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WWII German Torpedo Trailer (48404) 1:48 ICM via Hannants The F5 Torpedo was developed for the Luftwaffe by the Kriegsmarine from an earlier Norwegian design, adding a break-off wooden H-tail that helped ensure a smoother insertion into the water, which at a little under a tonne was an important stage in its flight envelope. It was carried by a number of German bombers such as the Ju.88 and He.111, the latter being able to carry a pair on a palette covering the bomb bay doors, and even the Fw.190 was configured to carry one under its belly. The Kit This kit is contained on a single sprue of grey styrene in a small top-opening box that contains parts for a complete torpedo, plus a trailer to transport it around the airfield. The trailer is made first, with six cross-members installed on a cruciform chassis and fleshed out with a set of tubular frames and sections of tread-plate on either side of where the torpedo will sit. A pair of wheels glue to the short ends of the crucifix, then the torpedo is built from two halves with a double row of blades on the screw and a pair of perpendicular fins at the rear. The break-off tail is made from two T-shaped end panels, with four vanes stretched between them. The wooden tail slots over the torpedo’s fins, and the finished weapon is lowered into the cradle running along the trailer’s direction of travel. The instructions have a sprue diagram on the front page, the build steps spreading over the two central sheets, and at the rear are the painting instructions, with codes from ICM’s new paint range, plus Revell and Tamiya codes as well as colour names. There are two painting suggestions, and from the box you can build one of the following: German Torpedo Trailer with F5 Torpedo, WWII German Torpedo Trailer with F5 Torpedo, KG26, Sardinia, 1943 Conclusion A nicely detailed set that will complement any diorama scenario or even to personalise a model placed on the shelves of your cabinet. Highly recommended. Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd. Review sample courtesy of

Always no time ago I built an ESCI F-5 as a USAF Aggressor. Then another one came up on eBay with the ground crew set. Now I wanted the ground crew, but wasn’t so worried about another F5. And the kit had a vacform diorama base. But I thought what not build the F5 and isle it on the base as per the box art. So this is the first & second F5s on the later box The kit was pretty warped, fairly poor fit, raised surface detail etc This is her heading into the workshop for paint The kit colour scheme applied Back in the shop for decals And posed on the box diorama And finally with the box box for comparison Not built as a high detail kit, but a tribute to those box art pictures & kits they just don’t make any more. Hope you like it

Well spring has supposedly spring and the cricket season is finally getting underway. As a result I have decided to put the Chu Lia Phantom on hold as I will have less time and don't want to stall on a big build. I wanted something smaller and I could do with a break from Light Gull grey and White, lovely though it is. So after a failed ebay attempt at a Corsair I went back to the stash and pulled out the Kinetic F5B I bought a while ago. It gives me a chance to practice the SEA camp scheme so when I finally land a corsair or an F100 I should be well practiced. A bit of background on the F5 in USAF service in Vietnam. I thought incorrectly that the USAF didn't use the F5 in combat, but the Skoski Tiger program was a real combat test of the F5. In October 1965, the USAF began a five-month combat evaluation of the F-5A titled Skoshi Tiger. A total of 12 aircraft were delivered for trials to the 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, and after modification with probe and drogue aerial refueling equipment, armor and improved instruments, were redesignated as the F-5C.[58] Over the next six months, they performed combat duty in Vietnam, flying more than 2,600 sorties, both from the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa over South Vietnam and from Da Nang Air Base where operations were flown over Laos. Nine aircraft were lost in Vietnam, seven to enemy ground fire and two to operational causes.[59][60] Although declared a success, with the aircraft generally rated as capable a ground-attack aircraft as the F-100, but suffering from a shorter range,[61] the program was considered a political gesture intended to aid the export of more F-5s than a serious consideration of the type for U.S. service.[58] From April 1966, the aircraft continued operations as 10th Fighter Commando Squadron with their number boosted to 17 aircraft. (from Wikipedia) As well as the F5A Skoski Tigers there were 2 combat capable F5B's. After the trial the aircraft became the first modern aircraft operated by the Vietnamese airforce. On to the kit. the Kinetic kit gets generally good reviews, with only the join between the front and rear fuselage sections attracting any criticism. It seems to be a common failing of this sort of two seat conversion kit. I managed the Cougar, so this can't be any worse, we'll have to wait and see. A shot of the end opening box. Fortunately I kept the box from the Skyhawk an the sprues were a nice fit in the top opening box. Sprue shots Two seat fuselage Tiny wings Rear Fuselage Few bits of flash, but nothing serious Weapons, fuel tanks and other bits and bobs Overall nicely moulded with fine lines. I am going OOB for this one as I want to work on making my own seatbelts and painting the IP's. I have been hitting the aftermarket add ons a bit too much lately and want to see what I can do myself. The only purchases the AK paint set, it will come in handy for the Corsair and the Hun I have my eye on, so is good to have in stock. I have always got good result with the AK paint sets, so hopefully this will be the same. Thats it for now, I have got some photo's of the progress so far, but will post them later. Thanks For looking Yeoman

Latest completion the Revell boxing of the F-5B or SF-5B in Spanish Air Force operation. Started as part of the single type F-5 build and only just completed - oh well! Simple enough kit built OOB and using kit decals. Painted with AK Extreme Metal, which is very easy to use with good results. Not perfect, but I am reasonably happy with the way it has turned out. I have a single seater following this.

Never built Hobby Boss before. 4 nice choices decal wise - this will be OOB with wheels up. Have built the AFV F5E in Alconbury Aggressor colours, not too bad to paint the 3 way cam, could be a tad more fiddly at 1/72!! Obligatory box and sprue shots! Kit looks quite detailed, with a little bit of flash, on my initial look. Any top tips appreciated!! As with my SOP on STGBs, I will also built in 1/48. As Azureglo is doing the blue/grey Marines version, I am erring to the Brown Navy version....