gingerbob

I hear rounded thigh guards are the latest 'retro' style! bob p.s. I can't make a REAL contribution because I've pondered the same thing. Thanks to the Academy F-4B I now have still more options for my poor old Hasegawa one!

That's only if he's wanting an FR.XIV(interim), which I don't get the impression he is. Do you have a particular subject in mind, Tony, or would that be telling? bob

That's an unusual statement, Martin. I have to admit when I looked at the bits and thought about it I found myself thinking a 48th one would be nifty... but I can't really see that being first on any model company's list! (and no, I don't really fancy tackling one of those vacs that has bulges vaguely reminiscent of the overall shape of a Whitley...) When I saw "Lumbering Twin" my first thought was Manchester, but several types fit the description. Press on! bob

Which is what I was just typing, but you've taken care of it! I believe that the position of the wing is primarily to meet the requirements of the engine mounting (geometry), which may have allowed a bigger prop on the Tornado. bob

There's a ring and bead shown in the P-40M/N parts book, and it seems to say that the ring went away after the M (perhaps some other arrangement was substituted?) but the bead is still listed as applicable. I think the ring (by this time) was stowed in the cockpit and could be mounted if needed. Or something like that! bob

Before you start hacking, you do know that a conversion is in the works, don't you? Look around these parts, and maybe on LSM, but I think it was Derek B that was doing it? Here's one thread that may be helpful (what with the links included)... And here's another, related one. bob

Sorry, didn't mean to open a can of... err, paint! I haven't actually USED that bottle, so I can't say how it looks on a model, but I'm pretty sure that the FS number was cited for the early jet "High Speed Grey" (you Brits can have your High Speed Silver!) - of course, just because it was cited doesn't mean it was correct. My old YP-80 was in some other grey, which I think I eyeballed. Alas, it has a yellow/tan tendency that is definitely NOT right for the early jets, but I don't think I had any color photos to refer to then, and my impression of the color may have been influenced by the lighting in the Air Force Museum (back when they actually HAD lighting) and its effect on the appearance of the P-80R they have there. bob

Bruce, is the P-39 prop (as provided in the kit) the right diameter? The Acc Min props are awful anyway- the tips are thick, not "airfoilish", and this really sticks out to me. Colin, I'd like to know more about that mod to fix (make immobile) the intake ramp, if you would be so kind. You should know where to find me. I agree about the linked thread- well worth a look through (though in the interests of full disclosure I participated in it). I'd have agreed with you (all) about the carb air intake until just recently, but I see it differently now (and I'm also anxious to be corrected, if I'm wrong!) Here's how I currently understand it, based on reading through documents, manuals, etc, and studying pictures as much as possible. (Does anyone have good shots showing the intake from above (looking down at it) on A-36 and P-51A?): NA-73 (Mustang I, AG- serials) had the straight carb air intake. There's some question of subsequent changes, but this might not have happened after all. NA-83 (still Mustang I) introduced provision for a Vokes filter element, which means the more shapely intake trunk (though Acc Min's seems to be very inaccurately shaped). With this setup you had to choose on the ground- there were some baffles (as NAA calls them) which guide the air down the trunk. If you wanted filtered air, you removed the baffles and substituted in their place the filter unit. This arrangement continued through the A-36, though I admit I'm not sure if it was universally true- for example, might RAF Mustang IAs have reverted to the straight intake, whereas US F-6As (P-51s) had the filter-style intake? The NA-83 also may have had a different radiator, though any changes to the "radiator cowling" are minor. It also eliminated an internal bullet-proof glass, incorporating that as the windscreen proper. The Mustang IA (NA-91) was same as NA-83 except for some minor changes and, of course, the 20mm armament. A-36 (NA-97) introduced the fixed radiator intake (with a somewhat different shape at the front?), and continued to use the NA-83's new radiator. P-51A/Mustang II (NA-99) had a new new radiator, of a significantly different shape for the first time. The shape of the radiator cowling changed accordingly, being "slimmer" (less deep under the fuselage) and I think "squarer" in cross-section, and the intake shape changed again, also. While initial production may have gone back to the straight (NA-73) carb air intake, or something similar, most had a new filter setup, which was selectable from the cockpit for the first time- basically the filter element would lay flat along the bottom of the intake duct and the (unfiltered) air came straight down from the front intake (it wasn't a truly straight path), then if you pulled a lever in the cockpit, the filter element hinged up so that the air had to pass through it, while at the same time some other baffles shifted position, so that the nose intake was closed off and the air entered from a now-open door in the top of the intake trunk. The P-51A-10 (I think) also introduced a carb heat system, which drew air from a small door just behind the port-side exhausts when in use. Previous models had had the ability to bypass the intake trunk (should it ice up, for example) and draw air from the engine compartment. I don't remember whether the one replaced the other, or if these were two different things. I am making the assumption that all filter style intakes are the same shape, though I really don't have enough information to be certain yet. bob

You want this book if you can find it. bob

Oh, good. Just didn't want to leave you hanging! bob

I believe that the correct grey is 16473, "Aircraft Grey" (read off my bottle of Model Master paint). Wish I'd known that way back when, when I did my YP-80A. At the risk of bringing the wrath (or at least correction) of Nick down upon me (I'd actually welcome the comments), I think this is not unlike Medium Sea Grey, though perhaps somewhat lighter. Which is, after all, irrelevant, unless you're doing the export version! bob p.s. I say "correct grey" meaning IF you accept my argument that it is the same as the finish on YP-80s etc.

Thanks, I remember that one by name, but not serial. When I looked it up it seemed to (and I just confirmed it) refer to it going to the Med. Probably just another example of Spit the Hist getting something mixed up. Nice choice! bob

You're welcome, Rene- and that was Bill with the video- if he's like me he gets annoyed with the Bob/Bill syndrome (but you're forgiven!) That's just what they were doing- aerial hot rods! Yeah, I noticed that! Not to mention, even if the armoured, shatterproof Plexiglas were up to it, you'd be generating some FOD right between (or directly on) the engine intakes! bob p.s. Apologies for the excessive use of exclamation marks [!]

So, nobody going to support or condemn my earlier comment that Tamiya X-4 (not X-3) seems pretty close? (It may be just a trifle lighter?) bob

I agree. What do you know about that particular one? The individual history looks "different". bob

Yep, it did, eventually. Not sure where the serial "dividing line" would be. bob

P-80 thread- was it this one? bob

Gee, I finally actually watched the video, and it looks like real color in poor condition to me, unless someone did the world's worst attempt at "colorizing"! Here's a thread with some good quality images, including this one that I haven't seen before: If we assume that the chap on the right is wearing a white shirt, it makes an interesting contrast. Notice also the lettering on the bottom of the intake (inside)- STAY CLEAR - hadn't noticed that before. ("What does it say there?" -leaning in to read- "'stay clear'... uh oh!") And the open hatch! bob

I'm not noticing a P-80! bob

News flash- he had to change servers, but it is now up and running at: www.airhistory.org.uk Update bookmarks, everyone! Thanks for the alert, Patrice. bob

That's assuming that they were consistent with using yellow (or is a richer 'gold'?) on the logo... bob

Yes I do- checking with Andrew. bob

K7970 - Oxford local, 15 mins. First check flight after restoration. Aircraft performed flawlessly. -RMS

I quite understand! You'd be likely to cause a lot more trouble than you solve. bob

Are you still needing the instructions? I don't have them, but I can probably be a middle-man. bob