Modelmkr

I've been reading this with some interest. A few points to remember: 1) The domestic Japanese market is what Tamiya caters to. Something like 80%+ of their sales are domestic, they don't give much of a care about foriegn sales. 2) The domestic Japanese market is US culture crazy, hence the tendancy to market US aircraft types. Everyone wishing for Mirages, Jaguars, etc. are very likely never going to see them from Tamiya. 3) Commercial viability to Tamiya bears no resemblance to what *we* think it is. That said, I think the most likely next 1/32 jet will be a 2 seat F-16. It's their lates

Well, at this point I'd keep the Mk.IX (lots of Canadian potential for me) and get the Mk.VIII as I really do like the green + brown Aussie schemes. Plus I have plenty of credit from trade-ins at my LHS, so it wouldn't actually cost me anything... tho' I am itchin' for the Trumpy MiG-23. Ah well, nice dilemma to be in, I suppose. Thanks everyone.

Windy - That was the thought *if* there was a minimum of parts, but looks like it may not be worth tossing away that much plastic from my Mk.IX kit. I'll just suck it up and buy a Mk. VIII, likely. Kahuna - Been there already and, unfortunately, not really helpful as the Mk. VIII does not show the full instructions and can't tell anything from the baged sprues.

Click "Home" then under the first window's title bar, "FEATURED TESTSHOT" on the far left of that title it says Archives... click that to access all past previews (clicking on "next page" to see even more).

Hey all, Anyone have the new 1/32 Tamiya Spitfire Mk. VIII and know what the additional sprues are (letter and Tamiya part #). There shouldn't be that many new ones to take care of the retractable tail wheel and the few other minor changes. Thanks.

Okay... so then use the plastic tires provided in the kit instead of the vinyl/rubber ones, wouldn't that solve you're dilema?

Well, I didn't want to completely discourage any P-38 fans out there. :lol:

Actually, Hasegawa have had several P-38 variants out all with fine engraved panel lines and nice detail. I've heard the fit is a little tricky. I have their 1/48 P-38J Lightning kit (JT1) and it is quite nice. Later, M.

My Bad. I saw the Dewoitine and 500 series number and off to the races went my typing fingers. Sorry for the confusion, all. M.

Tamiya make a 1/48 D.501 in typical Tamiya quality; probably your best bet. Currently in stock at Rainbow 10 for about $27 USD and at Sprue Bros. for $23.49 M.

VF-114 Aardvarks had simlilar markings. the two broad orange diagonal stripes were over top of the non-skid fuselage area. Click M.

Skyraider, as in A-1... radome?? M.

Aires makes the GE nozzle for the Hasegawa kits (and they fit!). As for aftermarket pits, any offerings in the near future are likely to be a bit of guesswork for the rear cockpit as this area, apart from industry insiders, has not been documented for the Block 60 yet. However if accuracy is not a concern you could probably get away with, say a Sufa cockpit (I can hear the gasps of shock and horror from the rivet counters from here...) and be pretty well off. The Sufa set for the Hasegawa kit is available in PE from Eduard and resin from Aires. Later, M.

Cybermodeler 1999.co.jp First link has sprue shots, next has full instructions and kit contents. M.

This is a Tamiya re-box of the Italeri kit. The Hasegawa offering is much better if you can find it. M.

Not an expert, but due to fading an weathering I would think any shade of a light blue would suffice. M.

If you aren't fussy about nationality, there are some very nice Kiwi schemes in a dark green for the Skyhawk made by Gekko Graphics. M.

:) No... it's THE way Hasegawa gets the most out of a mold.

All this talk of this being a 'Nam jet tickled my memory. There were several Navy jets from that era painted in a topside only, dark green single colour camo scheme; the underside remained white. This experimental scheme was applied in 1966 on various aircraft from Kitty Hawk, Big E, and Connie with the hope to make them less visible to MiGs. There is at least one piece of photograhic evidence of this by way of a VA-65 A-6 Intruder from Constellation. Source: World Air Power Journal, Vol. 12, Spring 1993. Photo on page 45. Later, M.

HA! Believe me, GSB competiions are not free from controversy and bad feelings either! After being an organizer and judge in our local show for 8 years it grew from minor grumblings to, in the end, the demise of the show... and we had best of category awards and a best of show award, so a little of the 123 system thrown in and did that satisfy people? nope (but, hey, I'm not bitter ) I think no matter what system one adopts, it will always have detractors. Anyway, mode off. Later, M.

All this talk of this being a cheaper kit from HK, with most people quoting Lucky, is only partly true. The sticker price may only be $55, but cast your eyes down... did you see the shipping cost for this thing!? Over $35 brings this up to $90 from Lucky, before any potential taxes etc. Yes you can get cheaper, non-traceable shipping methods, but you are literaly talking about it being on a slow boat from China. So, in the end there is no significant savings from any source. That said, I am still tempted by this... and the Fin to boot, I can live with some of the inacurracies on the 'Vark, b

Excellent idea . It's simple things like this that make a build easier and neater that escape our attention.

Stumbled across this at HLJ. Don't know anything about the company, decal quality or accuracy. They are for the SR-71A variant vice B; don't know if that's a show stopper or not.

There's a nice pictorial on Wingnut Wings in their "Hints and Tips". Here's the link.

Yeah, but if you don't use 'em you'll end up building a Supermarine Spitwad, not a Spitfire ;)