SCOUT712

You could build an early S which still used the hard wing but ECM antennae on the intake. VMFA-235 used them for instance. B/r Michael

The Luftwaffe indeed converted some of the original Sargent Fletcher centerline tanks into travel pods. Each wing kept about three of the right until the retirement of the Phantom. I remember two occasions we used them. Both during my time with FW-72 "Westphalia". The first time was when four of my squadron mates went onto a weekend cross country to Italy for skiing. They put their skis into the large travel pod. The second time we for the disbandment ceremony of my squadron. We sent a jet to France they bought multiple cases of Champaign put them into the centerline pod and returned low leve

The caption below the pic in the Squadron Signal publication says the jet was photographed during a wing commanders meeting at Langley in December 1980. B/r Michael

As I said before, I have that sheet and built the 3rd TFW CC jet with black tailcodes. Thare are quite a few mistakes on it but most are easily to be corrected. The D model fin stripes are the ones which you circled. All national insignia is colored. They just appear to be solid black. The problem I see is the order of the colored stripes of the intakes. It seems on the pic I sent you that they should start with the yellow one most forward. Another problem is that the Squadron badges are, at least on my sheet, partly way out of register. The markings for the travel pod spear to be 1/48 sc

Over here in Germany I use the Future deritive from Erdal called Glänzer or Emsal Glanz for my canopies. The good thing is that they won't fog when attaching them with superglue. Does Gauzy have the same effect? BTW, applying the Emsal Kraftreiniger (Strong Cleaner) which is produced to get rid of old floor finisher will easily remove acrylic paints, clean canopies form future and even allows to strip enamels it just takes longer. B/r Michael

Hello Paul, the version from the 72 scale Microscale sheet is actually wraparound SEA. There is a picture of that jet in the Squadron Signal USAF Phantoms in Action booklet. I'll take a picture of it later and send you a PM. B/r Michael

Is there a chance for a preview of the USN Sabreline sheet? B/r Michael

Slatted USAF Air Force Phantoms usually carried the Aero 3B but late model ARNI E's from the 3rd TFS carried the LAU-105 rails at least from 89 onwards. The only USAF Air Force Phantom to carry the LAU-7 was the F-4C right up to their retirement. B/r Michael

Hhm, the HPC (High Performance Centerline) tank didn't use a pylon as well. It had two lugs which were directly attached to the centerline lock with sway braces directly reaching out of the bottom and being accessably trough the Aux Air doors, assured that the tank did not move. So I guess the AN/AXQ-14 is attached the same way. B/r Scout

Hhm, I have never seen a tailhook with such kind of potruding rivets. But as said, they could be sanded. The nose diameter is an issue I'd love to be clarified. Who is right, ZM or Meng? That is an error which would refrain me from getting the kit which is grossly wrong. I don't point fingers at any of the two since I don't know which one is right or wrong at the moment. Regarding slimelights, I guess it is the idea to allow easier filling with thick paint and still have crisp edges. Btw, these are the measurements I took way back in time when I had daily access to

The Romanian MiG-21 LanceR carries French Magic II and Israeli Python 3 missiles as well as the Litening II targeting pod so I guess GBU-12 should be possible as well. MK-83 is cleared to carry. The Iraqi Air Force adapted at least some of its Floggers to carry the French Exocet Anti Ship missile. B/r Michael

So the solution could be a vac form or clear resin aftermarket canopy. If that's the only problem that should be a quick fix. Michael

The VF-301 option is also on that superscale sheet. https://www.scalemates.com/de/kits/microscale-72-440-f-4ss-vf-301-and-vf-302-f-4n-vf-171--953506 It shows up on eBay every once in a while. Michael

That looks great. Phinally somebody who builds a model to draw his conclusions. I am building a 72 scale Sword T-38 at the moment (using your great TopGun decals). The kit is very rare to find but how high was it lifted when it came out. What a great model it was supposed to be. But despite it not being available for sale or trade since years, you rarely find a built model on the net. And it is a beast in my opinion, totally in contradiction to the high praise it received. Putty or not, aren't we model builders or collectors? Where is the fun in the hobby if you cannot put a personal note into

I an in for the Navy Sabreliner sheet. Who sells your decals in the EU (outside of GB)? Cheers Michael

Hello, does it have to be the complete sheet? I think, I robbed the MARINES markings off that sheet. But the VAQ-33 markings are still complete. I'll be away for the weekend. In the meantime r drop me a PN . Michael

That isn't 100% direct. The initial Kurnass deliveries consisted of hard wing E with the short gun blast difusor. 107 Squadron (The Knights of the orange tail) was the first squadron to receive a few soft wing models in 1973. Later all hard wing jets received the slat and Midas conversion. The last Kurnass to receive slats and long gun muzzle was tail #125 of 69 squadron. Some were I have The info when that was but it was weeelll into the late 70s. The Kurnass2000 jets were all slatted models off course. B/r Micharl

Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately the Resin seats (AMS and Pavla) are unavailable at all places I looked. This pictures are awesome and of great help! Michael

I am about to finish my cute little 1/72 scale Sword Talon. Since I want to depict a US Navy very early TopGun T-38A, I need to put in early type ejection seats. The kit came only with the later Northrop ejection seat with the bulkier head rest so I intend to build the seats from scratch. My problem is that I do not know the designation and neither have found pics of them while searching the net. Maybe anybody out there could point me in the right direction? Thanks Michael

Send me a PN with your email. I'll be back on Monday and will scan them for you during the week. Cheers Michael

Hobby2000 re-released the Hasegawa F-111D/F some time ago. Cheers Michael

I recommend dstorm.eu. There were two or three Lizard Geasels flying in DS. Cheers Michael

The MK 4 was used extensively by VMFA-122. They even flew 3-gunpod configurations with one at the centerline and one each on stations 1 and 9. What is really interesting for me is the way it is attached to the belly station. There seems to be a different shaped rack attached to the belly than th usual bomb rack. Cheers Michael

The only cast metal pitot tube set I am aware of is Miniworld Gulfstream antenna set Unfortunately it is quite expensive and only contains four of those pitot static tubes you look for. Somewhere some day I also found a regular store to buy that set but it was equally expensive. I was looking for those when building my A-7 and ended up using two injection needles with different diameters. The inner one I bent to the right angle and put the one with the larger diameter over the end pointing towards the fuselage. Then I used pliers and squeezed it flat. The with a little bit of putty i

Hello, On the German modelling site Flugzeugforum there was a discussion not long ago about that exact jet. Clicky Off course it is in German but you could use Google translate. First of all, it was not wired to carry the GP-9 gun gondola and secondly there is a lot of discussion about when it was painted in camo and sent to the museum in Madrid. Best regards Michael