Raptor01

Mr. Vark is correct, the AN/ASQ-119 Astro Tracker was removed from the FB's in the mid-80's & a cover plate installed. This system was maintained in our shop and sent to reclamation. As for the AN/ALE-40 Chaff & Flare Buckets (Maintained this system as well) probably installed at Cannon AFB, never saw them at Pease AFB. We had some systems on the AMP jets at RAF Upper Heyford and maybe some other E's. Not sure which or how many. My guess is the FB/G slated for Australia had this upgrade. John

My Alligator & Begemont Decal Sheet with lots of Z sizes are on the way from Hannants! 👍 John

I too am saddened by this, we met up a couple times on visits to England and I was planning on meeting up again this Summer on my visit to England. RIP my friend. John

There are Aeromaster decals. I have the 48-408 sheet, I plan on doing Dolph's Devil. John

Mine will be here this afternoon according to Amazon. Special Book for me as I was at RAF UH on 15 April 1986. My shop maintained the ALQ-137 jammers on the EF-111A. Interesting to see if the Ghost Rider mission to Goose Bay Canada by the F-111E from RAF UH 6 months earlier is covered. This mission proved the F-111 Legs with individual Tanker support. John

The tied open early gun blast doors are pretty cool. This is a going to sell well in the US. John

The V Wind screen looks good!👍🏻 John

Those are very clear pics of the V windscreen. I have a few from when I visited Duxford a few years ago. The V windscreen is difficult to scratch, I tried my best to execute one, (See the 6th post in this Thread). It was my first attempt, and I have a better idea now, but with this release I should not have to scratch one. The CE conversion had a Resin Cast V-Windscreen that was poorly executed in my opinion, so a scratched one was necessary. I hope this new kit V Windscreen is as good as the frames seem to be. I may be able to adapt its windscreen to my built Hasegawa modded A-5.

Must be my tired old eyes, I looked, but only on my phone. This is going to be a must have kit for me! 👍🏻 John

Is a good close-up available of the armored V windscreen? That is the first and foremost distinguishing feature of the A & early E Sabre. Too bad the early gun blast panels were not on the frames, but I an definitely in for a couple. John

About time, looking forward to an A with the armored V windscreen. Hope for some early 1951 4th FIW ACE Markings. I built Eagleston’s Sabre before it got shot up using CE -A conversion & decals. A V screen scratch build is always the toughest feature. Definitely stoked on this one. John

Only a modeling problem if you choose to build it that way. 🤔 John

AB Charles & Son on West Liberty Ave. in Dormont during the 1970's was the best in the area. I think his son still operates after a few moves around the area. They had the best selection of kits & model railroad supplies. John

Bill & Walts Hobby Shop, Downtown Pittsburgh, PA. Still have my Binks Wren A Airbrush purchased when I was 12 Yrs Old! John

I have 12 HAS 1/72 Varks all versions, built the FB in 1989 when I was in the 509 BW at Pease AFB. I am currently working on a 1/48 FrankenBoss F-111E with Black Dog, Resikit, D-Mold and other upgrades. The F-111 has always been the USAF Bastard Child, no reason it should get any love in the modeling world. What I learned maintaining F-111 electronics for 17 Yrs. set me up life and I will buy every model & aftermarket piece released. John

Thanks Jim, I will get one of Zacto’s on order. Nothing like a bunch of goodies from a TDY!😂 John

Will do Jim, HB screwed up too many things, but I will have the resin to fix the most blatant. I think the weapons bay doors can be split and the inners not used because a second set of inner bay doors are on the frame. I will figure it out went I get to that point. Do you have a good pic of a travel pod? One of the old Hasegawa F-16 kits had the old napalm container style. I can't remember what we had on the Varks. John

ResKit Cockpit set is by far the best available, but I chose to use Zactomodels seats as the molded details are better than the PE provided.

Intakes fitted, gaps bridged with Milliput, curing then some MS 500 work to blend in and fine sanding.

ResKit F-111E Cockpit Set, modified D-Mold TP II intakes with Black Dog Nose & Main Wheel Wells, & weapons bay. Intakes have been cut & new tubes scratched from thin sheet styrene to flex around main wheel well. Not 100% correct but the tubes on the intake are easier to fudge than fix the side walls of the main wheel well. The seam will be invisible after paint and the small step is deep enough and not noticeable. That's my fix so far. John

😂😂 Hadn’t seen that Cal Worthington skit in years! 😂😂😂 Humor from the Ghost of USAF Past, now you need permission from the USAF Office of Butthurtness!😂😂. Thanks for bringing that one back! John

Feeling bold? Try Richie's Plank Experience on Oculus Quest! 😝

Mr. Paint MRP 278 & MRP 280, ModelMaster Neutral Gray FS36270 John

Great kit, fit was very good. Couple of engineering burps, the vertical and horizontal tail could have been designed better, molding the upper and lower fuselage with the wings would have been better than separate wings. Overall no issues, modeling skills and patience to get a nice finish. John

First for 2021!