XF442

Interesting. Is this going to become one of those red-white-grey Hunters of 4FTS? (I'm after that Xtradecal set for years ... )

I wonder why there are no pictures of (parts of) the hull, only bow and anchor. The other pictures show more or less large debris. Did Musashi disintegrate THAT much when it went down? I remember having read of underwater explosions... http://www.paulallen.com/Galleries/Musashi-Discovery

Revell re-issued its big FGA.9 kit last year including 1 Squadron decals, this is probably the kit you are looking at. I used a first issue kit from the late 90s. The decals which came with the Revell kit were printed out of register, so I also had to loot the decal sheet from an F.6 kit. The 1 Squadron nose decals as well as the serial numbers originate from an ancient Echelon vacuform kit. Cheers Chris

Go for the Revell kit, it is a joy to build. If you don't find one at short notice, I might have one to spare (on the German side of the Alps...). I build XF442 myself some years ago (hence the highly imaginative user name) using the 1/32 kit. You might find the following pictures useful: http://www.na3t.org/air/photo/MIL22762 http://www.na3t.org/air/photo/MIL22761http://www.na3t.org/air/photo/MIL22761 Dont't know, if she was wearing the white wing tips at the time when flying through the bridge. There is a painting, depicting her without them here: http://www.rafjever.org/4sqnper004.htm

Hi all, I recently dug out Airfix' Bristol Superfreighter which I started a couple of years ago. I decided to have a go at it again and currently I am filing new windows out of a CD-case. The kit will eventually be finished in the colours of British Air Ferries' G-APAU even though there are differences in the doors and window layout along several other inaccuracies. Sadly S&M Decals only provide a side view of the aircraft and give only very basic paint instructions. Does anyone know, which grey paint was used on the fuselage? And the wings? Regarding the inside of the kit I was going to paint the hold silver and the passenger compartment grey/dark grey (no need to look inside...). But what about the cockpit deck?

Hi Clive, I am sorry, but in this case I just do not understand what you're describing. I measured the angle as shown above on different photos on the net. The procedure maybe crude but is reproducible - the results are always very exactly 40°. What datum line do you use? Thanks, that confirms what I have been suspecting. I used to understand that the probe was a permanent attachment to the 9R and not some kind of "add-on" parts until I started encountering several pictures of probe lacking but tank carrying aircraft. However, it never occured to me that they may have been more "off" then "on". What a shame Airfix messed the painting instructions that much up. By the way: For a short time I actually thought of changing "B" to "Q". Did you notice that the aircraft in the 1963 shot is lacking the front and rear fence of vortex generators? I am not able to chop them off without ruining the finish ... http://www.millionmonkeytheater.com/javelinpics/xh887.jpg I'd like to ask something else: Did you really had to change the inner pylon depending on using underwing tanks or missiles?

Clive, I just took out the decals from my second kit. The fin flash is 38mm / 1.5" wide while the height is 38.5mm / well a bit over 1.5". Probably the idea was to attach the decal to the painted fin before inserting it into the slot in the upper fuselage. 38.5mm minus 5.5mm (the depth of the slot) is about 33mm or 1,3". It's difficult to measure the sweep. Taking one of the horizontal panel lines on the fin as a reference I measure the angle to be ~40°. Regarding 893: I actually found ONE picture of it as "V" of 64 Squadron. Ironically the plane is not equipped with a refuelling probe at all (but at least with underwing tanks): http://www.millionmonkeytheater.com/javelinpics/xh893.jpg

Beautiful work, beautiful Hunter! I built one myself a few years ago and loved it, hence my username and avatar.

Well, I don't know what "conformed" means, but the raised vortex generators are brush painted...

Phil, as a starting point the kit is so well engineered that you don't need superior skills. Ahh, sorry, I was talking about the kit's fin flash. Airfix provides you with a single decal for both sides of the fin to cover the leading edge as well. While I really appreciate the idea, in place the decal looks kind of tilted compared to the surrounding panel lines. Of course I noticed this (and the height issue) only after having applied the decal. I did not want to risk ruining it so I carefully cut it at the leading edge to correct at least the angle and touched it up with paint afterwards. The ejector seats I will probably rework when I build my second one, most likely XH905 from the Xtradecal sheet.

Ingo, I ended up cutting the decal in half while messing with it on the fin. I found the angle doesn't fit perfectly when wrapped around the leading edge. On the positive side, they worked great with Gunze decal softer. Its the new 1/48 Airfix kit. IMHO a pure joy to build. My compliments to the engineer. @ all: Glad you like it.

Hi there, time to show some proof of life and post my latest roll-out: Airfix new Javelin. I am really enthusiastic about the kit and its design, even if there are some shortcomings with the instructions. Apart from replacing some details with wire the kit is basically OOB. Anyway, halfway through the build I decided not to depict XH893 (the boxart Javelin) but XH887 due to it having an uncamouflaged refuelling probe. Having received Xtradecal Javelin sheet I noticed that on the kit's decals the font of the underwing serial is far too "edgy" but chose not to correct it. The underwing "7" and the serials at the air intakes are all that was used from the Xtradecal sheet. XH887 was built as FAW.7 and converted to FAW.9 and later to FAW.9R. While on duty as "B" with 64 Squadron at RAF Tengah, Singapore, the plane was lost in November 1965. The undercarriage malfunctioned and the crew decided to eject over the sea. Sadly, another Javelin crashed into the sea while searching for them, killing its pilot. The surviving three aircrew were eventually rescued. Too late did I notice that the provided fin flash actually is far too high, this led to some compromises with the squadron badge. Compare it with a picture of XH887 during its time with 64 Squadron at Duxford in 1962/63: http://www.millionmonkeytheater.com/javelinpics/xh887.jpg The ejector seats could do with some harness... Note that when fitting a mixed load of tanks and Firestreaks the kit's instructions want you to place the tanks under the outer pylons. I have been unable to verify this on photos on the net. On the ones I did find the tanks were always placed inboard and the missiles outboard. Fitting a single pair of Firestreaks they were usually placed on the outer pylons. The cut-out-decals fit superbly over the vortex generators. They are on the other hand so brittle that I removed the moulded airflow sensor(?) from the wing and recreated it with wire. Looks more realistic anyway ... High Speed Silver I usually substitute with Revell 99 (Aluminium). Don't tell anyone. I am no expert on RAF camouflage but wonder whether the plane could have been painted with light aircraft grey... Any kind of critique is highly appreciated.

Hi all, how the situation regarding aftermarket parts? I was told the propeller blades are candidates for replacement. I don't have the kit yet, but already I am looking for postwar exhausts and the "boxy" air intakes atop of the cowlings (for example as seen on 44-29507 Sarinah)- although looking at the sprues I possibly might be able to scratch them myself...

A user on flugzeugforum.de found the following links. Videos anyone? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFe8CsOdoG8...;feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9LsK74J_W0

This is bizarre. In Germany the law requries to cover every swastika on a model kit when showing it to the public. It never entered my mind that one day I even might be forced to do the same thing with the roundels on my RAF-models ...

Hi Neil, I'd like to add that Airwaves did a small "set" (fret?) of photo etched parts for the Whitley. IIRC it contained mainly cockpit parts as well as the rear door and some ASW-antennas. Don't know if it is still on sale. Cheers Chris

Looking really great! When the Fly kit was annonced I quickly disposed of my Frogspan in anticipation, but was then put off again by the alleged bad fit of Fly's kit. Looking at the result you achieved, I am again tempted to buy, sorry, build one myself...

Hi all, thanks for your replies! I don't think we have Halfords over here but Humbrol sounds interesting. I'll check if my usual suppliers stock them.

I got my example on December 15th, so I presume it was one of those first to be delivered. It did not have any warping issues, although there was a negligible bit of flash on some minor parts. There are some sink marks on the fuselage where the connecting pins are located.

Hi all, I want to paint an Airfix Sea Vixen in the red and yellow colours (BS381C:537 and BS381C:356) of a D.3 aircraft, most likely XN652. I prefer working with acrylic paints. I once used Xtracrylix "red BS381C:537" when painting a Hunter but in my eyes the colour turned out to be too orange-ish (see picture). Does anyone know a better fitting / looking acrylic alternative? I really don't want to nix it myself...

Very nice! I like the subtle way of shading and weathering. Did you use the kit exhausts by the way?

You're right, you have to check each aircraft individually. Sadly the thought that there might be variations of this pattern never entered into my mind ... Probably Airdoc thought the same. I had a look at the aircraft featured in the instruction sheet: For some their pattern is correct but for others it is clearly "wrong". However, most people won't even notice it unless you tell them so ... ( but knowing it yourself is still quite annoying )

Hi Andy, "check" this out, I think you'll understand what I was trying to explain. To the right (starboard) side of each roundel the checker colours are printed reversed.

Hi all, I started this kit for the Phantom II GB but unfortunately did not finish her before the deadline. It is the Revell/Hasgawa kit which apart from resin ejector seats was built using Aires resin exhausts and AIRDOC decals - sadly both of the latter sets turned out to be plagued by some quite annoying errors. The exhaust nozzles were too small in diameter while the large 92 Sqn checkers are printed with reversed colours on the starboard side and slightly out of register ... Anyway in the end I still enjoyed building the kit very much. The model depicts XV471, a FGR.2 which made a lasting impression to Germany when she punched a hole in the ground near Wildenrath on July 3rd. 1986, fortunately without loss of life. However, at that time she had gone on to serve with 19 Sqn. That's it. I hope you like it. Edit: Date of crash corrected

Have you tried holding it in front of a bright lamp? Depending on the thickness of the plastic the holes might show up so you know where to drill from the outside.