j-basset

Sounds interesting! Malaysia's now retired A-4PTM's were rebuilt from A-4C/L airframes. Jason

Another common form would be: PC AN (name here), where PC = Plane Captain Jason

TDY = Temporary Duty, I believe. Jason

The more recent RoG 1/32 F-5E Patrouille Swiss release is the Hasegawa F-5E 'Shark nose'. I've got one in my stash. More than 10 years back RoG did have a 1/32 F-5E with Swiss & Singapore markings, but this one used the Ace/Kangnam tooled model. Jason

Hi, There's a Universal Models outlet on Waterloo Road (near the hospital & the YMCA International House), and a few more smaller shops around the back streets in that area. The general area is called Yau Ma Tei. Jason

Would be keen to know if it comes with the PTID (sp?) display or the original fish bowl display. Thanks. Jason C.

Just FYI: Kitech is also known as Zhengdefu. They are one and the same. Jason

JJ, The GPS dome is just aft of the raked back anteena on the spine, while the dual chaff & flare dispensers are under the intakes. Best to take a look at this model from the ARC gallery: TUDM F/A-18D 1/32 Happy building. Jason

JJ, The TUDM aircraft are comparable to late Lot jets (probably similar to Lot 18). You will need: 1. Raked back antenna on spine & under fwd. fuselage (near NLG rearmost door) 2. GPS dome 3. dual ALE-47 chaff & flare dispensers 4. gun purge vents replaced by mesh or black decal Since you're starting with a B model, you also need to look at the other common C & D features. No IFF bird slicers. The best starting point would have been Hasegawa's 1/72 F/A-18D. Finemolds has a pretty nice 1/72 PE detail set which has many of the features here. Jason C.

I think this will be my first Hobbydecal purchase! Looking forward to it, Kim. Jason C.

Jerry, The new Tamiya kit is a F-16CJ, which has a different rim pattern. I've not taken a close look at the Tamiya kit, but believe the kit should be correct. The wheel I'm planning is for the A, B, MLU & C blocks 25/30/32. Jason

Looks great. I'll be interested in getting a set for my Heller RF-84F when the RF set is ready. Jason

Sorry, whopper. I don't have the answer to that yet. It should be SLA but I'm leaving it to the RP specialist to decide. Jason

Raymond, When Hobbyboss first made their presence known at the Nuremberg show a couple years back, they announced a new 1/48 F/A-18A/B/C/D. I guess this is it. Eager to know how it looks too. Jason

Thanks to all for the outstanding support. We'll get a photo of the prototype out soon as we can. Instructions have been given for masters of the brake discs to be made too. Jason

We are actually starting work on masters for our own 1/48 late production F/A-18C/D update set to complement our Export Bugs decals. Can't say exactly when it will be out but based on our schedule, it should be Q3 2007.

Accuracy issues aside, the main fit problem I experienced building mine was matching the forward fuselage to the main fuselage. The fit of that area was bad, but in hindsight, could have been solved by test fitting & trimming some of the main components. Jason

OK, I think I've got all the feedback I need. We're going in! As a matter of fact, the rapid prototyping people just called up earlier today to see if I was still interested. BTW, the resolution of their 3D printer is 10 microns, so it looks like those spokes shouldn't be a problem. I'll have to get some improvements made to CAD model this weekend, and hopefully get the files over to them for a few masters to be produced by next week. The brake discs will be mastered separately. Jason

Adding brakes shouldn't be a problem, but I'd be inclined to cast a 'straight replacement' with separate brake discs as an option. Jason

Kent, No brake detail - it'll be a straight replacement of the kit parts. I did consider adding brake detail, but that would involve some surgery on the MLG units to remove the molded on ones which are somewhat simplified. Since the MLG's are load bearing items, it would have been risky for the average modeller to remove the brake discs without damaging the shaft (and possibly having to insert a length of aluminium tubing etc. as replacement without compromising strength or alignment). Therefore, I elected not to include it. Jason

And it will enter production, raptor22. Just bear with us for a shortwhile more. The LAU-128 is something me & my 2 team members want badly as modellers. Between us, we probably have over 30 F-15 models that need them too. We're motivated for sure, even if we end up being unable to sell many. It's just that economics dictate a need for a second product before casting starts. Jason

Yes, sure. I'm already seeing some changes needed to conform to the one in Dave Cook's photos. Jason

That's right - this is our first time going this route. We had to do it this way, as there was no way else we could handle the 14 almond shaped spokes. The previous F/A-18C/D chaff & flare dispenser set was mastered the traditional way. Jason

Alex, there's no need for one in 1/32 scale since the Tamiya Thunderbirds F-16C already has the very same wheel pattern included. Jason

Thanks to all who responded. From my point of view, I wouldn't give up my Hasegawa F-16's even with the Tamiya one out. In considering this product, I'm assuming many modellers won't either, at least not completely and there is still a gap that needs to be filled regardless. Jason