Duncan B

an interesting story about the Spit.

That looks great, an unusual colour scheme. (and I'd like to see the Halton one make a showing, I'd thought about the same scheme for one of mine)

Ta Dah!!

Aileron droop too.

It's looking really good, keep up the good work.

I do remember reading that the pods had too much of a step between the rows of tubes when viewed from the side, apparently the front cone should be just that when viewed from the side. I'm not sure if there are enough tubes either.

That is a fantastic book, I would recommend it to anyone interested in post war Fighter Command history. There is supposed to be a part 2 coming out covering 1960 onward, which I am eagerly waiting for.

Artur don't go off in the huff now!

2 x drill rounds were normally carried as ballast in the front recesses to help with stability, they would usually have been blue all over but were painted up on this occasion to look more like the real thing.

I've been searching all over for the Aeroclub conversion and have drawn a blank, Odds and Ordnance don't do one either, Model Alliance's conversion is sold out. John Aero maybe it's time to do another run?

I masked and painted my 1/72 190 with this scheme, I am not too proud to say that next time I would use a decal option if it was available, my eyes and fingers were struggling to cope! This one is looking very nice indeed by the way.

A very nice looking 190. Your first attempt at the mottle camo would have looked great on a later mark of 190 but you have got the A3's mottle just right in my opinion. As for canopy masking, I use the adhesive metal foil readily available in LHS. it is super thin so fits tightly into all the corners with the help of a cocktail stick run around the edge. Once pealed off (that'll be the masking, not me!) I give the canopy a quick once over with soapy water or plastic polish on a cotton bud to remove any residue. It is more expensive than tape but gives a razor sharp edge even on the 1/72 scale stuff that I make.

I think you are right about the NF14 front canopy being a different shape as that was the first thing I looked for when I knew I had a problem. I think it is the front panel that is cracked so I'll either cut it out and replace with clear acetate or use the liquid glazing stuff I've got. As the canopy is so thick i have considered just painting the glazed portions black and be done with it.

I'm building the NF11. I don't actually know how bad it is yet as it is still masked but I heard it go crack!

Just don't go dropping something heavy on it once you've got all the sanding done like I did! One of the wings flew off across the room and the upper fwd fuselage split. All this after about 1 week of constant filling and sanding. How I refrained from sending the rest of it into orbit I will never know. Oh yeah, it split the front windscreen too and I've still got to deal with that

In 1983/4 There were still at least 2 aircraft at Leuchars that hadn't been fitted out, IIRC they were both the twin stickers.

Fantastic, I'm really enjoying seeing all your FAA models. Keep them coming.

Cockpit looks good so far.

I know, I'm a wimp! It does look the part but I have had such bad luck with it all the way through that I am fed up with it.

The RWR started to appear in the second half of the '70s and by the early '80s most aircraft across the fleet had them fitted.

I'm still struggling with the Xtrakit boxing, it took lots of filler. I just have to add the details then flat coat it but it has fought me all the way, a real monster which I'll be glad to see finished when I get home. I still have another in the stash but rather than face it I've gone and bought the PJ Productions resin NF11 instead

I have recently used this set and was disappointed as one of the squadron flashes fell apart during application and the carrier film produced a white paste like substance when the decals were slid off the backing paper leaving lumps under the decals. Shame as it covers some interesting schemes.

Indeed. apparently the first time a massed helicopter assault landing had been carried out IIRC.

I haven't received the Hase kit yet, is the fin shape an easy fix, just a swipe with the sanding sticks or is it more serious, anything else to watch out for? I hunted for the Hase kit as I had heard good things about it, also had the markings I needed/craved. If I'm only going to build one, which one is the question?

OK... so that's a no to the matchbox kit then.