Albeback52

"No it is not Tamiya or Hasegawa." Well, that's a relief Otherwise, you'd probably have to sell your children or take out a bank loan to be able to buy them!!

I have an almost complete decal sheet from the Revell 1/32 RF-4C kit.Only item missing is one of the wing walkway decals. If you still need them, drop me a PM here with your name & address and I'll send them to you. Allan

I wouldn't bother.Not worth effort I reckon. How many people who see the completed model would be any the wiser? The model doesn't look any the worse. A bit of judicious paint work will cover a multitude of sins.

My attitude to 1/144 won't change!! ( that's just me being obstinate!!) In my entire modelling life, I have strayed from the Dark Side only twice! The Revell A380 and, the Otaki C-5A Galaxy. Even I think they'd be a tad excessive in the proper 1//72 scale. (Yes, I know the C-5 isn't an airliner but, I'm sure a civil version was planned?). Regardless of scale however, I'll bet your airliners would sell better IF, there was a military version AND, it was included as a kit option offerred (for example) as - Vickers VC10 K2 Tanker (shown on the box) with alternative parts / markings for BOAC Super VC-10? All about presentation.

Albeback52- "I won't build airliners until they're in a proper scale - like 1/72. This is not an unreasonable size for most airliners - at least up to the size of a Boeing 707 ( already done by Heller), DC-8, VC-10, Comet & a whole host of other types. Otherwise , I won't entertain them. I just don't like the smaller scales" there's part of my point right there - a proper scale??? sorry but I dont buy that. 1/72 for the VC10, DC8 and 707....these are physically huge, far too big for the mass market. Give airfix (way way back) credit for recognizing that. Personally I would LOVE to have them in 1/72nd but where would I put them? and how much would they cost? The problem that so many modellers have is that they can be very one-eyed about scale. (no offence intended Albeback) There is no such thing as a 'proper scale'....if you have lots of money and a very big house then sure you can be as self-restricted as you like, and if you want all these in 1/72 then go get the vacform kits from Neil Gaunt - he did most of them Out of curiosity Albeback, did you? No offence taken Kevin Quite the reverse! I'm pleased you responded in such a constructive way. As for a "proper" scale? Well, I define "proper" in this context. Let's just call it a preferred scale. Your point however is very reasonable and, I fully admit to being "one eyed" in this respect. I don't necessarily agree that size is an issue ! (no smutty comments please!!) How do you define "too big for the mass market"? We already have a whole series of KC-135 variants, A 1/72 Boeing 707 (Heller) and, 2 variants of the E-3D AWACS. A Boeing 737, Airbus A320/321/319 or, DC-9 series would ( for example) be roughly the same size as a C-130 in 1/72 Scale. Is the C-130 too big for the mass market? Is a 1/72 scale B-52 too big for the mass market? Clearly, if they sell, then the answer is no! Revell will shortly issue a 1/72 Airbus A400. That is a seriously big aeroplane and, again, is it too big for the mass market in 1/72 scale? Clearly, in this case, Revell does not think so Cost is a tricky one to answer. Airfix would have to pitch the cost low enough to attract sales but high enough to make a decent profit. Modellers seem happy to pay (for example) £135 for Tamiya 1/32 Spitfires or, £100+ for Trumpeter 1/32 Mig -23s or £120+ for Airfix 1/24 Mosquito kits so, I guess if a modeller wants something badly enough, they will pay for it! Space of course IS an issue and, of course, I don't have lots of money OR a big house but, somewhow I manage!! I'm aware of the vac form kits. I don't do vac forms. I don't like them & never have. This opinion is based on experience as,I have actually built several vac forms over the years! These include ; Rareplanes Mc Donnell F3H Demon Rareplanes Avro Vulcan Maintrack Models Hawker P1121 & SR-177. These were all acknowledged to be high quality among the genre but, just not for me. The only reason I built them was because at the time there was no alternative. I persevered & got good results but, quite frankly I considered building them to be too much of a chore. I think part of my problem is that I am fundamentally lazy!! Although I disagree with you on the above points, I totally endorse what you are trying to achieve (even if I won't entertain 1/144!! ) That's my choice and, probably my loss as well! ). When all's said & done,we both enjoy the same hobby so, let's just agree to differ. I suspect that neither of us will change our opinions here!! I genuinely hope that you will achieve something here but, as I said in my earlier post, I think the reality will be somewhat disappointing Allan ps - if you're ever in Edinburgh, I'd be delighted to argue the toss over a few

Nice choice of subjects. Pity they're in the wrong scale Would have bought at least 2 of each if they'd been 1/72 scale! Maybe one day............................!!!

While I acknowledge that the proposal is both genuine & well intentioned, I'm afraid I have to echo the sentiment that it is unfortunately just a pipe dream. My own personal take on this is that I won't build airliners until they're in a proper scale - like 1/72. This is not an unreasonable size for most airliners - at least up to the size of a Boeing 707 ( already done by Heller), DC-8, VC-10, Comet & a whole host of other types. Otherwise , I won't entertain them. I just don't like the smaller scales. The only exception I have made is the Airbus A-380!!I think that might just be a tad TOO large!! The point has been made that military aircraft are better sales prospects. I tend to agree. They get far more media attention for one thing - largely due to the variety of ongoing conflicts. An airliner, quite frankly, is just a bus with wings!. Not very exciting. Would airliner kits they sell better if their miltary equivalent was offered as a kit option? An interesting point. I suspect they might. That still gives plenty of scope for types like The 707, DC-8, Comet, VC-10 (I'd LOVE that one!!! ) Argosy, Brittania etc !. I wish you all the best with your idea but, I think the sad reality is that all that will be achieved is a polite "thank you but no thank you " from Airfix. There is however, absolutely no harm in trying. Nothing venture, nothing gained. I would personally be delighted to be proved wrong in this instance. Allan

It could of course also be said that because there are plenty of nice F-16s, F-18s, Spitfires, Mustangs, P-47s etc that it is also a waste of time & effort for manufacturers to keep on producing yet more of same ............................???

I think that this is one of those "If you have to ask the question, you will never understand the answer" scenarios!! I think the same could apply to the fascination , nay modelling frenzy that surrounded TSR 2 -another type that was, like the Valiant B2, effectively strangled at birth! Oh, while on the subject of those bombs, I 've just had a look at my own copy of the Aerofax book .As Dave said previously, the bombs match those in the Vickers drawing for the bomb bay layout. Perhaps then they ARE at least accurate in that they match the official manufacturers drawings?. Anyway, I don't think it's that important. I'd rather have a bomb bay full of "inaccurate" bombs than no bombs at all! For anyone else who has the book, see page 37

I didn't know those particular accessories existed!!. Thanks for the info though! Nearly 50 bucks is a bit steep!! I could just about buy another Valiant AND enough Hawks to bomb it up at that price!! (Visit to Hobby Craft Edinburgh coming up!!) Actually, I like the idea about the Red Arrows..........................!!!!

Am inclined to agree with this. I guess it's just a matter of personal taste. I don't really have an issue with raised panel lines. They're usually over scale so I just content myself with a light sanding to reduce them. Re scribing is a total pain in the a*** . Only time I ever bother is if I remove a panel line through filing/sanding. It's not unusual therefore to find a mix of raised & inscribed panels on my models!! The previously mentioned Victor is a good example of somwhat overscale panelling but, I just followed my usual approach. I don't think it looks any the worse. Don't have any pics of the results on my Vulcan but, I've (hopefully - photobucket permitting!) attached some photos of my Victor. Definitely a challenge to build but, I enjoyed it! IMG]http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g362/albeback52/003.jpg[/img]

I did just that with my last Vulcan Paul. It worked pretty well. I didn't encounter any major problems. I just clamped the pieces together & left the respective complete upper & lower halves to set for at least 24 hours. With a bit of filing & dry fitting beforehand I actually got a very good fit. The biggest problem on any Vulcan kit is getting a seamless joint on the air intakes!! That was more of an issue than the wings. Certainly, building the Vulcan is a challenge but, nothing a competent modeller can't handle. I think it's worth the effort. Be nice if Airfix could see their way to re-tooling it!

No contest!! The carrier would need a new island! A lot of British aircraft of that era tended to be seriously over-engineered. I believe it used to a standing joke at Vickers that the Vanguard actually started life as a submarine but, then they stuck wings on it....................!!!

No contest!! The carrier would need a new island! A lot of British aircraft of that era tended to be seriously over-engineered. I believe it used to a standing joke at Vickers that the Vanguard actually started life as a submarine but, then they stuck wings on it....................!!!

I think a B2 is way beyond my modest skills! I 'd prefer to wait for a conversion set. I don't normally spend my limited readies on expensive accessories but, I think this is one occasion I might have to bite the bullet!! As for the bombs? What the hell!! A bomb's a bomb! My first Valiant has its bomb bay stuffed full of those little whizz bangs & it doesn't look any the worse for it. I'm happy with it. Besides, I don't have 21 "proper" British H E bombs to spare! Doubtless someone will produce a set of British 1000lb HE bombs in resin at a cost equivalent to the Valiant kit itself.......................!!! One down, 4 more to go.......................................!!!!!

Know what you mean about the lack of room!! Even in that silly 1/144 tiddler scale, the A-380 is seriously big!. Don't think I'll tackle another Heller one though! Modelling is supposed to be fun! Building that monster was a bit of a trial. I'll stick to the Revell one! Building that was a piece of cake. Only major fit problem I had was the one piece lower fuselage insert.. Built 2 now. One in Virgin Atlantic ( using the Brazil Decals sheet) & one in British Airways - in the PROPER BA scheme( the "Landor" scheme!). I hate that silly squashed Union Flag effort on the tail of the current paint job!! ps -No, I don't like 1/144!! I don't normally do airliners but, having seen a real A380 in the flesh at Dubai ( & subsequently at Heathrow), I just HAD to get me one of those !!( well, 4 actually!!).

: Better believe it!! If ever a model deserved the title of "Putty Queen", the Heller A380 is it!! I needed a few of after I'd finished!! Having said that,it's a seriously big & impressive model and the poor fit is nothing that cant be handled (with a LOT of patience & effort!!)

Anybody know anything about this one? Hannants have it advertised as a future release. Haven't been able to find out much on the internet.Please tell me it isn't yet another rehash of the ancient FROG kit? "Fly have confirmed their release schedule for the new Whitley kits as follows. A.W. Whitley Mk V Due July 2011 A.W. Whitley GR Mk VII Due August 2011 A.W. Whitley Mk I/II/III due December 2011"

Pretty good value at £15.99. It seems to have escaped the scrutiny of the Italeri price monster!!

Ah!! Forgot about Parcel Farce. Mind you, I've had several fairly large kits from the U S recently & none were "intercepted". This particular kit was selling for silly prices on evilbay up to now so, I hope it becomes generally available.

Phew! That's about £35!! Not bad for a huge model like that! Postage from the US will probably be hefty but, I'd bet it'll still be cheaper overall than good old rip off Britain!

Agree with the comment re Halfords Acrylics. I have about 6 different metallics in my stash at the moment. Nissan Silver would probably be the best match for you. Humbrol Metalcote finishes are good & I also use Humbrol 191 -Chrome Silver. I don't have an airbrush so metallic finishes all come out of a rattle can !! Until that is, manufacturers finally open their eyes ( and minds) to the fact that not all modellers have airbrushes & might like metallic finishes that can be BRUSH PAINTED!! ,

Ouch indeed!! Don't think it will be appearing in my stash any time soon!! I built one of the Academy originals a few years back. It's a nice kit & it was very reasonably priced. I think I paid £14.99 or thereabouts. Is the "new" Airfix B-17G someone else's reboxed as well? Don't think I'll be paying £26.95 when I can get a Revell B-17 for a tenner less! Getting off track slightly, current Italeri pricing does NOT bode well for the forthcoming Sunderland kit!!

Know the feeling!! Still, 1 months council tax or, 2 new Heinkels? Hmmm! No contest really!! Trip to Wonderland methinks!!

For anyone who is interested, the Revell 1/32 Heinkel HE-111 appears to be available now. I got an email today from my favourite modelling emporium!! Pictures available. Looks good!. I always did like the look of the Heinkel! Go well with my JU-88! A 1/32 Dornier DO-17/215/217 would be nice!! Price is quite reasonable I think. I dread to imagine what the likes of Hasegawa/Trumpeter/Tamiya etc would be asking for a kit like this! check out at www.wonderlandmodels.com