Jonny

An interesting comment! Actually (and I'm sure you know), Yorkshire Air Museum built a 'replica' Halifax III. They used a 'real' fuselage centre-section (it had been used as a shed or chicken house!), got BAe to construct a complete tail unit, reverse-engineered a set of Hastings wings to Halifax standard, received 4 Hercules engines giften by the French Air Force then asked the IWM if they could have their Halifax nose & cockpit. When they got the answer (NO) they set about building one themselves. When I first saw the reconstruction I assumed it was just a shell. WRONG! It's fully fitted out internally. Another group building a Stirling replica. I'd love to see it one day. Neither of these will coud fly but I take my hat off to the people with the skills & determination to recreate something that wouldn't otherwise exist in this country. I don't know anything about the A1 Tornado locomotive replioca but it's the same principle - thanks to that team, too. I'm happy I had the chance to see an RE8 flying, and more recently see it in the RAF museum. Ihope to see the BE2's soon. There IS a place for high quality replicas. I don't think that they - flying or not - detract from an example of the real thing. Especially if there isn't such an example to see!

Thanks, both of you! I was really hoping that someone would point me in the direction of a work-in-progess. I normally build aeroplanes. Thanks, anyway

Being rather pedantic (a habit of mine, sorry!_ I think by the time the 109G series was in production the 'Bf' prefix (Bayerische Flugzeugwerke) had been officially changed to 'Me' (Messerschmitt). This doesn't help you fix the antenna but since you're obviously concerned with accuracy I thought I'd mention it! Cheers, Jonny

Sorry to intrude, but what relevance do (American) FS numbers have to a Spitfire?

My usual scale is 1/48. Ive been trying to work out how to mov the main wheels forward on a 262A kit to look something like an earlier prototype (making the tailwheel and closing up the original nosewheel seems realativey simple!) There are matters to consider such as the Leading Edge between the nacelle and fuselage too. I'd be grateful for any recommendations ideas etc!

I managed to get this *old* kit cheap on a stall at an airshow. I'm trying to decide whether to build it as a red bus or as a WW1 troop carrier. Has anyone any suggestions regarding building this kit? Thanks in hope, Jonny

According to the BBC ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-28703745

I hope we'll see more of this lovely build, Jer? I dug one of my 1/48 Buccaneer kits out ready to try to copy you. (Notice I said 'try'!). Jonny

There seems to be a tornado or hurricane or some sort of storm heading out over the Atlantic which *may* reach the UK, or possibly slightly further south and reach the European mainland. Will this affect the route the Lanc. is taking?

Sorry to raise this sort of question yet again, but ... I've just got hold of the new Airfix 1/48 kit. I want to build the Malta version. The painting guide for Wendell's GN 0 H says the arcraft was delivered in dark earth / mid-stone over sky but the mid-stone was overpainted in a locally mixed dark grey. My guess is that any stencilling, including the 'walkway' lines, on the mid-stone areas would be overpainted. The groundcrews on Malta at the time wouldn't have had time to either replace them or carefully paint round them, to my way of thinking. Or did they? Any guesses please ???

Actually, I spotted the Magazine + Halifax book package in WHS which is what prompted me to make my first post. I then spotted the magazine all on its own in another newsagents, so yes, DWH, you're right! Even so, I do think it's a little unfair of publishers to do this.

My good lady wife buys me an annual subscription to 'Aeroplane' as a Christmas gift. Most months it arrives a day or so before the edition appears in the shops. I've noticed that sometimes the shop versions have an 'extra' which doesn't come with my subcribed-for copy. This month (end of July), for instance, I see that a copy of the Halifax Bomber - Transport aircraft booklet is included in the shop copy. AS it happens I've already got the Halifax booklet, but it's the principle - if we take out an annual or longer subscripotion the publisher has our money 'uop front' but anyone buying monthly seems to get more for their money (£4:30 a copy). Yes, an annual subscription works out a little cheaper than buying individual copies but I'm beginning to wonder if it's a fair deal. Comments, anyone?

I read somewhere there was a serious proposal in the Ministry of Economic Warfare o drop Phosphorous incendiary bombs on the Black forest. Plans went well until someone (a Member of Parliament, I believe) said in outraged tones "You can't do that - a lot of the forest is private property!". Daft enough to be true, isn'y it?

Thank you VERY much, Dave! I don't think I had seen the site before. Bookmarked now. I was shouted at by SWMBO because I lost track of the time skimming through it and it was gone 2:00 in the morning before the shout started ....!

I'm really pleased that Airfix will be releasing a Swift. I have a soft spot for the aeroplane and for II(AC) Squadrton. I was in Prince Rupert School, Wilhelmshaven, in the very late 50s / early 60s, and joined the CCF. I remember the Swifts flying past our school boarding house at the Bonteheim and the school en route to nearby RAF Jever every day. We in the CCF had weekend 'exercises' at Jever. I vivedly remember one such when for reasons I forget we were let loose on the apron and there was a Swift, all nice and shiny. So naturally we clambered on and around it, army boots and all, until there was a terrible scream and the crew chief leaped into action sending us packing. The Swift was '"sir's", all nicely spit & polished, except it was now covered in sticky finger marks, especially the canopy. It was II(AC) squadron CO's mount. I think before I left PRS II(AC) switched to Hunters but I might be wronmg. I can't remember of the aeroplane had silver or PRU blue undersides - I rather fancy the former. I 'met' the Swift owned by Newark Airr Museum (in II(AC) colours years later (and the Tangmere one, which I think is on loan from the RAF Museuim). If only Airfix were to release a 1/48 kit. I shall change habits and buy the 1/72 kit but - PLEASE, Airfix, consider a 1/48 kit ....! Jonny

I've seen the build review in the latest Airfix Model World and it's quite positive. Does anyone know for sure when the kit will reach the shops? I'm half hoping to find one at Duxford this coming week-end. Jonny

Hi, Sebastien - I'm enjoying your 'build'/ I bought the kit and am hoping to see your build finished before I dare start! I hope you're not trying to hide!

I've also been wondering why we have to spend three years or whatever being confronted every month by a whole page devoted to minimal progress on something that costs the man-in-the-street a small fortune. I know SAM has the word 'Scale' in its title but I'm not sure I care much whether the finished product looks very like a Spitfire or vaguly similar to one! I'd rather the page was dropped. But Mr. Laverty does have his own style, which he clearly enjoys

I've only just come across this thread. The whole issue saddens me, but the end-date for official support for Carolyn Grace has past. I was born and raised in Felixstowe. I attended the Grammar School. We moved from Felixstowe when my father (a civilian working at RAF Martlesham Heath) was posted to Germany - Mum and Dad lived in Cologne while I went to boarding school in Wilhelmsaven. Dad was told it was unlikely he'd return to Martlesham. 4 years later he weas posted to RAF Lakenheath./ Because I was about to start VI form he wangled a change to Bentwaters and went back to the Grammar school (after a boarding school ... YUK!). At the time Bentwaters / Woodbridge based 81st TFW flew the F101 Voodoo. That *was* noisy but notthing to the F4 Phantomsthat followed. We lived in Kesgrave and all day the aircraft flew along the A12 past our house. I'm miles away from Suffolk now but visit Felixstowe occasionally. I've also visited the Cold War museum and caught a glimpsde of where my Dad worked. I'm narked that a group of 600 (1600 at the group's "height", they triumphantly claim) can try to influence a simple request to fly more aeroplanes from what was a very busy military base. Sorry to Carolyn and everyone else who'se affected - negatively - by this group's unfortunate attitude. -

It *IS* frustrating not to be able to see pics attached to threads. As Gary says, his is a visual hobby and I'm VERY grateful to people who take the trouble to post their illustrated 'in Progress' articles, only to find some time later they are not illustrated! I confess to not yet posting anything with pics but one day ... ! Jonny

Hi, everyone ... Someone recently showed how he'd used plastic test-tubes to make replacement jet pipes on (I think) a 1/48 scale Buccaneer. I can'rt find the build thread I *think* it was in 'WIP' Xan someone PLEASE put me out of my misery and remind me where the thread is? Many many thanks, Jonny

Everyone - I don't think I thanked you all for your comments. Apologies. I'm minded to go for the Halfords undercoat / Klear option. I've stood near the Duxford TSR2 and yes, it's white but not the dense white I associate with appliances! Thanks again, Jonny

Please remember that RAFM Hendon and, so far as I can recall from my last visit there (10 years ago?) there RAFM Cosford, don't charge entrance. The RAFM, RAF and MoD aren't exactly rolling in cash, the RAFM had to fund the raising of the Do17. There are some super restorations at Hendon (e.g. the walk-through Sunderland) and I for one am grateful that I can see any and all the restorations! Somewhere along the line the RAFM obtained those wonderful WW1 replicas from New Zealand too. I really don't know how the RAFM funds itself - the collecting boxes in the museums won't pay for staff, let alone heating & lighting two very big museums. So please, everyone, don't grumble about perceived inaccuracies on unique airframes or their markings. Be grateful for what we have (lots, I thnk).

Thanks, Woody and Selwyn, I made two stupid goofs in my original post: First, I don't know where I got 'Mabel' from - it should have been 'Edith'! Second, I referred to Oboe. It should have been Gee-H. I've checked my source - 218 Squadron's website - see http://218squadron.wordpress.com/avro-lancaster-mk-b-i-mk-b-iii/ There's another photo of 'Edith' (LM577 ‘HA-Q') ,at http://75nzsquadron.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/another-wonderful-connection-len-gillies-air-bomber-218-squadron/

I found my Airfix 1/72 TSR2 in the stash recently (coincidently I have the Aeroplane Special "TSR2" book!). Which is the best rattle can I can buy to replicate the anti-flash white? I seem to recall comments about Halford's 'Appliance White' but I'm probably wrong! Any & all advice gratefully received ... Jonny