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  1. I felt I needed a change after the two fresh water birds, and inspired by @Marcel and his (South) African Gladiator build, I decided to turn my attention to sea. Below the principal ingredients, with Airfix providing the base and Sword the naval equipment and decals. The Airfix kit is good enough, but I am going to use a few extras by Eduard anyway. As written above, I am going to use the Sword decals for the Cerrux Grey/Silver Dope N5519/G6A, though I have the otherwise nice Wings & Waves set by Model Alliance, which unfortunately – apart from the wrong shape of the diamonds – repeats the rather common misinterpretation of the orthochromatic pictures, on which the yellow colour appears very dark (as in the quite obvious example below). There seem to be some confusion as regards the wheel disc covers, with some profiles showing it silver, some yellow and some black, evidently caused by various interpretation of the only picture known (to me) of N5519 landing in 1939 on HMS Glorious in full 802 Squadron livery, which is of relatively low quality and where the wheels are in particularly deep shadow. Unless I come across some kind of definitive proof, I decided for the yellow, simply because it looks attractive.
  2. Special Hobby is to release in Spring 2107 a 1/72nd Gloster Meteor Mk.4 "World Speed Record" kit - ref. SH72361 Source: http://www.specialhobby.net/2017/02/sh72361-gloster-meteor-mk4-world-speed.html Box art V.P.
  3. I think I know the answer to this before I ask, but if you don't ask, you don't get. Has ANYBODY ever seen a picture of the single Meteor FR.5? I have a drawing from Edward Shacklady's book buy I have never seen a photograph. In case you weren't aware, the FR.5 was the intended fighter reconnaissance version of the F.4, similar to how the FR.9 was to the F.8. The prototype, VT347 was a converted F.4 but crashed on its first flight on 15th June 1949, very sadly killing its pilot Rodney Dryland. I cannot imagine it was never photographed but perhaps it would have taken place as part of what would have been the development programme had it not been cut short. So, has anybody seen a picture of the ill-fated VT347? Cheers, Neil
  4. Another interwar gem completed. This time it is the venerable Aero72 kit of Gloster Grebe J7361 in the early version of No. 32 Squadron’s blue marking, before the blue bar was extended aft of the roundel, therefore sometime between June 1925 and March 15th 1926, when the airplane collided in a haze with a Bristol Fighter. The Grebe was repaired, returned to the squadron and later was transferred to No. 25 Squadron, where it ended its (rather short) service in February 1928. The available photography allows the interpretation that both fins and the propeller hub cover were painted blue and the wheel covers red, and this is what I did, because at least to me it looks pretty attractive. Built more or less OOB plus some scratchbuilding. Seat belts by Eduard, guns by Mini World and GasPatch, gun sight by Tally Ho! and wheels by Tony @TeeELL. Build tread is here: Brush painted with my usual mix of enamels by Humbrol, Revell and Tamiya. Decals from the kit, which, except the rudder serials, worked just fine even after some 30 years in storage. As usual with me, no rigging.
  5. If you were expecting an essay on the hunting habits of the birds of family Podicipedidae, you would be probably disappointed. Instead, it will be a build thread of the 1/72 Gloster Grebe by Aeroclub, which I will start as soon as the Gordon is safely in the display case. The Grebe was RAF's first new production fighter in the post WW1 era. The RAF received in total 130 Grebes, including 20 Grebe IIIDC two-seaters (the production fighters were designated Grebe II). They were in service with six home based fighter squadrons (although service with No. 111 Squadron - though confirmed by documents - was unfortunately not documented by photographs as well), and served between 1923 and 1929. The Aeroclub kit is a shortrun from the late 1990s, with details parts in white metal. When looking at the Aeroclub biplanes, it always amazes me, how John Adams and Co. managed the razor-edge thin trailing edges on their shortruns in the late 1990s, when we can still see shortruns with trailing edges thick as tie beams produced today. The Grebe has been very well described by the literature (for an interwar fighter), including an excellent book by Mushroom. I will be building the model as J7361 from No. 32 Squadron. The colour scheme is from the book, and it is also photographically documented there. Markings and serial numbers are included in the kit decal sheet.
  6. ICM is to release new tool 1/32nd Gloster Gladiator kits: - ref. 32040 - Gloster Gladiator Mk.I - released Sources: https://icm.com.ua/aviation/gloster-gladiator-mk-i-wwii-british-fighte/ https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICM32040 - ref. 32041 - Gloster Gladiator Mk.II - released Source: https://icm.com.ua/aviation/gloster-gladiator-mk-ii-2/ - ref. 32042 - Gloster Sea Gladiator Mk.II - released Source: https://icm.com.ua/aviation/gloster-sea-gladiator-mk-ii-3/ - ref. 32043 - Gloster Sea Gladiator Mk.I with British Pilots in Tropical Uniform - released Source: https://icm.com.ua/aviation/gloster-gladiator-mk-i-2/ - ref. 32044 - Gloster J8 Gladiator - Swedish fighter - released Source: https://icm.com.ua/aviation/j-8-gladiator/ - ref. 32045 - Gloster Sea Gladiator Mk.II with Royal Navy pilots - released Source: https://icm.com.ua/aviation/gloster-sea-gladiator-mk-ii-with-royal-navy-pilots/ Dedicated decals by ICM: - ref. D3204 - Gladiator Mk.I/II in Foreign Services - released Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ICMD32004 V.P.
  7. Hi all I present to you my Airfix 1:48 Javelin FAW.9/9R I finished it back in October but only just got round to posting here It’s in the markings of no 64 Squadron Royal Air Force based at Tengah in Singapore during the 1960’s Aftermarket sets include Eduard cockpit interior and Master replacement pitot tubes Tamiya and Mr Hobby paints used throughout the build A throughly enjoyable build Thanks for looking and happy modelling
  8. Meteor Nightfighter NF.14 (SW48011) 1:48 Sword Models The Gloster Meteor was the RAF’s first front-line jet, and although it wasn’t all that good initially, it was developed over a number of years and found its niches before its straight wings and centrifugal engines consigned it other jobs away from the front-line and eventually to history. In the meantime it had gathered a substantial following from aviation buffs that lingers even today, judging by the comments here on the forum. The Nightfighter was a good role for the Meatbox, as its relatively outdated technology and flight envelope didn’t matter so much, and no-one could see the big radome nose and long greenhouse canopy that was replaced with a more modern blown version by the time they got to the NF.14, which was a modified NF.11 with extended nose to accommodate the newer radar in only 100 airframes. The Kit Happy days! A new tool from Sword that fills in a gap in the Meteor kits in this scale, and makes building a 1:48 Nightfighter Meatbox less of a game of eBay hide-and-seek. It’s a lot different in terms of sprue layout from previous kits, although the moulding technology is similar but more advanced than the older kit we’re all thinking of. All parts are styrene and spread over four sprues in grey plus one with clear parts. Everything is in a resealable ziplok bag, and a couple of parts had come adrift during shipping, which you can see in the photo of the clear parts. There’s a reasonably large decal sheet and an A5 instruction booklet with colour painting profiles at the rear. Construction begins with the cockpit, which is all assembled on a long floor panel with the mounts for the nose gear at the front. Starting with the instrument panels for the pilot and radar operator, plus the pilot seat, the sidewalls, a pair of bulkheads front and rear, and ending with bulkheads between the two crew positions. Many smaller parts are added along the way together with the seats and instruments, as well as copious colour call-outs to make your model more accurate, after which it is flipped over and the nose gear bay is boxed in. That’s all you need to close up the fuselage, placing another bulkhead aft of the radome as you do so, and adding a rear deck insert once you have the two halves together. Unusually, the tail fins are put on the low t-tail early using a pair of pegs that fit into corresponding holes in the fin at 90o, with a small tail-bumper added to the underside. The main gear bays are buried in the wing between fuselage and engine nacelles, with their sides boxed in with five parts added to the already detailed upper wing inner surface. They are joined by an approximation of the centrifugal jet engine suspended on a bulkhead at the front, and an exhaust tube mounted on a bulkhead at the rear, the space between them never to be seen again. This is carried out twice, and the wing halves can then be joined along with the engine intake cowlings that have small cut-outs each side to mate with the wing leading edges. The completed wing gets fitted with the fuselage straight away, and has the clear wingtip lights painted with transparent red and green as well as adding the pitot probe. Attention then turns to the landing gear, the legs for all three made in halves to trap the two-part wheels in place and leading to a seam down the mud-guards that will need hiding in addition to the seam down the oleo itself. I’m going to try to fit my wheels later by flexing the stub axles to accommodate the wheels after clean-up of seams and painting. The nose leg has three bay doors and a moulded-in retraction jack, while the two main gear legs have separate jacks and two bay doors, the inner one having a closure strut that holds it open at the correct angle. Speaking of angles, there’s a small scrap diagram that shows the correct angles of the bay doors and the optional two-part wing-mounted fuel tanks that have their pylons moulded into each part. The final steps finish off the internal structure of the cockpit with coaming, radar hood and roll-over bars, then closing the cockpit up with the choice of two windscreens and the aforementioned blown canopy in either open or closed positions. A couple of small T-antennae are added along the bottom and a small intake fitted to the upper-mid fuselage, then it’s heading for the paint booth. Markings Decals are provided for two markings options with the same basic camouflage scheme underneath, with two pages taken up with locations for the many stencils that are dotted around the airframe. From the box you can build one of the following: NF.14 WS833 MS, 72 Sq. RAF Church Fenton 1956, flown by Wing Commander Maurice Shaw. NF.14 WS776 J, 85 Sq. RAF Church Fenton 1958, flown by Miroslav Liškutin Decals are printed by Techmod in good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. All of the stencils are legible if you have good eyesight or magnification, with plenty of them on the sheet, all adding to the realism. Conclusion A really welcome new release from Sword that deserves to sell well. The detail is good and the decals are excellent, so with the fact that it’s a Nightfighter Meteor, it’s a case of how many do you need, and when are other boxings coming out? Get them while you can. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  9. Aeroclub’s Gloster Gauntlet, according to Scalemates issued in 1994, was my first shortrun after I restarted my modelling carrier almost 23 years ago. Found it, together with its Hawker Woodcock stablemate, hiding in the second hand corner of the local hobby shop. It not only introduced me to the world of shortruns, but thanks to the Aeroclub address inside the box, also to the world of more Aeroclub kits, white metal accessories, mail orders and credit card payments. Time flies. As most of my early kits, Gaunlet is now due for replacement. First, I wanted to replace it with the more contemporary (2008) AZ kit, which is not bad, coming from the times when AZ produced honest shortruns with PE and resin parts. However, the kit is not without shortcomings, so when I was able to lay my hands on relatively cheap Aeroclub Gauntlet (discounted, because the upper wing was missing in the box), I decided for kitbashing. Fuselage by AZ, flying surfaces by Aeroclub (upper wing cannibalized from my old Gauntlet), remaining parts combination of both, plus some leftovers from my earlier Airfix Swedish Gladiator build. Gauntlet belongs to the few interwar airplanes excellently covered by printed references. I am going to build it as K7810 from 213 Squadron using the marvellous Model Alliance decals. For unknown reason, all references but one show the front of the 213 Squadron fuselage markings rounded and K7810 with two-bladed wooden propeller, example below. The only photo, that I know, shows the front of the fuselage markings clearly straight and the propeller with confidence tree-bladed. Fortunately, the decals have it right. Wheel discs are in my opinion neither black, nor yellow. Blue would be my best estimate unless I reveal new information later. And I think by now, you have already guessed, why the hornet in the title.
  10. Meteor T.Mk7 "British Jet Trainer" (SH72468) 1:72 Special Hobby The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet aircraft during the Second World War. The Meteor's development was heavily reliant on its ground-breaking turbojet engines, pioneered by Sir Frank Whittle and his company, Power Jets Ltd. Development of the aircraft itself began in 1940, although work on the engines had been underway since 1936. The Meteor first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with No. 616 Squadron RAF. Nicknamed the "Meatbox", the Meteor was not a sophisticated aircraft in terms of its aerodynamics, but proved to be a successful combat fighter. Several major variants of the Meteor incorporated technological advances during the 1940s and 1950s. Thousands of Meteors were built to fly with the RAF and other air forces and remained in use for several decades. The Meteor saw limited action in the Second World War. Meteors of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) provided a significant contribution in the Korean War. Several other operators such as Argentina, Egypt and Israel flew Meteors in later regional conflicts. Specialised variants of the Meteor were developed for use in photo-reconnaissance and as night fighters. The T.7 twin seat trainer was developed from the Mark 4. 640were produced for the Royal Air Force, 43 for the Royal Navy; and 72 for export. 20 Belgian F.4s were modified locally into T.7s. Many nations would operate the T.7 with a pair of T.7s being the first jet aircraft to land in Israel. These were locally converted to carry belly mounted camera. The Kit This is a re-release by Special Hobby of the MPM kit, which has also recently been re-released by Zur Ffrom as well. Construction first begins in the cockpit which builds up to a complete module that slots into the fuselage when built up. The centre bulkhead is added to the floor and then side consoles are added. The centre instrument console is then built up and installed along with both seats. The rear bulkhead goes on, and both control columns. To the underside of this module the nose gear well is then added. This assembly can then go into the right fuselage. The pilots instrument panel then goes in as do the remainder of the side consoles. The fuselage can then be closed up with the nose gear now being fitted. Construction now moves onto the wings. Firstly the engines and jet pipes need to be assembled. There is a basic representative of the Derwent which you will see the front face of through the intake. Behind this there is the jet pipe, and exhaust. These go into the one part lower wing. In front of the engines goes the fairing over the front wing spar which is seen through the intake. Single part intake inners are then fitted. Moving on the the upper wing the main gear wells need to go in. The two wing sections can then be joined. The intake leading edges, and exhaust trailing edges are then fitted. The fuselage can now be joined to the wings. At the rear the tail planes then go on. The main gear units are then assembled and added along with their retraction struts and the main gear doors. Like the real units these are complicated and care need to get them right. Take note to assemble the wheels correctly and not as per the instructions. The wheels are not handed like most aircraft. Luckily here the wheels are separate from the mud guards so they can be put in the correct way around. The modeller will need to make their own stay from the rear of the mudguard. To finish off the wing and belly tanks are fitted followed by the canopy, aerial and pitot tube. Markings The glossy decal sheet is printed in house and looks sharp and in register. There are markings for three aircraft G-AKPK Gloster Company demonstrator WV488 No.43 Sqn RAF, RAF Tangmere 1949 I-19 Royal Netherlands Air Force 1950s. No.328 Sqn at Soesterberg where it still resides. Conclusion It is good to see the T7 back out there. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  11. Gloster Meteor F.8 / FR.9 "Middle East Meteors" (72463) 1:72 Special Hobby The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet aircraft during the Second World War. The Meteor's development was heavily reliant on its ground-breaking turbojet engines, pioneered by Sir Frank Whittle and his company, Power Jets Ltd. Development of the aircraft itself began in 1940, although work on the engines had been underway since 1936. The Meteor first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with No. 616 Squadron RAF. Nicknamed the "Meatbox", the Meteor was not a sophisticated aircraft in terms of its aerodynamics, but proved to be a successful combat fighter. Several major variants of the Meteor incorporated technological advances during the 1940s and 1950s. Thousands of Meteors were built to fly with the RAF and other air forces and remained in use for several decades. The Meteor saw limited action in the Second World War. Meteors of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) provided a significant contribution in the Korean War. Several other operators such as Argentina, Egypt and Israel flew Meteors in later regional conflicts. Specialised variants of the Meteor were developed for use in photo-reconnaissance and as night fighters. Israel and its main adversaries Egypt and Syria all flew these aircraft. The Kit This is the the MPM kit re-issued by Special Hobby with parts for the F.8 and FR.9 in the box. The MPM kit is of the higher short run variety but builds into a nice kit with care. If modelling the FR.9 the F.8 nose will have to be removed. While the new nose is clear for the camera window, no interior for the nose is included. Having built one of these kits nose weight is a must. The underside of the main cockpit forms the front wheel well and the nose gear can then be built up and added in here. With the fuselage together the tail planes can now be fixed on. Moving to the main wings the wheel wells are attached to the lower wing. In each nacelle the engine front and airflow splitter over the main spar is added. Then the wings can be joined and added to the main fuselage. The main gear can be assembled and added to aircraft, along with the intake lips and exhausts. The instructions show drop tanks being added, though in all the pictures of WK935 I have seen it is flying without them. The last steps in construction are to add the canopies, a couple of aerials and the pitot tube. Decals Markings are provided for 4 aircraft. The decals are nicely printed and look quite thin and glossy. Meteor FR.9 No.36 - 111 Sqn IDF, Ramet David, Israel 1955. High Speed Silver Finish? Meteor F.8 No. 09 - 107 Sqn IDF, Ramat David, Israel 1962-64. Three colour camo with daygo stripes. Meteor F.8 No. 1419 - Royal Egyptian Air Force 1955. High Speed Silver finish. Fetero F.8 No. 4141 Sqn Syrian Arab Air Force 1956, 3 Colour Camo. Conclusion This is the only kit in 1.72 for this unusual aircraft, recommended if you like Meteors, or prototype/one off airframes. Review sample courtesy of
  12. Silver Wings from Poland is to release a 1/32nd Gloster Gauntlet Mk.II resin kit - ref. 32-023 Source: https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/86884-gloster-stable/&tab=comments#comment-1235445 V.P.
  13. As announced ( http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234973406-merit-cataloguefolder-2015-2016/?hl=merit), Merit is to release 1/48th Gloster Gladiator kits. - ref. 64803 - Gloster Gladiator Mk.I - ref. 64804 - Gloster Gladiator Mk.II First boxing is expected for 3rd Quarter 2015 Source: https://www.facebook.com/MeritIntlLtd/photos/a.117819558309628.25722.117797744978476/881471455277764/?type=1&theater Box art V.P.
  14. Gloster Gladiator Mk.I with British Pilots Tropical Uniform (32043) 1:32 ICM The Gladiator was the last biplane fighter used by the RAF due to the introduction of more modern monoplanes. The Gladiator was designed in response to an Air Ministry requirements for an aircraft capable of 250mph armed with at least four machines guns. Gloster decided that rather than developing a brand new fighter they could capitalise on their Gauntlet design. This modified design would dispense with a pair of interplane struts to reduce drag and follow a wing design developed by Hawkers. The "new" aircraft would use the 700 hp Bristol Mercury engine. The prototype flew in 1934, with the first production aircraft being delivered in 1937. The Gladiator was probably the pinnacle of biplane design with its streamlining, closed cockpit and heavier armament, While the RAF ordered 180 aircraft the biplane design was really at the end of its life with more modern types being introduced. The type saw service in France in 1940, and on the home front in the Orkneys. Overseas they were used in Norway and most famously in the defence of Malta. Here these aircraft managed to defend the Island against superior Italian forces. Gladiators also saw service in North and East Africa as well as in Greece and the Middle East. Gladiators would also see combat service in Belgium, China and lastly Finland. By 1941 the aircraft had been retired from front line service, though continued to serve in communications and weather research roles. The Kit This is a new tool from ICM who really do seem to be giving us kits we want at the moment. On initial inspection the kit looks very good. There is plenty of detail and the moulding is first class. The fabric effects are not over done and the sprue gates are quite fine. This is the Mark I aircraft however be assured a Mark II and Sea Gladiator are scheduled by ICM. Construction starts with the cockpit and interior. Framework sides are added into each fuselage half with appropriate control systems and additional parts being added. Into the each side the fuselage mounted guns are also added at this stage. The cockpit itself with the seat, rudder controls, and the pilots compass is constructed and added into the left fuselage, The coaming around the cockpit is then added along with the main instrument panel and its coaming. Behind the cockpit the rear decking and bulkhead are added in. After the addition of the tail wheel to the rear of the fuselage, the two halves are then ready to go together. Once this is done the gun sight can be put in place. We now move toe the rear tail surfaces with the rudder and tail planes being constructed and added on. All of the moveable surfaces are separate parts. Back onto the front of the fuselage the pilots entry doors at each side are added along with the prominent side mounted oil cooler. Its worth noting here that the surface moulding of this part seems to accurately match the real thing. The canopies can now be added. The instructions show the front and rear being added first with the main canopy going over these. Next the lower main wing is assembled and added. There is a one part lower section to this with left and right uppers. The lower main wing part form the bottom of the fuselage in that area. Separate ailerons are then added. To the aft lower fuselage a plug section is added, this would appear to be in the area the arrestor hook will be on the Sea Gladiator version. Next up the top wing is assembled. This is in upper and lower parts with the ailerons as separate parts. Once together this can be joined to the lower wing with the outer struts and the inner ones attaching to the fuselage. There are positive locating points for all the struts. Next up the main gear is added. These seem quite strong with an inner part for the axle being sandwiched between the parts for the gear legs. The gun pods also need to go under the wings at this point. We now move to the front of the aircraft and the engine. Given the scale the engine is as detailed as the plastic parts can make it and it looks to be a good representation of the real thing. To the front is added the exhausts and collector ring. A three part cowling then goes over the engine. The front machine guns are then added along with the lower exhaust parts. The prop can then be added to the engine and the whole assembly mounted to the front of the fuselage. To finish up rigging diagrams are provided for the modeller to correctly rig the aircraft. Markings There are markings for four aircraft in this boxing No. 72 Sqn RAF, UK 1938 - Aluminium Dope / NMF overall. No. 607 Sqn RAF, UK Aug 1938 - Camo No. 112 Sqn RAF, Egypt 1940 - Camo No. 80 Sqn RAF. Egypt early 1940 - Camo Decals are printed by ICM, with good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Figures This is ICMs figure set 32106 and while it says British Pilots it would encompass a lot of commonwealth nations as well. There are two pilots and another standing office who look like they are in a briefing scenario. All are what would be considered dressed for the period and the climate. In general the mould in crisp and clean with plenty of detail. . Like ICM's recent figures these are well sculpted and should build up well. Conclusion It is good to see a new kit of this important RAF type being released. Even in 1/32 this is not overly large. ICM have done a great job with this kit, the inclusion of a set of figures is a nice touch. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  15. The dream comes true. Gloster Javelin 1/48 - ref. A12007 Source: http://www.airfix.co...lin-148-a12007/ Obviously a FAW.9R. I like the details as the airbrakes and the dedicated ladder. Hope soon injected 1/48th Supermarine Scimitar, Fairey Gannet AEW and Blackburn Firebrand... V.P.
  16. A2Zee is preparing in the Alley Cat range (?) 1/48th Gloster Meteor F.Mk.4 and T.Mk.7 resin conversion sets. NF. variants being also looked at. Conversion sets for Tamiya Meteor F.Mk.III or Airfix F.Mk.8? Source: http://www.alleycatmodels.co.uk/ To be followed V.P.
  17. Gloster Gladiator Mk.II (32041) 1:32 ICM The Gladiator was the last biplane fighter used by the RAF due to the introduction of more modern monoplanes. The Gladiator was designed in response to an Air Ministry requirements for an aircraft capable of 250mph armed with at least four machines guns. Gloster decided that rather than developing a brand new fighter they could capitalise on their Gauntlet design. This modified design would dispense with a pair of interplane struts to reduce drag and follow a wing design developed by Hawkers. The "new" aircraft would use the 700 hp Bristol Mercury engine. The prototype flew in 1934, with the first production aircraft being delivered in 1937. The Gladiator was probably the pinnacle of biplane design with its streamlining, closed cockpit and heavier armament. The Nk II would be powered by a Bristol Mercury VIIIA engine. While the RAF ordered 180 aircraft the biplane design was really at the end of its life with more modern types being introduced. The type saw service in France in 1940, and on the home front in the Orkneys. Overseas they were used in Norway and most famously in the defence of Malta. Here these aircraft managed to defend the Island against superior Italian forces. Gladiators also saw service in North and East Africa as well as in Greece and the Middle East. Gladiators would also see combat service in Belgium, China and lastly Finland. By 1941 the aircraft had been retired from front line service, though continued to serve in communications and weather research roles. The Kit This is a new tool from ICM who really do seem to be giving us kits we want at the moment. On initial inspection the kit looks very good. There is plenty of detail and the moulding is first class. The fabric effects are not over done and the sprue gates are quite fine. This is the Mark II following on from the Mk.i and this kit has an additonal sprue with a new 3 bladed prop and a few other parts.. Construction starts with the cockpit and interior. Framework sides are added into each fuselage half with appropriate control systems and additional parts being added. Into the each side the fuselage mounted guns are also added at this stage. The cockpit itself with the seat, rudder controls, and the pilots compass is constructed and added into the left fuselage, The coaming around the cockpit is then added along with the main instrument panel and its coaming. Behind the cockpit the rear decking and bulkhead are added in. After the addition of the tail wheel to the rear of the fuselage, the two halves are then ready to go together. Once this is done the gun sight can be put in place. We now move toe the rear tail surfaces with the rudder and tail planes being constructed and added on. All of the moveable surfaces are separate parts. Back onto the front of the fuselage the pilots entry doors at each side are added along with the prominent side mounted oil cooler. Its worth noting here that the surface moulding of this part seems to accurately match the real thing. The canopies can now be added. The instructions show the front and rear being added first with the main canopy going over these. Next the lower main wing is assembled and added. There is a one part lower section to this with left and right uppers. The lower main wing part form the bottom of the fuselage in that area. Separate ailerons are then added. To the aft lower fuselage a plug section is added, this would appear to be in the area the arrestor hook will be on the Sea Gladiator version. Next up the top wing is assembled. This is in upper and lower parts with the ailerons as separate parts. Once together this can be joined to the lower wing with the outer struts and the inner ones attaching to the fuselage. There are positive locating points for all the struts. Next up the main gear is added. These seem quite strong with an inner part for the axle being sandwiched between the parts for the gear legs. The gun pods also need to go under the wings at this point. We now move to the front of the aircraft and the engine. Given the scale the engine is as detailed as the plastic parts can make it and it looks to be a good representation of the real thing. To the front is added the exhausts and collector ring. A three part cowling then goes over the engine. The front machine guns are then added along with the lower exhaust parts. The prop can then be added to the engine and the whole assembly mounted to the front of the fuselage. To finish up rigging diagrams are provided for the modeller to correctly rig the aircraft. Markings There are markings for four aircraft in this boxing No.247 Sqn RAF, Roborough August 1940. No.80 Sqn RAF, Greece December 1940. No.1 Sqn South African Air Force, East Africa 1940 Mo.615 (County of Surrey) Sqn RAF, St Inglevert (Northern France) April 1940. Decals are printed by ICM, with good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Conclusion It is good to see a new kit of this important RAF type being released. Even in 1/32 this is not overly large. ICM have done a great job with this kit. Very highly recommended. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of
  18. For quite a while I have been intrigued by thoughts of a Gloster Gladiator Monoplane a whatif model thrown together by Glosters when a small foreign power asks for a cheap monoplane because all its neighbours are getting shiny new 300mph fighters. Glosters were still building Gladiators so using as many parts from stock as possible a cheap and cheerful mono is produced. Unfortunately War were declared and Ruritania is invaded and cannot pay or receive the order so the Fleet Air Arm takes on the finished planes. Last night I was in my local Hobby Craft to buy some paints and I also picked up an Airfix 1/72 Gladiator for £6.50 in a slightly damaged box. I already have the alternative wing sprue from a Fokker DXXI kit and all I will need to do is scratch build retractable undercarriage though I am thinking of a different engine cowling and maybe lengthening the fuselage to move the cockpit aft of the wing. They also had an Airfix Hurricane kit for £8 which I might get for spares. All I have so far is the Airfix sprues IMG_20200211_123912609 by Stuart, on Flickr and the Fokker wing sprue from an MPM kit IMG_20200211_123927735 by Stuart, on Flickr I must say at first glance I am not too impressed with the Airfix sprues compared to the MPM sprue. The MPM is thinner harder plastic with much better panel detail the Airfix is softer, thicker and feels greasy even after I have washed it. Hopefully the two plastics will talk to each other when solvent is applied. Any suggestions welcome and if anyone has a spare NACA Bristol Mercury cowling from maybe a Bristol Blenheim build I will happily take it off your hands.
  19. Source: http://www.merit-int...01E04_01E05.jpg HK Models: http://www.hk-models.com/eng/p2_05.htm V.P.
  20. Planet Model is to release a 1/72nd Gloster F.9/37 Reaper resin kit - ref. PLT260 Source: http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/petr-MPM/library/?sort=3&page=1#/user/petr-MPM/library/?sort=3&page=1&_suid=138200056297207744798718970436 Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_F.9/37 V.P.
  21. The Meteor PR.5 has been a footnote in the Meteor's history: the prototype, VT347, crashed on its first flight, killing Gloster test pilot Rodney Dryland. As a result, no official photographs were taken of the PR.5 and it has faded into obscurity, receiving mention only as a one-off. Thanks to this excellent forum, I asked several weeks ago whether there did happen to be a photograph of the PR.5 and, as is the way of this excellent forum, I came-up trumps. https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235044487-the-longest-of-long-shots-the-meteor-fr5/ Thanks to @Dave Fleming, I was guided to the one source of images of what was not the FR.5 but the PR.5, namely the Summer 2008 edition of Air-Britain Aeromilitaria. It would appear that a Gloster employee took a couple of snaps of VT347 before its fateful flight. I'd rather not reproduce the pictures here, but there was one general view at ground level and another close-up of the camera nose that was identical to that on the later PR.10. The following were apparent: The aircraft was, essentially, a long-span F.4 with a camera nose. The aircraft was unarmed and appeared not to be designed to carry guns, this being confirmed by the Air-Britain article. It was known that there was also a camera mounting in the rear fuselage. The aircraft was partially-painted: wings, rear fuselage and tail appeared sliver with Type C and C1 roundels but the mid and forward fuselage, plus the engines were in different shades of primer. The nose appeared to be painted silver. The colour details are largely speculative: the picture was a blow-up from what was probably a rather small print rather than one of those lovely 10"x8" prints so beloved of official photographers, while it was - of course - black and white. Studying various photographs of Meteor production, combined with my own knowledge and experience (10 years in the Aerospace industry) and a bit of asking around, I plumped for a variety of shades of primer green, including Airfix interior green (much too dark and blue for my eyes), Games Workshop Elysian Green (pretty good) and a mix of Elysian Green and Humbrol Beige Green that cam-up with a shade that matches my recollection of airframes in primer. The kit itself was the MPM Meteor Mk.4 'Record-Breaker' which provided the correct long-span wings, combined with a spare PR nose from the MPM Meteor T.7½ . Here is the finished model: And my 'works photo': Finally, a comparison with the later PR.10. More photos can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/26690797@N02/albums/72157697272442550/with/44782802685/ Comments welcome. Kind regards, Neil
  22. The Gloster VI in 1/48 A fellow member of IPMS Austria friend of mine designed the kit. And for some kit I gave him, I got this kit as Thank You! This kit is from the Wiener Modellbau Manifaktur Gloster VI how to buy It is resin with etched parts. Nice made and a unique model too. Happy modelling
  23. Meteor T.7 VZ634 at Newark Air Museum, pics mine.
  24. Gloster Meteor NF.14 WS739 at Newark Air Museum, pics mine.
  25. Gloster Meteor F.4 This is EE531 at The Midland Air Museum. Technically this is the oldest Meteor in UK as the prototype aircraft did not carry the Meteor Name.
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