Troy Smith

The AM kit had several boxings IIRC, SBD-1, SBD-3/4, SBD-5. These have some alternate bits, mostly different cowlings. Some maybe just a collectable aspect. The SBD-5 appeared in a Italeri box as well with 6 decal options. I know some Italeri AM Avenger kits have parts specific boxings, just for the TBF-1, but some also have all the TBM'-3 parts as well. So you may wish to see what is in what boxing. It maybe a case now that Academy just bundle in all the bits whatever, but you may want to check what markings you are looking at. The AM kit is well regarded, and AFAIK recent Academy kits have Cartograf decals which are high quality. If you want added detail, Eduard also reboxed the AM SBD-5 with some added detail parts https://www.scalemates.com/kits/eduard-1165-sbd-5-dauntless--967232 Long unavailable but maybe worth looking out for with the added parts on ebay. All the various versions are detailed in the Scalemates link. HTH

Made me curious https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-h-285-b-25-bomber--1075443 seems originates in 1968, last issued in 1993. 4 Boxings. A kit of personal frustration, mine from 1978 had no nose glazing and I had no idea how to get Revell spares. The remains are still about.... The built up model box art version shows it well, it was covered in those weird raised circle disc rivets used for a while in the late 60's

The HKM builds a B-25J AFAIK The various Accurate Minatures, reboxed by Italeri and Academy are either a B-25B, B-25C/D and there was a B-25G. So whatever version your skip bomber is the kit you need. the other 1/48th B-25 kits The Monogram (later Revell) kit dates from the late 70's but is a decent vintage kit, they were done a B-25H, B-25 J glass and strafer nose versions, There was also a 70's era Revell B-25B/C, but I don't think it has been issued since then so your unlikely to run across one of those. HTH

Do not follow the opening outline, the front wall is the back of the main spar, the bak part of the wing structure the line at the left is the main spar line, the 'back' runs parallel from this is the back 'wall' of a IX http://www.arcair.com/awa01/701-800/awa786-Spitfire-Mk9-Cauchi/09.jpg See also link to time - Daily Inspection of a Spitfire | (1940) Instructional film, shot June 1940, which has a mass of detail of airframe and cockpit and is well worth a watch. https://youtu.be/wkt2vtWzJcU?t=603 this may explain it better, a front and back wall,

Originally tooled by Revell in 1978, when 1/48th was becoming a scale outside of the US, the other WWII types being a P-51D, P40E, B-17F (which was so based on the Monogram G that the wings could be interchanged and Monogram said 'don't let it happen again') and the outlier which their Bf109G-10 that was the only one with engraved panel lines and the first basically accurate late war 109 kit. Airfix also started doing 1/48th then as well. I picked one up cheap on here a few years ago out of curiosity. Pleasantly surprised to find it very well shaped, only missing the gull wing. A review at the time in Scale Models mentioned it was a quarter inch short on wingspan, I think this is all in the tips, and it's not noticeable. Says it's a Mk.II and does have the Coffman starter bulge, but the prop is more if of a De Havilland unit, the blades could do with a little reshaping, most Mk.II have a Rotol unit. Really benefits from new exhausts, which are very poor, and wheels (well hubs) if built wheels down. The original box had a built up model which shows exactly what I mean about the exhausts and wheels, and the hybrid prop, but the rest looks good. I mention this these are all bits that are alternate parts in other Spitfire kits so can be found in many spares boxes. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-h-32-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ii--194347 AFAIK it builds well, and will look the part when done. My one had been launched out the window by some 'mates' circa 1981 and I only realised by finding about half of in the street later, which I duly picked up and worryingly I still have.... One final point, from what I can see online, this was the kit that 'inspired' the Pegasus Hobbies snap together kit, which all seem to be basically copies of existing kits, their Hurricane is based on the Hasegawa kit. Hope of some interest/use? cheers

this one? Romanian Fighter Colours says this was taken at the Zeman factory airfield, the so green patch may just be a repair. Note the derelict Hurricane far right, no prop or UC doors. Page 164 of Hawker The Yugoslav story has a great shot of 14 which I recall posting before. this is apparently period colour! It's late, I need to see if I can find the original that Exotic used. see https://www.das-geschichtsbuch.de/product_info.php?products_id=8588 "Using unique original color photos and supplementary black-and-white photos, this book describes the history, of a German fighter unit. In many respects 1. (J)/LG 2 was a special fighten unit. Prior to the outbreak of war in 1939, many of its pilots were members of the Luftwaffe's aerobatics Staffel, which had been formed by 1. (J)/LG 2 in spring 1938. During the Second World War, between 1939 and Tate 1941 countless fighter pilots who would later become highly-decorated aces, men like Harder, Marseille, Brandt and Mertens, flew their first combat sorties as members of WAG 2. Others, like Ihlefeld and Geißhardt, earned the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves or Knight's Cross while serving with the unit. 1 (J)/LG 2, which is usually referred to simply as 1./LG 2 in official documents, was also the Jagdgruppe which flew the Bf 109 E as a combat aircraft longer than any other and which also scored the most victories with this type. Hptm. Ihlefeld, the unit's Kommandeur, was the Luftwaffe's most successful fighterpilot an the Emil. The unusual emblems and camouflage schemes worn by the aircraft of I. (J)/LG 2 make it one of the Luftwaffe's most colorful fighter units." be interesting to see if the one on the book shows more. Hmm. The B/W in combination may reveal more. One to work on.

The chap I'd ask is @ColFord HTH

Correct link https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2020/03/us-navy-1950s-light-attack-jet-programs.html HTH

Because it's dreadful. Evidently someone found some pretty plans in a book, I suspect the 2nd F.K Mason Hurricane book, which has some pretty plans with his name, and used them. There are a lot of poor Hurricane plans floating about, these are some of them. Without looking at any photos or anything else it seems. it builds well, it's just one of the least accurate Hurricane kits ever issued, pencil nose, very undersized tail, wrong angle on fuselage spine slope are the most visible, but add in trench like panel lines and very off fuselage access hatches it's hopefully never going to see a reissue. Note Airfix have done various Hurricane kits over the years, 72nd Mk,lV in 1957, a 72nd MkI/IIB/IV in 1972, 1/24th Mk.I in 1974, 1/72nd Mk.I in 1978, 1/48th Mk.I in 1979, Airfix also reboxed the Heller IIC kit in the 90's, then the 72nd IIc in 2010, the 72nd fabric wing Mk.I in 2013, 1/48th metal wing Mk.I in 2014. HTH

The Canadian one is a salvaged one, and there is the Mk.II at Hendon, mostly complete, maybe not ideal for LIDAR though, but certainly good enough to measure. One thing they have the data for, and there is a gap, 1/48th Hawker Typhoon, as the Hasegawa kit while decent is now old, and lack proper wheel wells. Another gap is a 72nd Sea Fury, again, research already done. Less likely. but again they have the data, is a Grumman Hellcat, either 72nd or 48th. The Eduard kit lacks proper wheel wells, and has various British schemes. A folded wing option would be another plus, as the only one with this is the flawed Hobby Boss kit. One the subject of replacing legacy tooling, 1/72 Fw190D-9, done twice before, there is one to LIDAR, plenty of camo variations/marking options if like late war Luftwaffe, and the IBG kit is rated a fiddly. If the 1/24th Bf109G-6 goes well, would be a good one in 1/24th as well, given they said they don't want to repeat previous versions.

there are two photos of UP-V here https://asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/RAAF-79Sqn-UP.html plus others of the Sq at same time. HTH

Define late G? It's a very complex subject. I can see AM folks already planning conversions. Some will be easy. A tall tail and rudder (there are several BTW) will get you late G-6 and G-14. Anything with a AS or D engine needs new cowling parts, wide prop blades, but the basic airframe is good, plus tall tail/rudder, kit is set up for this, which will make the AM folks happy, and the cowl parts are already separated. some will need the wide upper wing bulges, some a tall tailwheel. Not a K unless you want a lot of detail work. The K was intended to round up all the late G mods and fix other issues at the same time, so lots of detail changes including new starbaord cockpit wall and instrument panel. This is why Kōtare are just doing a MTT K-4, as they are homogenous. Have a look at Eduard G-10's, 3 factories, plus ongoing modifications. Very complex in detail, in many cases easier to find a scheme to match what can be done easily enough. The blinkin' things only just been announced so wait and see, but there are bound to be various conversions being worked already.....

Pick one with good photos and known werk number. That should pin down most details. Will limit choices but they exist. HTH

Agree on FS34092, Earth Brown is near to FS30099, from memory neither of those Tamiya are anywhere near @Casey ? chip chart from the Red Roo Airacobra book. Sky Blue is very similar to the FS color pale blue used by the Israeli's in the 1970's. I'd need to look up the FS595

Odd, two RAAF Vc queries. The chap for this is @Magpie22 There have been discussions in the past. Xtradecal are not noted for careful research. There have been discussions of this in the past if you have a search. Use Google. HTH