Airfix

[NARSES2]

Well I'm a happy bunny 

New Blenheims, Hurricane I (metal wing), Do 17, F.E. Lancaster and even the Swift 

Anyone notice the 1/32 multipose figures are back? Again, not my personal thing but I understand they were very popular with the large scale vehicle/figure modellers in their day.

Yup they were. Seen many converted to types/periods you wouldn't have thought possible. Some sets went for daft prices

[Mossie]

I've seen them modified into Star Trek characters, there's an article on Starship Modeller:
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/other/oo_airfix.htm

Still pretty good, and just about compatible with 1/35.  I picked up a few sets (Thorvic very kindly donating some) with ideas of doing some conversions of my own.  Still on the shelf!

[Radish]

Happy indeed with lots and lots of BIGGLES potential.

The '109E Trop in 1/48 re-release is perfect for Biggles too.

And in 1/32nd...The "B-Type" Bus as well as "Old Bill"..... 

I have every expectation that the whingers will be in full flow because there's not a new tool Spey Phantom in 1/48th, or 1/12th TSR2.
Let them whinge...I'm happy.

[Librarian]

Although the designated black sheep of the family my Father occasionally invites me to 'dos' if he knows there are people of interest to me. I ended up in a conversation with quite a high ranking ex-FAA member of HMG and we were talking about the Phantom and its replacement of engines with the Spey, and subsequent increased drag. I've never read this in a book but this was a necessary alteration because high speed could be sacrificed for the sheer brute force given by the Spey to get the plane off our shorter flight decks....I never knew that. You don't want to hear what he said about a certain other plane coming soon , but he did mention the Admiral's lawn needed mowing.

[Weaver]

Although the designated black sheep of the family my Father occasionally invites me to 'dos' if he knows there are people of interest to me. I ended up in a conversation with quite a high ranking ex-FAA member of HMG and we were talking about the Phantom and its replacement of engines with the Spey, and subsequent increased drag. I've never read this in a book but this was a necessary alteration because high speed could be sacrificed for the sheer brute force given by the Spey to get the plane off our shorter flight decks....I never knew that. You don't want to hear what he said about a certain other plane coming soon , but he did mention the Admiral's lawn needed mowing.

Yes indeed - it wasn't just the higher thrust for take-off, but also the faster spool-up rate in response to a throttle-slam when aborting a landing. Another factor that gets forgotten is the Spey Phantom's greater range/loiter time due to it's better fuel consumption in the cruise condition. For a patrol interceptor defending a "point" target like a carrier, greater stand-off and/or longer patrol time is often more useful than flat out speed.

[Librarian]

I think what's bugged me about this is the number of people who pontificate about the stupidity of replacing the engines because they were British. I'm angered because I have been fed false information. Those points about response and loiter times are very interesting, thank you.

I have the SAM metal gear for the FG.1 and want to incorporate them into a Spey F-4E. One for the New Year once these commissions are out of the way.

[kitbasher]

I was worried about the F.6, it wasn't there when I posted!  I was thinking of getting the F.2A, but I might wait for the F.6 as it probably suits my purposes better if I they don't release some early variants, unless Colin gets around to relasing some conversion sets....

Some nice 1/72 aircraft in the mix:
- Colin Freightdog please do a Swift F7 conversion!!!
- Lightning F6: interesting as one of the Airfix elves at Telford said the F6 would be out eay in the new year. So it's dropped off the 2013 list (IIRC it was on originally) and isn't on the 2014 list, so what's happenning with it?

We need to know.

[albeback]

I was worried about the F.6, it wasn't there when I posted!  I was thinking of getting the F.2A, but I might wait for the F.6 as it probably suits my purposes better if I they don't release some early variants, unless Colin gets around to relasing some conversion sets....

- Lightning F6: interesting as one of the Airfix elves at Telford said the F6 would be out eay in the new year. So it's dropped off the 2013 list (IIRC it was on originally) and isn't on the 2014 list, so what's happenning with it?
We need to know.

Suggest you take another gander at the Airfix site.     You may be in for a big surprise. Item no A05042 Pity the Halifax is still the same worn out relic. A real missed opportunity !
And, worst of all, NO PROPER PHANTOM!!!!!! Whinge! Whinge! Whinge! Overall, a reasonable selection - especially the DC-3/C-47. Long overdue

Allan

[Weaver]

Wonder if Colin would consider a Basler Turbo-67 conversion for the DC-3?

[Steel Penguin]

if i wasn't already going to be tooled up on warriors, the patrol pack would be a wargamers dream,  warrior in 48th and the 8 man patrol for it, for less than £25  with glue, paint and brushes!!    I can see some wobbling 40k gamers going tonto for it.

[Thorvic]

I think what's bugged me about this is the number of people who pontificate about the stupidity of replacing the engines because they were British. I'm angered because I have been fed false information. Those points about response and loiter times are very interesting, thank you.

I have the SAM metal gear for the FG.1 and want to incorporate them into a Spey F-4E. One for the New Year once these commissions are out of the way.

See if you can get a copy of airtimes F-4 Phantom:Spirit in the Sky book as that covers all the Phantom variants including the British ones plus later unbuilt spey variants with a higher lift wing and later VG wing to allow safer performance on the British Carriers and on the US Essex class carriers to replace the Crusaders as the standard USN toom was found to be too unsafe for Essex class carriers (it didn't live up to its hype either !).

[Thorvic]

Hannants are listing the Airfix 2014 range and for the first time include when they are expected  

http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?adv=1&product_category_id=103&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=&product_type_id=&code=ax&scale_id=&keyword_search=&setPerPage=25&sort=0&search_direction=0&save_search_name=&save_search=

[pyro-manic]

if i wasn't already going to be tooled up on warriors, the patrol pack would be a wargamers dream,  warrior in 48th and the 8 man patrol for it, for less than £25  with glue, paint and brushes!!    I can see some wobbling 40k gamers going tonto for it.

Especially as the GW equivalent would be double the price at least..!

Will have to get a couple of Tiger Moths, and although the Swift doesn't really interest me (the Hunter's ugly sibling!) it's very good to see it (and the period in general) getting some attention. Hoping for a Venom at some point! And with new-tool Bristol twins, might we see a Beaufighter down the line....?

[Librarian]

...and in all that excitement I failed to notice the reissue of the PR Mossie. I've always loved those two stage Merlin nacelles and the kit's about as rare as hen's teeth now. One to await .

[crudebuteffective]

hopefully maybe a freightdog swift f3 conversion?

many on the list have got my whiff brain buzzing though