vince14

I wouldn't say we have a solution, not until someone has the book in their hands and can explain on what basis the claim is made.

Glad I ordered another one with the Albatros B.II!

I think the problem with the Spitfire is it's legend - it's now considered to be The Great Untouchable. There's so many myths and nonsense spouted about it, that it's getting hard to see the truth for all the propaganda. Take, for instance, the story around Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers, the pilot who first flew the Spitfire. He's reported as saying 'Don't touch anything' after the first flight, which nowadays is taken to mean 'The aircraft is perfect'. However, it's far more likely that he was simply requesting that no adjustments were made so he could fly the aircraft is the same configuration the following day - something a Test Pilot is very likely to want to do.

Haha, I knew this would put the cat amongst the pigeons! I thought the author (which isn't me, by the way) had an interesting idea. I don't agree with all he says - there's too much 'what-if' and second-guessing for my liking - but I found the idea that the RAF could have fielded 2.5 times as many Hurricanes during the BoB a concept that could be looked into further. If anything, the reaction it's provoked here probably underlines the fact that the Spitfire is sacrosanct when it comes to objective criticism. I certainly get the impression that Joe Public (plus a number of us modellers) has this illogical concept that the Spitfire won it all, and if we hadn't have invented it them we'd all be speaking German by now.

This is quite an interesting take on the Spitfire, although I think fans of the type might end up with steam coming out of their ears! http://hushkit.net/2015/12/04/dismantling-the-spitfire-myth/ 'There are too many myths about the Supermarine Spitfire to list, but uppermost is the notion that it was in any way a war-winning weapon. In fact, it might have been a war-losing one had circumstances been different. Britain certainly didn’t need it, and in some respects would have done better without it.'

'Latin American Mirages' by Harpia Publishing may well be worth checking out.

It wouldn't surprise me if some enterprising aftermarket manufacturer came up with a conversion set off the back of the Airfix release.

I'm with you - I'd much rather build a 1/20th Pacific PR01 or HRT F110 than a Ferrari F-2003 or Mercedes W06

I certainly wouldn't rule out the BE2c, given the 'WNW Box Art Rule'.

I think it'll be much later than March. The image on their website isn't exactly that advanced - there's no actual model mock-up as we had with the AEG/Post-War Brisfit & Ninak - and it still says 'expected' 2016, which to my mind means it could even slip into 2017.

I think the Camel is more likely to be Christmas 2016...

Have a look here - http://www.modelfactoryhiro.com/new/en/archives/18022 It looks like we'll be getting a 1/12 scale version of Carroll Shelby's finest from Model Factory Hiro in future!

It wasn't the subject of the kit I was referring to, but rather how boring the Airfix box art is compared to Matchbox.

I've only built two - the MiG-17 and the Il-2, both in 1/32. The Il-2 is good, except for the fact the rear fuselage is covered with panel lines and rivet holes - only the first 200 or so had metal fuselages, the rest had wooden ones. That means there's an awful lot of filling and sanding to be done....there are a few other minor inaccuracies, and Eduard set for the cockpit is a must-have, but overall it's a very good kit. All I'll say about the MiG-17 is that you need a *lot* of aftermarket sets to get it anywhere near accurate...

The NF Meteor was one of my favorite Matchbox jet kits, alongside the MiG-21 and Buckeye.

Here's the latest releases from WNW... DH.9a (Post War) http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/product?productid=3095 Albatros B.II (Early) http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/9058133B9476CB86B043FBC08D16611A The Albatros looks superb - the kit includes etched brass for the spoked wheels, and woodgrain decals for the fuselage!

The two things I really liked about Matchbox kits were their range of subjects - nothing seemed to be too obscure for them - and the box art. As a kid I loved looking at the markings options on the back of the box, and Roy Huxley's paintings. They really stood out at a time when Airfix were going through their 'Boring Box Art' phase (which I think helped to hasten the demise of the company). I mean, what kid would want to but this; When they could buy this?

I'm not surprised, and I would think the Alb. version won't be too far behind...

They did quite a few helicopter kits - the Wessex and Chinook, Huey Cobra, Lynx, Dauphin, Seasprite... The 'Air Ambulance' kit you're thinking of is the MBB BK.117

...except the UK voted for the VOC 2010 regulations... Don't blame the EU. Blame Humbrol for being unable to create a decent product within the regulations.

Yep, Zero Paints is the way to go.

Nice! Now if Peter Jackson is watching...

Start with the National Archives, especially if you know his Service Number.

The Quality Control on these new Airfix kits is terrible - I for one won't buy another model from them until they get on top of it.

Begemot have a few WWI Eastern Front decal sheets in their range - a set each for the Nieuport 21, 11 and Morane-Salunier 'N' in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72.