Nick's Notes

Nick · January 02, 2016, 11:15:26 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 01, 2016, 06:16:41 AM
What colours did you use Nick ? They look rather suitable for a naval fighter me thinks.

I don't think you'll like these acrylics....

Revell Aquacolor 49, Hellblau (lower light blue)
Revell Aquacolor 48, Seegrun (lighter green upper)
Tamiya XF-27, Black-Green (darker upper)

NARSES2 · January 03, 2016, 06:29:01 AM

Right. Must admit I'm not a fan of Revell paints at all. Still as I said they do look suitable for a German Naval aircraft

Nick · January 11, 2016, 01:37:53 AM

Originally posted in the Cold War GB but further thoughts and development may follow here.

Here's some heresy for Fleet Air Arm fans....

The last proper aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, left the Royal Navy in 1979. In order to maintain their air power role the FAA persuades Whitehall to copy the German method whereby the Bundesmarine or Marineflieger operates aircraft from shore bases.

Traning is based at RNAS Yeovilton, while operational strike squadrons operate from RNAS Culdrose, Lossiemouth, Prestwick and Manston. (Need to look at other possible sites)

From 1975 the aircraft used were a mix of Phantoms for fighter cover and Buccaneers for the naval strike role, a role at which they excelled. Gannets were used for AEW for some years until replaced by RAF Nimrods and later the E-3 Sentry.

By 1995 the Buccs and F-4s have been stood down and replaced with ex-RAF Tornados converted to the IDS role.

This follows from consideration of F-14 Tomcats and F-18 Hornets before the (obvious!) all-British choice was made.

Nick · January 11, 2016, 01:55:36 AM

Question for the above is what squadrons to use. I don't really want to use the Harrier squadrons so some of the older 800-810 numbers could be reformed. Need to go home and check my reference books....

Thorvic · January 11, 2016, 05:28:01 AM

Well a cope out is 809 as you can get the decals for its short lived Sea Harrier service in 82, Otherwise look at 803 a Stinging Bee with Black and Yellow checks, 804 the Tiger with a dagger in its mouth, 806 with the Ace of Diamonds or 807 with the Scimitar blade.

If the FAA had continued with land based types with the Maritime defence role then they would have got new Tornado ADV and IDS types from new rather than ex-RAF, with the Anti-shipping role and GR-1B Tornados being FAA units instead of 12 and 208 at Lossie. ADV would have been 899, 892, 893 or 899 - can be found from most Sea Vixen sheets (I wouldn't go with the black omega for 892 if the FAA were to continue in the ground based roles.

PR19_Kit · January 11, 2016, 10:53:47 AM

Quote from: Nick on January 11, 2016, 01:37:53 AM

Traning is based at RNAS Yeovilton, while operational strike squadrons operate from RNAS Culdrose, Lossiemouth, Prestwick and Manston. (Need to look at other possible sites)

Coltishall, Boscombe Down, St. Mawgan, St. Athan, Brawdy, Llanbedr, Blackpool, Macrihannish? Some would need to be pinched from the RAF and some 'de-civilised' but then the five you listed were similar.

Captain Canada · January 11, 2016, 03:54:04 PM

Sounds good Nick ! Looking forward to seeing them.

Nick · January 12, 2016, 07:10:56 AM

Another base I should have used is RNAS Twatt aka HMS Tern

During the Cod War between Iceland and the UK (no score draw, fish and chips all round) NATO planners looked at building a new airfield on Orkney. The fear of Iceland rejecting NATO and causing the huge GIUK gap was terrifying.
They would merge both Tern and Skeabrae airfields to create a large modern site capable of handling large aircraft such as Nimrod and KC-10 up the C-5 Galaxy.

A dedicated maritime strike unit would be essential there with a tanker unit.

RAF Twatt? The Navy (who would call it HMS Tern) would think this the best joke ever pulled on Crab Air!

Nick · January 28, 2016, 08:20:01 AM

Last night I went to my first club meeting since I left IPMS Hornchurch 10 years ago. This was the London Modellers who meet at St Brides Institute near Blackfriars Station. They are a nice bunch who seemed very interested in the 4 what-if models (F-19 and 3 Gnats) I took along to show off, I got friendly comments and some good tips on achieving metal finishes.
To top it off we went for beers after the meeting

I also entered their kit swap lucky dip competition. Each person puts a wrapped up kit into a raffle, numbers are drawn from a hat (shaking off the dandruff as you go

) and everyone goes away with a new kit. This kit must be built out of box with no aftermarket and presented at the April meeting. I got the new Airfix Me109 G-6!

Think I shall go regularly, or as often I can.

NARSES2 · January 29, 2016, 06:29:59 AM

I went there a couple of times before I retired and yes they are (assuming not to many changes) a nice bunch. Since retirement it's a bit of a haul and a change of train so not on really. A few of them are involved with Southern Expo I think ? plus one or two were/are involved with the Hendon Hannants ?

Nick · January 30, 2016, 06:39:25 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on January 29, 2016, 06:29:59 AM
I went there a couple of times before I retired and yes they are (assuming not to many changes) a nice bunch. Since retirement it's a bit of a haul and a change of train so not on really. A few of them are involved with Southern Expo I think ? plus one or two were/are involved with the Hendon Hannants ?

I'm not quite sure who does what but I was told about IPMS Barnet and Hannants by one chap. I know that Martin is their resident tank guy who was confused at winning the 1/48 Harrer in the raffle!
Annabelle is a retired Staff Sergeant who builds all sorts of British Army trucks (Matadors, AEC, Bedfords etc) and has lots of army stories to tell. Remember the Mine Clearance APC in the competition at the London Model Show in December? That was hers!
Quite a few other faces I'll get to know in due course.

Southern Expo did come up though it seems to have several names - Romford show, Hornchurch club show, the March show, East London....

Nick · March 04, 2016, 02:53:36 AM

Started work on a T-45 Goshawk today, it's the Italeri 1/72 kit and goes together easily. I'll be interested in seeing how it compares to the Italeri Hawk 100 I finished building last month althouth I know the T-45 is a bit inaccurate and would need major work to be correct.

It fits together well but the moulds are a bit worn with bits of flash in spots. Instructions don't say that any nose weight is needed but I'll soon find out!

Captain Canada · March 04, 2016, 04:24:35 AM

Mine clearing APC eh ? Any pics ?

How is the Goshawk going to be finished ? Is that kit out again ?

Nick · March 04, 2016, 06:23:30 AM

I have no pics of the APC sadly.

The T-45 Goshawk will most likely be a Royal Navy trainer or strike for the Cold War build. Other options are a USN attack aircraft or a US Marines trainer.
I have three of these old kits in the stash and I doubt they will ever be released again.

Rheged · March 04, 2016, 09:21:06 AM

Quote from: Nick on January 12, 2016, 07:10:56 AM
Another base I should have used is RNAS Twatt aka HMS Tern

During the Cod War between Iceland and the UK (no score draw, fish and chips all round) NATO planners looked at building a new airfield on Orkney. The fear of Iceland rejecting NATO and causing the huge GIUK gap was terrifying.
They would merge both Tern and Skeabrae airfields to create a large modern site capable of handling large aircraft such as Nimrod and KC-10 up the C-5 Galaxy.

A dedicated maritime strike unit would be essential there with a tanker unit.

RAF Twatt? The Navy (who would call it HMS Tern) would think this the best joke ever pulled on Crab Air!

Orkney is crawling with military history, from brochs to Martello towers to World Wars (and after). The old Kirkwall airfield at Hatston is now an industrial estate, but it does have Skua , Gladiator, Swordfish, Dakota, Sparrow hawk and Seafire Roads. The site below might interest people

http://www.forgottenairfields.com/united-kingdom/scotland/orkney-and-shetland/hatston-s886.html