Minnesota

Hi Dave, I have not exactly read that Sierra and Rhino the same people. Although Somewhere I did read "Rhino" was for now only selling its goods on e-bay. Maybe just to get the whole process up to speed. It also gives them somewhat an idea what their products are worth to us. If I was a betting man, it sure seems they are the same, but why not use " Sierra Hotel Models" to begin with? Interesting. Dave

Some info regarding the company from Curtis Stidham of Sierra Hotel Models over at the ARC Air Discussion Forums: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....howtopic=196638 Some pics from the 2010 National Convention: http://ipmsusa3.org/gallery/v/events/Natio...a.Hotel.Models/

Thanks for the info. Now lets get Trumpeter/Revell to release a 1/32 Foxbat! That was one fast ride. Does it still hold its old speed records?

Hannants carries a couple of Mastercasters Soviet pilots. One was a Su-27 pilot: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MST32024 Another is called a Soviet Pilot in High Altitude Suit: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MST32029 What application for their Soviet Pilot in High Altitude Suit would be correct?

A great review for the Shinden! Rated 10 out of 10 can't get much better. Even if some might not be interested in that particular subject, its great to have what looks like an excellent, in terms of quality, new source of future 1/32 kits for us! Dave

Actually its kind of happening now, not to a single vendor per se, but I wonder the percentage how many guys purchase all the after-market goodies available, after shelling out for Trumps high-end kits? If Trump packaged a kit similar to Pacific Coast (resin cockpit, ect.), added the other goodies from Eduard, resin wheels... Have to believe they can find out how much is spent in the industry on aftermarket items, the costs involved in including in a kit, maybe its just not worth the hassle for the big players.

"fyi the auction ended on £72... bit of a bargain??" Wow, that's 121-US dollars (shipping included). How much were guys paying Zoukei-mura for one this side of the pond?

Plastic Injection model aircraft manufacturers in 1/32 scale are edging closer to the 300 dollar retail mark. Trumpeter's Super Hornet's and Super Tomcat are marked at 229, with the Tamiya's F16CJ and F-14A Tomcat in at 203. Wonder how soon the 300 dollar mark is hit? What could it be?

Hi Paul, The later F15 schemes seem like the light gray has some blue mixed in. The early Air Superiority Blue which you are interested in is no doubt a light blue. Try these sources, hope they help. http://www.jpsmodell.de/dc/draw/f15blue.jpg http://www.colorserver.net/showcolor.asp?fs=35450 I couldn't find any ASB straight from the bottle, (edit) - Nighthawk was correct, Sprue carries Mr Color ASB: http://store.spruebrothers.com/air-superio...074-p16277.aspx Found some modelers mixing their own ASB with Testors: "I used all Testors Model Master enamel paints. All the colors, except Air Superiority Blue, are bottled colors in the Model Master line. As no manufacture seems to make Air Superiority Blue, I needed to do some custom mixing to achieve this color. I found Flanker Medium Blue in the Model Master line (stock#2131) was close, but it was a little too light. I used it as the major color to mix the correct color. I used the following ratio, 6:1. That is six parts Flanker Medium Blue with one part Bright Blue (F.S.35183). This provides a color that is a dead-on match with the color chip in my Federal Standard color fan". Another used this mix: "I created in Air Superiority Blue in the following ratio, 5:2:1. That is five parts 2131 Flanker Medium Blue with two parts 2032 Bright Blue (F.S.35183) and one part 2033 Blue (F.S.35414). Tamiya had this mix for ASB: XF2 Flat White - 85 X3 Royal Blue- 9 XF1 Flat Black- 5 XF9 Hull Red - 1 "The Ultimate Model Paint Conversion Chart", comes in handy too: http://www.paint4models.com/ Good luck! Dave.

Unusual marketing letting the cat- otta- the- bag with clues for the Jack at 5, jumping over 3 and 4...any chance a gaff or mis-print? I have always liked the Jack, quite different design from the normally thin cross section of a Japanese fighter, something different anyway. As for another release, not hard to follow the interest/prices which the 1/32 Revell Kawanishi George fetches on e-bay, usually nudging the two - hundo range. Kudos to Zoukei-Mura for filling in gaps in the market. I wouldn't be surprised to finally see the ever elusive 1/32 Kate by Zoukei-Mura! Would think Marketing guys at Hasegawa have real interesting meetings now.

"(I) can't believe that for such a mainstream and widely modelled aircraft it's quite so difficult". Same goes for finding info./photos of the real deal Nick, it seems that it was a unusual feature. Was there anything else like it? Not totally covered up inside of a model,nice for super detailers. Wonder what the mechanics thought of it- more open, cooler, offset any dirt entry problem? Dave.

Hard to find a real good angle on what you want, maybe something in these these could help: http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/fw190d9...ferencebg_1.htm http://www.scaleworkshop.com/workshop/fw190d932lg_1.htm http://www.rlm.at/cont/gal31_e.htm http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=...1323&page=4 http://hsfeatures.com/images/brown4_56.jpg http://hsfeatures.com/images/brown4_102.jpg Good luck Nick! Dave.

Our friends at Roll Models show Two Vipers (allied code- name) in stock, the Bachem Ba 349V and Bachem Ba 349A, listed at $66.75: http://www.rollmodels.net/search/everythingnu.php The Viper shared the same powerplant as the Me 163 Komet! An excellent site on the Natter: http://www.456fis.org/Bachem_Ba-349.htm

Over at the "A "Claude" is coming thread", on July 12th, crobinsonh posted a very interesting A5M2b link: http://www.colesaircraft.com/A5M2.html In the link, Ron Cole states, " The nature of Japanese-manufactured lighting, which was quite yellow, led to Mitsubishi's use of blue-tinted plastic covers for all lighting that was required to illuminate as green (the old "yellow and blue make green" trick). Thus these lights would appear dark blue when not lit, and green when lit." Would the other Japanese aircraft Manufacturers also followed a similar method? Also, in painting the green navigation/formation light for a parked Mitsubishi, should then be painted a dark blue?

A look at Special Hobby's 1/32 Mitsubishi A5M2b Claude from folks at Aeroscale: http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=...le&sid=7023

Following up on Alley Cats Ki-100-I Ko (Razorback),Review by Ray Peterson via LSP: http://www.largescaleplanes.com/reviews/Af...2002c/ki100.php The Bubble-Top version is next! A Nice Review of their Ki-100 I-Otsu: (Mark Ib) full-vision canopy conversion at Scale Plastic & Rail: http://scaleplasticandrail.com/kaboom/inde...-conversion-set

Thanks for the reply Jeff! Very interesting. "The white hinomaru surround of 75mm was the same, the size of the hinomaru itself varied". Tend to agree with the brightness of the hinomaru. Maybe as the quick war the Japanese wanted, progressed so long, attitudes changed. Attack to defense, and a bright red bulls-eye maybe wasn't a good idea. Also like your idea of offering a light color, and consumer can tint darker as needed. Dave.

Hi Jeff, do you feel that the majority of the hinomaru's came painted on from the factory? Also, what determined which aircraft got the thin "white outline" that some had around the fusulage hinomaru? I seem to recall some photos of the Raiden Jack (becides the hinomaru looking even larger than normal), some had the outline, others didn't? I was thinking of a somewhat a lighter gray than the gray shown in the Modelers' Warehouse website, maybe to help highlight details in a dark cockpit? Also, I have seen the Hinomaru red discribed as FS 31302 or FS 31136. Is ths correct? Do you favor one over the other? Thanks for your time and info. Jeff!! Dave.

Hi Jeff, Warpigs Masks looks to be a winner! I have been looking at Promodellers weathering wash, your Warpigs Washes seem similar, at a better price! Is a Light Wash in the works? On a side note, I noticed the different sizes of wing/fuselage Hinomaru you offered, was the rule the larger the subject, the larger Hinomaru? In your research, did the Japanese have a regulation to determine this? They must have, but I have never heard of it. Thanks, Dave.

Hi! My memory often is lacking, but did you write a while ago someone was going to follow up PCM's 152 with another kit in 1/32, if so, was this it? Thanks, Dave.

Thanks Doug, sounds like a safe bet its a nice kit to get. Dave.

Hi, I was wondering if you folks who had received the conversion set for awhile now, had had any updates ( assembly/fit) on it? Thanks, Dave.

Hi, I'm going to give Vallejo Acrylic paints a shot, been reading a lot of excellent things about them, mostly from folks who do a lot of brush painting on Miniature figures, they should have a great deal of experience on the topic of brush painting. Vallejo also carries a great selection of colors, check out their nice website. Dave.

Check this out Jerry: http://www.badcattoys.com/jakifldeasfo.html Dave.

Hi Hubert, I know nothing regarding the hows they go about putting out a kit, what your saying is a program is loaded in a machine now that cuts the molds...how did they do it in the 60's, early 70's, before they had that type of technology? Thanks, Dave.