Raptor01

https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/US/cutting-edge-35-stealth-fighter-crashes-south-carolina/story%3fid=58152917

I would have been Fly-n-hi 35yrs ago if Prague was open to tourism and the cold war was not happening. I'd be all over those models and I don't mean plastic, Czech girls, Czech beer, Ahhhh to be young again!

Still gonna make lots of $$$$$$$! John

I don’ t think Monogram did another version, only the EF-111A in 1/72. The old Airfix & Revell kits were basic and show their age now. ESCI did a 1/72 F-111 that was decent in the late 1980’s, scribed panel lines, but not up to the Hasegawa standard for detail. The HAS F-111 series holds up well for being a 30 yr old mold, it really is a well engineered kit and not as complicated as it looks, I built a Pease FB In 1990 and have collected about 10 more over the years of all versions but have been stuck in 1/48 scale for the past 20 years. They do get released from time to time but sell

In most instances yes, they were static with slats, flaps, down with wings spread and tail stabs at an angle. You would not be wrong to display one with wings swept back though, occasionally they were on the ramp or HAS that way too, but mostly wings forward. If you see a Hasegawa F-111 BUY IT! They are the best representation of the Vark. Monogram made a decent EF-111A, buy it too if you choose, but The Hasegawa F-111 series are the best! John ex F-111 avionics tech

Another substandard expensive kit for those who are satisfied with less. John

Anyone have a picture of Erich Hartman’s tulip nosed Haunebu II, White 1? This is the one I will build!🤣🤣 John

It is pretty rare to see them in the same venue. I saw the BA & T-Birds in the same show at Pease AFB in 1988. That was cool in itself but the best show I recall seeing was one in England after Desert Storm, the BA, T-Birds, Frecci Tricolori, Patrolle de Swiss, & the Red Arrows. This was an awesome show. I remember the Swiss commentator constantly saying during the Patrolle de Swiss display: Flying the Hahka Hunta, a most beautiful aircraft to fly. Non-stop flying from 1000-1800 hrs. John

Yes they would have, because the fantastic Rafale M is being released as a C in 1/48! 👹 John

I have chuckled and waffled over this release since Squadron announced it. Now seeing what RoG has done, I have one of Squadron's Hannebu II on order, 20% off this weekend. I don't think I will unwrap it and keep it in the stash, this may be one of those kits that go out of production for awhile and all of a sudden everyone wants one. $51.19 plus shipping this weekend, I love this Luftwaffe 46/50 stuff, my favorite is the Fw Triebflugel and it is coming in 1/48 injected plastic too! John

I am confused, doesn’’t this kit build itself into the latest modded Su-34 with correct color schemes to match all photos in any lighting conditions? I guess I will have to shake the box and see for myself!🤣🤣 John

1/48 Hasegawa F-111 Series. 1/72 tooling is 30 yrs old and one of the best series kits released by them. John

I bought one from Sprue Brothers and it will be here on Monday and added to the grossly large stash! John

Meh, I had girl friend who needed putty & paint and then looked like the prototype. Anyhoo in life, the worst piece of _ _ _, is the one you never get! John

Always love the fighter spread & break. Short landing descent is way cool! John https://youtu.be/60z9OgOorPU

Looks to me that industrial espionage is going on, with some CAD software being updated. I have a second HB Fullback (Both purchased for under $100 USD), when I get the KH kit, I will do some parts comparison. John

Reshaping the nose on HB with sanding sticks is 30 minutes work. It is it is not difficult to make a APU exhaust from plastic, using Two Bobs decal as a template. John

I will get one, it is not a priority since I have finished the Hobby Boss version. This one looks to have different challenges in assembly. I will build this in the Eggplant scheme. John

Having built the HB Su-34, you would be better off reshaping the radome’s profile with sanding sticks. It takes about 30 minutes and you will lose less detail than cutting the nose and CA’ing a resin replacement. The join is thick enough and you will not have to take a lot of material off. It would have been nice if Eduard or Aries included PE for the APU exhaust & intake screens on the boom, but adding a thick resin boom is going to change the center of gravity, fortunately the gear is strong with metal inserts. Definitely get the Brassin’ wheel set, the wheels & mud guard are bea

HB may not be perfect but it is a good kit. KH gets maligned on every release, wait til this one comes out,🤣 John

Thanks, I did a WIP on Z5, here is the link. http://www.zone-five.net/showthread.php?t=31273 John

The Hobby Boss Su-34, not as bad as some have said. We will have to wait and see what the Kitty Hawk release looks like. John

I don’t know if this has been discussed in detail, but the -A models that deployed to Thailand in 1968 Combat Lancer & in 1972 Constant Guard had a different SEA Camo pattern then the later -D, E, F models. Compare the scheme of the above pic to Cannon, UH, & LN birds. Colors are the same but the -A pattern is different, in addition some -A models if not all have a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen. Can someone who was at Nellis, Korat, Takhli, or Mt. Home confirm this. I think the -D models had a harder edge on the colors than the -E & -F which had softer edge

Looks like a Tamiya F-16 pre production kit from 1975-76 era. Built one backin 1976 & still have one in the stash. John

Here is the in progress thread, takes about 30-40 minutes with a sanding stick. It is a little further along, all decals finished, in the final stages, weathering, fiddly bits and armament. John http://www.zone-five.net/showthread.php?t=31273