John B (Sc) Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Having just got hold of this kit, there is one very minor point which immediately struck me. A wee whinge follows ! It's a nicely moulded kit, will be fun to build, but why did Airfix choose two aircraft with such similar serial numbers? The XB series serials, fair enough. But XB984 and XB584 ? Come on, Airfix, if you are giving two examples why not choose numbers which give folk a chance to model a few other examples easily. That might even help encourage the occasional extra purchase. Having given use 9, 8 and 4 , why not make the other serial one from the numbers 0,1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 ? It can't be that hard to find suitable numbers. A very quick search found for example XB640 of no3 Sqn and XB981 of no 4 Sqn., so not even changing the Squadrons provided. OK, aftermarket decal suppliers can fill in, but making it easier and more useful wouldn't hurt, surely? This seems to be a common failing - does anyone think it is deliberate? John B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Not deliberate - the two schemes were my suggestion, made because both were more 'colourful' than others from the same units. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 21 hours ago, John B (Sc) said: Having just got hold of this kit, there is one very minor point which immediately struck me. A wee whinge follows ! It's a nicely moulded kit, will be fun to build, but why did Airfix choose two aircraft with such similar serial numbers? The XB series serials, fair enough. But XB984 and XB584 ? Come on, Airfix, if you are giving two examples why not choose numbers which give folk a chance to model a few other examples easily. That might even help encourage the occasional extra purchase. Having given use 9, 8 and 4 , why not make the other serial one from the numbers 0,1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 ? It can't be that hard to find suitable numbers. A very quick search found for example XB640 of no3 Sqn and XB981 of no 4 Sqn., so not even changing the Squadrons provided. OK, aftermarket decal suppliers can fill in, but making it easier and more useful wouldn't hurt, surely? This seems to be a common failing - does anyone think it is deliberate? John B Aftermarket numbers/letters are readily available from quite a few manufacturers so modelling any aircraft wouldn't be a problem. Selwyn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 10 hours ago, Sabrejet said: Not deliberate - the two schemes were my suggestion, made because both were more 'colourful' than others from the same units. Well to be honest I personally think the 4 Sqn scheme in the kit is probably one of the dullest schemes I have ever seen on the Sabre! This would have been much better in my opinion! Selwyn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 It's always nice to know one's efforts are appreciated. 5 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B (Sc) Posted September 18, 2021 Author Share Posted September 18, 2021 Thanks Sabrejet - I wasn't aware that those two specific aircraft were more colourful than others in their units - why was that? Neither looks to be the CO's aircraft. However I do also agree with Selwyn about the other 4 Sqn aircraft - I really like the colourful rectangles era of markings, and 4 Sqn has long been a particular favourite of mine. Ah well, whatever you do, someone will mump. Oops - sorry ! John B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 XB984 is 3 Sqn CO's aircraft and probably one of the most colourful RAF Sabres. It hadn't been done with the correct ejection triangles and CO's name before. The later 4 Sqn Sabre scheme had been done on other decal sheets before (Eagle Strike etc): the machine depicted by Airfix was an attempt to present a 4 Sqn machine/scheme which hadn't been done before. Simple really. No need to apologise either: it can be difficult to please all the people all the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 19 hours ago, Sabrejet said: It's always nice to know one's efforts are appreciated. And they are! As I stated it was a personal preference, and as a ex 4 Sqn member its somthing of interest to me. Selwyn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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