Lesser Built Air Forces GB + CONFIRM BUILDS NOW +

[CliffB]

Flicking through this year's Yearbooks it's noticeable how most military aviation subjects come, not surprisingly, from five main air forces namely: British, US, USSR, German and Japanese.

Spicing up the Yearbooks though, are a scattering of models featuring slightly more exotic markings from other air forces.

Does anyone else fancy a Small Air Forces GB for 2015? I'm proposing two rules:

Rule 1: To keep things easy, Rule 1 would simply require the subject to be an aircraft or helicopter featuring national markings from any air force other than British, US. USSR, German and Japanese. The air forces from former Soviet states etc (in their own national markings of course), would be fine.

Rule 2: To make things more difficult, Rule 2 only allows each air force to be represented once within the GB. First come, first served. You can have multiple entries into the GB, but each must represent an additional air force.

If you want to, reserve your favourite air force(s) now, and if we should be successful next year I'll PM you all at that time to confirm that you still want to deliver. Any drop outs will be thrown back into the ring.

Reservations so far are given in the list below.

THOSE MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK * ARE CONFIRMED.

THOSE MARKED WITH A QUESTION MARK ? ARE POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE TO NEW PARTICIPANTS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. PLEASE ASK.

ANY RESERVATIONS THAT REMAIN UNCONFIRMED AT THE START OF THE GB WILL BE CANCELLED AND THE NATIONS WILL BE UP FOR GRABS AGAIN.

ANY NATIONS NOT LISTED BELOW (APART FROM UK, USA, USSR, GERMANY & JAPAN), ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE TO CLAIM, RIGHT NOW.

* Abu Dhabi: AndrewE

* Afghanistan: Natter

* Albania: Lex77

* Argentina: Moggy

* Australia: trickyrich

* Austria: PaulR

* Austria-Hungary: Jockney

* Bahrain: kpc7676

? *Bangladesh: Julien

Belgium: Erwin

* Biafra: georgeusa

* Bolivia: CliffB

* Botswana: Ali62

* Brazil: bobster

* Bulgaria: Black Knight

* Burkina Faso: chockhead

* Burma: Mungo 1974

* Cambodia: Tiger331

Canada: Speckled Jim

* Chad: Foxbat

Chile: robvulcan

* China (PRC): Antoine

* Colombia: Enzo Matrix

? *Costa Rica: Julien

* Cote d'Ivoire: Radleigh

* Croatia: Mitch K

* Cuba: Enzo Matrix

* Czech Republic/Czechoslovakia: -Neu-

* Denmark: fraxinus

* Dominican Republic: thepureness

* Egypt: bobster

* El Salvador: T7 Models

* Eritrea: Squatty

* Estonia: Bonehammer

Ethiopia: Sgt.Squarehead

* Finland: TrojanThunder

* France: Mish

* Georgia: gcn

Greece: mmaker

* Guatemala: hgbn

* Haiti: Mungo 1974

* Hungary: Troy Smith

* India: chockhead

* Indonesia: mitcham

* Iran/Persia: Old Man

* Iraq: Jabba

* Ireland: Séan Pádraig

* Israel: Black Knight

* Italy: vppelt68

* Jamaica: philp

* Jordan: Ali62

? *Kenya: Roland Pulfrew

* Kuwait: Balloo

* Laos: Killingholme

* Latvia: Rob G

? *Lebanon: milktrip

* Lithuania: John.R

Malaysia: masterqq

* Mauritania: Rob G

* Mexico: Dazzio

* Mongolia: Brad

? *Morocco: Col.

* Netherlands: Arniec

* New Zealand: Silver Fox

* Nicaragua: Mungo 1974

* North Korea: Radleigh

* Norway: sartois66

* Oman: milktrip

* Pakistan: chockhead

* Paraguay: Learstang

* Peru: Col.

* Poland: Deanflyer

* Portugal: luis pacheco

* Qatar: Bonhoff

* Romania: Misterfriend

* Saudi Arabia: Dazzio

* Singapore: AndrewE

* Slovakia: -Neu-

Somalia: Atom.uk

* South Africa: mitchem

* South Korea: Speedman

* Spain: Prenton

* Sudan: Marlin

* Sweden: chrisrope

* Switzerland: Mozzy19

* Syria: Swat11

* Taiwan/ROC: Old Man

* Thailand: Mungo 1974

* Tunisia: fallmonk

? *Uganda: Roland Pulfrew

* Ukraine: DaveJL

UN: SamH93

* Uruguay: Mungo 1974

* Venezuala: Ilking

* Vietnam/North Vietnam: The dragonborn

* Yugoslavia: Sleeper Service

? *Zaire: GiorgioN

* Zimbabwe: wkennerley

Signed up so far:

1. CliffB (host)

2. robvulcan (co-host)

3. Jabba

4. masterqq

5. Mish

6. Giorgio N

7. Silver Fox

8. Arniec

9. fraxinus

10. hgbn

11. Radleigh

12. Tiger331

13. sartois66

14. Roland Pulfrew

15. Mozzy19

16. Erwin

17. Vppelt68

18. John.R

19. Foxbat

20. Mungo 1974

21. PaulR

22. Antoine

23. Moggy

24. SamH93

25: luis pacheco

26: Enzo Matrix

27: Séan Pádraig

28: Atom.uk

29: chrisrope

30: trickyrich

31: Lex77

32: Swat11

33: Speckled Jim

34: Deanflyer

35: -Neu-

36: mmaker

37: Balloo

38: chockhead

39: AndrewE

40: The dragonborn

41: Black Knight

42: Squatty

43: mitchem

44: fallmonk

45: Julien

46: Rob G

47: Mitch K

48: milktrip

49: Misterfriend

50: Old Man

51: Dazzio

52: Sleeper Service

53: thepureness

54: philp

55: wkennerley

56: T7 Models

57: Natter

58: Bonhoff

59: Bonehammer

60: Sgt.Squarehead

61: Killingholme

62: Speedman

63: Marlin

64: DaveJL

65: Troy Smith

66: Prenton

67: Ali62

68: bobster

69: kpc7676

70: Jockney

71: gcn

72: Brad

73: TrojanThunder

74: georgeusa

75: Ilking

76: Learstang

Cheers

Cliff

Edited December 20, 2014 by CliffB

[Wez]

Yep, I'm in, don't know what with yet but probably something Latin American... ...but should it just be limited to air forces? I know Bison do some decals for Cuban tanks.

Wez

Edited December 31, 2013 by Wez

[robvulcan]

Great Cliff your right. I will join and I will allow you to choose my subject or give me a choice of models you would like to see me have ago at.

Just to make it more fun.

Cheers Rob

[masterqq]

sure...

1. Bolivia: CliffB

2. Masterqq : Malaysia

[AnonymousDFB1]

I'm in with something French

[Giorgio N]

This is a great idea Cliff, and I'm surprised it's not been suggested before.

Do you plan on considering every country apart from the "big five" ? Not sure if countries like France, Canada, Italy or Sweden could be considered to have "small air forces"...

In any case, regardless of the rules, I'd be glad to take part in this ! No idea what markings yet, it would depend on what I'll manage to build in 2014. If I have to choose now, it would probably something from Africa, maybe the Zaire Mirage 5 I've been planning for a long time.

[Silver Fox]

New Zealand for me please.

[CliffB]

Thanks for the interest so far guys.

Yep, I'm in, don't know what with yet but probably something Latin American... ...but should it just be limited to air forces? I know Bison do some decals for Cuban tanks.

Wez

Hi Wez, I did consider the opportunities for other subjects (including airlines, F1 racing teams etc.), but I came to the conclusion that, for me at least, the appeal is in the markings. You know, seeing a familiar military aircraft looking slightly more exotic.

Great Cliff your right. I will join and I will allow you to choose my subject or give me a choice of models you would like to see me have ago at.

Just to make it more fun.

Cheers Rob

OK Rob, you asked for it. I'll put you down for a 1/72 Chilean SE5a. I can let you have the kit and decals!

This is a great idea Cliff, and I'm surprised it's not been suggested before.

Do you plan on considering every country apart from the "big five" ? Not sure if countries like France, Canada, Italy or Sweden could be considered to have "small air forces"...

In any case, regardless of the rules, I'd be glad to take part in this ! No idea what markings yet, it would depend on what I'll manage to build in 2014. If I have to choose now, it would probably something from Africa, maybe the Zaire Mirage 5 I've been planning for a long time.

Thanks Giorgio. You are right of course, but I'm looking at it from a BritModeller popularity perspective. I'm using 'small air forces' as a shorthand, it's in no way meant to be derogatory. I think France, Canada etc would fit in well to the spirit of the GB. I'll reserve Zaire for you for the present!

Cheers

Cliff

[Wez]

Thanks for the interest so far guys.

Hi Wez, I did consider the opportunities for other subjects (including airlines, F1 racing teams etc.), but I came to the conclusion that, for me at least, the appeal is in the markings. You know, seeing a familiar military aircraft looking slightly more exotic.

...but I'm looking at it from a BritModeller popularity perspective. I'm using 'small air forces' as a shorthand, it's in no way meant to be derogatory. I think France, Canada etc would fit in well to the spirit of the GB. I'll reserve Zaire for you for the present!

Cheers

Cliff

Cliff, fine by me as I'm an aircraft modeller, I'm definitely in with something, I've got plenty of markings for stuff outside of the big-five (co-incidentally, just who are the big five...???)

Currently, I'm thinking a Spanish C-47, a Botswanan F-5A, Latin American T-6, P-51 or P-47... ...sooo many choices! Still, 2015 is a little while away, plenty of time to decide.

Wez

Edited December 31, 2013 by Wez

[Arniec]

I am in with something from the Netherlands.

Cheers,

[Mandrake]

A good idea for a GB but I think your parameters need redefining. Your big five appear based on the five main nations in WWII rather than post war, excluding the argueably the third largest air force, the Chinese PLAAF.

Also the USSR has not existed for 23 years.

[CliffB]

Cliff, fine by me as I'm an aircraft modeller, I'm definitely in with something, I've got plenty of markings for stuff outside of the big-five (co-incidentally, just who are the big five...???)

Currently, I'm thinking a Spanish C-47, a Botswanan F-5A, Latin American T-6, P-51 or P-47... ...sooo many choices! Still, 2015 is a little while away, plenty of time to decide.

We

Thanks Wez

The 'Big Five' are the air forces of Britain, the US, the USSR, Germany and Japan. Defined pretty randomly by me as my perception of their popularity as subjects for models posted on BritModeller!

Your potential choices sound great (particularly the Botswanan F-5A). Just in case you missed it in the first post (as you did the definition of the 'Big Five' ), we are currently taking reservations for Air Forces, so don't miss out!

Cheers

Cliff

[Wez]

Thanks Wez

The 'Big Five' are the air forces of Britain, the US, the USSR, Germany and Japan. Defined pretty randomly by me as my perception of their popularity as subjects for models posted on BritModeller!

Your potential choices sound great (particularly the Botswanan F-5A). Just in case you missed it in the first post (as you did the definition of the 'Big Five' ), we are currently taking reservations for Air Forces, so don't miss out!

Cheers

Cliff

Cliff,

Thanks for the clarification and oops! Yes I had missed the fact I need to bagsie my choice! In which case I choose the Spanish Air Force!

Wez

Edited December 31, 2013 by Wez

[robvulcan]

OK Rob, you asked for it. I'll put you down for a 1/72 Chilean SE5a. I can let you have the kit and decals!

Challenge Accepted. Pretty little thing too.

Cheers for the decals.

Rob

[CliffB]

A good idea for a GB but I think your parameters need redefining. Your big five appear based on the five main nations in WWII rather than post war, excluding the argueably the third largest air force, the Chinese PLAAF.

Also the USSR has not existed for 23 years.

Hi Mandrake

I've updated the first post to hopefully clarify where I'm coming from on this.

The 'BM Big Five' are selected solely on my perception of their popularity as modelling subjects on BritModeller - nothing to do with the size of the air force. All other air forces are therefore defined as 'small' (in terms of their BM popularity). Chinese PLAAF would qualify as I don't think we see that many models in these markings? The purpose of this GB is to give some lesser seen air force markings their time in the spotlight .

I'd be happy to expand the Big Five though, if others think that any other air force is already sufficiently well represented on BM (I've applied no science to this)!

As an aside though, if we are going to have 30+ models in the GB (which we will need to have if it is to go ahead), and we stick with the idea of only having one model from each air force, then the majority will almost certainly be coming from air forces that are smaller in every sense of the word.

Cheers

Cliff

[fraxinus]

Denmark please.........I closed my eyes and put a pin in the map! Seems to be a nice choice of aircraft hope I can get the decals!

[hgbn]

Count me in too. RDAF

Denmark please.........I closed my eyes and put a pin in the map! Seems to be a nice choice of aircraft hope I can get the decals!

Ohh here is all you need http://stoppel.dk/shop/danish-air-force-135s.html

[Radleigh]

Can I have Taiwan Air Force please...

[CliffB]

Count me in too. RDAF

Ohh here is all you need http://stoppel.dk/shop/danish-air-force-135s.html

On no! Our first clash of interests!

If we are going for one build per air force (is this a good idea or a stupid idea?), then we have a problem here. Henrik, would you be happy to do a non-Danish subject, or fraxinus do you fancy another go with the pin (I know you got there first!)

Cheers

Cliff

[hgbn]

I can build whatever no problem, got tons of decals from smaller countries, South America, Asian, African and central American

I hadn't seen only one build per country, sorry

[CliffB]

I can build whatever no problem, got tons of decals from smaller countries, South America, Asian, African and central American

I hadn't seen only one build per country, sorry

Thanks Henrik - that's brilliant!

If you want to reserve an air force now that's fine, but equally you can wait to see what's left in 2015 if you prefer- sounds like you've got lots of scope

Cheers

Cliff

[hgbn]

Put me in for a A-37 from Guatemala then

[Radleigh]

On no! Our first clash of interests!

If we are going for one build per air force (is this a good idea or a stupid idea?)

Cheers

Cliff

I think it's a great idea.

I have a few kits that I can put into Taiwan AF colours too..

F-100

P-3 Orion

PB4Y Privateer

B-57 (RB-57)

S-2 Tracker

HU-16A

Catalina

[Parabat]

I'm in with a South African Air Force jet.

[NorwegianWood]

I would like to do something from the Royal Norwegian. I have kits, good intentions, there are decals around :-). So if I'm still around here in 2015 I'm Inn.