SLoB

Thanks very much for the link. They are out of stock at present but they look just the thing.

Thanks all for the input. Given me something to think about as to how to tackle these.

How is this one going? Am interested in your progress as I have the Academy F-14A and Revell F-18F with decals to do the two Swordsmen CAG birds - outgoing and incoming. I do not intend to superdetail either (mainly OOB) but I am aware that the F-14 ought to be the B version. I am also going to put crew in the seats so some of the cockpit will be obscured anyway. Being relatively new to this modelling lark what aftermarket will I need to make the Academy F-14A into a B? What aftermarket would be a sensible compromise to improve the kits without going mad? It looks to me like you are doing an A and presumably you will convert to a B and I therefore wondered what you were doing/using? Thanks. SLoB

I have the old Monogram 1/48 kit that I intend to do as a Mosquito FB VI as part of the Banff wing (I have the Aviaeology decals). My main question relates to the rockets. The rockets were slung in pairs one under the other. I note that the new Airfix Seafire XVII kit has rockets that seem to be just like this. Could I use (with perhaps adaptation) the Seafire rockets on the Mossie or would they require too much messing about? The second question is simply, where can I get the underwing fuel tanks for the Mossie? Thanks. SLoB

I have been given the Premiere kit, which has a poor interior. I had seen the Wolfpack set and wonder if it would fit the Premiere kit (perhaps with some adjustment)? I know the Premiere kit has other errors, but so long as it generally looks like a Hawk I am not too bothered and besides it was a gift. I do want a decent interior though as it is quite noticeable. SLoB

Was passing by Duxford last Thursday so popped in for lunch and saw these couple out for a spin. I remember going up in one of these as an ATC cadet. Then I saw TFC test flying this. Still got to work on my photography, but I spent a very pleasant hour there.

I was also there on Sunday - my shoes are still wet!! I was also out with a new camera and will try to post some shots soon. I also would like some tips on better photography and once I have put the photos up here would appreciate some critique. Hope to post the photos in the next couple of days. In the meantime those photos looks great considering the conditions. It looks like you were up the other end, as I was down by Air 1.

That is incredible detail and a very interesting setting. How did you do the tool kit at that scale? Sometimes I struggle to see my fingers let alone anything smaller! I am most envious of your skills.

I have not posted any pics before and am fairly new back to hobby and painting with hairy stick. Anyway, doing the Airfix kit and intending to do a 610 machine. For no other reason than it involves my initial I was going to do DW-S (instead of DW-K) but not got the S decal yet (anyone got a 1/48 scale med sea grey 35" S - perhaps an unusued one from the Colorado 48-80b sheet?). Anyway, here it is with no underside paint and no legs yet. One question - would this have had the yellow square (gas detector) on the port wing in c. July/August 1940? (The plane crashed late August). SLoB

As a beginner my quality is not up to yours. However, a little while back I foiled a Mustang. I really enjoyed this and the result is OK. As I paint with a hairy stick usually any natural metal in future will be foiled. It did not seem to be difficult, just time consuming. Sorry about the photo quality, but here is an indication of my result. SLoB

They look really great. Got my Freightdog decals, but is there any news on when Airfix are actually releasing the Seafire kits? It seems like we have been promised these for months and still no indication of date. There is an ad in the May Airfix mag as if the kit is out already. Would it be reasonable to assume the kit is to be released in May or sooner?

Got mine today - thanks. They look great - just need the Seafire to put them on now! Stephen

Crumbs A bit disappointing you haven't done them in all scales though!

Chris Just looked at this and share the disappointment that they have so mishandled (being very generous with wording here) the situation. If there was a problem with the size/cost why didn't the Foundation simply ask all finalists to amend their designs before the decision was made? Is there any suggestion that the winning designer was in on it? If he designed it to a different scale, etc why? From the brief extract shown it is clear that the design should be 3x life size so how did he come to put in an entry that did not comply with the brief and yet was allowed through for consideration at all? I had previously been excited by the prospect of this memorial and quite liked the winning design (and several of the others I should add). Now that we know there is more to it it will take something away from enjoyment of the memorial when it is eventually up. Too many questions that I doubt will ever get answered. I suppose it is a foregone conclusion then? Stephen

I have three spits in the stash and am taking part in a Spit build on another Forum - I take it that it will not matter if I build the same for more than one GB on different Forums? The three are all 1/48 : Airfix XII - I shall do as EB-S using aftermarket decals for the S (being my initial) and with retractable tailwheeel (S was one with retractable so I believe) and with the thin invasion stripes that others have discussed on this site. Whether it is strictly accurate I don't know but don't care as I think it could look good. ICM VIII - in Fargo Express but using aftermarket decals because they seem better than the kit ones and include stencils, etc. Academy XIVe - in the Violet Dorothy markings (Aviaeology) using the replacement cowling and exhausts, but otherwise OOB unless I come across a new spinner and props in the meantime - I am not going to the lengths of other major surgery on the kit. As and when Airfix bring out the Seafire XVII I intend getting two and another XII so that I can build two XVIIs one with wings up and another in flight and then a XV. All will be brush painted (I have no AB). I will not get all these done by the deadline. Not sure which I will start, but will see which one I finish in time. SLoB

Ditto. Thanks for the heads up. Looking forward to their special on Spits this week.

Am building the Revell 1/72 Lanc. I intend to build mainly OOB, but as the bomb aimers position is so prominent in the nose I am surprised that there is no detail for the bomb aiming bits and pieces. I know I could purchase the CMK bits (although not for the Revell I understand they would fit) or some PE (although not sure how accurate or good that would look). Any advice as to which way to go, OR has anyone got these bits from somewhere that they are not using? Thinking about it I suppose all of the turrets could be improved a little and any suggestions as to the better aftermarket to get, or if anyone has any they are not going to use, please let me know. BYW I am doing PO-S from the ton-up decals (Xtradecal X72098) and using a mix of these and the kit decals for stencils. Although I would love to do another Lanc one day I don't have the space or time for now, therefore if anyone wants one of the other sets of decals from the sheet let me know. SLoB

Absolutely stunning work. It is indeed truly inspiring, but I wish I had the time to spend trying to get anywhere near this level.

Wright Flyer - as others have said - it was the first. Spitfire - no competition there Mosquito Catalina - don't know why but I have always liked this.

Thanks Edgar I therefore assume they were on both wings, but might not appear on all aircraft as it was a pilot preference matter? SLoB

Sorry to hijack this thread, but looking at the colour photo there are three red lines at the trailing edge of the wing; anyone know what these were indicating? Are they on both wings? They are not shown on any of the camouflage schemes I have yet seen (I hope to build one of these soon hence the query). SLoB

Thanks all for your input here. I have decided that I will build it mainly out of the box with only a few minor amendments, that I will decide and sort out as I go. May well purchase the drawings and thanks to Edgar pointing me to that site I may well find myself having to purchase others Not sure I want to buy more kits and then kit bash at this early stage of my return to modeling. At present more interested in getting some basic skills honed and turning out some decent models - and having fun. Thanks again

Being a newbie here please be gentle with me. I have been following this discussion with interest. I am not a pilot (my mother is though) and although I have met a few fighter pilots I cannot claim to have technical knowledge. To my mind it does not matter how good a plane is on paper it can only really be considered if it has been in battle. I think this therefore rules out some (e.g. EE Lightning). I know nothing about kill ratios, etc, etc but as a civilian with a vested interest in a war I would want to not only have confidence that the planes being sent up to fight the enemy are at least if not better than the opposition but I want something that might inspire me and 'keep me going' through the bad times. From an English perspective I would have suggested that on the grounds given above I would suggest the following: WWI - Sopwith Camel WWII - Spitfire Falklands - Harrier Gulf - Tornado My knowledge is too limited to comment on other eras/wars as such. From an American perspective WWII - Mustang Korea - Sabre Vietnam - Phantom Gulf - Eagle German perspective WWI - Fokker DR III WWII - Me 109 I suppose I could go on but won't - you will be glad to hear. Personally, I know it's boring but my absolute favourite always has been the Spitfire. One could argue that in 'peacetime' it is the threat of superiority that counts (therefore the EE Lightning for example) might be a significant factor, but it is only when the plane is ultimately tested in battle that it can really be tested. SLoB

I have the Academy 1/48 Spit XIVe and have read about how poor it's shape is, etc, etc. Have considered getting the Daco correction, but looking at the price and knowing that I really want the new Airfix 1/48 Seafire when it comes out I would rather spend the money (wife limited you understand!) on the latter. Therefore wondering how far out the shape is and what I might be able to do to attempt to do some corrections myself. However, for this I need some scale drawings and I wondered if anyone had some that they could send me (assuming no copyright infringements, etc)? I have also read that although the shape is wrong it does build into a nice model and I have now decided that I will not buy the correction set and will live with the 'problems' apart from any that I may be able to correct myself, hence the request. Thanks SLoB

Can I join in on this? I have a Revell 1/72 Lanc that I have only just started (since new year) and intend doing it in the markings of the Hendon Lanc - mainly because last year my mum got an award for her contribution to women's flying and the presentation was under the nose of the Lanc in Hendon museum and my parents bought me the model. I am a newbie both to this forum and to modelling (back to modelling over the past year after 30 year break). SLoB