Col.

The box art for the RN FG-1 kit has a front three-quarter view of one being shot off the catapult and is quite striking. Can't remember the kit number but I'm sure KingKit had a few last time I looked. The RAF boxing artwork escapes me for the moment.

Although I know nothing about the machine your model sure looks the part. That exhaust might be due for replacement soon though. Once a mechanic...

While I can't promise anything I'll have a look and let you know.

Periklis, you are clearly crazy! Welcome over, you'll be right at home here Mighty fine work on an ambitious project, you make it look so easy

Given the gaps in all the major manufacturers ranges of so many important aircraft it doesn't come as a surprise to see not only the Draken but most other SAAB products missed out in favour of yet another bloody F-16. While I agree it's a perfectly good machine and has plenty of fans I fail to see how they can justify having quite so many kits on the market.

'Kin hell Graham, never realised quite how big she is 'til now! No wonder you're making the wings detachable.

If truth be told I've had to search for ages to come up with what I've got. Here's most of it. Skyraider 3D's site Pavla Models Firefly Mk.1 page Russian website page Crashed Aussie warbird There are some other photos on my harddrive but can't for the life of me remember where I found them. I'll try to send you them if they are of any help? Haven't seen the Warpaint title so can't comment but there is a From the Cockpit volume I've been told is quite good. As is always the way with these projects it came out shortly after I closed the fuselage halves My main reference is a set of photos Edgar lent me. I'm sure, however, he didn't expect me to hang on to them for so long So needless to say I'm owe him in a big way. Good luck with your build. Realised tonight I've put the rear bulkhead in the observers 'pit too far back and am in the process of ripping it out and making a new one as I type this.

Thanks Oliver, I'll keep it in mind and have a go at the crash-moulded ones first if you don't mind On that subject, spent some time test-fitting one of the slightly fogged mouldings to get some practice today then did a little more work on the pilots seat. Nothing to show yet but at least it's progress. Also found some more walkaround photos on the 'net. Every little helps.

Dunno mate, seen photos of some B-17s returning with several large and crucial chunks missing.

From what I understand such incidents were quite common due to the large formations the USAAF used and, I think, led to the use of specialy marked aircraft as formation reference guides when the units first took off. Also gives testimony to the strength of the B-17 that it could still be flown with such damage.

At least your girl has taste Miroslav, my wife thought the MiG-29 was pretty!

Ooh, didn't realise this was in 72nd! That makes your work all the finer Nick

I'm guessing the simplest solution is to remove the required material from the top cowl and add a sliver of plasticard to shim down the lower cowl corespondingly, thus getting the correct shapes and thrust line after a little extra filler to blend it all in?

May I ask John, is that the new fuselage half on the left and an older kit part on the right?

Good work on such a microscopic kit John. Certainly looks like a nice replica of the Lightning, regardless of the scale. What new techniques did you use?

Nice work so far Periklis. Having seen your work in the Figures section I've no doubt this will look stunning as you continue with her.

I'm with Stephen there, looks really nice Gary. Yes John, far better than the only one in Aberdeen too.

Cheers lads. That F2 would be nice for the sheer size of it Bill, how's the fit of the parts? Good luck with that 48th mix, any chance we'll see a thread on her here? Having had a quick look on Hannants the price of the Hasegawa kit is a little scary given it's issues. Think I'll take your advice and just wait Chris. It's not as if I'm short of other projects at the moment.

Cheers Gary, been looking on Ebay but haven't seen one for a while. Mind you, it might help if I created an account. Kinda hoping it might get re-released but might have to wait a while. Oh well, live in hope. Thanks for the info on the Paragon bits as well, nice to know there's something out there to help me along the way. I take it the Airfix kit is a bit on the basic side? My LMS has one of the F/EF3 kits in, if I knew it was generaly accurate and wouldn't fight me at every oportunity I'd be tempted to get it as a future project.

Cheers mate, if you have that would be great. I was considering making the windscreen from thicker plastic to ensure a scale effect but that would save me a lot of work. Let me know what you want for it if you do have a spare.

Thanks Hatchet, that's cleared up the 72nd kits for me So to get an accurate F3 I'd need the Italeri wings and tail on a Hasegawa fuselage with the Flightpath set to sort out the 'pit and various other bits? Maybe not then Seen a Tamiya kit on Ebay last night but guess that's an Italeri rebox? Anyone care to put me straight on the 48th options, or should I just wait for Trumpeter's current facination with British aircraft to bring us another F3 kit?

A quick update on this one for you Oliver, got a couple of usable transperancies for each canopy moulded today so if I get some time to myself tomorrow I'll have a crack at test-fitting them. This might encourage me to get the seats finished and make the radio unit for the front office.

Looks good Hurrinut, how was the build?

Got in there just before you mate Took a look on Ebay to remind me though Cheers for confirming my suspicions on the Matchbox kit.

OK lads, let me see if I'm getting this correct. In 72nd there is; Matchbox - typically under-detailed and a bit toy-like. Italeri - a bit better but not by much? Revell - the Italeri in a different box. Airfix - same as the 48th job. Hasegawa - best of a bad bunch but needs a new cockpit and decals. In 48th; Airfix - lacking detail and with fit issues? Esci/Italeri (?) - able to be made into a decent replica but rare as rocking-horse poo-poo. In 32nd; Revell - old, rare, crap. Have I missed or gone wrong in my assessment of any? *Edit* Just remembered the Airfix 72nd one.