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MikeC

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Posts posted by MikeC

    Custom fictional paint schemes

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Not really an aircraft, but bear with me: I built a Revell 1:24 Mustang "64 1/2" car as a change from my usual airborne fare. Gave it my own custom paint job of Silver (Ford Stardust Silver from a Halfords can), then added yellow bonnet and front wings and the numberplate "LOU 1V" ;)

    Sorry I haven't got any photos, but P-51 afficianados may well recognise the scheme.

    What aircrafts would you like to see in kits?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by MikeC

    I'll do the list I usually do, all in my preferred 1:48 scale:

    Another vote for the RF-8;

    F9F-8 Cougar, with an option for that so-ugly-it's-beautiful recce nose, and perhaps another boxing with a two-seater;

    F11F Tiger from a mainstream manufacturer;

    A Spitfire IX that combines the accuracy of ICM's (which I'm aware is not perfect, but it's the best we've got) and the ease of build of the Tamiya P-51;

    Similarly a decent XIV with hi-back and lo-back options;

    MiG-21 F-13 (I have high hopes of Eduard);

    MiG-21UM (again will Eduard oblige??)

    Polish Birds, Polish Wife

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by MikeC

    Well I'm just building the Eduard MiG-21; the first issue (the one with the Egyptian bird on the front) does have a Polish option. And it's an excellent kit imo - the fit is up to Tamiya standards, there are enough weapons included to arm a small Warpac air force, and the ejection seat is a model kit in itself - 18 plastic parts plus etch! :jaw-dropping: The jet pipe/afterburner detail is similarly very well done - shame most of it will be hidden once the fuselage is closed.

    Thoroughly recommended!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

    PS - mine will be a Czech example.

    Early Aircraft Inspiration from where you grew up?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by MikeC

    From the age of about 8 I remember a constant stream of USAF and USN aircraft over my house and school, C-130s and KC-135s being very common, also VT-29/C-131s, C-117s and many more. But I've never lived anywhere but England. How so?

    Grew up not far from Mildenhall. Fond memories of open days there, and also at Lakenheath and Bentwaters; Wattisham too where I got my fix of Lightnings which were based there at that time, 29 and 56 Sqns iirc. Mildenhall air days had a unique aroma, a heady mix of burnt jet fuel and barbequeue.

    1974, I was "on the fence" to see the SR-71 arrive after its Farnborough vist. Impressive!!

    Happy days ...

    Telford show?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    In case your good lady objects to being left in London while you head for Telford, MrsC informs me that the Telford shopping centre is a fine example of the breed, and it's a short walk from the venue.

    Hope you can make it.

    1/72 - F-4D Victor Alert

    in In Defence of Europe: US and Canadian Forces in Europe GB

    Posted · Edited by MikeC

    ...

    The picture shows a single B61 on the centreline and an ECM pod on the starboard inboard wing pylon (anybody remember seeing a USAFE F-4D flying with an ECM pod on a wing pylon ? ). ...

    ... That is interesting that the ALQ-119 is on the inboard and not a missile well....

    In "The Phantom Story" (Thornborough & Davies, Arms & Armour, 2000) a Lt Col John Roberts, USAF Ret, who was the former ops officer of the 92nd TFS at Woodbridge/Bentwaters, is quoted thus: "The alert aircraft carried one B61 thermonuclear weapon on the centreline, two fuel tanks and an ECM pod (my italics) on the wings and the usual four Sparrow AIM-7 missiles in the recessed fuselage wells."

    This implies it was SOP, certainly for this unit, and it makes sense if there was the requirement to carry the missiles - which the aircraft in the pic does not seem to be carrying when the pic was taken.

    Aircraft you've flown or flown in?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Auster something

    Cessna 172

    Whirlwind HAR 10

    Chipmunk (I'm a former Air Cadet from that era)

    Beagle Husky (One of the Auster family)

    Argosy

    Hercules

    BAC 111

    Slingsby Sedbergh glider

    Kirby Cadet Mk 3 glider (Soloed :yahoo: )

    Chinook

    Boeing 727

    Boeing 737

    Boeing 777

    Jetranger

    Tiger Moth (MrsC's pressy for my 50th :wub: )

    Still to do: Dragon Rapide, DC3, Harvard, Stearman and hot-air balloon. And in my dreams, that two-seat Spitfire - well a chap can dream!

    P-51H question

    in Props

    Posted

    I don't know about either of those you mentioned; I've built the Historic Plastic Models (HiPM) and whilst some say the wings have too narrow a chord it seems OK to me. Not an easy kit, but with a bit of work it scrubbed up well. The kit decals give 4 options (2 56th FG, 2 ANG) but the US national markings are proportionally incorrect - easily replaceable.

    The kit includes some resin and a small etch fret iirc, and has a thick but usable injection moulded canopy, in fact two, one open and one shut.

    One of the better limited run kits I've experienced.

    HTH

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