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Sergej I
Funny scheme 😄 Watching 👍

Augie
i'm in watching

David H
I'll try to make it an interesting ride !😉

Nathan Dempsey
Watching 👀 Great idea 🙂

Dave Flitton
Watching!!!!!!!!

Maciej Bellos
In!

David H
The more I look into this the more work I find. The tail decals are too large and are going to need some "creative adaptations " 🤣

David H
Oh, and welcome to the the party guys !!

Gareth Windsor
Pulling up a seat David. I love the story behind this aircraft. I spoke to someone who was there and apparently the Commanding Officer blew his top when he saw what the Americans had done to one of his aircraft.

Augie
Well 892 had done the tail of a US Marine jet earlier.;..

David H
😆😆if you look carefully at photo 5 , you'll see that all 3 were in various stages of , how shall we say, adornment 😂

Augie
This

[img1]

Maciej Bellos
Augie I think this Marine Phantom was disguised as a British one because the Royal Navy carrier it was on, had to dock in Malta. There would be a diplomatic incident if there where to be an American plane in Malta. So it was a necessity, hastily and crudely performed.

Augie
Yeah I know Maciej 🙂 I'd heard the plan was they were going to stick it below decks.. couldn't fit it so sprayed it.. much to the Marines surprise.

One of those banter stories that over the years that it was a tit for tat zapping.

Like this one [img1]

Which resulted in

[img1]

Augie
And Maciej, I fouind the story behind the US Marine phantom with the 892 sqn tail..

"Ark Royal cross decked with USS Forrestal in the Med about 1973, and had a couple of F4's from VMFA-531 operating for a few days. Came time to go into Grand Harbour and one F4 went U/S, and went U/S and went U/S as we came very close to Dom Mintoff's anti-USA dominion. The only solution was to strike the offending machine into the lower hangar away from prying eyes whilst we were in Malta.

After a couple of days it was snuck into the upper hangar and repaired by 892, who had this really nice tail fin colour scheme. A few days before we departed Valletta a light grey RN F4 appeared on deck to carry out ground runs, with brown paper stuck just where USMC markings might have been

Within 2 hours of clearing the harbour, VMFA-531 CO's personal airplane was returned with one of the best zaps: so good, he took it all the way back home"

Sorry for thread hijack.. 🙂

Mark
Great anecdote @Augie. 👍

David H
Anecdotes like this are always very welcome, and are one of the great things about this hobby.😎 👍🏻

Robert Podkoński
Thank you, Augie, for sharing this story...and these photos, I believe (and I hope) there will be someone to paint a Harrier model in this "special" livery 😄

Dean Harpster
That is a great story, never heard that one before!

Jos Jansen
Interesting stories(s)...watching this one David, great start! This Revell, a Hasegawa rebox is fun to build with almost no problems, only some intake fitting issues.

David H
👍🏻 No real issues so far apart from I think mine is a poor pressing, with plenty of flash and very soft to non existent and variable surface detail..

Thomas Bischoff
I join the show as well! Would like to build this also one day - hoping for a new mould however

David H
I'd love a new mould fg1/2 but sadly I don't think there's enough interest. But I could be wrong 🤞

Gareth Windsor
There's a whole conversation right there David. I think there is a want for the FG.1 (F-4K/M) which is why RAM and Master Decals produce the after market decals and newer companies like Reskits are making detailed Spey exhaust cans. The problem really is that almost every Phantom has the same airframe, so produce a regular Phantom and you've created and covered a lot of subjects. The Spey is just British (the Canadians almost bought it) and you might not get a big enough profit margin to warrant your efforts. Thank goodness Revell love a good re-box.

David H
The problem as I see it, whilst there may be interest , there's not a lot of variation in what can be done with markings etc, so it becomes a bit of a one trick pony… sadly, never mind thanks be to Revell for at least keeping this going

Gareth Windsor
I posted the question of a FG.1/FGR.2 on a "Models for Manufacturers" page. Apparently Zoukei-Mura SWS are looking into it as part of their Phantom series. No doubt driven by Tamiya's new 1:48 offering.

Sergej I
Technology and virus work hand-in-hand in favor of modelers! 👍 😄
So many new and top quality models that are coming out... no doubt that also a FG.X will see the light of the day... I mean, I would consider Avro Anson a far more niche model...

Augie
My only grumble, is that there are soo many that have not been done yet and yet we keep getting new molds where there aleady existing kits.. 🙁 I know seems ungrateful, but there are some really great aircraft everyone would love that just have not been done.

Sergej I
Augie, 3D printing tech is improving monthly. I could imagine that there will be business in selling 3D data for such airplanes. We already have that with scale figures.
Imagined in Australia, designed in Vietnam, downloaded and printed in Slovenija 😄
No more stash 😮

David H
And those that have tried (good on them for trying) have, unfortunately, made a right royal pigs ears of it with poor research. Luckily I got my cougar before kitty hawk went belly up ..

Dean Harpster
Amazing work on the cockpit, very impressive!

David H
Thankyou Dean , that's very kind.

Robin (WhiteGlint)
Looking very nice 👍

Neil
I agree! 🙂👍 Following from here 👀

Vincent
Great work until now!!!

Guy Rump
Looking good 👍

David H
Ok, I swear this model is jinxed. I'm now onto my third set of decals and third respray of the rear end. They have just not settled properly. I've now decided to spray the red and just add the omega as a separate decal.

David H
I've decided this one's going to the shelf for a bit. Let's start something new as this is killing my mojo

Michael Kohl
sometimes a rest on the shelf is necessary. We are looking forward for the final steps

David H
Cheers Michael. I'll give a couple of weeks 👍🏻

Gareth Windsor
So frustrating mate. I'm having a similar issue right now with one decal position on a wing. Grrrr 😖

David H
Thanks for the support mates 👍🏻 Much appreciated and will definitely help with fg1 part2 , return of the mojo ..

tyu
ResKit instructions are in my experience far from complete unfortunately. Just fit any ResKit item before completing kit assembly is my advise. I don't get what is wrong with the tail decoration size in pic 22/23: painted area seems the same as decal area. Are the Xtradecal items oversized? Or a case of decal application going wrong?

David H
Hi tyu, and welcome

The decals come as one piece with red white and omega and are way oversized. What you see is the decal AFTER I have cut it into 3 pieces and resized the individual parts by trimming the edges , then aligning them so they match each other again. When my third set arrive I'll upload a comparison picture.

tyu
Thanks for the answer, confirms my feeling about Xtradecal: most of the times they seem to be not quite correct, proceed with caution.

David H
So , this has been staring at me across the desk now for a while and I think I have enough desire to restart it. I've added photos comparing the fin decals as they come as as they should so you can see the mess that xtradecal have made of these.

Robin (WhiteGlint)
Your work on the tail really paid off. 👍

Thomas Bischoff
Glad you fixed it! Your experiences with the Xtreadecals made me buy yesterday from an IPMS mate the Aeromaster Decals.
Now I only need a nice FG kit 😊

David H
The rest of the decals aren't that bad with good opacity and register, but these tail flashes really are a deal breaker. Just shows poor research. TBH I have the hasegawa set for the Marines F4, and they "look" oversized as well, but I won't know until I try to use them.

Gareth Windsor
This popped up on FB today. We know the story by now, but a better colour picture of the "zap" CO's aircraft.
m.facebook.com/NavyW..type=3&source=48

David H
Yup, that's going in my library .. thanks for pointing it out 😁

Dean Harpster
I love this unique subject! Beautifully done, those exhaust cans look great and the colors are very striking. Glad to see your frustration with the tail worked out looking great in the end!

David H
Thankyou Dean, that's very kind of you. I've got my enthusiasm back a bit.. just finishing my lanc, then back to this properly

bughunter
Oh yes, looks nice 👍

Andreas Lux
This is a beautiful bird and a very beautiful model! Great Job👍

David H
Thankyou Andreas. Unfortunately over a period since these photos were taken the paint developed some serious crazing and cracking which I couldn't ignore any longer. Soon to be the subject of another thread..

Andreas Lux
This effect of paint is definitely annoying, but that doesn't detract from the great result of your work! Luckily, you delighted us with your pictures beforehand!

Mark
The boys who, when my motorbike was stolen circa 1981, refused to investigate it as anything other than an insurance scam! Not the brightest folk I've ever met. I'll try not to hold that against your model Sergio, but can't promise. 🙂

Sergio Ordonez
🤣🤣🤣
Mark: I've been an AF Para back during my conscription. I really do not love those MP monkeys....
But I selected this one as there are some decals available and there are some parts that must be built from scratch. This will be a preparation for my next Landie: a British Amy EOD one.
Hope your motorbike was not a Royal Enfield or a Triumph or a Norton: this would be a great loss.

Mark
Yamaha XT250. Absolutely loved that bike. It's been cars and bicycles since that was knicked. If I win the lottery tomorrow, I'll buy this: facebook.com/marketp..25539498668014/?ref=

You probably know that the RAF Police wear a blue beret, but I see the chap in image #6 is wearing a red beret like the Royal Military Police (Army).

Sergio Ordonez
Yes, I know: this one was a prototipe, it is my second time using Magic Sculpt and I'm still too green.
As you see, the figure is far from being perfect.

Mark
The figure looks fine from here Sergio. 👍

Sergio Ordonez
Thank you very much, Mike, but is a little bot oversized and the mix of green stuff and Magic Sculpt proved to be not as addequate as needed.
I have been modifying figures of the old Italery "british tank troops" box to get cold war british soldiers (as these figures are a little bit smaller than others). I'm afraid 1:35 references for 70-80's british troopers are very limited, so this encouraged me to try modelling. The second try would be better.

Mark
Mike? 😮

Sergio Ordonez
I am terrible sorry, Mark: this stupid grammar corrector (is configured for Spanish, not for English). Sorry, I should check better before sending.

Sergio Ordonez
Regarding the XT250, if you are looking for one, there are easy to obtain here in Spain under 3000€, and several are for sale. I think import taxes in Britain are around 12% plus VAT and, knowing that your MOT is a logical thing when compared to our ITV system would be relatively easy for you to get a license plate.
I know that Norton well, as there was one in the family. There were a lot of Norton bikes in Northern Spain in the 70s and 80s, but bought second hand from Canary Islands and Gibraltar. Very neglected, as spare parts were scarce. The Govt subsidies for new cars and bikes destroyed the rest and there are few to none survivors now.
Now I am working on getting a Land Rover Wolf from Britain (ex-MoD) for my farming operation. Hope to get one (or at least, pay less on taxes than on buying the Landie). 🤣

Mark
No problem Sergio, I've lost count of the number of times I've got a name wrong online. 🙂

Mark
Thanks for the tip on the XT250. I've used these sites for modelling research and they may help you find a good landie at a good price:
modsurplus.com/
army-uk.com/sub-equi..p?SID=16&SID2=16
modlandrover.com/

Sergio Ordonez
Thank you very much, Mark! I did know the first one, but no clue about the others!
I have one question for you, as you served the RAF in these times... Those guys of the RAF Police, usually have helmets in their vehicles? I mean, back in the 80s (with all this means for good rock music).

Mark
Re helmets, I'd say probably not Sergio. The banner picture you use at the top of the project made me laugh at first - never seen RAF Plods running unless running to the mess! 🙂 And very odd to see them with SLRs.

If you didn't do helmets and kitted them with 9mm pistols or SMGs, nobody could argue that it wasn't authentic (* always depending on place/scene). DPM (disruptive pattern material) and ballistic vests as per your banner picture would be correct for Germany and Northern Ireland, but for most of UK mainland I'd expect to see them in RAF blue. UK Bloodhound sites and nuclear bomber sites, are probably best treated as for Germany. There are a lot of variables. Are you modelling any specific place/scene?

Sergio Ordonez
I was thinking on RAF Brüggen or RAF Güntersloh. That photo I think was taken on Güntersloh, 1985, when some RAF Police troops try to capture a beer six pack.
Well, also I could change to RAF Blue uniforms (I think the wear caps instead berets, but also they usually patrol on Leyland Sherpa instead Landies).
Regarding the SLR, I found in photographs that whereas Royal Military Police usually appear using Sterling SMGs, RAF Police usually carry SLRs. And in most of photos, RAF monkeys wear INIBA vests. Maybe I should research a little bit more.

Mark
"some RAF Police troops try to capture a beer six pack." 😄 😄 😄 Yes, I can see them running for that!

But that photo is a good reference for you - taken where/when you want to set your scene. If anybody argued about the authenticity of your model, you just show them that photo! Anyway our models are our creations and don't have to please anyone but ourself. 👍

Sergio Ordonez
Well, in fact, I'll be unable to build an authentic license plate, so you are completely right, Mark. Let's see what we get from here. The RE and the BDU ones will be better, but we need to start from here.
Thanks, Mark!

Mark
👍

Rui S
Looking good 👍

Sergio Ordonez
Thank you, mate. Now seems closer to the end. This model is not fit for weathering, as some veterans told me RAFP Landies were neat and cleaned every week, so only small touches will be added, so, apart from some final assembly, this will remain more or less like this.

Sergio Ordonez
Mark: I think these guys are ready to look for your motorcycle...

Mark
It looks more like they're ready for tea break! 😄 Seriously though, I'm getting goose bumps from photo 33 onward - takes me right back in time. 👍

Sergio Ordonez
Well, next one maybe will be an EOD RE one... Breaks are not for tea! 🤣 🤣 🤣
Thank you for your help, Mark. You and other veterans gave me ideas and the impulse to finish this one. After the WK Kafer I thought I had lost my mojo...

Mark
👍

Mark
Looking fwd to the REME build...

Sergio Ordonez
Well, the REME EOD team build will be a kind of imagination: I'll mix again some different photographs for the final product. And I just realized that there is no Bowman Radio set available in 1:35 scale, but, let us try. 🤣

David Taylor
Nice one Sergio.Just made mine into a helicopter support platform.

Sergio Ordonez
Nice idea, David: RAF or RN? Royal Navy one is a kind of a heavy project if started from scratch.

Alexander Grivonev
Bloke looks like a true geezer 👍

Sergio Ordonez
RAF Police: I was told they were not fit for running of even moving!

David Taylor
Hi Sergio. British army used them with the Lynx helicopters.

Sergio Ordonez
David, is that a coversion by Accrate Armour? I have the one by Revell for the supoorting of RN Choppers, but It is just an standard Landie.

David Taylor
AA do a full kit but it is expensive.Mine is a standard kit modified with styrene card and rods and anything else I could find.

Sergio Ordonez
I would like to see your project, David. Looks really interesting and, as I still have a lot of spare Landies in my stash, I would like to replicate. But, first, I have to finish my Royal Navy collection: need to make low stock in my stash, as I cannot really find almost anything in my little workshop... 🙂

David Taylor
As the saying goes,I have more kits than life expectancy LOL.

Sergio Ordonez
You are right, David: infinite stash is a Common problem for all modelling mates.
Now I feel curious about the Chopper support Landies: I think I Will make some research.

David Taylor
Based mine on the same kit as yours "The Guardia Civil".

Sergio Ordonez
Yes, I used this kit, but I have a Firing Line hard top conversión kit I think It Will be useful for a RAF helo Support car. I have also found some captions of 1:76 scale drawings that Will be useful for the purpose.

David Taylor
I made new sides and filled in the roof windows with plasticard and filler.I am saving up for the Firing Line 101 as I used to work on them.For me personally, the best Landy ever.

Sergio Ordonez
David, do you know any resource I could find about the upper platform? I get some photos but are not very clear

Sergio Ordonez
I have the Firing Line 101, but I admit It have some flaws I am still trying to solve. Nevertheless, is the only one in the market.

David Taylor
I more or less copies the AA from photos.Most pictures on line are of the Defender variant.In all honesty the Hobbyboss Defender would be ideal.

Sergio Ordonez
David: I sent you a link to a 1:76 scale drawings of a 109 for chopper support. I will to digitalize It through streamlining. If I get It, I Will send you a copy.

Robert Podkoński
Thanks for sharing. Fantastic photos. When I was visiting Duxford, this hall was closed for the most part of the day...I had only half an hour to walk around...

David H
I'll add more but I need to tidy these up first. These were mainly for details and colours as the planes are so tightly packed you couldn't get the whole airframe in 😫

Robert Podkoński
That's annoying indeed...

Andreas Lux
Hello David, thank you for sharing the many detailed photos with us 👍

David H
You're welcome 👍🏻

Shar Dipree
Thanks for sharing!