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…… and wow the year is really taking off with build #2 and it’s still only January! Well time for Part 5 in the continuing VF-31 build/production line and another F-14 build (I only have another 5 or 6 F-14's to build), this time AMK’s F-14D. It’ll be interesting to see how this model compares to the Tamiya beast, as to me it’s almost the perfect model! I have had a sneak look at it already and have compared parts on both, I’ll go into this further during the build. But straight off the moulded detail on the Tamiya model is just so fine a delicate, where as the AMK detail is quite heavy and over exaggerated. Plus I can already see some possible fit issues....so we will see!! Oh and those amazing looking slide moulded stores….. luckily I won’t be using the GBU-38’s (they weren’t operational at this time) as they are all banana shaped! ..and yes what would life be without AM extras! New cans, really a must with most models, hard to be good resin ones! Some wheels another forgotten upgrade, especially when compared with the kit supplied ones! The now essential (in my opinion) Quinta Studio upgrade. Plus a really nice and comprehensive masking set from New Wave. The kit comes with a set on VF-31 decals, but I have this carrier done plus I have some issues with the scheme, it's not 100% correct. So I will be upgrading to the lovely DXM set for the F-14D. The scheme for this build is for a CAG aircraft operating off the USS Carl Vinson in 1995, middle one. You will also notice the underlining in red of 2 other aircraft, these are future builds which include the Final Flight aircraft. The ultimate plan is to have every jet aircraft VF-31 used, plus an aircraft off every Aircraft carrier they operated off, 15 aircraft in total (6 Tomcats), with maybe a few double ups for special schemes. This will make #5 so only 9 10 to go…. I hope I have enough shelf space!!! Can't with to start this one too!

Now that I my upcoming Study Abroad has been cancelled, I'm planning to soon start the AMK 1/72 L-29, using the following: AMK 1/72 Kit Quickboost Pylons and L-29R Conversion Aires Cockpit Set Reskit Wheels Extra-Tech PE Set (Meant for the KP Kit, I'll use this for the gear bay covers and a few assorted levers and details.) Print Scale Decals Eduard Masks I considered also getting the Aires Control Surfaces and Pitot Tubes, but the included parts for those are just fine. My question arises from Quickboost offering both an R and an RS conversion set. The R includes new wingtip tanks and a camera pod, and the RS contains a very similar camera pod, but lacks the tip tanks. From what I have found so far, the R model was an L-29 with the rear seat removed and camera's mounted vertically in that position, but I the photos I have seen so far don't seem to show the seat removed and I haven't noticed any differences in the camera pods. Does anyone know more? Thanks, Tweener

Some time ago I built the IAF Kfir C7 jet fighter from the AMK kit in 1/48 scale. The Kfir, ("Lion Cub") was an Israeli all-weather multirole combat aircraft based on the French Dassault Mirage 5, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-built version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine. The prototype’s maiden flight took place in October, 1970 and Kfirs were taken into IAF service in 1975. However, they only achieved one victory when a Kfir downed a Syrian Mig-21 during the Lebanon war in June, 27 1979. The foreign users of the Kfir have been the air forces of Colombia, Ecuador and Sri Lanka. Between 1985 and 1989, the United States Navy and Marines leased 25 examples of the Kfir C.1, which were officially designated F-21A and modified for use as unarmed aggressor fighters. The Kfir C7 has the familiar contours of the Mirage range of fighters and it is easily recognizable by the canard wings behind the cockpit and the large rudder with a long spinal fin. There were several variants of the Kfir made during its life span. The AMK kit and the instructions were excellent, almost of tamigawa quality. Assembling the model was simple and trouble free but suprisingly time consuming. There were countless small parts and innumerable stencil decals to be attached. The complicated four color camo required a lot of masking, as well. I chose to paint the Kfir in the colors of the Arava Guardians squadron. IMHO this camo is like a breath of fresh air compared to the boring, all grey camos of contemporary jet fighters. The colors I used were the following Xtracolor enamels : Dark brown FS30219, X102 Sand brown FS33531, X105 Light green FS34424, X7 Grey FS36375, X136 Finally, I sealed the decals by brushing Humbrol clear varnish to the surface and I sprayed the model with Humbrol satin cote. In 2005 I visited the IAF museum at Hatzerim air base in the Negev desert. The museum is packed with almost all the plane and helicopter types the IAF have used throughout the years (plus some fighters of the adversaries). At the entrance of the museum there is a Kfir C7 in the very colors of the Arava Guardians squadron.

My latest completion which spent the best part of a year on the shelf of doom after I had a disaster at the painting stage, the AMK 1/72 IAI Kfir with the AML Kfir RC2 Tsnuit Camera nose conversion, designed for the Italeri and Hasegawa kits it fitted the AMK kit with no problems. IAI Kfir RC2 by Phillip Wilmshurst, on Flickr IAI Kfir RC2 by Phillip Wilmshurst, on Flickr IAI Kfir RC2 by Phillip Wilmshurst, on Flickr IAI Kfir RC2 by Phillip Wilmshurst, on Flickr