cold war jets Kits question

[Mark M]

ok chaps having read Empire of the Clouds: When Britain's Aircraft Ruled the World, By James Hamilton-Paterson, and ive long strived for a collection of iconic RAF / RN cold war fighters in 1/48 i was wondering if there are kits that are avaliable for them (please dont offer to sell me any this is a long term plan)

all i want is 1 kit to signify each type

for example i have a classic airframes metor so i dont want any more varients

so i have

meteor

sea vixen

jaguar

tonka

bucc

lightning

tsr2

phantom

canberra - ok a bomber but you have to have one

got plenty of Hawks

Harrier

im looking to fill the gaps

vampire (Aeroclub (I think) did Vampires)

venom

Swift

hunter (Academy)

Javelin (soft sport for this as i know the site well where thay were produced)

will get a gnat as well

saber i guess

sea hawk - not sure

scimitar -not sure

hope that makes sense, have i missed anything special?

Edited September 9, 2011 by markmarples

[Max Headroom]

Academy for the Hunter (the bang seat is 1/72 though).

Aeroclub (I think) did Vampires - avoid the Hobbycraft ones.

Airfix for the Hawk in its T.1A guise with Sidewinders and paired with the Tornado.

Trevor

Edited September 9, 2011 by Max Headroom

[Mark M]

Academy for the Hunter (the bang seat is 1/72 though).

Aeroclub (I think) did Vampires - avoid the Hobbycraft ones.

Airfix for the Hawk in its T.1A guise with Sidewinders and paired with the Tornado.

Trevor

thanks ive add them to the list to not loose all the info, how on eath could i miss the hawk

[Fifer54]

The only ones I can see missing from your list, Mark, are

Hawker Sea Hawk

Supermarine Scimitar

and possibly

Supermarine Attacker

Westland Wyvern

In early post-WW2 days are the

DH Hornet (+Sea Hornet)

Blackburn Firebrand

Fairey Firefly

I know some of these aren't "pure" fighters, but they were strike aircraft. . .

I dunno about 1/48 kits of these though, and I did misread your initial post. Thought you were asking about gaps in your list. . .

Edited September 9, 2011 by MadNurseGaz

[Mark M]

The only ones I can see missing from your list, Mark, are

Hawker Sea Hawk

Supermarine Scimitar

and possibly

Supermarine Attacker

Westland Wyvern

In early post-WW2 days are the

DH Hornet (+Sea Hornet)

Blackburn Firebrand

Fairey Firefly

I know some of these aren't "pure" fighters, but they were strike aircraft. . .

I dunno about 1/48 kits of these though, and I did misread your initial post. Thought you were asking about gaps in your list. . .

thanks mate, ive added the se hawk / scimitar but not the others as i wanted jets, as i said a long term project im working on

[Max Headroom]

Just thought. Didn't Dynavector do the Javelin? There was so the crude (?) Airframes vac form from the 80's.

Aeroclub also did a Gnat F.1. Ok technically it was Ministry of Supply on test, but it wore full British insignia and serial -maybe one for later in your build!

Trevor (again)

[zero]

Mark this should be of help.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23777019

I've collected a model of every british jet fighter (I think, that entered service!) from 1943/44 onwards, ie starting with the Gloster E28/29 through to today's single and twin seater tiffies. (up to canberra size, yes I know it's a bomber, but it still British!

I have tried to cover both single and twin seaters as well so the vampire has a FB5 and a T11/22,

as well as having two seat conversions for

lightning

jaguar

harrier

and a hunter T7

I'm also covering some trainers as well, but that depends on kits being available.

not everything is pictured here, (ie there 5 sea vixens in the stash, 4 RA hawks, and five Hunter F6's but others have slipped through the noose too!) but the types should be covered, good enough for you to see, (all I have to do now is build them) however I have about 3 kits to buy, and 4 resin sets, and that it, job done bar new kits.

Ie I'm after another F3 Tonka, a couple of F2/F6 Lighnings and the rest will be new stuff

Resin wise, I want a Sea Vixen FAW1 conversion, an early cockpit, and a few canberra bits. then it will just be whats about as I build

Dave

PS you don't have Sea venom or Jet provost on your list and the sea Venom is very different from a venom ie the venom is a single seater, the sea venom (and Night fighter venoms) are twins seats.

Edited September 10, 2011 by zero

[Ghostbase]

ok chaps having read Empire of the Clouds: When Britain's Aircraft Ruled the World, By James Hamilton-Paterson, and ive long strived for a collection of iconic RAF / RN cold war fighters

<snip>

hope that makes sense, have i missed anything special?

Mark, not read the book so I might be missing something here but it seems that you have ended up with a complete list of all RAF / RN fighters plus attack aircraft from 1948 to 1985 ish. What has happened to the "iconic" and "special" that you wanted? Surely the list should be more exclusive, say ten aircraft types?

For example the Sabre was an excellent and proven fighter aircraft however really was not British and she was a stand-in until the Hunter was ready to enter service. The Swift had a very difficult entry into service and only really found a niche role as a reconnaisance fighter. Had WarPac aircraft swarmed and attacked Britain in the dangerous early 80's the BAe Hawk would have acted as a vital close-in point defence fighter but in my view it would be stretching it to describe the type as iconic or special.

On the other hand I would emphasise the Supermarine Scimitar which possibly was one of the finest transitional jet aircraft Britain ever produced although she was quickly superceded, technology moved so fast in those days. The Canberra belongs here too, had the balloon gone up the RAFG interdiction squadrons would have rapidly gone into action to attempt to stem the Soviet onslaught.

Michael

[zero]

im looking to fill the gaps

vampire (Aeroclub (I think) did Vampires) Classic Airframes

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/396613476.jpg

venom Classic Airframes

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/396787742.jpg

Swift Falcon or Hawk models did a 1/48 I believe too

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/396327632.jpg

hunter (Academy)

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/397498262.jpg

Javelin (soft sport for this as i know the site well where thay were produced) Dynavector on game in town

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/393832728.jpg

will get a gnat as well Aeroclub (but maybe another one later, we will see!!)

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/396499417.jpg

saber i guess Revell High planes (which uses the acadamy as a base) I can photocopy my instuctin if needed

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/397596543.jpg

sea hawk - not sure Trumpeter or classic airframes

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/393315890.jpg

scimitar -not sure Dynavector on game in town

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/396499414.jpg

Missing Sea venom Aeroclub for both twin seater venom and sea venom CA do one but like Rockig horse to find.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/396582742.jpg

Jet provost Heritage aviation

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1409/6773...9/394847931.jpg

PS good luck with finding a Aeroclub Gnat, and the Dynavector stuff is getting close to £100 each now for the Un-injection models ie Javelin, scimitars (tsr-2 and Sea vixens they give away!) and Classic airframes stuff is featching a premium too

ie £38 for a started Vampire!!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Airframe...=item2a138e8bf6

Glad i'm now only filling holes

thanks mate, ive added the se hawk / scimitar but not the others as i wanted jets, as i said a long term project im working on

the attacker is also a jet that should be on your list

Dave

Edited September 10, 2011 by zero

[Mark M]

Dave (Zero) i cant check your photos out at the moment as im at work and the bloody fire wall wont let me but i will thanks

its a shame there isnt a viable option for the javelin i know brockworth old airfield ite so well (infact i was based at RAF Innsworth for a while just 3 miles away) as for the Gnat anrt Airfix releasing a 1/48 soon?

Michael (Ghostbase) yes your right its turning out to be a very complete list, but as i said this is a long term project and i certainly wont build them all just the ones I (no one else) think are iconic to me, as you may know i have a very soft spot for hawks, but i would not have added it to my original list

for me at present this list i plan to do is as follows

the ones with the * are the kits i already have

meteor *

sea vixen*

jaguar*

tonka*

bucc*

lightning*

tsr2*

phantom*

canberra*

Harrier*

?vampire

?venom

?Swift

hunter

Javelin

?sea hawk

[Homebee]

The TSR-2 was not fighter and has never joined the service.

It's a pity but it's so.

For the Javelin you can order her here: http://www.dynavector.co.jp/airmodel/english/e_faw_9.html

Mine is still in progress.

For the Gnat, it's just a matter of patience: http://www.theaviationworkshop.co.uk/afa48...gnat-p-618.html

Source: http://www.theaviationworkshop.co.uk/afa48...gnat-p-618.html

AFA-4801 Folland Gnat

AVAILABLE: December 5th, 2011

Stock Code: AFA-4801

Manufactured by: AIRFrame

1/48 Scale Injection moulded kit.

Folland/HS Gnat T.1 in RAF Service includes detailed cockpit and Model Alliance Decals for Red Arrows, Yellow Jacks and RAE

V.P.

Edited September 10, 2011 by Homebee

[Julien]

Mark, not read the book so I might be missing something here but it seems that you have ended up with a complete list of all RAF / RN fighters plus attack aircraft from 1948 to 1985 ish. What has happened to the "iconic" and "special" that you wanted? Surely the list should be more exclusive, say ten aircraft types?

For example the Sabre was an excellent and proven fighter aircraft however really was not British and she was a stand-in until the Hunter was ready to enter service. The Swift had a very difficult entry into service and only really found a niche role as a reconnaisance fighter. Had WarPac aircraft swarmed and attacked Britain in the dangerous early 80's the BAe Hawk would have acted as a vital close-in point defence fighter but in my view it would be stretching it to describe the type as iconic or special.

On the other hand I would emphasise the Supermarine Scimitar which possibly was one of the finest transitional jet aircraft Britain ever produced although she was quickly superceded, technology moved so fast in those days. The Canberra belongs here too, had the balloon gone up the RAFG interdiction squadrons would have rapidly gone into action to attempt to stem the Soviet onslaught.

Michael

Iconic is very much in the eye of the viewer. Everyone would see this different. You mention the Sabre, OK it was a stop gap fighter, but an important one which served in large numbers with the RAF at home and in Germany. An important fighter yes, important for the RAF maybe a little less so but if you are doing RAF fighters from this period you have to include it.

Julien

[AnonymousAA72]

I've been trying to achieve that aim for the last five decades!! I have over that time built most - if not all on your list , in either 1/72nd scale or 1/48th. Problem of course is where to start and where to end: Who's to say whats iconic and whats not? I'd certainly include the Sabre on that list. It may not have been around for long in RAF servicem but played a major role in the RAF's evolution into swept winged flying and tactics. The Javellin was by all acounts a massive dissapointment - but what a great looking aircraft!!! AND....which mark Mark? You have to include the Meteor, but was the F8 more "iconic" than the F4? The Hunter; Was the F6 more important than the F4? Was the Lightning F2a based a few miles from the Soviet border during the height of the Cold War, more or less important or iconic than the highly colourful F1a's of 56 or 111 Sqn? etc., etc., etc.,

For the Lightning alone you would need to consider NINE different Marks/Sub-types with NINE different front-line Squadrons - thats a lot of space even in 1/72nd!

Good luck with that Mark!! you'll be a busy modeller over the next few decades!!!

[Ghostbase]

Iconic is very much in the eye of the viewer. Everyone would see this different. You mention the Sabre, OK it was a stop gap fighter, but an important one which served in large numbers with the RAF at home and in Germany. An important fighter yes, important for the RAF maybe a little less so but if you are doing RAF fighters from this period you have to include it.

Julien

And between us we seem to have included just about every 'fighter' aircraft of the Cold War plus a few more

As you say, iconic is in the eye of the viewer and we are all different. Personally I have no problem with the historical importance of the Sabre (and it looked damn good in RAF markings too!) but it just wouldn't be on my personal list. I guess that each poster to this subject would come up with completely different lists. I wonder what Mark's final list would look like?

Now did I mention Scimitar?

Michael

[AnonymousAA72]

...another thought Mark, you may need to clarify your definition of "fighter" aircraft - you've included the Buccaneer, Harrier, Jaguar, TSR2 etc., not strictly speaking "fighters" as such.........Maybe you need TWO (or more) lists........

[Julien]

...another thought Mark, you may need to clarify your definition of "fighter" aircraft - you've included the Buccaneer, Harrier, Jaguar, TSR2 etc., not strictly speaking "fighters" as such.........Maybe you need TWO (or more) lists........

Good point Bill. I see the Gnat also mentioned, and the RAF only used the Trainer version.

Fighters only being used by Finland (briefly and with little success) & India (exact opposite long term and great success)

Julien

[zero]

Think were getting a bit picky on whats what, surely it up to the collector, builder, as to what to include, or not include in there grouping

I've no doubt TSR-2 would have carried some self protection armament, but it was even considered the vulcan could be armed with sidewinders, so does that make it a fighter, no of course not!!! (but it could fly like one?)

the limits I placed are my own, but it's still a good sample of british aircraft. ie could you have a collection of british aircraft in 1/48 and leave out the lightning, no, so hence my collection and what I have collected, I think a 1/48 vulcan is unlikely (I have problems storing a 1/72 victor let alone all three at 1/48 (if available)) but I think I've covered most bases, and certainly the ones I wanted too

Thankfully I'm nearing the end of my collecting, over begining, as I said, I just need to build them now. However I would not like to be having to find some of the above now, even simple Buccaneers and Jag prices are getting more difficult to find now. let alone Javelins and scimitars.

Dave

[Mark M]

guys thans for all you input

there have been some very valid points its more of a iconic JETS list rather than fighters, to which the TSR2 and Bucc, Jag must be added, my collection does include a victor, vulcan and valient, nimrod (which will be armed!) all in 1/72

Bill i have made a very concious decision not to worry about the mark of the aircraft otherwise i will end up with 10 of each type and i have enough to go on with all the 174 hawks!

like i said my main problem is finding kits or makes for all of MY icons

Edited September 10, 2011 by markmarples

[AnonymousAA72]

Think were getting a bit picky on whats what, surely it up to the collector, builder, as to what to include, or not include in there grouping

Dave

Its not being "picky" Dave.......Mark actually asked this in his initial post......" and ive long strived for a collection of iconic RAF / RN cold war fighters in 1/48" . I was commenting specifically on his request for fighters - in my book a Buccaneer is a Strike Aircraft, a Jaguar a Ground Attack and Recce Aircraft.....a TSR2 is a Tactical Strike and Recce aircraft - these are not Fighters, though I see he has now expanded that to "....more of a iconic JETS list rather than fighters".

Thats cool! Its his list - he can do with it what he wishes!

[Homebee]

a TSR2 is a Tactical Strike and Recce aircraft

The TSR-2 was nothing else than a prototype that never joined the service... I was maybe a mistake. But it's the sad story of this iconic, big as beautiful aircraft.

V.P.

Edited September 10, 2011 by Homebee

[AnonymousAA72]

The TSR-2 was nothing else than a prototype that never joined the service... I was maybe a mistake. But it's the sad story of this iconic big as beautiful aircraft.

V.P.

Dave said..."Think were getting a bit picky on whats what, surely it up to the collector, builder, as to what to include, or not include in there grouping"

I think I now agree with you Dave!!!!

[Mark M]

what a can of worms i have opened!

yep its my list and i think i should now qualify what info i need

here is the list of JET cold WAR British / RAF / RN aircraft that i want to build (i may add later) the ones in red i have the kits for, the ones in BLUE are what i need info on possible 1/48 kits for

vulcan airfix

victor - revell

valient -airfix

nimrod - airfix

tonka - italeri, airfix

jaguar - airfix

bucc - airfix

tsr2 - airfix

meteor - Classic Airframes

sea vixen - airfix

lightning - airfix

phantom - revell

canberra - airfix

Harrier - revell, tamiya, airfix

vampire

Swift

hunter - academy

Javelin - dynavector

sea hawk - trumpeter

i would also be interested in other jets that may the build like the scimitar but for me i dont know it so im not that interested

Edited September 10, 2011 by markmarples

[Mark M]

dave just been able to look at your photos, and well i now have stash envy

[zero]

Dave said..."Think were getting a bit picky on whats what, surely it up to the collector, builder, as to what to include, or not include in there grouping"

I think I now agree with you Dave!!!!

LOL cheers Bill!

I think either way, Marks list, be it fighters, etc is a fair project, basically the scope of builds is quite limited, and you can fit most in to some gap if you try.

myself I also made the mistake of calling them fighter, but waht the heck these are the birds of my youth, and I'm going to just have fun building them TSR-2 (in two RAF schemes included)

I think I have covered the bases of most of what I want, I however know I will buy others and probably never build them all, but I'm going to try. for now I have 3 more kits to buy (2 being F2 lightning so awaiting the release!) and about 5 conversion sets from A2zee for the canberra's and and a early FAW Sea Vixen, that my lot bar new stuff that comes out, ie the Gnats will interest me, specially as I love the training scheme, and anything that comes along to fit the remit.

Sadly as much as I love the v bombers, they just are too big, and you have to draw that line somewhere, however clearly some are drawing the line, in different places from others.

Each to there own, happy building, what ever it be!!! lol

Dave

Edited September 10, 2011 by zero

[zero]

dave just been able to look at your photos, and well i now have stash envy

Sorry mate.

not the full stash but most of it http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23777019

ie I know there about 10 to 15 that have slipped the net. this is why I gave up on the phantoms I can't do both themes, and I can build RAF phantom's in this ones.

good luck with your as I said if you need advice on kits I'm well aware of what is out there. inc aftermarket.

Dave