Albeback52

Largely agree with the first post here. While I was a bit disappointed by the somewhat thin static display (perhaps all those years of going to Fairford has spoiled me? ), overall, it was a good day. You can certainly NEVER have too many Hunters!! I sacrificed my Fairford trip to do Waddington this year - a decision based largely on previous reviews of the show. Normally, I do Saturday & Sunday at Fairford but, there wasn't enough, in my view, to justify both days at Waddington. Maybe I'm making an unfair comparison? I had originally planned to do both days but, when I saw the participation list, I just couldn't justify the expense - especially as I had to travel by train from Edinburgh and book accomodation in Lincoln ( a beautiful city by the way. My first time there). Sorry if I sound a bit negative. I'm certainly not having a go at the organisers - I think they did a great job with what they had. Add to that the glorious weather & the chance to sample some fine ales in equally fine local pubs & it was overall, an enjoyable weekend. For those of you expressing interest in the OV-10 Bronco ( VERY nice to see that one!), it is displaying at East Fortune on July 23rd. Of course, that's not much use unless you fancy a trip to Edinburgh! I can certainly recommend some good pubs for anyone that does venture up here!! ( entry to the Museum of Flight is part of the airshow ticket price as well & it's well worth a visit) ps - did anybody else find that cheesy commentary & awful music during the Thunderbirds display as seriously irritating as I did? pps - excellent shots by the way. Can't remember the last time I saw 2 Vulcans in one day!! I'd put some of my own shots on here but, Photobucket & I are having a bit of a disagreement right now!

Looks like another trip to Halfords for me for MORE appliance white!! Lol!! I think the Valiant would look nice in the Sand/Mid Stone/ Black scheme!. ps - well done!

"I'm kinda really disappointed with Italeri of late. Not so much the kits - I think they tended to get more of a bad rap than they ever really deserved - but more the pricing. The thing I loved about the Italero of old was that their pricing was really competitive, 19 years ago I remember their new Torando kit being half the price of the Airfix one which came out at around the same time, and stuff like the Hawk, Mirage 2000 and the helos were astoshingly good kits for the lower retail price. Ditto their reboxings of the old Trimaster kits like the FW190 - a tenner, genius! But now? A tenner for a repopped ESCI 1/72 armour kit from 40 years ago? I guess their loss is Airfix and Revell's gain." Inclined to agree.with the above quotes. I never had any issues with the generally good quality of the models. It's the prices!! A couple of years ago, I bought both the Italeri ME-323 Gigant and, Heinkel HE-111 Zwilling from a well known retailer of second hand & discontinued kits priced respectively at £23.99 and, £19.99. Now, the rrp of the ME323 & ME321 is around the £40 mark. Now, they are HUGE models & you get a lot of bits for your money but, even so.................!!! Kind of makes you worry about what the r r p of the forthcoming Sunderland kit will be. As I said earlier, excessive pricing by some manufacturers has compelled me to make inroads into my stash - especially my little hoard of vintage Airfix! I really don't give a toss about whether they are accurate or not.If they look like the picture on the box, that's good enough for me! I simply enjoy putting my time to good use by getting the best I can just by using what comes out of the box. Simple pleasures!! Purists will doubtless shudder at some of these ( no offence lads & lasses! ) but, what the hell!! On my workbench as we speak are the Airfix DH-88 Comet & Mirage III. The former by the way is a year older than me!!

It was a typo Julien - the price is actually £35.80 ( per review in this months Scale Aircraft Modelling). Even so, it's STILL more expensive than the Tamiya kit!! The reviewer also points out that the "kit is showing its age & has been outclassed by subsequent releases". You do get 6 decal options but, that hardly warrants the price hike!! Apologies to everyone for the error! Hope you didn't regurgitate your breakfasts upon reading my erroneous posting!

Just got one of my regular email updates from Wonderland today. The Italeri B-17 is going for £34.99 ( r r p). Twice the cost of the Revell B-17. I like the Italeri Dorniers( I don't give a toss about the panel lines!! - I just sand them off!! )I have 2 in my stash for a couple of World War 2 "what ifs" but, I certainly won't be paying nearly £30 for any more. I won't be paying nearly £35 for their B-17 either. I also noticed their 1/48 Skyraider is now nearly £45?? Looks like Italeri is now going to be added to my "banned" list! OK - Nobody is actually forced to pay these prices & it boils down to personal choice but, I agree the sentiments expressed by the above quote. Thank the maker for the likes of Airfix & Revell!! I am actually now making inroads into my own stash so, I dont anticipate any new purchases for some time.( at least until the Revell Airbus A400 becomes available!!)

]Sorry folks for the incomplete previous post. I had attempted to add some photos of my TU-22 Blinder in non-airbrushed natural metal finish but, I am being SERIOUSLY f***** about by photobucket!! I thnk this bucket is about to be kicked!!! Will try again later. However, in reply to the original question, I prefer to paint all my models the proper way so, I don't have an airbrush either. The colours used ; Humbrol 56 Aluminium Humbrol Chrome Silver 191 Metalcote Polished Aluminium

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Thanks Jennings! Definitely going to give it try

While I generally agree that the fit of the parts is perhaps not as good as it might be !( )I do not believe there is anything wrong with the kit that a bit of careful planning won't fix. It's worth the effort I reckon. On my own Vulcan kits, I used thin strips of plastic sheet on the top & bottom joining edges. Simples! It worked beautifully & all I had to do was sand down the excess. No filling required. I think the REAL problem is getting a seamless joint in the air intakes!! It's do-able but needs patience! It's also worth the effort. I took the easy way out on my Victor - intake blanks!!! While it's a challenge to build, I enjoyed building mine & I have 2 more to go!!. Be nice if Airfix did an upgrade/remould. I suspect that many of the fit problems are not necessarily due to poor engineering but more to do with moulding limitations at the time - 1983 was it? There have been other useful tips here ( I didn't know about the freezer one!!). Stick with it & good luck! Just a passing thought, has anyone tried gluing the upper & lower wing halves to their respective fuselage halves & THEN fitting the complete upper & lower assemblies together? I'm tempted to try it on my next Vulcan.

Yes, I'm sure I remember seeing this kit in an earlier Revell incarnation. Regardless of accuracy or otherwise I didn't buy it then & I won't buy it now. (In)accuracy has nothing to do with it. I don't do 1/144 tiddler scale.

Absolutely! I have recently turned to the "dark side" ( what if modelling!) Don't know why I didn't do it earlier. While designing is beyond me, I can at least let my imagination run riot and add my own personal touches with my "what might have beens". Besides, nobody can EVER say that a "what if" is inaccurate as, the "real" subject does not exist! In addition to my B-52J ( currently undergoing major rebuild following an accident involving a vacuum cleaner!!) with its 6 CFM -56 engines, winglets & butterly tail AND, my TU-22 "Firestorm" (long range interceptor verion of the TU-22 "Blinder", I have the following projects on my "what if " list ; Boeing B-56 ( actually a B-47 with 4 J57 engines!!).Currently under construction, this one will be a British operated test aircraft assigned to the Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment. This beautiful aircraft will look really neat in the "raspberry ripple" paint scheme! (this is based on an actual proposal for a re engined B-47) McDonnell XF-88 - this will be built as the F-88 Tactical fighter following cancellation of the F-84 Thunderstreak! ( I have 2 of the old Lindberg 1/48 XF-88 kits) Westland/ Douglas Firedrake A1 ( a k a Westland Wyvern) - a licence built replacement for the Douglas Skyraider to be used by the USAF/ US Navy. Boeing/ Airbus A380M Samson miltary transport - the replacement for the Lockheed C5B! (I'm sure THAT one will get a few noses out of joint!! - no offence of any kind intended! It's just a bit of fun!) XB-70 Valkyrie with GTD-21 Drone R R Trent engined Lockheed Galaxy C1 ( RAF) Poetic licence or sheer insanity!! Take your pick!! Personally, modelling has never been so much fun!

Than you John.That was a nice compliment about my Vulcan . I appreciate it! You know, it never occurred to me to build a USAF version!. I think you have just inspired me to build another!! It would look good in S E Asia Camouflage!! Actually, it's a 4 seater - the rear crew situated behind & slightly below the tandem cockpit . I have since drilled out a couple of windows to show where the rear cockpit is!.

Would have thought there'd be a ready market for flap sets as accessories.

Given the wisdom & common sense approach of our present government in regard to defence spending, I suggest the likelihood of these aircraft ever reaching UK service is about zero squared. More chance of seeing pigs fly so, why don't we just paint our models pink!

...and if I could just add Beverley Brittania Andover York Belfast ( yes, I know you listed it but, I'd like to list it again!! ) Comet (all versions) Avro Tudor Argonaut and also, how about a new B-47 B-52 Short Stirling Hampden Whitley 1/72 Scale please - none of this 1/144 tiddler scale nonsense!! Not that I ask much! I sometimes despair at the often unimaginative & repetitive "new" subjects that are foisted on us . Mere mention of yet more Spitfires,Mustangs, F-16s etc etc just sends me on a trip to Yawnorama City. As for "limited interest" in certain subjects? Well, if Revell can justify producing 2 versions of a kit for the Junkers JU-290 ( only 25 or so real ones built!) and, the Blohm & Voss BV-222 ( another splendid kit!) or, Italeri can kit a large GLIDER!! ( Messerschmitt ME-321) and, its powered version ( ME-323) then surely there is a place for many of the items listed by myself and others? Enough of the fantasies! Time to take my pills!

:: Fair comments. I suspect that many of us on this little island DO tend to forget just how vast the USA is! I think I am just as guilty of that myself. As far as the SR-71 is concerned, I am fortunate enough to have seen this magnificent beast at Mildenhall, Farnborough & Fairford. All flying! Unforgettable. Only thing better than a Vulcan!! ( or Valiant!!)

Or, how many end up in the "what if " forum!!

Cue- sigh of relief!!. A 1/72 C-17 would be nice as well!!

Have 2 Victors & 2 Vulcans. Need at least 3 Valiants!! ( possibly more if some kind soul comes up with a Valiant B2 conversion set!!

Couldn't agree more! The Mk 2 looked really mean!! I'm not usually one for buying after market bits & pieces but, if someone produced a conversion set, I'd probably buy at least 3!!!

Maybe they will and, I hope they eventually might. However, for my money, they've made a wise decision. Regardless of how good,bad or indifferent the available C-130 kits are, there is plenty of choice available. I'd prefer to see a wholly new subject like this rather than yet another rehash of a subject that's been well covered already. As to "really decent" C-130 kits? Well, I don't personally know how this would be defined. I think I've built every available 1/72 scale C-130 over the years. I've not had any problem with any of them but, that's just me! There is of course another factor. The A400 may or may not be well known outside Europe but,there is hardly a country within Europe ( at least within the EU anyway) that ISN'T involved in one way or another. It may therefore appeal more to the "home" market than another "foreign" aircraft? I am sure Revell has done its marketing I really don't subscribe to the view that the numerical production total of any particular aircraft should determine whether or not a kit should be produced.Only about 25 Junkers JU-290s were built and yet, Revell have seen fit to produce 2 incarnations of this magnificent beastie! Only 68 E3-D AWACS have been built and yet, there are (to my knowledge) 7 kits ( ranging from 1/300 - 1/72) produced. To date, 230 C-17s have been built. Given the cost & specialised nature of the aircraft I suggest this number is unlikely to increase significantly. I hope however that this relatively small number should not be used as the basis for determining whether or not any more kits should be produced. Referring to the post on the alleged 1/144 scale A400 - I really hope that IS a mistake. I don't like that tiddler scale. I'm sure the original announcement WAS for a 1/72 kit. Maybe they're doing both?

I quite enjoyed building the kit. Picked it up for about a tenner on evilbay. All I added was an aftermarket bang seat. Other than that, it was straight from the box. Decals were a mixture from out of my bits & pieces box! As to accuracy or otherwise? Well, I don't really care. It looks like a GR1 & nobody who has seen it is going to be any the wiser so, I'm happy with it! Nice little model. Maybe Revell could do a brand new Harrier series in 1/32? Probably get 4 for the price of the Trumpeter kit!

Hmmm! I'm heading for Waddington Air Show in July. Be nice if I could pick up few Valiant shaped souvenirs from a few well known traders there.............!! Well, one can only dream!!

Stephen, it's pity we're on opposite sides of the pond!! I'm sure we could swap a host of stories over a beer or 10!!

Stephen, I couldn't have put it better myself!! As you may have gathered from my posting, I am the victim of one such incidence of an attitude that , to my view, borders on snobbery!! This is one reason why I have never joined IPMS or, any other modelling organisation. I don't think I have ever knowingly or intentionally decried the efforts of anyone who does belong to what I shall describe as the "purist" school of thought. It is not my place to do so. I believe I am entitled to the same courtesy/respect in return. By the same token, my mind is always open to advice/suggestions & even practical assistance in improving my skills! Even at the age of 53, I think I still have room for improvement. There is I think a very fine dividing line between hobby and obsession. Is it possible that some people have in fact crossed that line in search of modelling perfection? If I can give another example, a very good friend of mine IS definitely a member of the "purist" school He is without doubt a very skilled modeller but, I think I sometimes drive him to despair! One such example is the Vulcan I am working on right now. Another,(one of several in my fertile breeding ground of an imagination) is for a SINGLE seat Beaufighter - with the rear cockpit removed & a shortened fuselage! I'm afraid he just cannot grasp the concept of modelling for its own sake! He shook his head & closed his eyes upon witnessing my B-58 "Vengeance " resplendent in anti flash white & 617 sqn markings!! Fortunately, any "sniping" always takes the form of good natured banter and,on occasion, Douglas & I have actually exchanged useful tips!! !! My other 'alf (bless her!) gets no end of amusement as he & I have yet another "go" at each other! That's how it should be. It's a pity the "real " world cannot be just like that. I have not yet told him about my MR-135 ASW/Maritime patrol aircraft which will be based on the Airfix E-3D Sentry!