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Only my second armour model (unless you count the Matchbox attempts when i was a schoolboy!) and what a beautiful kit this was to build. Really well engineered and almost fell together. I had originally planned to build the 1/35 version but realised it was too big for the display cabinet! This 1/48 scale is just perfect, i just wish there were more armour models in this scale out there. First timer at freehand airbrushing camouflage and I've so much to learn! Must do better next time. Paints were Tamiya and weathering powders from Tamiya and Vallejo. Still not brave enough to plaster it in mud just yet! Photographs not the best as they're off the phone. Comments and tips appreciated. 1/48 Hetzer next....... 🙂

To mark the retirement of the RF4E from Hellenic Air Force service and the disbanding of 348 squadron a spotters' day and formal retirement ceremony was held at Larissa air force base. Although initially limited to 300 places, overwhelming demand to attend led to just over 500 enthusiasts from 28 countries being granted access to the spotters day Thursday 4th May. As to be expected security was tight but despite the numbers, entry and processing was carried out pretty quickly and the whole day was efficiently run. The organisers had very helpfully laid out a crowd line of what must have been at least 2,000 feet along the southern taxiway to allow everyone plenty of room. There was also a souvenir stall which was busier than the first day of the Harrods sale. We were treated to several sorties by the resident Phantoms and F16s of 337 squadron as well as a practice flight by the T6 from Team Daedalus and the F16 from Zeus both of which were displaying on the Friday. The F4s, along with a Mirage 2000 and an F16 were also practicing their formation for Friday's ceremony. Unfortunately they practiced (quite naturally) along their crowd line which was at the western end and at 90 degrees to the runway which meant they were quite a way away and on the Friday we were facing the sun which was obviously not great for photos. We would love to have had them do a practice down the runway of course! A few low passes and top sides would have been terrific and although the squadron had opted for a flying programme to benefit the spotters the final decision regarding the flying was out of their hands. The Friday saw the base open to the public for speeches and a religious ceremony combined to mark the squadron's disbanding. I reckoned the spotters present outnumbered the locals 2:1. The airshow consisted of the mixed formation flypast, the three F4s and Zeus and Daedalus as mentioned. Everybody was then allowed onto the apron for a closer look at the flagship Phantom, a retired RF84 and an F16. By midday it was all over and time to leave the base. The weather was officially scorchio and so while much, much better than standard UK issue grey overcast the heat haze was unhelpful. A huge thank you to the Hellenic Air Force and the personnel of 348 squadron and the 110th Combat Wing at Larissa for putting on such a great event and which was entirely free of charge as well. For those interested the June edition of "Combat Aircraft" magazine has a 12 page spread on 348s Phantoms. I picked mine up from the newsagent this morning but have yet to read it. 1. Today, for you, we make the exception. 2. 3. 4. The flagship. 5. The old adage - follow the smoke and you'll find your Phantom. Spot the second one. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Friday's flypast. Unfortunately we were facing the sun. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. The coolest job in the world. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. The pilots did a great job. Turning towards the crowd and stopping along the taxiway as well. 23. 24. 25. 26. 26. It was intended that we get access to these by being bussed over using an hourly service. I was told that the busses arrived when everybody was along the crowd line photographing the flying Phantoms and thinking there was no interest the buses disappeared never to be seen again! 27. Team Daedalus. 28. Good luck waiting for the crowd to clear. 29. 30. Contrary to expectations the base museum was not accessible on the Friday which was a huge shame. 31. There is a memorial in the south-east corner of the base outside the wire and which sits on a mound some 25 feet high. Taken from there. 32. Worn with with pride! 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. There were a few of these littering the airfield. 40. A sad sight. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. That's the lot. Thanks for looking