightly be applauded. Here`s hoping. Cheers, Ian

http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/three-frigates-worth-3-7bn-secure-shipyard-jobs-for-decades-1-4492329 Have they got the cost right? Doesn`t that make them more expensive than the Type 45 destroyer per ship? Lawks! Cheers, Ian

Ha! Never noticed that Mike. Another `petit` error from the Currant Bun.

The Currant Bun has some good overhead shots, here: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3905099/hms-queen-elizabeth-maiden-voyage-russia-royal-navy-sea-trials/ Cheers, Ian

It was closed to pedestrians. There was also a heavy police and military presence on land, water, and air. I agree. I didn`t fully appreciate just how much the flight deck and towers exceed and overhang the width of the hull. Nothing really prepared for that until she was free of the dock. Here`s a nice vid of her sailing under the Forth Rail Bridge from seaward side (go straight to 5 minutes into vid).

Now THAT was impressive! Well done all involved!

Daily Mirror saying Monday, but no explanation of where this info is coming from. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britains-largest-ever-warship-hms-10688120

Yes, I think it`s a little bit of both: security for the ship`s company, and just a little concern for the tight safety margins going on here. Second that! Cheers, Ian

Some highly reliable gossip is pointing towards Monday. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-queen-elizabeth-expected-to-sail-monday/ New titbit; bridges are to be closed to the public during departure. However bad some of their PR has been, I don`t think the ACA can succeed in sneaking the 70,000t warship out without anyone noticing.

Some more rock-solid and reliable rumour.... https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-queen-elizabeth-likely-sail-soon/ Liking the webcam feature. Edit- Here`s the direct link to a series of webcams covering the Forth. http://forth-bridges.co.uk/queensferry-crossing/gallery-queens/rosyth-dockyard-webcam.html

So, scuttlebuck has it that HMS Queen Elizabeth will depart sometime between today and Saturday 24th. Same rumour mill says that the carrier will depart around noon, anchor off Rosyth, then sail under the bridges at optimal tide which is around 1800 hours. I`m going on pure speculation in the media and on t`interweb so am happy to be corrected on any and all details. Cheers, Ian

Interesting Francis, thank you. So I may have stumbled onto the answer with your assistance: use Tamiya primer grey, as intended by the manufacturer, as an undercoat, then final coats with Tamiya AS16. Variations in coverage of the light grey over the darker primer may add a bit of depth, a bit of `well-worn` effect . I`ll give this a try when I get some AS16 and report back. Thanks again Francis. Cheers, Ian

Further to the above, I`ve been told that Tamiya rattle can grey primer is a close approximation, and it`s acrylic. Mike, I`ve tried it on a 350th Type 45 and it`s close...it`s real close. But I just can`t make up my mind if it`s close enough. The BM community`s opinion would be invaluable, along with any other suggestions on acrylic matches. Cheers, Ian

I can so attest. I was fascinated when, at the launch of HMS Defender, one could discern where the various blocks went together by slight variations in the basic colour, the sort of thing you wouldn`t notice at two miles, but noticeable at near touching distance. Bumping this, as this would be really good info to have. Most matches that I`m aware of are enamels so an acrylic match would be good to have, thanks. Cheers, Ian

That is looking really, really nice. In the first sprue shot, do my eyes deceive me, is that an Israeli-style "R2" SATCOM beside the cockpit fuselage halves? Can`t think what else that could be, but am open to theories. Cheers, Ian

SWEET! Enclosed `Turkey Feather` cans (with internal detailing), gunloading fairing, intake trunking, even the tiny GPS dome near the airbrake. And that annoying gap that I always seem to leave between the CFT and airframe is no longer a problem. Optimism rewarded! Where`s a set of Sky`s decals F-15I Ra`am sheet? I have a mind to perform. Can this be, the actual, accurate F-15E in 72nd, at long last? Initial verdict: Looking good, I says. Cheers, Ian

Some interesting info on the effects of the 617 Sqn Tallboy raid against Hitler`s V3 supergun at Mimoyecques, on More 4`s `Building Hitler`s Supergun` . Probably available on catch-up, I assume. wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_of_Mimoyecques Cheers, Ian

Just worth the mensh, MOAB is GPS guided. Grand Slam had a re-enforced casing to allow for penetration before detonation. Can`t remember where this was on tele recently (may have been a Tallboy casing as seen on `Nazi Megastructures`). Here`s the American B-36 being loaded with, what is reported to be, an American version of Grand Slam, then dropped. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5tYPD0eafM Cheers, Ian (Edit- when watching the vid, one can be forgiven for imagining to hear the sound of Slim Pickens hollering)

Thanks for the sprue shots Homebee. Initial reaction is `ooh don`t like the look of those `burner cans`. But, do I see the `turkey feather` option on the sprue shots? Difficult to tell, but this would allow Israeli F-15I to be built from the box (with minor tweaking), along with appropriate AM decals from Skys or Isra. I take it there`s a second weapons sprue, out of shot, to allow for two tanks, two Sidewinder, two AMRAAM etc? There`s room for optimism here. I`m optimistic. Let`s hope we finally have a F-15 Strike Eagle that doesn`t require a substantial outlay of groats to bring up to code. Cheers, Ian (optimist)

Fix (`Project Napier`) to cost a quoted £280 million. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/minister-confirms-type-45-engine-refit-contract-awarded-2018/ Cheers, Ian

During one of today`s `Aircraft Stories` marathon on Quest TV, there was video of parties of chaps (brush) painting out the white undersides and toning down the roundels on the deck of HMS Hermes. Can`t remember which episode it was, I think it was `British Airpower`. Also had footage of the attack on Stanley Airfield etc... Cheers, Ian

Agreed. It will be interesting to see how this `new` kit builds, but what we already know from the sprue shots is that Revell has passed on the opportunity to resolve some of the issues of their original kit whiles reducing optional stores and decals. Not an `Easykit`, just a bit of a disappointment considering the price hike. And what makes this particularly `Batch 3` over the previous kit? Still getting Storm Shadow in the existing kit makes it more `Batch 3` than this `new` release. Extra fuel tank and clear-part MFD are small consolation for this wasted opportunity and accompanying price increase. I`m glad I`m stocked-up on 04317 as alpine_modeller suggests. Good to have BM to flag-up these things before parting with cash. Cheers, Ian

Hmm, decisions to make. Plenty to chew over. Thank you for the info folks. Cheers, Ian

Howdo all. Got myself the 72nd Trumpeter Su-30MKK and wondered what the options were outside of building a Russian or Chinese version? Cheers, Ian