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Evening all, I've been contemplating what to build next for a few weeks. Got a Hobby Boss F-5 on the go which has just come out of the paint shop (albeit with half the number of wings attached that it went in with 😬) which had left me losing in mojo. Don't think the heat in the last couple of weeks has helped. Had to take my daughter to London the other week to visit the Doctor Who shop, so took the opportunity to visit Hannants in Hendon on the way back - never been and it seemed too good as opportunity to miss. I almost came out empty handed as nothing really jumped out at me, but on about the 5th circuit a came across the Sword Lightning trainer not which I've been looking at. Love a lightning, and I enjoyed building Sword's Gannet a while back so that was decision made. I actually found myself craving an airfix mosquito when we got back for some reason, that's one for another day. In a break with tradition, I've decided that this is going straight into production rather than languishing in the cupboard for months on end. I'm going to do the 111 sqn T.4 - being an ex Leuchars local these two squadrons are quite dear to me ( I know, 111 never flew lightnings from Leuchars - it's tenuous!). Box and contents shot: Unfortunately it's not a top opening box - I'm going to be sharing the desk with my wife who's about to start a uni course so I'm going to have to try and keep this contained. That might slow me down - even more!! I've found a build thread on here by @71challywhich has some very useful information, especially regarding the fuselage changes required to make this a better T.4. I won't be worrying about the instrument panel being for a T.5 though. I couldn't tell the difference so I don't think anyone else who sees this will either 🤣 So commences the second lightning in my collection. Wish me luck! 🤞 Al

Just posted by Sword on their Facebook feed. The new Photo-Recon Crusaders in1/72! Released in October. SW72149 F8U-1P/RF-8A over Cuba SW72150 RF-8G over Vietnam https://www.facebook.com/swordmodels/posts/771237008133895

All: I met with Milan, Sword's boss, at Moson at the end of April, who told me he is actively researching the Dominie T.1 and HS.125-400 for future projects. Don't throw away your Airfix Classics yet, though! I strongly encouraged him to proceed with both aircraft models, and he cautioned that it depended on the economic situation. I also suggested that he engineer the Dominie with a series of optional parts, including the ventral equipment bay, to allow modelers to build Series 1 or 3 business jets. Side Note: Sword's team was uniformly unenthusiastic about producing a 1/72 C-140 (Lockheed JetStar) due to its size.

Sword Models is to release 1/72nd Republic F-84F Thunderstreak kits. First boxings expected in February 2023. Source: https://www.facebook.com/swordmodels/posts/pfbid02Lnf2uw1V1Cu71NkrjvmQPrfBGNEuvS6nkKjPtAvfn8edpCmnWCVCZ3He2CLaDFojl - ref. SW72146 - Republic F-84F Thunderstreak https://swordmodel.cz/cs/home/171-sw72146-f-84f-thunderstreak.html - ref. SW72147 - Republic F-84F Thunderstreak https://swordmodel.cz/cs/home/172-sw72147-f-84f-thunderstreak.html V.P.

(Paul Hollywood voice) "I want four, identical, Fiat G.55s, each decorated differently." My three recent Sword Fiat G.55s: Plus the one I made earlier this year: And all together on the tea table: The WIP thread is here if you are interested. I must have enjoyed making them because another double boxing has snuck into the stash! (edit) while I was rearranging the hobby room, I found the Supermodel and FROG versions that I made at the turn of the year, so here's a picture to show the plain green over grey FROG model and one of the alternative splinter schemes on the Supermodel:

I’ve a load of FAA aircraft in the stash and had intended to make a Special Hobby DH Sea Hornet for this GB. However, it’s not the easiest of builds and has a lot of resin parts, and as I’d like to do a few I thought I’d start with somethin a little more straightforward. Although there’s a few challenges along the way, there’s a few builds here on BM which will help me avoid the potential pitfalls. So here we go with Sword’s AEW Skyraider. Two grey plastic sprues which are reasonably well moulded with minimal flash, although there’s some annoying mould ejection pins near or on mating surfaces. There’s a small clear sprue and a nice resin engine. Instructions over a few pages, although as usual with Sword some of the locations are a bit vague. Colour call outs for one FAA aircraft and two US AD-4Ws. Obviously I’ll be opting for the 849 NAS machine. I’ll probably not add the Suez stripes. Comprehensive transfer sheet, and I’ve got a mask set to help with the painting.

Here's my latest 1/72 build. It's from the Sword Harrier T.4 kit. One of those frustrating kits which is a fight to put together, but worth it in the end for the way it just looks right. Extra bits to the kit were Flighpath CBLS-100 practice bomb dispensers, and some scratchbuilt canopy detail (bracing bar, strap). plus the intake FOD covers which were also made from plasticard. I honestly can't remember if the seats were in the kit or if they were resin aftermarket (I suspect the latter but it was a while ago that I started building it!). I added some extra wire detail, plus placard decals on the headboxes. Airbrushed with Hataka acrylics - was going to use Vallejo, but couldn't quite match the colours from the selection I had, and the Hataka just looked better to my eye. Wheels were from Armory, and the intakes (the most important update for any 1/72 Harrier kit!) were from Freightdog. My benchmark for the build was several amazing Kinetic 1/48 T.4 builds which I've seen on here... I tried to get as close to their level of realism in the smaller 1/72 scale as I could, and although it's not perfect, I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out. Special mention to Nick Challoner who has an interesting website featuring various designs of RAF hangar over the years - he very kindly allowed me to use a couple of his images to print off and use as backdrops. Here you can see a Type C shed at RAF Northolt, which works really nicely as a backdrop when printed large. Thanks Nick! Website here: https://www.challoner.com/aviation/hangars/index.html Assorted shots of this model, plus one alongside the Italeri GR.3 which I finished recently (and which is in the Arctic camo scheme similar to the example at RAF Cosford). I'm going to try a few hangar and/or night shots so might edit this post to add them in soon. Thanks for reading! And, as promised, a few more pics featuring my now usual 'night shoot' and hangar shot styles. Apologies if it's becoming boring but I like the look of them! As ever, assorted bits of ground equipment (plus Reedoak figures) and the Noy's hangar backdrop. One poor quality phone shot of the underside showing the tiny CBLS bomblets, taken at an earlier stage of the build before I put the super fragile masts / vanes / canopy on the topside of the aircraft! With thanks to @Selwyn who's about the sole CBLS expert on assorted threads here, including the tip I read on a dark brown Sharpie for the bomblet bands. At 1/72 even that was a challenge 😉 Finally view of my 1/72 Harrier family (minus a duplicate GR9). Still missing a GR1 [in the stash], an FA2 and maybe a GR5 and a GR7 [bit too similar to the GR.9 to motivate me to dig one out] but it's a reasonable spread of the evolution of the real thing! Two each from Airfix, Sword and Italeri. With credit to @gazza l who did a very similar thing but did it earlier and better!

Apparently there were two kits in this box: I guess the ”2 in 1” was a hint but I didn’t take it. Anyway, I’ll try to get both finished, one in kit a livery and one as Red-E-Ruth with Aztec AM decals. I have made a sneak start by painting, here the sprues: The styrene is complemented with Eduardy-looking PE and some nice resin for the engines, wheel bays and cockpits and guns: Decals by Techmod, looks quite thick carrier: One questionmark to resolve: Two options for the tailwheel assembly, but no hints which alternative to use for the different decal options.

Seen in Hannants future releases. Sword in coming back in the one true scale, with 1/48th BAC/EE Lightning T.Mk.4 and T.Mk.5 kits - ref. 48008 & 48009. - ref.48008 - BAC/EE Lightning T Mk.4: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SW48008 - ref.48009 - BAC/EE Lightning T Mk.5: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SW48009 V.P.

This one was finished yesterday and I'm pleased with the way it has turned out. It's the Sword Gannet AEW.3, which I understand is about to be re-released. This one doesn't have the resin radar operators' interior, but apparently the re-release may! The kit has a number of shortfalls (the cockpit canopy being the most obvious), and some of the detail is overdone, but it certainly looks like a Gannet. Markings are for A Flight in HMS HERMES (I already have a more colourful B-Flight model). I created an ink-jet decal for the distinctive A-Flight tail marking which is missing from the kit.

As I mentioned in the chat, I have a bunch of Italian fighters. If it's acceptable to the hosts, I will start a thread for all of them here and post them in the gallery singly if and when I get them finished. If not, let me know, and I will split the thread up accordingly. The two week extension will help! Anyhow, Sword and RS Models, and three Italeri kits that are ineligible for both the "Italian Job " (kits are too new) and "I feel deserted" (schemes are Mediterranean) GBs: The Sword comes in an incredible value double boxing. Here's the remainder of my first boxing plus another double: The first one built up nicely: I have also built the FROG and Supermodel versions: (The Sword is much, much better than either) The boxing has seven schemes; I am going to do two more from the box schemes and a light conversion back to an early one. The RS Model kit looks nice too; I just built their Caudron 714 and it was a fun build: I will get to the Italeri kits later (maybe!). (edit) Just remembered I've got a FROG Macchi 202 downstairs in the stash too!

Sword is to release very soon a 1/72nd Arado Ar-196A-3 kit - ref.SW72085 Source: http://swordmodels.cz/cs/coming-soon/100-sw72085-arado-ar-196a-3.html V.P.

My tenth and final completion for this year, Sword’s 1/72 Harrier T.4, completed as ZD991 V of 233 OCU, built out of the box plus a Master brass pitot, painted with a Hataka acrylics, with decals sourced from various sheets in my spare decal collection. A frustrating and fiddly build with fit issues and small PE antennae that fall off at the slightest provocation, vague and in places incorrect instructions (rear seat windscreen and outrigger fairings that Sword would have you fit upside down, PE part numbers that don’t match the numbers on the fret). Still it looks like a T.4 and fills a gap in my collection. The longest and ugliest member of the Harrier family. Thanks for looking. AW

Joining you with this Sword 1/72 Harrier. Bought from PlasticPastimes in 2012. For which these Model Alliance decals have come my way from Jet Age.

This Meteor night fighter was delivered to the RAF in 1954, initially to 25 Sqn at West Malling before being transferred to 85 Sqn in 1958. The aircraft remained in RAF service until 1961, when it was then placed as a gate guard at North Luffenham. Fortunately, WS776 still survives to this day and can be seen at Bournemouth Aviation Museum. This was my first attempt at a Sword kit, and overall I was quite impressed. It’s obviously not new tool Airfix standard, but it’s a very buildable kit with a bit of care and filler. The instructions aren’t great in that the parts aren’t numbered on the sprues, just a diagram in the instructions. Some of the stencil decals have duplicated numbers and erroneous placing in the instructions too, and the black wing walkway decals are very thin so great care is needed. Overall though, a thoroughly enjoyable build of quite a rare type. Mostly built oob except for a few wire aerials and cockpit tubes, plus Airscale instrument panel decals.

Continuing the 50’s RAF theme, and my first attempt at a Sword kit. Not sure what to expect after recently building quite a few newish Airfix kits, but the first impression of it looks pretty good. Anyone who’s built this - Anything to look out for/fix? Most of the build detail seems to be the cockpit, with plenty of little knobs and levers included. I’m considering aftermarket instrument panels though if I can find them, otherwise I have to hand paint the dials, there’s no decal for them. Reasonable looking decals, I’m erring on doing the 85 squadron one. Reference photos in ‘RAF in Camera 1950s’ book. It’s bigger than I expected, pretty much the same length as a Jaguar. I think nose weight will be required!

Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, FS-852, 91st FBS, 81st FBW, RAF Bentwaters, Suffolk ,UK, 1958 Subject; Republic F-84F Thunderstreak fitted with long range fuel tanks. Manufacturer; Sword Scale; 1/72 Kit number; SW72146 Aftermarket; Out of the box Paints; Exterior, AK Xtreme Metal Aluminium, Polished Aluminium, Duraluminium and Dark Aluminium. Burnt Metal and Jet Exhaust on the tail pipe. AK RC259 Olive Drab and XF69 NATO Black on the upper panels. XF7 Flat Red on the tail fin stripe. Interior; Tamiya XF4 Yellow Green, various Tamiya X and XF and Posca pens for detailing and LP65 Rubber Black. Primer; Mr Surfacer 1200. Varnish; AK Gauzy Shine Agent. Weathering; Flory Dark Dirt wash, Abteilung oils and Tamiya weathering palettes.

Sword Models is to release a 1/72nd Mitsubishi G4M1 Betty kit - ref. SW72144 Source: https://www.facebook.com/swordmodels/posts/pfbid029crwaaQkzggARsCqjWvxTHYjui3W7Tdxedg8hf12A7fRfR4jGMDuYUAFySdhgnsDl V.P.

This build was quite fun, I had my doubts about sword but after this build I am left with a more positive outlook on them. The kit has it's difficulties though. I go into more detail in the WIP thread: Anyway, without further delay, here she is, T.5 XS416: Here she is with my other lightnings And here she is with my other camo RAF aircraft Thanks for looking!

Not much to say yet as I only started today, seats are almost done... I cut some cloth to size to replicate "sheepskin" seat covers I'd say they look quite good! The sword kit does come with PE but I didn't feel comfortable using the seatbelts due to the rigidity, I sacrificed details for a more natural look, I still think they look perfectly acceptable. Work on the cockpit has also started but nothing to write home about (just yet). Exhaust has got some paint on it but not ready just yet Intake is done, although on the sword kit that's a rather easy thing to do.

Hi all,I plan to build this quite recent kit from Sword in Fleet Air Arm's colors during Operation Musketeer in 1956, cheers!

Hi all For this unofficial GB with @AliGauld @Winded Penguin and our illustrious leader @mark.au at this time hopefully @Dunnymight well come on board with one too, with others hopefully joining in, it will be good fun. I will be building the Sword 1/72 Spitfire PR Mk1D designated PR.IV AA810 . This Spitfire entered service on 19th October 1941 and was flown by several pilots but this build will hopefully honour the Brave (they were all very brave) Sandy Gunn(Alastair Donald Mackintosh) who was shot down by two ME109s on 5th March 1942 whilst trying to photograph the Turpitz. The two fighters from Lade airfield were awaiting his arrival and he reported to colleagues that his engine was giving him trouble upon his arrival. The fighters descended on to the unarmed Spitfire and one landed a hit damaging the oil system , Alastair dived away but more rounds found their mark an the Spitfire was soon on fire. Leaving it as late as possible he bailed out suffering burns to hands and face . He was assisted by locals but was soon captured and after being part of a large and famous escape via Tunnel Harry, where 76 men left the camp before the Escape was discovered. Riding underneath a freight train trying to get to the port of Sassnitz. After repeated interrogations for all the captured men Alastair was called in one last time on 6th April 1944, where he was seen to be taken away in a Gestapo car and unbeknown to his colleagues was murdered later ghat day, his ashes being taken back to camp, today he rests in piece alongside fellow murdered prisoners in the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetary in Poznan Poland. Brave persons all, The Spitfire was recovered on 2018 and some 70% of the aiircraft remained intact and remarkably preserved in the snow and Peat bog and is undergoing restoration. More info on this fascinating project and charity aims can be located here https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk/news The potted history above , was taken from the instruction leaflet. This is the kit, I purchased this kit from @2996 Victor Bringing PE set I wasn't initially going to do a thread on this but the pressure of the GB won through. Fuselage joined after throttle quadrant and undercarriage selector built from PE Cockpit entry door cut out, I have a vacform canopy to add too Wings glued after U,C bay leg walls added Initially I made a schoolboy error in adding the armour behind the seat, however I was able to slice this off and clean up and repaint frame 11 ? This is where I stand at the moment Thanks for looking in Chris

Hannants has just posted this amongst its "Future Releases": #72089 - BAC Jet Provost T.Mk.5 - http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SW72089 #72090 - BAC 167 Strikemaster - http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SW72090 Sword keeps releasing really interesting subjects!

Hi all I started this as this unofficial GB with @AliGauld, @Winded Penguin, @2996 Victor, @ModelingEdmontonianand our illustrious leader @mark.au was good fun. I built the Sword 1/72 Spitfire Mk1D designated PR.IV AA810 . This Spitfire entered service on 19th October 1941 and was flown by several pilots but this build will hopefully honour the Brave (they were all very brave) Sandy Gunn(Alastair Donald Mackintosh) who was shot down by two ME109s on 5th March 1942 whilst trying to photograph the Turpitz. The two fighters from Lade airfield were awaiting his arrival and he reported to colleagues that his engine was giving him trouble upon his arrival. The fighters descended on to the unarmed Spitfire and one landed a hit damaging the oil system , Alastair dived away but more rounds found their mark an the Spitfire was soon on fire. Leaving it as late as possible he bailed out suffering burns to hands and face . He was assisted by locals but was soon captured and after being part of a large and famous escape via Tunnel Harry, where 76 men left the camp before the Escape was discovered. Riding underneath a freight train trying to get to the port of Sassnitz. After repeated interrogations for all the captured men Alastair was called in one last time on 6th April 1944, where he was seen to be taken away in a Gestapo car and unbeknown to his colleagues was murdered later ghat day, his ashes being taken back to camp, today he rests in piece alongside fellow murdered prisoners in the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetary in Poznan Poland. Brave persons all, The Spitfire was recovered on 2018 and some 70% of the aiircraft remained intact and remarkably preserved in the snow and Peat bog and is undergoing restoration. More info on this fascinating project and charity aims can be located here https://www.spitfireaa810.co.uk/news The potted history above , was taken from the instruction leaflet. This is the kit, I purchased this kit from @2996 Victor Built with some PE additions such as Thottle lever assembly, undercarrige selector seatbelts and cockpit access door from the Brengun PE set for thus model. Also the canopy was replaced apart from the windscreen, with the Rob Taurus vacform replacement. The model was brush painted using Humbrol Enamels and weathered using a prisma colour silver pencil and Humbrol and Mig weathering powders. I did fade the panels with post shading, but not sure you can really see it. Here's a link to the WIP Thanks to the fellow Unofficial GBers and those who followed and offered support and encouragement. I enjoyed it so much, I bought another from the trust. Thanks for looking in Chris

Fresh from building the Supermodel and FROG versions of this, I have now run out of obsolete kits, so i will have to build a modern one! This is available as a double boxing at a very reasonable price. You get two lots of parts like this: ...including a resin bit for the wheel well detail round the engine area. Neat. Decals are for a very generous seven schemes (one already used for my FROG build): The trailing edges of the wings are rather blobby on the inside surfaces so I have scraped them down (just the port one here): ...which results in a much thinner trailing edge (on the left): I have started assembly by gluing together the wings, air intake, cockpit, radiator and fuselage bulkheads: I've managed to get the first gluey thumbprint in already!