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  2. If I knew which wind went with which number I'd be stuck with having to find the next answer... Probably.
  3. ...and paint on the model. Choice of colours is not so easy with this model - there are very few period colour photographs, the few that are out there create more questions than answers, and verbal information is limited to (in a nutshell) "launcher and missile are green, with darker green spots on the missile". Quite often, it seems that the missile has a slightly different tone than the launcher, even in black-and-white shots. I think it went like this: (1) The launchers, transport vehicles, radars etc. were delivered in what is sometimes called "Russian Green", essentially some variation of 4BO, which is itself a somewhat elusive paint that weathers to many different tones. You know it when you see it, but it is different almost every time. So, one is free within a certain range of hues. I have been happy in my builds with a mix of 50% Tamiya XF-49 (Khaki) and 50% XF-58 (Olive Green), and that is what the launcher will be. (2) The missiles came to Vietnam first in a very light grey and later in (factory-painted) green; it would basically make sense to assume 4BO, too, but this is missiles, not army vehicles, so I just don't know. Even if the missiles were 4BO, too, they would not suffer weathering, as opposed to the launchers, which got a lot of use and tropical weather thrown at them over time. So a difference in tone would be logical. To reflect this, the missile is painted XF-89 (Dark Green 2), a WW2 German tank colour, which is a tad lighter and greener than my home-mix 4BO.. The spots on the missile were (IMHO) painted on in Vietnam, with something whose standard is unknown today, if it ever existed. Even in black-and-white photos one can see that the spots on the missiles are sometimes glossy where the base colour is matt, and they are applied quite randomly with no design behind the pattern. "Put camo spots on this missile, you have [insert tight timeframe]." The spots look brownish on colour photos, with strong contrast. I will use a mix of 50% XF-62 (Olive Green) and 50% XF-64 (Red Brown). Launcher parts in 4BO home mix: Missile in Dark Green 2: ...and everything together. It may well be that the difference in tone will disappear after laquers, wash and drybrushing, but I maintain that it is well visible now, even in the face of family ridicule. 😊 Next step: spots on the missile. Might find time to do them today, we will see...
  4. Yes mine was delivered this morning (Sunday...? Well done Royal Mail 👍) but thought I'd better take a close look. Mine has some minor sink marks on the cab sides and lower front hull. They're on flat panels (I think corresponding to where ejector pins are on the other side?) so not too hard to eliminate. The worst on my kit is on the back of the side panels; looking at photos of the real thing these seem to be lined in sheet metal in any case so that's what I'll do with plastic card. Interestingly the real thing seems to have some "sink marks" of its own... well it is an army truck! 😁 So I think I got off lightly compared to others but still disappointing and not at all helpful for Airfix's reputation. I was hoping Airfix might follow this up with the FV623 and FV624 Stalwart variants used as artillery limbers and REME fitter's vehicles, which typically featured an Atlas 3000 crane. If so hopefully they'll get things sorted. Rich
  5. She looks good all the same! Here are the kit provided turrets set up for A and B positions. Comparing them to the plans thoughtfully provided by @dickrd the B turret top stands only slightly higher than the porthole on the bridge superstructure and level with the half way point on the searchlight cupola. So I may just keep them, not as finely detailed as aftermarket, but not so bad when aftermarket may not be an option.
  6. Thanks @2996 Victor. The latest Osprey U-2 units book shows this (lower) profile of Power’s aircraft. It’s classified as a U-2C but lacks the extended upper spine normally associated with that variant. Cheers..Dave
  7. Hello Illusive, Congratulations on completing this project. Your Connie will look magnificent hanging from the ceiling. Mine is "buried" in a box and I won't take it out until I show it at exhibitions. I had problems with the decals, as you can see; I thought they were of good quality and adhered well. They weren't! This inconvenience won't stop me from actually completing the Noratlas Heller, and I won't be giving up the few Heller models I still have in stock. So well done, and thank you for sharing your build with us. Regards, Eric-Snafu35
  8. PR Mk.IV 540 Squadron DZ383 Tamiya 1/72 - OOB + Eduard canopy masks.
  9. Yeah, looks spot on! Martin
  10. Ah, you mean spamming RFI with their 'greatest hits' of the past 20 years? Who can resist 😂
  11. A red hot evening at the Humber Bridge car park on Friday night brought out some nice cars . Here's a few I've not featured before . Apologies for the shadows , it's always the same there with position of the sun at around 5 to 7 pm . Very standard BMW 318iS Tidy TVR's My era Ferrari . 5000 mile XR3i 130 hp . Totally original. I followed this Bristol over the bridge. Very rumbling soundtrack. Where the wiring and header tank on this Caddy is I don't know . Amazing levels of minimalism . Car of the night for me . Just beautiful. Gary.
  12. More stories of random acts of kindness please. Here's another one. I live in a small market town. In the town centre there are three fish and chip shops. One has tables outside in nice weather but they don't do table service. A couple of years ago I saw a RAOK there. An elderly disabled bloke drove up on his electric scooter, got himself out of the seat and sat down at a table. He had a bit of a rest and then started to stand up to go inside and place his order. Just then, one of the counter girls came outside and took his order for him. The shop doesn't normally do table service. But for elderly, disabled people they do! Can you guess which of those three fish and chip shops gets my business?
  13. Another great addition to your fleet Jon very refreshing to see this scheme different from the usual greys or western approaches paint work. Stay Safe Keith
  14. I managed to get the clear coat on in the cool of yesterday evening... I though outdoors in diffuse sunlight was probably my best shot at capturing the colour accurately. Even I am amazed by how much the clearcoat brings the paint to life, and subtly swings the colour to a more blue-green, as it should be. If you compare these, especially the last one, to the picture of the real thing at the top of the thread, I think we'd all agree that Steve has done a pretty good job of matching the colour! best, M.
  15. Absolutely stunning. That looks perfect. Well done!
  16. Another one from my time away from the forum. I've probably built more versions of this Tamiya classic kit than any other kit. The colour was mixed from Tamiya acrylic paint, following the instruction booklet. The biggest problem was the ancient and crispy decals. What really sold me on this version of the Mini was the steel wheels and chrome hub caps. I added a little detail under the bonnet, even though it's never normally seen, it's nice to know that it's there. I love the box art, even if it is a simple adaptation of the older Morris Mini Cooper S artwork.
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  17. Ventura Highway by America. Roadhouse Blues by the Doors. Rockin In The Free World by Neil Young.
  18. I like the smoked section of tailplane, Chris, very effective. When you say it's too hot by Newcastle standards, I'm assuming you mean above 15 degrees given you all walk around in t-shirts when it's below freezing? James
  19. I been thinking, except for a few small points my Austin 7 Ulster would be a 'muscle car' 2 doors = none actually 2 seater = yes High performance engine = yes, 865cc racing engine vs standard engine of 749 cc, 28bhp vs 12bhp Road legal performance car = yes year = 1930, out of contention, too early
  20. Your not wrong Jon , l had a few before starting , but the instructions were great , pontos have far and away the best advice
  21. I think we might be onto a winner here. 😉
  22. Blimey, Tim, you do realise this one isn't a Blitzbuild? Great work, I'm guessing this one is going to be painted and decalled by tea time? James
  23. Fuselage together and wings on... I've decided to do one of the box markings, because the canopy has the external armoured glass and I can't be bothered to look through my pile of Spitfire spares. Here's a photo of it. Next is to paint the Medium Sea Grey underside. Thanks for looking.
  24. For those who haven't noticed yet, Craig has now proposed the 90's GB here James
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