Had a little splurge for a Christmas prezzie to myself.  I was going to put it on the list for SWMBO but didn't think it would be easily available in time.  But then found it new on eBay for $8 less than Sprue Brothers wanted for their limited stock and with free shipping. 

A controversial choice here I'm sure, where we almost universally consider gray jets to be boring but for some reason I wanted one...

Tamiya 1/48 F-35A

I must say in the box it looks like a beautifully engineered kit.  From reviews I have read it sounds like it is even better than the F-4B released last year.  I only wish they were doing the B as well instead of reboxing the Italeri affair with it's grossly overrepresented RAM panels.  This one looks just right.

It might end up as either OOB Australian or Norwegian.  Or maybe even Danish since the Danish markings actually have COLOR!  The horror!!! 

Or it may end up a Whiffed RAF machine after the Bs are all transferred to the RN and the RAF lease a few squadrons worth to fill the gap until Tempest arrives. 

Not controversial for me, i like boring grey jets! I think the kit looks very good but i'd love it if they did the C in 1/48. I have the Kittyhawk kit but wouldn't mind having a Tamiya kit of that bird... And BTW, add an F-22 Raptor to that list, ok? 

Same here..nothing wrong with the gray jets...my last plane was gray..ok 3 different grays but gray nonetheless and when it looks like the F-35 then yes sir re Bob..I would got with that temptation but with the price here being nuts ...temptation can pass surprisingly quickly .
I'd like to see the YF-23 kit first hand but ill never get one here .
It's like the italeri F-14 I wanna score next week ..it's about $60nz ..the Tamiya one will be better but it's also  $140 nz more expensive..so let's hope it's still there next Wednesday.
For me today tho in the mail ..
Trumpeter 1/35th T156 workable track set...now I've got both set..the T158 and this..sweet 

..and it has arrived. Yes, I already have one in the Stash^TM, but it's sooooo nice! And they're becoming rare. And I surely deserve it. And.. 

You cannot view this attachment.

 

Quote from: AeroplaneDriver on December 14, 2022, 11:27:29 AMA controversial choice here I'm sure, where we almost universally consider gray jets to be boring but for some reason I wanted one...

This might be my fault, and I am unequivocally apologising for that. 

I do find the current trend of painting everything military with wings (or similar, the rattlescrews included) in various shades of grey grey really boring. While I also feel that air superiority aircraft should wear a camouflage consistent with the envireonment they are supposed to operate within, I much prefer multicoloured schemes such as the French MIrage 2000-scheme, or the Greek Aegean Blue scheme before the more modern "allover grey" Rafale scheme, as an example. Not to mention the German Norm 81 which is so beautiful in comparison to the more modern Norm 90 or Norm 95 schemes. And low level camouflages give even larger opportunities to "colour up" a model.

In your F-35 case, I would possibly have chosen to try to modify that dark grey hue a bit, maybe applying a wraparound in greyish green and grey. Or something. BUT - that's me. You're not me (even if I am a bit jealous of your career), and our different views and interests is what gives this forum so much life and interest! Please, let it continue that way!

I am much looking forward to see what you do with that Lightning II, regardless of whether it goes all gloomily grey or not. Pls don't cheat me on that.

Quote from: Pellson on December 16, 2022, 05:37:26 AM

Quote from: AeroplaneDriver on December 14, 2022, 11:27:29 AMA controversial choice here I'm sure, where we almost universally consider gray jets to be boring but for some reason I wanted one...

I do find the current trend of painting everything military with wings (or similar, the rattlescrews included) in various shades of grey grey really boring.

Very, very boring, but simpler for the paint shop.  I miss the days when I was at NASKEF and various NATO aircraft would come visit.  Dirty desert pink Italian Tornados, German RF-4Fs in their Norm, Hemp Nimrods, green RNoAF Herks.  Made our F-15Cs look downright dowdy.

The development of an effective cloaking device will see the return of vibrant and colourfull paint jobs for aircraft such as those seen in the WW1 German Flying Circuses.

Received today from our very own Colin Freightdog

2 x 1/72 Hawker P.1027 Eagle Tempest What-If conversion set 

I know what I am building over my two weeks off for Xmass and New Year

Gondor

Quote from: zenrat on December 17, 2022, 03:47:33 AMThe development of an effective cloaking device will see the return of vibrant and colourfull paint jobs for aircraft such as those seen in the WW1 German Flying Circuses.

94th Aero Squadron USAS Showbird Spads

Quote from: jcf on December 17, 2022, 11:29:36 AM

Quote from: zenrat on December 17, 2022, 03:47:33 AMThe development of an effective cloaking device will see the return of vibrant and colourfull paint jobs for aircraft such as those seen in the WW1 German Flying Circuses.

94th Aero Squadron USAS Showbird Spads

Surely black and white's just grey if you average it out...

Quote from: Weaver on December 17, 2022, 04:49:34 PM

Quote from: jcf on December 17, 2022, 11:29:36 AM

Quote from: zenrat on December 17, 2022, 03:47:33 AMThe development of an effective cloaking device will see the return of vibrant and colourfull paint jobs for aircraft such as those seen in the WW1 German Flying Circuses.

94th Aero Squadron USAS Showbird Spads

Surely black and white's just grey if you average it out...

Hahahaha ..look how that turned around   

Nice surprise in the post today from Freightdog. I ordered the Mustard glider after Telford but also ordered the 1/72 Bucc WE.177 and Hunter two seat interceptor sets. One was out of stock so Colin held the order until it was complete. I honestly expected it in January so very happy to find it on the porch today. 

The Mustard looks a lovely simple build.

Also thanks to a last minute Christmas trip to Hobby Lobby an Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Mk.1A for $6. 

Even tho the starter motor on my car died and thats going to cost me about $350+ I just had a epic win on a auction..5 planes ...
1 x Tamiya 1/48th Lancaster Grand Slam Bomber.
1 x MPC 1/24 th Spitfire MK 1 A
1 x Academy  1/48th F-117 A stealth fighter.
1 x Academy  1/48th AH60 L DAP Blackhawk chopper
1 x Academy  1/72nd B-17 bomber Memphis Belle

All have been built to a point and all are damaged..the AH 60 is in a bad way with one rotor blade missing but ill come up with something.
The Spitfire will be detailed to buggery.
No idea what to do with the B17 .
The Lancaster tho is a bloody expensive kit here so that might get the non wiffy treatment ..a beautiful kit that is.
OH and now the price..$75 bucks NZ