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I would like to show you my recently finished model. The XB-70 was capable of flying Mach 3. Only two were built, one was destroyed after a collision with a Chase F-104. The other one is on exhibit in the USAF Museum in Dayton. The kit is qualitywise on the lower part of the scale. It is a has a lot of air bubbles, some of them on the edges, so it is hard to correct them. But it is the only game in town. Typical for the XB-70 on the ground is the position of the ailerons. The are not aligned but all in a different position hanging down. Also the colour of the tyres is unique, as they have to withstand the high temperatures at high speeds. The landing gear doors were too thick and I replaced them with thin plastic sheet. No big deal. hope you enjoy this white beauty!

Guys, while I do have some other kits running (or, honestly, just resting a bit), I'm turned into a cold war state of mind due to whatever reasons (maybe because of snow and dark weather here, so this city looks much like the dark and grey Vienna I remember from my childhood days in the seventies). So, to fulfill these dark desires I plan to work this gloomy mood of into the Kineti Starfighter I have in my stash. The starfighter is a plane that has always interested me a lot, not only because of it's pure design, also of course of it's twisted history especially in German service - I still can remember stories about it in the news even here in Austria, when another one has crashed (much lesser in the seventies, though), and tales that atomic plants here are build to a standard, that it would withstand the force of a plane with the mass of a starfighter crashing into it. This plane has a fascination on me and I also would like to dig into history of it, even more so than I usually do. So, I plan to do an early F104G, so with the infamous C2 seat, and have already ordered the usual Eduard Brass for it as well as a Löök set (are there any heavy metal fans involved in the naming conventions here?). So far I found out the while the plastic parts for the early seat are included in the kit, in the manual it is not covered, and while Kinetic was very fast and helpful in answering some questions via facebook, there still are some questions. So, I started researching and ordering stuff. And yes, I came across Danny Coleman's site and ordered his Decal set as well as the pictoral guide, as I do lack some information, especially on the early seat. But, my guess is, this will not be my last "Witwenmacher"... This of course will be before the backdrop of the "Starfighter-Affäre" from these times and the planes abilities and disadvantages, and I do hope for some input from the experts here. Also I expect to learn about this here as well. I will post some pictures soon, as I have already started with the seat, but for now I'm still wondering about which livery and specific plane to go for. With the early seat option is between two schemes, one is the regular Norm 62 splinter scheme of the planes in service then, which was for both the Marine and Jagdbomber, and a bare metal look, which was in use on some occasions mainly outside of regular service. So, at this very stage all your ideas and thoughts are welcome, let's see if this topic is of some interest for you.

Maybe it’s my age, well, I was born in 1952 after all, but I really like the jets from the ’50s. To me, they just look like a jet fighter is supposed to. It seems that to aircraft designers back then, there was no limit to their imagination. Some of the most beautiful fighters(the Hawker Hunter comes to mind!) were born then and no computer calculations determined that. For many it seems that if it looked “right” then it was! This is another of the “good” Monogram kits I think. It’s possible to make a real nice model out of this old bird. I originally bought this kit back in the late 1980s(!) and it sat in the stash for years. When I did finally get around to building it, I tried an experiment of sorts. I primed the bottom side in a dark gray, and then sprayed the light gray over that. Then, I gently sanded away the lighter color over the raised panel lines. It turned out pretty much as I wanted, but the pics I’ve taken show it to be much dirtier that I’d like. Oh well, that’s how it goes with builders of “four-footers” such as myself. I really like the looks of the Thunderstreak and yes, I do know about it’s shortcomings as a service aircraft. I always thought it was cooler looking than the F-86 Sabre but it's career was not as illustrious. I'm not certain, but I believe that French F-84Fs were used in combat during the Suez Crisis and that may have been the only combat usage of the type. Someone here maybe able to confirm that? Still, it’s a sleek, swept-wing beauty to me and I love how it looks parked with it’s 1950’s peers. The kit dates back to 1984 and its detail must’ve been somewhat state of the art back then. I have seen examples on the web that are really outstanding. I finished mine in the three color camo seen on these birds near the end of their use. This one represents an aircraft of the Texas Air Guard. I used Humbrol 116 enamel for the darker green, Humbrol 117 for the lighter green, Model Master Tan for the third color. The underside was done in Model Master camo gray. All of the upper colors were lightened with Humbrol satin white to get a faded look and sprayed with the venerable Paasche Model H. The decals are a combination of aftermarket and kit choices. The seat harnesses are from an Eduard set for an F-104 if I recall correctly. I figured close enough for government work! 😉The characteristic insulation around the canopy framing is EZ Mask vinyl stripes and I used EZ Masks to paint the canopy too. The canopy support arms gave no end of trouble and I redid them several times, finally achieving the most tenuous attachment to the canopy. The arms should be more vertical but damn, I was just tired of fooling with it and left it as is. We’ll just say the hydraulics are leaking a bit, lol. 😀 The model has many flaws, as do most of mine. But, it is finished and I love seeing it in my “gallery” of 1950’s planes. As usual, I photographed her at the little Cameron airport. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at her! Comments are always welcomed! Gary https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_F-84F_Thunderstreak http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p84_12.html Some cockpit pics:

Did anybody here go to the Cold War Jets day last weekend? I can't seem to find any pictures anywhere online from the event, and I was hoping someone has got some decent pictures of the Buccaneer XW544 during its performance. I was the chap sitting in the back seat waving like a mad thing... If anyone has any, I'd appreciate seeing them please. 🙂 Cheers, Dean

Hi all my name is dennis and im a new member. And im sure I will be asking questions in the near future as im starting a few cold war British aircraft. Including an Raf Fg 1 Phantom from #111 Squadron in the Grey on green camouflage. And one of my all time Favorite aircraft the F1 lightning (oddly both aitcraft will be from the same Squadron). Im from america so please excuse me if i get some things mixed up. Im not sure if its an Bac lightning but i've alwasy known them as English Electric lightnings. I know English electric was bought or absorbed into Bac. Just not sure if you prefer Bac to EE. Sorry again i realize this is on the longer side for an intro. Lastly i tried to add a photo to the profile but kept being told they were exceeding size limits. Which may affect my displaying my build/build progress pictures as well. If it does i would consider an email exchange if that would help?

On Sunday 25th I visited Bruntingthorpe airfield near Leicester - for one of their 'Cold War Jets' events. This is when they fire up the jets and do fast taxy runs down the runway. The sight and sound of an English Electric Lightning F.6 in full reheat just yards away is something I shall never forget!! A few of my photos from the day... Lots more photos here Ken