Airfix

[PR19_Kit]

I got my Lightning F2A today  and another one AND a Skyhawk arrived after an evening buying session on the Airfix site. AMAZINGLY fast shipment considering the time of year. 

I'm afraid I beg to differ about the sprues of the F2A indicating a 'short tank' version in the near future. The rear half of the F2A/F6 tank is moulded integrally with the main fuselage moulding and that would mean that a short tank 'update' would need a fair amount of mould re-cutting. The old Maintrack short tank conversion included a hefty chunk of lower rear fuselage (I've stil got an un-used one) and their instructions show you where to cut the M'box/Frog/Hase fuselage to install it.

I'll post some sprue piccies of the F2A kit later in, it's VERY impressive!

[Thorvic]

After reviewing the 2014 line up it dawned on me that this a a very RAF biased line up, no new RN ships or Fleet Air Aircraft, no Herrick stuff for the Army just Crab air. In fact the only new genuine RN kit is the 1/400 Mary Rose gift set as even the Landing craft as US designs also operated by the Navy. I mean they could have at least done a Seafire or the Sea Gladiator, but no its a mix of RAF or Luftwaffe with a couple of odd balls thrown in  .

[kitnut617]

I'm afraid I beg to differ about the sprues of the F2A indicating a 'short tank' version in the near future. The rear half of the F2A/F6 tank is moulded integrally with the main fuselage moulding and that would mean that a short tank 'update' would need a fair amount of mould re-cutting.

My bad, I thought the differences between the short and long tanks was an extended front end.  Which poses the question, why bother with this great big cutout at the front end ?  Was there a huge difference visually between a tank with guns in and just a plain tank ? The models I have would suggest not --

[Librarian]

Again, apologies that these are not WHIFF but an interesting evolution of the Airfix Seafires. First the Mk.45, 46 and 47:



and the Mk.17 with the Trumpeter Mk.32 (Seafang):



I still have a Mk.15 to kitbash in the New Year.

[PR19_Kit]

I'm afraid I beg to differ about the sprues of the F2A indicating a 'short tank' version in the near future. The rear half of the F2A/F6 tank is moulded integrally with the main fuselage moulding and that would mean that a short tank 'update' would need a fair amount of mould re-cutting.

My bad, I thought the differences between the short and long tanks was an extended front end.  Which poses the question, why bother with this great big cutout at the front end ?  Was there a huge difference visually between a tank with guns in and just a plain tank ? The models I have would suggest not --

AFAIK that is the difference between them, and not all F6s had the tank guns anyway. The guns had bulges in the tank walls as well as the muzzle holes but that's about it. I was wondering why the F6 kit should be £2.00 more expensive than the F2A but maybe it has the overwing tanks and Red Tops as well as Firestreaks? I suppose there could be a recce camera option but that's wishful thinking on my part. 

Here's the pics of the sprues I just took, very classy stuff with panel detail on the INSDES of the airbrakes, landing gear doors etc. The only negative comment I could make is that the decal sheet is SO big it has to bend to fit into the box!

[rickshaw]

Aren't the short and long tanks completely different shapes?

[The Wooksta!]

Yes, plus the wing leading edge changes too.

[Thorvic]

They would have to re-tool the fuselage and wings, but with todays model CAD/CAM its a much easier task as most on the other parts can remain the same. We'll just have to wait and hope that they explore that avenue in the future along with hopefully the two seaters and the 1/72nd bomber canberra's

[James]

Have to get a Swift. However, a 1/72 Swift can't be £14.99 though surely!  

Why not? The Harrier GR.3 is.....

The one I can't believe is the Tucano at £10.99: it's about the size of a Spitfire that retails at £7.99....

True enough.

[tigercat]

My 1:72 Dog Boat will have to stay a dream for now.

[NARSES2]

Noticed that Humbrol are bring out paint sets again. RAF, Luftwaffe etc

[Captain Canada]

Got mine in the mail from some crazy guy 

Thanks again Stevie ! What a sweet Christmas gift !

[Thorvic]

My 1:72 Dog Boat will have to stay a dream for now.

Not quite a Fairmile D in 1/72nd was released at SWM in November by Coastal Craft, however its a resin kit with whitemetal and etch so retails for a healthy £175 !!!!

[Thorvic]

Got mine in the mail from some crazy guy 

Thanks again Stevie ! What a sweet Christmas gift !

So what did you get Steve.... 

[tigercat]

Ouch 175 pounds.