[Trumpeter P-38L into J]

I completed my Trumpeter P-38 as Colonel Harold Rau's aircraft "Gentle Annie". While I am happy with the model, it would be great if Tamiya were to offer a P-38J or L in 1/32 scale.

[Hasegawa 1/32 P-40E]

I built the model as a 94 Squadron Kittyhawk 1a as flown by the Canadian ace Stocky Edwards.

[Airfix 1/24 Stuka re-release]

It may be old but it can stand up quite well to its newer equivalent by that other company that offers a 1/24 Ju-87B-2. Add some seat belts, additional detail between the firewall and engine and a coat of paint and you can have an eye capturing winner. The figure is from Series 77.

[1/32 F-5´s are back]

I agree with Violator1991, a 1/32 'A' kit sure would be nice to have. Until the time that someone offers a 1/32 series of the F-5A family, there is still the Belcher conversion for the Hasegawa kit. Mine as previously posted...

[How Lucky We Are]

I was recently surprised to read a couple of comments on Tamiya's 1/32 Mosquito as being too detailed and having too many parts. I personally found the comments strange as the primary reason I build large scale is for the enhanced detail offered which invariably requires a higher number of parts. In fact I'm amazed at how far our hobby has progressed over the decades.Think back to the good old days of the Aurora whatever scale Spitfire Mk.? and compare it to the new Airfix 1/24 Spitfire IXc. The former's part count could likely be counted on your fingers whereas the Airfix kit has hundreds of parts. Even the later Monogram 1/48 Spitfire IX had only a dozen or so parts and a cockpit that only offered a seated pilot. Simply, the larger/newer kits offer a quantum increase in detail by being larger and having more parts. As a visual comparison, the below photo shows the start of my Airfix kit in the company of two much earlier offerings. From this modeller, thank you all you companies that offer large scale kits.

[Any news about the Tamiya 1:32 scale F-22 Raptor ?]

I must be out of step with the rest of the world as I bought and built the Tamiya Mosquito and thought it absolutely great and worth every penny. See below. Now if Tamiya would only make a 1/32 version of their P-38 to compliment the Mosquito, life would be great. Just think, twin Allison engines (heck, even just one of the two would be fantastic), a big beautiful gun bay, a cockpit that can easily be viewed, lots of interesting subjects flown by famous pilots..... True, there is (was?) the Trumpeter kit but a Tamiya kit would be so much better!

[Airfix 1/24th Spitfire Mk IX?]

According to the Airfix Forum, a build review is included in the magazine "Airfix Model World" which will be released Thursday, 06 October. Another contributer indicated on 23 Sep "I had a Zoom meeting with the Hornby guys earlier. Expect an announcement imminently". Based on this limited info, I would expect the release of the kit early October.  

[My 1/24 Spit IXc Beside my Airfix 1/24 Typhoon]

Real estate wasn't an isssue until I added two 1/200 scale battleships to my collection. Call it a self inflicted problem.

[My 1/24 Spit IXc Beside my Airfix 1/24 Typhoon]

And, no, I don't have an advanced copy of the soon to be released Airfix 1/24 Spit IXc. I do, however, have one on pre-order. Years ago, I converted the Airfix Mk.1a and thought you might be interested in seeing what the new kit will look like  beside their Typhoon. The pilot figure is that offered by Imrie Risley.

[Hasegawa]

Regarding the ROI (return of investment) in re-releasing kits, I would have thought that posed minimal risk given the bulk of the cost is in design and mould making which would have been absorbed in the initial release. As for competing kits, given a choice between a Hasegawa P-40 or a Trumpeter P-40, I'd pick the Hasegawa kit. The same is true for the 109F-4 or P-47. Then again, maybe I'm missing something.

[Hasegawa]

On the LSP home page it is great to see the pictures of completed models all of which are done to a very high standard. Conversely, it is frustrating to see that a high percentage are 1/32 scale Hasegawa kits most of which can now only be found on the likes of EBay at inflated prices. It completely escapes me why the company doesn't re-release those kits such as their P-40 series or 109F-4 or P-47 that are obviously appreciated and undoubtedly wanted by the modelling community. Am I missing something?

[Academy F/A-18C out of production?]

Isn't the Kinetic kit the same as that from Academy? While it too is no longer in stock, you might be able to find one on line (EBaY?).

[Phantom Phakes]

As I have posted before, with a little work, the Hasegawa/Belcher Bits conversion combination can be built into an attractive model. I know I'm more than happy with my build.

[Wingnut Wings Lancaster to be released by Border Model]

Regarding the still advertised 7 - 21 business day air mail service offered by Lucky Model, I placed a purchase with air mail delivery mid March and while it apparently was shipped the following day, the tracking number with Jersey Post still shows "Awaiting item from sender". Indeed, as far as I can tell, it is still in Hong Kong and two messages to Lucky Model have made me none the wiser.

[1/32 scale MiG-21MF from Eduard ( future release pool)]

I guess I'm too easily satisfied as I am quite happy with my 1.32 Trumpeter 21MF (and Mig-19).

[Hasegawa P-40M re-box by Hobby2000..?]

Whether it be Hobby 2000 or simply Hasegawa, what I'd like to see is the re-release of the Hasegawa P-40E and P-40K in a single boxing in which parts for both tails are included as per their previous offering in kit # 08226 and a single boxing for a P-40M and P-40N. They (Hasegawa that is) already have the molds and from a marketing perspective, it would certainly fill an existing void. I'd certainly open my wallet for a couple more 1/32 Hasegawa P-40s that I could add to my existing collection.

[1/32 F-86 Sabre Choices. What are they?]

The Delux (?) Hasegawa Sabre kit (has metal landing gear) with shortened wing tips, Cutting Edge drop tanks, a resin cockpit, some Eduard and Leading Edge decals certainly fit the bill for me.

[What are we actually missing in 1/32?]

While I realize a 1/32 T-33 is offered by Special Hobby, the kit is lacking. A new kit with a detailed cockpit, flaps, wheel wells and speed brakes with the option for Lockheed or Canadair versions would be, as Tony the Tiger would say, "Great!". A detailed avionics bay would be nice but not essential. I think such a kit would sell well, despite the available Special Hobby kit, as T-33s  were used globally. Such a kit would also facilitate a new model of an F-80 given the T-33 was simply a stretched F-80 with many components in common.

["Kohimarama IX" of 23 (Ghost) Squadron, RNZAF.]

Uncarina,

As I indicated, it's the Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1D Corsair with Ventura Decals. To be more specific, I used the kit decals for the stencils and walkways, Quinta Studio 3d decals in the cockpit and Ventura decals for the subject RNZAF markings. I did not use any commercial masks for the markings. I did, however, use the Eduard pre-cut masks on the canopy.  

["Kohimarama IX" of 23 (Ghost) Squadron, RNZAF.]

KiwiZac,

According to one reference I have, "No 23 Squadron, when forming up at Ardmore in 1944, was dubbed "The Ghost Squadron" by nearby Papakura residents who were unable to see pilots in the big Corsair as they landed and took-off. The name stuck and No23 Squadron adorned their aircraft with the White ghostly figure seen below the cockpit."

["Kohimarama IX" of 23 (Ghost) Squadron, RNZAF.]

It's the Tamiya 1/32 F4U-1D Corsair with Ventura Decals and sliding canopy and drop tank from the F4U-1A kit completed as "Kohimarama IX" of 23 (Ghost) Squadron, RNZAF. The only other after market stuff used were the Quinta Studio 3D decals for the instrument panel and consoles which I would guess are (going to be) hard to come by given they are from Russia. Too bad as they sure are nice. Paint was from AK.

Finally, a special thanx to Jeff W (aka NZTempest) for his help.

[Airfix 24th Spitfire]

Nothing has been said about the engine included with the Mk.1a kit - it's terrible. Fortunately, if you can lay your hands on an Airfix Hurricane kit, the engine can be made to fit with not too much trouble and is a vast improvement.

[Tamiya P-38J non-release]

While all this banter about the future of 1/32 scale and what others have on their wish list is interesting, the original suggestion that we indicate our support for a 1/32 Tamiya P-38 should be the focus here. Anything else should be addressed in another forum. Like I've said, put me down for a Tamiya 1/32 P-38J or L as a companion for my Tamiya Mosquito.

[Tamiya P-38J non-release]

That is, cbk57, assuming that those kits are on one's want list. For me, from your list, I'll get the Airfix 1/24 Spit IXc and still buy a Tamiya 1/38 P-38 to go with my Tamiya Spit IXc, P-51D, Mosquito and Corsair should they release it. It's not that the other kits are bad; it's simply a matter of personal taste/wants. Others may differ.

[Tamiya P-38J non-release]

I couldn't agree more. A Tamiya 1/32 P-38J and/or a P-38L would be most welcome. Trumpeter's P-38 can be built into a good model (below) but a Tamiya kit would undoubtedly be a great model and a perfect companion for their Mosquito. I can see it now - open cockpit, two highly detailed Allison engines, an open gun bay and detailed wheel wells.