JackMan

Yes, it was a chinese brand called Zhengdefu. Avoid at all costs.

Thanks very much, Gianni! Exactly what I'm looking for. And please keep up the great work on your F-15

Hi Gianni, Can I know which Aires exhaust this is? The part number? I've been looking for these, too. But all the ones I've seen in 1/72 don't have the early turkey feathers. Thank you.

Hi Gene Actually, I'm only familiar with the 1/72 JASDF Phantoms because I'm a bit of JASDF aficionado (though I've toned down a bit over the years) . I was really into JASDF Phantoms and Eagles back in the early 2000s because that's when Hasegawa made it an almost yearly ritual to release 1/72 Phantom kits with awesome looking sharkmouth decals. This is because the JASDF held an annual ACM Air Combat Meet called "Senkyo" and it was a chance for the various squadrons to show off their coolest markings. When it came to creative sharkmouth Phantoms, the Japanese are unbeatable. Some examples: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10034181 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10026945 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10039204 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10043519 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10122284 when you click on the 'List all Images' link, you can see the decal sheet. Usually, on top of the boxart machine, they also included another 1-2 optional markings that also includes cool sharkmouths. There were several other boxings as well that I can't seem to locate the links for. Then there was Platz's offerings: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10030445 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10025472 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10024717 https://modelingmadness.com/scott/decals/nbm/nbmjd37.htm Needless to say, I went crazy hunting down these Limited Edition kits and stashing them greedily on my 'to-do' pile. Even the Fujimi F-4EJ kits had a couple of sharkmouths that you won't find in the Hasegawa kits. Actually, Gene, I've always respected your intimate knowledge of the Phantom. It was only on that Britmodeller thread that I realized why you knew this aircraft so well: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234992986-172-mcdd-f-4-c-phantom-ii-hasegawamonogram-kitbash-completed/&/topic/234992986-172-mcdd-f-4-c-phantom-ii-hasegawamonogram-kitbash/?p=2185379 It's truly an honor to correspond with you on these forums, sir. Thank you for your service

Wow, those are amazing builds. That JASDF F-15E and those Crusader profiles are really nice. Future What-If builds for me to consider.

Actually some of the Kai versions do come with the regular hardwings as spares that are not used for the Kai version: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10585033 (Sprue D ) https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10585033 Same for this boxing: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10662389 Again, Sprue D. Alternatively you could also go for the Fujimi F-4EJs ( no matter what you see on their boxtops, even if they look like a Kai, the plastic inside can only be used for a regular hardwinged F-4E or F-4EJ. That is, Fujimi F-4EJs are all non-Kai versions and don't have the antennas on the wingtips/fintips) https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10621926

I agree. The US & Japanese versions pop up quite frequently at reasonable prices: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10197844 And Kursad? Might this Pakistani one be of some interest? https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/6410057 https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/6352685

In case y'all need something to put these decals on: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10037742

ARC Forums need to have "Like" and "Thanks" buttons. Thanks, Gabor

Thanks for this, Craig. I think the mystery of part 19 might be solved at 1:45:50. Right at the end of the intake ducts. Also, part 13 at 1:46:44. ( At the same timeframe of the video, it's good to see they got the correct nose for the Kai version. Part 3 ) Also, 1:45:55, it doesn't appear as if the airbrakes can be posed open 😟 1:47:11 and 1:48:37 ... you can hear the gasps of amazement from those Japanese dudes regarding the cockpit details and the Bleed Air Holes

In other words, after the Japanese forces had already been weakened by the Allies after years of fighting. . I think the 'slaughter' would have been on both sides. The Japanese knew they were going to lose. Their philosophy was to take down as many opponents as possible before going down themselves.

The pilot's name wouldn't be Samurai Jack would it? 😀🤣

Japanese "F-16s"

Might be of some help: 1/48 TF-102A C & H Aero Miniatures Resin Conversion Parts 1 - 4 https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=1%2F48+TF-102A+C+%26+H+Aero+Miniatures+Resin+Conversion Some good info on the C & H kit: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235044437-tf-102-cygnus-model-148-conversion-set/ And a build with corrections made to the C & H kit https://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal3/2301-2400/Gal2336-TF-102-Hawkey/00.shtm Personally, I find the kit looks more slick & aerodynamic before the correction....even if fictitious. After the correction, it does look more accurate and resembles the real thing, but to me, more pug-faced and squashed....even if it's more accurate.

Thanks for the heads up on the Hasegawa kit. I had seen that boxart before but I never knew that the white scheme was also included in the kit: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10098652 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10098652 At least now I can download better instructions from the above link. Like you, I too have that Superscale sheet and a 1/72 Fujimi TA-4J to go with it. Again , like you, I'm too intimidated to do all that masking, esp since the Superscale painting instructions leave much to be desired.

Come over to the Dark Side...........1/72. We have more space on our shelves....

I've always liked this VT-7 bird (775) but that tail and nose is going to be a bear to paint: https://modelingmadness.com/scott/decals/super/ss72539.htm Also, no idea what the wings, top and bottom look like. The slat wells appear to be dark blue but I'm not really sure. And eye-catching scheme, nevertheless.

Thanks, Gene Now, if only we had a decent 1/72 Rafale to go with these pilots. The raised panels and mediocre details of the Revell/Italeri kits as well as the under-sized Hobbyboss kits just don't cut it. If only Revell would pantograph their wonderful 1/48 Rafale M into 1/72 scale. Been aching to do at least a couple of naval Rafales ever since I watched the "Rafale Chillout" series of videos on youtube. Right now, my hope is on Modelsvit. After they're done with the Mirage 2000 series, I hope they do the Rafale series next. I also hope Hasegawa might give it a go. I like their Eurofighter kit. Fine details, simple to put together and not as complex as the Revell one. So I'm hoping Hase might go that route with 1/72 Rafales too.

Jeebus! That part about the Ukrainian officer and the phone call from his mother..... 😧 Real-life 'Enemy of the State' stuff.

Good recommendation, guys. Thank you Napalmakita, first person accounts always make for interesting reads. Gives you a "I was there" - real-time feeling. I'll seriously look into your recommendation. Thank you. frankycee, Red Phoenix interests me. I've read the reviews and the NK vs US + SK clash is intriguing. I believe the author co-authored a sequel called Red Phoenix Burning so I'll have to look into that one as well. Thank you. Wow! That was quite a read. Thanks for the link, Whiskey. Exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. Things like these scare me....😯 Quote from the above article... “Twelve of these incidents were in the United States and four in host nations or on bases overseas. In concert with the PLA’s Cyber Hacking Unit, in the thirty-six hours before the invasion, their system took control of four self-driving taxis in the DC area and turned them into weapons,” which McDermott said turned the cars into “mini-missiles.” His comments explained a series of incidents that neither city authorities nor the companies who own the fleets of driverless vehicles in use in the city could explain. Self-driving taxis had operated in Washington for nearly two years without any major incident, but in the span of three days, four unexplained crashes—two deadly—occurred. McDermott told the committee that the victims of were all DoD personnel, but did not provide their names or further details about their jobs. “One victim was t-boned in an intersection during the morning commute. Another was struck while walking home from work the day before the conflict began. In suburban Alexandria a self-driving car inexplicably drove across a private home’s lawn and into the house.” McDermott did not provide details about the fourth incident. Man, scary stuff. 😧

Hmmm, that looks vaguely familiar..... http://www.dxmdecal.com/2011/01/new-release-jasdf-f-15j-tac-meet-2010ii.html http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FguhLOdkazA/TTRqY4HMJUI/AAAAAAAAACo/Eg8JxBkj0fA/s1600/DXMD003%E6%88%B0%E7%AB%B62010%28A4%E5%B0%8D%E6%8A%98cover%291121.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FguhLOdkazA/TUTDhlmAMyI/AAAAAAAAAEI/2ZYsqDbtogU/s1600/2010TAC-2-PR1.jpg

WooHoo! 1/72 !!

Yup, I too didn't know about this until I saw that video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKAaIqNo4Y

Wow! That stressed-skin effect looks amazing!

Hajo, I really must thank you for introducing this one to me! It's a real page turner! It's scarily realistic especially when it involves existing technology as well as very plausible tech that we may very well see in the very near future. And the sub-plot involving the surfer girl.......... BONE-CHILLING. Particularly in one scene that involves a chinese APC (Armored Personnel Carrier). Also, at the risk of turning this thread into a political storm, I have to say, as I was reading the book, I couldn't help but think that maybe Donald Trump is right about dealing with the PRC after all. Particularly when it comes to high tech stuff like microchips and software that is used in the US Military. Not to mention the thousands of PRC students in American universities who may or may not be involved in IP theft ...particularly when it comes to high level research that may be weaponized by the CCP and used against the US. The book explores such themes and paints them in a very realistic manner. He may well be right. I highly recommend this book