Freightdog suggestions for 2023

[Weaver]

Left field suggestion for you Colin:

The Airfix 1/35th Ferret scout car has just come out and people seem very enthusiastic about both the subject and the kit. Even in 1/35th it's still pretty small, so resin conversion kits for other versions should be doable for reasonable effort and price, and there's tons of information available. Do it soon and you could "catch the wave" of enthusiasm for it.

Ideas that immediately spring to mind are:

Command/observation version Mark 1/2.
This had a fixed superstructure for two crew in place of the turret. Should be straightforward to make in one piece of resin, or, at the cost of more complexity, you could make it hollow.

Internal security version Mark 2/2.
This had the standard turret raised up on a fixed superstructure produced locally by British Army units in Aden and Malaysia. Again, it's could just a solid block of resin (easy) or hollow (harder).

ATGW version Mark 2/6.
This was the basic turreted vehicle with two Vigilant ATGWs mounted on the sides of the turret and twp spares carried on the left side of the hull. The launch boxes have holes in the side and angle-cut lids at the end, making the missile quite visible, so the best approach might be to have a resin missile and a folded PE brass box.


Ferret Mk.1/2:


Ferret Mk.2/2:


Ferret Mk.2/6:

[Weaver]

Another suggestion:

You're selling the 1/72nd Fine Molds Iranian F-14 on your website. This comes without weapons and directs the buyer to the same company's US air-to-air weapon sets. However, these sets don't include a unique-to Iran option, which was a MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missile adapted for air-launch. There are/were two version of this:

Sedjil: this was a standard Hawk used in the air-to-air role. The missile looked the same as a Hawk (details widely available) but it might have used some sort of pylon adaptor.

Yasser: this was a Hawk used in the air-to-ground role: The front end was replaced by an M117 750lb bomb (minus it's tail) and allegedly the fins were modified too. It's not clear what, if any, guidance was used, since the Hawk's semi-active radar homing head was removed. Possibilities are command (like Bullpup), beam-riding, using the F-14's locked-on radar beam, autopilot using the Hawk's original system, or even none (giant unguided rocket    ).

Both of these would be relatively easy to model, since even if pics of the Iranian weapons aren't common, specs for the bits they're made from are, and you could bundle them with Fine Molds kit to encourage people to buy it from you rather than someone else. After all, anyone buying an iranian F-14 kit is pretty much guaranteed to be interested in these things.

Article: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/33456/iran-equipped-its-f-14s-with-modified-hawk-sams-that-had-bombs-attached-to-their-noses



Sedjil:


Yasser:

[elmayerle]

Just an idea for multiple sccales:  RF-100A "Slick Chick" recce aircraft, possibly with a decal sheet for both USAF and ROC usage.

[kitbasher]

Consider this more like a suggestion for 2024, Colin.  How's about Hawker Hunter fuselage mountings (I.e. modified gun packs) for Firestreaks and Sidewinders to fit the Revell 1/72 Hunter.?

Real world items with whif potential.

[McColm]

What about a weapons pack for the Airfix Fairey Rotodyne or the 1/72 vertical tail fin for the de Havilland Comet 4C as there's always interest in the Airfix HS/BAe Nimrod to convert it back into an airliner or Comrod prototype.
A reissue of some of the earlier decals for those who missed it when they were first released.

[The Wooksta!]

You cannot view this attachment.

[Accidental Loggie]

What about a weapons pack for the Airfix Fairey Rotodyne 

Would this be for the Army Co-ord version laying down suppressive fire before discharging a section of troops, the simple Battlefield taxi which had only Defensive Aids Suite fit of chaff and flares etc, or the Spooky version with a massive cannon and multiple machine guns all poking out of the port side?   

[Mossie]

You're selling the 1/72nd Fine Molds Iranian F-14 on your website. This comes without weapons and directs the buyer to the same company's US air-to-air weapon sets. However, these sets don't include a unique-to Iran option, which was a MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missile adapted for air-launch.

Maestro Models do the Sedjil in the major scales:

https://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?adv=1&product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=362399&product_type_id=&code=&scale_id=&keyword_search=Iran&setPerPage=100&sort=0&search_direction=0&save_search_name=&save_search=

[Rheged]

What about a weapons pack for the Airfix Fairey Rotodyne 

Would this be for the Army Co-ord version laying down suppressive fire before discharging a section of troops, the simple Battlefield taxi which had only Defensive Aids Suite fit of chaff and flares etc, or the Spooky version with a massive cannon and multiple machine guns all poking out of the port side?   

Or possibly the Fleet Air Arm anti-submarine Rotodyne?

[zenrat]

The anti-sub 'dyne was a failure as the things were so loud their prey could hear them coming while submerged.
Same issue with the battle-taxi plus the troops they disgorged went into action with severe tinnitus...

[PR19_Kit]

                      

[Accidental Loggie]

The anti-sub 'dyne was a failure as the things were so loud their prey could hear them coming while submerged.
Same issue with the battle-taxi plus the troops they disgorged went into action with severe tinnitus...

Now that you mention it, I recall that the battlefield taxi version was known as the "Ajax HC.1".....

[McColm]

The anti-sub 'dyne was a failure as the things were so loud their prey could hear them coming while submerged.
Same issue with the battle-taxi plus the troops they disgorged went into action with severe tinnitus...

Now that you mention it, I recall that the battlefield taxi version was known as the "Ajax HC.1".....

Inflatable bags on the landing gear for the anti-shipping/anti-submarine version.

[Freightdog862]

Like the suggestions chaps, I do read and take note. I did look at Rotodyne stuff with Paul Lucas a while back, sadly what flew wasn't much like what was projected so we didn't proceed, never say never though..   

[PR19_Kit]

New, longer wings maybe?

I did look at Rotodyne stuff with Paul Lucas a while back, sadly what flew wasn't much like what was projected so we didn't proceed, never say never though..   

New, longer wings maybe?