davepb

Hi Mike, welcome back to the cold and wet! This may be a source of information: https://www.alleycatmodels.co.uk/basler-bt-67-guatemala-air-force-6606-p.asp You could try sweet talking the "management". Cheers, Dave

Alan is very quick to respond to requests. That list looks very tempting, but getting that Buccaneer or Vulcan past SWMBO would be a major undertaking. Dave

Hi Kirk, PM me your postal address, and I'll get the nose off to you. Dave

I'll see if I've got one in my box. The mold started to get a bit rough. I'll let you know. Cheers, Dave

Lovely job. I'vemade a resin casting of the nose, simple replacement of the nose cone. Also have pictures of the cockpit conversions to the RH seat, with HUD and joystick. Dave

Hi Dave G, I've managed to remove the film. It is a self-adhesive film, about the same thickness as clingfilm, and covers both sides of the fret. I notice that the Super VC-10 fret has the same covering. Once you have some form of purchase, holding the fret onto a flat surface, you can gradually fold the film back. Repeat for the other side! Watch out for small items coming adrift!! Thanks for your response, but a photo doesn't really show the problem. Cheers, Dave,

Hi, I'm busy detailing the Revell 1/144 scale Concorde, using the Metallic details set. The brass etch look good, but can anyone tell me how to remove the protective film from the fret? It is not the resist, but it looks like a very thin cellophane wrap. It does stop small parts becoming snagged when handling the sheet. Any guidance would be very welcome. Cheers, Dave

Be aware that the breakwater on the Atlantic Models is incorrect. This link to the builders model of HMS Alamein gives loads of useful info: Vhttps://stefsap.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/hms-alamein-dd-builders-model/ Corrected gun turrets and torpedo tubes can be obtained from https://www.shapeways.com/shops/micro-master. Well worth looking at his site, he is soon producing the single 4.5" for the later '43 build Battles, and all of his stuff can be obtained at the correct scale! Dave

If someone is able to achieve this, could they also cater for 1/144 scale modellers? I suppose it is a question of copyright on the design. Who owns the copyright for Model Alliance decals?

Just checked the Amazon Website. The book is advertised at £26.00. I've also pre-ordered the second volume, British Naval Weapons of World War Two:The John Lambert Collection, Volume II: Escort and Minesweeper Weapons

I didn't have to search for the discount, it was offered at that price when announced on Amazon. In fact they made a further discount before delivery! I don't have the earlier book by Hodges and Friedman, but I do have British Destroyers by Edgar J Marsh, which gives a good history of the development of the type. This new book is evidently trying to complete John Lambert's project he was undertaking at the time of his death. The intention is to produce a series of books, with Escorts and Minesweepers as the next volume.

Just received my copy of this book, Volume 1: Destroyer Weapons. For anyone modelling this era, an invaluable resource. The only problem I can see is that you'll get so immersed in reading it you won't have time to do any modelling There is an excellent introduction by Norman Friedman that includes a multitude of useful photographs and drawings. Well worth the outlay of under £30.00!!! Dave

No. they were designed for the Easter Express moulding. Bra.Z Models said that Eastern Express had got the internal diameter too small - hence the problem!

I always heard them referred to as "Commissioned Ballast"!

Sorry, a quick glance had made me think he was offering a conversion kit!

Has this bloke ever looked at pictures or plans on the Gannet AEW.3? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-48-Fairy-Gannet-AEW-3-resin-conversion-of-Classic-Airframes-kit/113602106281?hash=item1a733693a9:g:bgcAAOSwK5tcJjh7:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Mine has arrived (had to pretend it was a present from son to get it past SWMBO) but it is lovely! Looks like the real thing, which is more than can be said about an offering on a certain auction site! Must have a go at filling the observers' compartment, especially with the hatches already cut out. Some careful thinning will be required!! Dave

See my comment on this set at

AEW Gannet!

Thanks Ewen,, time for a little more research!

Hi Graham, are you going to build her with or without sweep gear? I'm going for the earlier fit as shown in the photo. I'm on a half promise from Mike at Starling models of sweep gear from his Algerine class. I can also recommend Brian Lavery's book "River Class Frigates and the Battle of the Atlantic". Cheers, Dave

Looking at the picture under greater magnification, the Ensign is flying from the gaff on the mainmast, but is blowing away to starboard. There is a dark rectangle visible, which is the Union flag in the corner of the Ensign. The item at the top of the foremast turns out to be some sort of aerial fit, more visible on a later picture of HMS Wear. Here is a link to that picture advertised on Ebay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/rp17875-Royal-Navy-Warship-HMS-Wear-K230-built-1942-photo-6x4-/391904435762 Cheers, Dave

Yes, ship's company are fallen in for entry into harbour, but there are a lot of people "out of the rig of the day!" Ties in with the arrival of Convoy SL125 (http://www.naval-history.net/xDKEscorts15Fr-River3.htm)

Hi, can anyone identify the flag at the mast head on this photograph of HMS Wear K-230. I presume the flag and pennants to starboard are K230. Looks like a good subject for weathering! I'm a little puzzled by the hull colour below the quaterdeck. Is it just shadow or camouflage? Doesn,t appear to match the suggested scheme. This entry in U-boat net suggests a reason for the crowded decks! " 30 Mar 1943 HMS Wear (T/Lt. C.J. Alldridge, RNR) picks up 97 men from the British merchant Nagara that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-404 about 425 miles northwest of Cape Finisterre in position 46°50'N, 16°40'W. The Nagara founders on 4 April 1943 in position 47°52'N, 14°03'W while in tow of the British rescue tug HMRT Dexterous. HMS Wear also picks up 46 survivors from the British merchant Empire Bowman that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-404 about 425 miles northwest of Cape Finisterre in position 47°26'N, 15°53'W. HMS Wear also picks up 103 survivors from the British merchant Umaria that was torpedoed and damaged by German U-boat U-662 about 425 miles northwest of Cape Finisterre in position 46°44'N, 16°38'W. Wear then scuttles the wreck of the Umaria with gunfire." Dave