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To kick the Easter weekend off in style, I have completed my most recent Lynx model (my 8th Lynx) in the markings of (what else but) 815 Sqn Fleet Air Arm, as previously embarked in HMS SOMERSET. Last month (March) saw the final retirement of the lynx from the RN, after a front line career of nearly 40 years and active participation in at least 6 major conflicts (Falklands, Gulf 1, Bosnia, Kosovo, Gulf 2, Sierra Leone), plus continuous service in anti-narcotic, counter-terrrorism and anti-piracy roles around the world. It has now been replaced by the AW159 Wildcat, which is essentially an advanced Lynx development, but to my mind, nowhere near as elegant an aircraft!. This one is based on the modern Hobbyboss kit, which is a fairly easy and satisfying build, but has some serious shape and detail issues, some of which I have sorted, others of which are beyond my skills. I definitely prefer the Airfix offering. However, my finished model "looks like a Lynx to me!" The RN Mk8 issue doesn't seem to be easy to find around these parts, so this is the German issue, which i also used for my Black Cats Lynx. I think the box contents are the same though. I haven't yet written up all of the changes I have made, but in essence: Rotor head mount trimmed down (it sits about 4m too high) Tail rotor direction reversed Top and bottom door rails added Airfix doors substituted (Hobbyboss window in wrong position) Inflatable internal seat added (taken from an Airfix kit) IR/laser detectors added to nose/flanks/disco ball under tail Flare launchers added to undercarriage sponsons Wire MF aerial added CPI added to top of tail Rear flotation bags added to sponsons. Engine top deck modified Several wires/cable details added. ... and the main things I couldn't change: Windscreen too shallow & rounded Simplified rotor head (no actuators) BERP blades very poor shape Fuselage underside too curved Nose underside profile wrong - seems to curve up too much. I'm also not sure the flares would be appropriate for a full Sting Ray weapon load, but who knows And to finish, a wild pack of Lynx..... FredT