Scale Aircraft Modelling July 2017

First and Best for Reference and Scale
July 2017 4.75

Volume 39 Issue 05
www.scaleaircraftmodelling.com
IBGs New Kara
Leading the Blind Naval Gazing Operation Pedestal

Scaling Down Global Hawk Golen Age Counterfactuals Part Four Ju 88A-4
Miniwings New Tool in 1/144 P.1121 and P.177N in 1/72 Zvezdas Kit in 1/72
Military & Civil Aviation Military Weapons & Equipment Naval Vessels
Raptors All F-15 & F- Allied Fighters WW2 Air War Archive. The Hurricane Hawkers Messerschmitt CHIG Sky Pilot to Pacific War How the Airframe Extra No.7
16 Aerial Combat Aircraft Designs by Experimental Units Fighter Legend Bf 109 E the Glider Pilots of United States Fought The Suez Crisis
Victories D McCarthy Claes Sundin of Hitlers Condor T Holmes Reveals the R Peczkowski Arnhem M Vockins Back J Harrison Empires End
Detailed historical Offering a host of dif- Legion : German Hurricane in all its Illustrated story of the Story of a choir boy Commemorating the R Franks Covers the
photographic survey ferent colour schemes Aircraft in Action glory from fascinating eveolution of the Emil who became a country 75th anniversary of background prior to
of all individual Israeli and detailed notes this During the Spanish first-hand accounts version of Germanys parson and took part the Battle of Midway, the conflict and aerial
and American F-15 bookazine contains Civil War L Franco from the men who most famous WWII in Operation Market this volume looks in operations by all sides
and F-16 aerial com- more than 200 highly Examines the history of flew her with truly Fighter aircraft. Garden as Glider Pilot detail at the defining until the ceasefire on
bat victories. detailed colour profiles. the men and machines. breathtaking images. Colour/B&W photos. Regiment Chaplain. naval engagement. 7th November 1956.
HB 192pp 42.99 SB 130pp 7.99 SB 93pp 14.99 HB 256pp 30.00 HB 144pp 19.00 HB 192pp 25.00 SB 130pp 6.99 SB 82pp 9.95
Junkers Military
X Planes 3 North Lattaque silencieuse Nordic Airpower 8 Douglas XB-19 An Aircraft of World War The Luftwaffe in Dornier Do 215 Combat Aircraft 120
American X-15 La capture des ponts Saab 29 Tunnan The Illustrated History Two M Chambers Colour From Glory Luftwaffe and Other Ju 52/3m Bomber and
P Davies Explains the belges de Veldwezelt, Ultimate Portfolio of Americas Would- Drawing on a multi- to Defeat 1942-1945 Operators 1938-1945 Transport R Forsyth
technology behind the Vroenhoven et J Jorgensen Contains Be Intercontinental tude of photographs, C Cony Nearly 400 M Olrog This new The all-metal Junkers
worlds most important Kanne par les paras more than 500 high Bomber W Wolf diagrams and US gov- colour photographs book describes the Ju 52/3m enjoyed a
prototype and research allemands, le 10 mai quality photos of the Looks at this enig- ernment reports this reveal fascinating Do 215s operations solid reputation
aircraft, their often 1940 O Gonzalez Tunnan in service with matic bomber, a Flying book reveals the his- detail on the planes with the Luftwaffes amongst its crews and
dangerous flight-test FRENCH TEXT. Lav- the air arms of Swe- Laboratory that was tory of this innovative and the men of the secretive Aufklrungs- the troops and para-
careers and how their ishly illustrated. This den and Austria. With the precursor to Amer- aviation company and Luftwaffe, as they gruppe Ob.d.L., in troopers who used
successes and failures book focuses on the text covering technical icas first interconti- its many key aircraft progressed from wartime operations in and depended on it.
influenced frontline planning, capture and and operational history, nental bomber, the that played a vital role seeming invincibility to the West and in civil This book details its
aircraft development. defence of the bridges brief unit histories in- Continental B-36 in the war. 222 Black utter defeat. 400 rare disguise in preparation service as a bomber
Profiles, B&W photos. over the Albert Canal. cluding unit badges. Peacemaker. and white photos. colour photos. for Operation Barbarossa. and transport.
SB 80pp 12.99 HB 240pp 38.99 HB 200pp 44.00 HB 128pp 42.99 HB 176pp 25.00 SB 160pp 19.99 HB 272pp 50.00 SB 96pp 13.99
Sea Vixen XP924

The Worlds only
From Jet Provost to Best Foot Forward MDF Scaled Down 6 Canberra Boys SMI Library 19013 Airworthy Sea vixen The Air Staff and Tiran Wrecks TWR-1
Strikemaster: A The Autobiography The Blackburn Fascinating B-25J Mitchell in L Gaylard A brief his- the Helicopter Tiran 4/5/6 Wrecks in
Definitive History of Of The RAFs Other Buccaneer Royal Accounts from the Combat over Pacific tory of the Sea Vixen British Military the IDF - Part 1
the Basic and Legless Fighter Pilot Navy, RAF & South Operators of an & CBI M Katarzynski since entering service Helicopter Projects M Mass A new series
Counter-Insurgent C Hodgkinson Only AFrican Air Force English Electric Reference album doc- in 1959, this book is C Gibson Lavishly which looks at tank
Aircraft at Home two men succeeded S.Mk1, S.Mk 2 & Classic A Brookes umenting the use of devoted to the history illustrated, this book wrecks of the IDF. As
and Overseas as WWII operational S.Mk 50 A Evans A detailed and fasci- B-25J in combat over of bringing Sea Vixen examines the origins they finished their
D Watkins Complete fighter pilots in the History of the nating history of an the Pacific and China XP924 back to airwor- of the Flying 6 tonner; service, tank wrecks
history of the Hunt- RAF after losing both Buccaneer covering outstanding aircraft Burma India theatres thy condition and the The Household Air were brought to the
ing/BAC Jet Provost legs. This is the story operators, colour alongside illuminating of war. Contains well team maintaining her. Cavalry; FILTH; Roto- army base where they
and Strikemaster. of Colin Hodgkinson. schemes and more. anecdotes. captioned photos. Also available as SB. dyne Zulu and more. rusted away. Colour.
HB 224pp 20.00 HB 223pp 19.99 SB 96pp 14.99 HB 208pp 20.00 SB 108pp 15.99 HB 100pp 22.99 SB 48pp 12.99 SB 80pp 26.99
SS10249 UH-1 Huey

in action D Doyle
Chronicles the use of
15 different versions
Wing Masters 117 The Aviation Batailles Aeriennes 80 Damaged Library of Armed Berlin Blockade Warship 2017 39th of the Huey from its
Mai/Juin 2017 Historian Issue 19 Le Blitz La Luftwaffe Weathered & Worn Conflicts 1 Air Soviet Chokehold volume J Jordan prototype through the
FRENCH TEXT. This The Pacific Express, sur les Iles Brit- Models Magazine Combat During and the Great Allied Contains a diverse current use of the
issue: Spitfire Mk.VIII; the Fleet Air Arms anniques 1er Partie New publication which Arab-Israeli Wars Airlift 1948-1949 range of articles de- UH-1Y Venom, a ver-
1:72 Ki-67 Hiryu 1945 Far East Ferry FRENCH TEXT. First looks at weathered J Marszalkiewicz G Tonder Details all voted to the design, and satile helicopter in the
Peggy; 1:32 Me 163 B Route; Flying the 748 part from 1st January and worn effects in a Air combat during the aspects of the Berlin service history of the global war on terror.
Komet and more. plus much more. to 31st March 1941. variety of models. Israeli-Arab wars. Blockade and Airlift. worlds combat ships. Colour/B&W photos.
SB 82pp 7.50 SB 130pp 13.50 SB 98pp 12.50 SB 74pp 4.75 SB 104pp 16.99 SB 128pp 14.99 HB 208pp 40.00 SB 80pp 14.99
order via our

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NEWS BY SORGE
and covers construction in nineteen stages. plastic, a clear sprue and highly detailed set of
Pictorial diagrams guide the modeller through photo etch. The photo etch covers what looks
the build with colour call outs provided in Gunze like a completely new cockpit to previous
Sangyo Mr Colour references only so some cross versions and obviously depicts the FUG radar
matching will be required for other paint brands. equipment, the upward firing guns and the rest
Paint and decal placement guides are placed in of that emerging technology the Luftwae
the centre of the instruction booklet and cover crammed into these late aircraft.
six dierent machines in a variety of camouflage Four decal options are included, three aircraft
markings plus a guide for all the ordnance. carrying the distinctive FUG array on the nose
The plastic kit parts are housed on nine runners and one without. These aircraft also have
and feature crisply moulded details with fine versions of the large flame-dampeners fitted to
recessed panel lines in a pale grey styrene. A their exhausts and should look really striking
smaller clear sprue contains the canopy that can when built.
be posed open. Detailing is good throughout This looks like the perfect release for anyone
but the ejection seat caught my eye. This is with a passion for Luftwae aircraft and I cant
made up from a number parts and from the wait to get the thing started!
illustrations looks good. A plastic version of the
engine is included and the modeller can pose
the rear section of the fuselage open at the
maintenance break to show the innards to good
eect.
The leading edge slats and rear flaps can be
shown deployed on each wing but before
committing to glue it would be worth checking
the position of the wing sweep from reference
photos if posing them deployed on the ground
for a parked aircraft.
The real highlight must be the mass of weapons
provided in the kit. These cover no less than four
of the main sprues and feature a multitude of
weapons.
Having a quick look through the instruction
booklet there are a couple of areas of concern
for me. The first is the fact the fuselage is split
into six sections oering a separate nose, centre
and tail section along with the spine to match.
Getting this to align could be problematic if the
kit assembly sequence is followed. Making two
complete fuselage halves first may be a better
approach. Other than perhaps finding a way to
add the undercarriage at the end of the build
the rest of the instructions look to deal with the
build in a logical sequence.
A well-presented model that features a pleasing
amount of detail right out of the box.
KITTYHAWK Until next time...
Fitter by Far Rick Greenwood
Scale: 1/48
Kit No: 80144
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic
Manufacturer: KittyHawk
Hannants/ Stevens International
KittyHawk are still a relatively new company in
the modelling world, and some of their past
releases have ticked the correct boxes in terms
of subject matter. Their latest oering, the
Sukhoi SU-17 Fitter K, is no exception. A modern
tooled and well detailed kit of this type will be a
welcome addition to many modellers EDUARD
workbench, whether casual builder or Russian Night Music
aircraft enthusiast.
Bf110G-4
FREIGHTDOG MODELS
A nicely rendered piece of digital artwork adorns Scale: 1/72 Nose for a Nose
the rather large box top, while side profiles of Kit No: 7094 Freightdog Models are oering a little
the jets included on the decal sheet can be rhinoplasty for correcting a pair of older but not
found on the box sides. Lifting the box lid forgotten 1/72 classics. Whilst there are newer
reveals its precious contents to be well packaged Manufacturer: Eduard
kits of the DH Sea Vixen in this scale, it is still
and protected in plastic bags. www.eduard.com
good to see that some of the older ones out
Two decal sheets were found lurking at the The history of the Bf110 series is well there are not completely forgotten as many of us
bottom of the box and these look to be well documented, from its early failings in the Battle probably have one of these kits tucked away in
printed, with cockpit instruments and some Of Britain to its rebirth as a highly eective night our collections, so this cheap and cheerful resin
other items making up the contents of the fighter variant. Its the later version that this new upgrade can correct the shaping around the
smaller. An etched metal fret contains some Eduard kit addresses and it looks like a nice nose easily. Set 72106 provides a complete new
small airframe items and a set of seat belts. The addition to their already large range of 110s. resin nose section, complete with details, for the
instruction booklet features thirty four pages The box contains no less than seven sprues of NF.14 variant of the Meteor released by both
4 W W W. S C A L E A I R C R A F T M O D E L L I N G . CO. U K
Matchbox and Xtrakit, as the kit This new kit from Horizon follows sheet covering a mass of jets.
nose is apparently incorrect in its on from their Convair Atlas, Bullseyes products are to be sold
length. Both will be welcomed by Mercury Atlas and Mercury exclusively through Sprue Brothers
those wanting to inject a little extra Spacecraft releases and contains website, and can be viewed
into any building of these classic three sprues of grey injection through Facebook under Bullseye
British jets. moulded plastic, two etched metal Model Aviation:
72105 DH Sea Vixen FAW.2 frets, two decal sheets and one
assembly/marking/painting 48001 F/A-18C VFA-81 Sunliners
corrected nose (for Frog/Novo kits) This sheet oers no less than nine
booklet. The kit contains parts and
72106 Gloster Meteor NF.14 decals to make any one of three Hornets of VFA-81 with national
corrected nose (for Mercury Redstone Versions: markings and stencilling for three
Matchbox/Xtrakit kits) aircraft. The single A5 sheet is
MR-BD 24th March 1961
www.freightdogmodels.co.uk packed and the instructions come
MR-3 5th May 1961 in the form of three full colour A4
MR-4 21st July 1961 double-sided sheet giving full
colour profiles of each jet covered,
Having been fortunate enough to
review all of the previous releases both port and starboard with
from Horizon models I did not think complete details for decal
twice at snapping this one up for placement. The set covers the units
review as the last kits were superb deployment to The Gulf on board
models to build and I have no USS Saratoga during January and
reason to suspect that this one will February 1991 for Operation Desert
be any dierent. Storm.
Horizon are gradually expanding 48002 Guard Eagles F-15B/C/D
their portfolio so maybe one day Eagle
we will see the Saturn 5 released by This impressive follow up oers no
them, and how about a new less than fourteen assorted F-15s
Shuttle then? One can only hope! from ANG units, including three
aircraft in the sand/brown
Andy McCabe
camouflage scheme. Instructions
come in the form of five double-
sided A4 sheets printed on
high-quality stock in full colour
while the decals themselves are on
two sheets, one approximately A4,
oering individual markings for the
aircraft covered and including the
impressive tail art for the Oregon
ANG examples, while the second
smaller sheet oers full stencilling
and generic markings for four
aircraft. This set is sized to fit the
Great Wall Hobby kits.
48003 Aggressor Vipers. F-16C/D,
64 AGRS 414 CTS Nellis AFB
HORIZON MODELS Another enormous package, this
Redstone Rising time weighing in with markings for
eighteen aircraft. The instructions
Mercury Redstone this time cover nine double-sided
Scale: 1/72 A4 sheets and the single large decal
Kit No: 2004 sheet has stencilling and generic
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic markings for eight machines as well
Manufacturer: Horizon Models as the mass of codes and serials for
www.horizon-models.com the individual aircraft. Sized to fit
the Tamiya kit this is another
The Mercury Redstone made
impressive and comprehensive
history on 5th May 1961 when it
performance from Bullseye.
propelled Astronaut Alan B.
Shepard into space to become the 48004 Desert Storm Vipers 388
first American to do so, whilst TFW, Al Minhad, Desert
strapped into the capsule mounted Shield/Desert Storm
atop the Redstone Booster MRLV. Another ten aircraft are covered in
This short venture into space lasted this A5 sized package. Like the
a mere five minutes of other releases it oers a mass of
weightlessness before it was time information and reference material
to re-enter the Earths atmosphere on five double-sided A4 sheets. All
and land back in the Atlantic BULLSEYE the aircraft oered are in the
Ocean. The feat was repeated some On the Mark! sinister three tone grey scheme
months later when Virgil Grissom that suits the type so well with tail
Some very impressive new sheets codes and unit badges provided
was launched into space aboard
arrived from Bullseye for review. All throughout.
Liberty Bell 7.
cover modern US subjects in 1/48
The Mercury Redstone was 25.5m and mark an impressive debut. All in all a flying start from Bullseye.
in length, 1.78m in diameter and Bullseye have their roots in Be sure to check out the products
had a range of 400 miles and was Afterburner, so readers will be at Sprue Brothers website, and if
powered by a single Rocketdyne A- aware of the quality and level of you are looking for Eagles and
7 engine rated at 78,000lb thrust research to be expected. What is a Vipers then keep an eye on this
being fed by ethyl alcohol liquid real eye-opener is the sheer scale of space as more are sure to follow.
oxygen. the material in hand, with each www.spruebrothers.com
JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 5

NEWS BY SORGE
pairs under each wing and gave the and without turkey feathers. While
aircraft a range of 1,000 miles and a the complete parts look okay for
maximum speed of 570mph. The the scale, the partly closed turkey
modified version, the B-45C, was featherless items seem crude and
launched in 1949 and featured very basic and will probably need a
modified J47 turbojets plus other resin aftermarket replacement to
modifications such as strengthened be in keeping with the rest of the
canopy and glass. kit.
The B-45 flew combat missions Cockpit detail is good with raised
during the Korean war and was instruments and switches depicted
later modified to be capable of on the instrument panels and side
carrying nuclear warheads. These consoles. Decals are also supplied
aircraft were subsequently moved as an alternative. Given the nice
RODEN to the United Kingdom in 1952. detail work in the cockpit then the
Vickers VC-10 K4 Type 1170 A total of ninety six B-45 aircraft canopy is a little disappointing
By Andy McCabe were built, with a crew of four, pilot, being a single part item and quite
co-pilot/navigator, bombardier and thick.
Scale: 1/144
tail gunner. Decals are provided for three
Kit No: 72121
The Valom kit consists of three airframes, all sporting SJ tail codes,
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic and includes comprehensive stencil
sprues of Brown and one clear
Manufacturer: Valom sprue of injection moulded plastic, data. They are printed by Cartograf
Pocketbond/Squadron four resin parts, one acetate film, so quality should not be
This kit follows up on Rodens two decal sheets, one etched fret compromised.
previously released VC-10 kits in and one assembly/painting guide. The kits instruction booklet is of
B.O.A.C, South African Airlines and The plastic parts are nicely exploded view type with paint call
the VC-10 K-3 Tanker versions. This moulded and feature recessed outs being referenced to six major
kit features seven sprues of grey panel lines. Decals are supplied for paint brands. Construction looks
injection moulded plastic, one clear two aircraft: strange as some items are broken
sprue, one decal sheet, one set of NA B-45C s/n 48-010 Wright down into separate parts such as
masks, one set of assembly Patterson Air Force Museum the front of the conformal fuel
instructions and one colour tanks.
NA B-45C s/n 48-001 4925 TG,
painting and marking guide with
1952 A bit of a mixed bag with this kit as
paint references for Vallejo paints.
This is another nice unusual kit most of the detail is outstanding
The parts have very finely engraved
from Valom of an interesting but let down by some basic items
panel lines, while the clear parts
aircraft and not one I am familiar the jet cans being one of the most
include cabin windows for which
with which makes it even more annoying. They are a major part of
there is a set of masks for each and
welcome. the airframe that can clearly be
every window. Decals are supplied
seen at the back end and deserved
for one aircraft, ZD241 of the Royal Andy McCabe to be better represented.
Air Force.
The breakdown of some items
Andy McCabe
seems unconventional but the
reasoning behind this wont be
apparent until the build is
underway. If the fit of the sections
ACADEMY is good then there shouldn't be any
A Striking Eagle real problems and a nice looking
rendition of the Mud Hen will grace
Scale: 1/72 the display shelf.
Kit No: 12550
Rick Greenwood
Manufacturer: Academy
Pocketbond/Squadron
New from Academy is their F-15 E
in 1/72. This is a new tooled kit,
done along the same lines as their
F4J Phantom. Eliminated this time
are the multicolour parts but still
present are the rather large
attachment/location pins holding
things together. The eight sprues
N.A. B-45C Tornado feature the dark grey plastic parts
By Andy McCabe that are contained in plastic bags.
The upper fuselage surface features
Scale: 1/72 some truly stunning surface detail
Kit No: 72121 that compares well to the likes of
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic Tamiya and is repeated over the
Manufacturer: Valom rest of the kit. The ejector seats and
Hannants/UMM-USA intake ramps are provided as SPECIAL HOBBY
The North American B-45C Tornado separate parts seemingly cut from Aufklarer
was the very first American four another sprue, no doubt part of the
Scale: 1/48
engined jet bomber. Three moulding process but it does look
odd inside their plastic bags and Kit No: 12550
prototypes were ordered on 8th
when depicted as single parts on Type: Injection Moulded Plastic
September 1944 and production
commenced on 2nd January 1947. the sprue map. Manufacturer: Special Hobby
The four General Electric J-35A-4 jet Two types of exhaust nozzle are Hannants/Squadron
engines were housed in tandem presented to the modeller, with Resulting from a cool bit of
E D I TO R I A L
THIS MONTHS FEATURES:
20. Operation Pedestal

Chapter Four
F
irstly a couple of brief
Friday 14th August 1942 apologies for little
spanners in the works last
20 And
Modelling the Axis
month. A batch of magazines
went out of the print shop
incorrectly collated, so while the
Bombers content was complete some
Zvezdas Ju 88A-4 in 1/72 pages were not in sequence. No
By Stephen J Di Nucci egg on the Editorial face for that
one as it happened after I had
signed the issue o, however there is no such
excuse for incorrectly crediting the Aircraft in
Profile piece. It was, of course, authored by Bob
26 26. Dumbos Back
New Tool Barracuda from Special
Bowers. Apologies to Bob and we look forward
to his next in depth study and will be sure to
Hobby spell his name correctly when we run it
By Colin Pickett On to this issue. Lots of things to be happy
about in the industry at the moment. My
favourites in recent weeks have included
Miniwings splendid little Global Hawk, or not
so little in fact as the actual machine is the size
32. Weapons for the World of a small airliner. Miniwings transition into
Modelling the Global F.1
32 Mirage F.1 in Ecuadoran and
injection moulded kits has been interesting to
watch, and has certainly added more scope
Jordanian Markings and interest to the ever growing phenomenon
By Yoav Efrati that is 1/144.
In 1/72 the arrival of IBGs splendid little
PZL-23 has thrown the editorial workbench
into turmoil and rekindled that interest in all
37. Aircraft in Profile things Polish that was regularly fired up in the
Dassault Mirage F.1 past by the arrival of articles by his late friend
Mr Wojciech Butrycz. IBG are better known for
37 Part Two
By Gary Madgwick
their 1/72 and 1/35 military subjects of course,
but last years splendid little RWD-8 paved the
With Colour Profiles by Mark Rolfe way for these latest releases, which this
modeller has seized upon with some
excitement. How far will he get this time? Two,
maybe even three models built before that
55. Colour Conundrum Trumpeter Defiant tempts him too much and
he starts stockpiling for yet another great
Phantom Finish unfinished collection.
Royal Navy F-4K Phantom FG.1s
55 1966-1979
By Paul Lucas
Trumpeters Defiant turned up courtesy of
Pocketbond and has set my fingers itching. It
looks such an elegantly engineered simple
With artwork by Mark Rolfe build, and its all black! The prospect of a quick
build and an even quicker finish are proving
hard to resist at the moment of writing but
time, as ever, is not on my side so we will have
to see what happens on that front.
58. A Crucial Carp
Meanwhile everyone else has been building
A New Look at the Kara fantastic models and this issue is full of them.
58 By Gary Hatcher All this and the latest Shipping Forecast! Multa
et mira. Enjoy!
By Gary Hatcher
60. Naval Gazing Editor
Counterfactuals from the
Golden Age Distributed to the UK and International news trade by
By Tony Grand Intermedia
http://www.inter-media.co.uk/
60 Subs-Section:
He 51 by Gary Hatcher, Sub-Cutaneous
via MarketForce (UK) Limited
110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU
http://www.marketforce.co.uk/
by Paul Lucas and F-14D Tomcat by Kitti
Tatsumaki STORE FINDER
Books-A-Million, Inc. presently operates over 200 stores in 18
Cover Illustration appears by kind permission of states and the District of Columbia. To find the store nearest
IBG. Seep review on Pages 58 - 59 of their your location visit:
www.booksamillioninc.com/store_finder/index.html
1/72 PZL.23 Karas

NEWS BY SORGE
collaboration between Special F/A-18D, United States Marine C-2A Greyhound AZ Models kits of the small Hughes
Hobby and ICM we have seen Corps, VMFA-225 500 series of helicopters. Intrigued,
Scale: 1/48
newly tooled variations of the F/A-18A, Canadian Air Force, 409, because they were far removed
Junkers Ju 88 in 1/48. Following on Kit No: 48025
Cold Lake from the usual AZ fare, I bought a
from the recent Ju 88 C-2/4 boxing Type: Injection Moulded Plastic couple and was well impressed to
we now have the recce airframes of F/A-18B, Canadian Air Force Manufacturer: Kinetic Models
Aerospace Engineering Test find two kits in each box. Cutting a
the Ju 88 D-2/4 in this package. www.luckymodel.com long story short, they were nice
Featuring the plastic parts of ICMs Establishment, Cold Lake
Kinetics Greyhound followed on enough kits, although axing the
excellent Ju 88A-5 kit, this has been The instructions have colour call
from the initial Hawkeye releases very thin glazing to the rest of the
supplemented with a number of outs for Gunze, Lifecolor, Humbrol,
and comprises sixteen sprues of model was, erm, challenging, to say
resin parts as well as two new Testors, Revell and Vallejo.
grey and one clear sprue of the least. Fit wasnt good and the
plastic sprues from Special Hobby, The addition of the Scale Aircraft injection moulded plastic, one glass needed to be flush with the
one grey and one clear, in order to Conversions white metal landing decal sheet, one colour etched fret
complete the conversion. The airframe and free from glue smears.
gear legs is a bonus as this will be a and one instruction booklet. Colour
breakdown of parts looks to be well heavy model when finished and When this new Special Hobby kit
call outs are given for Mr Color, Mr
thought out allowing maximum will rely on this sturdy came up for review, Im sorry to
Hobby and Vallejo paints. There is a
utilisation of the moulds for undercarriage. full interior supplied for the cockpit admit that that I didnt rush to
dierent variants without volunteer, with memories of those
This is a big model and will look and cabin/cargo bay. Decals are
compromising on the ease of build. short run kits still fresh and myself
mightily impressive when finished I supplied for two aircraft:
Surface details consist of finely feeling particularly lazy. However
have no doubt. C-2A Bu.No. 162161, VRC-30, USS
recessed panel lines, which are the editor decided to pass it to me
bang up to the modern standards Ronald Reagan, 2010
as I did say that Id build anything.
expected in kit design. Internal C-2A Bu.No. 162166, VAW-120,
details are very well represented in 2009 I must say that Im now well
the cockpit and exposed areas such chued, having opened the box
The aircraft can be portrayed with and seen the content up close. For
as undercarriage bays. Two well its wings folded if required, which is
moulded Jumo engines are starters, the doors and fuselage
a good idea to save space as it is
included, which can be exposed as pod are moulded in very, very clear
quite a big model in this scale.
the cowlings can be posed open if transparent styrene, complete with
required, although a little The kit has been around for a few the fine detail that is more able to
embellishment would be needed. years but this is the first time it has be reproduced in this material.
Three dierent marking options are landed on my doorstep and it is Definitely not short run.
featured in full colour A4 painting one I am looking forward to
reviewing. Marvellous, I thought to my smiling
and decalling plans, being
self. A fresh blade for the cutting of
Luftwae aircraft from Norway and Andy McCabe
the masking tape and Im in
North Africa, as well as an airframe
business. It was only then that I
from the Royal Hungarian Air Force.
noticed two sets of precut masks.
Karl Robinson Outstanding and Im cooking on
gas, with one set of masks for the
exterior, another for the interior!
At this point of the review, I needed
to go and have a nice sit down and
a cup of tea and to gather my fifty
percent wit quotient. Special
Hobby are not best known for their
helicopter kits, Cobras aside, but in
this instance they have
LUCKY MODELLERS supplemented the well moulded
Kinetic Releases styrene with some six pieces of
superbly cast resin and a photo
Scale: 1/32 etch fret of twenty three pieces.
Kit No: 3204 Doing a bit of research, as you do, I
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic found that the kit is based upon a
Manufacturer: Kinetic Models series of Hughes helicopter kits,
www.luckymodel.com originally released by Profiline back
Kinetics kit is a rebox of the in 2010. This range covered a
Academy kit boxed with Scale variety of Hughes 500s and I
Aircraft Conversions White Metal noticed that the sprues contain a
undercarriage and new decals. The plethora of surplus parts, obviously
rather large box contains no less intended for other versions of this
than twenty sprues of grey busy little chopper.
injection moulded plastic, two clear The decals are of the usual very
parts, one set of metal gear legs,
high standard now expected of
one instruction booklet and three
Special Hobby. However, with the
decal sheets. The plastic parts are
possible exception of the Belgian
very nicely moulded with crisp
police option, are all quite
clear recessed panel lines and
detailing, while the three decals mundane. That said, I do like the
SPECIAL HOBBY look of the all black British
sheets are produced by
Wintervalley Decals for the Hughes MD-520N NOTAR machine. Of note, the grills present
Canadian versions, Fightertown for Scale: 1/72 on the real thing are represented
the US versions and Cartograf for Kit No: 72348 by decal.
the weapons. Type: Injection Moulded Plastic So to conclude, Im looking forward
Decal option provided for: Manufacturer: Special Hobby to building this one. Thanks to
F/A -18C, United States Navy, Hannants/Squadron Special Hobby for the opportunity.
VFA-25 Back in 2010 I chanced upon some Bruce Leyland-Jones
NEWS BY SORGE
EDUARD Bf 110 as a F, with Wespen markings Permanent Club discount at for event discounts). This exclusive
in a PROFIpack edition. He may find Eduards Store, unique valuable T-shirt will only be available to
Bunny Fighter Club El Alamein in time for the second members of BFC. You also get free
Club kits and accessories, even
This month our worthless varmint battle better prices at Eduard events entry fee on E-day - check out the
is sporting some dashing nose art Not a member of the Bfc yet? stand and a BFC T-shirt with unique website for full details.
to celebrate the release of Eduards Joining up will get you a 15% design and special barcode (used www.eduard.com/bfc/
COPPER STATE MODELS RFC / RAF after the BE series and RE8. Around injection moulded plastic rather than the resin
Armstrong Whitworth FK.8 (mid 1700 were built by Armstrong Whitworth and that Copper State originally favoured. This is also
Sanderson before March 1919. Despite this, very the first to be completely under control of the
production)
few kits have ever been produced of this type new management.
Scale: 1/48
and ohand I can only think of the 1/72 Pegasus
Kit No: K1030 The kit itself is a true multimedia product,
short run tooling, which has long been out of
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic containing plastic, photoetch and resin parts.
production. To rectify this situation Copper State
Manufacturer: Copper State Models The injection moulded plastic parts are supplied
Models has released a pair of kits depicting the
www.copperstatemodels.com mid and late production versions of the aircraft. on four sprues and the first thing that strikes you
The FK.8 or Big Ack as it was known was one of This is the third of the new generation of CSM is the size of the aircraft as the wings in
the most widely used workhorses used by the models, which are predominantly produced in particular dominate one of the two larger sprues
NEWS BY SORGE
within the box. The plastic itself is cleanly The kit contains four decal options including the
moulded and its cad origins are very apparent machine in which Alan McLeod won his VC. As
by the sharpness and consistency of the detail. with many British RFC aircraft of the period the
While both the released kits depict the later four options are fairly similar to each other with
round nosed version of the aircraft, the fuselage all four being mainly PC10 on the upper
has been designed to have a PE nose section, surfaces.
presumably to make the earlier square nosed Copper State Models have done a good job
version easy to produce without extra tooling researching this model, which is reflected in the
costs. The detail on the parts is excellent and I level of interior detail matching up with the few
particularly like the stitching detail on the period photos of the type that exist. One very
fuselage. The small parts such as machine guns, slight omission is that while the kit contains a
instrument panel and plastic engine are camera mount at the rear of the observers
extremely well done and as good as anything I position no camera is supplied.
have seen from the likes of Eduard and Wingnut The FK8 has always been a favourite of mine and
Wings. The only negative I can find is that the rib at first glance Copper State Models appear to
tape detail on the upper wing is a little on the have done a sterling job. There are no definitive
heavy side, however because of the sharpness of drawings of the type, the most commonly
the detail this should be easy to rectify with a available being Ian Stairs Windsock drawings,
piece of light grade sandpaper. which are not one of his most accurate. As such
The kit also contains three sheets of photo etch CSM have had to work from the ground upwards
the large sheet contains the majority of parts to produce this model and the results are
including that rounded nose and a rather nice extremely impressive. I cant wait to get started
wicker seat. A smaller spare sheet provides two on my kit. Many thanks to Edgar Leipinsh and
extra noses on what I think is a very slightly Copper State Models for this review sample.
thicker grade of PE. This is a nice touch and Dave Hooper
allows the modeller to have a few practice runs
at getting the rounded shape right. There is also
a very small, thicker piece of PE featuring control
horns and the characteristic AW branding that is
so prominent on the nose of the Big Ack. In
addition to the plastic engine, the current kits
contain a resin version of the Beardmore, which
is more complex to build but will ultimately be
be superior to the plastic engine.

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Global Hawk
Miniwings Latest Plastic
By Huw Morganh
M
any people, myself included, suppose has been developed into the MQ-4C Triton for
that the use of Unmanned Aerial the US Navy.
Vehicles (UAV) is a pretty new Miniwing's Global Hawk continues the firm's
phenomenon. In fact the concept stretches back expansion into injection moulded plastic
to World War I, where attempts were made to fly production and like the firm's Cessna Bird Dog, is
lightweight, unmanned aircraft to attack enemy packaged in a ziploc bag stapled to a simple
strongpoints. World War II developed these ideas card backing carrying the painting instructions.
with a number of radio controlled or The twenty plastic parts are very cleanly
preprogrammed aircraft being used by both moulded, although typical of the scale, the
sides in the conflict, most famously the panel lines are rather heavy. The long slender
Luftwae's Mistel series, but it wasn't until the wing halves are very nicely done, and naturally,
Kit No: FR0033 USA's involvement in Vietnam that the use of there's no cockpit or canopy. My early issue bag
Scale: 1/72 robotic aerial devices really took o (literally!) was for a NASA marked example in mostly white
with heavy deployment of reconnaissance with light grey nose. Unfortunately the NASA
drones like the AQM-34L Firebee based scheme is slightly at odds with the plastic, which
Manufacturer: Frrom-Azur Lightning Bug over hostile territory and some represents the later, long span RQ-4B, while both
Hannants/UMM-USA use of unmanned assault aircraft. Like most aircraft operated by NASA were ex USAF RQ-4As
fields of electronic and computer related (actually the first and sixth airframes of the initial
development, UAV evolution has been batch of sixteen) and were fitted with twin
unbelievably rapid in the last couple of decades wheel main gear, rather than the single wheel
with current capabilities in navigation, units in the kit.
autonomous decision making and reliability For once construction doesn't start with the
being utterly staggering. cockpit! Although Miniwing's instructions
The history of the Global Hawk goes back to consist only of a single exploded diagram, the
around 1988 when the USAF and CIA became sequence is pretty straightforward. Before
interested in UAVs with long range and gluing the fuselage halves together, the engine
extensive loiter time to replace manned fan needs painting and installing, and some
platforms like the U-2 and SR-71, the first really nose weight needs adding. One gram is
successful type being the RQ-1 Predator of 1996. recommended, but that felt a bit light so I put in
Development of a larger, higher performance about four grams, for which there's plenty of
airframe with a sophisticated sensor package room. Despite the absence of location pins, the
was entrusted to Teledyne-Ryan, later absorbed fuselage fits together neatly, needing minimal
into Northrop-Grumman, and the RQ-4A, which clean up and only a little filler on the underside.
flew first in 1994, looked like a sailplane but was Careful carving with a sharp knife can refine the
powered by a Rolls-Royce AE3007H turbofan, intake and jet exhaust apertures. The long wings
this combination giving it a ceiling of 65,000ft fit with solid location tabs and I set mine
(19,000m) and an endurance of around thirty six propped up for the glue to dry fully. With the
hours. Only sixteen of the -A version were built butterfly tail planes fitted the airframe is about
for the USAF, before being superseded by the done, I left o the ventral strakes since they
RQ-4B with wingspan increased by 5m and a weren't seen on the -A. It's at this point that one
number of structural changes. The airframe is realises just how big these things are in real life.
surprisingly large, being 44.4ft (13.5m) in length Despite the marking/airframe inconsistency I
and with a 130ft (39.9m) wingspan. The RQ-4B went ahead with the NASA scheme for the
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purposes of the review. Halfords grey primer, a since they're quite visible on parked aircraft. modifying the main gear to take twin wheels,
dash of Halfords white primer, both polished, There are no antennae oered in the kit, and adding the T-shaped UHF aerial and pitot
and a satin white using a 50/50 mix of Tamiya X- although most variants had some probes.
2 and XF-2. The pale grey nose was done with Mr protuberances.
Hobby H308, which I had in the airbrush for Although this is a nice kit of a fascinating
another job, and which on reflection is a bit too Conclusion
evolution of aerial reconnaissance technology,
dark. The decals behaved themselves and went the NASA version just doesn't do it for me, so I'll This is a nice kit from Miniwing, whose entry
on without diculty, although some of the probably be rebuilding mine as a US Navy MQ- into plastic moulding looks to be set fair. The
smaller script is a bit smudged. 4C Triton, with the extra radar bumps, the NASA markings chosen are attractive albeit
The undercarriage is straightforward. I infrared nose scanner and the white/engine grey slightly inappropriate for the kit as presented.
thinned the kit's plastic gear doors rather than scheme. If I was to do the NASA version again, I'd USAF, NATO and Luftwae versions are all
try to replicate their compound curves in brass backdate it to a -A by clipping the wings 15mm available, which will no doubt be more self
and I added some rudimentary retraction jacks each side, narrowing them to adjust the chord, consistent.
Eduards Weekend Butcher Bird in Forum

The stages arent numbered but start with the
Focke Wulf cockpit, which includes side consoles with raised
detail and upper and lower instrument panels
with decals. There are also decals for the
Fw 190A-8/R-2 seatbelts. Once this had been painted, dry
brushed and given a wash it all looks very
Weekend Edition eective.
The second stage is assembly of the fuselage.
By Geo Cooper-Smith There is a very basic engine, which is all that is
needed due to the ducted cowling with its fan.
T
he A-8 was the most important of the A-
series (fighter) variants and constituted the However, bringing the fuselage parts together,
bulk of Fw 190 production during the latter and I hesitate to use the word halves as there are
Kit No: 7430 a lot of separate cowl parts to come, requires
stages of the war. Various field kits were available
Scale: 1/72 to personalise your Fw 190 and this kit actually care as the only point they actually touch on the
includes the parts and markings for an R-2 (two topside is behind the cockpit. In order to ensure
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic this assembly dried square I dry fitted some of
30mm cannons to replace the outboard 20mm
Manufacturer: Eduard cannons) and an R-8 (as the R-2 but with the front panels and left them in place.
www.eduard.com additional armour and canopy glass). Stage three is the fixing of the main wing spar

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into the lower once piece wing, which is separate mouldings for open and closed application of the decal. There is a separate
followed by the undercarriage bay detail. This canopies. As I had rashly chosen the R-8 version, diagram for the extensive additional sheet of
required several dry fits to ensure the correct two small additional clear panels had to be stencils. I didnt apply all of these as I thought in
location. The upper wings halves are then axed to the main canopy. Yikes! After some 1/72 it would look rather overdone.
axed. The inboard cannons are also shown as thought, and no little trepidation, this was
being fitted at this stage but I left these o, successfully achieved by placing two dots of
being absolutely certain they would get broken semi-hard white glue to tack them into place, Conclusion
o when joining this wing assembly to the followed by an application of fresh white glue. All in all I found this to be a pretty satisfying,
fuselage. They are also a little lacking in crispness There are two colour options: exquisitely detailed and finely engineered kit.
so were replaced with Albion Alloys brass tube. However I do wonder whether the parts make
A8-R8 of Werner Gerth, II(Sturm)/JG3, July
The fourth stage is the adjoining of the up, done to allow as many variants to be
1944
fuselage and wing assemblies. This was not as extricated from the moulds as possible, has gone
A-8/R-2 of Paul Lixfield, 6./JG 300, late 1944 a little too far and as a result compromises the
good a fit as expected and required some
whittling away of the top of the wheel well (part The colour call outs are for Gunze acrylics or fit. I also wonder if some of the problems
89), otherwise the wing wasnt suciently snug enamels, with RLM numbers where applicable. encountered were due to the construction
to the fuselage. This was followed by several sequence. To this end I have cajoled the editor
The decals are gossamer like and settle down
bouts of filling and sanding with the inevitable into providing me with another weekend edition
very well, even without setting solution, but can
loss of some detail. I am also not convinced by (the A-5 version) of this kit. Ill report back in due
stick to themselves and dont like to be moved
the dihedral required (too much) for the wings course
much, so plenty of water was used to assist with
to give the best fit to the fuselage. The upper
fuselage and cowling parts are also attached at
this stage. The rudder, ailerons, cowling front
and tail planes then follow.
The fifth stage covers the undercarriage. I
painted and part assembled these and set them
to one side until the end of the build. I liked the
separate hubs and tyres, which made the
process of painting easy. The axing of the main
wheel legs into the underside of the wing is not
by a proper lug and appears to rather substance
but once everything is in place its actually pretty
solid. The angle at which all this needs to be set
is shown in a front view diagram in the
proceeding stage over the page.
The sixth stage adds the under belly fuel tank,
which requires the addition of a brass pin to aid
in locating and axing, and the outboard
cannons, which were also improved by
replacement with Albion Alloys brass tube. Some
delicate parts, such as the underside aerials,
were left o until the very end of the build.
The final stage is the axing of the windshield
and canopy along with the propeller. There are
Kit No: 7436

Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Eduard
www.eduard.com
T
his Weekend Edition consists of two grey the box. Decals are supplied for the instrument
Aftermarket: Eduard 672 101 and one clear sprue of injection moulded panels and the seat belts. The cockpit tub is then
Fw 190A-5 Fuselage Guns plastic, two decal sheets and one inserted into one fuselage half.
instruction booklet. Colour call outs are for Work now commenced on the Brassin
Gunze paints throughout. The decals are nicely fuselage gun set. All of the parts were sprayed
Focke-Wulf printed with markings for two dierent aircraft.
Also supplied for this review was the Brassin
fuselage gun set, which has fifteen resin parts
with Mr Hobby H70 RLM02 Grey first and then
assembled. The rear part of the engine was
sprayed matt black and then the whole
Fw-190 A-5 and one etched fret in the box. All of the pieces
have superb detailing to them, even in this
smaller scale.
assembly, minus the guns, was built up and
fitted into the fuselage half. The two fuselage
halves were then glued together.
Heavy Fighter The build begins by spraying all of the cockpit
interior parts with Mr Hobby H416 RLM66 Black
The wing spar was now glued to the lower
wing section and the upper wheel well inserts
Grey and then the detail is painted to bring out installed on the same. The two cannon were
Weekend Edition the superb moulding, which when completed fitted onto the wing and then the two upper
By Andy McCabe with the decals looks pretty good straight from wing halves were fitted to the lower wing. When
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this assembly was added to the fuselage I found followed by Lifecolor UA-507 RLM74 Graugrun. Conclusion
the fit of the parts exact and no filler was The underside of the nose and rudder were then
This is a very impressive model straight from
needed. masked o and sprayed yellow.
the box and the additional Brassin gun set adds
The rudder, tail planes and ailerons were now The decals were now applied and no
to the detail. The fit of the parts is excellent and
fitted and the engine front was painted and problems were encountered or expected during
no filler was needed during the build. Even in
inserted into the hole in the front fuselage. The their application. Colour options supplied with
this kit are: this smaller scale for me it is a very neat Fw-190
windscreen and cockpit canopy were now
and no problems were encountered during the
masked and the windscreen glued into position. W.Nr.7334, Oblt. Josef Wurmheller, 9./JG 2,
Vannes, July 1943 build whatsoever.
The canopy was dry fitted using Maskol and
then the model was given a coat of grey primer. W. Nr, 5868, Oblt, Max Stotz, 5./JG 54, Eastern Eduard produce some very finely
The underside and fuselage sides were then Front, summer 1942 manufactured kits and the addition of their
sprayed with Lifecolor UA-074 RLM76 Lichtblau, Final assembly now commenced by Brassin range means that the aftermarket parts
which when dry was masked o and then the assembling and fitting the undercarriage and fit precisely into the plastic kits without any
upper wings, tail planes and fuselage were prop and then painting and fitting the resin modification. This kit is no exception and is
sprayed with Lifecolor UA-508 Grauviolet, guns to the upper fuselage. another stunning addition to their range.
Kit No: 7439

Scale: 1/72
www.eduard.com
Focke Wulf
Fw 190A-5 main issue was the construction of the front part
of fuselage, which is split across three stages.
first time with no filling and sanding needed.
The seventh stage includes the undercarriage
Light Fighter Completing stages 1, 3 and 4 allowed me to

assemble the whole of the front fuselage,
including the lower cowling, which is included
wheel covers on this version and they were not
nearly as easy to fit as the main undercarriage.
Firstly the doors themselves have a very small
Weekend Edition as part of the single piece lower wing, in one go.
contact patch with the fuselage and secondly
They were simply all fitted into place and then
By Geo Cooper-Smith the attachment point at the fuselage end of the
liquid cement was carefully run into the joins. I
retraction arm is not at all clear. Oh, and I broke
must say I found it all much better and easier by
The A-5 was the first of the slightly stretched the fuselage stirrup again as it is a most
this alternative route, and it was all square and
A-series being relatively lightly armoured and delicately moulded part but ever so vulnerable,
rock solid after an overnight stay on the
having just two 7.92mm machine guns in the workbench. as is the wing pitot, which is very long.
fuselage and two 20mm cannon in the inner There are no under belly or under wing
wing positions. As a consequence it was some I was also able to determine that the problem
fitting the wings in the previous build was attachments on the A-5 and far fewer aerials too.
500lb lighter than the A-8 version previously
probably due to inaccurate location of the wheel Once again there are two colour options:
reviewed.
bay (part 90) during stage three and it nearly
I wont repeat wot I rote for the A-8, but will Oblt. Rolf Strohal, Stab I./JG 1, Deelen, the
happened again. This appears to be because all
instead concentrate on the dierences, although Netherlands, April 1943
the other parts of the undercarriage bay have
the (not numbered) construction sequence is clearly indicated location points, with arrows Stab JG 54, Pskov, Soviet Union, spring 1943
slightly dierent towards the end. and blue shading for the contact points. The The colour call outs are for Gunze acrylics or
I started with stages 1 (the cockpit) and 3 and wheel bay does not and it actually needs a little enamels, with RLM numbers where applicable. I
4 (fitting out of the lower wing) first. As I fettling to make sure it fits properly. I know I got chose the former, as the camouflage of the latter
indicated at the end of the previous build, the it right this time as the wings were a far better fit looked almost impossible. However the masking
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NOW AVAILABLE!
SEE YOU
AT
HAILSHA
M&
DISTRIC
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MODEL SH
OW
8TH JUN
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Conversion parts to create a 1/48th scale model of Prone Nose Meteor F8

WK935 experimental aircraft displayed at RAF Museum Cosford contents: New prone
nose section,prone nose interior detail, decals,canopy and construction notes. Base
kit 1/48th Airfix Meteor F8 Price: 27.99 for donor kit as well 55.00
For trade/overseas orders see Hannants website: www.hannants.co.uk
Brigade Models C/O 62 Periwinkle Close Sittingbourne ME10 2JU

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of the engine cowling, which is in black and masking tape, cut to shape and applied to the painted the same dark grey as the camouflage
white stripes with a yellow underside, cowling. Simple! and cut to shape. As with the A-8 build I didnt
apparently to aid identification and allow the But the one thing I didnt much like with the apply all of the stencilling as I thought in 1/72 it
unit to form up again quickly after an attack, was chosen version was that the inside of the would look rather overdone.
a challenge. I initially tried it by eye and it looked fuselage crosses were painted grey and yet the Applying what had been learned during the
very bad. Consequently I resorted to some basic decal sheet does not provide these even though A-8 build most definitely helped here. As a
geometry and calculated the circumference of it provides the black in filled crosses of the other consequence I now like this kit even more
the engine cowling at its widest point and version. I reasoned these were probably painted second time around and it is really good to end
narrowest point and measure the point of in at some stage and so I applied the white up with both a heavy (A-8/U-2) and light (A-5)
transition. I then transferred these dimensions to crosses followed by a piece of clear decal film version of the best of the Luftwae fighters.
Kit No: 72198

Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Special Hobby
Hannants/Squadron
photo etch fret and a small set of resin parts that turns to the wings. Like the rest of the kit, and
Super Sabre includes a bomb, the engine and exhaust pipes.
The kit features fine recessed panel lines, and
indeed the prototype, these were a simple aair
consisting of a lower wing and fuselage that is
Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi while with this sample there was some evidence married to two upper wing sections and then
of flash around some of the smaller parts it was glued to the bottom of the fuselage. These parts
By Bob Foster nothing that couldnt be cleaned up with a few were cleaned up and assembled, then glued to
swipes of a sanding stick. the airframe. The fit was excellent, particularly
The Kamikaze were symbolic of the desperate
As with most aircraft kits, the build begins along the wing root, and only a small amount of
situation that Japan found herself in during the
with the cockpit. This is a simple aair, reflecting filler was required underneath the fuselage just
closing months of World War II. Thousands of
young volunteers met their deaths attempting the very basic layout of the real aircraft. All parts behind the semi recessed bomb bay. Next the
to turn back the Allies by deliberately flying were given a coat of Alclad black primer horizontal and vertical tails were added, and the
aircraft loaded with bombs into enemy ships. In followed by Tamiya XF-71 Cockpit Green (IJN), airframe was set aside while construction turned
early 1945, the Japanese High Command was and some seatbelts were added to the seat. The to the engine.
making plans for the defence of the home kit includes a set of etched belts, however I had Special Hobby has provided a finely detailed
islands and instructed Nakajima to design and recently acquired Eduards excellent photo etch representation of the Nakajima Ha-35 radial
construct a fleet of cheap, single seat aircraft IJA seatbelts in 1/72, so I chose to add these to engine in cast resin, along with separate resin
specifically for the Kamikaze mission, and the Ki- the kits seat. The cockpit was then added to the exhaust pipes. The engine cowling itself is
115 was born. Built largely from wood and steel, fuselage but when I came to join the two halves moulded in plastic in two halves, which fit
the Ki-115 was designed to be powered by of the fuselage together I discovered that the together well without any major seams. The
stocks of old, obsolete radial engines from the instrument panel did not fit. After several engine was sprayed with Alclad Steel and
1920s and 1930s. Despite ambitious plans to attempts to install the panel I could not get it to installed in the cowling, followed by the
produce 8,000 aircraft per month from small fit in the correct location and still be able to separate exhaust pipes. The pipes themselves
workshops only 100 or so were produced and close the fuselage without major surgery to both are exceptionally small and took some patience
none saw combat before the Japanese surrender it and the inside of the fuselage halves, so I to fit in place, but once they are installed they do
in August 1945. reluctantly decided to leave it out of the aircraft. look the part. I did however manage to lose two
Special Hobby have recently rereleased their This was disappointing, but because the cockpit of them to the dreaded carpet monster. The
1/72 kit of this diminutive aircraft as a limited opening is so small and dark it doesnt detract whole engine assembly was then added to the
run, which consists of a single grey sprue with from the finished model. front of the airframe, which was then masked up
the main airframe parts, one clear sprue, a small After assembly of the fuselage, construction ready for painting.
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The real Ki-115 was a simple aircraft, and the be problematic so a basic fixed undercarriage of Tamiya Semi-Gloss Clear before adding the
examples that were captured by the Allies at the was provided consisting of two main wheels and small two-piece canopy, which was painted with
end of World War II were left in their natural a tailskid. Special Hobbys representation of this Tamiya XF-16 Flat Aluminium prior to fitting. The
metal finish with only basic Hinomaru markings. undercarriage is perhaps a bit thicker than it real aircraft were fitted with a small telescopic
To replicate this the kit was sprayed with Alclad should be in scale, however given the limitations bombsight that protruded through the
grey primer followed by Alclad Aluminium, of injection moulding this isnt too noticeable. windscreen, and on my sample this required a
which was then masked to allow the black The legs and wheel hubs were sprayed with hole to be drilled into the canopy to fit it. Not
antiglare panel to be sprayed onto the nose with Alclad Steel and the tyres finished in Tamiya X1 wanting to damage the very small canopy, I
Tamiya X-1. The kits instructions called for the before they were carefully assembled and added decided to leave this part o. No weathering was
ailerons and tail section to be sprayed grey- to the underside of the wings. The tailskid was added to the aircraft, as in reality these aircraft
green to represent fabric covered sections, and also sprayed in Alclad Steel and attached to the flew very little during the war and the majority
although this colour dierence was not apparent rear fuselage. The aircraft was now largely remained unused.
from available photographs I decided to mask complete, needing only its propeller, bomb and Limited run kits can sometimes be dicult to
and spray them with Tamiya XF-76 to add some canopy to be attached. assemble, but Special Hobbys Ki-115 is a simple
colour and break up the overall aluminium finish The bomb itself is provided as a fine resin kit that is keenly priced and builds into a good
of the aircraft. The exhaust pipes were then casting and was cleaned up without any major representation of this unusual type. While
picked out with Tamiya X-10 Gunmetal and the issues. It was sprayed with Mr Hobby H52 Olive perhaps not for the beginner, it is certainly not
whole airframe received a coat of Tamiya Clear Drab and glued into the recessed bomb bay on beyond the skills of the majority of modellers
ready for the Hinomaru decals. The completed the underside of the fuselage. The propeller and and fills an interesting gap in World War II
airframe was then set aside as the build moved hub were assembled and sprayed with Tamiya Japanese aviation. While I have highlighted
to the undercarriage. XF-64 Red Brown, then added to the engine. I some minor fit issues with the kit, they are not
As the Ki-115 was designed for one-way found it necessary to open up the locating hole dramatic and do not detract from the completed
Kamikaze missions, it was originally intended to for the propeller slightly, but otherwise it went model. This is definitely a kit I would recommend
have a basic undercarriage that would fall away together without any major issues. The to anyone looking to add something interesting
on take-o. However when tested this proved to completed airframe was then given a final coat and a bit dierent to their collection.

M A LTA O N A P E D E S TA L
The Air and Sea Battle By Stephen J Di Nucci

Chapter Four Beaufighter from 235 Squadron aircraft at least managed to defenders AAA fire bringing
Friday 14th August 1942 and another was lost whilst penetrate the defences and near down a Ju 88.
landing on Pantellaria. Later, missed with a large bomb in At 10.30 up to fifteen Ju 88s
B
y first light on the
probably also during the Ohios wake, causing more and thirteen Ju 87Ds began to
fourteenth the only two
morning, Brisbane Star was damage to her stern. Ohio put in more attacks, one bomb
merchant ships still afloat
reported to have been bombed struggled on, low in the water, striking Kenya with minor results,
and not yet entered into Valettas
by three Cant Z1007bis from 29 physically supported by her but there was a further Axis loss
Grand Harbour were the freighter
Gruppo BT, 63 Squadriglia from destroyers and at a snails pace, when a German Stuka also
Brisbane Star and the tanker Ohio.
Chinisia Sicily, but without result. and it would only be well into the succumbed to AAA.
The Brisbane Star, damaged by Already benefiting from following day that she would
a torpedo during the evening of The Stukas were those of
Beaufighter escort, Brisbane Star eventually sail into Valetta.
the twelfth, had been unable to I./StG.3, which carried out attacks
was soon able to obtain both The fact that the Ohio failed to
keep up with the main convoy, throughout 12-14th August, from
Spitfire and Naval escort, and the attract further attention was
and completely unescorted, her Trapani and Sciacca on Sicily.
ship put safely into Valetta without doubt a very serious
master Captain Riley had decided I./KG.54 and its Ju 88As had been
without further mishap later that mistake on the part of the Axis
to chart his own course down the on Sicily since perhaps 21st June.
day. forces. The reason for this seems
coast of Tunisia. On the They were out from Gerbini on
Not so the Ohio however, to have been that the Germans the 14th August and made
thirteenth they spotted a U-boat
which now expected the believed all the remaining repeated attacks from 11-14th
whilst in the Gulf of Hammamet.
undivided attention of the Axis merchant vessels had reached without loss. Stab/KG.54 had
This was successfully evaded
air fleets. There was in the event harbour, and although the been at Catania, Sicily since
after many hours of clever
only one further attack on the Italians seem to have been less December 1941, but Ive seen no
navigation through a series of
ship, but the Axis found a new convinced, both now regarded evidence that it flew against
o-shore shallows, whilst always
dimension introduced; Malta was Force X, the code name for the Pedestal and its duty at this time
remaining within Vichy French
by now so close at hand, the remaining escort force that had may have been mainly
territorial waters. In the evening a
island was actually in view from turned back towards Gibraltar at organizational. Stab/KG.77 and its
Vichy patrol boat came out to
the afternoon onwards, and 16.00 on the 13th August, as their Ju 88s had been at Comiso, Sicily
meet them and this put a shot
Spitfires were undertaking primary target. Force X steamed since 30th June, and II./KG.77 and
across the ships bows. Two
constant patrols over the ship. through the night westward at all III./KG.77 had detachments of Ju
ocers came on board, but
With still no headway of her speed, in spite of unsuccessful 88s at Comiso or Gerbini,
Captain Riley talked his way out
own made, the destroyers Penn, attacks by at least one Italian E- probably both, by 12th August.
of trouble, and incredibly the
Bramham and Ledbury were boat and by the Italian All three Gruppen joined in the
ship was allowed to continue. In
attempting to tow the Ohio into submarine Granito, and by attacks during the period 12-14th
the early hours of the fourteenth
Malta when an attack began to daybreak on the fourteenth they August but whether each carried
the Axis renewed their attempts
develop. At 10.50 five Stukas had cleared well beyond the out attacks on all three dates is
to find the ship, and at possibly
from 102 Gruppo, possibly a Sicilian Straits and found not fully clear, but it is known
around 06.30 she was
mixed force of both Ju 87B and themselves in the vicinity of La that II./KG.77 attacked both
approached by S.79s of 30
Ju 87R, led by Capitano Antonio Galite island. Pedestal itself and Force X on
Gruppo BT, it seems engaged on
armed reconnaissance, at least Cumbat of 239 Squadriglia out Shortly afterwards, starting at 14th August.
two of them from 56 Squadriglia from Gela, Sicily hove into view, 07.30 and persisting through to At midday fresh attacks on
plus possibly other elements out and proceeded to attempt 09.10, a force of seventeen Ju 88s Force X began to develop, this
from Sciacca, Sicily. By now bombing approaches. One Stuka appeared and made attacks on time by Italian bombers and
however the ship was within was shot down by a Spitfire and Force X, principally upon the torpedo bombers from Sardinia,
range of Maltas Beaufighters. An Cumbats own machine later cruiser Kenya, but the only Sicily and Pantellaria, but a fierce
S.79 was shot down by a force landed in the sea, but one success appears to have been the AAA barrage broke up the
Bomber units operating against Pedestal and Force X on 14th th August Specific bombers known to have been used against Pedestal on 14th August
tABle 7 tABle 8
Type Unit Code letters Serial Remarks
Unit Subordinate Unit Type Remarks
Ju 88 4/KG.77 3Z+FM ? Shot down by AAA
29 Gruppo BT* 63 Squadriglia Cant Z1007bis Possibly also 62 Sq
Ju 87D-3 3/StG.3 S7+BL ? Shot down by AAA
30 Gruppo BT * 55, 56 Squadriglie S.79 Two lost
S.79 30 Gruppo 56-?? MM22184 Shot down by fighter
38 Gruppo BT * 49, 50 Squadriglie SM.84 Possibly also 89 Gr Ju 87R-5 102 Gruppo 239 ? Cap. Cumbat. Ditched
51 Gruppo BT * 212, 213 Squadriglie Cant Z1007bis Possibly both Sq bombers were driven o and all Several published sources
102 Gruppo BaT ** 239 Squadriglia Ju 87R. Ju 87B? Two lost three of the escorts were shot when describing the actions of
down by Spitfires of 126 14th August fail to dierentiate
105 Gruppo AS*** 254, 255 Squadriglie S.79sil Squadron. A large formation of clearly between attacks on the
109 Gruppo BT * 258, 259 Squadriglie SM.84 up to thirty three Ju 88s and Brisbane Star, on the Ohio and on
fourteen Ju 87s had also lifted o Force X, and this author must
130 Gruppo AS*** 280, 283 Squadriglie S.79sil from Sicily, but it seems these himself confess to some diculty,
132 Gruppo AS*** 278, 281 Squadriglie S.79sil failed completely. However five especially as regards Force X.
SM.84s from 32 Stormo were able Even now some of the details
KG.26 6/KG.26 He 111H-6 to penetrate through to Force X remain confusing when
later in the afternoon when the comparing dierent sources. I
KG.54 I./KG.54 Ju 88A-4 No losses
ships were o Cap Bougaroun, have however worked hard to
KG.77 Stab, II, III./KG.77 Ju 88A-4 One lost but none of these were lost in the present the known facts as
ensuing action. clearly as I could.
StG.3 I./StG.3 Ju 87D One lost
* BT: Bombardamento Terrestre ground bomber
** BaT: Bombardamento a Tuo dive bomber
*** AS: Aerosilurante torpedo bomber
formations and there is no record collectively from 109 Gruppo BT

of any successes, in spite of and 130 Gruppo AS also joined.
Italian claims to the contrary. These attacks persisted until at
Once again the defenders had least 13.25. One source records
the best of it, a minimum of that a RN destroyer sighted three
seven S.79s suering damage, Fiat BR 20 bombers, but I have
one source noting that one crash not seen this substantiated, and
landed in Tunisia. In the first wave at times BR 20 was used as a
were fifteen SM.84s from Cagliari generic term for Italian bombers,
Elmas, Sardinia. These aircraft so this may be the explanation.
were part of 32 Stormo and are In the early part of the
recorded in some sources as afternoon a group of three,
having carried out level possibly five, He 111 torpedo
bombing. However the Stormos bombers, presumably once again
two Gruppi was tasked from May from 6/KG.26, escorted by
1942 with carrying out nineteen Italian Reggiane Re
combination attacks of both 2001s plus four German Bf 109s
bombing and torpedo bombing, set out from Sicily. Poor visibility
and if both its Gruppi were developed and it seems that
involved, that is 38 Gruppo BT and none of these managed to sight
89 Gruppo AS, it is possible that By 14th August Brisbane Star and the tanker Ohio were the only
Force X. The ships radar plotters
not all fifteen aircraft were level merchant ships from the convoy that were still aiming for the
watched the aircraft carrying out comparative safety of Valettas Grand Harbour. Brisbane Stars
bombing. Joining this attack their searches amongst the cloud adventures on this particular day of the operation were fairly
were eight S.79sil from 132 and mists with amusement. The remarkable. How the ship reached Malta more or less intact on 15th
Gruppo AS who were outbound He 111s and just three of the Re August is one of the unsung sagas of the Mediterranean War, but its
from Pantelleria, and four S.79sil 2001s managed to approach story is generally overshadowed by the arrival of the crucial tanker, Ohio
from 105 Gruppo AS out from Force X, but at about 15.15 the
Castelvetrano, Sicily. Eight aircraft
Arrival of the Brisbane Star in the Grand Harbour at Valetta, Malta. Bristane Star had been torpedoed
and damaged on 12th August. She proceeded independently to Malta where she arrived on 15th
August having avoided German, Italian and Vichy French forces and despite severe damage

Zvezdas Junkers Ju 88A-4 By Stephen J Di Nucci
Kit No: 7282

Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Zvezda
The Hobby Company/Dragon USA
Z
vezdas kit is moulded in a soft grade of Ju 88 cockpit was famously cramped, especially feeds and chutes, at the one end to the MGs and
light grey polystyrene. The surface detail in 1/72. at the other end inside the cockpit, and then
on the fuselage and flying surfaces is Next in line for attention was Zvezdas later add the canopy? Eventually I realized it was
recessed and restrained, and Zvezda also fin/rudder because there are serious problems not actually necessary to obtain fixings at the
provide three excellent crew figures. The rudder with the shape, being much too fat towards the MG ends as they would be hidden by the armour
has the straight line leading edge, putting this Ju top, too short and too squared o. Zvezdas plate inside the rear cockpit windows. I would
88A-4 into the early period category, later A-4s instruction sheet mostly replicates the error but attach only inside the cockpit, but making sure
having the top of the rudder extended forward some of the drawings do show the correct of course that the gun ends of each item would
into what had been the head of the fin. The kit profile. I was faced anyway with some extra work fit snugly and without snagging once the
also has separate parts for the dorsal EZ-6 here as I wanted to depict an aircraft with the canopy was later added.
direction finding antenna, another feature later style rudder, so I drew on a pencil line to Aires parts RP27 and PP30 make up the twin
beyond early A-4s. The Ju 88s continual mark out the horizontal where the new rudder MG 81Z for the Bola position at the rear of the
development of gun options for defence is well breaks the old shape, and cut o the top of the ventral gondola. I intended to leave the Bola
known, but here Zvezda scores perhaps a little fin. I now added a rectangle of Plasticard of open, so a fixing of the ammo feed was
less well as although theres an MG 81J gun for slightly less thickness than the cut end of the fin. necessary only at the magazine end, from which
each of the bulged positions at the rear of the This was attached with generous brush fulls of I hung a length of ammo as if awaiting
cockpit, what looks to be an MG 15, part F6, for liquid cement and then left for many days to dry. connection to the guns. The MG 81J gun in the
the windscreen and a twin MG 81Z for the Bola After that a process of scraping and sanding windscreen is provided by Aires, together with
position at the rear of the ventral gondola, there brought up the corrected shape, finishing with its cross mounted ammunition bin in the
is no nose gun and no other options in the box. scribing tools etc. to obtain the new rudder forward cockpit, but here attaching ammo feeds
At the time I started to build my model there outline. and chutes both to the gun and to the bin
were no accessory sets for the Zvezda kit so I The engine halves require great care as the seemed this time unavoidable, but even more
acquired Aires set 7138 for the Italeri kit. There mating surfaces are very slim, butt jointed and dicult, requiring virtually ship-in-a-bottle skills.
are twenty seven resin parts and about sixty without location aids. Whats more, Zvezda do To my relief I read that many pilots dispensed
etched oering a very complete cockpit. The not suggest an order of assembly. My own with the windscreen MG 81J because the bulky
Zvezda kit has an overall floor, without any approach was to join the engine halves and then ammo bin blocked too much forward view. I
access downwards into the ventral gondola. join them to the nacelles, but I ended up with guessed that this might be at its most common
Correcting this was unavoidable. It was already some minor filling and sanding at the vertical with crews engaged in the dive bombing of ship
looking like the kit would accept the Aires bits, joins so maybe a better way would be to targets, so I reverted thankfully to a simple drum
so I began by cutting out a rectangle in the assemble the engines around the rebate at the fed MG15.
bottom of both fuselage halves, sucient to front of the nacelles. Either way, what is certain is I could now make a start on the cockpit
accept the crew entry area of Aires cockpit floor, that the engines require perfect alignment, glassware, firstly part G1 and then the gondola
part RP23. otherwise there are problems with seating the fairing, parts G9, G10, G12 and G13.
exhaust manifolds.
Once the four principal components of the I could now give the model my customary
Aires cockpit were epoxied into position, I could The joins at the wing root, top and bottom, toothbrush scrub with warm water and a light
start on the smaller details. I noticed that the were almost perfect, but I did not add the bomb solution of washing-up liquid to remove grease
Aires set makes no mention of the Ju 88s Lofte racks until I was fully satisfied. Finally, an oddity and dust, finishing with cold water to reduce the
bomb sight. I was aware that the Ju 88A-1 was of this Zvezda kit is a large trim tab protruding chance of leaving limescale deposits as I live in a
fitted with this equipment but I could find no beyond the trailing edge of each aileron. I hard water area. I then began preparing the
reference to say it was fitted to the A-4. Anti couldnt find any evidence for this on any Ju 88 remaining cockpit glass. The main canopy is
shipping Ju 88s usually operated in dive bomb variant anywhere, and lopping these o and a broken down by Zvezda into three parts so as to
mode, but I couldnt bring myself to believe that tidy up was a simple matter. The tailplanes allow for an eective representation of the rear
this alone was enough for the Lofte sight to be completed the major assembly. bulged section, and I found that the parts
deleted, so I assembled Zvezda parts E11 and I had already given consideration as to how I assembled neatly with a fine brush, applying
E32 and fitted the completed unit just to the would go about fitting the defensive MGs. How careful light applications of liquid cement. The
right of the pilots right side rudder pedal. The on earth was I going to attach the Aires ammo inside of the completed main canopy was given
several coats of Klear because I wanted to reconstruction upon colour plate 22 in John the black lining appeared to be required. These
represent some of the armoured panels in the Weals Osprey Combat Aircraft No. 75, and I also were not easy to find, and in the end I
rear with block decal. This worked well, although decided to finish my model in RLM 79 sand resorted again to Techmod, after first trimming
two layers of decal were required to prevent any uppers and RLM 78 blue undersides, with the away the unwanted black edging. Techmod also
see-through. The Klear also ensured there would white theatre fuselage band, white wing tips and oer a nice selection of maintenance markings
be no clouding, as I planned to use superglue to white spinner tips. As for markings, Airdocs set etc. and I used several of these. By the way, I
fix the rearward MG 81J guns into the kidney ADM 72011 furnished fuselage codes. I had no ought to mention that using items from Zvezdas
windows. I used the Aires guns, but at this stage black outline white letters and so decided to kit decal sheet seemed a non starter as my
with the barrels first removed and saved. Once take a little artistic license by using a plain black Zvezda kit dated back to 2009 and the carrier
the windscreen gun was fixed into place the letter on the port side, a practice that in reality film was already beginning to adopt a yellowed
main canopy and the nose glass part G3 could was not that rare. For a pair of black Fs appearance.
be added and the model was now really looking underwing I used the 9mm option from Fantasy I started painting with a coat of RLM 02 over
the part. Printshops sheet FP901. the transparency areas to ensure a window
I used Eduards canopy masks CX 261 for the Airdoc do not feature any aircraft from KG.77 frame show through of the interior colour, and
Zvezda kit. The fit of the vast majority of the so I was short of some fuselage badges. Initially I then an all over coat of Hannants Xtracolor X214
items was perfect, especially the panels had hoped that DP Caspers 1/72 sheet 72002 RLM 78 blue to cover the areas of filler and to
designed for the nose transparency, and only a featuring the Pedestal convoy might be useful as provide an even undercoat. I always use enamels
few of the rest needed slight shape correction. It it actually includes Ju 88A-4 3Z+KS from and never use a matt undercoat and once
never ceases to impress me how Eduard 8/KG.77, however there are no badges. Caspers painting has started there is no way I would
organize their panel masks as the layout is Ju 88 exhibits the reduced size fuselage codes normally contemplate any more rubbing down,
always entirely logical and very helpful to the and a wavy line camouflage, both of which whether or not constructional flaws get
modeller. Masking of the wheel wells followed, suggest a slightly later war machine. Indeed one revealed. I actually should have done so on this
and then finally the sticky-out bits, in particular authoritative source claims summer 1944 for this occasion though as the ventral gondola is
the sway braces for the bombs, the pitot probe particular aircraft, and so for me Caspers 1942 helpfully moulded as a whole transparency, but
and the canopy antenna mast. The Ju 88s tall incarnation of 3Z+KS is in a certain amount of this hid a poor join between the two halves of
mast for me is a notable characteristic of the doubt. Techmods sheet 72142 eventually came the gondola. Next I preshaded panel lines, first
aircraft, but Zvezdas mast was a to the rescue, oering KG.77 badges suitable for with a black wash applied by brush actually into
disappointment, being nearly half the height it two dierent Gruppen within KG.77. It is the lines themselves, and then with the airbrush.
should be. I discarded it and made my own from recorded that II Gruppe of KG.77 used a badge I now went back to the RLM 78, but this time
a pin with the point filed away and a drilled edged in yellow, but the closest that Techmod only to the undersides, and trying hard not to
plastic collar seating onto the canopy. I also used gets to this is one edged in white. I seriously cover the preshading overmuch.
a pin to replace the kits pitot tube. considered amending Techmods badges by I had planned to use Extracolor X209 RLM 79
I decided that I would model 3Z+FM, white F overpainting in yellow, but in the end I Sandgelb for the upper
from 4/KG.77, shot down on 14th August. I was chickened out.
however bereft of any images of this specific As for fuselage, wing crosses and
aircraft and resigned myself to a partial swastikas I had planned to rely on
reconstruction. Large parts of KG.77 had Airdoc ADM 72011, but I was surprised
transferred from France to Italy around 30th to find that these items were badly
June 1942 wearing of course European colours, out of register and so instead I
but evidently many aircraft soon stuck with the Techmod sheet.
received an application of RLM Above the wings crosses
79/78. I based my without

surfaces, but upon adding my usual white spirit It was obvious from wartime photographs had already worked out that that wouldnt be
thinner to the mixing jar the paint would not that well used Ju 88s show excessive amounts of the case this time. An all over coat of matt
accept the thinner and within minutes the exhaust staining. Not unexpectedly, staining varnish now followed then it was time to remove
pigment had separated out and lay there in a trails backwards on both sides of the engines, the scrap sprue handholds from the engines and
congealed mess. I ordered another tin, but with but with the Ju 88 there is often more to it than then to paint and highlight the engine faces
the exact same result. I then decided to mix my that. Further staining is evident both above and followed by removal of all the rest of the
own colour using paint already in my stock, below the exhaust manifolds, but limited to a masking.
adding plenty of Xtracolor X14 Red Arrows Red triangular shaped area bounded by about thirty The four 250kg bombs in Zvezdas kit were
to X102 Vietnam Tan. I could probably have degrees above and below the manifolds, and used straight out of the box. Initially I had
added even more red for a richer colour, but at trailing backwards from the foremost point of painted them in blue, but then later realized that
least I have a Ju 88 that looks well exposed to the exhausts. Some aircraft also show staining this calibre of weapon was usually finished in
the eects of the sun. Whilst this mix was still in on top of the engine nacelles, emanating from dark colours so I used RLM 71. The manhandling
my airbrush, I added some light grey to add the panel line where the engines meet the of unarmed bombs by ground crew was often
further random interest to the preshade, and to wings. I decided to go for all of these, but of not that respectful, and many ended up dirty or
simulate heat streaking trailing back from the course masking was required first, using rolled scued well before they reached the underside
engines. sausages of White-Tack for the sides of the of an aircraft. I attempted to replicate the scus
I painted the propellers in a lightened matt nacelles. I then mixed up a grubby, mainly black by spot sanding suciently to reveal rough
black with the spinners in RLM 70 black-green. brew and airbrushed, making sure to include the patches of the lighter colour underneath. I had
The noses of the spinners were due for a coat of tailplanes, both above and below. I finished the fitted Zvezdas sway braces way back, in fact at
white, which I had decided to airbrush. This stage with some further post weathering, using the same time as the bomb racks, although I
required a mask, and I made this from a spirit based washes, chiefly underneath and at later wished I had not done so as they got in the
rectangle of thin Plasticard, with a hole punched the margins of the flaps, ailerons and elevators. way of masking the inner sides of the engine
into the middle. The hole was then enlarged I was now in a position to start adding many nacelles at the paint stage. It was also now
using a roll of abrasive paper until the correct of the larger final items. I had already flatted and evident that it would have been wise to have
diameter was achieved. The mask was placed painted the main wheel tyres, so these could lopped a sliver from the end of each screw down
over the nose of each spinner, resting against now be fitted, along with the main gear doors. I bolt, because the bombs needed persuasion to
the prop blades, and fixed in place using small then flattened the tail wheel tyre by rubbing it sit in their proper positions. I found a certain
spots of Maskol, followed when dry with a line of on a sheet of sandpaper and painted the tyre. amount of give in the sway braces, but each
Maskol to ensure that the airbrush would not The tail wheel doors and props were also bomb had to be pressed hard down whilst the
creep the white onto the RLM 70. Masks were added. I added the superglue was setting.
also made for the prop blades. I then turned to underwing dive brakes With most handling now out of the way, I
Humbrol and thinned a gloss white with a spot now, too. Many Ju 88s, could turn my attention to the last significant
of light grey to alleviate the brightness, and especially earlier period component, the Bola 81Z gun
airbrushed both the spinners and the white aircraft, require these position at the tail end of the
panels beneath the wing tips. The white theatre brakes to be added much ventral gondola. The Bola
fuselage band was however applied by decal, later because the cupola itself is a
drawing upon the white and yellow banding underwing crosses are separate
options in ADM 72011. This applied fairly well in placed beneath the
spite of the compound curvatures, although not brakes, but I
a perfect result. Next time I will paint it instead.
item in the Zvezda kit, and also in the Italeri kit, up by the fitting of the short stay that props antenna wire. It wasnt necessary to obtain a
and I wanted to display this in the open position. open the cupola, made from scrap rod and fixing where the wires pass down through into
For crew entry and exit a ladder is fixed to the attached with tiny spots of superglue. the fuselage and I reasoned that in the event of
cupola, but only the Italeri kit has the ladder. I Ring sights were now added to the other guns having to eect any repairs to the wires, the
considered robbing the ladder from my Italeri and I replaced the trailing antenna on the left fuselage location holes would always remain
kit, but in the end decided not to do so as I was side of the fuselage, for the third time. clean and unsealed. Note also that the fuselage
concerned about snagging the end whilst Red/green nav lights in gloss red and gloss dark entry holes for the down wires are not on the
transporting the model. The cupola was already green were touched into the wing tips. I always centre line, but are in fact slightly oset to the
painted inside and out, and now only needed think that a nice set of antenna wires can help right. My first ever Ju 88 was now finished.
the twin MG 81Z guns to be added. I used the bring a model to life and as usual I rigged mine As far as Im concerned, this kit from Zvezda
guns from the Aires set, part RP27, but I found using heat stretched transparent sprue. I had comes recommended. I purchased mine in 2009
that this needed to be chopped into several predrilled a small hole in the leading edge of the and it probably represents one of Zvezdas first
pieces to fit it either side of the aperture in fin, and this end of the main wire was successful attempts to reach the top flight. Yes,
Zvezdas cupola, although I must admit to superglued first and allowed to dry thoroughly. the overall cockpit floor and the rogue aileron
chopping too little as the gun barrels ended up The forward end of the wire was then lightly trim tabs are oddities. The fin/rudder shape is
overly long. The ring sight part PP30 was also tensioned over the tip of the antenna mast. A even odder, but Im sure these things are unlikely
added. I fitted the completed cupola by tiny drop of superglue followed and then to put o most modellers. Published reviews of
removing a tiny area of paint from both hinge amputation of the unwanted section. I had also Zvezdas latest products clearly show the
points, and then used poly cement for an predrilled holes in the fuselage for the two down company to be now consistently producing
admittedly flimsy join. When dry this was firmed wires, but I attached these only to the main stunning kits.

B A R R AC U D A
Dumbos Back
Special Hobby Fairey Barracuda Mk II Home Fleet
By Colin Flying Pickett
Kit No: 72306

Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Special Hobby
Hannants/Squadron
All of the main paints

used on the exterior came
from Vallejos dedicated
set for FAA types
F
irstly I must apologise for the title, as being and as the name of the kit suggests, these both
a product of the seventies I simply cannot reflect the types use by the home fleet on the
hear the word Barracuda without being attack on the Kreigsmarine Battleship, Tirpitz:
The well-appointed interior for the three man
thrown back to the beginning of the classic song LS556 (or LS550 depending on your
crew
by the Barracudas, Summer Fun, when the car references) of 829 Naval Air Squadron, based
salesman is being taught to say the word on HMS Victorious during May 1944
Barracuda, and I am even humming it as I type
this. BV937 of 830 Naval Air Squadron, from HMS
Furious, 3rd April 1944
Back to the subject of the article, the much
maligned Fairey Barracuda, an aircraft which it I chose the first option, partly because of its
seem has become the epitome of poor aircraft distinctive Hells Bells nose art. I also decided to
design and function. However the Barracuda was install the torpedo provided at this point as
a very capable aircraft when operated and although the instructions suggest that the
handled in the correct manner, even finding aircraft was armed with 1,600lb bombs during
favour with some crews and being responsible the strike on Tirpitz, the kit depicts a time when
for the Tirpitz being put out of action during it had a kill marking showing a bomb hit on
Miniature landing light installed
World War II, enabling its final destruction by the Tirpitz, so unless the crew were overtaken with a
RAF. In fact its chief critics seem to have based feeling of clairvoyance it would be safe to say
their comments on the early reports of the this shows the aircraft in the period immediately
aircrafts career before all of the issues and after Operation Tungsten, therefore meaning
operating procedures were ironed out, and in that I was free to choose which ever stores
retrospect it can actually be considered one of option I wished, and I simply couldnt resist.
the Fleet Air Arms most successful aircraft when The interior of the kit is well appointed, with a
its operational history is studied in context. set of harnesses being the only addition from my
Special Hobby produced a similarly much spares box, though there is always room to add
maligned 1/72 kit many years ago, and have extra detail if the mood takes you. The fuselage
seen fit to replace it with a completely new and halves closed up with no issue and to be honest
much improved kit, which is something that the kit almost fell together, and if youve built
modellers of Fleet Air Arm aircraft such as myself older Special Hobby kits youll be impressed with
are very pleased to add to our line-up of torpedo how far they have come with this release as it
and bomber aircraft. simply does not compare. The only areas of issue
Wing under surface displaying preshading I had were the two supports for the horizontal
and a thin coat of Sky Type S As with any build, my first stop is to go to my tail surfaces, which were too long and required
bookshelves and find some references to anchor remeasuring and shortening to get them to
my build to and in this case I used the ever comply with those seen in suitable photographs,
faithful Warpaint number thirty five on the Fairey while the small infill parts that fill in the gap left
Barracuda, alongside Mushroom Models Orange for the later exhausts were a questionable fit and
Number 8117 on the same subject by Matthew needed some filler to make them look flush, so
Willis. not exactly disasters.
I often find it pays to make the choice of the There was a slight gap inside the cooling flap
aircraft you plan to build early on in the project underneath the engine, and as this would be a
The underside as this will often dictate which parts you will use problem to fill I simply used a piece of very thin
displaying that during construction, and rather than forcing a plastic card to bridge the gap and form a level
torpedo snap decision I do prefer to take my time. surface without the need to resort to any filling
Two decal options are provided with the kit, or sanding. Actually I didnt use any filler beyond
B A R R AC U D A
A general view of the

Barracuda confirms that
the poor thing is ugly
from every angle
This top view displays the

large wing area and flaps
that allowed slow speed
carrier landings
that already mentioned in the learned possibly. which also has a useful colour chart comply with the fine surface detail.
entire build. The injected canopy is an included. A quick study of this A further coat of gloss varnish
The landing light aperture in the excellent fit, and required nothing confirmed that the colours quoted sealed the decals to the surface. I
port wing is well detailed but lacks in the way of filler to get a tidy in the instructions tallied up, so I then masked o the fabric control
an actual light, so I added a single edge to it, just the use of Speed set about lightly airbrushing a coat surfaces and applied a light coat of
lens from a set by Little-cars to Bond to fix it in place, wiped with a of Sky Type S (71.302) onto the grey to them by airbrush to make
make good this shortfall. damp cotton bud to remove any underside areas of the Barracuda. them slightly dierent from the
excess. I used left over parts of Left overnight the aircraft was then surrounding metal surfaces, before
Whilst glazing is provided for the appropriately masked to receive a I set about using Vallejos dark grey
small windows below the main mask sets from other kits to mask
the canopy on the Barracuda, coat of Extra Dark Sea Grey wash (76.517) to provide some
canopy adjacent to the pilots seat I (71.110). Masking was then applied needed wear and tear to the
simply couldnt fathom how to get hopefully earning some green
points along the way. The canopy to mark out the camouflage aircraft. Using my airbrush I then
them in place and mask them pattern to provide a hard edge used a small amount of Vallejo
without losing them as they are areas were then airbrushed with a
coat of interior green, before the between the colours before Dark Brown Engine Soot from their
quite miniscule, so opted to leave Slate Grey (71.309) was finally weathering range (73.818) to add
these out and form them from whole Barracuda was primed using
Tamiyas grey primer, which was airbrushed on. I allowed this to subtle exhaust stains. Finally I used
Deluxe Speed Bond blobbed into harden for an hour before a silver watercolour pencil to add
place with a sharpened cocktail then lightly sanded with fine
sanding sticks to ensure a blemish removing all the masking from the chips to the leading edges and
stick and stretched across the Barracuda, just leaving that on the access hatches to depict service
opening. Until then I decided to free finish for the top coats of paint.
Once this was fully cured I then canopy and transparencies in place. use, but not too much as these
leave the apertures open, as surely Next up came a coat of Vallejo gloss tended to be painted over as soon
nothing is going to get in those airbrushed the panel lines in black
to preshade the areas and add to varnish to prepare the aircraft for as practical to avoid issues with
tiny holes, is it? I was to regret that its decals. corrosion from the salty
decision as a small plug of foam the worn patina required for
combat aircraft of the period based The decals themselves are of the environment. Still the Barracuda
rubber would most likely have looked a little too tidy, so I carefully
prevented the small amount of on my references. high quality weve come to expect
from Special Hobby, and only the added some streaking across the
debris entering the cockpit and Vallejo produce a boxed set of airframe using heavily thinned
placing itself inconveniently on the eight ModelAir paints for FAA (Fleet larger roundels required the use of
decal softener to get them to medium grey paint to soften the
inside of the transparency. Lesson Air Arm Aircraft) 1939-1945 (71.147), overall feel, but stopped before
The Bay Window for the navigator is

just visible under the wing. Which
other aircraft from this period has
such a room with a view?

B A R R AC U D A
The extended
undercarriage
retraction strut is
clearly seen from
this angle
The upper surfaces bristle

with antenna and radio masts
going too far, as its easy to get from a 1mm Molotow liquid hunt down a packet of these. ugly that only a mother could love,
drawn into the just a little bit more chrome marker pen, which is a new Finally I must turn to one of my its got that purposeful stance with
trap and make the model product to me, despite them favourite parts of the kit, the an alternative twist that many
unrealistic, in my opinion. celebrating their twentieth torpedo, a very simple but detailed items of British military equipment
With a coat of matt varnish anniversary. Intended for the item that has a wooden stabiliser have.
applied to seal all the weathering in graphic industry, this simply has to attached to the tail, which I
be the most eective chrome Operation Tungsten was a high
as well as tie the dierent elements reproduced by wood graining the
marker Ive used and I will be risk mission, and a successful start
together, I settled down to add all plastic part using various brown
making more additions with it in to the Barracudas operational
those fragile bits to the airframe. and yellow acrylics before applying
the future. career, removing the serious threat
First up was the undercarriage, a transparent mahogany (70.828)
The exhaust stacks were coated that the Tirpitz battle group posed
and after fixing the undercarriage finish. The main body of the
with brown ModelColor paint torpedo was first painted gloss to allied shipping in the North Sea
doors/main struts in place I found
before receiving a follow up of Rust black primer before receiving a and beyond, and it was the
that the retraction mechanism was
just too short for it to reach inside Texture (73.821) to give a used coat of MetalColor Aluminium Barracuda and their crews that
the undercarriage bays fully. I eect before being installed. (77.701) and a coat of Gloss made this possible for the Fleet Air
checked my references and the sit Next up came the various aerials MetalColor varnish (77.657). The Arm, whilst not forgetting that this
of the aircraft looked right, so set and antenna, which I fixed in place black portion was painted with was also the start of the Chance-
about cutting the middle section of with cyanoacrylate adhesive, NATO black (71.251) whilst the Vought Corsairs operational career
the retraction strut out, fixing both before finally using Ushi van der propeller and fuse was picked out too. This model was a highly
ends in place so they lined up, and Rosen rigging thread to form the in Brass (70.801) and once fitted it enjoyable project, not without
then measured a new middle part radio wires to the masts. I then looks quite convincing and adds a some very minor problems, but
from appropriate thickness plastic added a single glass isolator to the bit of purpose to the Barracuda. nothing beyond the skill of the
strip. A quick brush with some wire from a drop of PVA glue. The average modeller, and makes for a
silver paint and it is hard to spot the two small chin intake grills are a
Conclusion highly suitable and accurate model
modification, and it looks correct to touch over scale but I suspect that
of one of the major British naval
my eyes. A final bit of sparkle was a pair of the items from Brenguns Im very pleased with the final
added to the telescopic oleo legs in set of such things will be a good result as it looks every inch the aircraft of World War II.
the form of a coat of chrome paint replacement, so I will eventually Barracuda, and whilst its the sort of B-a-ra-ccu-dada!
WA L K A R O U N D
The sole surviving

XF-91 Thunderceptor,
XF-91 Thunderceptor
S/N 46-680, of the
two produced. This is
By Steve Muth the first prototype
and is on display at
Peregrine Publishing
the National Museum
All photos, unless otherwise noted, are by the author of the Air Force
with permission of the museum sta. outside of Dayton,
Ohio. The stainless
steel areas show up
very nicely as does
the olive drab anti
glare paint, the data
block and the rudder
markings
(Photograph
courtesy of David
Menard)
Cockpit port forward. Full instrument panel and

port sub panel. The windscreen interior is dull
black. The area is very colourful with red switch
guards, throttle quadrant and various red
Looking back at the seat, warning lamps. In the throttle quadrant, the
which is Interior Green. The inner lever is for the rocket engine while the
seat in the XF-91 was an outer lever is for the jet engine
early type ejection seat
Cockpit starboard forward. Looking forward

into the cockpit from port shows the structural
sheet metal including the seat, control
column, floor, fuselage sides and rudder
pedals are interior green while the instrument
panel, instrument faces, electrical panels on
the consoles and windscreen are dull black.
The instrument dials are black with white
numbers and such. The top of the control
column appears to have been sawed o and
the radar scope and several instruments are
missing. The cockpit has not yet been restored
T
he XF-91 was designed at the time when
many dierent ideas were tried in an eort
to determine the best configuration for
supersonic speeds. In this case inverse taper of
the wings in a swept configuration was tried
along with rocket assist. The inverse tapered
swept wing was successful in reducing wing tip
stall speed making it possible to fly at speeds
significantly lower than then current swept wing
jet fighters. Additionally the thinness of the wing
at the wing root/fuselage junction reduced drag
and permitted a more even air flow along the
fuselage.
The first flight of XP-91 number one, 46-680,
occurred on 9th May 1949 with number two,
46-681, following on 14th October 1949.
Although initially fitted with a butterfly tail it
was later retrofitted with a conventional tail like
the number one ship. Number two was built
with the nose radome from the beginning.
Neither ship was able to show its full capability Cockpit starboard looking down. The
because of constant delays in getting the correct demarcation between the sheet metal
engines, particularly the rocket engine. When and the equipment panel is clearly shown
finally fitted with a substitute XLR11-RM-9 it
achieved Mach 1.07 on 9th December 1952.

WA L K A R O U N D
A port side view of the rocket and jet engine

throttle quadrant. The canopy latch is also
visible. This photo shows the colours quite
well. The outer throttle is for the jet while Port console. Note the blue-green
the inner throttle is for the rocket engine switch guard and the red knobs
Cockpit port. The markings on the Starboard main landing gear well
throttle quadrant can be seen in this roof inboard. Silver paint everywhere
photo even though it is a little fuzzy
The ejection seat and canopy opening

Nose landing
mechanism. The canopy is being held open
gear strut port
by a piece of wood. It appears that the
rear. The nose
portion of the canopy mechanism and seat
landing gear
visible to viewers on the ground has been
and wheel hub
given a cursory coat of interior green
have been
cosmetically
painted overall
silver. Note
also the nose
oleo is fully
compressed,
the torque link
disconnected
and the tyre is
smooth
(Photograph
Courtesy of
Lennart
Lundh)
Canopy interior looking aft. The canopy
interior is dull black
Nose landing gear well looking forward. You Nose landing gear roof. Yellow zinc chromate
Port main
can see where the green zinc chromate is visible behind some of the well sheet metal
landing gear
shows through where the sprayer missed (Photograph Courtesy of Lennart Lundh)
outboard.
some areas leading me to believe the nose
Again, all main
wheel well was green zinc chromate
landing gear
(Photograph Courtesy of Lennart Lundh)
struts, linkages
and hubs are
painted silver.
Here too the
oleos are fully
compressed
(Photograph
Courtesy of
Lennart
Lundh)
WA L K A R O U N D
This Aircraft Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio, where it is on surfaces of the landing gear doors were silver.
display today. Some of the photographs reveal zinc chromate
The only survivor of three examples built, the
yellow in the area of the nose landing gear
third being the structural loads test aircraft, is
trunion. The aft end of the fuselage skinning
S/N 46-680, the first one built. This aircraft, with Camouflage and Markings appears to be stainless steel to withstand the
its F-86 style nose radome, was the final test
The XF-91s were natural metal and not heat of the afterburner and rocket exhaust.
configuration for the proposed F-91B. The first
painted silver as the specimen is displayed at the Standard stars and bars were in the usual places,
flight was made on 9th May 1949. It had not yet
National Museum of the Air Force is. The anti upper left and lower right wings, and aft
been fitted with a rocket motor, afterburner or
glare panel colour is either black or olive drab fuselage. US Air Force and the serial number
the F-86 style nose radome. Three years later S/N
and tapered to a point at each end. The aircraft were on the fin and rudder while USAF was on
46-680 was fitted with its intended afterburning
as displayed currently has an olive drab anti the upper right and lower left wing surfaces, all
GE J-47-GE-17 jet engine and a XLR11-RM-9
glare panel but photos taken in 1974 show it to in black. There was a red warning stripe around
rocket engine. On 9th December 1952 it took o,
have been black at that time. Examining period the aft fuselage in the engine turbine area. All
climbed to 35,000 feet and levelled o for a
photographs has been an exercise in frustration. wheels, struts and linkages were silver. It appears
speed run. The aircraft easily went past Mach 1
In some photos it looks black but in others it that prior to going on outside display the entire
and hit Mach 1.07. It was the first non X-type
appears lighter, more consistent with olive drab. wheel wells, struts and landing gear door
aircraft to fly faster than
It is possible that it wore both colours at various interiors were simply sprayed all over silver.
the speed of sound in
times. My own opinion is that it was black, the Later, upon restoration, rather than cleaning up
level flight. On 9th May
same as the walk ways at the trailing edge of the the natural metal the aircraft has been painted
1955, the sixth
wing root. Wheel wells appear to have been silver overall and given an olive drab anti glare
anniversary of its first
silver but some areas may have been zinc panel.
flight, S/N 46-680 was
delivered to the then US chromate yellow. Certainly the inner
NACA High Speed Flight Research Station photograph of the Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor taken in 1951 on the South Base ramp at Edwards Air Force Base (NASA)

M I R AG E
Kit No: 72289

Scale: 1/72
Modelling the Global F.1 Manufacturer: Special Hobby
Hannants/Squadron
By Yoav Efrati
tracked by FAP Mirage 2000P interceptors flying

Sheet plastic shim is needed to fill an Sukhoi Down overhead. At 13.15, ignoring the warnings,
excessive gap at the base of the rudder Ecuadors FAE806 Captain Uscategui approached to firing distance
and launched one R.550 Magic, starting what
In February 1995 border clashes took place was to become the first ever air-to-air combat
between Ecuador and Peru to take control over between two Mach 2 capable fighters in Latin
the Cenepa river in the south east of Ecuador. American history. His missile hit the Sukhoi
The jungle terrain made it dicult to bring flown by Lieutenant Colonel Maldonado-Begaza,
heavy vehicles into the battle, so both sides forcing him to eject before his fighter crashed
made use of attack aircraft and fighters. The into the jungle below. Meanwhile, Banderas
heaviest action took place between the 9-10th scored a hit on Orregos Su-22M as well, but the
February 1995. The Fuerza Aero Peru (FAP) made sturdy Sukhoi continued flying. In a hurry
use of Canberras, A-37s, SU-20/22s and Mirage because of the warnings from his RWR, Banderas
5P and Mirage 2000 fighters. The Fuerza Aero swiftly selected the second Magic and fired
The kit provided nose probes and blade
Ecuadorian (FAE) countered with the A-37, again, the missile this time cutting the Peruvian
antenna were replaced with metal staples and
Jaguar, Kfir C2 and Mirage F.1JA fighter planes. fighter in two, the wreckage falling to the
flat brass wire
At 12.47 10th February 1995, two Mirage ground. A while after the event, one of the
F.1JAs and two Kfirs were scrambled from Peruvian fighters was identified as SU-20M
Mariscal Lamar airfield, situated close to the no.014 of Esc. de Caza 111, Los Tigres. Only after
battle area. The Mirages were FAE807 flown by the 1995 war did the FAE acquire a batch of sixty
Major Raul Banderas, and FAE806 flown by Python Mk III air-to-air missiles for its Kfirs and in
Captain Carlos Uzcategui Soli. Major Banderas 1998 more capable Rafael Python Mk IVs were
acquired the first enemy fighter on his radar acquired to equip the Kfir and Mirage F.1JA.
scope barely eight minutes after taking o. The This, the third Special Hobby Mirage F.1 I have
aircraft his Cyrano IV radar detected were two built, is dedicated to Ecuadorian SU-22 killer FAE
FAP Su-22Ms, flown by Lieutenant Colonel Victor 806, which bore a flamboyant Cobra head on a
Manuel Maldonado-Begaza and Major Enrique deep yellow and black checkered vertical fin
Caballero Orrego Poeta, of the FAP Escuadron de during the FAE's thirtieth anniversary. Markings
Caza 111 Los Tigres. These cut the corner over for this aircraft are found in Syhart decal sheet
the border, penetrating as deep as sixteen 72-060. Using photos provided in the decal
kilometres into the Ecuadorian airspace before instructions, I scratch built a Python 4 pylon from
Current Ecuadorian Mirage F.1JAs are taking a course parallel to the boundary and Evergreen Strip Styrene 168 (stock 2mm x
modified to carry Israeli made Rafael Python then descending to a level of 600m above the 4.8mm x 28mm) and to the downward angled
IV air to air missiles. They require scratch built ground in preparation for an attack against pylon I added kit provided missile rails A68 and
down angled pylons to which kit rails were Tiwintza. Banderas selected afterburner A69. The Python 4 missiles were obtained from
attached using photos in the Syhart decal accelerating and turning so to bring himself and Skunk Models IDF Weapons set SW-72001.
instruction sheet for reference his wingman to a deep six oclock position
behind the two Sukhois. While doing so, his RWR Aft fuselage cha/flare dispensers were
warned him that his aircraft was detected and shaped from Evergreen Strip Styrene 166 (stock
Humbrol 34 flat white was used as a base coat

for Revell's yellow, which was also applied to
both sides of the lower fuselage ventral fins
and centreline fuel tank
M I R AG E
Mig's new Show Polish black putty has

excellent adhesion, which is great for a hard
edge camouflage, but is not suitable for the
soft edge hard camouflage pattern used on
the Mirage F.1
2mm x 3.2mm x 9mm) using photos found in and for the dark green Humbrol 116 FS 34079.
the decal instructions. Cha dispenser decals For the wheel well door interior surfaces and
were taken from IsraDecal IAF-48, a 1/72 Israeli landing gear Testors Model Master 1781E
F-16C/D decal sheet. Nose and vertical fin tip Aluminium was employed.
RWR bulbs were furnished from Evergreen I first applied the lower surface camouflage
round sheet plastic rod. colour and used the same colour for the vertical
Ecuadorian Mirage F-1JAs do not have a taxi fin tip antenna fairings. Next the radome, wind
light on the starboard engine intake, requiring shield and canopy were sprayed flat black. Next,
that the kit's intake recess be filled. The port the centreline fuel tank, vertical and ventral fins
intakes forward facing light was drilled through with a sprayed on layer of Humbrol 34 flat white
to accept a reflective lens during final assembly. as a base coat for Revell's No.15 yellow that
Ejection seats used in Ecuadorian Mirage F.1JAs followed. The aircraft upper fuselage, horizontal
are the MB Mk6, which is not included in the kit. stabilizers and wings, including the lower Blu-Tack provides the soft edge desired. Liquid
A pair of Barracuda resin Mk 6 ejection seats portion of the wing leading edges, were sprayed mask is used to cover areas that remain light
were graciously sent to me by my friend Revell SM362 Reed Green. For the tight green
Badescu Eduard. Wing tip Magic missiles rails camouflage pattern demarcation I tried two
and centre line fuel tank were obtained from the types of masking mediums, Blu-Tack and Mig's
kit. Camouflage Masking Putty. The Masking Putty
was good for covering tight contoured areas,
but provided a hard demarcation line between
Colour Conundrum the colours. I found Blu-Tack to be ideal for
Aztec decals were the first to issue a decal replicating the look of a tight over sprayed
sheet that featured markings for Mirage F.1 camouflage pattern. The demarcation lines were
Sukhoi killers FAE 806 and FAE 807. The colours made by rolling up snakes of Blu-Tack and laying
called out in their instructions are FS 24096 dark them over the surface, using the kit's surface
green, FS 24201 medium green and FS 27722 o detail features as reference. Areas that were to
white for the undersurface. The colours called remain medium green, were covered with liquid
out in Xtradecal's recent sheet 72-060 for the mask.
thirtieth squadron anniversary Mirage F.1JA After a coat of Klear the Syhart decals were
no.806 are dierent with FS34258, 34079 and applied with the aid of Solvaset. The vertical and
36622 light grey called out instead. Colour ventral fin decals are oversized, requiring touch
photos of Ecuadorian Mirage F.1s left me up painting to fill the missing black chequered
indecisive about the actual colours used so I Soft edge mask achieved with the Blu-Tack
areas in the fin. The snake decal is delicate and
opted to use the colours specified in the Syhart thin, and mine tore when subject to Solvaset
colour anniversary Mirage FAE806 decal sheet. evaporation. Fortunately, Syhart provides two
For the undersurface grey and vertical fin heads for each side of the fin, which corrected
antennas I used Xtracolour X621 Czech MiG-29 the cracked decals and provided the correct
Undersurface Grey, the deep yellow trim was opacity and colour saturation. The upper wing
Revell 15 Daodil Yellow, for the FS 34258 root white walkways stripes were too short in
medium green I used Revell SM362 Reed Green length, requiring touch up painting to achieve
Hard edge result using the Mig black masking

medium

M I R AG E
the proper length. Once all the decals were

applied and coated with a layer of Klear, panel
line enhancement and weathering was
accomplished using oil paints. Clear two part
epoxy was used during final assembly of the
external stores, cockpit seat and canopy, landing
gears and doors.
Conclusion
Special Hobby's Mirage F.1 again proved itself
as a good basis for yet another flamboyant
variant of this type. I would like to see Syhart
reprint their beautiful Cobra FAE anniversary
decal sized to the new Special Hobby kit.
Over Jordan
Mirage F.1EJ in Desert Colours
F
ollowing peace between Egypt and Israel
in 1979, the RJAF chose the French made
Dassault Mirage F1 over the downgraded
General Dynamics F-16/79 oered by the United
States. Mirage F1CJ interceptors and F1EJ
ground attack versions of the Mirage F1 enabled
the phase out of Lockheed F-104A Starfighters
and Hawker Hunters, which previously filled
those roles. Also during that time period ageing
Northrop F-5A/Bs were replaced with more
modern Northrop F-5E/F airframes.
Following the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty,
the US recommenced full military relations with
Jordan and donated sixteen used General
Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons, twelve F-16As
and four F-16Bs. Deliveries commenced in 1997
and were completed a year later, which enabled
the Jordanian Air Force to replace their Mirage
F1CJ interceptors. Further purchase of F-16s
from Belgium enabled the Jordanian Air Force to
retire the ground attack Mirage F1EJ and the F-
5E/F.
The subject I chose for my fourth Special
Hobby Mirage F.1 build was a ground attack
desert colour camouflage F.1EJ that appeared in
European Air Tattoo events that took place in
the late 1970s and early 1980s. Although desert
camouflaged Jordanian aircraft participating in
these events appeared devoid of external stores
I opted to spice up my model armed for a
runway denial role carrying Durendal cluster
bombs, ECM/flare pods, fuel tanks and wing tip
Magic missiles for self-defence. Jordanian
Mirage F.1EJs are devoid of air-to-air refuelling
capability, so the kit's nose part B60 was chosen,
along with vertical fin C13. Jordanian Mirage
F.1EJs employ a Martin Baker Mk 6 ejection seat,
which was obtained from Barracuda Resins. To
fit inside the kit's cockpit, the seat pan bottom
was sanded down and soft brass wire was used
to make the overhead ejection rings. For ease of
installation after painting, the bottom of the joy
M I R AG E
stick was trimmed o, and the black painted roundel with Testors Flat Base and
stick cemented directly to the ejection seat. Seat Liquid Glue. The liquid glue melted alcohol. Touch up
and canopy were cemented in place using clear the clear film that surrounded the decal painting comprised the Humbrol 11
two part epoxy, which does not fog clear parts artwork. To protect the decal's brittle silver pitot, nose probes and
and seals any gaps between the canopy, sill and edges from handling, I covered parachute fairing cap, starboard
wind shield. them with another brush on layer wing tip dark blue and port
Researching the Jordanian desert scheme for of Klear. wing tip and vertical fin tip
the Mirage found conflicting colour information. With the exception of the centreline bomb bright red position lights. Two
The colours most often quoted are FS 36622 rack and Durendel bombs, all other external part clear epoxy glue was used to
lower surfaces with FS 20400 sand yellow, FS stores came from the kit. For a bit of colour, the attach the port intake taxi and lower nose lights.
30140 red brown and FS 34079 dark green upper kit's fuel tanks were painted Testors Model
surfaces. From studying colour photos of the Masters Aluminium with the pylons 371 o Conclusion
colour scheme I opted for the following colours: white. The kit's Magic missiles were painted
Revell 371 o white lower surfaces, Revell 88 Humbrol 47 grey with silver forward section, 371 The fourth Mirage of my F.1 build series was
sand yellow, Revell 381 red brown and Humbrol seeker, and 14 yellow and 381 red brown stripes. more enjoyable then the previous three due to
116 dark green. The starboard wing ECM was painted Aluminium having learned the vices of the kit and finding
and the left cha dispenser 47 grey with a dark the yellow sand colour that is unique to the
The basis for the markings of this aircraft is Jordanian F.1EJ. I was disappointed with the
Albatros Model Works The Dark Mirage decal blue grey brush painted upper pattern. An Airfix
centreline bomb rack was widened by 1mm on inaccuracies of the Albatros Model Works decal
sheet, ALC-72010. Six Jordanian roundels are sheet ALC-72010, and the poorly defined stars
provided in the sheet, all being 6mm diameter, each side, using plastic strip, to enable
attachment of the bombs using brass pins. The oered by Carpena in their Jordanian roundels.
which are of the wrong size for the Jordanian There is a place for a new accurately printed
F.1EJ. Roundels required for the intakes should Durendel bombs were painted Humbrol 116
dark green with o white parachute ends and Jordanian Mirage F.1 decal sheet or at least a
be 7mm in diameter and the upper and lower generic sheet including
wing roundels of 10mm diameter. Another error yellow and silver decal stripes were used for
their markings. The model was airbrushed with a roundels and numbers used
on this sheet are the vertical fin flags, which are on Royal Jordanian Air
identical. Only the starboard side fin is correct, coat of Klear prior to the application of a Burnt
Umber and Panes Gray oil paint wash diluted Force aircraft, which
having the black band on top and red triangle will replace the
facing forwards. The port fin flag I salvaged from with turpentine. After approximately a half hour
drying time in the hot sun, the model was brittle ESCI decal
Carpena decal sheet 72.02. I used the Albatros sheet.
roundel for the intakes, but for the wings I sprayed with a semi
reverted to an old ESCI generic roundel decal matt mix of Klear,
sheet. The ESCI decals were found to be Tamiya X21
translucent, requiring application of two
roundels one atop the other to overcome the
dark colours of the upper wing surfaces. These
old decals have a clear film that cannot be
softened with decal softener to prevent
silvering. My first attempt at trimming the clear
film surrounding the roundel's outer colour
resulted in the decal edges crumbling apart. In
my second eort to apply the decals, I retained
the clear film and applied the decal over
a brushed on layer of Klear. To
eliminate the clear film
silvering, using a 000 brush
I carefully dry brushed
the clear film
surrounding
the
AIRCRAFT in ProFiLE
ISSUE 17
By Gary Madgwick
A pair of Spanish Air Force

Dassault Mirage F.1Ms at Albacete
in the air superiority grey scheme
(Chris Lofting)
i
n Part one we looked at the development of customers and only withdrew the aircraft during 14Bs featured upgraded equipment with new
the Mirage F.1 and the roles the aircraft has 2013 after thirty eight years of sterling service. computers, head-up display (HUD), SAGAM-
undertaken since its introduction with many initial service entry was with the newly Kearfott inertial system, digital Cyrano iV radar
of the Air Forces it has flown with. in Part Two we created wing, Ala de Caza 14, based at Albacete and a fixed refuelling probe. in addition to the
continue to explore the combat operations this with Escuadron 141 Chico being the first air-to-air weapons these aircraft could also carry
iconic aircraft has undertaken in its many years the external CC-420 30mm cannon pod, BAP100
squadron to form. This was followed with the
of service. bomblets, Durandal anti airfield munition
second batch of aircraft by Escuadron 142 Dardo, dispensers, CAM-1 multi store dispensers or the
both undertaking the air defence role. Thomson-CSF TMV-018 Syrel ESM/ELinT pod.
NATO and the Spanish Air Force Ejercito The F.1CE was equipped with a Thompson- These aircraft could easily be distinguished by
Del Aire CSF Cyrano iV radar and was modified to carry their blue/grey upper surface and matt
Spain became the second export customer the AiM-9P Sidewinder missiles on the wing tips aluminium undersurface camouflage scheme.
after Greece and the only other nATo country to together with the MATrA 550 Magic short-range The two seat trainers were finished in the three
operate the Mirage F.1. Spain placed their first AAM and the MATrA r.530 medium-range tone upper camouflage with pale grey under
order for fifteen F.1CE interceptors, designated missiles. They also retained the two internal surfaces and retained most of the single seaters
C.14A in Spanish service, in 1974 with delivery DEFA 553 30mm cannons. These initial aircraft capabilities.
between March 1975 and mid 1976. Further were delivered in the original three tone upper
By early 1992 all the Mirages were merged
orders followed including thirty F.1CEs and six surface camouflage scheme of sand, dark green
into an enlarged Ala 14 including Escuadron 462,
F.1BE two seaters known as CE.14As followed by and dark brown over a pale grey undersurface. which did not convert to the EF.18 Hornet until
a further twenty two aircraft in the multi role The advanced multi role C.14Bs were based at 1999. it was also during this time that a
configuration known as the F.1EE-200 (C.14B). Gandos/Les Palmas on the Canary islands with standardised overall Light Air Superiority Grey
After long and protracted negotiations for the Escuadron 462 Halcones of Ala de Caza 46 as part camouflage scheme with toned down markings
aircraft, Spain became one of the largest export of the Eastern Air Command Structure. The C- was introduced as the aircraft went through
Spanish Air Force Mirage F.1BE. The

aircraft wears the original scheme of
sand, dark green and dark brown
over a pale grey undersurface
AIRCRAFT IN PROFILE
This F.1BD was the only two seater left in

Libyan service by the time this photograph
was taken in 2009 (Rob Schleier)
major overhauls and/or upgrades. aircraft leaving service in 2015. early 1980s, which finally resulted in the
The next chapter in the Spanish Air Force Americans attacking Libyan targets and airfields
Mirage F.1 operational history took place in 1992 on Tuesday 15th April 1986, in Operation El
Libyan Arab Republic Air Force Dorado Canyon.
when the Mirage III upgrade was scrapped and
thirteen second hand ex Qatari Air Force Mirage Libya was one of the first countries to order By the time of the Libyan Revolution in 2011 it
F.1s were purchased. This comprised ten single the Mirage F.1, when in 1974 thirty eight aircraft is not known how many Mirage F.1 aircraft were
seat F.1EDAs and two twin seat F.1DDAs as one were requested including sixteen Mirage F.1EDs, still flying and could actively take part in air
aircraft crashed before delivery. sixteen Mirage F.1ADs and six Mirage F.1BD twin operations against the anti Gaddafi forces. Both
seat trainers. The F.1AD was operated in the squadrons still had some active aircraft and
These aircraft wore their original Qatari colour ground attack role and these were delivered
scheme of light sand, dark sand and medium some of the Libyan pilots defected with their
during 1978 and operated by 1011 Fighter aircraft to Luqa Air Base in Malta. At least two
blue but had Spanish national markings and Squadron, which was then based at Okba Ibn-
squadron insignia applied. These aircraft were aircraft were seen with the new Free Libyan Air
Nafi AB near Tripoli. (ex Wheelus USAF Base). Force marking after the conflict had ended.
initially based at Manises-Valencia with the
The twin seat trainers were operated by the
reformed Ala 11 until the base was closed in same unit and were delivered between 1978 and
1998 and the Mirages were then transferred to 1979. Royal Moroccan Air Force Al Quwwat al
Ala 14 at Los Llanos. Jawwiya al Malakiya Marakishiya
1012 Fighter Squadron operated the F.1ED
With the introduction of the ex Qatari aircraft interceptor aircraft. These were delivered in France had been involved in many North
the complete fleet was redesignated with new 1978-79 and were also operated from the same African adventures over the years and had
letter suxes. The original F.1CE became C.14A, base, which was also the headquarters for the maintained close links with many in the region
the twin seat F.1BE became CE.14A, the F.1EE Libyan Air Force. including Morocco. This resulted in the placing
became C.14B and ex Qatari F.1EDA became of an order for forty five Mirage F.1 aircraft
C.14C and twin seat F.1DDA became CE.14C. The Mirage F.1ED aircraft were fitted with the
during 1975. This comprised twenty five Mirage
Cyrano IV-I radar and could be armed with the
A further four F.1Cs and a single F-1B were F.1CH interceptors, fourteen Mirage F.1EH and
MATRA R.350 and MATRA R.550 Magic AAM
purchased from the Arme de lAir as attrition six F.1EH-200 multi role fighters.
missiles.
replacement aircraft. Initial deliveries were for aircraft destined for
The F.1AD was capable of carrying many
During the late 1990s the Spanish Air Force dierent ground attack weapons but the MATRA the Arme de lAir after the Moroccan Air Force
embarked on a major modernisation Belouga BGL66 munition dispensers were often worked in collaboration with the French in the
programme, which included a service life carried as well as standard 250kg GP bombs. All small skirmish against Algerian forces in the
extension and upgrade incorporating new the Mirage aircraft carried the same camouflage Western Sahara.
digital avionics. The C.14Cs and CE.14Cs were scheme of sand, mid green and dark green Moroccan aircraft were fitted with radar
retired and used as a spares source as the upper surface with a light grey undersurface. warning receivers and VOR aerials when
upgrade to these aircraft was deemed to be The demarcation lines on all the aircraft diered delivered and over the years were updated to
uneconomical. After modernisation, the fleet from one aircraft to another. include new wing tip ECM pod on one wing,
was again redesignated as F.1M for the single flare dispensers to both sides above the ventral
Libyan National markings were worn on the
seaters and F.1BM for the two seaters. top and bottom of the wings, both sides and on fins, in-flight refuelling probes as well as avionic
These modernised aircraft can be the fin. Most aircraft carried the squadron updates during 1996-97.
distinguished by two small RWR receivers on the insignia on either side of the fin although at least Morocco developed in conjunction with
leading and trailing edge of the fin and under one Mirage F.1BD twin seater was seen without Dassault a new indigenous produced centreline
the fuselage. Between the ventral fins there are a any squadron markings. reconnaissance pod and modified the
pair of AN/ALE-40 cha/flare dispensers. The Libyan Air Force was heavily involved in underwing drop tanks to carry grenade
With the arrival of the Eurofighter the days of numerous local conflicts in the region, in launchers similar to than seen on the Mirage IIIs.
the Mirage F.1 were numbered and starting in particular with Chad and also buzzing the US Air defence missiles were the standard MATRA
2013 they were gradually retired with the last Navy Sixth fleet in the Mediterranean during the R.530 and R.550 AAMs.
This view of a Libyan F.1ED after overhaul by Dassault gives an excellent idea of the camouflage scheme. All
Libyan aircraft wore the same basic colours but the demarcation varied from aircraft to aircraft (Rob Schleier)
AIRCRAFT IN PROFIlE
Moroccan Air Force F.1CH. National markings are carried top

and bottom on one wing, either side of the rear fuselage
and also on the fins. No Squadron insignia are carried
Two squadrons operate the Mirage F.1s, both 1981 and also again in clashes during 1995 camouflage scheme of dark and light sand over
based at the Fifth Royal Air Force Base also when it was reported that the Mirage F.1s shot a medium blue undersurface. National insignia
known as Sidi Slimane Air Base. This air base was down at least one Peruvian Su-22 Fitter F. was carried both wings, top and bottom. On
originally built during the early 1950s as a USAF All the Mirage F.1s wore the standard light both fuselage sides, just behind the intakes and
Forward Air Base for SAC and named Sidi brown (green tint) and mid green upper on the fin both sides.
Slimane AB and handed over to the Moroccan camouflage scheme with a light grey underside. In 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait in what was to
Air Force in 1963. National insignia are carried on the top and become the first Gulf War and with the coalition
The two units are Escadron de Chasse Atlas bottom of one wing and both sides of the fin. forces ranged against Saddam Hussain, the
Squadron (Mirage F.1EH-200) and Escadron de Squadron markings are carried on both sides of Qatari Air Force and the air base at Doha were
Chasse Assad Squadron (Mirage F.1CH). the intakes on some of the aircraft and many declared operational and used by the coalition
have been seen with special markings. Not to be for strikes into Iraq. The Mirage F.1s began flying
All the aircraft wear the standard tan, mid
forgotten is the Su-22 Kill marking on the nose of local air defence missions including along the
green and dark green upper camouflage scheme border with Iraq. However, due to the threat of
with a light grey undersurface. National FAE806.
The FAE Mirage F.1s have now been misidentification with the Iraqi Air Force Mirage
markings are carried top and bottom on one F.1s, the Qatari aircraft were not flown on
wing, either side of the rear fuselage and also on withdrawn from service, only to be replaced by
combat sorties inside the combat zone of
the fins. No Squadron insignia are carried. the South African Development of the Mirage
operations.
F.1, known as the Cheetah.
By the mid 1990s the aircraft had been
Ecuador Air Force Fuerza Aerea exchanged with Dassault for new Mirage 2000-5
Ecuatoriana Qatar Emiri Air Force Al Quwwait al fighters. The ex Qatari aircraft were then sold to
The only South American country to operate
Jawwiya al Emiri Qatar Spain as attribution replacements.
the Mirage F.1 is Ecuador, which ordered sixteen The last Gulf state, and also the last country to
Mirage F.1Jas, similar to the F.1E, and two twin operate new Mirage F.1s, was the small Gulf state
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
seat F.1JE trainers during 1977, after they tried to of Qatar when it ordered fourteen Mirage F.1s in IRIAF
procure the IAI Kfir from Israel, a move that was 1979, comprising twelve single seat F.1EDAs and
blocked by the US Government. two twin stick F.1DDA trainers. One additional The last air force to acquire the Mirage F.1
twin seater was acquired as attrition acquired its aircraft during the first Gulf War in
The aircraft were all delivered between replacement. 1990 when twenty five Iraqi Mirage F.1 pilots
December 1978 and December 1979 and defected to Iran with their machines. This
operated by Escuadron de Caza 2112 Cobras, These entered service during 1984 as part of 1 included a number of Mirage F.1EQ multi role
which is part of Grupo 211, Ala de Combate 21 Fighter Wing based at Doha Air Base with 7 fighters and four Mirage F.1BQ twin seat trainers.
flying from Aerea Taura Air Base, Guayaquil. Squadron. The aircraft were initially based at Imam Reza Air
Surviving aircraft went through a fleet wide The aircraft were fitted with BF radar warning Base (TFB14) with 141 Tactical Fighter Squadron
upgrade programme during the late 1980s and receivers and VOR aerials and configured to carry but transferred to 102 TFS based at TFB10
early 90s, which included modifications to carry the standard Mirage F.1 air-to-air weapons fit of Chahbahary/Konarak Air Base in 2012. The
Israeli made munitions including the Rafael the MATRA R-550 and R-530 Magic I AAM. They aircraft all wore their original Iraqi Air Force
Python-3 AAM. The aircraft also carried standard could also be configured for the tactical camouflage scheme for many years with just the
MATRA R.530 and R.550 AAMs as well bombs on reconnaissance role using the Dassault COR2 IRIAF national insignia painted over the Iraqi AF
underwing pylons. The FAE was involved in the recce pod on the centre line station. markings.
short, thirteen day skirmish with Peru during All the Qatari aircraft wore a standard During 2013 over twenty years after the
An Ecuadoran Mirage F.1JA during the joint

US/Ecuadoran exercise Blue Horizon '86. The Mirage
is armed with Matra R550 Magic 2 air-to-air missiles
AIRCRAFT IN PROFILE
AIRCRAFT IN PROFILE
AIRCRAFT IN PROFILE
SHIPPING FORECAST
Whats New on the Sea Front? Edited by Sorge
A
nd now for the shipping forecast, our aims to introduce the reader to options and interested in nautical modelling to drop us
quarterly look at whats happening opportunities for modelling that are not so a line if they have any builds they would like
in the world of naval modelling. This far removed from their own discipline. This to showcase
section has been designed with more month we have another main feature in
regular aviation modellers in mind and 1/35. In the meantime we invite all readers
MIKROMIR successor the Biber, the Kriegsmarine continued again filling and sanding all the seams and
to operate numerous dierent midget joints.
German Midget Submarine Molch submarine designs until the end of the war.
By Colin Flying Pickett I secured the rudder and stabilising surfaces
For a long time the only available 1/35 model by use of a pair of brass pins in each part as I
Kit No: 35-008 Molch was the resin oering from Verlinden, suspected they would suer from my occasional
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic which was a waterline model depicting a half clumsiness during the rest of the construction.
Manufacturer: MikroMir sunken one, so MikroMirs injection moulded The windows in the conning tower were a
Hannants release is very welcome indeed. The kit arrives in little oversized so required individually cutting
a smallish blue box with a dramatic image of the down to ensure a good fit in each aperture.
Molch in battle on the front. Inside three sprues Once I was happy with the fit and I had applied a
T
he Molch (Newt or Salamander in German)
of grey plastic injected parts are joined by a coat of Tamiya clear green to each window to
midget submarine is historically important
plastic base and a further sprue of injected make it look much more like the substantial
as it was the first midget submarine
transparencies for the various vision portholes reinforced thick glass normally used in such
operated by the Kriegsmarine, seeing service in
and access hatch options. There are also two situations, each window was fixed in place using
the Mediterranean and North Sea during the
sheets of etched brass parts and a further sheet Deluxe Speed Bond acrylic adhesive and wiped
latter half of World War II.
of decals. clean using a damp cotton bud. Finally, before
The single crew member sat between the
I spent a short session cleaning up the parts fixing the conning tower in place, the periscope
huge batteries in the front, and the single
ready for use, removing the odd bit of flash and was installed using a short length of copper wire
electric motor mounted behind him, an item
occasional moulding marks and the like, prior to to add strength.
that was closely based on the propulsion system
of the pair of G7e torpedoes the Molch carried. painting the inside of the hull halves with a coat Looking at various reference photographs
Built by Weser in Bremen the first submarine was of matt black paint just in case anything could sourced on the Internet I decided that the
delivered on 12th June 1944, with a total of be seen through the small portholes. windows needed a more obvious frame to them,
three hundred and ninety three craft being built The hull halves were joined together using so added one using thin plastic strip and the
in total. The performance of the Molch was a Tamiyas thin liquid fast drying cement, and held aforementioned Tamiya adhesive. The windows
little lacking, with a range of forty miles (about together with masking tape overnight to make were masked using drops of Vallejo masking
sixty four kilometres) at a maximum of five knots sure things had fully cured. At the same time I fluid, teased into the corners using a cocktail
or just under six miles per hour (9.3km/h). In joined together a number of subassemblies such stick to ensure all the edges were sealed. A circle
combat operations the Molch was found to be as the torpedo halves, motor housing and of masking tape defined the boundary for the
ineective, even when operated in large flotillas conning tower. A thin coat of filler, in this case glazing on the access hatch before the inner
of twelve or more craft, resulting in huge Mr Hobby White filler, was used to make good edges were also sealed with Vallejo Masking
Kriegsmarine losses for very few allied ships the various joints, and sanded when dry to fluid.
sunk, and it was eventually withdrawn from reduce the bulk of the seams. A coat of Mr The lower hull has two long strakes running
front line service to be used as a training vessel Surfacer 500 revealed any obvious defects, along it, and these are formed of folded brass
in preparation for more advanced equipment. which were then dealt with. I then set about sections, something I found my old Mission
Despite the issues with the Molch and its bringing all the subassemblies together before Models folding tool invaluable for. These are
SHIPPING FORECAST
held in place with small metal brackets and in varnish ready to start weathering. All of the propellers were painted with Vallejo
order to make these sturdier I scribed a series of A wash of Vallejo Dark Grey (76.517) was used ModelColor Brass (70.801). The torpedoes were
locating groves along the hull and in the to bring out the various indentations and I then secured to the boat using two short lengths of
position of each bracket for them to fix into. started to apply streaks of rust using light brush copper wire fixed in place with cyanoacrylate
Once these had all been fixed in place using applications of Vallejo Rust wash (76.506) and adhesive to stop them going astray.
cyanoacrylate adhesive with a dousing of kicker I
Dark Rust (76.507). Further brush applications of I found the small base a bit basic for display,
painted them with a coat of Mr Surfacer to fill
Wet Eects (73.828) and Rain Marks (73.819) so hunted out one of a supply of wooden bases
any gaps and prime the brass ready for painting.
completed the tired and abandoned look of the Id bought cheaply at a model show. The Molch
I also added the etched brass hinges and catches
Molch. was mounted on this base using two short bits
to the access hatch at the same time, along with
Finally a layer of Vallejo Weathering eects of brass tube fixed in place with long screws
the edges of the tail, which are also brass strip.
Slimy Grime Light (73.823) was added to the through the base and into the bottom of the
I then sprayed the whole submarine with a hull, reinforced with cyanoacrylate adhesive.
upper surfaces by airbrush to make it look as if a
coat of Tamiya fine surface grey primer, which The plaque was part of one of the sprues, which I
was lightly sanded when dry ready for painting. coat of algae had started to establish itself,
adding to the worn eect. A last coat of Vallejo carefully removed, cleaned up, painted in a
The kit comes with decals for a choice of five Matt varnish brought things to a more realistic suitable scheme and fixed in place with more
dierent vessels, three based on the coast of the sheen. cyanoacrylate adhesive to add a final artistic
Netherlands and two in Norway. As the best flourish to proceedings.
images I found show craft abandoned on an In contrast most of the torpedoes in the
pictures look to have sustained only light Although this model could be considered a
airfield in the Netherlands I chose to replicate
weathering, so I first airbrushed them in gloss basic build, as with many subjects the final
the start of their decay in my model. I preshaded
black primer (77.660) followed by light coats of painting and weathering can be used to add
the hull with Vallejo NATO Black (71.251),
MetalColor Aluminium applied at low pressure. some life to it, and this is an area I found to be
highlighting all the seams, ridges and edges to
This was given overnight to dry fully before I the most enjoyable part of the project. Its great
the design, and then started to add my colours.
masked o the front portion of each torpedo to see MikroMir producing a line-up of these
First o, and based on the colour descriptions
and then applied MetalColor Steel (77.712). A long ignored craft, and I look forward to
given by the instructions, I used a base coat of
Vallejo ModelAir light grey (71.050) and then coat of gloss MetalColor varnish (77.657) sealed undertaking some of the more unusual and
masked o the disruptive pattern using Tamiya the finish in before a treatment of Dark Grey distinctive later designs of both German and
masking sheet, before airbrushing Vallejo wash was used to bring the detail out a little Russian midget submarines and hope they turn
ModelAir Grey (71.051). With the masks removed more. Finally a light application of matt varnish their attention to the British subjects soon.
I then applied a coat of Vallejo gloss acrylic tied the torpedoes and Molch together a little. www.mikro-mir.com
COASTAL CRAFT type motor launches, and C type outbreak of war, the Admiralty had standard. Their main armament
motor gun boat. Format is a change of heart and awarded initially reflected their
Coastal Craft History Volume landscape and the profiles oered Macklin a contract to build eleven antisubmarine focus, with twelve
Four in 1/84, which may seem a little further Type A Fairmiles. depth charges, a single QF three
The Fairmile A, B and C obeat to readers rooted in 1/72 pounder Hotchkiss gun aft and one
The first vessel ML100 was not
Author: Mark Smith but it allows excellent use to be completed until May 1940 because set of twin 0.303in machine guns.
Publisher: Mark Smith made of the page space with of handling problems at low As the war moved on, the vessels
ISBN: 978 09930 934 32 artwork generously spread out over speeds, although the subsequent were adapted to other roles and
Format: Paperback, Landscape, the double page width. The boats had all entered service by the armament was modified and
48 pages amount of data provided is July. Their role was to be upgraded such as the replacement
phenomenal, and with kits antisubmarine escorts in coastal of the three pounder with one or
available there is enough waters, but once the better Fairmile more 20mm Oerlikon cannon and
While we have received
inspiration in this volume to keep a B motor launches began to enter removal of the ASDIC dome for
overwhelming support for the
modeller happy for years. service in the autumn of 1940, the more clearance as minesweepers.
occasional inclusion of this section,
These fascinating and bite-sized Type A boats were converted to Some boats were configured as
editorial policy remains mindful of
vessels were conceived shortly minelayers. motor torpedo boats.
the need to try and keep matters as
accessible to aviation minded before World War II when the British While the Type A had been The first Fairmile B motor launch
readers as possible. Ship modelling industrialist Noel Macklin designed entirely by Fairmile, the was completed in September 1940.
of course generally covers 1/200 submitted to the Admiralty an Type B design had come from Bill All boats were essentially the same,
and smaller, but as and when we innovative plan for the series Holt of the Admiralty based on the although they could be adapted to
are invited to look at aircraft production of a motor launch. The lines of a destroyer hull and the serve in several roles by the
compatible scales and subjects we design used prefabricated parts, detailed design and Fairmile took expedient of having predrilled rails
do like to take the matter in hand. which allowed various small on production. Like all their designs on their decks spaced to allow the
Coastal Crafts range of 1/72 resin concerns, such as furniture and it was based on total prefabrication fitting of various types of
boats is a source of particular piano manufacturers, to produce so individual components could be armaments.
delight, and this latest book may the individual components. These contracted out to small factories for During the Siege of Malta they
well be the item that tips the components could then be production and these arranged as were used to sweep a narrow
balance for some, oering as it assembled in separate shipyards. kits that would be delivered to channel ahead of heavier
does an attractive and fascinating The hull was to be made of double various boatyards for assembly and minesweepers, which widened the
look at some very interesting diagonal mahogany planking with fitting out. channel. The heavier minesweepers
subjects. plywood frames divided into nine Altogether approximately 650 were initially the remnants of the
This is essentially a book of watertight compartments. boats were built between 1940 and Malta trawler force, then fleet
colour profiles, based on original The Admiralty rejected the 1945. Like the A Type, the B Type minesweepers that arrived with a
drawings by John Lambert, concept, and so the prototype was were initially intended as convoy from Gibraltar. The launches
detailing the colour schemes and built as a private venture. In July submarine chasers, so the boats were able to pass over the mines
equipment of the Fairmile A and B 1939, two months before the were fitted with ASDIC sonar as whereas many trawler losses had
SAM SUBS SEC TION
Rodens Classic Heinkel

By Gary Hatcher
Classic Airframes, although these try stripping and repainting it and can be added to the framework.
kits do have issues and are not I had made a mess... With everything assembled I was
currently available. Special Hobby So I was determined to do a able to spray Lifecolors RLM02
have recently reboxed this tooling better job this time. Roden and then add in the colour etch.
as a float equipped B-2, but this certainly provide a fine set of The finished assembly looked
new tool from Roden is parts and while some of the sprue excellent and with the moulded
everything one could have gates look a little on the heavy detail inside the fuselage halves
wished for in terms of side they clean up well and the makes up into a passable finished
engineering and fit. main components fit beautifully. I result. Apart from a couple of
My own modelling relationship had acquired Eduards etched set stretched sprue wires I added
Heinkel He 51B-1 and masks, which I would regard nothing to the kit parts and the
with the type goes back five or six
Kit No: 452 years to the sudden arrival of an as an essential addition to any etch.
Scale: 1/48 Osprey book for review, Aces of modelling project, but mindful of The only issue I came up
the Spanish Civil War. I was on my the open cockpit I was obliged to against was the cockpit door,
Type: Injection Moulded make an extra eort on this build which is provided as a separate
way to the US convention in
Plastic as there is no distorting part and does not fit closed. I
Omaha and took it for essential
Manufacturer: Roden reading on the plane. By the time transparency to blend it all into a trimmed it to fit, which was a job I
Pocketbond/Squadron I arrived in Omaha I was hooked pleasing impression. could have done without, and
on the type and was pleased to I followed my usual procedure ended up filling and rescribing
the joins. Modellers wishing to
W
hen Rodens Heinkel discover a pile of Classic of assembling all the cockpit
appeared in 2015 it Airframes kits at bargain prices on parts that could be painted pose it open can add the Eduard
came as something of a the Sprue Brothers stand. I even together in the base colour, in this parts to the inside of it, but as
surprise. There had been little subsequently got as far as case RLM02. Very little of the etch they are barely discernible with it
advance warning and it appeared decalling the model but is unpainted in this case, and closed I left them o. Not for the
with little fanfare. Odd, abandoned the project eventually while the butt joints on the last time I found myself wishing
considering its importance in the due to errors made in cockpit framing looked a little the manufacturers had moulded
overall scheme of things for construction that had complex to assemble accurately it the part in situ and allowed
modellers of the early Luftwae. irredeemably compromised it. all went together fairly easily. I left modellers the option of removing
Of course the type has been The old problem of changing the seat o until after painting it if they wanted it open.
kitted in 1/48, and very ably by plans mid build had caused me to but the support bars it rests on On to the main airframe
The completed frame is a solid

Rodens parts are nicely tooled Eduards etched details make a Assembling the cockpit framing. separate structure that can be
with moulded detail on the big dierence to the cockpit This looks harder than it actually built up and finished before
cockpit side walls interior turned out to be adding to the fuselage
RECEIVE EXTRA EIGHT PAGES FREE JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 1

SAM SUBS SEC TION
The cockpit door was a poor fit

and needed a bit of fettling
The instrument panel and
surround with painting complete The completed cockpit insert
Eduards colour etch instrument
and ready for installation with all the colour etch added
panel
Setting the lower wing part in Things cleaned up remarkably Getting the control surfaces in
position. I found it needed The only area I needed to use quickly. The exhausts have been place in the raised position was a
taping up securely and leaving filler was around the joins of the omitted and the inserts that they chore but rewarded a little
but the fit was good once cured underside insert and nose protrude through glued in place careful work
By separating the exhausts from Here the wing has been cleaned
The rudder is not a bad fit but their mounting bar they can be up and the hinge line for the The airframe primed grey with all
the hinge line is too deep to use added at the end of the build aileron much tidier blemishes cleared up, prior to
a decal over. I decided painting white primer in preparation for
would be the best option the blue nose and upper
fuselage
The exhausts undergoing

painting and treatment with
pastels. The ends are not hollow
which is a shame, but I
remember the anguish of tidying
up the resin parts with the
Classic kit, none of which had
White primer needs to go over a been cast cleanly. Hopefully a
uniform grey surface. Here the resin replacement set will appear
model is ready for the blue to be that can be retro fitted in the
sprayed on same fashion as the kit parts
2 W W W. S C A L E A I R C R A F T M O D E L L I N G . CO. U K SUBSCRIBE ONLY 49.50 FOR 12 ISSUES

SAM SUBS SEC TION
Testing the size of my masks for

the tail band
Sources state light blue but Masking up the blue was a little
Huge sigh of relief with the
none seem to be more specific. tricky as there is little correlation
upper wing in place...
Mr Hobbys H25 Sky Blue seemed between the side and plan
a close match to colour profiles I profiles on the Aeromaster sheet.
found, but was just a little too The pattern was a best guess,
dark. I found an old pot of Revell particularly at the base of the fin
Aqua acrylic that seemed to fit
the bill. This had been mixed up
some years ago when I was
failing to complete the Classic
Airframes kit and had survived
the interim remarkably well
Lifecolors Shades of Black is a
really handy set to have around
the workbench
With the red sprayed the band

can be masked. Like the blue,
resources are a little vague on Hatakas Spanish Civil War set
the precise shade of red provided the RLM63. Paint was
involved, and few decal sheets or decanted into a spare bottle and
profile arts can agree thinned with the companys own
brand thinners
Masking in place for the white

circle on the tail. The swastika sits
over a very busy area on the kit
but fortunately it all settled
nicely and looks fine on the
finished model
Decals now in place. The
Aeromaster sheet performed
faultlessly
Aeromasters sheet was

produced in conjunction with
the Classic Publications
The red tail bands are included Jagdwae book Birth of the
on the Aeromaster sheet but Luftwae, and features aircraft
with such a prominent hinge line covered in the book. My initial Now we start the rigging. After a
in the rudder I had decided attempt at the Classic Airframes day or so I settled into a routine
painting was the preferred kit was inspired by this volume and the task became less
option and was initially the first step in a onerous as I progressed. In fact
collection that was to cover the the more I did, the better it
entire series of some forty books. looked, and the more excited I
Now years later I seem to have became at the prospect of the
Although out of print finished the first model at last finished model
Aeromasters sheet can still be and can proceed to the next
found on the second hand
market. The sheet oers two He
51s and two early Bf109s
My gunsight and coaming bear

only an approximation to reality he finished model rigged and
but to my mind are better than The painted tail band and ready. I am hoping I wont come
the blank blue featureless area swastika decal look smart from a to regret the thickness of my
that was there before safe distance rigging wires in due course

SAM SUBS SEC TION
construction, and this went together with good, but decided the red band was going to locate well enough and I managed to get it all
considerably less than the expected filling and have to be painted. in place without too much glue and crucially
sanding round the wing roots and centre By now I had the fuselage, lower wings and without messing up the masked blue upper
section. The rudder and tailplanes were added spats all together and was ready to move on fuselage. There is no easy way in my
to the mix and I turned my attention to the to the next stage. Rodens kit only provides experience of adding upper wings to biplanes.
cowling, the top and front of which are options for Spanish Civil War aircraft, while I It really depends on the nature of the struts,
separate, as are the insert into which the wanted to do a colourful pre-war machine their locating points, and how skilled the
exhausts sit. Having just finished the AMG Bf and to this end had acquired Aeromaster individual modeller is with things like jigs and
109, which requires some dexterity round this sheet 48457 Birth of the Luftwae Part Two accurate measurements. Personally I am
area, I was anticipating diculties getting from Tall Paul the decals man, the presence of hopeless, so I fitted all the struts in place with
everything to fit properly but I found a cheat whose emporium at any model show is an Revell Contacta in as approximately accurate a
online that made matters a lot easier. Steen immediate and powerful lure. This includes position as possible then added the top wing
Arndt, on the Aeroscale site, has made a great two He 51s in traditional colours, one blue and before they were set. This ham fisted approach
job of this kit and recommends separating the one red, although this latter is for a He 51A-1 aorded a couple of fraught moments but I
exhausts from their mounting and inserting so not applicable to the current kit (I would be was able to skew the wing into the correct
them after painting. This is actually far simpler obliged if anyone would explain the external position and leave it to set wedged up against
than you might suppose, as they can be cut visible dierences between the He 51A and a couple of paint jars. I apologise to those
simply and cleanly and remain in one piece. the He 51B. I gather it is a matter of experts for whom the correct techniques work
This allowed me to build up the cowling and strengthened undercarriage but would every time but I work within my limitations...
nose quickly and easily without having to welcome more information). The blue option Upper wing in place and everything set
work around them in situ and also allowed me is a well-documented machine from JG 135 solid I was able to continue with the painting
to paint the stacks separately and fit them with a light blue upper fuselage and cowling. I and finishing. This firstly involved Halfords
much later in the project. had tried to apply this to my Classic Airframes grey primer all over, followed by a couple of
While the nose end was underway I had build before, after having finished it first in an coats of RLM63, for which I deviated from my
also assembled the upper wing and tailplanes. overall light grey Condor Legion scheme and usual Lifecolors, as they do not make one.
These are nice mouldings but unfortunately deciding it looked bland and uninteresting. Hataka recently issued a set for the Spanish
all the control surfaces are separate, which is Trying to spray the blue along the upper Civil War which includes RLM63, a grey-green
fine if you want them dangling and posed at fuselage under the wing had been such a not hugely dissimilar to Slate Grey and RLM02,
angles, but if you dont then the fit is chore that I decided to paint the Roden kit but a little lighter. It looked vile initially, but in
compromised. I removed all the lugs from the before adding the upper wing and struts, situ with decals and the red and blue trim I am
upper wing to allow a flush fit and after some mask it, and save myself a headache. very pleased with the result. Hatakas paint
sanding and blending they fitted pretty well. I Accordingly I applied grey primer to the entire sprayed beautifully. I decanted some into an
dropped a tiny length of stretched sprue into airframe until I had a smooth uniform finish, empty Humbrol pot and diluted it with their
each hole to replace the actuators and on the then added white primer on top of this. I took own thinners and experienced no problems
whole it looks much better. Some careful the opportunity to mask up and paint the tail whatsoever.
sanding allowed me to get the tailplanes band at the same time. Painting completed I
assembled. I was planning a red tail band for Once the blue was safely applied and removed the
the rudder so wanted as flush a fit as possible, masked it was time to add the upper wing. masking and
but it became apparent that with the parts This was achieved ungracefully, but was hugely
provided I was not going to be able to use a the struts seem to relieved to
decal here. I fitted the part as well see the
as I could, and it does look pretty blue intact.

SAM SUBS SEC TION
The decals went on very nicely too, with just transparent part has a hole in it for the lugs on the struts or dimples in the fuselage,
the usual Micro Sol and Set to settle them, gunsight, but no parts are provided for this spats and wings where the various wires need
although I did use a dash of Daco Red to the essential piece of equipment, either in the kit to go. I established a method of glueing one
swastikas where they had to settle over the or on the etched Eduard fret. No doubt end of a piece approximately the right length
join on the rudder. gunsights were removed from parked aircraft, then pulling it with tweezers and trimming
Decalling completed there were a few jobs so the kit is not necessarily inaccurate in this the end carefully, bit by bit, until the length
that needed attending to before I turned my regard, but there would presumably have was exact. This was then glued in place and a
attention to rigging, a task I was dreading. been some means of mounting it visible, and I heated scalpel used to tighten it up. It took
Firstly the wheels needed fitting. I had painted was troubled by the empty expanse between three days but I got there in the end.
them separately and was planning on cutting the cockpit rim and the windscreen so elected Rigging transformed the model, and having
o the lugs inside the spats and settling them to scratch build a part myself. The usual completed this one I am now looking forward
onto a lump of Milliput until they were in the plaintive request to a colleague thank you to tackling the B-2 float plane that Roden
correct position. Test fitting however they Mr Neil Robinson established that the subsequently released, complete with
simply snapped into place in the spats and instrument in question was the Revi 3a/b. I beaching trolley. Rigging done the final task
even rotate, so that was painless. The exhausts found some excellent images online of this at was to add the aerial, from Uschis medium
were next, and these had been painted with www.deutscheluftwae.de. My part is a rough thread, and glue on the prop. The model was
Lifecolors Burned Black from their set LC-CS27 approximation, painted with Humbrol finally finished and I was very happy to have it
Shades of Black. This set has a thousand uses, Metalcote Polished Steel with a spare etched done.
and the Tire Black in particular is an essential ring sight from an Eduard fret. I am sure some
addition to all my model builds. The Burned of our aftermarket experts could make a
Black oers a nice purple tinted shade that better job in resin for this instrument, Conclusion
just needed some dry pastels brushed onto it applicable to a number of aircraft types that Rodens kit assembles very nicely. The
to give a satisfactory result. The painted will no doubt be kitted in the not too distant cockpit detail is excellent from the box and
exhausts sat easily into the holes in the future once manufacturers run out of Luft 46 the whole build was filled with delightful
cowling and I moved onto the windscreen and ideas. How about it Brengun? Right up your moments when things went right and I found
cockpit coaming. street I would have thought...? myself with less work than I had expected. The
This is an area that needs a little attention. I With all the little odds and ends handled I addition of Eduards etch makes a real
found a good image of the cockpit on the had no further excuses for delaying the dierence to the view through the cockpit
Internet and there seems to be leather rigging. Now there are a number of useful and aperture, and their masks were very useful too
padding along the front of the cockpit rim, easy ways of accomplishing this using elastic when it came to the fiddly job of painting a
with a pad directly in front of the pilot, thread, but looking at images I decided the tiny windscreen.
approximately in the position the pilots head bulk of the bracing wires on the He 51 were of Thanks to Roden for kitting this machine so
would hit in the event of a rough landing, so a a fairly industrial thickness for which the nicely. There is a vast array of early Luftwae
sort of early airbag if you like. I built up a bead filigree nature of Uschi Van Der Rostens machines and trainers that could do with a
of PVA glue for the coaming and added a exquisite thread would be inappropriate. It new injection moulded kit such as the Fw 56,
small rectangle of plastic strip for the would have to be stretched sprue to obtain the He 45 and the Ar 68 to name but a few.
headrest. Inelegant but with my receding the necessary thickness, not to mention The 1930s colour schemes are attractive and
eyesight it passes muster and is considerably variety of sizes involved. The night before interesting and with decals available from
better than the conspicuous lack of rigging commenced I prepared myself a sprue Print Scale as well as Aeromasters old sheet
anything that went before. pallet. I stretched a number of lengths to there is plenty of scope for starting a nice
varying thicknesses, fixed them all by one end collection.
I used Eduards masks on
to a piece of masking tape and sprayed them
the windscreen. This I learned a lot from this build, and I am
all over with Halfords Matt Black. This then
small currently not scared of rigging biplanes. I have
provided me with enough material to do the
Classic Airframes Ar 68 half built in the loft,
entire aircraft.
where it has languished for a good
Its not such an onerous task once you few years. It may be time to
get down to it, and Roden retrieve it and see if I cant get a
have made it easier companion for the Heinkel before
by providing the fear returns.

SAM SUBS SEC TION
SHOWCASE
The Indisputable Leader

of the Gang...
By Kitti Tatsumaki
T
he Grumman F-14 Tomcat has There is also a wonderful double to learn that the clear canopy had a
been one of my favourite sided printed sheet showing the long seam line in the middle,
fighter jets for as long as I can painting schemes and markings for though with some careful sanding
remember. This sleek supersonic all the three possible options that and polishing using Tamiyas
fighter, with its unmistakable came with the box. During test Polishing Compound the seam line
variable sweep wings, is recognized fitting I was pleasantly surprised was history. How did I do that? I
all over the world. The planes that the parts fitted so well. Its started with the coarse grade first,
famous features also inspired a almost as if the model does not to remove most of the seam line
well-known Japanese animation need any cement! Furthermore I and smooth the surface. The
company to adopt its design, which did not need to refine nor sand the medium grade improves the
Kit No: 80278 in turn spawned beautiful aircraft model, a process which is very time smoothness, and finally the fine
Scale: 1/72 concepts that were both ground consuming and can really take up a finishing compound more or less
Type: Injection Moulded breaking and ahead of their time. In good part of an evening. polishes the canopy to a clear
my hands I now have a HobbyBoss sheen. Before I was done with the
Plastic
1/72 F-14D Super Tomcat, which I cockpit area, I raised both ejection
Manufacturer: HobbyBoss will be building and finishing with I began building the model by seats a little higher to match those I
starting with the cockpit as usual
Creative Models/Squadron VF-2 Bounty Hunter CAG markings. have seen on most reference
since this is the most enjoyable photos.
The kit comes on eight light grey part. After spraying Mr. Hobby 317
sprues including two for the body on the interior and letting it dry, I
halves, one clear sprue for the started to detail the instrument
canopy, HUD and two other parts, panels using the manufacturers
along with a set of decals for decals. I was dismayed
both the aircraft and its
missiles. As
far as
landing
gears go, I
added some extra
details in the form of
hoses and cabling so it
looked more realistic and
busy. Now comes the nose
area which is something new to
me. I needed to add
some weight to it, which
was vaguely indicated in
the assembly manual. With
some fishing leads and a
marble as my weights, I just kept
adding them one by one until the
plane stopped doing wheelies.
Once the nose had sucient
weight I used a fast drying two
part epoxy to seal them in place,
which prevents everything from
rolling around inside.
With the fuselage, wings

and tail fins assembled the
aircraft was now ready for
the painting stage. I
began by preshading
the panel lines with
Gaia Notes 032

SAM SUBS SEC TION
Ultimate Black. Using Gunze 315

FS16440 as the main colour, I
did some light random
spraying so as not to
cover the earlier Liner
Ultimate Black for Brown and
preshadings Green Camouflage.
completely. One nice fact about them is
This trick that they are enamel based and will
will make not aect the previous layer, which
the fading eects look more is protected by the lacquer based
natural. Finally, with a combination Super Clear III. And if youre not
of Tamiya XF-2 Flat White and XF-10 happy with the eects done on the
Flat Brown, I did some colour current layer, you can wash them
balancing. Once I was satisfied I away with AK Odorless Thinner, X-
sealed the model with Mr. Color 20 Enamel Thinner or even Zippo
GX100 Super Clear III to prepare it lighter fluid. Then you have a fresh
for the next stage, decalling, after clean slate to work on again. Think
which another coat of Super Clear of every Super Clear III coat as a
III was added to protect the decals. new canvas.
I used AK2072 Panel Liner for The final stage saw the model
Grey and Blue Camouflage for receive a top coat of semi gloss.
panel lining and washing. This And now for the finale, polishing
product is a very simple but very the canopy. After removing the
eective. All I had to do was just canopys masking, I polished it
apply the enamel based wash, again with Tamiya fine polishing
leave it to dry for about thirty compound and for the finishing
minutes and then clean the excess touch, both sides of the canopy
with a cotton bud. As for the was cleaned with an antistatic
hydraulic fuel stains on both the window cleaner to ensure a crystal
wings and fuel tanks, I used both clear finish.
AK2039 Kerosene Leaks & Stains And with that my F-14D Super
and AK 084 Engine Oil. For each Tomcat of the VF-2 Bounty Hunter
layer of weathering and wash, I from the USS Constellation 2003
protect them with Super Clear III. was completed.
This is a very challenging
stage for me because
once they are sealed,
there is no going back and you
can only correct the current layer.
So getting the eects right is very
important.
Finally we reach the post
shading stage. Here I
used Tamiya XF-1 Flat
Black, XF-2 Flat
White and
AK2071
Panel

SAM SUBS SEC TION
British National Marking Colours 1915 1945 By Paul Lucas
T
he origin of the roundel as the national There is no need to alter machines that have been The form of national markings to be employed
marking of British military aircraft was completed or that are received from England. on the new camouflage schemes was decided
covered in the September 2016 issue of Thus was born the red and blue night flying upon at a meeting held at the Air Ministry on 13
Scale Aircraft Modelling, which related the story as roundel with a red centre which was two fifths of February 1936 where it was decided that the
far as January 1915 and the use of colours V.R.1 the overall diameter of the roundel. wartime marking would consist of the 'Night
(Varnish Red No.1) and V.B.1 (Varnish Blue No.1). Flying Roundel' whilst in peacetime, a Yellow
Over the next year both of these colours fell from It would appear that the colours V.R.3 and V.B.2 outer ring would be added to the existing
use with there apparently being a V.R.2 and a were employed for this purpose as though the national markings to increase their visibility for
V.W.2 (Varnish White No.2) before the advent of first mention of a 'dull' red and 'dull' blue shade is reasons of flight safety. Paragraph 'g' of an RAE
the colours that were used from at least January made in connection with the camouflage scheme 'Note on the Camouflage Painting of Aeroplanes'
1916 to the end of the First World War and for the Sopwith Salamander in July 1918, nothing dated 19 March 1936 headed 'Identification
beyond. seems to have been done to introduce these marks' stated that the position and external
colours to service before sometime around 1922. diameter of identification rings was to be in
On 10 January 1916 the Assistant Director
Military Aeronautics at the War oce in London Evidence for this is provided by the provisional accordance with Air Ministry Standard Instruction
wrote to The General Ocer commanding 1st Vocabulary of Stores issued in April 1920 where Sheet No. 4 and that the relative diameters and
Brigade RFC Expeditionary Force enclosing a list Section 33B 'Aircraft Paints and Dopes' only list colours of the rings were to be as follows:-
of Dope, Varnish and Paint Materials Blue V.B.2 33B/3, Red V.R. 3 33B/4 and White V.W.3 D1 Yellow (V.Y.1)
manufactured at the Royal Aircraft Factory. This 33B/5. The earliest reference made to 'dull' red D2 Dull Blue (V.N.B.6) = D1 x 5/7
list included V.R.3 'Red varnish for designs'; V.W.3 and 'dull' blue as standard colours in a primary D3 White (V.W.3) = D1 x 3/7
'White varnish for designs, used only on parts source document currently held by the author is D4 Dull Red (V.N.R.5) = D1 x 1/7
which have been coloured with P.C.10' and V.B.2 in British Engineering Standards Association
British Standard for Aircraft Material 2 D. 103 'Air This document clearly and unambiguously
'Blue varnish for painting the blue parts of identifies the shades of Red and Blue to be used
national designs on doped fabric'. It is interesting Ministry Nitro Dope Coverings and Identification
Colours' dated March 1922. on camouflaged aircraft as being the 'dull' Red
to note that the V.W.3 component was supposed V.N.R.5 and 'dull' Blue V.N.B.6. In due course as
to be omitted from the clear doped under surface This Standard lists V.R.3 whose pigment was to camouflaged aircraft became the norm, the old
roundels leaving the creamy o-white of the clear consist of Lithol Red, V.W.3 whose pigment was to BESA nomenclature fell from use and these two
doped linen to provide the 'white' component of be Zinc Oxide and V.B.2 whose pigment was to colours became ocially designated 'Red' and
the marking. consist of a mixture of Ultramarine Blue and Zinc 'Blue' though they would often continue to be
These finishes were included in Royal Aircraft Oxide so as to match the Standard along with referred to colloquially as 'dull red' and 'dull blue'.
Factory Doping Scheme 'A' dated 4 August 1916. V.N.R.5 (Varnish, Night, Red No.5) whose pigment
was to consist of Red Iron Oxide and V.N.B.6. Following the introduction of cellulose
Colour Varnishes for Designs. (Varnish, Night, Blue No.6) whose pigment was to materials to DTD83A in December 1935, the
25. The colour varnishes to be used on Raftite are as consist of a mixture of Ultramarine Blue, Carbon aircraft manufacturers were informed of the
follows:- Black and Zinc Oxide so as to match the Standard. materials for use on fabric components to this
Red varnish V.R.3. The use of these colours was set out in BESA specification in a memo dated 14 July 1936 as
White ,, V.W.3. British Standard Specification 2 D.104 'Air Ministry follows:
Blue ,, V.B.2. Doping Schemes' dated December 1922 where b) Identification colours:
In terms of modern colours, V.R.3 can be the use of V.R.3, V.W.3 and V.B.2 was specified for Dope Red 33B/73-74
equated to BS 381C No. 538 Post Oce Aluminium finished day flying machines. For White 33B/75-76
Red/Cherry (FS 595B FS 31136) and V.B.2 can be some reason 2 D.104 rearranged the Blue 33B/69-70
equated to BS 381C No. 108 Aircraft Blue (FS nomenclature so as to read 'Red N.V.R 5' and 'Blue Yellow 33B/77-78
35056) whilst V.W.3 was an 'Arctic' or 'Appliance' N.V.B.6', which were to be used on NIVO finished The first 33B reference number was for a half
white. night flying machines. gallon container whilst the second was for a one
Following the decision to eliminate the White According to the late Bruce Robertson, 'Red gallon container. These 33B reference numbers
Component from the roundels of Night Flying N.V.R 5' and 'Blue N.V.B.6' were added to the RAF then remained current until DTD 83A was
machines on 30 July 1918, a letter of that date Vocabulary of Stores with the reference numbers superseded by cellulose materials to DTD 751-754
was sent to Nos. 1 and 2 Aircraft Depots from 33B/2 for the Red where it replaced a reference for in June 1945.
GHQ RAF stating that Benzol and 33B/6 where it replaced a reference
for Raftite No.2 in the original April 1920 edition.
From the beginning of
Because it was
originally intended that
the older biplanes would
remain in their original
In finish, V.R.3 and V.B.2 were
future provisioned to DTD
all night 83A for use on
flying Aluminium
machines finished day flying types.
that are overhauled by you will These colours were allocated the Vocabulary of
the RAE's Stores reference numbers 33B/67-68 for V.B.2 and
have the following markings on the planes and camouflage trials
nacelle. 33B/71-72 for V.R.3. These colours do not appear
in 1933, it was to have been provisioned for Stores to DTD 308 or
The markings as now put on day flying machines recognised that the DTD 314.
will be used, with the exception that the white ring is use of White in the national markings would tend
done away with, and the red circle and blue ring to nullify the camouflage finish. For this reason, Despite it being the Air Ministry's intention that
extended outwards and inwards so as to meet in the the 'Night Flying Roundel' of 2-5 proportion using V.N.R.5 Red and V.N.B.6 Blue be used in the
centre of the space now occupied by the white ring. Red V.N.R. 5 and Blue V.N.B. 6 was supposed to be markings of camouflaged aircraft, not every
used in conjunction with all the trial camouflage aircraft manufacturer seems to have understood
The white circle at present used on night flying this, and the DTD was still sending out Technical
machines is abolished. Vertical stripes on the rudder schemes.
Circulars as late as November 1941 exhorting the
will not be put on night flying Resident Technical Ocers at the manufacturers
machines. to use the correct colours.

SHIPPING FORECAST
been caused by the leading ship most impressive components are www.eduard.com
hitting a mine. Many were built as the complete strut/rigging parts for
rescue motor launches with small the Swordfish. Parts provided allow
sickbays aft of the engine room all three types to be depicted with
coaming, and classified as RML wings open or folded, which in the
(Rescue Motor Launch). Several case of the Fulmar looks like a fairly
more were converted to use as War involved piece of work but the
Oce ambulance launches with engineering of this set is such that
larger sickbays. all of the modifications required
can be eected with a minimum of
Canada built eighty boats. These
fuss.
SHELF ODDITY
were built to slightly dierent
So far we have focussed on
specifications and used as escort I would regard this set of parts as
larger scales, 1/72, 1/350 and the
vessels. Eight of these (ML392-399) essential for anyone tackling the
like, but if you are not daunted by
were built by Le Blanc for the Royal Merit kit. Highly recommended.
the smaller stu then one source
Navy. These eight boats were Limited Edition 1/350 Octuple that will be of invaluable assistance
transferred under Lend-Lease to two pounder Pom Pom to you is Shelf Oddity. We have
the US Navy, because US coastal
This set oers a mass of detail for covered their remarkable 1/144
protection had been depleted by
four 8 barrel gun stations. Barrels aircraft sets elsewhere in this and
transferring ships to the Royal Navy
are included from turned brass and other issues, but when it comes to
for convoy work. The US Navy used
are remarkably finely produced. nautical matters they really do have
them as submarine chasers until
This is not an add on as the parts some excellent products.
their forces could be built up.
provided allow the complete gun The specific set received for
Author Mark Smith has really station to be built from the etch review is a tiny set of parts oering
pushed the boat out with this one. provided. generic details for Imperial
Highly recommended to any
Limited Edition 1/350 Vickers .50 Japanese Navy vessels in 1/700 but
readers looking to branch out but
Machine Gun the full range covers much, much
reluctant to tackle any of the
more:
smaller scales. This set, like the previous item,
oers parts to build up the SO70037IJN Ultra Fine Rigging &
www.coastalcraftmodelsuk.com
weapons stations from scratch, and Mast Equipment Set
includes more tiny turned brass Includes rigging lines, railings,
barrels. Phenomenal detail! The radars, antennae and more. Make a HASEGAWA
availability of items like these are big dierence in a little scale! A whole flotilla is due from
enough to make any modeller Hasegawa, along with a number of
Shelf Oddity do not provide
consider the possibilities now etched detail sets for their own kits:
assembly instructions but these are
available in this scale
all available to download from the 30044 1/700 Japanese Navy
www.tetramodel.com website. UK importer Coastal Craft Battleship Mikasa 1902, full hull
make a practice of printing and 40061 1/350 Japanese Navy
including instructions with some of Battleship Mikasa The Battle of the
these sets so check out the Yellow Sea, full hull
available range from their website
too. 40076 1/350 Agano IJN Light
Cruiser, full and waterline
www.shelfoddity.com
www.coastalcraftmodelsuk.com 40077 1/350 Agano IJN Light
Cruiser Class etched parts
(handrails etc)
40078 1/350 Agano IJN Light
Cruiser Class etched parts (bridge,
crane, funnel cap etc)
TETRA MODEL 40079 1/350 Agano IJN Light
Cruiser Class etched parts (catapult,
WORKS flight deck, airplane parts)
We have received some
40094 1/350 IJN Destroyer Type
remarkable sets from Tetra Model
Koh Nowaki etched parts
Works, specifically for the
impressive 1/350 Merit HMS Ark 40096 1/350 IJN Aircraft Carrier
Royal, as well as a couple of generic Hiyo, full hull
armament sets that allow defensive 40097 1/350 IJN Aircraft Carrier
armament to be super detailed. A Hiyo etched parts
look at the website suggests there 43345 1/700 Furutaka Japanese
is much more on oer and anyone EDUARD Navy Heavy Cruiser, waterline hull
tackling the carrier will do well to
New sets from Eduard oer some CH121 1/700 JMSDF DDH Izumo,
invest in some of these superb sets:
exquisite details for the new 1/200 full hull
SA-35009 1/350 Royal Navy Fleet HMS Hood:
Aircraft Set One REVELL QG57 1/350 Shimakaze IJN
53187 HMS Hood part one AA Some interesting items on the Destroyer late type etched parts
While this set is ideal for the Ark guns & rocket launchers
Royal it will of course be applicable horizon from Revell, with an QG69 1/350 JMSDF DDH Kaga
53188 HMS Hood part two upgrade of the 1/144 Fletcher just etched parts
to any carrier from the period that
radars around the corner: WL032 1/700 JMSDF DDH Kaga,
embarked the subject aircraft. This
is essentially a set of parts for Trumpeters kit is a truly 05150 1/144 Fletcher Class waterline hull
Swordfish, Fulmars and Skuas, and impressive piece of engineering, Destroyer Platinum Edition WL120 1/700 Hyuga, waterline hull
includes some amazing details. All but in this scale it really needs the 05152 1/700 Container Ship
kind of detail that etch can add. No WL461 1/700 Japanese Navy
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doubt Eduard will be going further Destroyer Yugumo, waterline hull
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down this path 05606 1/96 USS United States WL462 1/700 Japanese Navy
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ZVEZDA
9058 SSBN Borei Nuclear
Submarine
New in 1/350 from Zvezda is
Project 955, or Borei, the latest class
of nuclear powered ballistic missile
submarine operated by the Russian
Navy, intended to replace the Delta
III, Delta IV and Typhoon classes.
The class is named after Boreas, the
North wind.
SQUADRON/SIGNAL The launch of the first submarine
New books on nautical subjects of the class, Yury Dolgorukiy, was
from Squadron: scheduled for 2002 but was
Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyers delayed because of budget
(In Action Series) constraints. The vessel was
This is an expanded edition with eventually rolled out of its
more photos, updated content and construction hall on 15 April 2007
over twenty more pages. Currently in a ceremony attended by many
the most capable and sophisticated senior military and industrial
destroyer class in the world, the personnel.
Arleigh Burke class had its On 2nd December 2010 the
beginnings in the mid 1970s, the second Borei class submarine,
result of a Naval Sea Systems Alexander Nevskiy, was moved to a
Command (NAVSEA) research floating dock in Sevmash shipyard.
project. In the years following the There the final preparations took
Vietnam War, cost and size place before the submarine was
constraints were dominate factors launched on 6th December 2010
motivating the design process. The and began sea trials on 24th
new ship had to be eect as an October 2011. On 15th December
antisubmarine escort for the carrier 2009, a Defence Ministry ocial
battle groups, but also able to announced that the laying down of
engage and neutralize airborne MK. I DESIGN the fourth Borei class submarine
threats. The new ship was also had been postponed from
Another excellent upgrade for
intended to replace older ships of December to the first quarter of
several classes due for replacement. TOMS the Merit USS Hornet is this set of
2010. The reason for the delay was
etched and resin details for the
The book is Illustrated with over MODELWORKS said to be organizational and
aircraft. Set 20012 oers some fine
200 colour photographs. technical reasons. The fourth ship
New products out from Toms details including bomb bays for the
Landing Craft Air Cushioned (In of the class will be constructed
may not necessarily appear ship B-25s, as well as fuel tanks and
Action Series) under a new 955A modification,
related, but as they are in 1/700 it other ordnance for the other
which will include major structural
In 1966 a Landing Craft seems appropriate to include them machines. A particularly nice touch
changes. Starting from the fourth
Coordinating Group was assembled here as they are most likely to is the fret of prepainted propellers
hull, all submarines of the Borei
to discuss and draft specifications appeal to modellers working in that complete with manufacturers
class will have twenty missile tubes
for a new landing craft. The work scale. The new items oer a variety logos.
each. If armed with the Bulava
resulted in the Patrol Air Cushion of aircraft types in the scale, and Hannants missile with ten warheads atop
Vehicle (PACV) that saw service in while we would hesitate to
each, a single Borei class SSBN
the Vietnam War. By 1970 designs recommend loading a carrier deck
could then carry 200 warheads, as
for an Amphibious Assault Landing with B-52s the Stearman and Texan
much as the entire nuclear arsenal
Craft (AALC) were on the drawing might not seem so out of place.
of the United Kingdom.
board. The US Navy ordered the Detail is amazing in this scale and
first three LCACs February 1982. the outlines beautifully replicated The contract for five 955A
LCACs move over rocks and other in 3D printing: submarines was delayed several
beach obstacles and have reduced times due to price dispute between
1/700 Stearman N2S Primary
susceptibility to damage from the Russian Ministry of Defence and
Trainer (x4)
mines. The crew consists of five the United Shipbuilding
1/700 SNJ Texan Advanced Trainer Corporation. The contract for
enlisted personnel; a Deck
(x4 Gear Down) modified 955A was finally signed
Engineer, a Load Master, a
Navigator, an Engineer and a Craft 1/700 B-57B Canberra (x3) on 28th May 2012.
Master. LCACs are not given names, 1/700 B-52D Stratofortress Bu
ICM The first 955A submarine, Knyaz
only pennant numbers to S015 Grosser Kurfurst (full hull & Vladimir, was laid down on 30th
1/700 F-105D Thunderchief waterline) World War I German
dierentiate between them. With Thud (x3) July 2012. Russian president
an originally specified thirty year Battleship Vladimir Putin attended the
life expectancy, LCACs would have 1/700 S-75 Dvina (SA-2 Guideline) Latest from ICM is this 1/700 kit ceremony. Three additional 955A
begun to retire in 2004 but for a Transporter (x2) oering a choice of full hull or submarines were laid down in
major Service Live Extension 1/700 S-75 Dvina (SA-2 Guideline) waterline to model this famous 2014, one in late 2015 and one in
Program (SLEP) begun in 2001. The w/Launchers (x4) WWI battleship. late 2016.
book is packed with more than 240 www.tomsmodelworks.com Hannants/Stevens Internationa The Hobby Company/Dragon
AIRCRAFT IN PROFILE
AIRCRAFT IN PROFILE
AIRCRAFT IN PROFILE
aircraft entered service, they were put through a
major upgrade by the Iranian aircraft industry
under what is known as Project Habibi to return
the aircraft to front line service. As part of this
upgrade the aircraft have sported a smart new
Light Grey and Light Blue colour scheme and
some have been seen with new 102 TFS/10 TFB
markings on the fin.
Mirage F.1 Combat Ops

There are not that many modern jet aircraft
that have seen as much combat as the Mirage
F.1, with over forty plus years service with
multiple air arms in so many hotspots all over
the globe:
Mirage F1BQ of The Islamic Republic of Iran

South African Bush and Border Wars
Air Force (Sharam Sharifi)
The first large scale military involvement in a
conflict came with the South African war with
Angola during 1976. This became known as the
Angolan Bush War when the SAAF launched during the ten years of the conflict, all being tasked with supporting the Jaguar undertaking
Operation Reindeer following SWAPO incursions shot down by SA-8 SAMs. the ground attack role. The French Mirage F.1Cs
into South West Africa. The SAAF Mirage F.1AZs were based for a short while in the Capital City of
from 1 Squadron and Mirage F.1R2Zs of 2 NDjamena.
Squadron were deployed to AFB Ondangwa, a Sponsored Terrorism Libya, Chad and
France After a reduction in tension the French
Forward Operating Base in SWA. deployed military forces including Mirage F.1Cs
The war escalated over the next few years and It was during the early 1980s that Libya and and Jaguar As to neighbouring friendly states.
in 1979 the South African government Colonel Muammar Gaddafi became actively Trouble flared up again during 1987 and the
authorised pre-emptive strikes against the involved in sponsored terrorism throughout the Mirage F.1Cs of EC5 based at Bangui Air Base in
SWAPO positions inside Zambia, from which the Middle East and also around the world, which the Central African Republic were involved with
SWAPO guerrillas had been permitted to mount led to the American strikes on Libya in 1986 and
a strike on the Libyan Air Base of Ouadi Doum.
border raids. These raids were codenamed the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over
The operation was to damage the airstrip
Operations Rekstok and Safran. Lockerbie on 21st December 1988.
located in northern Chad, a strip 3,800m long,
As the Mirage F.1 pilots gained valuable However before this Libyan Air Force Mirage built by the Libyans between November 1984
combat experience, the range of missions F.1ADs were heavily involved in the civil war in and October 1985. Ouadi Doum had great
increased to include long-range, deep strike neighbouring Chad. These were deployed to the strategic importance, as only from here in Chad
missions in Angola using Mk.82 bombs, SNEB large air base at Maaten al-Sarra in Southern could Libyan bombers attack Chad's capital city.
rocket pods and the internal cannons. Libya.
More important still were the political aspects
Other missions over the long border war These aircraft were first deployed during 1981 of the strike as Ouadi Doum was a symbol of
included strikes into Mozambique against ANC as ground attack aircraft, used against the Libyan duplicity in the conflict. The French
forces around Maputo under Operation Skerwe. opposing forces of the Chadian Government. government intended by this action to send a
Combat operations using the SAAF Mirage F.1 Further actions took place up until 1983 when message to their African friends and foe alike,
aircraft went on until 1988, twelve years after the the French Arme de lAir became more overtly proving their determination to confront Libyan
initial combat debut. Only two aircraft were lost involved in the region and sent further troops expansion.
in combat and the type claimed at least two air- and aircraft. The French named this Operation
Manta and it consisted of SEPECAT Jaguar As in The Mirage F.1CRs of ER33, also based at
to-air kills, both by Major Johan Rankin. Bangui, carried out both pre and post strike
the ground attack mission supported by Mirage
F.1Cs as air support. reconnaissance missions over the airfield using
Morocco and the Western Sahara Raphael recce pods on their centre line stations.
For a time it looked as though there would be
The next incident that saw the Mirage F.1 in air combat between rival F.1s but the Libyan Air By late 1987 Chad, with backing from France
action was during 1978 when the Moroccan Air Force held back their high value Mirage F.1 and Zaire, invaded Libya and recaptured
Force used the aircraft against the Algerian assets in case they needed to be involved in the disputed territory from the rebels. This brought
Forces and Libyan backed guerrillas. Both growing threat from the American Sixth Fleet about an end to the conflict although Libyan
Moroccan Air Force Squadrons were operated then actively policing the Libyan Air Force and aircraft still flew over flights at regular intervals.
from their main base at Sidi Slimane and also Navys aggression in the Mediterranean. The French Air Force has maintained a presence
from a FOB in the northern part of the former in the region with the Mirage F.1C and F.1CR
By the autumn of 1984, a ceasefire was agreed
Spanish Sahara at El Aioun Air base. The aircraft in Chad and both the French and Libyan forces undertaking operational deployments.
flew a wide range of missions against Polisario withdrew. This did not last long as by 1986
forces including tactical reconnaissance, ground Gaddafi was up to his old tricks and again
attack and close air support (CAS). They also flew
Middle East Conflicts Iraq versus Iran
supported the rebels in Chad. France was swift 1980-88
on occasions in the air defence role if required. to act and launched Operation Epervier in
February 1986. Again the Mirage F.1Cs were This bloody confrontation between the
At least three aircraft were lost in combat
neighbouring countries kicked o when Iraq
invaded Iran on the 22nd September 1980 and
lasted until August 1988. The war followed a
A Qatari pilot performs a preflight check on his Mirage F.1EDA long history of border disputes between the two
prior to taking o on a mission during Operation Desert Storm countries, and was motivated by Saddam
Hussains fears that the Iranian Revolution of
1979 would inspire insurgency among Iraq's
Shi'ite majority, as well as Iraq's desire to replace
Iran as the dominant Persian Gulf state.
The Iraqi Air Force was only just taking
delivery of its new Mirage F.1EQs when war
broke out, but it was not long before they were
in the thick of the fighting. The first thirty two
Mirages were assigned air interceptor duties and
were often engaged in air-to-air combat with the
Iranian aircraft. It was reported that Mirage F.1s
had shot down eighteen Iranian aircraft
including Phantoms, F-5Es and even a F-14
Tomcat.
The F.1EQs also escorted Iraqi aircraft on
bombing missions and conducted
reconnaissance missions, flying from temporary
FOBs close to the front line and also from
Qayyarah Air Base.
Zeltweg, Austria, 19th June 1997. This aircraft from EC 3/33, based at Reims wears the vanilla and
chocolate camouflage applied to some machines for operations in Djibouti, Africa (Rob Schleier)
Many will remember the Tanker War in the restore the peaceful state of Kuwait to its people. (Sideways Looking Airborne Radar) pod. This was
Persian Gulf, which started when Iraq attacked The coalition included Mirage F.1s from the Free one of the most important intelligence
the oil terminal and oil tankers at Kharg Island in Kuwait Air Force, Qatar and France. gathering tools, especially in the weeks leading
early 1984 using Mirage F.1EQs armed with Fifteen Kuwaiti Air Force Mirage F.1CKs of 18 up to the start of the war as it allowed the
Agave/Exocet missiles. and 61 Squadron escaped from Ali al Salem Air Mirage to look deep into Iraq and Kuwait from
Saddam's aim in attacking Iranian shipping Base to Air Bases in Saudi Arabia just before the the Saudi side of the border, gathering vital
was to provoke the Iranians to retaliate with Iraqi army overran the airfield. These aircraft intelligence of troop and equipment
extreme measures, such as closing the Strait of were initially deployed to Taif Air Base but later movements, especially concerning armoured
Hormuz to all maritime trac, thereby initiating transferred to Dhahran during January 1991. elements of the Iraqi army.
American intervention as the United States had Although initially grounded at the start of the air The French Mirage F.1Cs in Doha only
threatened several times to intervene if the Strait war, the Free Kuwait Air Force Mirage F.1s and A- undertook local CAP missions and did not see
of Hormuz were closed. As a result the Iranians 4 Skyhawks were soon in the battle for the any action. However it is believed that the Qatari
limited their retaliatory attacks to Iraqi shipping, Liberation of their homeland flying ground Mirage F.1EDAs did undertake a number of
leaving the strait open to general passage. attack sorties as well as air-to-air escort duties. ground attack missions against Iraqi forces as
Iraq declared that all ships going to or from The French Air Force Mirage F.1 fleet was kept well as local air defence duties.
Iranian ports in the northern zone of the Persian on a high state of readiness for deployment and At the start of the invasion of Kuwait, Iraq had
Gulf were subject to attack. They used the was combat proven. It only took a few days sixty two Mirage F.1eQs and eleven Mirage F.1BQ
Mirage F.1EQ and Super Frelon helicopters before the first aircraft began to arrive in theatre twin seat trainers still in service. A few ex Kuwaiti
armed with Exocet anti ship missiles as well as when the Mirage F.1CRs of ER3/33 Moselle aircraft could also have been captured but no
MiG-23 fighters to enforce their threats. The landed at Al Ahsa Air base in Saudi Arabia. The ocial figures have been released as to how
Mirages were credited with sinking thirty seven initial deployment was four aircraft but this was many and whether they were used operationally
oil tankers during the war as well as the highly soon joined by a further four aircraft from the during the war.
publicised raid on the USS Stark in May 1987, same wing. The French deployment was An Iraqi Mirage F.1 was the first aircraft to be
which killed thirty seven American sailors when codenamed Operation Daguet. shot down during the war on 17th January 1991
an Iraqi Mirage F.1EQ fired two Exocet missiles at At the same time France had entered a by a USAF F-15C Eagle. Three others were also
the ship. defence pact with the small neighbouring state lost on the same day and a further two more on
It was reported that forty Mirage F.1EQs were of Qatar, which also flew the Mirage F.1. On 17th 19th January. By 26th January the first Iraqi
destroyed during the eight year war, most being October 1990 eight Arme de lAir Mirage F.1Cs of pilots flying the Mirage F.1 had started to flee to
downed by the F-14A Tomcat, although at least EC12 deployed to Doha under the codenamed Iran and the ninth and last Mirage F.1 lost during
two Mirages were shot down by F-4E Phantoms. Operation Meteil. the war succumbed on 27th January, again to a
The coalition held protracted negotiations USAF F-15C Eagle
with Iraq and Saddam Hussain up until late 1990 In Part Three, we will be looking at the Mirage
The Mother of all Battles? Iraq invades but he refused to leave Kuwait. Consequently on F.1 in action over the Balkans during the Balkans
Kuwait 1990-91 17th January 1991, the coalition launched Phase Conflicts, Operation Enduring Freedom in
The next major conflict the Mirage F.1 was One The Air War of Operation Desert Storm. Afghanistan and the air campaign for the Freedom
involved in was again centred on Iraq. This time However it was not until 26th January that the of Libya.
the F.1s were used by multiple Air Forces in the first Mirage F.1 strikes took place when four Part Three will also cover the many stunning
region. F.1CRs performed their first bombing raid special schemes worn by the Mirage F.1 and also its
Operation Desert Storm, as it became known, against the Iraqi army. participation in major NATO exercises around the
created the biggest coalition of forces against The Mirage F.1CRs were one of the best world including Red Flag and lastly its
one nation since World War II. Saddam Hussein reconnaissance assets available to the coalition participation and membership as one of the Tiger
totally underestimated the worlds resolve to as they used the Thompson-CSF RAPHAEL SLAR Meet squadrons.
Ecuadorian Air Force Mirage F.1JA FAE-806, shown here with a Rafael Python
3 AAM, a Matra Magic 2 AAM, and an external fuel tank. The kill marking
represents the Peruvian Air Force Sukhoi Su-22M shot down by this
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Royal Navy F-4K Phantom FG.1s 1966 1979

By Paul Lucas
Blackburn Buccaneer S. Mk 2, XT277/320/H, operated by No. 809 NAS aboard the carrier HMS Hermes, 1966. Finish is in BS 381c: 640 Extra Dark
Sea Grey (Vallejo 71.110 US Dark Grey) to the upper surfaces, with BS 381c: 638 Dark Sea Grey (Vallejo 71.405 BS Dark Sea Grey) to the lower surfaces. The
codes, Royal Navy titles, and ship identifier are in BS 381c: 111 Pale Blue, with the serials in White (Vallejo 71.001 White). The crest of 809 NAS is carried on
the engine intake.
I
n early 1959 an Admiralty Committee was Aircraft Carriers going throughout the 1970s quote from the AP as the way that this is
set up to look at the question of how with at least one deployed East of Suez. worded is of some importance in assessing
Britain's existing Aircraft Carriers should be Following on from this decision in January the veracity of a secondary source, which will
replaced. It was ultimately concluded that 1965, the Royal Navy requirement for the F-4K be quoted in due course:
HMS Ark Royal, HMS Eagle, HMS Victorious, HMS Phantom for the period 1968 1980 was The following colour schemes will be applied
Centaur and HMS Hermes should be replaced stated to be 146 aircraft. In July 1966 it was to R.N. aircraft in the production line. Aircraft
by five new large Fleet Carriers. The first would proposed that the new F-4K Phantoms would already in service are required to conform to the
be required to replace HMS Victorious initially be deployed in an intensive flying new schemes only when they are refinished in
sometime between 1970 and 1972 with the trials unit of six aircraft in March 1968 with the the normal course of maintenance.
whole class being complete by about 1980. first front line squadron forming from
September 1968. This squadron would then (1) (a) Front line fighter and strike aircraft
Because the Air Ministry wanted to use the (including night fighters and operational
East of Suez role to justify the TSR.2 and other embark in HMS Eagle in August 1969, being
followed by a second front line squadron to aircraft in Training Squadrons, but
land based aircraft as providers of air power in excluding the Buccaneer):-
the limited war role they opposed this plan embark in HMS Hermes in 1971-72 and a third
front line squadron to embark in CVA-01 HMS Upper surface and top section of sides Extra
and as a result, the Admiralty actually dark sea grey
Queen Elizabeth in 1972-73. A Headquarters
proposed the construction of four new Under surface and lower section of sides
and Training squadron would also be formed.
Aircraft Carriers in 1960. Whilst the then White
Minister of Defence generally favoured the As is now known, this plan failed to
Boundary between surfaces A point
Admiralty's intention to acquire new Aircraft materialise with CVA-01 HMS Queen Elizabeth
approximately half way down the fuselage
Carriers, he made it clear that support for the being cancelled in March 1966, HMS Hermes
becoming a Commando Carrier and HMS (b) Buccaneer aircraft All white
proposals would only be forthcoming if the
Admiralty would join with the RAF in the Eagle being scrapped with HMS Ark Royal (c) Front line fixed wing anti-submarine and
development of a common supersonic fighter being modernised to carry Phantoms instead, A.E.W. aircraft (including operational fixed
to replace the Sea Vixen and Hunter. This led which then served until 1979. wing aircraft in Training Squadrons):-
to the ill-fated P.1154 proposals which It is not known whether the Admiralty Upper surface Extra dark sea grey
ultimately gave way to the decision at the end Department's planning process got as far as Side and under surface Sky
of February 1964 to acquire the McDonnell earmarking the number plates of the other Boundary between surfaces Patt. No. 2
Douglas F-4 Phantom, initially for the Royal two front line squadrons to receive Phantoms (fig.3)
Navy as the Sea Vixen replacement and besides 892 Naval Air Squadron (NAS). In the
ultimately for the RAF as well. absence of hard evidence, it is suggested that By the time that this document was
By the spring of 1963 the Admiralty had it is possible that the other two front line published in 1966, first the Admiralty, and
decided that asking the Treasury for four new squadrons to have received the Phantom then the Admiralty Department of the
Fleet Carriers was asking for trouble and that might have been 890 and 893 NAS both of Ministry of Defence had suspended the
asking for two would be a safer bet. At about which were Sea Vixen squadrons in the mid to practice of promulgating changes in naval
the same time that the decision to obtain the late 1960s. Had everything gone according to aircraft camouflage and marking policy in
F-4 Phantom was being taken, another plan, it might be the case that 892 NAS might Admiralty Fleet Orders and the Defence
Admiralty Committee was considering the have applied a version of its 'Fox and Moon' Council Instructions that replaced them.
names for the two new Fleet Carriers, which motif to the tails of its Phantoms instead of Instead, changes were to be promulgated
were at that time being referred to using US the now well known 'Omega' marking.
through Air Publication (AP) 2656A and its
naval nomenclature as CVA-01 and CVA-02 replacement AP 119A. Unfortunately, the
where 'CV' was the hull designation for an Camouflage Policy Admiralty Department appears to have failed
Aircraft Carrier and 'A' was the designation for Royal Navy policy for the camouflage and to do this with any degree of regularity.
the Attack role. In a Minute dated 23 March marking of its aircraft in the mid 1960s was set Evidence for this is the colour scheme
1964 it was proposed that the name of CVA- out in AP 119A 0600-1. The part relevant to quoted above for the Buccaneer. The
01 should be HMS Queen Elizabeth and CVA-02 the colour scheme of the F-4K Phantom FG.1 Amendment List (AL) to AP 119 A-0601 from
should be HMS Duke of Edinburgh. These was Section 4, Camouflage, Colour Schemes which this quote is taken was prepared in
names were approved by HM The Queen and Identification Markings; Chapter 1, General September 1966. By this time, the colour
during April 1964. Notes on Camouflage Schemes and Colour scheme of the Buccaneer had been changed
The Treasury had other ideas however and Markings; Paragraph 28, 'Royal Naval Aircraft. twice from the all-White scheme as quoted
would only sanction CVA-01 Queen Elizabeth Colour'. In view of the nature of the above, firstly to have grey upper surfaces as
and two modernisations, HMS Eagle and HMS conundrum that surrounds the colour scheme described in sub-paragraph (a) by
Hermes. This would keep a force of three of the Phantom, the following is a direct Modification (Mod) 763 circa December 1963
McDonnell Phantom FG. Mk 1, XT859/725/VL, operated by No. 700P NAS, based at RNAS
Yeovilton, May 1968. Finish is BS 381c: 638 Dark Sea Grey (Vallejo 71.405 BS Dark Sea Grey) to
the upper surfaces, with White (Vallejo 71.001 White) undersides. The fin carries the Phantom
spook marking on a Red background. The codes, serials and base identifier are in White.
and then to have an overall grey Buccaneer S.2 dated November 1967 been entirely repainted by the
finish to Mod 1218 circa summer stated that 33B/1427 was Extra Dark Service using 33B/1427 Dark Sea
1966. Whilst the exact date of this Sea Grey. This source also stated that Grey.
latter Mod is not currently known, all the radome was to be finished in ICI Thus it might be the case that as
grey Buccaneers were seen at an Air F.152-R.823 Finish Extra Dark Sea originally issued, 33B/1427 was
Day at Culdrose and commented BS 381c: 640 Extra Dark
Grey and this ICI product code has actually supplied by ICI as Dark Sea Sea Grey
upon as being something new by the been confirmed as belonging to Grey and that at some time between (Vallejo 71.110
late Alan W. Hall in the September Extra Dark Sea Grey by an ICI Product November 1965 and November US Dark Grey)
1966 edition of Airfix Magazine. Code listing, which also appends the 1967, the colour of the contents of
The type of paint finish applied to BS 381C number '640' to the 33B/1427 was changed to Extra Dark
the Buccaneer was unusual amongst reference. Sea Grey without changing the
naval aircraft in that from the Whilst these two documents are Vocabulary of Stores reference
introduction of the Anti-Flash White contradictory, there may be some number. Perhaps no change was BS 381c: 638 Dark Sea
Scheme in 1962, the paint used was evidence to suggest that both of considered necessary because this Grey
an Acrylic finish to an interim DTD these documents were correct at the was the only 33B item to DTD (Vallejo 71.405
Specification, DTD 900/4740. When time that they were printed. This is to 900/4817 and it was only used by the BS Dark Sea Grey)
the grey was introduced to the upper be found in a number of Royal Navy on a single type of
surfaces by Mod 763 in 1963, this photographs which appear to show aircraft.
was to a new specification, DTD some Buccaneers to be finished in a
900/4817. DTD 900/4817 then To summarise policy at the turn of
two tone grey scheme where the the year 1965/66, the Royal Navy was
continued to be specified for bottom half of the aircraft is finished supposed to promulgate changes in White
application to Royal Navy Buccaneers in a lighter shade of grey than the policy through the medium of AP (Vallejo 71.001
until at least 1971 if not later. top half and other photographs 119A but was failing to do so White)
Attentive readers may have showing several Buccaneers at the promptly and was finishing
noticed that up to this point, the same time appear to show some o be Buccaneers with an Acrylic paint to
colour applied to the Buccaneer has finished in the lighter shade of grey DTD 900/4817, which was listed in
only been described as 'grey'. This is overall. In the past, the suggestion AP 1086 RAF Vocabulary of Stores as
because there would appear to be has been made that this lighter 33B/4127 Dark Sea Grey. It was at
some question as to exactly which colour was the result of either a thin BS 381c: 241 Dark Green
about this time that McDonnell (Vallejo 71.324
shade of grey was used by whom to over spray of Extra Dark Sea Grey Douglas were drawing up the BS Dark Green)
apply the grey finishes to both the being applied over a White finish or a camouflage diagram for the F-4K
Buccaneer S.1 and S.2. This is trial of a new colour called 'Squirrel Phantom to meet British
because of a discrepancy between Grey'.
requirements.
two dierent Air Publications with
Whilst this author has never found
regard to the colour name
any primary source evidence of a
nomenclature of 33B/1427. Phantom Finish
colour called 'Squirrel Grey', the use BS 381c: 538 Post Office
AP 1086 RAF Vocabulary of Stores of a lighter shade of grey such as McDonnell Drawing No. 32- Red
Section 33B dated 17 November Dark Sea Grey by the Service to 000015 'Paint & Colour Requirements (Vallejo 71.084
1965 states that 33B/1427 is 'Paint implement Mod 1218 to a Buccaneer F-4K Type Aircraft' was dated 28 Fire Red)
System Acrylic Finishing DTD 900/4817 S.2 that had been finished in Extra February 1966. This showed a
Dark Sea Grey 1Gal. Container Dark Sea Grey and White by the Phantom finished in grey and white
Naval Aviation only'. manufacturer would result in a two to what in British terms
Contrary to this, AP tone finish exactly like that seen in corresponded to Pattern No.1.The
101B-1202-1A, the photographs whilst those colour shade specification chart on Black
AL 50 for the drawing gives the upper surface (Vallejo 71.057
Buccaneers that appeared to be a
the Black)
lighter colour overall could have colour as MMS 405 Epoxy Enamel
RESCUE
OPPOSITE SIDE
McDonnell Phantom FG. Mk 1, XT868/001/R, operated by No. 892 NAS, aboard the carrier HMS Ark Royal, June 1977. Finish is BS 381c: 638 Dark
Sea Grey (Vallejo 71.405 BS Dark Sea Grey) to the upper surfaces, with White (Vallejo 71.001 White) undersides. The fin carries the Omega marking of 892
NAS on the fin, with a White and BS 381c: 538 Post Oce Red background. The codes, serials and carrier identifier are in White. The nose carries the
special markings applied for that years Queens Silver Jubilee.

McDonnell Phantom FG. Mk 1, XT866/W, operated by The Phantom Training Flight (PTF), based at RAF Leuchars, mid-1970s. Finish is BS 381c:
638 Dark Sea Grey (Vallejo 71.405 BS Dark Sea Grey) to the upper surfaces, with White (Vallejo 71.001 White) undersides. The fin carries the badge of the
PTF which is based on the Omega marking of No. 892 NAS. The base identifier letter is in White. The serials are in Black.
Dark Sea Gray UK 33B/1527. The nomenclature British equivalent of the US Specification MMS to the right on a typewriter keyboard at some
'Dark Sea Gray' appears widely across the 405 Epoxy finish applied to the F-4K. Given point thus transforming Dark Sea Grey
whole drawing. For example notation number that this was the case, why was this 33B 33B/1427 into the apparently non-existent
6 states Paint general Upper Surface of reference not quoted on the drawing if it was Dark Sea Grey 33B/1527? That said, by the
Fuselage & Wings Dark Sea Gray. This is the intention that the Royal Navy F-4Ks were early 1970s, there were some four figure 33B
expanded upon thus: to be finished in Extra Dark Sea Grey Epoxy? numbers in the 1600s, so it is possible that
6. Apply MMS 405 Epoxy Enamel Colour No. Was it the case that the decision was made by 33B/1527 could have been allocated as Dark
33B/1527 Glossy Dark Sea Gray per MAC the Admiralty Department that the Phantom Sea Grey between November 1965 and
PS13415. would be finished in Dark Sea Grey as a February 1966. All that can be said with any
The colour shade specification chart on the matter of policy, and if so, why? degree of certainty is that 33B/1527 does not
drawing also refers to XA5833 Dark Sea Gray Assuming that it was a deliberate policy appear at all in any of the 33B listings held by
Corogard (EC 843) UK 33B/1527. This makes it decision, perhaps the most likely explanation the author at the time of writing.
clear that McDonnell were using the term UK as to why Dark Sea Grey was called for might A further indication of Dark Sea Grey being
33B/1527 as a colour reference because the be the result of Treasury pressure for financial applied as a deliberate policy decision is
specification for the Corogard, which is economy by way of commonality with the perhaps provided by an article that was
applied to the leading edges of the main larger number of F-4s that were ordered for published in the September 1973 issue of
planes and air intakes, is a dierent material the RAF. Perhaps McDonnell were able to Scale Models. Entitled 'Aircraft Of the Fleet Air
specification than the Epoxy finish that is quote a lower price for painting the Phantoms Arm Ocial Colour Schemes' the stated aim of
being applied to most of the rest of the by way of an economy of scale in being able the article was to ... provide an accurate
aircraft. In Britain, the use of a dierent to order a single large quantity of Dark Sea reference for the ocial colour schemes. It
material specification in this manner would Grey paint to be used on both RN and RAF should be noted that the accuracy is that of
almost certainly have led to a dierent stores Phantoms as opposed to having to buy in two early 1972 and immediately prior. The
reference number being quoted for the smaller quantities of Dark Sea Grey and Extra introduction then went on to state that The
Corogard finish to that of the Epoxy finish. Dark Sea Grey, especially if the RAF was colour details are taken from information
prepared to accept MMS 405 FS 595 34079 in supplied by various R.N. sources (all of whose
Some of the colour scheme details were place of Dark Green and 16440 in place of
stencilled onto the exterior of the aircraft. In help is very gratefully acknowledged), and
Light Aircraft Grey on their Phantoms. numerical (3-figure) references are taken from
the July 1971 edition of Scale Models
magazine, a photograph was reproduced that Both these FS colours would presumably the BS. 381C colour range. It is not known
showed the stencil on an unidentified Royal have been purchased in large quantities by whether the BS 381C numbers quoted were
Navy F-4K. Dated 29 October 1967, the stencil McDonnell for use on USAF and USN included in the original source material or
Phantoms respectively, and it might have whether they were subsequently added by
stated that the exterior surfaces were finished
been possible to bestow a gloss finish on the the author of the article.
in MMS 405 Epoxy Enamel UK 33B/1527 Dark
FS 34079 finish by cutting and polishing it. What follows is a direct quote from the
Sea Gray and 17875 Insignia White, which
Unfortunately, the author has not come Scale Models article. Compare this text with
match exactly what it says on the drawing.
across a painting diagram for the F-4M, which
Thus it would appear that when new, Royal the quote taken from the 1966 edition of AP
might shed some light on the subject. It
Navy F-4K Phantoms were finished in Dark 119A 0601 given above:
might have been the case that Dark Sea Grey
Sea Grey on the upper surfaces. was acceptable to the Admiralty in the short
Unfortunately, confirmation that the term until the Phantoms could be refinished 1. Front-line Fighter and Strike Aircraft
Phantoms were Dark Sea Grey on the upper in Extra Dark Sea Grey in the normal course of (including night-fighters and operational
surfaces has not been possible by cross their servicing. aircraft in training squadrons, but excluding
checking the drawing and stencil data with Buccaneer S.2 and F-4-K Phantom.
Whilst Cold Cure Epoxy was a common
other primary source documents. The obvious Upper surfaces: Extra Dark Sea Grey (640)
finish for front line Royal Navy aircraft, with
course, to check the 33B/1527 reference given the exception of the Buccaneer at this time, Under surfaces: White.
on the drawings, suggests that no such there does not appear to have been a 33B Boundary between surfaces a point halfway
reference number existed at this time. reference for Dark Sea Grey to DTD 5555 down fuselage.
By 1965/66, the old four figure 33B during 1965/66. Indeed, as far as is currently 2. Buccaneer S.2: Extra Dark Sea Grey (640
numbers such as '33B/1527' were being known, the only 33B reference for Dark Sea overall, with Pale Blue (111) lettering.
replaced by a new seven figure combination Grey that the Royal Navy appear to have had
which began with the numbers '220'. For was 33B/1457 Dark Sea Grey to DTD F-4K Phantom: Upper surfaces, Dark Sea Grey
example 33B/2202097 was given in the 900/4817. In view of the similarity in the two (638); Lower surfaces, White.
November 1965 listing for a 1 gallon pack of 33B reference numbers, 33B/1427 and 3. A.E.W. Aircraft (Gannet AEW Mk.3):
Extra Dark Sea Grey Cold Cure Epoxy to DTD 33B/1527, might it be the case that the latter Upper surfaces: Extra Dark Sea Grey (640)
5555, which is thought to have been the is a typo caused by a finger slipping one space Lower surfaces: Sky (210)
McDonnell Phantom FG. Mk 1, XV587/010/R, operated by No. 892 Squadron, aboard the carrier HMS Ark Royal, June 1977. Finish is BS 381c: 638
Dark Sea Grey (Vallejo 71.405 BS Dark Sea Grey) to the upper surfaces, with White (Vallejo 71.001 White) undersides. The fin carries the Omega marking of
892 NAS on the fin, with a White and BS 381c: 538 Post Oce Red background. The codes, serials and carrier identifier letter are in White. Again, the nose
carries the special markings applied for that years Queens Silver Jubilee. Note the RAF camouflage on the starboard tailplane.
Boundary between surfaces: 1/3 from top of This recommendation was not taken up Roundel Blue 110
fuselage. immediately as in January 1966, AL 60 of Sky 210
The way in which the article is worded Naval Air Publication AP 4647A Volume 1 Golden Yellow 356
strongly suggests that its author had access to Book 1 for the Sea Vixen FAW1 recorded Mod Post Oce Red 538
the relevant parts of AP 119-0601 as the No. 1245 to introduce external finish to International Orange 592
wording is in places virtually identical to Specification DTD 5555 Scheme 2. The reason Light Aircraft Grey 627
earlier editions held by this author such as that the desired Acrylic finish was not Brilliant Green 221
that quoted above. As can be seen, if the Scale adopted between 1964 and 1966 for anything
other than the Buccaneer seems to have been
Models article is accurate, then it clearly and All the colours available to this specification
a shortage of supply of the necessary Acrylic
unambiguously states that the F-4K Phantom at this time can have a Naval use attributed to
materials. According to an RAF document of
was finished in Dark Sea Grey BS 381C No.638 them and as can be seen, Dark Sea Grey 638 is
1975, this led to the universal adoption of
on the upper surfaces. The remainder of the included. Notable by its absence from this list
Polyurethane for all aircraft types. Whether the
article has been cross checked as far as is is Extra Dark Sea Grey 640, but this was
term 'universal' applied to the Royal Navy is
currently possible and has been found to be presumably available to DTD 900/4817 as
open to question because as has been
accurate. specified for the Buccaneer. It could have
mentioned previously, the Acrylic finish to
DTD 900/4817 was still being specified for the been subsequently provisioned to DTD 5599
Fugitive Finish? Buccaneer in 1971. It is known however that at a later date.
Polyurethane Extra Dark Sea Grey was Thus the Dark Sea Grey finish on the F-4K
Having been delivered in Dark Sea Grey
provisioned for the Vocabulary of Stores and it Phantom FG.1 can be seen possibly to have
Epoxy MMS 405, it would then be necessary
is therefore possible that some types of naval lasted until at least 1973. Whether it was
to maintain the finish. Exactly how this was
aircraft were given a Polyurethane finish. retained by every Phantom throughout its
done is not known for certain, but it is known
that there were anti-corrosion kits in various If the Phantom was one of those types naval career is open to question as it is
colours, including Extra Dark Sea Grey aected and had its initial Epoxy finish possible to find colour photographs of lines of
intended to touch up slightly damaged Naval replaced by a Polyurethane finish, then the Phantoms where some are clearly a dierent
aircraft paint finishes on the flight line and colour of the aircraft was unlikely to have colour to the others. Likewise there are colour
hangar deck. That Dark Sea Grey does not been aected as Dark Sea Grey was available photographs of Phantoms in company with
seem to have been available may not have in Polyurethane on account of it being widely Buccaneers where the Phantoms appear to be
been important as far as the Phantom was used by the RAF. As a matter of interest, all lighter than the Buccaneers and others where
concerned given the apparently fugitive British Phantoms were repainted at 23 MU at they appear to be the same hue. Whether this
nature of Extra Dark Sea Grey. Aldergrove in Northern Ireland, which was is the result of some aircraft being finished in
one of the few Service painting facilities to be Dark Sea Grey whilst others have been
An example of this fugitive nature is equipped to apply and remove Polyurethane finished in Extra Dark Sea Grey or whether
provided by a letter from the Ocer in Charge finishes, processes that required stringent some of the aircraft have been recently
Naval Aircraft Materials Laboratory, RN Aircraft health and safety precautions. painted whilst others have not and have had
Yard Fleetlands at Gosport to the Director their Extra Dark Sea Grey finish go fugitive is
That the Phantom remained in Dark Sea
General, Aircraft at the Admiralty dated 13 impossible to say.
Grey until at least 1973 is suggested by the
March 1964. Entitled 'External Painting of
advent of Selectively Strippable Acrylic Some of 892 NAS's Phantoms were fitted
Naval Aircraft', the letter was principally
Finishing Scheme DTD 5599. The exact date of with tail planes and or flaps drawn from RAF
concerned with the results of trials carried out
the introduction of this scheme is not stocks that were finished in Dark Green and
to try and find a more durable paint finish
currently known but a selection of colours to Dark Sea Grey on the upper surfaces with
than that provided by the Cold Cure Epoxy to
this specification were provisioned for stores Light Aircraft Grey on the under surfaces
DTD 5555 then in common use on Naval
and included in AP 119A-0601-1B, AL 17 of during 1977. Whilst the Dark Green segments
aircraft. The letter stated:
December 1972. The complete list of these of the camouflage are clearly visible in
This latter system which has been employed colours which had BS 381C numbers photographs, any dierence in hue between
since the Scimitar first came into squadron appended to them where applicable were as the grey areas of the tail planes and the rest of
service has given reasonably good performance follows: the upper surfaces is dicult to make out due
in temperate climates, but in the tropics has Black to the angle of the tail planes and the
suered severely from chalking and poor colour White reflectivity of the glossy finish. Given the
retention, particularly in extra dark sea grey... Trac Yellow 368 known fugitive nature of the colours and the
The letter concluded by recommending RAF Blue Grey 633 variegates of photographic reproduction
that an Epoxy primer followed by an Acrylic Olive Green (matt) 220 processes, photographs of these aircraft are
top coat be adopted in the future ...as is now Light Stone (matt) 361 inconclusive as to the finish actually applied
the case with the Buccaneer... Dark Sea Grey 638 to the majority of the upper surfaces.

CRUCIAN CARP
Brand New Karas IBGs kit in 1/72 By Ken Allway
The PZL.23 is a striking

machine from any angle and
IBGs kit is a welcome arrival
T
he 1930s saw some very charismatic aircraft. Notably on 2 September 1939, one
designs as growing tensions spurred PZL.23B of the 21st Squadron bombed a factory
armaments development and many in Ohlau, the first bomb attack on the Third
nations struggled to make the transition from Reich. PZL.23 bomber squadrons also attacked
biplanes to modern monoplanes. One of the German armoured columns.
most handsome of these is the PZL.23 Karas It was partially the lack of fighter cover that
(Crucian Carp), an aircraft developed in 1931 to saw the type suer such heavy combat losses.
replace the Breguet 19 and Potez 25 in Polish Many were shot down by German fighter
service. The new recon bomber was based on a aircraft, but they also attacked German columns
proposed passenger aircraft that never saw from low level, making their aircraft vulnerable
production, the PZL.13. The first series PZL.23A to anti-aircraft fire.
was fitted with a Bristol Pegasus IIM2 radial
engine produced in Poland under licence but as At least twenty one PZL.23s were evacuated
this engine proved to be unreliable the in 1939 to Romania and subsequently used by
subsequent PZL.23B was fitted with a newer the Romanian Air Force against the USSR. Fifty
Pegasus VIII of 720 hp (537 kW). PZL.43s and PZL.43As were used in Bulgaria for
training until 1946.
The aircraft was a low-wing cantilever
monoplane of all-metal construction. The crew
of three consisted of a pilot, a bombardier, and a Variants
rear gunner. The bombardier's combat station P.23/I - Initial Prototype
was situated in a gondola underneath the hull,
The sand coloured plastic sprues include a where he could also operate an underbelly P.23/II - Second Prototype
nice selection of parts with fine recessed machine gun. The fixed undercarriage was P.23/III - Third Prototype with improved pilot
detail enclosed in spats and bombs were carried under vision from cockpit by repositioning engine and
the wings with a maximum load of 700kg pilot's seat. Basis for production of the PZL.23A
(1500lb). P.23A - Initial Production Model fitted with
Forty PZL.23As were delivered to the Polish Bristol Pegasus IIM2 radial engine. Forty
Air Force in late 1936. Due to engine faults, their examples produced
service ceiling was limited and they were used PZL.23B - Fitted with Bristol Pegasus VII. Main
only in the training role, being fitted with dual production model with 210 examples produced
controls. A total of 210 PZL.23Bs were delivered
from 1937 and it was these that became the P.42 - Single Experimental Model with
main armament of Polish bomber and retractable bombardier gondola fuselage
reconnaissance line squadrons. position and double tail fins for improved
stability
By 1939, the aircraft was obsolete due to its
low speed and lack of manoeuvrability but at PZL 43 - Improved export variant of the PZL.23,
the outbreak of World War II on 1 September powered instead by a Gnome-Rhne 14K engine
1939 it remained Poland's primary light bomber First production series, twelve built
For a 1/72 kit the interior detail is and reconnaissance aircraft. PZL.23Bs were PZL.43A - Second production series with more
comprehensive and nicely engineered for operational in five bomber squadrons and seven powerful Gnome-Rhne 14N-01 engine, forty
ease of assembly Army reconnaissance squadrons, each with ten two built
The second boxing from IBG

covers the unique PZL.42
prototype
The small sprue of parts dedicated to the

PZL.42, including the characteristic double tail
CRUCIAN CARP
One of many images of

abandoned and derelict
aircraft on the fields of
Poland in the aftermath of
the German invasion
Parts are provided in the Karas kit for

unspotted undercarriage, although little
indication as to their use is given in the
instructions
PZL.43B - Improved version, powered by a 980 into the interior to the gondola below and very
hp (731 kW) Gnome-Rhne 14N-01 engine little has been left to the imagination. The only
omission is seatbelts, which would have been a
welcome inclusion.
The Karas in Scale
The single option on the decal sheet is for an
Like it or loathe it there is no doubting the aircraft from the Polish Air Force College, so
PZL.23 is a significant combat aircraft from the whether or not the bomb load provided in this
WWII era, and well worthy of a place in any The clear sprue is nicely produced with well-
boxing is appropriate for this specific aircraft will
collection from the period. The aircraft has been defined framing
require further research. The aircraft is provided
kitted before both in 1/72 by Heller, whose 1979 with gun cameras for the cockpit roof and dorsal
tooling has done the rounds and appeared gun and the package seems to oer a nice
under various labels, and in 1/48 by Mirage introduction to the type. I will have to find
whose 1/48 series of kits covers the type further reference materials to ascertain what
exhaustively and in some style. Now IBG have precisely constitutes the dierences between
released the first pair of kits oering a new the PZL.23A and B and the PZL.42. The kit does
modern tooling in 1/72 and it is very welcome seem to include the dual controls for the
indeed. position immediately behind the pilot, and I
The kit comes on eight sprues of sand notice these are included with the PZL.42 kit as
coloured and one sprue of clear plastic. A small well. The small etched fret oers some cockpit
etched fret is included with both boxings, details seat frames, trim wheel and
No doubt further kits will be in the pipeline
oering some fine cockpit details and gunsights, the PZL.23B of course and looking further ahead gunsights, but unfortunately no seatbelts
while the instrument panel is provided with a the export-version PZL.43.
decal. Both kits are broadly similar, with type-
specific parts included on smaller sprues.
Moulding is very sharp and fine with recessed #72509 PZL.42 Polish Light Bomber
panel lines and a cockpit oering some beautiful This kit oers all the detailed interior of the
detail: Karas but omits the gondola and includes a
dedicated sprue for the tail parts.
#72505 PZL.23A Karas Polish Light Bomber Being a unique prototype the PZL.42 includes
The complex cluttered interior of the Karas is only one marking option, this being for the sole
nicely depicted by the collection of parts oered, aircraft constructed and trialled at Deblin in
with the ventral gondola separately. Some thirty 1939.
parts make up the interior, a mix of etch and Following on from the RWD-8 kits, IBG look
plastic, with the upper decking nicely tooled set to build up a collection of Polish types long
with all the lightning holes in place. The open in need of modern tooling. We can only look
dorsal gun position will allow a good view down forward to what happens next!
This sprue, unique to the Karas boxing, holds

the gondola, tail and the gun cameras
During September 1939 114 PZL.23s were flown by

front-line units, but the attrition rate was high, caused
largely by the inability to repair the aircraft, resulting in The instrument panel in IBGs kit includes no
many being abandoned after receiving combat damage raised or recessed detail but a decal is
provided

CO U N T E R FAC T UA L
Modelling two could have beens from the golden age of British jets By Tony Grand
Hawker P.1121 P.177N Fleet Fighter

Kit No: SMK 72-04 Kit No: FDR72002
Scale: 1/72 Scale: 1/72
Type: Resin Type: Resin
Manufacturer: S&M Models Manufacturer: Freightdog
www.sandmmodels.co.uk www.freightdogmodels.co.uk
O
ften, when I set out on a be expended on. Unfortunately the but I decided to keep the P.1121N Century. Operational Requirement
build and hence an article, I funds available for putting these and the SR.177 as an RN pair. So far OR.337, to which the SR.177 was
have a story or at least a designs into service were in inverse as I can see, the P.1121N project being built for the RAF, was
hook on which to hang the finished proportion to the creativity on was not in response to a specific cancelled as a result of changes in
product, so to speak. (Great show, and perhaps more Operational Requirement. Britain's military policies, as set out
Helmsman: Whats the old fool on importantly, this ten years or so in the 1957 Sandys Defence White
about this time? TG: Patience, GH...) after the end of World War II was a Paper. The prospects for the
In this case, rather than a story, it period of such political and military SR.177 relatively small orders for Germany
was two planes that I find really fluidity that it was not at all clear This aircraft is well-known to and the Royal Navy were thus
cool coming together in the jigsaw what kinds of aircraft were needed. many, from that remarkable kick weakened, and the withdrawal of
of the Land of Could Well Have Indeed if Mr Sandys was to be starter of much whatifery, Derek the Germans eectively killed the
Been. First, the Saunders-Roe believed, we could cross fighters Woods Project Cancelled, not least RN deal. I wont bother you with an
SR.177 naval version, the and bombers o the list. Hence this the photo of the nearly complete account of the confusion sewn in
Freightdog kit of which Id had on article. These builds are an mock-up. The SR.177 was a 1950s Germany by contradictory
the shelf for a few years. And then indulgence, ignoring all that and project to develop a combined jet messages from the UKs Ministries
the Hawker P.1121. A few years ago representing these planes because and rocket powered interceptor of Defence and Supply. Tony Buttler
Id converted the S&M kit of the I like them. Not least the colours, aircraft for the RAF and the Royal covers this admirably. At
latter into the P.1121B version, a EDSG and white, and you know the Navy. It was an enlarged cancellation approximately ninety
plane that was sort of in the frame Great Helmsman is a pushover for development of the Saunders-Roe percent of the first prototype
for the place that went to the TSR.2. those... SR.53, which was itself an SR.177 had been completed. This
I had thought that that was it for experimental combined jet and and the jigs and other items were
working on that kit, but at Telford rocket interceptor aircraft. The stored for several years while
2016 I saw that Mr S&M had it on P.1121N SR.177 would have had nose attempts were made to revive the
his stand. Reader, I bought it, just Id not heard of this one until I mounted airborne interception project, in a possible sale to Japan.
because its cool. Then the jigsaw leafed through Martell-Mead and radar, and a more powerful turbojet Nothing more came of that and the
piece joining the two; Paul Martell- Hygates book. They have a 1958 engine than the SR.53. In addition prototypes were scrapped.
Mead and Barrie Hygates Hawker original Hawker three view drawing to British interest in the aircraft, the
P.1103 & P.1121: Camms Last Fighter of this naval strike variant of the German Navy had also expressed
Projects, which came out in 2015. 1121, a painting of it in RN colours their interest in the project and The Kits
The 1950s were truly the Golden and another of it in US Navy closely evaluated its progress with The S&M P.1121 kit captures well
Age of the British jet. However it colours, the latter because it seems an eye towards its potential the overall shape of the original. As
can be argued that there was too the US Naval Attach visited procurement. Famously Germany in the kit I purchased some six years
much gold, or rather it was Hawker in 1957 to gather and other European nations ago, the starboard half is slightly
constantly less than clear what the information on it. I was very eventually purchased the Lockheed narrower than the port. This doesnt
gold, in the form of designs, should tempted to build it in that finish F-104, in the infamous Deal of the show in the finished article and I
CO U N T E R FAC T UA L
The revised
T.7 nose
fitted to
the P.1121
fuselage
The Xtrakit T.7 fuselage with the Su-24 cockpit The T.7 and P.1130 nose removed, showing
and Freightdog P.1130 nose cone where it will be fitted to the P.1121 fuselage
New fin
blended in
Intake moved forward and half fuel tank Side view of
fitted to form recess for Red Beard or tank lengthened fuselage
Fuselage being
Wings and
made good
tailplanes
fitted
P.1121N with tanks and PJ Productions Matra

AS-37s. Red Beard on ground
Further work
on nose
Improvement of SR.177N nose Ventral tank from cannibalised Final stages of filling and
with scrap styrene half fuel tank reshaping
couldnt think of a simple way of the Pavla substitution for the Italeri Web and in books in my library fuselage halves, and working from
correcting it. Did I say that the Sukhoi Su-24. My final purchase suggested it could be built more or the three view drawings, I decided
P.1121N has side by side seating for before starting the conversion was less out of the box. A few where to make the cuts to remove
pilot and WSO? After letting the the Freightdog Hawker P.1130 All modifications were made, which Ill the T.7 and P.1121 noses. Having
brain have a go at this, perusing the Weather Fighter Project conversion come to. made them I superglued the T.7
drawings, I reckoned I could use set, to modify the T.7, as the nose section to the truncated
the nose from Xtrakits Hunter T.7, replacement nose cone in that set P.1121 body and blended them
lopping o the P.1121 forward P.1121N
looked like a shoo-in for that of the together with styrene sheet and
fuselage and blending that of the P.1121N. The first job was to reduce the Green Stu, from time to time
T.7 into the remaining P.1121 body. outside dimensions of the Pavla
The only available SR.177 kit is comparing the new assembly with
Considering this further, I decided Su-24 cockpit tub with the sanding
the Freightdog item, produced by the drawings.
the T.7 cockpit tub was a bit drum on my mini drill, till it fitted
minimal for a top end strike aircraft, Anigrand with Fantasy Printshop snugly in the cockpit area of the T.7. An obvious dierence between
so I looked on the Hannants decals. I bought the version with I then glued together the halves of the basic P.1121 and the P.1121N is
website for a side by side RN markings. A look at the kit and the T.7 fuselage, with the tub in the larger fin on the latter. Gluing a
replacement. What popped up was comparison with drawings on the place. Next came joining the P.1121 copy of the new fin outline, from a

B A R R AC U D A
blown up scan of the drawings, onto thick fine sanding I left it, as no ones looking at the the plane, the German ground attack version,
styrene sheet, I prepared a blank and superglued underside except me. I used a couple of coats of had a ventral tank and I used a half fuel tank
that in place. More sanding and fettling soon Mr Hobby Aqueous 333 Extra Dark Sea Grey from spares to simulate that. The third change
blended it in nicely. The ventral air intake comes applied by brush for the upper surfaces. Having was the fairing over of the rocket nozzle
as a separate moulding, nicely done but lacking finished the paintwork with a bit of touching up aperture above the jet exhaust, as I believe from
the boundary layer splitter plate, which I added I added the bang seats, using the items for the my reading that the Spectre rocket motor would
from brass sheet. Now the intake on the P.1121N Su-24 as they were rather nice, then fitted the soon have been dispensed with, in favour of a jet
is mounted further forward than that on the Hunter T.7 canopy, it being a close with increased thrust, and the rocket fuel
original and this is simple to simulate, only a approximation to the P.1121N canopy. I tankage used for more jet fuel. The IFR fairing on
little bit of trial and error reduction of the upper considered moulding a new item, but reckoned the 177s port side seemed a little meagre and I
surface of the intake wedge being needed to get there would be tears before bedtime. I used fitted styrene half tubing over it.
it to conform the fuselage further forward. Xtradecal strip for the framing. We were soon at the paint shop stage. I used
Having glued it in place I carried out more Time to fit the undercarriage and Mr Base White 1000 as both primer and top coat
surgery to produce the ventral recess, which on undercarriage doors, and at this more than late for the white undersides and there were no
the N would have been occupied by a Red Beard stage, a covering for an IFR probe, made from problems with that. The EDSG was brush applied
special store, or quite likely a fuel tank. In the styrene tubing, cut in half lengthways. As this as before, and I then applied the kit decals. They
spares drawer I found a half fuel tank of the was a strike aircraft, for decals I used Model went on very easily and I just had to extend the
appropriate size, drew round its outline on the Alliance Decals MA-72101, containing a set for a 0 and the 4 on the port side with white Xtradecal
planes belly, removed a chunk of resin with a Buccaneer S.Mk 2 of 801 Squadron, Ark Royal, strip to take account of the IFR fairing. A vacform
circular saw blade on my mini drill and glued the 1967. The decals went on a treat. With hindsight I canopy and a spare are supplied in the kit and it
half tank in place. It was then blended and should have applied the fuselage roundels to was easy to trim one with nail scissors to fit.
sanded into shape. The gaps left by moving the the rear, which is the normal Hawker position I Now I found one set of drawings showing the
intake were made good with styrene and filler. now gather. As it is the nose is quite crowded. SR.177N with a blown canopy. Again I decided
One dierence between the two P.1121 marks For stores I decided on two of the four not to try moulding it, but the fact that Id raised
was that what I take to be the exits for the underwing tanks provided by S&M and two PJ the line of the radome top raised the canopy at
boundary layer bleed were also moved forward. Productions Matra AS-37s. As with the SR.177, I the front, and by not painting all the frame lines I
This was beyond me at the time of building, as I added a scratch built arrestor hook. approached a representation of the improved
have not been a well man, and so it remains as visibility canopy. The final step was fitting the
an obvious error. The wings and tailplanes were undercarriage, the gear doors, the underwing
now added, both being of the same size as on SR.177
tanks and the tip mounted Red Top AAMs. Can
the single seat fighter, making sure to get the As this is an Anigrand produced kit I knew someone tell me what Squadron had the cutlass
tailplane dihedral correct. Wings and tailplanes more or less what to expect, pretty high quality as an emblem? Ive been unable to find it.
were all mounted on lengths of brass wire for but the usual idiosyncrasy of wide side consoles
strength. Finally I added a triangle of thin in the cockpit, allowing only just enough room
styrene scrap where the windscreen would meet for the bang seat widthwise. I usually cut up Conclusion
the nose, to help blending in. some spare cockpit etch to fill the consoles but Apart from the trouble with the white paint,
I sprayed the plane now with Tamiya Grey Fine decided not to do that on this occasion, as there these two builds were pretty straightforward
Surface Primer (my favourite) and rectified any would be little visible through the relatively and Im pleased the with results. All our could
lumps and bumps highlighted. I know, I thought, small canopy. I shall not spend a great deal of have beens...
as the undersides are white, Ill use Tamiyas space describing the build as it was so
White Primer. The Law of Unintended straightforward, only the modifications I made.
References
Consequences came into play. For some reason, The first of these was building up the top
although the grey primer had cured for days, the surface of the radome, as compared with all Hawker P.1103 & P.1121, Camms Last Fighter
white crazed and did so again after being drawings it is too low. I used scrap styrene and Projects by Paul Martell-Read and Barrie
sanded and resprayed. It was almost a case of Green Stu to build it up and sanded it down British Secret Projects: Jet Fighters Since 1950 by
Controlled Flight into Terrain... After a second appropriately. Secondly, at least one version of Tony Buttler
Airliner Showcase
REVIEWS
A selection of recent kit releases reviewed By Andy McCabe
Airbus A320
Etihad Airways
Kit No: 03968

Scale: 1/144
Manufacturer: Revell GmbHi
www.revell.de/en
T
he Airbus A320 family also includes the multiple registrations of A320 aircraft operated decals were then applied. These are printed by
A319 and A318, short range airliners by Etihad Airlines and is superbly printed by Daco and are excellently manufactured with
designed and built in Europe by Airbus Daco. superb colour clarity and density. They go on
Industries. The aircraft can accommodate up to The build begins by assembling the nose without any problems and settle really well. Just
220 passengers and has a range of up to 6,500 wheel landing gear leg into the gear bay and the one option is supplied although various
miles depending on the aircraft type. The A320 then fitting it into one of the fuselage halves and Ethiad Airlines A320 serial numbers can be used.
can be powered by either two CFM56 or two IAE then adding nose weight. The two fuselage All have an identical colour scheme.
V2530 jet engines. In excess of 6,200 aircraft halves are then glued together and the The undercarriage was now assembled and
have been built and a new production plant in painted and fitted to the model and finally the
windscreen masked and fitted. There is no
Mobile Alabama began in 2013 to assemble the navigation lights were fitted along with the
cockpit detailing at all with this kit, which is not
A320 family. various aerials along the top and bottom of the
a big problem as it cannot be seen in any case.
In 2010 Airbus announced the launch of the fuselage.
The wings were now assembled and then
next generation A320 family with the A320neo
glued to the fuselage along with the tail planes.
(New Engine Option) that will use either CFM
International LEAP-X or Pratt and Whitney The engine interiors were painted, assembled Conclusion
PW1000G engines. The A320E will also feature and fitted to the wings, the model given a coat This A320 kit lacks the finesse of the Zvezda
swept wingtips, or sharklets, and improved of white primer, and the main fuselage was now kit in the same scale. It has no cockpit, which is
weight saving and cabin design. sprayed. The Ethiad colour is a mixture of gloss not really a problem, and the Zvezda kit includes
white, clear orange and silver. I am not sure that dropped flaps and a stand, but this aside it is still
The Revell kit contains two sprues of white
and one clear sprue and one stand of injection the colour I mixed is correct, but it looks close. a very nice model and looks very striking in its
moulded plastic, one decal sheet and one The wings and tail planes were then sprayed Ethiad livery. The kit built up without any
instruction booklet. The parts feature nicely with Revell 371 Light Grey after which the upper problems and the Daco decals are excellent.
engraved/recessed panel lines and very finely wing surfaces were masked and the corroguard I can find nothing wrong with this release. It
moulded parts. The instructions are very clear walkways sprayed with Revell 374 Grey. assembles very nicely without the need for
and concise and feature colour call outs for The leading edges of the wings and tail planes excessive filler and the finished result is
Revell paints. The decal sheet has options for were then masked o and painted silver and the excellent.
REVIEWS
quite quick and while the fuselage joints were

drying I assembled the wings, engines and tail
jet pipe. These were all then glued to the
fuselage along with the undercarriage doors and
tail plane. Despite the kits age only a small
amount of filler was required on the joints.
The model was now given a coat of white primer
and gaps or untidy joints were dealt with, and
then an all over coat of Appliance Gloss White
was sprayed on. When dry this was masked and
Revell 371 Light Grey was applied to the lower
Kit No: 03946 fuselage, wings and tail plane. The centre of the
Scale: 1/144 wings were then masked and Revell 374 Matt
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic Grey was sprayed on. When dry the masking was
removed and re-used to mask the leading edges
Manufacturer: Revell GmbH of the wings and tail plane, before silver paint
www.revell.de/en was applied.
The engines were now masked and the forward
Boeing 727-100 edges painted silver while the rear jet exhaust
areas were painted with Mr Hobby H214 Dark
Iron, which bus up very nicely when dry.
Germania The decals were now applied, the main cheat
line down the fuselage had to be cut around the
T
he Boeing 727 first flew on 9th February engines, a tricky task but worth the eort. The
1963. The aircraft can carry between 149 rest of the decals were pretty straightforward
and 189 passengers and the -100 was the with the exception of the cockpit windows. Two
first of the type to fly. The first airline to receive sets are supplied, either just the frames or the
the type was United Airlines on 29th October frames filled in. Originally I opted for just the
1963 but the first passenger service was frames but these are just a little bit too small for
completed by Eastern Airlines on 1st February the size of the openings and I could not get
1964 between Miami, Washington DC and them to sit properly, so I then used the filled in
Philadelphia. 572 -100s were built. The aircraft ones. These are again a little bit too small but
was powered by three Pratt and Whitney JT8D- with a lot of manoeuvring I got them into an
1/7/9 turbojet engines and had a range of 2,250 acceptable position.
nautical miles. It had a crew of three. One decal option is supplied with the kit which
The aircraft is still in limited service today is for Germania Airlines. This Airline operated the
although mainly in a freight carrying role. This 727-100 in the late 1970s. Two dierent airline
Revell kit is of a similar vintage having been registrations are provided for the two aircraft
around for some time, in all probability fifty that Germania Operated, D-AHLN and D-AHLS.
years. The parts have raised panel lines and The stand was now assembled and painted and
detailing, but the decals are up to Revells high
fitted to the model.
standard. The instruction booklet follows the
customary style with paint call outs given
throughout the build where and when Conclusion
necessary.
This kit has been around for a long time and
The build begins by fitting the two fuselage does not have the finesse of the newer Airlines
halves together. If you want to display the model kits in the Revell catalogue but it makes up into a
on its undercarriage then nose weight is very nice model of the 727-100 despite its age.
required before you glue the two halves The fit of the parts is generally very good but it is
together but as I was going to use the stand with the decals that make this kit as they drag a 1960s
the undercarriage retracted I did not fit any nose kit into the modern era. The kit is very easy to
weight. assemble and no problems were encountered,
Having raised surface detailing makes cleaning and in fact from start to finish it took only two
up the joints tricky, but they were not that bad days to complete. Still a nice model to make
and not too much detail was lost. The build is despite its vintage.

REVIEWS
300ER features five injected sprues of plastic much easier than guessing where the wavy line
parts (grey Zvezda and white Revell) and one should be! Finally the upper fuselage was
clear sprue, one decal sheet and one instruction masked of and Revell 51 Blue was sprayed onto
booklet. The parts are beautifully moulded and the lower fuselage.
have excellent detail, especially to the engines. The Zvezda fuselage is gloss white all over
Decals are supplied for Boeing house colour which is easier.
schemes only, which are quite eye-catching. A The decals were now applied and on this
stand is supplied should you wish to model the particular airliner they really transform the
Kit No: 04945 aircraft with its undercarriage retracted, but this model. The Zvezda ones are quite big and very
is in the Zvezda kit only. pliable and stretch really easily so care needs to
Scale: 1/144
Work commences by assembling the cockpit be taken with them. The Revell kit has more
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic bulkhead onto the nose landing gear bay and decals on the sheet than Zvezdas but both sets
Manufacturer: Revell GmbH then gluing it into one fuselage half. Two small are well printed.
www.revell.de/en intakes are then fitted into the lower fuselage Work on the undercarriage now commenced.
halves just forward of the wings and then the The kits gear legs were replaced by Scale
two fuselage halves are glued together. There Aircraft Conversions White Metal ones and the
are clear parts for the cabin windows but I prefer kit wheels were fitted to these. The kits plastic
not to fit these as they are a nightmare to mask gear legs are superbly moulded with some very
and easier to fill with Micro Crystal Klear later on. fine detail but the SAC ones are sturdier and
The fuselage joint is very good along its stronger. The gear bay doors were now fitted
length, which on a large airliner model is good and the model was finished.
news as it means there is not too much sanding
of the joints to be done. Conclusion
The tail planes were now assembled cleaned The 777-300ER is a very big aircraft and this is
up and fitted to the fuselage followed by the evident in the 1/144 version of it. Airliner models
Kit No: 7012 wings. The trailing edges of the wings and tail are getting better and better with every new
Scale: 1/144 planes are extremely well moulded and have an release and this one from Zvezda/Revell is no
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic almost exact scale thickness and shape, nice! The exception. It does not feature the cockpit detail
Zvezda wings were very warped and would not that other recent airliner kits have but this is no
Manufacturer: Zvezda straighten properly no matter what I did, with real issue as you cant see inside the cockpit
The Hobby Company/Dragon USA the plastic being a lot softer than the Revell kits anyway.
wings, which is a shame.
The finesse of the moulding is very evident,
Boeing The cockpit windows were now masked and
fitted and these are another precise fit.
especially in the trailing edges, the
undercarriage and the engines, which makes
And now onto the engines. These are superbly this in my opinion probably the best 777 kit in
777-300ER moulded and every bit as good as previous
Revell/Zvezda kit engines with very finely
this scale on the market.
This really is an impressive model of the 777-
moulded turbine blades that really do make a
T
he Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) 300ER and is a must for any airliner modeller
features a higher maximum take-o huge dierence to an airliner model. I have said whichever one you chose.
weight, increased fuel capacity that allows this many times in my reviews and I make no
for a maximum range of 7,830 nautical miles, apologies for saying it again in this one.
carrying 396 passengers in a two class seating The engines were now painted, assembled
arrangement, raked and extended wingtips, and fitted to the wings. The rudder was glued
strengthened fuselage and wings and modified into position and various antennae fitted along
landing gear. It is powered by two General the fuselage and then the model was given a
Electric GE90-115B turbofan engines and the coat of white primer.
first aircraft was delivered to Air France on 29th The Revell fuselage was sprayed with
April 2004. To date the -300ER is the best selling Appliance White and the wings and tail planes
777 variant with over 635 delivered to thirty nine with Revell 371Light Grey. These were masked
dierent customers. o and the lower fuselage masked using the
The Zvezda/Revell kit of the Boeing 777- templates supplied in the instructions. This is
Swiss Farewell
REVIEWS
Kinetics Special By Martin Kershaw
control system, and were armed with AIM-4 front of the fuselage. This was somewhat of a
Falcon and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The disappointment after such a smooth build of the
Mirage IIIRS was a single seat all weather airframe. Much filing and scraping (and filling)
reconnaissance aircraft with the radar replaced was required to get a reasonable fit of the
by a camera nose carrying up to five cameras. components, with subsequent loss of detail. In
The kit comes in a largish sturdy top opening hindsight it would have been better to deviate
box with full colour illustration and description from the instructions, by fixing the nose sections
of options held within, either the Mirage IIIS or to the main fuselage halves, splitting the camera
Mirage IIIRS. The actual contents come as seven transparency into two halves, and fitting it into
carefully bagged sprues (including one the nose sections before closing the completed
transparent) claiming to hold 180+ parts, of fuselage halves. A lesson for next time if a similar
which you will have quite a few left over, if you build arises. The canopy also proved to be a little
Kit No: 48058 construct any of the versions oered on the too wide for the cockpit aperture. But this was
decal sheet. It would appear that many other easily cured with a little filing.
Scale: 1/48 Mirage III versions could be constructed from Kinetic suggest a mix of Humbrol 85 and 128
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic the components provided. My choice of subject for the Anthracite upper, or lower, fuselage, with
was Mirage IIIRS R2110 Mirage Swiss farewell, a mix of Humbrol 130 and 128 for the lower, or
Manufacturer: Kinetic
Stael 10, Forces Aeriennes Suisses, Schweizer upper, areas. With Tamiya acrylics being my
www.luckymodel.com Luftwae, Buochs AB 2003. preferred paints I gave the complete airframe a
The instructions come in the form of a sixteen light prime of Tamiya Fine Surface Primer
Mirage IIIS/RS page A4 booklet covering twenty five stages of
construction, with four pages devoted to colour
followed by Tamiya XF-63 German Grey for the
Anthracite upper surfaces, leaving the primer
schemes and decals, these being a Mirage IIIS untouched for the o white under surfaces.
I
t seems now to have become common
and Mirage IIIRS in standard service finish, along Other detail was highlighted used Tamiya
practice for modern military aircraft to sport
with two Mirage IIIRS in retirement schemes, one acrylics. The whole airframe was then given a
special schemes for any occasion of
black over white, the other white over black. coat of Humbrol Clear.
significance. This gives aftermarket decal
Moulding for the basic aircraft was of a high The decals for what appeared a complex
producers a chance to expand their market but it
standard in light grey with fine engraved scheme went on remarkably well, with an
can also give additional life to previously
panelling, however there was quite a large excellent fit over the compound curves and
produced kit subjects. One such adornment was
amount of flash on the sprues that provide the vents although this would not have been
created for the retirement of the Swiss Airforce
alternative components. possible without the judicious use of Microscale
Mirage IIIRS. Whilst I have never been too keen
on these schemes this subject appealed to me, The decision as to which version you are products, Micro Set for the initial application,
with no garish reds and yellows, just black going to build comes early on, as you must make followed by multiple applications of Micro Sol to
(anthracite), o-white and grey. It looks right. a choice from the range of instrument panels, fix the decals around the contours. After being
Out of just over 1,400 Mirage IIIs produced, along with nose configurations oered. As in the allowed to dry, the airframe was given a final
Switzerland purchased just one directly from full size examples, the kit comes basically as the wipe down with basic H20, before the final finish
Dassault for evaluation purposes. They then main structure, fuselage and wings, plus a of Humbrol Matt Acrylic Varnish.
went on to licence produce thirty six Mirage IIIS choice of nose configurations and under wing This being my first visit to a Kinetic kit I was a
(service entry 1967) and sixteen Mirage IIIRS tanks. The ordnance sprues are basically little surprised, having considered Kinetic to be a
(service entry 1969) aircraft. The Mirage IIIS was a redundant for these versions. premium brand. The quality of the major
single seat based on the Mirage IIIC, with Construction for the basic airframe was quite airframe and decals could not be faulted, but the
reinforced wings, airframe and undercarriage. straightforward, with a good fit of parts and very problems I had with the nose sections rather
The reinforced airframes enabled the aircraft to little filling required. Problems arose when it dulled the overall experience. That said, the final
be moved by cranes within the confines of their came to the addition of the camera nose. For finished product gives an excellent
mountain cavern bunkers. The aircraft were whatever reason, I ended up with a nose section representation of an aircraft at the end of its
fitted with Hughes TARAN 18 radar and fire that was of a slightly greater diameter than the service life.

Fold Your Stuka
REVIEWS
Ju 87C Conversion By Mike Verier
Kit No:
Scale: 1/144
www.eduard.com
Aftermarket: Retrokits RW44111 resin
conversion for Eduard kit
www.retrokitonline.net
T
here are several Ju 87s upper nose intake, which is actually subtly complete with fold detail. They simply replace
available in 1/144, but by far asymmetric when viewed head-on so be careful the kit wings. An arrestor hook is also provided,
the best are Eduards. First not to correct it. Decals are excellent and oer which again just fits onto the fuselage ahead of
produced around 2004 they have three dierent schemes for each type, all told the tail wheel. By way of preparation I opened
since been rereleased as two-in-a- excellent packages. Having said this the toolings up and deepened the various intakes around the
box combos and are still widely available. Two date from a time when cockpits were not nose to give some depth, and of course opened
basic toolings, a B and a G, oer crisp and considered important for 1/144 and there isnt the cockpit recess, thinning the sidewalls to
accurate replicas of the Stuka, the dierent one, just a flat shelf to stand the canopy on. accept the resin interior. A few moments with
engines, cockpit canopies and wings all being Luckily models as good as this attract the the scalpel were also expended sharpening up
accounted for. Being Eduard you also get brass attention of the aftermarket, and Retrokit solved the slightly soft exhaust stubs.
etch for the dierent tail plane struts, dive that particular problem early on with a quite Finally I let some clear sprue into the port
brakes, machine guns, aerials, and bomb release superb resin cockpit (RW44049), which wing for the landing light cover and drilled the
crutch. In the case of the G the etch includes transforms the model at very modest cost. starboard one for the pitot tube, which is given
ammunition trays for the BK 37s. There is also a on the etch but I prefer to use brass rod.
They have now followed up with a conversion
mask provided for various markings, though
set for the folding wing Ju 87C intended for the If there is one thing that could improve these
sadly not the canopy.
Kreigsmarines never completed aircraft carrier. kits it would be really good vacform canopies,
The B tooling was originally also released as Quite a number of Ju 87C airframes were preferably with an open option. The kit canopies
an R, and the two drop tanks remain on the produced in anticipation of the carrier are acceptable but slightly thick and challenging
sprue so you still have the option, handy in this requirement, as indeed were Me109 Ts. The C to paint without masks. In the absence of
case as the naval variant used the long-range Stuka featuring wing folding, an arrestor hook alternatives the best way to hide the thickness of
plumbing and drop tanks of the R. Likewise you and catapult spools to allow for carrier use. the kit items is to paint the edges black before
can easily produce a D from the longer Embryo units were formed and trials conducted, attaching with a non solvent cement or canopy
wingspan G tooling, about the only thing apparently quite successfully. Unfortunately the fixative such as Clear-fix. The black prevents
missing from the basic kit being exhaust carrier programme stalled and was eventually internal refraction revealing the thickness of the
muers for the night versions. abandoned, the remaining airframes being plastic.
These are superb models, recessed detail is issued to regular Luftwae units. The naval Stukas were also intended to
fine and accurate and in the case of the B even The actual conversion couldnt be easier. It operate as torpedo carriers as an alternative to
extends to the correct depiction of the big
consists of new resin wings in four pieces their classic modus operandi and trials were
REVIEWS
conducted, although as far as I can tell no naval mods. Originally D-ILDM it received the As you could actually apply this conversion to
pictures survive. The later D variants would also service codes TV+QV. There are also pictures of either Eduard tooling there is scope for both
have been navalised in due course and pictures Werke Nr 0573/SH+DB en-route to trials in Italy factual and what if options depending on your
certainly exist of one of these with a torpedo. In with the H on a white band. I decided therefore preference. The improved naval Stuka would
view of this I decided to depict my model fitted to go slightly o piste and add speculative yellow have had the new engine and canopy of the D
with such a weapon, if only to use the colourful wing tips and rudder plus a single blue stael but retain the shorter span wings.
red/white stripes of a training round. letter on a white band to break up the otherwise
As an aside the G tooling is every bit as good
Accordingly a torpedo and ETC pylon came from rather drab scheme.
and of course looks completely dierent from
the spares box, from a Crown He111 I think. Its Finally the kit etch provides some really
not a fabulous replica and if I may be permitted the earlier 87s. If you favour this variant OWL
delicate boarding steps, the main aerial mast, produce alternative resin unspatted wheels, a
a large hint a really good torpedo from the the under wing dive brakes and a surprisingly
aftermarket community would be very much common feature of Stukas on the Eastern Front.
convincing rear gun complete with ring sight. All
appreciated, and applicable to a large number of Also available from OWL are detailed resin
this was installed before the wings were finally
aircraft types. replacements for the BK-37s and just to prove
fixed in place. Once the wings are set one last
that anything can be improved Master have
The Cs all seem to have been painted as you detail was required. Photos show a rod running
recently produced stunning turned brass gun
would expect with a 70/71 splinter topside and between the wing root and the folded section. It
barrels for them.
65 blue underside. Factory codes seem to have is not clear if this is part of the actuating
been applied but beyond that there is little to go mechanism or a ground lock so I added it from This build also made me revisit an excellent
on. My references state that the second airframe, brass rod painted red to cover both older tooling so it qualifies as a stash buster too.
V11, Werke Nr 4929, had the full wing fold and eventualities. Highly recommended, keep em coming!!

SCALE COMMUNIT Y
IPMS (UK) Column

Presented By Chris Ayre
I
count myself fortunate, on the whole, that I previous columns, I like to get along to various ([email protected]). For those of you
lead quite a busy life. Im one of those model shows around the country. I just love my renewing Membership - and for those interested
individuals that finds it dicult to just sit extended weekends at Scale ModelWorld in in joining the Society - Cli will be your first port
down and chill. Relaxing in front of the Telford each November. All this fraternising, of call. Welcome to your new roles gentlemen - I
television really doesnt come easily to me - I can however, isnt exactly modelling is it? In my head hope you enjoy the challenges ahead as IPMS
rarely watch a 2 hour film unless Im at the I can picture myself sitting, as I used to, at my (UK) continues to grow.
cinema (pretty rare) and not able to get up and modelling bench - fettling, gluing, trimming,
distract myself. So, although Ive been self- filling, painting, applying decals and all the other
things I was so fond of doing before creating!
Showtime
employed for many years, I actually employ
myself in a variety of ways and every day is Now, Im a creative person - its what I do in my Ill just give you a quick rundown of Julys
dierent for me I realise that this working working life Im a creative to use that events, as Im almost out of space. We begin with
lifestyle wouldnt suit everyone - some folks just incongruous, slightly awkward title. Perhaps an overseas show that is within fairly easy reach
love routine - and I know only too well how the thats the problem should I have a hobby that of UK shores. The AMCL Salon 2017 takes place
phrase Jack of all trades. ends. I do okay isnt creative - a contrast to the things I spend at the Salle Polyvalente de Trflez, France over
though and I actually like being on the go much the rest of my busy life doing? I dont really think the weekend of the 1st and 2nd (Trflez is in
of the time although my various clients are thats the way to go - creativity is ingrained in Britanny). Celebrating the 10th anniversary of
sometimes confused by my multi-faceted CV me. Its what I feel comfortable with. Its me. Amicale des Maquettistes de la Ctes des
We thought you were a photographer. We didnt Lgendes (AMCL), doors open at 10.00am and
So what I need then is a strategy. In order to
expect to see you here you shouldve said you further information can be had by emailing
re-balance my life (I know all the jargon, see) Im
did exhibition design and other similar [email protected]
going to have to prioritise its about having a
comments, are not unknown. I really do need to positive mental attitude (told ya) and making The following weekend is quite a busy one if
get my website sorted out. Still, I enjoy keeping the decision to put my down time further up my we include the Malaysian show (which I will as
busy - but am I a busy fool? list of priorities. Simples (not sure thats jargon)! you just never know, someone may get there).
Anyway, the consequence of all this, and its Except that 1) I dont really do decisions and 2) On Saturday 8th, IPMS East Sussex hold their
relevance here, is that Im not much of a Im far too busy! Ill get there eventually - and Annual Model Show at the Civic Community Hall
modeller. By that I simply mean that I dont there is another factor that will play its part, in Hailsham (BN27 2AX). This is a joint venture
spend any time on my hobby. I have the abilities sooner or later. As I get older, being busy all the with East Sussex MAFVA and Hailsham and
- I can put a kit together, modify or update it, time is starting to take its toll - I do feel tired District Scale Model Club, doors opening at
paint and decal to a decent standard, etc. Its just quite a lot of the time but, like many other self- 10.00am. Many club displays and trade stands
that I dont. But I havent given up (honest). employed folk, I cant actually see retirement are complemented by a multi-class competition,
coming along any time soon. Mind you, as I said rae and prize draw. See hailsham-district-scale-
There are, let me just count, seven (maybe
at the top, I cant sit still anyway. model-club.org for further details. The North
eight) unfinished models littered around my
Somerset Model Show takes place, at The
modelling room and the fact that I refer to them
Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare (BS24
as unfinished suggests that I intend them to be IPMS Ocial 8PP) on Sunday the 9th. You need to see the
finished at some point.
Before I move to Showtime, Id like to report a Museum website for admission details
Lets give this some thought why havent I bit of Society business. As mentioned last (www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk) but I can tell
completed them already? Some of those models month, the IPMS (UK) Annual General Meeting you that this is a good show and doors open at
have been pretty much untouched for - and Im took place in May and, as I intimated, we now 10,00am. You may also email
being honest now - a number of years. Apart have five new full Members of the Society [email protected] for more details. The
from the fact that I always seem to have other Executive Committee. The new Honorary Malaysian Miniatures Hobby Show 2017
things to do, why is it that I havent indulged in Secretary is Rich Middleton occupies both days of this weekend and takes
my favourite hobby? Have I lost interest in ([email protected]) and hes responsible place at the Hotel Cititel Penang in George Town.
modelling? That would be an obvious for the legal niceties of running an organisation This is a trade show, model display and model
conclusion but I dont think thats the case. I like such as IPMS (I couldnt think of another way of competition, organised by IPMS Malaysia.
to attend model shows and I still buy models - putting it). The IPMS Magazine has a new Editor Contact Choo Huang Ming (IPMS Malaysia
and I still get that buzz of anticipation at the in Dave Berryman ([email protected]) and I President) on [email protected] if youd
thought of building my latest purchase - it just know hes very keen to encourage Society like to know more and, if you get there, please
doesnt happen. Is that it then? Is my hobby now Members to contribute articles - so please do - consider sending me a report.
buying models? Have I become one of those he will pay for publication. The new UK Liaison IPMS Romsey hold the 2nd annual Romsey
infamous collectors? It doesnt seem to be that Ocer is John White ([email protected]) and Scale Model Show on Saturday 15th of July, at
simple - Im not obsessive about it and there is he is the man to contact in regard to any Branch Ampfield Village Hall (SO51 9BJ) and there will
no pattern to my purchasing (yes John, I know and SIG matters. Roland Turner be around a dozen club displays plus traders.
Ive got a lot of F-5s - theres no need to go on ([email protected]) has taken on similar See the website www.romseymodellers.co.uk for
about it). duties, with a more worldwide remit, as the new more details. Sadly, the Midland Expo 2017 at
Its true that I enjoy the social side of our Overseas Liaison Ocer and last, but most Leasowes Sports Centre, Halesowen (B62 8PJ) on
hobby. I attend my local Branch meeting certainly not least, we have a new Membership Sunday 23rd is being held under the banner of
whenever I can and, as Ive mentioned in Secretary in the form of Cli Bassett The Last Hurrah and will be IPMS Birminghams
As mentioned in the column, I have trouble switching

o and this applies equally when Im on holiday. So,
whilst spending a few days in Cornwall recently, I
couldnt help paying a visit to RNAS Culdrose and I
bring you a couple of items of modelling interest. Heat
haze played havoc with the clarity of many of the
photographs I took but I wanted to include this one to
illustrate how dicult it can be to assess colour
schemes from photographs. These two Merlins appear
to be painted completely dierent colours - the truth
is that the closest one is in full sun whilst the one
behind is slightly shaded by light cloud if in doubt,
check (Chris Ayre)
SCALE COMMUNIT Y
As can be seen in these two images, the overall grey scheme is actually quite patchy and weathered but the main reason I want to show both of these
machines is for comparison. Note that ZH845, along with many other Merlin HM.2s, has a modification to the fuselage, just in front of the rearmost
window. Its to both sides and I had assumed that it was due to the HM.2 upgrade but ZH827 doesnt have it - can anyone tell me anything about this?
(Chris Ayre)
last ever Expo. The event runs from 10.00am to information, via the email address Until next time, enjoy your modelling.
4.00pm and your support would be greatly [email protected]. The Chris
appreciated. For up-to-date information please rather larger Essex Modellers Show takes place
see the show website on the following day at Hannakins Farm
midlandexpo.blogspot.co.uk Community Centre in Billericay (CM12 0SZ).
Hosted by IPMS South East Essex, IPMS ipmsuk.org
The final weekend of July sees two quite Hornchurch and Chelmsford Model Club, in
dierent shows with the first, the 5th conjunction with MAFVA, doors open at Membership enquiries: Cli Bassett, West Barn,
Carmarthen Modellers Club Model Exhibition, 10.00am. Clubs should contact Jim Smith Duken Lane, Wootton, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
being held at Carmarthen Town Library (SA31 ([email protected]) and traders John WV15 6EA
1LN) on Saturday 29th. Doors open at 10.30am Drummond ([email protected]) to book Email: [email protected] or visit
and you can ask John Whitworth for more space. ipmsuk.org/membership/ to join online.
The very busy cockpit of a Jet Provost T.3 XN503 the primary flying
instruments are located centrally within a white outlined panel.
Handy details for the new 1/72 Airfix kit perhaps? (Glenn Sands)
One of the full-size aircraft on display within the collection is this Hawker
Hunter F.6 XF375. During its career the F.6 served with the Empire Test
Pilots School in whose stunning colour scheme it has been restored
(Glenn Sands)
The forward fuselage of Sea Vixen FAW.1 XJ476, which spent its entire
career with the A&AEE at Boscombe Down. This trials work included a
detachment to the Long-Range Weapons Establishment at Woomera,
Australia in 1960 (Glenn Sands)
The Boscombe Down Aviation Sarum Airfield. has been fully restored to its original colours
The museum has nose sections from many of when serving with the Empire Test Pilots School,
Collection the Cold War aircraft that protected British it would certainly make a lovely model now
F
or modellers theres nothing like examining interests during the Fifties, Sixties and into the wheres my 1/72 Revell kit?
the real thing, whether its an aircrafts Eighties along with some full-size aircraft as well. Staed by volunteers, many of whom served
undercarriage bay, markings or perhaps Among the cockpits on display is the only at the aircraft test establishments, visitors are
most important of all the cockpit. Such areas remaining Hawker Hunter F.2, WN890 and a look encouraged to take a look into the cockpits, and
provide a wealth of detail allowing colours to be inside shows just how complicated and gloomy if they wish sit in many of them.
noted, extras that may need to be added to a early jet cockpits were. Theres also a Sea Vixen
model and perhaps how the ejection seat straps The museum is an ideal source for reference
FAW.1 XJ476, an airframe that was used in the
rest in the cockpit. Martel missile trials and wore an overall white with many of the other displays illustrating the
colour scheme. Many of the aircraft on show size of the unique test fleet Britain had at one
If you are seeking such details and are
interested in Cold War British aircraft theres no have a connection with the Royal Aircraft time.
better place to acquire this information than the Establishment with the most stunning being in For further details visit:
Boscombe Down Aviation Collection at Old my eyes, the Hawker Hunter F.6 XF375, which www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk

M A R K E T P L AC E K I T S
New Kits RouNd up Crusader Curtiss P-36 Hawk USAAC Vickers Viking 1B decal livery EROS
eduard K2116 1/72 Mil Mi-24 in MARK i Models 14466 1/144 or England
Academy 12226 1/48 Korean-
Aerospace-Industries-(KAI) KF-16D Czech and Czechoslovak service Curtiss H-75/Mohawk III French & welsh Models sL380R 1/144 de
Korean Air Force eduard K70112 1/72 Focke-Wulf British Fighter Havilland Heron 1B
Academy 12311 1/48 Mikoyan Fw 190A-8/R2 ProfiPACK MARK i Models 14467 1/144 welsh Models sL381p 1/144 BAE
MiG-21MF Soviet Air Forces & eduard K7441 1/72 Grumman F6F- Curtiss H-75 Foreign Pilots ATP Manx airlines
Export 3 Hellcat Weekend Edition MARK i Models 720-04 1/720 welsh Models sL383R 1/144 Casa
Academy 12315 1/48 McDonnell eduard R0015 1/48 Royal Aircraft Zeppelin P & Q-class Night 212 TW Express & Pan-Am Express
F-4B/N VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts Factory S.E.5a Royal Class Edition Intruders
Hannants
Academy 12494 1/72 Bell P-39Q/N Creative Models/Hannants/ Hannants/UMM USA
Airacobra Squadron/Sprue Brothers wingnut wings 32001 1/32
pJ productions 721026 1/72
Academy 12546 1/72 North Junkers J.1
Great wall Hobby s4801 1/48 Dassault Mirage IIIE
American F-86F Sabre Korean War wingnut wings 32006 1/32 Pfalz
Mikoyan Mig-29 9-12 Late Type pJ productions 721027 1/72
Academy 12547 1/72 Boeing D.IIIa
Luftwae JG.73 Dassault Mirage 5BA/BR
F/A-18E Super Hornet USN VFA-143
Great wall Hobby s4805 1/48 pJ productions 721028 1/72 wingnut wings 32023 1/32
Pukin' Dogs
Lockheed T-33A RoCAF Dassault Mirage IIIR/5F Rumpler C.IV Early version
Academy 12548 1/72 McDonnell
F2H-3 Banshee USN VF-41 Black Great wall Hobby s4806 1/48 Hannants wingnut wings 32067 1/32 Fokker
Aces McDonnell F-15C Oregon ANG 75th D.VII (Fok) Early version
Roden 326 1/144 Bristol 175
Academy 12608 1/144 Grumman Anniversary USAF Hannants/Sprue Brothers
Britannia African Safari
F-14A Tomcat Great wall Hobby s4807 1/48
Roden 328 1/144 Vickers VC-10 K4 wingsy kits d5-02 1/48 Mitsubishi
Academy 12612 1/144 Sukhoi Northrop P-61A Black Widow with
Type 1170 Tanker A5M4 Claude Type 96
SU-22 Fitter Ground Attack Weapons
Pocketbond/Squadron Hannants/Stevens International
Pocketbond/MRC Creative Models/Dragon USA
Rs Models 92177 1/72 Heinkel He- Zvezda 7011 1/144 Ilyushin IL-76
Arma Hobby 73005 1/72 PZL P.11/I Heller 80310 1/72 Lockheed L-749
280 with Argus The Hobby Company/Dragon USA
Prototype Pro-set Constellation Air France
Rs Models 92197 1/72
Hannants Creative Models/Stevens
International
Messerschmitt Me-609 Zerstorer uK iMpoRteRs
A Model 72343 1/72 Piper Pa-47 (single cockpit version) pocketbond:
A Model 72351 1/72 TB-1 & KP-1 iCM 72294 1/72 Focke-Wulf Rs Models 92198 1/72 www.pocketbond.co.uk
Parachute version Fw-189A-1 Hungarian & Bulgarian Messerschmitt Me-609 Nachtjager
01707 391509
Hannants/Stevens International Creative Models/Hannants/Stevens with FuG 217 and FuG
International/Squadron the Hobby Company:
Hannants/UMM USA
Anigrand Craftswork 2126 1/72 www.hobbyco.net
McDonnell YC-15 STOL Prototype italeri 1390 1/72 Caproni CA.311 Revell 03931 1/48 Mikoyan MiG-
01908 605686
italeri 1395 1/72 Northrop F-5E 25RBT
Hannants/Rareplane-Detective Hannants: 01502 517444
Tiger II Patrouille Suisse 50th www.revell.de/en
Airfix 02017A 1/72 Supermarine Anniversary Creative Models:
Spitfire Pr Mk XIX sword 72054 1/72 Lockheed F-94B
italeri 2768 1/48 Hawker Hurricane www.creativemodels.co.uk
Airfix 03080A 1/72 Messerschmitt Starfire
Mk I Aircraft 01354 760022
Bf-110C/D sword 72072 1/72 Lockheed T2V-1
The Hobby Company/MRC Amerang: www.amerang.co.uk
Airfix 04053A 1/72 Fairey Seastar
Swordfish Mk I Kovozavody prostejov 7278 1/72 sword 72088se 1/72 Fairey 01482 887917
Hannants/Stevens International Avia B-11 Gannet AEW.3 ultimate Modelling products:
AZ Model 7556 1/72 DHC Kovozavody prostejov 7279 1/72 sword 72103 1/72 Kawasaki Ki- wingnut wings:
Chipmunk T.10 RAF Avia BH-11 102a Otsu (Randy) www.wingnutwings.com
AZ Model 7557 1/72 DHC Kovozavody prostejov 7283 1/72 Hannants/Sprue Brothers
Chipmunk T.20 Foreign Users Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXE RAF us iMpoRteRs
Service tarangus 48007 1/48 Saab SH-
AZ Model 7558 1/72 DHC 37/SF-37 Viggen dragon usA:
Chipmunk T.30 Canada Hannants/UMM USA www.dragonmodelsusa.com
Hannants/Sprue Brothers
AZ Model 7559 1/72 DHC Karaya 14406 1/144 Douglas DC- 626-968-0322
Chipmunk T.10 with Lycoming 9-15 trumpeter 01652 1/72 Sukhoi Su-
34 Fullback Linden Hill imports:
engine Karaya 14407 1/144 Douglas DC- www.lindenhillimports.com 914-
Hannants/UMM-USA 9-32 trumpeter 01678 1/72 Sukhoi Su-
33 Flanker D 734-9616
Copper state Models 1030 1/48 Hannants
trumpeter 02899 1/48 Boulton- MRC: www.modelrectifier.com
Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 Mid Miniwing-plastic 308 1/144 North- Paul Defiant Mk I 732-225-2100
production version American Harvard Mk II NZAF
Pocketbond/Stevens International Rare-plane detective: www.rare-
Copper state Models 1031 1/48 Miniwing-plastic 309 1/144
Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 Late Northrop-Grumman RQ-4B Global Valom 72120 1/72 North-American planedetective.com
production version - Premium Hawk USAF B-45A Tornado 702-564-2851
Hannants Miniwing-plastic i310 1/144 Valom 72121 1/72 North-American sprue Brothers:
Northrop-Grumman RQ-4B B-45C Tornado
decarli Model 7216 1/72 Cirrus www.spruebrothers.com
SR20/T53 USAF & French Air Force Eurohawk Luftwae Hannants/UMM USA 816-759-8484
Hannants Miniwing-plastic 311 1/144 welsh Models Mt52R 1/144 squadron: www.squadron.com
Northrop-Grumman RQ-4B Global Gulfstream C-37A USAF
dragon 4637 1/144 Douglas X-3 Hawk/NATO 2Q/2017 877-414-0434
Stiletto welsh Models Mt53R 1/144
Miniwing-plastic 312 1/144 stevens international:
Gulfstream G.550 Shafit ELINT
dragon 5528 1/48 Junkers Ju-88A- Northrop-Grumman RQ-4B Global version Israeli Air Force www.stevenshobby.com
4 Schnell-Bomber Hawk NASA 856-435-7645
welsh Models pJw93R 1/144 HS
The Hobby Company/Dragon USA Hannants/Rareplane Detective Andover C Mk 1 RAF Middle East uMM-usA: www.umm-usa.com
eduard K11110 1/48 Vought F-8E MARK i Models 14465 1/144 welsh Models sL379R 1/144 847-537-0867
M A R K E T P L AC E
XTRADECAL CA-18 Mustang A68-71 HU-A 78 Selection XM714 100 Squadron RAF
This latest batch of releases is sure Squadron RAAF 1946 XV567 011/R cross decking with Wittering 1963 green/grey
to generate a lot of interest as it will X48177 North American Bubbletop USS Saratoga 1969 XM717 543 Squadorn RAF Wyton
coincide with the imminent P-51 Mustang Collection Part Two XT872 005/R 1973 1986 green/grey
releases of newly tooled kits from MM44236 4-28 10 Gruppo/4 XT860 014/R 1976 X72272 Avro Shackleton Part Three
Airfix of the B-25 Mitchell and Stormo Italy 1952 XV590 001/R Colonial Navy cross Nose Art AEW.2s
Phantom FG.1 in 1/72, plus the P- J-2113 Fliegerstael 21 Swiss AF decking with USS Saratoga 1978 WL741 41 PC Knapweed/Basil
51D in 1/48. These sheets provide a Dubendorf 1951 XT865 004/R 1978 WL745 46 Sage
number of alternative and 335 2 Flying Cheetahs Squadron XT872 004/R 1977 WL747 48 Florence
interesting marking options with SAAF Korea 1952 XT863 014/R 1977 with FAA WL754 54 Paul
which to adorn these new kits, and 916 Corps d'Aviation d'Haiti Haiti Jubilee nose flash WL756 56 Mr Rusty/Snoopy
other older ones that many of us 1963 XT864 007/R 1975 with final WL757 57/8 Brian
will have lounging within our stash 26031 16 Flygvapnet F16 Uppsala cruise nose flash WL790 90/8 Mr McHenry/Zebedee
of unbuilt kits. This new Mustang Sweden 1945 X72270 North American Bubbletop WL793 93 Ermintrude/Dylan
collection is also scaled down on a P-51 Mustang Collection WL795 95 Rosalie/ Zebedee
X48180 1/48 Junkers Ju 88C-4
single sheet for 1/72 builders. More KH727 DJ-V 93 Squadron Italy WR960 60 Dougal
& D-2
Victors are added to the Xtradecal 1946 WR963 63/8 Ermintrude/Parsley
Ju-88C-4 R4+BL 3/NJG 2 Lt Heinz
collection with a second new sheet 44-13431 QP-E Little Eva Captain WR965 65 Dill/Rosalie
Volker Gilze-Rijen Holland 1941
covering seven dierent B.Mk.2 and J. Sully Varnell 2 FS 52 FG USAAF X72273 N.A. B-25C Mitchell
overall black
SR.Mk.2 aircraft, as well as a further Italy 1944 Collection
Ju-88C-4 R4+HK 2/NJG 2 Fw.
third instalment for the AEW NZ2419 19 2 Wellington 30434/58 83BS 12BG Pink Petunia
Hermann Sommer overall black
Shackletons featuring all aircraft Squadron RNZAF late 1940s USAAF North Africa 1942
Ju-88C-4 R4+WK 2/NJG 2 North
with cartoon character nose art 9566 VC-FBN Experimental and sand/azure blue
Africa overall black
mainly from The Magic Roundabout. Proving Establishment RCAF N5-125/C 681 Squadron RAF
Ju-88D-2 F9+CN 5(F)/122 Eastern
Luftwae schemes are always Uplands 1950s Burma 1943 overall Oxford blue
Front winter 1942/43 white
popular so a sheet of dierent CA-18 Mustang A68-71 HU-A 78 MA/E 681 Squadron RAF Burma
upper surfaces with RLM70/71
markings for the Junkers Ju 88, C-4 Squadron RAAF 1946 1943 overall PRU blue
over sprayed over RLM65, yellow
and D-2 variants, will sit nicely with MM44236 4-28 10 Gruppo/4 FT/Jonah 681 Squadron USMC
wing tips, red spinners
anyone picking up the recent kits Stormo Italy 1952 1943 intermediate blue/light
Ju-88D-2 7A+MM 4(F)/121
from both ICM and Special Hobby. J-2113 Fliegerstael 21 Swiss AF grey
Balkans 1941 RLM70/71/65
All of these new sheets are printed Dubendorf 1951 KL154/LV 111OTU RAF Nassau
yellow trim
by Microscale and available at the 335 2 Flying Cheetahs Squadron 1944 overall silver
Ju-88D-2 5F-DM 4(F)/14 Eastern
retail price of 7.99, apart from the SAAF Korea 1952 41-12566/9B 489BS 340BG Legal
Shackleton collection, being a Front RLM70/712/65 yellow
fuselage band and wing tips 916 Corps d'Aviation d'Haiti Haiti Eagle USAAF El Kabrit Egypt 1942
double A5 sheet set at 9.99, and sand/olive drab/neutral grey
Ju-88D-2 7A-FH 1(F)/122 Libya 1963
oer excellent value with the 41-12848 5 Anti-Submarine BS
1942 RLM79 Sand/RLM68 26031 16 Flygvapnet F16 Uppsala
number of options provided. Westover Mass. 1942 olive
Ju-88D-2 Hungarian AF F9+15 Sweden 1945
1/48 1/1 Long Range Recce Squadron 2 Somalia AF Somalia 1955 drab/white
X48176 North American Bubbletop Eastern Front RLM70/71/65 X72271 Handley Page Victor B.Mk.2 41-13207/OH-7 445BS 321BG
P-51 Mustang Collection Part One SR.Mk.2 Collection French Morocco 1943 sand/azure
1/72 blue
KH727 DJ-V 93 Squadron Italy XH674 543 Squadron RAF Wyton
1946 X72268 McDonnel Douglas 1970s green/grey 42-83472/7F 487BS 340BG USAF
44-13431 QP-E Little Eva Captain Phantom FG.1 Collection XH675 Wittering Wing late 1960s Tunisia 1943 sand/olive
J. Sully Varnell 2 FS, 52 FG USAAF XT866/W Phantom Post green/grey drab/neutral grey
Italy 1944 Operational Conversion Unit RN XL158 139 Squadron RAF 891/HO-891 418 City of
NZ2419 19 2 (Wellington) Leuchars 1970s Wittering 1964 overall white Edmonton Squadron RCAF
Squadron RNZAF late 1940s XT859 725/VL 700P NAS XL161 543 Squadron RAF Wyton Edmonton 1950s overall
9566 VC-FBN Experimental and Intensive Flying Trials Unit RN 1960s green/grey silver/fluorescent red/orange
Proving Establishment RCAF Yeovilton 1968 XM715 100 Squadron RAF trim
Uplands 1950s 892 Squadron on HMS Ark Royal Wittering 1964 overall white Hannants/Squadron
EDUARD beneficiary. Of course there is for everyone in every major scale. If Brassin
plenty more, with the usual Brassin you have not yet sampled the
This month Eduard go all out on a 1/32
broadside, essential masks, new dierence the colour etch and belts
number of kits in various scales 632101 Sniper ATP
seatbelts and weapons sets as well make to a project then do take a
with Hasegawas new Emily getting 632102 MER
as further upgrades to their already closer look. As for the masks, time
a generous helping of etch and 632103 TER
comprehensive Crusader limited saved and tidy results are worth
masks, Italeris 1/32 Mirage III E/R 1/48
edition. every penny you will spend on
receiving likewise, while in 1/48 648301 Crusader air intakes for
Eduard really do oer something them!
Kittyhawks Su-17 is the chief Hasegawa kits
648302 Crusader exhaust nozzle 32908 Mirage III R for Italeri kits 49831 Bf 109G-6 for Zvezda kits 72652 H8K2 Emily exterior for
for Hasegawa kits 32909 Mirage III E/R seatbelts 49832 Bf 109G-6 seatbelts STEEL Hasegawa kits
648317 Ki-61-Id wheels Tamiya STEEL for Italeri kits for Zvezda kits 72653 H8K2 maintenance
648318 SE.5a propeller four blade 33166 Mirage III E for Italeri kits FE826 Seatbelts Italy World War II platforms for Hasegawa kits
for Eduard kits 33167 Mirage III R for Italeri kits fighters STEEL 73592 H8K2 Emily cockpit interior
648319 SE.5a radiator Hispano JX200 Mirage III E/R masks for FE829 Su-17 M3/M4 ZOOM for for Hasegawa kits
Suiza for 4 blade prop for Eduard Italeri kits KittyHawk kits 73593 MiG-29UB Izdelye 9.51 for
kits FE831 Bf 109G-6 ZOOM for Zvezda Trumpeter kits
1/48
648320 SE.5a radiator Hispano kits SS592 H8K2 Emily ZOOM for
48922 Su-17 M3/M4 exterior for
Suiza for 2 blade prop for Eduard EX551 Su-17 M3/M4 ZOOM for Hasegawa kits
KittyHawk kits
kits Kittyhawk kits SS593 MiG-29UB Izdelye 9.51
648321 Ki-61-Id gun barrels Tamiya 48923 Su-17 M3/M4 FOD for
EX552 Bf 109G-6 masks for Zvezda ZOOM for Trumpeter kits
KittyHawk kits
1/72 kits SS594 Seatbelts Italy WWII fighters
48924 Su-17 M3/M4 air brakes for
672156 Spitfire Mk VIII cockpit for KittyHawk kits EX553 Su-25UB/UBK masks for STEEL
Eduard kits Smer kits CX482 MiG-29UB Izdelye
48925 F-8E upgrade set for Eduard
Eduard Etched Details and Masks kits 1/72 9.51masks for Trumpeter kits
1/32 49829 Su-17 M3/M4 interior for 72650 H8K2 Emily nose interior for CX483 B-17G antiglare panels (BO
32403 Mirage III E/R exterior for KittyHawk kits Hasegawa kits & DL production) masks for Airfix
Italeri kits 49830 Su-17 M3/M4 seatbelts 72651 H8K2 Emily rear interior for kits
32907 Mirage III E for Italeri kits STEEL for KittyHawk kits Hasegawa kits www.eduard.com
SCALE AIRCRAFT set 32015, which has now been These sets are very well moulded Gear Italeri
discontinued. Rounding out the big and designed as direct replacement 32121 P-47D/N Landing Gear
CONVERSIONS
scale is a set of legs for the fabulous parts requiring no additional work Hasegawa/Eduard
Another month, another great new Italeri F-35A. in order to fit to the designated kit. 1/48
crop of white metal undercarriage In 1/48 we have legs for the P- These and other sets in the Scale
48327 H-21C Shawnee Landing
releases from Scale Aircraft 47D/N, designed to fit the Aircraft Conversions catalogue are
Gear Italeri
Conversions. In 1/32 the Kitty Hawk Hasegawa release and subsequent available from Hannants.
48328 Macchi C.202 Folgore
OS2U Kingfisher kit is treated to Eduard boxings of the same plastic, 1/32 Landing Gear Hasegawa/Eduard
both undercarriage and beaching plus the long and spindly legs for 32118 OS2U Kingfisher Beaching
gear in individual sets this month the H-21C flying banana. The only Gear Kitty Hawk 1/72
while an improved set of landing 1/72 inclusion is for the 1997 32119 OS2U Kingfisher Landing 72140 Messerschmitt Me 262
gear for the Hasegawa and Eduard moulding of Revells Messerschmitt Gear Kitty Hawk Landing Gear Revell 1997 kit
P-47D/N kits is included replacing Me262. 32120 F-35A Lightning II Landing www.scaleaircraftconversions.com

PEREGRINE PUBLISHING were taken with the cooperation of the museum

sta, thus assuring adequate access to the
XP-91 Thunderceptor Walk Around CD
cockpit and other details This CD will make
Detailed Photo Essay on CD an excellent reference for the any of the XP-
By Steve Muth 91 kits now on the market, particularly for
Published by Peregrine Publishing, this CD on the 1/48 Lindberg kit.
the XP-91 Thunderceptor features detail colour This CD has captured this unique aircraft in
photographs aimed at the scale modeller and all its glorious detail and is the most
aero enthusiast. Published in word and JPEG exhaustive detail reference yet published.
format for near universal access and simplicity,
Priced at an aordable $12.00 each including
the author presents this unique aircraft, with its
postage, these CDs may be ordered from Steve
inverse taper wings, in clear detail photographs Muth at Peregrine Publishing, 70 The
of the cockpit, landing gear, wheel wells, intake Promenade, Glen Head, NY 11545, USA, by
and exhausts and other details of interest. telephone on (516)759-1089, by FAX on
These photographs were taken of the XP-91 (516)759-1034 or email [email protected].
Thunderceptor at the National Museum of the Payment by check on a US bank in dollars or
United States Air Force outside Dayton, Ohio PayPal. For foreign orders add $12.00 US dollars
before the recent restoration. The photographs for postage.
CMK Cockpit set for Airfix kit

CMK are churning product out at a 7363 Harrier GR.Mk 7A 1/72 Engine
rate of knots these days, with set for Airfix kit
seemingly a huge wave of releases 7364 Harrier GR.Mk 7A 1/72
every month in their various Control Surfaces set for Airfix kit
product lines. First and foremost
7371 Harrier GR.9A 1/72 Engine Set
are the familiar yellow blister packs
for Airfix kit
that oer such amazing value for
money. These are generally resin 7372 Harrier GR.9A 1/72 Control
sets with small etched frets and Surfaces for Airfix kit
cover a wide range of subjects and 7373 Harrier GR.9A 1/72 Cockpit
styles, while the green Quick and Set for Airfix
Easy range tends to feature a single
8054 MA-1A 1/48 USAF Starter Cart
replacement part or set of parts to
update or correct an existing kit CMK Quick and Easy
component. Q32275 Tempest Mk II/V/VI 1/32
This months releases include more Square Tread Pattern Main wheels
of the exquisite figure sets in both for Special Hobby kit
1/72 and 1/32 as well as a mass of Q32276 Yak-3 1/32 RSI 4 Radio
resin for kits both old and new. Receiver for Special Hobby kit
Figure Sets Q48268 RF-84F Thunderflash 1/48
32318 Soviet Yak-3 Pilot running GY5/GT5 Seat with Harness for
towards his aircraft Tanmodel kit
72325 Czechoslovak pre World War Q48269 RF-84F Thunderflash 1/48
II pilots GY5/GT5 Seat for Tanmodel
72326 Barracuda Crew Members Q48270 RF-84F Thunderflash 1/48
Standing Wing Flaps for Tanmodel kit
CMK Resin Sets Q48271 RF-84F Thunderflash 1/48
4333 RF-84F Thunderflash 1/48 Wing Ailerons for Tanmodel
Camera Set for Tanmodel kit Q48272 Boomerang/Wirraway
4339 RF-84 Thunderflash 1/48 1/48 Wheels for Special Hobby kits
Undercarriage Bays for Tanmodel Q48273 Junkers Ju 88A-1/-5/C-2/-4
kit 1/48 Early Main wheels and
5115 A6M5c Zero 1/32 Tail Control Tailwheel
Surfaces for Hasegawa kit Q48274 Junkers Ju 88A-4 and later
5116 A6M5c Zero 1/32 Ailerons for /C-6/G 1/48 Late Main wheels and
Hasegawa kit Tailwheel
7362 Harrier GR.Mk 7A 1/72 www.cmkkits.com
ILIAD make this a particularly useful sheet for Spitfire

enthusiasts with aircraft carrying variations on the
The latest sheets received from Iliad oer some Munich national markings and black and white under
excellent classic subjects. surfaces in diering patterns:
1/72 Spitfire Mk I K9795 19 Squadron Duxford October 1938
72018 Air National Guard C-47s
Spitfire Mk I K9843 54 Squadron Hornchurch early
This sheet oers four C-47s spanning the late 1940-60s
Summer 1939
era covering utility aircraft from four ANG units: Spitfire Mk I L1088 609 Squadron
C-47A 0-92079 Puerto Rico ANG post 1961 Spitfire Mk I s/n unknown 19 Squadron Duxford May
VC-47A 315568 Virginia ANG 1948 1939
C-47A 315555 Nebraska ANG 1947-48 Spitfire Mk I K9927 14 Squadron Hornchurch May
C-47A 330691 New Mexico ANG 1947-48 1938
1/48 Spitfire Mk I s/n unknown 41 Squadron Catterick
48003 Pre-war Spitfires 1939
Some interesting markings for pre-war Spitfire Mk.Is www.iliad-design.com
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SUN 2ND DEC
S P E C I A L I S T
2018
S TA S H I N T H E AT T I C
By Trevor Pask
structure, the to new kits in order to expand a manufacturers

aircraft was so range, so commonly the more famous a subject
useful that it was, the older and cruder a kit the modeller had
remained in to work with. Eventually most subjects get a new
production and moulding, but because it was a classic British
service until 1945. In type, the Wellington was ignored by the French,
the later war period it American and Japanese manufacturers, so this
was mainly employed process of gradual updating was slower than
in training duties and in less demanding usual.
theatres, but despite this history, it has been
For years the best kit produced was the
quite poorly served by the kit manufacturing
industry. Matchbox oering, which originated in the mid
1970s. The Matchbox brand is now associated
Wellington Mk1c Until the arrival of MPMs kits, first released in with a type of kit which was dimensionally
2002 and also boxed by Italeri, it was dicult to accurate, but quite crude in design and lacking
Kit No: 01626 construct an accurate 1/72 model of the aircraft. in detail even by the standards of the day. While
Scale: 1/72 Airfix, Frog and Matchbox had all attempted kits there are some grains of truth in this view, in my
of the type, which while good by the standards opinion it is not justified by any means. Some
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic of the day they were released in, were all Matchbox kits were very innovative, and the
Manufacturer: Trumpeter completely outdated to modern eyes. Along
reissues that periodically appear in Revell boxes
with some other classic types such as the
Pocketbond/Stevens International are generally very worthwhile. The Wellington is
Typhoon, the Wellington suered by being a
one of those subjects, and is still currently
popular British type in the early days of the
available. Generally this is a better starting point
T
he Wellington is something of an unsung injection moulding industry. Well-known aircraft
hero of RAF types from World War II. The were typically among the earlier subjects a for a model of the Wellington than the current
aircraft was the mainstay of Bomber manufacturer tooled up for. As moulding Airfix kit which dates from the 1960s, but it is still
Command in the first two years of war, and was techniques moved on, these original kits were a hefty and chunky piece of moulding, which
one of the few means with which Britain could soon outdated, but the expense of retooling was demands a lot of work.
take the war back to Germany during that often prohibitive and so the original kits tended, Following the release of the MPM tooling this
period. Despite being designed in the 1930s, and still tend, to remain in production for years. present kit finally arrived in 2007, courtesy of the
and having an almost completely fabric covered Investment in new toolings frequently has to go Chinese manufacturer Trumpeter.
S TA S H I N T H E AT T I C
Modellers have divided opinions about knew that little would probably be seen on the yellow under surfaces, whereas the Techmod
Trumpeter kits. As a new manufacturer with big completed model, I had a go at being faithful to sheet had an option for an aircraft operated in
aspirations, they needed rapidly to create a back my sources by initially painting everything flat North Africa with the standard scheme replaced
catalogue of kits. With the modern tool cutting black. I then painted in the red areas, which are with brown and Mid Stone. I was tempted by the
technology available to them, their output has everything that was fabric covered, with German aircraft, but decided on the desert
been phenomenal, and they are revisiting many Humbrol 133 Satin Brown, and the green areas, scheme as it possibly oered more weathering
classic types such as the Wellington. All of this is mainly the crew areas, with 78 Cockpit Green. A opportunities. The nose art was also an added
great news, but Trumpeter kits have a reputation heavy dry brushing with Humbrol 11 Silver was attraction.
for being a little heavy, a little rushed in design, finally used to highlight the interior structure, An aerosol of Humbrol 33 Matt Black was used
and always containing at least one silly detail which was natural metal on many of the service as the primer/undercoat for the model when the
mistake, the Matchbox of the 21st century if you aircraft. With the interior painting completed, I airframe construction was completed. This
like. added some seatbelt straps using thin strips of revealed a few spots where more filler was
The kit is very finely and crisply moulded, but Tamiya masking tape. This feature is just about required. When this was cleaned up, a further
in common with every Trumpeter kit I have ever noticeable on the pilots seat, but at least I know coat of the same shade was applied. Humbrol 27
seen, the gates holding the parts onto the it is there. Matt Dark Earth and 84 Matt Mid Stone were
sprues are very thick and often larger than many With the interior completed I encountered the used for the upper surface colours. The former
of the small detailed parts. This makes the kit main design problems with the kit. Firstly the was airbrushed on, while the latter was hand
look cruder than it actually is, and the front and rear turrets have to be completed, with painted. The reason for the dierent approach
impression is backed up by instructions, which guns mounted and all painting done before the was that I was trying to replicate the very well
are incomplete and only give random and fuselage halves are joined. This approach leaves used and battered appearance many
inaccurate painting guidance. The decal sheet is the problem of four very delicate machine guns contemporary photographs of Wellingtons seem
also a little average when compared with what sticking out of the nose and tail for the rest of to show.
would be provided in a Revell kit for half the the construction process. I taped them over, but With the basic colours on, I painted in and
price. the model requires a fair amount of filling and touched up details such as the engines,
On the plus side, the Trumpeter kit contains a sanding, and a moments loss of concentration undercarriage bays and the tail wheels, and then
wealth of internal detail, far more than can be could easily lead to one or more of these pieces applied two coats of Klear in preparation for the
seen through the glazing. Virtually the entire being broken o. The turrets also have to be decals. The Techmod decals were excellent and
fuselage interior is present, as is the bomb bay. taped o to avoid the problem of dust getting responded well to both Micro Set and Sol. I then
No stores are provided, which is a pity, but the behind the glazing. A slightly dierent design dry brushed the model with Humbrol 121 Matt
potential for a super detailed kit is there. Also on from Trumpeter would have avoided these Pale Stone both to emphasise the surface detail
the plus side in my opinion is the very problems. and suggest a fine coating of dust, which would
pronounced surface detail. The Wellington was The second problem involves the bomb bay. have covered operational Wellingtons in the
predominantly a fabric covered aircraft, with the This is well detailed, but the location pins are Middle East. A coat of Humbrol Matt varnish
fabric covering a complex geometric steel vague and it is very easy to assemble this area sealed everything in so I could handle the model
framework. This internal structure is represented incorrectly and create subsequent problems safely while I attached a number of details such
in the kit by a level of slightly exaggerated with the fit of the two fuselage halves. I ended as aerials and mass balances to the control
surface detail on the wings in particular. The up omitting several of the components in order surfaces. These details were then hand painted,
internal structure is indicated by wide raised to achieve a reasonable fit, and even then the and the final painting task was to dust the model
lines, and the fabric between by a slightly bomb bay doors did not fit terribly well. I may lightly with an airbrush coating of Humbrol 63
sagging indentation. The net eect of these two have been ham-fisted, but I suspect that the Matt Sand mixed with 103 Matt Cream. This
features is a very pronounced and curious design of the kit in this area is poor. mixture toned down the main colours, and again
surface, which is certainly over scale. Some suggested a fine dusty coating. A few paint chips
For a modern kit, a surprisingly large amount
reviewers commented adversely on this when were finally applied with a gel pen around the
of filler was required, especially around the nose
the kit was first issued. Strictly speaking they are propeller and cowlings to complete the model.
area, the canopy, the bomb bay area and leading
right as the detail is over scale, but I feel the edges of the wings. In cleaning this up, it is
feature makes the model more distinctive, and essential that any openings are taped over to Conclusions
clearly suggests a fabric covered aircraft. prevent dust from settling on the inside of any Surprisingly, although I have been modelling
The Wellington was a relatively simple aircraft, glazing that may have been added. The upper since I was a child, with only a break during and
but construction of this model took me far and lower wing halves are also surprisingly poor either side of university, this was the first World
longer than I had anticipated. Partly this was due fits, and require some heavy duty clamping to War II bomber project that I have ever
to the amount of internal detail provided. achieve a good fit. These aspects are more attempted. It was a little bit more involved than I
Virtually every detail in the fuselage, including annoying than critical and are compensated in had originally envisaged, and on a couple of
the toilet, is provided in the basic kit. Very little part by the excellently designed wing to occasions I put the model aside and completed
of this can be seen through the glazing of the fuselage joints, and the project can nevertheless other builds. Sometimes when that happens a
completed model, but on the basis that it is move quickly to the painting stage. model can be put aside permanently, but on this
there, it is hard not to build these details in and The decal sheet provided by Trumpeter occasion I persevered and I am glad that I did.
paint them accordingly. Unfortunately the first provides two options, both of which are in the Yes there are faults, and a little bit more care
shortfall of the kit becomes apparent at this standard RAF night time bomber scheme of would have resulted in an improved modelling
point, in that the painting details provided by Dark Green and Dark Earth with black under experience. Too much filler is needed, the bomb
Trumpeter are utterly inadequate. surfaces. As a utilitarian night bomber type, the bay design is poor and the guns were almost
The interior of British World War II aircraft Wellington rarely appeared in any other scheme broken several times. The surface detail is also
tended to be a standard green colour. By virtue and any form of nose art was a rarity. Wanting to over done, but on the finished model the eect
of being a fabric covered bomber, the do something a little more unique I did some does not look out of place. As with the old
Wellington was an exception to this rule, with research and discovered a couple of decal sheets Matchbox kits, the exaggerated detail often
some areas being the standard green, some from Tally Ho and Techmod respectively, which works. In the case of the Wellington, it has the
black, some natural metal and some being brick provided alternative and interesting schemes for eect of emphasising the fact that the aircraft
red due to the primer undercoat applied to the Mk1C. The Tally Ho sheet provides for a was fabric covered, and eectively a generation
fabric covered aircraft of this period. Although I captured aircraft in German markings with earlier than many World War II aircraft.

BOOKREVIEWS
A look at some of the latest publications

received for review Edited by Ernie Lee
French Secret Projects - Post War Format: Hardback, 144 pages This is the first
Fighters This is the monograph of
second this aircraft I
Author: J C Carbonel have come
Publisher: Crecy expanded and
revised edition across. It is a pity
ISBN: 978 19108 090 06 that there
Format: Hardback, 278 pages of this book
and starts with seems to be
For a country the very first only two kits, a
devastated by machines, the 1/72 Scout and
war the French prototypes. a 1/48 Wasp
aviation There are available.
industry soon photographs However it
got back on of the V13, has not gone
their feet, V14 and V15, unnoticed by
with many plus 1/72 the
designs that side views aftermarket
were both of all three. This is companies with decals for both scales
innovative followed by colour profiles of V14 and V15. being provided for, plus a large number of
and ground These, and all the profiles, are printed conversions etc. But lets not dwell on the
breaking. vertically, which gives the reader the best down side as perhaps this monograph will
However possible size. After a page dealing with the get the model producers to think again?
some of preproduction E-0 we move to the E-1 and E- As usual with the Warpaint series, we start
this could 3. This chapter has photographs and manual with design and development. When it comes
be due to drawings. There are also 1/72 three view scale to operational service, this little helicopter has
the fact that French drawings and nine profiles. The author does been around. The author first deals with the
factories worked throughout the war building not intend to leave anything out, as there is Scout, which has been used extensively by
aircraft for the Luftwaffe and I am sure that even a page detailing the Bf 109E-3a, the the British Army among others. However
designers would be planning for the day export version. when it comes to the Wasp, this has also
when they would be liberated and they could We take a rest from variants at this stage to found customers worldwide. The text is
put into practice the designs they were have a few pages discussing bomb racks. accompanied by a large number of
secretly working on. Included in this section is a 1/72 view of an E- photographs, most of which are in colour.
7 with SD-2 bomb container, complete with Among these are seven pages of close-up
Some of these were a little optimistic to say detail. Some could help with super detailing
the least. One such machine was the Matra R bombs. But more about that later on. The rest
of the variants follow and that includes Swiss of your model, or maybe even put you off,
100. Aircraft that had the power plant buried depending on your modelling skill.
built machines and foreign users. Altogether
in the fuselage driving propellers on the
there are thirty six profiles and there are sixty Although there are few kits available you will
wings were devised in World War I, although
five more pages to go. not be short of colour schemes. There are
in this case it was a twin boom design with
All the rest of the pages are the in-detail thirty two colour profiles. Of the Scout these
the power plants in the booms. These
section. This is a combination of a mixture of include the British Army, Empire Test Pilots
powered a pusher contra-rotating propeller in
colour shots of preserved aircraft and manual School, Royal Marines, Bahrain Police,
the fuselage. A number of prototypes of this Jordanian Royal Flight, the Australian Navy,
aircraft were apparently ordered but were drawings. As you might gather from the
number of pages, the detail is pretty Uganda Police and a very special one
eventually cancelled in 1948. As with other belonging to the Special Air Service. When it
countries, the French began experimenting extensive. It is certainly enough for the
average modeller. This is where the SD-2 comes to the Wasp, the Royal Navy was a big
with jet propulsion after the war due to the user. There are at least two that served in the
bomb container is illustrated in more detail.
availability of German jet engines. However Falklands in 1982, one of these is famous as it
The coverage consists of four photographs
by the late forties they were experimenting attacked and damaged the submarine Santa
from the technical manual, which shows the
with modern aircraft designs, first with British Fe on 25th April. However we must not forget
boxlike rack. The illustrations are certainly
engines and then French designs. What the export Wasps. The author, courtesy of
explicit enough for the modeller to scratch
makes this book a little different is the fact Richard Caruana, has also provided profiles of
build it but unless you are a skilled
that a fair number of designs reached watchmaker you could have difficulty, even in examples from the Indonesian Navy, South
prototype stage and many progressed into 1/24 The antipersonnel bombs are suspended African Navy and machines used by Brazil, The
production. below the rack. They look about four inches Netherlands, New Zealand and Malaysia. Add
This book is packed with examples of French long and there are at least ninety six of them, to this 1/72 drawings and you have a unique
ingenuity. Some were a little too innovative to so the best of luck. Monograph.
progress, such as the vertical take-off fighter Frivolity aside this is an excellent reference for Now where can I find an old Airfix kit?
that resembled a flying barrel. That said if you the modeller. I cannot see where else you www.warpaint-books.com
are into French aircraft you will spend hours would get such a comprehensive and well- Ernie Lee
delving into the minds of the French presented book of this size for anywhere near
designers and just how they produced the the price.
formidable fighter force we see today. www.mmpbooks.biz Air Battle for Dunkirk
www,crecy.co.uk Author: Norman Franks
Ernie Lee
Ernie Lee Publisher: Grub Street
ISBN: 978 19049 434 33
Westland Scout & Wasp - Warpaint 110 Format: Paperback, 224 pages
Messerschmitt Bf 109E Authors: Adrian M Balch Where is the RAF? was the oft quoted
Author: Robert Peczkowski Publisher: Guideline Publications question asked by soldiers waiting on the
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications ISBN: 978 09968 754 31 beach at Dunkirk, to where they had retreated
ISBN: 978 83652 812 34 Format: Paperback, 48 pages following the German blitzkrieg through
BOOKREVIEWS
northern France, The Suez Crisis context the meat of the book, which is the
and where they model builds themselves. These, as ever, are
Empires End
were now being beautifully built and photographed and
Airframe Extra No.7
pounded by the provide a good cross-section of types and
Luftwaffe. Author: Steve A. Evans markings from the conflict, including:
The air forces Publisher: Valiant Wings 1/48th Meteor NF Mk 13 (Classic Airframes)
were there, as ISBN: 978 09935 345 77
Format: Paperback, 74 pages 1/48th N.A. P-51D (Hasegawa)
Norman Franks
Another fine 1/48th Republic RF-84F Thunderstreak (Tan
proves, detailing
addition to the Model)
the
outstanding series, this 1/72nd Meteor F Mk 8 (Xtrakits)
achievements time noted 1/72nd Sea Hawk FGA Mk 6 (HobbyBoss)
of the Allied 1/72nd Piper Cub (Kovozvody Prostejov)
pilots who
fought, using 1/72nd Il-28 Beagle (Trumpeter)
outmoded With the usual colour by Richard
tactics, against enemy pilots Caruana and plenty of period
who had earlier had easy victories over the photographs this book is a
Polish, Dutch and Belgian air forces. complete instant guide to the
The RAFs achievement reminds us just how affair, and can be highly
close Britain came to disaster in June 1940. recommended as a basis for
First published in 1983 the story may be an starting what can
old one, but an often overlooked and add up to a very
important part of the RAFs legend. Spanning fascinating
the period 26th May to 3rd June the chapters modeller Steve A. collection of
tell a blow-by-blow chronological account of Evans covers the models. Highly
events, backed up by appendices covering dramatic events of recommended.
relative strength and German fighter claims Autumn 1956 when www.valiant-
covering the period. British, French and Israeli forces wings.co.uk
clashed with Egypt over the Suez
With a new film on the period due this year Canal.
no doubt interest will be stimulated in
another forgotten campaign. Franks book will The book is, as usual, a modellers delight, with
go a long way towards setting the scene and enough history to set the scene but not so
ensuring credit is given where credit is due. much as to take the edge off the appetite. The
author tells the story concisely and provides
www.grubstreet.co.uk us with sufficient background to place in

580 M O D E L L E R S
Shropshire Scale Modellers at RAF Museum Cosford, Sunday 2nd April 2017
By Geo Cooper-Smith
T
he Cosford show is undoubtedly one hangar. hangars. There are some real gems in there,
of the highlights of the year. However, And you know what, it was actually some scratch built and others beautifully
due to circumstances beyond the better. Although there was plenty to see crafted from parts taken from the sites of
organisers control, in the form of a major and do we all spent more time at the table, crashed aircraft.
re-organisation of exhibits, this year saw talking to the punters and each other as The absence of the competition was a
fewer traders and fewer club displays. there wasnt too much to get round, which disappointment, but all were forewarned
Consequently the show was fully booked has previously been something of a of this and actually the organiser, the
up by early December, which just goes challenge. We also actually looked more at rather unassuming Gary Stevens, who has
show the reputation it has and the respect the exhibits, partly because there were been most ably running things for the host
and reverence it is held in by all. As a result some new and interesting additions and club for several years, was refreshingly
the 580 were located somewhere dierent. partly because some of the exhibits had forthright, open and honest during both
Having for several years been under the been relocated making them more the lead up and on the day itself. So lets
wing of one of the smallest exhibits, the accessible. And for the first time your hope that the show can continue, in
Hunting H126 in the Experimental Hall, this columnist actually noticed and took time whatever shape or form, so that all can
year we were located under perhaps the to appreciate the room full of models and continue to enjoy for a good while yet.
largest, the Avro Lincoln B2 in the adjacent dioramas that connects the two top
580 M O D E L L E R S
Displaying your Dragon By Show Dragon
H
aving heard something of the eort that is actually the origin of the show listing that be. This includes the provision of stand-by models
goes into a trader attending shows in appears in the magazine and is now also supplied and several other table-filling ruses (ever seen our
order to delight you, the show goer, with to numerous clubs and traders to help them plan display with small models on big bases?) which
chattels of delight, it is someone elses turn. 580 their show going year. From this the 580 Modellers means at times we have even been able to help
Modellers have kindly agreed to let us inside members decide which shows they would like to organisers out by filling an adjacent table or so due
their world and reveal how they go about things. attend. Some shows e.g. Huddersfield, Cosford are to a no show.
The following are their own words: slam dunks, others e.g. Avon, are attended most A quick cup of tea and maybe a bacon
years, while the remainder e.g. Scottish Nationals, sandwich, then its a sit down, or stand to the front
580 Modellers are a relative newcomer in the
are either put to the members after a specific and await the opening of the show, with the first
world of Model Clubs, having formed in 2008 and
request from the organisers or simply on a whim. two hours usually the busiest. Then we all take in
being formally launched at the Huddersfield show
The aim is usually to attend around twelve to turns (this is usually choreographed to ensure there
of that year. They became aliated to the IPMS in
fifteen shows a year, and although it is not always is always one or two people in attendance to
2012, this being at the request of the membership
possible, to have these reasonably well spaced answer any questions etc.) to have a wander
who wanted to secure a place at Scale ModelWorld
every year! The operational model is dierent to apart. around the show, pick-up and bargains, chat with
that of most others in that they exist to frequent A typical show runs something like this. other clubs, marvel at others creations, etc.
model shows (and this is the only time they Approximately ten days before a show an At the end of the show, everyone returns their
actually meet) and they also are neither a virtual invitation is sent out to all members via email with models to the safety of the transport containers
nor an Internet club. Tables are booked for a model pertinent information e.g. location, number of and then helps with take down and packing up.
show and then set out in preparation for arrival of tables booked, and a date and time (usually 2200 The more (willing and) able members then take the
the models, which have been arranged through an hours on the Thursday before the show) to respond boxes of material to the car and it is loaded up. A
initial email invitation, associated response and by. This allows sucient time for our Tablemeister, quick farewell with handshakes of congratulations
subsequent request. This method of working can Mr David Foxall, to determine which oerings he and to confirm all had a good time and everyone
adopt hardcore exhibitors, who tend to present at has room for and the bases required (which are sets o home.
every show, and the casuals or occasional who provided by 580 Modellers as necessary). He To date this year 580 Modellers have attended
have tried it once but didnt like it or just frequent subsequently replies to those who have oered the shows at Bolton, Huddersfield, Crewe, Hinckley,
the table when it is local to them. There are no models and confirms which he would like them to Stoke, Cosford and most recently the Scottish
joining or annual fees and all an exhibitor has to bring, this usually being completed by sometime Nationals, which will be the subject of a dedicated
do is respond to the invitation and bring the Friday night. On Saturday night all the materials column, hopefully next month. The associated
models requested to the show. Only modellers who required for the display are loaded into the car, statistics to date are:
display during the course of the year can display at along with models, various items for sale etc. and Shows attended: 7
Scale ModelWorld and it has become something of the SatNav is programmed. There also tends to be Miles driven: 1,211
a tradition for us to change the display overnight, a function of arranging and facilitating car sharing
sometimes significantly, at this event; this has Hours driven: 28.5
where possible we are nothing if not green! Then
often drawn favourable comment from show Hours displayed: 31.5
early Sunday morning its o we go, heading to the
goers, who appreciate being given something show with pick-ups on the way. The aim is to arrive Set-up hours: 12.7
dierent to go over on the Sunday. Finally, models at the venue with at least 100 minutes for set-up Take-down hours: 7.3
can only be displayed for a maximum of twelve and it has actually become a pretty well-oiled Exhibitor days: 50
months (after this they have to be retired) as it is machine with various hands setting up the staging, Model days: 220
not considered appropriate for a show goer to see laying out the cloths, finding bases and labels, etc If there is something you would like to
the same models on the 580 display year after year. all under the direction of Mr Foxall. And there is contribute (we are for instance missing a regular
Show attendance is by consensus of the always a Plan B (several in fact) to allow the show goer to gauge the level of their
membership and so at the beginning of every year covering of various eventualities so that the 580 commitment!) then please get in touch with
a list of known shows is compiled and sent out. This Modellers display is always the best it can possibly Show Dragon via [email protected]

M O S Q U I TO
A Mossie with Style By Andy McCabe

With the cockpit painted, detailed and sprayed on.
installed in one of the fuselage halves, the The decals were now applied, and no
camera ports were opened out and the nose problems were encountered during their
side fuselage glazing installed using a product I application so a coat of Johnsons Klear was
have not encountered before, G-S Hypo Cement, sprayed on followed when dry by a dark wash
which dries crystal clear and does not fog the and then a coat of FMR Matt Varnish. This is the
clear parts. There are two crew figures supplied first time I have used this product and it sprays
with the kit. I very rarely fit figures to my models very nicely. It is a bit thick for the airbrush but
as they never look right by the time I have
can be thinned with water to suit. It dries quickly
painted them - they would be the ugliest crew in
and is as good as any acrylic matt varnish I have
the world if it were left to me
used in the past.
Kit No: 72289 The tail wheel was installed and the clear
Two colour options are supplied with the kit:
parts for the cameras glued into place and then
Scale: 1/72 the two fuselage halves joined. The fit is very Mosquito PR.XVI, 544 Squadron, RAF Benson,
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic good and no filler was needed. June 1944. PRU Blue overall.
Next stage was to assemble the cockpit Mosquito PR.XVI, 644 Squadron, RAF Dum
Manufacturer: Airfix'
glazing, then mask and fit it to the fuselage Dum, India 1945. Aluminium overall.
Hannants/Squadron along with the nose glazing. The masking was now removed and final
The bomb bay can be modelled open if assembly began by fitting the wheels, then the
T
he Airfix 1/48 Mosquito has been around required but as this is a Photo Reconnaissance undercarriage bay doors, navigation lights,
for some time but this most recent version version there would only be cameras in the props and finally the aerial on the top of the
included three new sprues as well as the bomb bay so it was left closed. The main fuselage. The last part was to fit the aerial wire,
old ones. The new sprues have recessed panel undercarriage legs were now assembled and for which I used EZ Line. This stretches up to
lines whereas the old ones have raised detail. In fitted into their respective engine/undercarriage 700% and is simply superglued into place and
the box you get six sprues of grey and two clear fairings and set aside to dry. looks much better than anything I have used
sprues of plastic, one decal sheet and one The wings were now assembled and the before.
instruction booklet. engine fairings fitted. There were some gaps
The new sprues include fuselage, upper wings around the engine to wing parts that required Conclusion
and cockpit parts and are a big improvement on filling before the wings were fitted to the
the original. There are not that many panel lines fuselage. The wing to fuselage joints are not very This may be an old kit, well half of it, but it is
on the Mosquito as it was a predominantly positive and need to be done one a time to still a very good product and builds into an
wooden aircraft so the old and new parts mix allow the cement to set firmly. Filler was needed impressive PR Mosquito in 1/48 for not a lot of
fairly well. around these joints also, but a Mossie was money really.
The decal sheet contains vmarkings for two emerging. Cockpits are one of the areas that I tend to
versions and is nicely printed, while the The tailplanes were now assembled and fitted spend that much more time and eort on, which
instructions have colour printed diagrams for to the tail and the underwing fuel tanks put is why I added the Eduard etched set and the
painting and decaling with colour call outs for together. I forgot to open the holes out in the Quickboost Seats. I did contemplate buying the
Humbrol paints. wing to mark the location of the tanks so fitting complete resin/etched set that is designed for
them was a bit of guesswork. the Tamiya kit but the plastic parts in the kit are
The upper engine cowls did not fit tight not too bad. The only detail lacking really is the
Construction against the upper wing parts and required cockpit side walls so in the end I just opted for
The build begins by assembling the interior. filling. After this was done the model was given a two upgrades. Not that much of the cockpit can
There are numerous aftermarket parts available coat of white primer, then the areas where the be seen so the extra cost of a complete resin
for the Mosquito including replacement cockpits D-Day invasion stripes are was sprayed matt replacement may not seem worth it to some, but
but I only used the Eduard FE242 Etched set and white. 12.5mm wide masking tape was cut and we still do it anyway
Quickboost seats to replace the kit parts. The applied and then matt black was sprayed onto The end result is quite eye-catching,
rest of the cockpit was built straight from the the stripes. When dry they were masked again resplendent in its PRU Blue and D-Day invasion
box and is pretty good. and Xtracrylix XA1008 R.A.F PRU Blue BS636 was stripes.!
CO M I N G N E X T M O N T H
SCALE Model Show Listing

AIRCRAFT
MODELLING Next issue Compiled by Geo Cooper-Smith of 580 Modellers
For shows this coming month see the IPMS(UK)
column. If you would like your show promoted in
VOLUME: 39 ISSUE: 04 Planned for the Scale Aircraft Modelling this listing then please contact Geo at
[email protected] or on 07841 417680.
July 2017 Proudly Volume 39 Issue 6: August 2017
Sunday 25th June 2017
Celebrating 38 Years! Camohawk Ipswich IPMS present a Model Day at the
Willow Suite, Gresham Sports and Social Club,
www.guidelinepublications.co.uk Fifty Years From 312 Tuddenham Road, Ipswich, Suolk, IP4 3QJ.
Published by Guideline Publications Inspiration To Saturday 8th July 2017
& printed by Regal Litho Hailsham & District Scale Model Club present
Unit 3, Enigma Building, Bilton Road, Realisation their 4th Annual Show at the Civic Community
Denbigh East, Bletchley,Bucks. MK1 1HW Hall, Vicarage Road, Hailsham,
Ph: +44 (0) 1908 274433 Fax: +44 (0) 1908 270614 The Grumman OV-1 East Sussex, BN27 2AX.
ISDN: 01908 640154 Mohawks Venture Into Sunday 9th July 2017
Distributed to the UK and International news Camouflage North Somerset Modellers Society
trade by: (incorporating the North Somerset Branch of
Intermedia By Des Brennan the IPMS) present their annual show at The
http://www.inter-media.co.uk/ Helicopter Museum, Weston Heliport, Locking
via Moor Road, Weston-Super-Mare, North
MarketForce (UK) Ltd. Somerset, BS24 8PP.
110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU Saturday 15th July 2017
http://www.marketforce.co.uk/ Cranberry Round Up Romsey Modellers present their 2nd Scale
Chairman: Regis Auckland Canberras in close up Model Show at Ampfield Village Hall, Morleys
Lane, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9BJ.
Worldwide Advertising: Tom Foxon, and in scale Saturday 15th July 2017
[email protected]
By Tim Skeet HaMeX presents smallspace 6, for all things
Science Fiction and Fantasy, at Hanslope
Editor: Gary Hatcher, [email protected]
Village Hall, Newport Road, Hanslope,
Buckinghamshire, MK19 7NZ.
Assistant Editor: Karl Robinson
Sunday 23rd July 2017
Associate Editor: Neil Robinson Little Brown Jug
IPMS Birmingham presents their Midland 2017
P-47 Walkaround Last Hurrah Model Expo at Leasowes Sports
Newsdesk: Colin 'Flying' Pickett Centre, Leasowes High School, Kent Road,
Book Reviews: Ernie Lee
By Steve Muth Halesowen, B62 8PJ.
Saturday 29th July 2017
News & Industry Editor: Tom Foxon, Figureworld 2017 at Oundle School, New
[email protected] Street, Oundle, Northamptonshire, PE8 4EE.
Aircraft in Profile Saturday 29th July 2017
Design: Lincoln Rodrigues
Carmarthen Modellers Club present the
House Artist: Mark Rolfe, [email protected] Westland Wasp Carmarthen Modellers Exhibition at the Town
Library, King Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1LN.
North American Contact: Larry Weindorf By Richard Mason Sunday 30th July 2017
Post Office Box 21, Annandale, VA 22003
ph: 703-639-7316, [email protected] With colour artwork IPMS South-East Essex, IPMS Hornchurch, IPMS
Chelmsford and MAFVA Essex Branch present
and scale drawings by the Essex Modellers Show at Hannakins Farm
SAM Subscriptions, SAM Shop & Back Issues:
Unit 3, Enigma Building, Bilton Road, Mark Rolfe Community Centre, Rosebay Avenue, Billericay,
Denbigh East, Bletchley,Bucks. MK1 1HW Essex, CM12 0SY.
Ph: +44 (0) 1908 274433 Fax: +44 (0) 1908 270614 Saturday 05th August 2017
ISDN: 01908 640154 IPMS Dundee presents the East of Scotland
Model Show 2017 at the Marryat Hall, Caird
12 Months' Subscription Hall Complex, City Square, Dundee, DD1 3BY.
UK: 49.50, Europe: 64.00 Jungly
Rest of the World: 85.00 Air Mail Only, Sunday 6th August 2017
Airfix Sea King HC.4 Boscombe Down Aviation Collection Model
USA / Canada Subscriptions: $127.00 Show at Hangar 1 South, Old Sarum Airfield, Old
Larry Weindorf
By Keith Peckover
Sarum, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 6DZ.
2 York Street , Gettysburg PA 17325 USA
Ph: 703-639-7316
Sunday 13th August 2017
e-mail: [email protected] IPMS Avon Plastic Model and Wargaming
Show at Thornbury Leisure Centre, Alveston Hill,
Alternatively we can bill you and send an invoice for Colour Comundrum Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, BS35 3JB.
your 1 year subscription. Payment from overseas Saturday 26th August 2017
should be made by International Money Order or Another Malta Story Scale Scotland at the Hilton Edinburgh Airport,
Bankers Draft drawn on the UK branch of the
subscribers own bank. We also accept payment by Part One Edinburgh, EH28 8LL.
Visa and Mastercard, Credit Cards or Delta debit Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd September 2017
cards, with full name, card number including 3-digit By Paul Lucas Medway Modelling Club presents their Annual
security code, issue number, and expiry date.
Show at the Royal Engineers Museum, Prince
All this and more plus the latest Arthur Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME4 4UG.
The Legal Bits:
This Magazine is copyrighted material! from the Newsdesk, the continuing Sunday 3rd September 2017
Scale Aircraft Modelling (ISSN 0956-1420) is sold through the IPMS Bridlington and Wolds present the East
news distribution trade subject to the condition that no eorts of the Harrogate Model Club, Riding of Yorkshire Model Show, REX Pavilion,
material written or pictorial is copied from editorial or and the usual Marketplace round up Drield Showground, Drield, East Yorkshire,
advertising pages without the written consent of the YO25 9DN.
publishers. Guideline Publications accepts no liability for the and showcases. Sunday 3rd September 2017
contents of advertisements or the conduct of advertisers.
Opinions expressed by authors and reviewers are their own
Please note we receive a constant stream of IPMS Chiltern (incorporating Bedford
and may not reflect those of the publishers. Unsolicited interesting and informative articles, and in the MAFVA) show at The Weatherley Centre, Eagle
material sent for publication is welcome on the interest of balanced and up to the minute coverage Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire,
understanding that it may not be returned unless postage is content may change at short notice. The above SG18 8JH **NEW SHOW**.
provided. . listing is provisional and may be subject to change.

NEW DECALS Snake on fuselage. Data stencilling for both. 8.50
AC720059 1:72 North-American F-86E 39th FISq. RF-86A Project Ashtray 15th TRSq. 8.50
Authentic Decals AC720060 1:72 North-American F-86E Sabre (2) 112940 FU-940 38th FS, 51st FW
AD4872 1:48 Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback "Final Result" 14.99 Lt Col George I. Ruddell 'Mig Mad Mavis'; 91024 Arizona ANG with yellow
AD7275 1:72 Tupolev Tu-22KD/Tu-22PD/Tu-22RD/Tu-22U Blinder 14.99 Snake on fuselage. Data stencilling for both. 8.50
AD7276 1:72 Digital Fencer-bomber, Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-24M in digital camouflage 14.99
AD7277 1:72 Digital Fencer-reconnaissance, Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-24MR in Model Art
digital camouflage 14.99 MAGEN002 1:72 Re-printed and modified! Dayglo Orange Anti collision stripes for
AD7278 1:72 Soviet Sukhoi Su-24M Syrian war 9.40 Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet, Fouga CM.170 Magister, Dassault Mirage III
and solid colour 5.00
Boa Decals
BOA144104 1:144 Embraer ERJ-190 Ukraine Intl. (Revell) 5.99 Xtradecal
BOA144105 1:144 Embraer ERJ-190 Bulgaria Air (Revell) 5.99 X72268 1:72 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 (10); XT866/W Phantom
Post-Operational Conversion Unit RN Leuchars 1970s; XT859 725/VL 700P
Caracal Models NAS Intensive Flying Trials Unit RN Yeovilton 1968; 892 Sqn on HMS Ark Royal
selection; XV567 011/R cross decking with USS Saratoga 1969; XT872 005/R
CD32019 1:32 North-American T-28B/D Trojan: Multiple US Navy T-28 options including
1973; XT860 014/R 1976; XV590 001/R Colonial Navy cross decking with
a colorful Bicentennial scheme and two USAF examples. 15.99
USS Saratoga 1978 with final cruise nose flash; XT865 004/R 1978; XT872 004/
CD32020 1:32 North-American SNJ Texan US Navy 13.99
R 1977; XT863 014/R 1977 with FAA Jubilee nose flash; XT864 007/R 1975 with
CD32021 1:32 USMC Bell AH-1W Whiskey Cobra Please note that this sheet is in
final cruise nose flash; 7.99
1/35 scale and intended for the MRC / Academy AH-1W kit. 13.99
CD48066 1:48 Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft flown by Brazil's
X72270 1:72 International North-American P-51D Mustang Bubbletops (11); KH727 DJ-V
national aerobatics team, the famed "Smoke Squadron"
93 Sqn Italy 1946; 44-13431 QP-E 'Little Eva' Capt J.Sully Varnell 2 FS, 52 FG
(Esquadrilha da Fumaca) 13.99
USAAF Italy 1944; NZ2419 19 2(Wellington) Sqn RNZAF late 1940s; 9566 VC-FBN
CD48099 1:48 US Navy North-American SNJ Texan Complete markings for four
Experimental and Proving Establishment, RCAF Uplands 1950's; CA-18 Mustang
post-war overall yellow US Navy SNJ-5/6 Texans. 11.99 A68-71 HU-A 78 Sqn RAAF 1946; MM44236 4-28 10 Gruppo/4 Stormo Italy 1952;
CD48117 1:48 F-16C "Dark Vipers" - Part 2 F-16C Block 40/42, Ohio ANG, Oklahoma J-2113 Fliegerstaffel 21 Swiss AF Dubendorf 1951; 335 2(Flying Cheetas)
ANG, South Dakota ANG 13.99 Sqn SAAF Korea 1952; 916 Corps d'Aviation d'Haiti, Haiti 1963; 26031 16
CD48123 1:48 USAF Early Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star. 77th FBS, RAF Wethersfield, Flygvapnet F16 Uppsala, Sweden 1945; No 2 Somalia AF Somalia 1955; 7.99
1954, Air Training Command, Tyndall AFB, 1954, 9th FBS, 1955, 514th FIS,
RAF Manston 1955 13.99 X72273 1:72 North-American B-25C Mitchell Collection (10); 30434/58 83BS, 12BG
CD72060 1:72 F-16C/D Dark Vipers Block 40/50/52 Minnesota ANG, Ohio ANG, "Pink Petunia" USAAF Nth Africa 1942 Sand/Azure Blue; N5-125/C 681 Sqn
Oklahoma ANG, South Carolina ANG, South Dakota ANG 13.99 RAF Burma 1943 Overall Oxford Blue;
CD72064 1:72 Lockheed F-104C Starfighter in Vietnam (10) 13.99 MA/E 681 Sqn RAF Burma 1943 Overall PRU Blue; FT/Jonah 681 Sqn USMC
CD72065 1:72 Lockheed U-2A/C "Dragon Lady" U-2A 56-6701, USAF - Air Force Flight 1943 ANA608 Intermediate Blue/ANA602 Lt Grey; KL154/LV 111OTU RAF
Test Center, USAF; U-2A 56-6715, USAF - 4080th SRW, 1960; U-2A 56-6703, Nassau 1944 Overall silver;
USAF - 4080th SRW, 1958; U-2A "N800X", Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); 41-12566/9B 489BS, 340BG "Legal Eagle" USAAF El Kabrit, Egype 1942 Sand/
U-2A "N803X", Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); U-2A 56-6682, USAF - 4080th Olive Drab/Neutral Grey; 41-12848 5th Anti-Submarine BS, Westover, Mass.
SRW, 1961; U-2F 56-6676, USAF - shot down over Cuba during Cuban Missile 1942 Olive Drab/White; 41-13207/OH-7 445BS, 321BG French Morocco 1943
Crisis (Maj. Rudolf Anderson's airplane); U-2A 56-6681, USAF - 4080th SRW; Sand/Azure Blue; 42-83472/7F 487BS,340BG USAF Tunisia 1943 Sand/Olive
U-2A 56-6722, USAF - "Project Hi-Cat", 1967; U-2C 56-6680, Drab/Neutral Grey; 891/HO-891 418 City of Edmonton Sqn RCAF Edmonton
USAF - 100th SRW, 1976 13.99 1950s Overall Silver/Flourescent Red/Orange trim 7.99
Microscale X72276 1:72 Dornier Do-24T (4), Luftwaffe J9+G Seenotstaffel 7 Mediterranean 1944;
AC480059 1:48 North-American F-86E 39th FISq. RF-86A Project Ashtray 15th TRSq. 8.50 Spain 51-7 Red Cross RLM72/73/65; Sweden Yellow 90 former CM+RY
AC480060 1:48 North-American F-86E Sabre (2) 112940 FU-940 38th FS, 51st FW defected from Seenotstaffel 81, natural metal overall; France Escadrille de
Lt Col George I. Ruddell 'Mig Mad Mavis'; 91024 Arizona ANG with yellow Servitude 30 St Mandrier 1945 overall white; 7.99
NEW KITS BAT72007 1:72 Siemens-Schuckert D.I late version 14.99 aircraft of the 1920s 11.60
KPM7279 1:72 Avia BH-11 Czechoslovak Sports plane of
A Model Aircraft kits (injection) Copper State Models Aircraft kits (injection) the 1920-30s 11.60
AMU72351 1:72 TB-1 & KP-1 parachute version 57.80 CSM1030 1:48 Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 Mid.production KPM7283 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXE "RAF Service"
version - Premium - 49.99 incudes markings for RK 917, DB, G/Cpt Douglas
Academy Aircraft kits (injection) CSM1031 1:48 Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8 Late production Bader, North Weald 1945; MK 329, 144, J.E.
AC12311 1:48 Mikoyan MiG-21MF "Soviet Air Forces version - Premium 49.99 Johnson June 1944; ML 407, 485, John Houston,
& Export" 23.99 June 1944 12.60
AC12315 1:48 McDonnell F-4B/N VMFA-531 "Gray Ghosts" 44.99 Dragon Aircraft kits (injection)
AC12494 1:72 Bell P-39Q/N Airacobra (WAS AC2174) 6.99 DN4637 1:144 Douglas X-3 Stiletto Back in Stock Limited MARK I Models (2 kits in 1 box) Aircraft kits (injection)
AC12546 1:72 North American F-86F Sabre "Korean War" 15.99 Availability 14.99 MKM14465 1:144 Curtiss P-36 Hawk 'USAAC 13.99
AC12547 1:72 Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet USN VFA-143 MKM14466 1:144 Curtiss H-75/Mohawk III French AF, RAF 13.99
"Pukin' Dogs" 23.99 Eduard Aircraft kits (injection) MKM14467 1:144 Curtiss H-75 French AF, Vichy French AF,
AC12548 1:72 McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee USN VF-41 EDK70126 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI Bubbletop Finnish AF, Luftwaffe 13.99
"Black Aces" 15.99 ProfiPACK 16.20
EDK8207 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf-110F ProfiPACK 48.50 Micro-Mir Aircraft kits (injection)
AIM - Rug Rat Resins Aircraft kits (resin) EDK84143 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6 MTT Regensburg MM72-011 1:72 Miles M.57 Aerovan 25.99
RR4802002 1:48 Blue Steel missile. 36.00 Weekend edition 19.40
Miniwing-Plastic Aircraft kits (injection)
Airfix Aircraft kits (injection) Great Wall Hobby Aircraft kits (injection) MINI308 1:144 North-American Harvard Mk.II NZAF
AX02017A 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Pr Mk.XIX 9.99 GWHS4805 1:48 Lockheed T-33A "SHOOTING STAR" RoCAF 35.99 (ex Valom with new propeller) 7.99
AX03080A 1:72 Messerschmitt Bf-110C/D 12.99 GWHS4806 1:48 McDonnell F-15C "OREGON ANG" MINI310 1:144 Northrop-Grumman RQ-4B EUROHAWK
AX04053A 1:72 Fairey Swordfish Mk.I 18.99 75th Anniversary USAF 56.99 Luftwaffe 8.40
MINI311 1:144 Northrop-Grumman RQ-4B GLOBAL
Arma Hobby Aircraft kits (resin) HPH Models Aircraft kits (resin) HAWK / NATO 2Q/2017 8.40
AH73005 1:72 PZL P.11/I Prototype Pro-set 32.40 HPH32042R 1:32 Aviatik-Berg D.I 139.99 MINI312 1:144 Northrop-Grumman RQ-4B GLOBAL
HAWK NASA 8.40
Anigrand Craftswork Aircraft kits (resin) ICM Aircraft kits (injection)
ANIG2126 1:72 McDonnell YC-15 STOL prototype to form the ICM72294 1:72 Focke-Wulf Fw-189A-1 WWII Axis PJ Productions Aircraft kits (injection)
C-17 Globemaster 139.99 Reconnaissance Plane 18.60 PJ721026 1:72 Dassault Mirage IIIE Injected plastic with
resin and photoetched parts. 32.40
AZ Model Aircraft kits (injection) Italeri Aircraft kits (injection) PJ721027 1:72 Dassault Mirage 5BA/BR Injected plastic
AZM48066 1:48 Re-release! Saab 29E/F Tunnan with decals IT1390 1:72 Caproni CA.311 25.99 with resin and photoetched parts. 32.40
for Swedish Air Force 24.60 IT1395 1:72 Northrop F-5E Tiger II Patrouille Suisse PJ721028 1:72 Dassault Mirage IIIR/5F Injected plastic
AZM7556 1:72 DHC Chipmunk T.10 RAF 12.80 50th Anniversary 15.99 with resin and photoetched parts 32.40
AZM7557 1:72 DHC Chipmunk T.20 Irish Air Corps, 1968, IT2768 1:48 Hawker Hurricane Mk.I 34.99
Royal Danish Air Force, Iraqi Air Force, Egyptian Revell Aircraft kits (injection)
Air Force. 12.80 Karaya Aircraft kits (injection) RV3931 1:48 Mikoyan MiG-25RBT 49.99
AZM7558 1:72 DHC Chipmunk T.30 Royal Canadian Air Force, KY14406 1:144 Douglas DC-9-15 - PH-DNA City of
Lebanese Air Force 12.80 Amsterdam, PH-DNB City of Brussell 16.99 Roden Aircraft kits (injection)
AZM7559 1:72 DHC Chipmunk T.10 with Lycoming engine KY14407 1:144 Douglas DC-9-32 - PH-DNG City of ROD326 1:144 Bristol 175 Britannia African Safari 31.99
Portuguese Air Force, Royal Navy and 2 x UK Rotterdam, PH-DNV City of Warsaw, PH-DNW ROD328 1:144 Vickers VC-10 K4 Type 1170 tanker 31.99
civilian Aircraft. 12.80 City of Moscow 16.99
Sharkit Aircraft kits (resin)
Bat Project Aircraft kits (injection) Kovozavody Prostejov Aircraft kits (injection) SHAR7287 1:72 George Caillette STATODYNE E 17.99
BAT72006 1:72 Siemens-Schuckert D.I early version 14.99 KPM7278 1:72 Avia B-11 Czechoslovak liason and training
Tarangus Aircraft kits (injection) F6F-3/F6F-5 Hellcat Diamond Tread Wheels set 4.99 ED648322 1:48 Matra R-550 Magic 8.40
TAR48007 1:48 Saab SH-37/SF-37 Viggen 64.99 ASQ48068 1:48 Vought F4U-1/F4U-4 Corsair/Grumman ED648325 1:48 M36 cluster bombs 9.70
F6F-3/F6F-5 Hellcat Block Tread Wheels set 4.99 ED672128 1:72 CBU-97 8.40
Trumpeter Aircraft kits (injection) ASQ48069 1:48 Vought F4U-1/F4U-4 Corsair/Grumman ED672152 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI gun bays (Eduard) 9.70
TU01652 1:72 Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback Fighter Bomber 48.99 F6F-3/F6F-5 Hellcat Ribbed Tread Wheels set 4.99 ED672157 1:72 Kawanishi H8K2 Type 2 Flying Boat New
TU01678 1:72 Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker D Includes Flight Deck ASQ48070 1:48 Vought F4U-1/F4U-4 Corsair/Grumman F6F-3/ Tooling guns (Hasegawa) 9.70
& 3 figures 35.99 F6F-5 Hellcat Ribbed/Diamond Tread Wheels set 4.99 ED672158 1:72 Kawanishi H8K2 Type 2 Flying Boat New
ASQ48071 1:48 Vought F4U-1/F4U-4 Corsair/Grumman F6F-3/ Tooling engines (Hasegawa) 35.60
Welsh Models Aircraft kits (resin and vacform) F6F-5 Hellcat Cross Tread Wheels set 4.99 SIN63209 1:32 Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6 (Revell) 58.20
WHSL381P 1:144 BAE ATP Manx airlines 29.75 ASQ48072 1:48 Vought F4U-1/F4U-4 Corsair/Grumman F6F-3/ ED648326 1:48 Sukhoi Su-34 wheels (HobbyBoss) 9.70
Aircraft kits (resin) F6F-5 Hellcat Late Ribbed Tread (late '50s) set 4.99
WHMT52R 1:144 Gulfstream C-37A USAF VIP decals 52.30 HAD Model Aircraft detailing sets (resin)
WHMT53R 1:144 Gulfstream G.550 Shafit ELINT version - I Eduard Aircraft detailing sets (etched) HUN148019 1:48 Sukhoi Su-17M3/M4 'Fitter' Mach-cone
sraeli Air Force 54.99 ED32404 1:32 Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II exterior (Kitty Hawk Model) 7.30
WHPJW93R 1:144 HS Andover C Mk.1 RAF Middle East - (Italeri) 21.30 HUN132008 1:32 Mikoyan MiG-15 ejection seat (ID Models and
vacform fuselage, resin major parts and metal ED32405 1:32 Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II wheel Trumpeter) 6.40
undercarriage and propellers 32.20 bays & bomb bays (Italeri) 9.70
WHSL379R 1:144 Vickers Viking 1B decal livery EROS or ED32910 1:32 Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II interior Q-M-T Aircraft detailing sets (resin)
England 41.00 (Italeri) 19.40 QMTR32013 1:32 F.O.D. Version II. With DECALS F-4E/F-4F/F-4G
WHSL380R 1:144 de Havilland Heron 1B resin kit, with Sabena ED33168 1:32 Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II (Italeri) 9.70 /RF-4C/RF-4E Phantom (Revell) 12.60
decals 31.00 ED33169 1:32 Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II seatbelts QMTR32014 1:32 F.O.D. Version II. Without decals. F-4E/F-4F/
WHSL383R 1:144 Casa 212 - TW Express & Pan-Am Express - STEEL (Italeri) 5.20 F-4G/RF-4C/RF-4E Phantom (Revell) 8.40
resin kit with metal U/C & propellers 35.99 ED48926 1:48 Sukhoi Su-25UB/UBK exterior (Eduard, KP/ QMTR48005 1:48 F.O.D. F-15I Eagle IAF RED (Academy, Eduard,
Kopro, OEZ and SMER) 19.40 Great Wall Hobby GWHL4816, Italeri and Revell) 9.80
Wingnut Wings Aircraft kits (injection) ED49833 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf-110F Nachtjager (Eduard) 22.60 QMTR48006 1:48 F.O.D. guards for F-15 Eagle USAF RED
WNW32001 1:32 Junkers J.1 118.99 ED49834 1:48 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite (Academy, Eduard, Great Wall Hobby, Italeri and
WNW32006 1:32 Pfalz D.IIIa 78.99 (Kitty Hawk Model) 21.30 Revell). 11.60
WNW32023 1:32 Rumpler C.IV early version. 128.99 ED49835 1:48 Sukhoi Su-25UB/UBK interior (Eduard, KP/ Aircraft paint masks (self adhesive)
WNW32067 1:32 Fokker D.VII (Fok) "Early" 99.99 Kopro, OEZ and SMER) 22.60 QMTM32001 1:32 Standard canopy mask for F-4E/F-4F/F-4G
ED72654 1:72 Mikoyan MiG-31B/BM (Trumpeter) 12.99 (Revell) 8.99
Wingsy kits Aircraft kits (injection) ED73595 1:72 Mikoyan MiG-31B/BM (Trumpeter) 17.60 QMTM32002 1:32 Profi canopy mask double-sided F-4E/F-4F/
D5-02 1:48 Mitsubishi A5M4 "Claude" Type 96 carrier- ED73596 1:72 Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu T.100 Heavy Bomber F-4G (Revell) 14.60
based fighter IV 39.99 type II Helen (Hasegawa) 19.40 QMTM32003 1:32 Standard canopy mask for RF-4C/RF-4E
EDFE834 1:48 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite (Revell) 9.99
Zvezda Aircraft kits (injection) (Kitty Hawk Model) 14.99 QMTM32004 1:32 Profi Mask double-sided for RF-4C/RF-4E
ZVE7011 1:144 Ilyushin IL-76 29.99 EDFE835 1:48 Sukhoi Su-25UB/UBK (Eduard, KP/Kopro, OEZ a (Revell) 15.50
nd SMER) 14.99 QMTM32005 1:32 F-4 Exhaust nozzles masks for F-4E/F-4F/F-4G/
NEW ACCESSORIES EDFE836 1:48 Sukhoi Su-25UB/UBK seatbelts STEEL RF-4C/RF-4E (Tamiya and Revell) 6.99
(Eduard, KP/Kopro, OEZ and SMER) 6.50 QMTM72004 1:72 Standard Canopy Paint Mask for F-4C/F-4D/
Aerobonus (by Aires) Diorama accessories (resin) EDFE837 1:48 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite seatbelts F-4J Phantom (Italeri) 5.20
QAB320094 1:32 USAF F-2A Flightline maintenance shop trailer 25.40 STEEL (Kitty Hawk Model) 6.50 Aircraft wheels (resin)
EDFE838 1:48 Luftwaffe rudder pedals 3.99 QMTR32009 1:32 Weighted Wheels LATE for F-4J Phantom
AIM - Ground Equipment Diorama accessories EDFE839 1:48 Seatbelts France WWII STEEL 5.20 (Tamiya) 13.80
GE48029 1:48 Convair B-58 Hustler Crew Access Steps EDFE840 1:48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXC/Mk.IXE seatbelts QMTR32010 1:32 Not Weighted Wheels LATE for F-4J Phantom
(Monogram and Revell) 53.10 STEEL (Eduard) 5.20 (Tamiya) 13.80
EDSS595 1:72 Mikoyan MiG-31B/BM (Trumpeter) 12.99 QMTR32011 1:32 Not Weighted Wheels EARLY for
Aires Aircraft detailing sets (resin) EDSS596 1:72 Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu T.100 Heavy Bomber F-4J Phantom (Tamiya) 13.80
AIRE2213 1:32 North-American T-28B Trojan air brake type II Helen (Hasegawa) 12.99
(designed to be 7.80 EDSS597 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXC/Mk.IXE seatbelts Quickboost (by Aires) Aircraft detailing sets (resin)
AIRE4715 1:48 Grumman F-14A Tomcat cockpit set (Tamiya) 24.30 STEEL (Eduard) 5.20 QB48764 1:48 Gloster Javelin FAW.9/FAW.9R antennas
AIRE4718 1:48 Lockheed P-38J Lightning control surfaces EDSS598 1:72 Luftwaffe rudder pedals 3.99 (Airfix) 3.50
(Academy and Eduard) 3.40 EDSS599 1:72 Seatbelts France WWII STEEL 5.20 QB48765 1:48 Gloster Javelin FAW.9/FAW.9R control
AIRE4719 1:48 Polikarpov I-153 Chaika control surfaces (ICM) 6.60 Aircraft paint masks (self adhesive) lever (Airfix) 3.50
AIRE4720 1:48 Cessna A-37B Dragonfly cockpit set (Encore EDCX484 1:72 Mikoyan MiG-31B/BM (Trumpeter) 7.20 QB48767 1:48 IAI Kfir C2/C7 antennas (Avant Garde) 3.50
and Monogram) 15.99 EDCX485 1:72 Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress antiglare panels QB48768 1:48 IAI Kfir C2/C7 air scoops (Avant Garde) 3.50
AIRE7350 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXe control surfaces (VE production) (Airfix) 8.40 QB48769 1:48 IAI Kfir C2/C7 pitot tube (Avant Garde) 3.50
(late) (Eduard) 3.40 EDEX548 1:48 Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien (Tamiya) 7.20 QB48772 1:48 Boulton-Paul Defiant Mk.I pitot tubes &
AIRE4710 1:48 McDonnell F-15B/F-15C/F-15D/F-15I Eagle EDEX549 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf-109F-2 (Eduard) 6.50 antennas (Airfix) 3.50
exhaust nozzles (Great Wall Hobby) 12.99 EDEX550 1:48 Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback (Hobby Boss) 7.20 QB48773 1:48 Boulton-Paul Defiant Mk.I undercarriage
AIRE4717 1:48 Gloster Gladiator wheels & paint masks EDEX551 1:48 Sukhoi Su-17M3/M4 (Kitty Hawk Model) 8.40 covers (Airfix) 4.80
(Eduard and Roden) 6.60 EDEX552 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf-109G-6 (Zvezda) 7.20 QB32188 1:32 North-American T-28B Trojan propeller
EDEX553 1:48 Sukhoi Su-25UB/UBK (Eduard, KP/Kopro, OEZ "A" (Kitty Hawk Model)) 4.80
Attack Squadron Aircraft conversions (resin) and SMER) 8.40 QB48771 1:48 Grumman FM-2 Wildcat engine (HobbyBoss) 4.80
ASQ72119 1:72 TS-11 R Novax conversion 2.50 EDEX554 1:48 Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite QB32189 1:32 North-American T-28B Trojan exhaust
ASQ72128 1:72 McDonnell-Douglas AV-8B Night Attack nose (Kitty Hawk Model) 8.40 (Kitty Hawk Model kits 3.50
(Hasegawa) 3.99 EDEX555 1:48 Messerschmitt Bf-110F (Eduard) 8.40 QB48766 1:48 Curtiss P-40B Warhawk exhaust (Airfix) 3.50
Aircraft detailing sets (resin) QB48775 1:48 Kawasaki Ki-61-Id Hien (Tony)
ASQ48073 1:48 Lockheed-Martin tailcone with drag chute Eduard Brassin Aircraft detailing sets (resin) exhaust (Tamiya) 2.70
(Tamiya) 6.99 ED632104 1:32 AIM-4G 10.99 QB48770 1:48 Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star gun
ASQ48067 1:48 Vought F4U-1/F4U-4 Corsair/Grumman ED648312 1:48 Grumman F-14A Tomcat cockpit (Tamiya) 28.99 barrels (HobbyBoss) 3.50
Academy AC12548 AZ Models AZM7556 Copper State Models Great Wall Hobbies Mark 1 MKM14466 Micro-Mir MM72-011 PJ Productions Roden ROD3281
1:72 McDonnell F2H-3 1:72 DHC Chipmunk CSM1031 1:48 Arm- GWHS4806 1:144 Curtiss H-75/Mo- Micro-Mir 1:72 Miles PJ721028 1:144 Vickers VC-10 K4
Banshee VF-41 T.10 RAF strong-Whitworth F.K.8 1:48 McDonnell F-15C hawk III M.57 Aerovan 25.99 1:72 Dassault Mirage Type 1170 tanker
15.99 12.80 Late 49.99 "OREGON ANG 56.99 13.99 IIIR/5F 32.40 31.99
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First and Best for Reference and Scale

July 2017 4.75

IBGs New Kara

Leading the Blind Naval Gazing Operation Pedestal

Sea Vixen XP924

SS10249 UH-1 Huey

order via our

KITTYHAWK Until next time...

Fitter by Far Rick Greenwood

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 5

THIS MONTHS FEATURES:

20. Operation Pedestal

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 7

JULY 2017 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 05 11

Eduards Weekend Butcher Bird in Forum

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 13

Kit No: 7436

Kit No: 7439

Light Fighter Completing stages 1, 3 and 4 allowed me to

Conversion parts to create a 1/48th scale model of Prone Nose Meteor F8

Brigade Models C/O 62 Periwinkle Close Sittingbourne ME10 2JU

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 17

Kit No: 72198

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 19

The Air and Sea Battle By Stephen J Di Nucci

formations and there is no record collectively from 109 Gruppo BT

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 21

Zvezdas Junkers Ju 88A-4 By Stephen J Di Nucci

Kit No: 7282

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 23

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 25

Kit No: 72306

All of the main paints

A general view of the

This top view displays the

The Bay Window for the navigator is

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 27

The upper surfaces bristle

The sole surviving

Cockpit port forward. Full instrument panel and

Cockpit starboard forward. Looking forward

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 29

A port side view of the rocket and jet engine

The ejection seat and canopy opening

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 31

Kit No: 72289

tracked by FAP Mirage 2000P interceptors flying

Humbrol 34 flat white was used as a base coat

Mig's new Show Polish black putty has

Hard edge result using the Mig black masking

JULY 2017 VOLUME 39 ISSUE 05 33

the proper length. Once all the decals were

A pair of Spanish Air Force

Spanish Air Force Mirage F.1BE. The

This F.1BD was the only two seater left in

Moroccan Air Force F.1CH. National markings are carried top