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With the decals on the MB3, it is time to start on my next entry for this Group Build and what a contrast! The Silver Cloud EAP was produced by Freightdog Models and is a resin kit with white metal undercarriage legs and some PE for missile fins aerials etc. The canopy is resin and clear instructions and colour guide is given all packed in a stout cardboard box. A decal sheet with the distinctive fin arrow and cheat lines is included as well as smaller items for the airframe and dummy missiles. The mid-grey resin parts have good, if a little soft, recessed detail and the resin appears to be easy to work with. There were a few air bubbles and one wing tip was definitely a bit warped, but this was easily sorted with hot water and care. Unlike the Pegasus offering, this kit appears to be the right size and seems to capture the subtle shape of the composite wing well. The photos below show what you get in the box. The Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) was designed in the early 1980s as a demonstrator for a number of emerging new technologies including composite construction, full fly-by-wire and relaxed stability. It was never intended as a prototype for a new fighter, but a lot of design elements and concepts ended up in the Typhoon. Originally two aircraft were to be built, one in the UK and one in Germany and the Italians were also involved. The German and Italian governments withdrew support (although there was still input from industry, e.g. the Italians built one wing), but BAE and the UK Government continued the project. To reduce costs and also to replace parts that would have been built by the other two partners recourse was made to using off the shelf parts. The fin and rear fuselage were taken from the Tornado production lines. The engines were the RB199-104 used in the Tornado F.3 with the thrust reversers removed. The aircraft first flew from Warton on 8th August 1986 and appeared at that years Farnborough Airshow. (and I saw it). It flew until 1991 when it was loaned to Loughborough University for teaching purposes. In 2012, it was donated to the RAF Museum, Cosford where it is in illustrious company in the Flight Test Hanger. References to help me build this kit are the walk round on Britmodeller, my own photos and two books, The Linewrights special published in 1986 by Bill Gunston and 'British Experimental Jet Aircraft 1941-1986' by Barrie Hygate published in 1990. My first task on this build was to sort the missiles out as there were a lot of PE fins to attach to the resin bodies. The locations are shown but needed a bit more depth and so out came a pin vice and drill. At the same time I added the links to the u/c legs and the rudder pedals. The missiles are just aerodynamic shapes and are all one colour (white) which makes life a little easier. Next up will be the two or three big bits of airframe. A test fit throws a potential fit problem, but I do not think it will be too difficult to sort out. Until the next time

British Aerospace EAP (for Experimental Aircraft Programme), pics thanks to Steve (BritJet).