Camus272

Yes, they are being launched by B-1s.

Right. It seems crazy that the B-52 would be survivable at 100 years old while the B-2 won't be at that time. Since the B-1's role has been changed, and is no longer a strategic bomber restricted to START treaties, rather becoming an extremely useful heavily loaded tactical platform, I would think it wouldn't even be considered in strategic bomber plans. Furthermore, given how bomber programs get off to a painful start, I was expecting the B-21 to supplement the B-2 as the front-line platform for a significant amount of time.

So, it seems the B-2 is slated to be retired by 2032. This seems a bit premature to me, given the low number of heavy bombers we will have by then and the fact it is still one of the most advanced planes in the world (as well as our massive investment in them). I wonder if, like the F-117, its unique technology is becoming compromised and countered, rendering it becoming more vulnerable. Any thoughts?

Glad to see that the Air Force's F/A-18E/F Super Hornets will get new capabilities.

Sorry, I mean Eielson now has one painted in a blue splinter scheme. I'm sure TB will have a sheet for that too if its not on the BDU sheet.

They have a blue splinter out now too. I haven't even gotten close to finishing the Nellis splinter, -[so many schemes to catch up on.

Yeah, block 32 is possible, and if you could get the alternate intake and GE engine sprue from another Hasegawa kit you could also do a block 30 (which I just did with that kit). All of the Hasegawa kits contain the same basic fuselage sprues. Its just a matter of the landing gear/engine/antenna parts to do any block.

Your description complete sums up my experience with Life Color. But yeah, Acryl is touchy but I haven't had any problems using it over an enamel base coat.

Yeah, I just went to shop that had a pretty full rack, with about four colors out. He said he's still trying to stock it, but what he doesn't have he can no longer get.

I've noticed that some of the colors are now disappearing from the Testors website, so they must be closing down the Model Master II line a few colors at a time. For instance, 37031 is gone, as well as 35414 and 46492 (and they were the only source for those two colors).

16473 is still available in both the Testors enamel (Model Master I) and acrylic lines. AMC Gray is the one that has now been discontinued along with the Model Master II line.

The Hasegawa Weapons E kit has four of the dual launchers and 8 AMRAAMS, so two of the kits would do it, and you would get the other weapons as well. The pylon looks like a pretty standard E long pylon, so I don't think it would take much work.

Same problem here, on Firefox.

I'd love to see all the shots you can get. I suspect there is some reason for using the black Viper for Red Flag, as it seems unusual to fly a jet still in the painting process.. As the other were painted solid gray, I'm guessing someone wanted to try out the black scheme as a test, even if it is temporary. Or were there just not enough Vipers ready for RF-A?

I see. It's interesting that they put markings on it and use it for Red Flag. I like the looks of it in any case.

I'm still trying to find a fewspecific markings for the Shaw 33rd TFS F-16s. I just need the "Falcons" tail bands and the squadron badge for the intake. If anyone has extras please let me know. Thanks, Brian

And another one, going all-black- a nice look for the F-16.

Because the original phase out was planned to be around 2013, but it was sped up to 2006.

At an airshow a few years ago the guy next to me was saying the F-22 should be retired and replaced with the superior F-14. He wasn't just serious, he was cocky about it. Yeah, I'm sure the Navy feels the same- given the early retirement the F-14 got.

Just a reminder that the original Model Master will still keep going. I've always found them to give the best result, so I'm surprised by some of the negative things I've read. As far as Mr Paint and Mr Color, they sound interesting. Does anyone have links to the complete color lists? From what I've found so far, they are a little short on FS colors. Also, where do people order these from?

It's the Model Master II line that is being dropped. I've never heard of converting acrylic to non-acrylic paint. My question would be why would you want to? If you already have the right color, why not use the acrylic version? I wish they would expand the acryl line to include the MMII colors they don't have, but I don't foresee that happening. Some of the most useful MMII colors aren't even made in any other company's line.

I saw them have two spares ready at a show in 2010.

Bad week for F-16s. I am surprised at how well the airframes have held up in these accidents. Particularly the canopy in this case. That must have quite a scary view from the cockpit. I've never considered how one gets out of the plane if it is resting on the canopy.

Model Master is their line though. I can kind of see the business rationale of buying up competitor's product lines and then replacing them, but there is no sense in deleting their own brand. Getting rid of popular military colors would only mean we would be forced to use other brands. What I don't understand is why they can't just make batches of one color on demand as it is ordered from distributors. I guess I'll just buy up what I can find of MM II based on what I think I'll need, and stock up ahead on MM I colors in case things go from bad to worse.

Wow, that would seem to be the whole Model Master II line. I only use the FS colors, but it seems to be a really nice line of international colors which is a shame to lose. If they are going exclusively to American FS colors, it would be nice if they moved some of these FS color to the original lineup (not all, as some are so obscure I'm surprised they made them in the first place).