Attack Squadron Models - Spitifire tail surfaces on sale at Hannants

[PR19_Kit]

I've got one of their Spitfire PRXIs.  Do I get another whilst I have the chance, bearing in mind I have several of the Ventura and MPM kits?

Big H only had one in stock on Sunday.............

[The Wooksta!]

I know there's one on ebay....

[Weaver]

Hmmm. I do have a couple boxes of their Mk 77 napalm canisters, should I hoard more for the Vietnam era builds in The Plan, or is there an alternative source?

Yes, I know, Hase weapon set 1 (multiples in The Stash) has two BLU-1/BLU-27's and Hase's old tool 'Toom (multiples in The Stash) has the two MXU-648 "travel pods", which were reappropriated BLU-27's. But IIRC BLU-27 was a USAF weapon, the Navy and the Marines preferred Mk 77?

I nearly bought some of the Mk.77s. Do you know why the Navy preferred them?

[Thorvic]

managed to get a Set of the C-130E engines as the Italeri ones are not right.

There are rumours that the product line is up for sale so expect to see some of them reissued under another name and probably with a price hike.

[Snowtrooper]

I nearly bought some of the Mk.77s. Do you know why the Navy preferred them?

Can't say for certain that I would know the reason.

When USAF and USN ran out of drop tanks for retired plane types to use as napalm containers, both services developed a series of new containers individually (BLU-1 and 27 750 lb, BLU-10 250 lb, BLU-23 and 32 500lb; Mk 77 750 lb, Mk 78 500 lb, Mk 79 1000lb).

I would guess that the Navy would have wanted more efficient thermal protection to avoid cook-offs (even their Mk 80 series bombs have a different coating compared to the Air Force bombs because of this). Also, USAF napalm bombs (with the exception of the first few BLU-1's) were filled in the field, but by the time the Navy got rid of its old stock of Mk 77 series, the containers were leaking napalm, implying they were factory-filled (probably another unnecessary fire hazard to fill fire bombs aboard an aircraft carrier). However, the Navy/USMC napalm use was limited to shore-based units anyway, which meant that the double development work would have been mostly in vain (since the fire hazard in ground bases was less urgent than on carriers). However, the need for thermal protection does not explain the need for an entirely separate design - as said, Mk 80 series was used by both with the only difference being the casing material.

The alternative explanation could be that it was a case of Not Invented Here, it was the same was with Mk 7 Rockeye / Mk 20 Rockeye II, it was initally a "Navy" weapon and the USAF their own SUU-30 based CBU series of cluster bombs instead for a long time until they adopted it as the CBU-59 (antipersonnel) and the CBU-99/100 (antitank); or the Mk 4 20mm gun pod, the Navy never adopted the SUU-16 or 23 gun pods, and USAF didn't use Mk 4.

[jcf]

Attack Squadron brand production has been cancelled. Arma Hobby will focus on plastic kits only. Production rights were sold to Czech company Brengun... They will be relased under their brand in future. So we are sorry, they are out of stock and will not be available in our shop anymore.

[Weaver]

Hannats have got some of these Spitfire rudder & stabilizers for late Merlin variants left, going for £2.20 a set.

Any use to you Lee? 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ASQ72073

[The Wooksta!]

Tempting, true, but with a huge box of spares and my own moulds?  No, but ta for the thought!