Mark72

I particularly liked the connection to the 355th's operations to the (then) present day - A-10As were a common sight locally, especially as Alconbury latterly supplemented the Woodbridge/Bentwaters contingent. For a long time I imagined that the Tornado displayed in Red Zebra markings, but the BoB 50th anniversary wasn't for another two years - it becomes hazier with age! I do remember Fred Grundy arriving before the previous display had finished and then spent the next 10 minutes performing low speed figure of eights a couple of miles away awaiting his turn prior to his trademark low level, high speed entry display. The immediate area has so much history (Wyton, Tempsford, Gransden Lodge (flew a glider over there a couple of years ago), Bassingbourn...). This year it will be Thorpe Abbotts and the Old Buckenham airshow (Typhoon!)....

Impressive modelling!! Back in 1988 I went to what was considered at that time to be the last reunion of veterans who were based at Steeple Morden - I don't know whether there were any more after that - which was the third reunion since the completion of the memorial to the 355th FG (The Steeple Morden Strafers). On the day there were nothing more than a few huts remaining - any visible trace from ground level of the runways gone, having long since been ploughed under arable crops, but probably still discernable from the air. Although I live fairly close by I haven't driven past the airfield recently but I would expect that the memorial (incorporating a spinner and propellor) continues to be well maintained. How about this for the day's flying display too...

As a direct result of your build and photos I immediately bought this kit - along with Reskit exhaust and wheels, Master pitot tube and CMK seat - if mine is anywhere near as good as yours I will be very happy!! My very best wishes... Mark

There's one just like that on RMWeb....no, wait a minute... Looks good on either and both!!

👍 Good spot!!

During the Last Lightning Show (1987) the general public were allowed to sit in a Lightning cockpit and have a photograph taken in exchange for a contribution (I still have the print* somewhere) - the only caveat was that you had to empty your pockets of loose change first...very dangerous having coins flying around loose when on a sortie... I don't remember the same rule applied when sitting in an F-111 cockpit at a Wyton airshow a few years earlier though. *younger readers might want to Google this!!

Yes, their airshows were good (as were Wyton's during the same era) - if I can find them, I'll scan some photos I took there (remember 24 or 36 exposure films?!!)...

It was, and it was also noisy!! Not forgetting the TR-1s too...

FlightRadar24 suggests ZH103 was flying a figure of 8 stretching from Peterborough to Norwich earlier today...it makes for an impressive screenshot!!

Hello General M Yes, it was an excellent article, fully supported by the photographs. My Google search turned up the Dowty diagrams but was none the wiser until your post - many thanks! I'm very much looking forward to this kit - there are currently three on pre-order. Am I the only one to fall into the trap of firstly buying the latest magazine edition online and then buying the paper version too, because it's easier (for me) to read? I keep saying one or the other but not both, but that hasn't worked so far!! Best regards Mark

I'm reading what is otherwise a good review with lots of photographs in the latest AMW, but it is stated that in addition to the removal of 'museum supports', the "prominent cylindrical separator jacks and level indicators are missing from (Airfix's) upper bogie shock absorbers". Perhaps all will become clear when the respective kit components can be inspected, but what on earth are these?! A Google search hasn't helped... Mark

...and available from Jadlam (no connection) for less than £20 including UK postage (the Airfix version is less than £25)!! Excellent modelling!!

...that's assuming that the delivery service employed by Airfix shakes off its' current incompetence...their delivery depot is in the next town 6 miles away yet they couldn't find the biggest Sainsbury's for miles around (they even have to drive past it!) and took my consignment of two Victors back to the depot. Either they - or their driver - are in the wrong business...aagghh!!

...two Xtradecal sheets already in the pipeline...didn't take long!!

No, it includes replacement (extended) wing tips, tail cone and bomb bay. Decals will also have to be found elsewhere - but Freightdog's website suggests where to find them.

Edge - thanks for providing the link. I knew about their imminent release as I had subscribed to Colin's email updates...it took about half a second for me to have two on order!! Mark

Wrong scale, I know, but check Freightdog's website - they are just about to re-release a 1/72 resin set converting the K2 back to a B2 and the photos show replacement components for the wingtips (amongst other things).... I've just ordered two sets....

Thank you - that's confirmed that only the fuselage halves are missing... I contacted Airfix via their website link, but they also show an email address too. I got an automated acknowledgement back really quickly. Good luck. Mark

No - there's no sprue diagram - I'll just wait for a long, thin package from Hornby - as GordonD points out they are quite small and easy to overlook!!

There's a message now en route to them...so near and yet so far. The upside is that it will take me months to get to the point of needing the fuselage (every cloud...)! Many thanks Mark

Many thanks - I've got a central wing section on its' own in a poly bag which is just big enough for that component. Airfix here I come...

Despite a box crammed full of bagged sprues - and not a lot of room left inside - mine is missing two, erm, key components: - fuselage halves!! Can anyone confirm whether they are packed loose and not attached to any other components. I looked twice both in disbelief and to ensure I wasn't having a moment of plastic blindness! I'm just about to send a request to Airfix, but with so many parts I'm not sure if anything else is missing!! Other than that...wow... Thanks,

I've seen the aircraft several times over the last few weeks flying over and around Stevenage seemingly en route to Luton (see What's Flying Over Your House) - tonight one appeared to take off eastwards from Luton and then turn due north over the Stevenage north A1 junction - going back home to Waddington? I originally thought the first had gone unserviceable...but I hope they are more reliable than requiring frequent visits!!

...it might have been the same one circling three times (the final time with the undercarriage lowered) - I saw it/them too - a repeat of 17 May (see What's Flying Over Your House thread)...

...another E-3 Sentry circling Stevenage as though en route to Luton airport (3 times at the last count) - a repeat of the 17 May event...