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Emailed Rising Decals asking if 72-045 1936: Britain Highest! Bristol 138A would ever be reprinted. Miroslav Kárník replied "yes, it is very probably, I will reprint this sheet during this year..." They are designed to fit FROG F165; Novo 76054, but of course will work with any scratch builds. http://www.rising.risingdecals.com/index.php/1-72-decal-sheets/154-72-045-1936-britain-highest https://www.scalemates.com/kits/rising-decals-rd72045-1936-britain-highest-bristol-138a--187751

Good evening all, Tonight I have for you the start of my first build for a GB! Originally I was planning on entering the Airfix 1/72 Blenheim, but I realized a number of others would be doing the same, and in any case, I managed to ruin the kit beyond redemption today while trying to install a CMK resin bomb-bay upgrade. (I was convinced this would happen and tried anyways. I should trust myself more often! As a backup, I have the Hawker Typhoon Bristol 138A! Maybe it's just me, but from the side, the fuselage looks quite similar to the later British fighter-bomber. This is the Airlines boxing of the FROG kit from the early 60's - a kit I am surprised exists, even understanding the range of kits produced by FROG and Matchbox in those days. Needless to say, it is simple, and mine is unfortunately covered in sink marks opposite of the alignment pegs. So far, I've added some detail to the cockpit - an extended floor, framing, control stick, instrument panel, and side console. Additionally, some detail was added to the radiator, though it's spurious at best. The engine is going to be replaced with one from an old Heller Gladiator that was never finished due to paint and gloss problems. Unfortunately, my new Camera seems entirely disinterested in making any attempt to focus on the parts of this kit, irrespective of lighting. For now, this is what I have - Shortly after these photos were taken, the insides were painted and the halves joined. Tomorrow, the tail surfaces and wings will be constructed, but not before I spray the final flat coat on a Hind, decal a P-26, and order a replacement Blenheim. After all, I have 2 decal sets, a mask set, and resin parts that need to be used. Does anyone know of any rare Bristol types that I may be able to pick up for the rest of this GB? Thanks all, Tweener

Aeropoxy is to release in September 2019 a 1/48th Bristol 138A resin kit - ref. Source: https://aeropoxy.wordpress.com/ V.P.

It's more efficient to have two kits on the go, isn't it?? This is another of the Frog Trail Blazers range which caught my eye as a unique subject, the Bristol 138/A. From Wiki, the Bristol Type 138 High Altitude Monoplane was a British high-altitude research aircraft developed and produced by the Bristol Aeroplane Company during the 1930s. It holds the distinction of setting nine separate altitude world records, the ultimate of these occurring on 30 June 1937, during a 2¼-hour flight flown by Flight Lieutenant M.J. Adam, in which he achieved a record altitude, which was later homologated by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale as having attained a maximum altitude of 53,937 ft (16,440 m). The Type 138 was designed as a dedicated research aircraft capable of reaching high altitudes; aeronautical engineer Frank Barnwell (connection with Stirling, my current home, here), had first proposed the design to the British Air Ministry during November 1933. The revised design was produced in response to the issuing of Specification 2/34 by the Air Ministry during June 1934, which sought an aircraft that would be capable of achieving the unheard-of altitude of 50,000 feet. In addition to Bristol's own work on the Type 138, the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) and National Physical Laboratory also made valuable contributions to the development effort on designing the type. On 11 May 1936, the Type 138A performed its maiden flight, piloted by Cyril Uwins. On 28 September 1936, Squadron Leader F.R.D. Swain set a new world record altitude record, having climbed to an indicated altitude of 51,000 ft (15,440 m), which was homologated as 49,967 ft (15,230 m). After this milestone, research flights continued, along with further attempts to break the altitude record. Further development of the aircraft after the first record-breaking flight led to a series of small modifications being implemented. The last record-breaking flight was flown on 30 June 1937. Very individual colour scheme. I hope the 'crewman' (do they mean pilot?) is to scale. When you unfold the Instructions, it's like opening up a treasure map! Transfers look OK and a different type of 'Replacements' slip. Here's the history on the reverse of the Instructions and 9 Gold Tokens this time. Two kit listings to compare. Clear stand and canopy look like they need a wash and polish up. There is a very small 'hinge' type piece which is off the sprue and I have the feeling that there may be more required - must look in the corners of the box, which will double as a work tray, of course! With this kit's high altitude pedigree, it won't be happy until it's suspended from the ceiling!

When the time comes I will open THIS box. Greg in OK

Here I comeback to the forum after a long time with this kit. Although not a wartime aircraft, it is one of the closest things you can find that actually didn't fought but looks like if it would have had. The main thing that separes these kit from the usual is; modified pilot to resemble the actual pilot who achieved the records, with a white suit, resembling a pulp fiction astronaut, and I sculped with putty the wheel protections on the wheels, which I think gives a great style, besides the chroming of the nacelle. This has been a family build - built by my father, wheel protections and pilot made by my brother, and painted, chromed and decalled by myself. I have made also a full review; http://toysoldierchest.blogspot.com/2015/01/frog-novo-bristol-138-research-plane.html