Radpoe Spitfire

Hi Geoff, much of the confusion model wise is probably down to earlier kits of the Lancaster having solid radomes, I.e. Airfix 1st tooling, Frog and Matchbox all were culprits for this. The first Lancaster kit to have a transparency was to my knowledge the Tamiya 1/48. The first in 1/72 I believe was The airfix 2nd tooling. Regards adrian

The Aston and the Cadilac- very hard to beat!! Can think of a couple I'd missed on put only worth pocket money prices in comparison. Regards Adrian.

Lord even I' would be as sick as a parrot if I'd seen the aston. As for Lotus, I upset an owner of one when I mentioned the door handle were the same as a Morris Marina

And miss out on, which vehicles did you miss? For me it was a Willys for £2000 in 1988. I'd just bought a 4 year old Ford Orion and a friend decided to sell his jeep- no more funds and I was gutted. This one was a stunner, the guy wanted a quick sale as he and his brother were after a Dingo. The going rate had just gone upto £2500 for jeeps and it took him months to sell.

I'd live to go in about this so I will start a new thread. Back to Norton kits, I worker next door to a toyshop back in 1981-1885, when it closed it sold everything off at 1/2 price, amongst the treasures- an Airfix boxing of the Norton!!!!

My point exactly, however keeping it in its French scheme is fully acceptable in my mind- it's wonderful to hear there is a group dedicated to the Hotchkiss, I may be wrong but please correct me if I am, the M201 has a combat history of its own ( the French- Indochina war, I Believe) so deserves merit for its own history. For me though, it's the ones being sold on as Willys or Ford that annoy me. Regards adrian

Buying a new one is a bit like wanting a Willys or ford Jeep and purchasing a Hotchkiss one instead- it's not quite the same. Though like the Commando, prices have gone up some what- £2000 would buy you a real jeep in 1988- today not much change out of £20,000 for a really good original.

That is not a model, it's a master model builder's demonstration that they have taken kit building to the highest level....... Then beyond some. Congratulations on reaching that pinicle many would be happy just to get part way there. Thank you for sharing this beautiful masterpiece. Adrian

That is a stunning build of the Grosvenor House, it looks amazing. I love the way you have displayed your collection as well, they all look superb. Incidentally, both Thomas Campbell-Black and the DH 88 have something in common with the village where the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum formed. The village of Firbeck is the home to Firbeck Hall ( now sadly derelict). In the 1930's the hall was puchased by a mr Cyril Nicholson, a steel Magnate from Sheffield who turned the into a country club. He also commissioned an airfield next to the hall as part of the club, which was designed by Thomas C-B, Cyril Nicholson also had a DH 88 built. Originally it was to be called "Firbeck", but a lady at the club suggested the name "Boomerang" as they always come back. Unfortunately, on it's flight in Africa the aircraft crashed. Just a bit of of a tenuous connection to go with your model. Regards Adrian

That's a beautiful looking Annie you have built there, nice to see it in the ASR role as well. Well done that modeller

I can't help out directly, but excuse me if you've already tried, the tank museum may be your best bet. Unless I'm thinking of TOG 1, I thought the track & some of the road wheels were similar to the WWI tank. The TOG tanks were the brainchild of some or all of the TOG=The Old Gang. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

Hi folks, I know I put a thread about this wrecker under the 1/16 scale, but I'd love to see one done by the mainstream manufacturers in 1/35 scale. To date the only kit available to my knowledge is the accurate armour model- rare as hens teeth and an astronomical cost to purchase, if you're lucky!!! As a wrecker it is a beautiful brute which would look stunning in anyone's collection, full size or 1/35-1/16 scale. Just wondered if as a kit it be popular enough to market. Regards Adrian

Must admit I don't often buy car or bike kits, but the latest I bought is a Tamiya Ducati racer from a charity shop for 50p....... 2 years ago, car-wise I got a rather sorry for itself Airfix 1/12 Bentley for around £20 of evilbay in August. However I know they aren't civilian, but I'd like any of the old 1/9 (Esci, I think?) military motorcycle kits. Regards Adrian

Is it just me or has none of the manufacturers cottoned on to what would be a great little seller in a large scale? The "wardley" wrecker has got to be one of the most appealing and stunning looking MV's in its class- ever. Yes I know I've put this in the 1/16 thread & yes I'd settle for a 1/35 injection kit, but I'd love to see any manufacturer to do this MV as a1/16 scale kit, anyone feel the same? I fist met one in The Budge collection and fell in love immediately. To my knowledge and to date there has only been one kit in resin- shame really!!

I fully understand about how you feel about museums expecting items to be donated, there are some that are happy to have a loan agreement, but too many that take on the attitude "it ours now and no one else can have it". For many years I have hoped to see a relevant aircraft to represent our "own" auxiliary squadron- either a Spitfire or Meteor (pipe dream for the spitfire, I know) but even the one museum that a few years ago had an abundance of one of the types said not a chance, even on a short term agreement. It may be worth finding and approaching a museum that will have a loan's agreement policy. There are some that still do. Regards Adrian

I've seen the footage a few times and still find it shocking to watch- I'm not surprised at the number if crewmen who lost their life as she sank, poor souls.

That's the one I meant, a family friend was a Stoker on her when she got sunk. That said a 1:200 kit of the replacement Ark wouldn't go amiss.

The Ark......... Now you're talking!!!! :-) :-)

I feel that the spirit's of the Hood's company didn't want the voice of the ship to be taken away, I for one cannot blame them, we know were and how she lays, that is how she and they must be left- it is after all their grave.Back to the kit, I'd love to see it in the flesh. Regards Adrian

Hi everyone, Just to give the heads up to those who haven't seen this episode, but just to let you know the programme that dealt with a German 1 man, 2 torpedo submarine has been on again today. I only caught about 10 mins this morning, but it is repeated on Quest channel at 02:00 hrs, what I saw of it is very much worth a look. Regards Adrian

Even as an ex- RAF bod, I agree with you entirely- the FAA didn't just supply squadrons, some of fighter command's "few" were indeed navy flyers attached to the RAF. All too often, the spectrum of who served in the battle is overlooked- particularly by the press. As long as the efforts of all those who served to stop a dictatorship in full flow during those months July-Oct 1940 are remembered, even if only by one person, part of the debt the world owes them is paid back. I believe there should now be a push to ensure through our schools that the battle is taught and remembered. With the world at present, the need to do so is greater than ever. Regards Adrian

Thank you for the help in this, very much appreciated. I rember it was 18 Sqn, but for the life of me not what role they where used as. Regards Adrian

Hi can anyone help, were the Valiants based at RAF Finningley the PR version please? Just need to find out if I need the Airfix additional parts. Many thanks Adrian

It was Gamston, reg G-PBSY, & it was marked up in Worksop College (a private school's) graphics. I believe it was there for students to peruse over as the school has hired the Cat for an expedition.

Very nice, the B17 in this scale always looks impressive, but it so nice to see one in RAF colours. Well done that man