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Hello again. After taking a few days off for the Holidays, here we go again! After completing the XP-80 last year, I determined that I needed a P-80A to round out the collection. So, I picked up a Sword P-80 A/B kit like so: A relatively new tool kit, optional parts for A vs B model -- good to go, right? Not so fast. While researching the build, once again, the Spectre of Tommy Thomason's Tailhook Topics blog reaches out to crush simplicity. See the link HERE In it is various quite useful information, along with one single "Dag Nab It!"; the cockpit for the A model is in the same location as on the XP-80, which means that the windscreen (not the whole cockpit) needs to be moved back around 1/8 inch, and the canopy needs shortening by a scale 6 - 7 inched, or a tad less than 1/8 inch. There goes the easy day, so let's get on with it. Below, the red lines indicate where the cuts need ti be made in each fuselage half: Above right, the cackpit wall is moved aft and glued onto the fuselage side in it's new position. It seemed a lot more simple to shorten here, since all the parts fit well. The mods being done on the fuse, the next step is to paint all needed interior parts with Interior Green (FS 34151), and add around 3 grams lead weight to the nose. The nose gear well fit to the fuselage is really poor, so a LOT of sanding and test fitting is required here: Above right, the intakes are fitted before the fuselage is closed up. The drill here is to try and get the best seam possible at the leading edge of the splitter plate (shiny white spot). Additional sanding will be needed at the rear as well as the splitter plate, which I will show later on. Meanwhile, the cockpit is painted. Fortunately the cockpit can be inserted from the bottom, after the fuselage halves are assembled, which makes life much easier: Above right, note that the cockpit has not yet been inserted. The gap in front of the windscreen is filled with scrap plastic sheet, which is much easier to manage than filler, and also adds strength to the structure. I use Weld-ON #3 for the construction. User's of other types of glue may have their mileage vary. While this dries, I'll step away and ponder steps to follow. Be well, Ed,

The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 500 is my dad's favorite aircraft. He flew on it at least 4 times when he was a kid from Portugal towards the South America back in the 80's. This year it will turn 25 years since my dad joined TAP Air Portugal and to celebrate that mark, he decided to make this model that is very special to him. Since he doesn't have time to share his work online, he asked me if I could share it here on his behalf. I didn't mind at all and on this topic I will show you all his work. This job is not mine, but in order to facilitate the writing I will write on the first person, although the credits belong to my dad! The L-1011 operated with TAP Air Portugal between 1983 and 1997 and it played a very important role on the long haul network of the airline through those years. But let's go to the kit itself! The beginning of this project started actually with the decals and by mistake! I was searching online for decals for a 747 and I found by accident the L-1011 ones. Immediately I've order them just in case they ran out of stock. The next step was finding a kit. Thing that probably wouldn't be that easy. But I had time and I wasn't in a rush for starting it so I've waited, until I've found this kit on a bargain on eBay that costed my around 20€. It's a very old kit and the funny fact is that is from the same year as I. Among other models I had in queue I kept the Lockheed stored until this week when I've started to work on it. The instructions were in a very bad shape and the box didn't brought any original British Airways decals but I wouldn't mind that because I had my own ones already. The first part was to glue all main and cargo doors onto the main fuselage, the next step was gluing the cabin windows and assemble the mainframe. This cabin layout is different from the TAP one, which means I have to putty and sand the doors (I would have to do that one way or another). That would be the next step! One thing that always captivated me was the L-1011's S-Duct on Engine 2. It gives the airplane a very own style. I will for sure work this area very much when details and weathering are concerned! And once more, Airfix did a great job with this L-1011 when it comes to fitting and when it comes to details. The back is very well done! Looking forward to continue this model and share the progress with you all!

Hi all Happy New Year to you all I have wanted to concentrate on some twin engined Aircraft such as a Beaufighter and Mossie, Oxford, but I thought I would start with a couple I have wanted to do for quite a while. A Lockheed Ventura Target Tug and a Royal Navy Avro Anson Radar Trainer. These are all yellow (apart from some black stripes on the TT) and as I brush paint, I may be setting myself up for some serious brushwork. The Ventura is the nice Revell kit and I will be using the lovely Aviaeology Venturas in Canada 4 decal sets. I shall be modelling one of the earlier machines serial 2222 with the all over black stripes. And the other is the Special Hobby Avro Anson Mk1 For this one I will use the Flightpath Photo Etch set and the Radar pod will be taken from the Special Hobby 1/48 Fairey Firefly Mk.V. A start has been made on the Ventura. The glazing and Bombay has been added to the fuselage halves , the doors will be closed so not too worried about the bay internals. Nose has been glued together and glazing added which will all be painted over. Guns are deleted from this type and gun troughs plated over. I have to drill the blanked of Port hole on the port side fuselage for the observation blister which I have nicked from the SH Airspeed Oxford. Cockpit components removed from trees and the rear bulkhead for the cockpit cut to what it should be. I have asked for some information on the type in the cold War section such as tge correct type of winch (C5) image and details or the main rear cabin if anyone has any info I would be grateful. Thanks for looking Chris

Stencil Decals for Do.17Z, Harrier GR.7/9 & P-38 1:48 Eduard Now and again Eduard release decal sheets in connection to newly released kits, or stencils for kits that they have done the research for previously. The latter can come in handy for your average modeller, as sometimes the kit doesn’t include a complete set of stencils for expediency or whatever reason. Some folks, myself included think that the inclusion of a full suite of stencils adds extra realism to a model, although there is of course the time element and the extra carrier film edges to hide. Eduard have been busy these last few months and have released three new sets that we have in to review. Each one arrives in a clear foil re-sealable envelope with a card stiffener, a cover page with instructions, plus the decal sheet with wax paper protecting the delicate printed surface. The decals are printed by Eduard and have good register, sharpness and colour density, with a glossy carrier film printed close to the edges of the printed areas. Lockheed P-38 Lightning Stencils (D48071) This set will fit any of the available kits in 1:48, including the Tamiya, Academy or Hasegawa kits, and over the course of eight profiles from overhead, underneath, the sides of the fuselage and booms, plus an additional one for the props, the locations of all the many stencils are shown clearly on coloured line drawings that will be familiar if you've built one of their kits before. The back page has an advert for their other decal sheet that has numerous P-38F/G airframes depicted on it. BAe Harrier GR.7/9 Stencils (D48072) This set contains two 99% complete versions of the same markings for the Hasegawa kit or an Eduard reboxing, one in black, the other in loviz grey, depending on which timeframe the aircraft you are depicting flew. There is a large note on the front of the sheet that incites you to check your references to ensure you choose either A (black) or B (grey). Four main profiles show the location of stencils on the airframe, while a whole page is devoted to pylons, tanks, gear legs and even the numbering for the 26 blades within the front of the engine. That’ll be fun! Dornier Do.17Z “Flying Pencil” Stencils (D48073) Although not the smallest set from this little gaggle, it has the lowest number of decals, but I have checked the box of my ICM kits for which it is intended, and none of the stencils are included, but they are both night fighters if that has any bearing. The location of each stencil and wing walk lines are given over four views, with a choice of white or red for the walkway marks. An additional diagram covers the markings on the props, which always improves the look of any model – providing it has props of course. Conclusion To me, stencils go a long way toward adding realism to a model, so the effort of applying them to a project is well worth it. These stencils should help you with your task of creating realism in miniature, and with Eduard's decals you know they'll go down just fine. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

P-38F/G/H 3D SPACE Cockpit Sets (3DL48009, 3DL48010 & 3DL48011 for Tamiya) 1:48 Eduard SPACE Tamiya’s new P-38 Lightning in 1:48 was a welcome release, as the old Academy kit is getting long in the tooth now and needed a successor. It’s a lovely kit, but some new-fangled detail sets can always improve on styrene injection moulded parts at this scale (and many others too). Now we have a trio of 3D Printed instrument panels with Photo-Etch (PE) accessories to use instead of either the kit parts or traditional PE. The Instrument Panels are 3D Printed with relatively new technology resin “inks” onto a carrier paper, with depth replicated by successive layers in different colours as appropriate. Instrument faces are also overcoated with a clear gloss-coat to give them a shine and replicate the glass. The other details are supplied on a fret of PE brass that has been nickel-plated and pre-painted with detail and colour. Eduard's new SPACE sets arrive in a flat resealable package, with different branding and a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are wrapped around. P-38F SPACE 3D Printed Cockpit Set (3DL48009) The 3D Printed sheet contains a brand-new one-piece instrument panel with glossy dial faces plus a number of dials, black box faces and a few small placards. The PE set has a set of four-point seatbelts; rudder pedals; support for the canopy interior glass panel; control column dial; skins for various boxes around the cockpit; overhaul of the twin throttle-quadrants and other instruments on the sidewalls. A little filling and scraping off of moulded-in detail will be required to fit some parts, but nothing taxing. P-38G SPACE 3D Printed Cockpit Set (3DL48010) At first glance this set is identical to the P-38F set above, but if you look really hard at the panel, there are a couple of dials in the main panel that are different, and some changes to the side consoles. Let it not be said that Eduard don't differentiate between the smallest details. You might also have noticed that the PE sheets are the same for all three sets. P-38H SPACE 3D Printed Cockpit Set (3DL48011) This one also looks identical to the P-38F and G sets above, but closer inspection reveals that there are a couple of dials in the main panel that are different, and the side panels have reverted back to more closely resemble the earlier F. Conclusion 3D Printed panels are very impressive, and Eduard’s method really lends itself to these WWII birds, so the resulting panels are believable, simple and realistic, backed up by the PE extras that give you a little more depth around the rest of the cockpit. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

I would like to take part in this GB with the 1/48th Monogram Lockheed F-104G Starfighter. This is the 1986 #5447 version of this venerable kit that was first released in 1978 and last in 2013. This version was released as the specially painted "Buschel Canary" operated by Jbg 33 and was retired in 1985. I paid £4.39 for the kit on eBay 11 years ago and I almost sent it back, the box smelled of mildew and sadly the decals are unusable. Not sure how I am going to paint her yet, maybe a 'Tiger' scheme but I have plenty of choices. Whilst looking around in the stash I found some Eduard photo etch detail sets which must have been in a sale so I might use some of them on this build. Michael

P-38H Lightning Big Ed Update Set (BIG49268 for Tamiya) 1:48 Eduard Tamiya’s new Lightning kit has been well-received, and has become the de rigeur kit in this scale. Eduard's new range of sets are here to improve on the kit detail in the usual modular manner. Get what you want for the areas you want to be more of a focal point. The Big Ed set curates the most useful sets and offers them in a card envelope with a discount on the cost of buying them separately. Inside the sets are packaged as usual with Eduard's Photo-Etch (PE) and Mask sets, in a flat resealable package, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between. Upgrade Set (491115) Two frets are included, one nickel plated and pre-painted, the other in bare brass. A complete set of new layered instrument panels and side wall equipment are the primary parts on the painted set, with new rudder pedals; other cockpit details; gear bay detail; multi-layer intake meshes; radiator bath mesh with framing; cooling flaps under the engine cowling; details for the gun-sight, and replacement oleo scissor-links for the main and nose gear legs also supplied. Seatbelts STEEL (FE1116) These belts are Photo-Etch (PE) steel, and because of their strength they can be etched from thinner material, which improves realism and flexibility in one sitting. Coupled with painting style that adds perceived extra depth to the buckles and other fittings by shading, they are more realistic looking and will drape better than regular brass PE. The set contains a full set of crew belts to detail the pilot’s seat. Masks (EX719) Supplied on a sheet of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with a full set of masks for the canopy, with compound curved handled by using frame hugging masks, while the highly curved gaps are in-filled with either liquid mask or offcuts from the background tape. In addition you get a set of hub/tyre masks for the wheels, allowing you to cut the demarcation perfectly with little effort. Conclusion A cluster of useful sets to improve your model with the usual discount on buying them separately. What’s not to like? Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Pepelatz is to release a 1/72nd Lockheed L-210-10 Convoy Fighter resin kit - ref. 7208 Source: https://www.facebook.com/563609150678038/photos/a.731482003890751/830141737358110/ Box art V.P.

F-104G/J & S Starfighter Ejection Seat (Q48369 & Q48370 for Kinetic) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby Kinetic’s new Starfighter kit is part of their new and growing range, and has been well-received as it’s a while since we’ve had a new tooled kit in this scale. The new Luftwaffe G that we reviewed here used the Martin-Baker seat, but other marks used the factory-fitted C-2 seat, and Special Hobby are cognisant of that fact. As usual with CMK's resin sets, they arrive in the familiar clear vacformed box, with the resin parts safely inside, and the instructions sandwiched between the header card at the rear. Decals and Photo-Etch (PE) when included is separated from the resin parts by a clear piece of acetate to prevent scratching and damage during transit. F-104G/J Starfighter Seat (C-2) (Q48369) A single resin part that needs cutting from its pouring stub and fitting with a wire ejection handle between the pilot’s knees as shown in the instructions, for which you’ll need to source from your own supplies before painting and installation. F-104G/S Starfighter Seat (M-B Q Mk.7) (Q48370) Again a single resin part that needs grab handles in between the pilot’s knees and a double-loop at the top of the headbox, this seat has the revised fibreglass para-pack either side of the seat frame that was requested by the Luftwaffe after concerns over the original seat were raised. Conclusion Two exquisitely detailed ejection seats that will be a big help to the detail of any 1:48 Starfighter cockpit, although it is designed to fit the new Kinetic kit. Remember to have some fine wire on hand for the ejection initiator handles, and you’ll be good to go. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

P-38F/G ‘Lightning Strike’ (ED48009) 1:48 Exito Decals The Lockheed Lightning was one of those aircraft that lived up to its name, being a fast and manoeuvrable aircraft, despite its relatively large size. Brought quickly into service, it played a greater part in the Pacific War (PTO), although it was also used in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) and the Middle East as airframes became available. With the introduction of Tamiya’s lovely new P-38F/G in 1:48, it’s a happy coincidence for Lightning lovers™. BEWARE: There are a few painted caricature boobies in this set, so if you’re of a nervous disposition you should look away now. The rest of you degenerates may carry on reading. This decal set arrives in Exito’s high quality resealable packaging with a big piece of thick card keeping everything straight and safe. Within is a glossy cover sheet plus three double-sided glossy sheets detailing each of the three decal options with many views to assist with the painting and decaling process. Small photos confirm the design choices of the artists, reasoning behind colour choices and a list of colours necessary to complete painting is given in a number of brands, with a handsome pair of profiles on the backside that are suitable for hanging on the walls once they have fulfilled their job as instructions, as shown below. The decals are printed by Cartograf, which is a guarantee of good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. From the set you can build any or all of the following: P-38G-13-LO s/n 43-2204 ‘Beautiful Lass’ flown by Lt. John G ‘Jump’ O’Neill of 9th FS/49th FG, Dobudura, New Guinea, late October 1943 P-38F-1-LO s/n 41-7578 ‘Marjorie Ann’ possibly flown by Maj. Richard Ira ‘Dick’ Bong during his war bond tours of the USA, late Summer 1944 P-38G-15-LO s/n 43-2475 ‘Babe’ flown by Edgar L Yarberry of 48th FS/14th FG, El Bathan Tunisia, second half of June 1943 Conclusion Another cracking and topical set of decals from Exito, who are showing their attention to detail and pure quality in every release. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of [url=" https://exito.site/"][/url]

My inspiration: Lockheed L-14H Super Electra ex SP-BPM, June 1940, France. Or better said, its sad remains. Pictures from here and Odkrywca.pl forum. I've used the A-29 / PBO-1 Hudson, released for the first time in 2010, which fitted my needs because of the additional frame with the engines and their covers appropriate for a Polish L-14H. A typical short-run from those years, quite "soapy" details, simplifications, poor fit, specific geometry. In addition, many versions of the aircraft can be made from one box, including the civilian Super Electra - which has its consequences in making it difficult to build (additional parts matching challenges). A resin cockpit made by CMK, control yokes made of some wire and Plastruct profiles, a wall between the cockpit and the passenger compartment with its doors, seats in the cabin (from Ju-52), and Eduard seat-belts, luggage nets over the seats, imitation of the air vents, new wall and doors between the passenger compartment, and the toilet. New entrance doors with the window were made of HIPS and clear acetate sheet. The nose part did not match the width and shape of the cross section of the fuselage, it had to be adjusted and lot of putty went here, it was also too pointed – this was corrected as well. This section was devoid of any panel lines, these had to be scribed on, as were the other panel lines specific to the civilian Super Electra, especially the luggage compartments. I also riveted in the whole airframe, one can hardly see it but that's OK. Glazing of the pilot's cabin made according to the photos of the actual machine, also the upper part has got the windows, but unlike the ones in the Hudson - the windows are smaller, the frames of the upper part of the glazing are flat and wider. I have also added the air deflectors on the windshield. I replaced the wheels with resin parts from CMK (for the P-51D Mustang in 1:48th scale), with the appropriate pattern tread. They are a bit skinny and small, but it does not spoil the final appearance too much. I tried to make the hubcaps similar to those from the SP-BPM photos. Also added the position lights on the wingtips and the tail (it was necessary to file the strange bulge proposed in this place by MPM), and the fuel dump installation. Painted with Lifecolor paints. That's it. I enjoyed the build very much, as well as revealing history behind this particular camouflage scheme, applied to the SP-BPM in France in March of 1940. Best, Hubert

Hi all, I'm new here and looking to get back in to the model-making scene, having done a few when I was a boy... I'm currently looking in to getting the AMT950 Lockheed Vega 1/48 model to build with my daughter who loves reading about Amelia Earhart - thought it would be a good Daddy-Daughter project for Christmas. So I'm looking for a set of decals to use as the ones that come in the kit are Shell Branded and not the correct decals for the Earhart Vega 5C Little Red Wagon. The only place I've seen is Red Pegasus, but they are not currently selling and not contactable. Does anyone have a scan of the decals they can send so I can make my own, or know where I can get a set from please? Many thanks, Craggus2000

Can you give me your thoughts on some Herc books please. I assume there is not a lot out there for modelling referencing, although the usual places to go to show some historical and story/memories books. I’m looking at something with decent RAF content throughout the ages if it exists and decent photo’s of down the back. Steve.

This is the last member of ‘FAC trilogy’ composed of previous O-1E and O-2A shown here in the past. It’s the most unusual and less known of three, the ‘pre production’ Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star. YO-3A was a two-seat nearly silent observation and reconnaissance aircraft designed by the Lockheed Missile and Space Division for use by the US Army at night over South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Its purpose was to detect enemy activity and direct artillery fire and helicopter gunship strikes upon them. The Observer sat in the front of the cockpit and the aircraft was fitted with a downward looking Night Vision Aerial Periscope (NVAP), infra-red illuminator and a laser target designator to complete its night mission. Unarmed, silence was the only protection it carried into conflict. The bubble canopy was large to enable all round observation capability and it is hard not to notice those long, thin wings (17.3 metre wingspan) which show its glider heritage. To keep the aircraft super quiet it was fitted with a special muffled 210-horsepower Continental Model IO-360D engine that powered a slow propeller to eliminate the typical sound generated by a spinning aircraft propeller (originally it was fitted with a six bladed variable pitch propeller but in 1971 this was changed to a 3 bladed laminated constant speed wooden propeller that was just as quiet but also more efficient at higher speeds). Only eleven were built in 1969 and nine of those were operated from the summer of 1970 to 1972 in South Vietnam. In an attest to the silent design of the aircraft, none were ever shot down or even hit by enemy fire during its time of operation in the conflict and it was proven to be very successful in its role. The hard-to-find second hand kit by Legato in 1:48 was found in Slovakia last Spring. It’s a full resin kit with vacuum canopy and an useful photo etched sheet. It’s a medium quality kit (dated 2005) with poor interior details, I suppose due to lack of images at time… Camo color indications are of pure fantasy as well. Interiors are from scratch, except a revisited floor. WiP pictures taken during these ten months of working were too many to show all you here, so that I decided to get a (large) selection. Model, pilot, extinguisher and plates are painted by Testors/Humbrol enamels. The real 69-18007 is now stored at Western Museum of Flight (California), waiting for restoration. Thanks to Museum’s press office and Quiet Aircraft Association for essential help. Work started June 2018, ended early March 2019. Man hours worked h.378. Cheers, Alessandro Rome YO-3A 69-18007 at Phu Bai (Vietnam), 1970 (photo credit http://www.yo-3a.com/ ) Cockpit, port side Dry fitting - starboard side **********************************************************************************************************************************+

Lockheed YO-3 "Quiet Star", pics thanks to Randy Malmstrom who retains copyright.

Pics of a T-33 as used by The Royal Danish Air Force, pics thanks to Hans J

Kit by Roden. Decals by Caracal.

New 1/72nd Lockheed Electra kit by (Valom) ? To be followed. Source: https://www.facebook.com/208070375871052/photos/a.208144655863624/2080140125330725/?type=3&theater box art V.P. V.P.

Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C, pics thanks to Graeme H http://www.britmodeller.com/walkarounds/aircraft/p-3/p02.jpg

Ex Luftwaffe F-104G. Pictures by Sven Harjaek taken at La Bourget museum Paris.

Lockheed P-2 Neptune. Royal Australian Air Force L-726 Neptune P2V-7/SP-2H A89-280 at The RAAF Museum, Townsville, Queensland. Pics thanks to Graeme H.

Based at Suwon (K-13) during the Korean War in 1952, "Evil Eye Fleagle" was a Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star serial 49-547 assigned to the 36th FBS (Fighter Bomber Squadron) under the 8th FBG (Fighter Bomber Group). The Lockheed Shooting Star was a first generation jet and as the Korean war progressed the type struggled against the MiG-15 however performed sterling service in the bomber role in a very harsh environment. This is the HobbyBoss 1/48th kit of the F-80C, it can be built as "Evil Eye Fleagle" or the equally well-known "Saggin Dragon". I chose the first aircraft as it was supposed to be a quick build and I didn't have the blue paint needed for "Saggin Dragon". If I recall correctly the HobbyBoss kit was slated for the inaccurately sized air intakes. MJW Models were offering the kit at a very reasonable price so I decided to give it a try. It went together very well and needed a minimum of filler which is a real bonus for me anyways! The decals also went on well however the kit instructions are a little bit vague. I added Misawa wing-tip tanks which are correct for 1952 however as far as I can tell they didn't carry the red stripes as shown in the instructions. I wanted to depict a worn and well-used Korean theatre aircraft. Currently I don't have a functioning airbrush so I decided to use a rattle can of Halfords Aluminium which went on really well. Detail painting was done by using Vallejo Model-Color acrylics and again these went on well. I then mixed some dark grey paint with enamel thinners and brushed this over the entire aircraft to give a "dirty" look then sealed it all with a matt Humbrol spray. The only thing I am not happy with is the canopy painting, I used Vallejo Silver then Airfix 11 acrylic silver but it didn't go on very well though hopefully I can get away with it by claiming it is "Korean weathering" and wear and tear! So was it worth it? Yes, I now have an in-theatre Korean workhorse and I love this old first generation jet. Some learning for the next time, maybe the RF-80 kit next? Michael

The Lockheed TriStar kit was one of the first in Hasegawas LoveLiner series in the early 80s. It is very accurate in shape,nicely molded and detailed. Apart from the 1/144 Otaki / now also Eastern Express kit,its the only accurate TriStar plastic molded kit. The Cathay Pacific version was released around 1980 and so the decal set offers the original paint scheme complete with the union jack on the tail. The decals were in surprisingly good condition and could be applied with no problems. The build was straight forward and the only modification I made,was shorten the engine exhausts like I did on the All Nippon TriStar. Hasegawa never updated the engines and always included the longer,2nd exhaust version. Cathay Pacifics TriStars served very well for 20 years before they were replaced by the Airbus A330. Hope you like her

"Hey, Ridley!" "Yeah?" "You got any Beeman's?" "I might have Mystic." "Well loan me some, would ya? I'll pay ya back later." "Fair enough!" "I think I see a plane over there with my name on it!" The film was "The Right Stuff" back in 1983 and this was the cue for Chuck Yeagar's flight in the F-104 Starfighter which. for me, is still one of the most thrilling aviation sequences ever filmed. I started this kit three years ago and it depicts 63-13269, one of the two Lockheed F-104G Starfighters used in the film. It is unusual in being mainly covered in silver foil to try to give an accurate metallic effect. She measures 22 inches in length. The kit is the old 1980 vintage Revell 1/32nd scale F-104G Starfighter, I think I got it on eBay for about £8! It is a very straightforward build, not too detailed, goes together fairly well. It does have raised panel lines which is perfect for 'foiling' and as you can see here I have been able to add different shaded panels especially at the 'hot' end of the plane. Overall the foil went on well, I also used Humbrol 27001 metallic paint in a couple of areas, also a rattle can of Halfords Aluminium spray. The white wings upper surfaces were sprayed Halfords Appliance White. The decals were a mix from the original kit, the spares box, and a few from a Victory decals set. She first flew on 2nd March 1962 and became the 69th TFTS Commander's aircraft at Luke AFB in Arizona in 1980 wearing "Fighting 69th" tail art. She starred in the film "The Right Stuff" in 1982; the pilots were Lt Col Robert Patterson (USAF) and Oberstleutnant Heinrich Thueringer (GAF); she was flown until end of operation at Luke AFB on March 16, 1983. She was struck off charge order July 19, 1983 and transferred to Taiwan (ROCAF) in 1983 coded "4383" under project "Ali Shan No.8" to 2 Wing. She was withdrawn from use August 6, 1996 and written off in 1st Depot at Pingtung AB, then scrapped. And this is her in the sun. Have to say I am really pleased with this build and I want to dedicate it to Major Mike Vivian (USAF Retd) who helped train German pilots as an Instructor Pilot with the 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing at Luke AFB in the early 80's. As always all inaccuracies and mistakes are purely mine! Michael

This year I made a resolution to complete as many models as I can from my pile of started kits and after much thinking I selected this oldie: Probably I purchased it in the late 90s, it's one of the last kits released by Pegasus, and after an immediate start it was put back in the box for better days. Actually I don't even remember why I lost my enthusiasm and didn't get beyond cleaning the plastic parts and applying Squadron White Putty here and there... On checking the fit I may have found one of the reasons: The fuselage has many asimmetries but I won't fix anything: it's not worth the effort considering the better shape of the later Valom kit. That's all for now. Bye Fabio