IanC

Very nice model. Can't wait to have a go at mine. 'First Light' is indeed essential reading. One of the reasons it sold so well is the standard of the writing, which lifts it ahead of many wartime memoirs. It's an accomplished literary work, one of the best books ever written about flying and war. IMHO. Ian

Quick postscript: Thanks to reductions on some models and their 15% Xmas discount, I got the Spitfire Mk I, Tomahawk, P-51 and Fw 190 from Jadlam Models for 18 quid all in. Plus free postage. Thought that wasn't too bad a deal! Ian

That's a superb Lancaster. You've inspired me to order one on the strength of it! Ian

Thanks for the suggestions. The Gladiator, Tiffie, 190 and Emil are definitely on the to get list. Wasn't going to go down the 1/72 route again, but I could do with a bit of cheap and enjoyable modelling - anyone built a Dragon 1/35 panzer lately?

Yes I see that many of the old relics are still in the catalogue, albeit spruced up with excellent new artwork. Almost fell for the Walrus. I've built a fair few kits from other manufacturers over the years, but the last Airfix kit I made was the old Mk I Spitfire - still a good representation I think, in outline at least. I noticed the Matchbox trench digger of yore is still active. His work is quite noticeable on the Bf 110, but I'm hoping it won't look too bad under a few layers of paint. Maybe...

Hello After too long out of the game I've been impressed by the fact that Airfix seems to be undergoing a major renaissance. It's a bit like the 1970s again for me, because suddenly I'm enticed by the outstanding artwork to collect them and maybe make a few of them! I thought I'd ask which of the new tool Second World War aircraft kits you are particularly impressed by? I've already got the Bf 110C and I'm amazed by the overall presentation - colour painting instructions, good decals and a brilliant painting on the box. Not sure how well it goes together though. I will probably build a Spit and the Typhoon, and I'm looking forward to the Blenheims next year. Anyone got any favourites? Ian

"Gerhardt...Bath!!" Great model. Ian

The Imperial War Museum Photograph Archive in London has a few shots of Hurricanes and pilots at Duxford in Jan 1942. The negative numbers which include aircraft are: CH 4543 - a line-up of four aircraft in grey/green camo and small fuselage codes just visible. One appears to just have a non-standard fuselage roundel, with the yellow painted out. CH 4544 - shows pilots doing the obligatory 'scramble' for the photographer in front of three aircraft CH 4546 - an 'erk' chalking a huge and ornate 'Punjab' onto the engine cowling of one aircraft, for the benefit of the photographer, with pilots posing with map in front. CH 4547 - wider shot of the same aircraft, again with pilots posing in front, showing the completed 'Punjab' chalked on the nose. Email [email protected] for ordering details. You may be able to get photocopies sent to you.. Ian

Neatly done so far. Whose paints are you using? Ian

If it's one in emil-lion, I'm sure you can.. +1 Ian

I know the feeling... But didn't someone once say that it doesn't matter if you can't recreate great art. It's enough to know it's there in the world? Ian

John That's one of the best Hurricanes I've seen. A superb piece of work.. To nit-pick irritatingly, your pilot appears to be wearing the later 'War Service Dress' (ie RAF battledress), whereas he should be in the older-style 'Service Dress' (ie longer jacket). He's really well painted though.. Ian

Richard Overy, in his book "The Battle" offers this conclusion: "The German failure to win air supremacy was beyond doubt by October.. Neither side was defeated in any conventional sense. Though the battlefield was littered with the debris of combat, the two fighter forces in October each had around 700 operational aircraft and sufficient numbers of trained pilots to fly them, a balance of forces not very dfferent from the start of the battle. German losses greatly exceeded those of the RAF because of the vulnerablility of bombers and dive-bombers. Between 10 July and 31 October the RAF lost 915 aircraft, the German Air Force 1,733. Losses on both sides were soon made good. The outcome was technically a stalemate. British forces had little prospect of re-entering Europe; German forces could not, under present circumstances, invade or occupy Britain." Technically a stalemate.. Effectively, I'd say it adds up to a victory, as we stopped the Luftwaffe achieve its objectives, but you can maybe see where the 'draw' idea comes from. Ian

Bill I don't think the courage and fortitude of those who lived through these events is in doubt. Neither is the fact that the Luftwaffe completely failed to destroy RAF Fighter Command in the summer of 1940. What is up for discussion perhaps, is the Battle of Britain's wider significance, and how it has been portrayed and perceived by both sides - at the time, and in the years since. It makes for fascinating debate and speculation. While 'revisionism' for its own sake is rightly to be avoided, continuing and rigorous historical research sometimes allows received wisdom and false assumptions to be corrected. It can just as easily serve to confirm the established view - 'myths' are often right! We are of course blessed with hindsight, and we benefit from a level of detailed knowledge denied to many past historians, and in some cases even to the protagonists. Ian

I agree. It's important to challenge 'myths', but not for the sake of it. I think we did 'win' in 1940, but as others have said, that success can only be seen in the context of subsequent events. The victory of 1940 was extricating the core of the army from France, extinguishing any hopes the more optimistic German generals might have had that an invasion could be achieved, and instilling into the population the strength to carry on the fight. I believe a German invasion would have come unstuck irrespective of Fighter Command's state, such were the logistical difficulties, and the fact that Hitler's heart was never in it. The Luftwaffe's failure to cripple the RAF convinced him of that folly. The 'miracle' of Dunkirk, the dogged resistance shown by the RAF over southern England, and Churchill's unshakeable resolve removed any lingering possibility of a negotiated surrender. It prepared the population psychologically for the Blitz, and the long haul to come. That, I think was the real Battle of Britain. I believe Bader got it wrong. The RAF was part of it, but not all of it. Ian

Nice. If you crop in closer and shoot from high angles on that glass table, it looks a bit like it's flying over the sea.. Ian

No. 58 Squadron operated Halifax GR IIs in both the grey/white scheme AND standard bomber colours when they were operating from Stornoway in the latter months of the war. By then most ops were night anti-shipping recces in the Baltic, hence the need for darker colours. Ian

Nice work Scott. Reminds me that I need to get some more done on mine.. Ian

Hi Jon For the record, the photo you posted was taken at Ramatuelle ALG, a few miles south of Saint Tropez on 22 August 1944. Ian

Hi Excellent build. You seem to have got the transparencies to fit very well. They were one of the reasons I ended up chucking mine against the workshop wall... Ian

Yes, I too have enjoyed wallowing in all that nostalgia. I think my first one was a Skyhawk that my mum bought me for being brave after having an injection! Sadly, that trick no longer works... Ian

I've just encountered the same problem. I ordered an Aeroclub vacform canopy from Hannants - ABC086 - which is designed for the Revell 190. Price is £1.17 Ian

Yes, I've bought paints from them recently, and there was no problem with the fact that I'd not ordered plastic as well. Though I was sorely tempted!! Ian

Fraser That's a top job you've done there. The Widow is one of my favourite planes. There's just something purposeful and creepy about it..! I tried and failed to build that kit years ago - was going to do 'Cooper's Snooper' - but it just defeated me. Yours is excellent. Thanks for posting. Ian

OMG - the rigging...! Fantastic! Ian