Tony T

Really hoping the rumoured 1/32 Fly Su-7 Fitter is indeed in the pipeline, as that's a good start. Trumpy's 1/48 Su-9U Maiden and Su-9/11 Fishpots are really quite nice kits so I'm hoping they might make bigger editions. Just don't have the cash, fingers or courage for polyurethane resin kits. Tony

Aircraft shapes are more complex, like women. But we're no longer permitted to talk about women or "objectify" so we have endless discussions about aircraft instead. Hoping to glueify some more of a MiG today. Tony

Sadly, I concur. My musings were more philosophical. Tony

Got to admit, a P-40B appeals about fifty times more than a Mustang B. Sorry. Maybe it's being weaned on Airfix back in the day. Tony

I think most people here realise that. But maybe it's a lesson learned about where intermediate level overhaul is conducted. Sloppy. Tony

Fifty years ago when I was a child making 1/72 kits, few of the subjects produced by WnW had reached my consciousness. Maybe it's the internet, maybe it's the WW1 Centennary, but it more likely has much more to do with these models bringing almost forgotten elements of history back to life. That has to be a good thing, understanding our forebears and how differently or how similarly they thought, and the frankly quite bizarre conditions in which they flew and fought. I do hope Sir PJ dabbles a little more in later eras while keeping his core WnW following happy. A Wimpey with fabric over geodetic structure detail, the DeHavilland biplanes of the Golden Age such as the Rapide and Moths, and the Schneider Trophy entrants from Britain and Italy, amongst others, would all be fascinating subjects. But AFAIK there must be 25 or so WW1 subjects on WnW's secret yet-to-do list. So, the more modellers get carried away with their dreams, the more I say "what's that then?" and learn a little more. So why not indulge in those wish lists? Tony

RF-8A BuNo 144608 16 July 1957: During Project Bullet Major John H.Glenn, USMC, flew this jet from NAS Los Alamitos to Floyd Bennett Field in 3 hours 22 mins 50 secs, breaking the transcontinental speed record. The jet wore Navy LGG over white with a large yellow chevron on the fin. https://www.flyingleathernecks.org/john-glenns-project-bullet-f8u-crusader-the-rest-of-the-story/ It was then at NADC Johnsville as a test aircraft in the scheme in your photo, mothballed around 1969. Taken back into service and upgraded to RF-8G, by 1972 it was with VFP-63/NM/601 on the USS Oriskany, when it was lost. HTH Tony

Yes, I can see an extra order of F-35As to make good unexpected F-22 attrition. It just means going to the money tree again. The USAF is going to have to start better looking after gear that may be in service for fifty+ years, and understand that trashing one's toys doesn't automatically mean there'll be new shiny replacements under the Xmas tree each year. Tony

The HB Libs are the only game in town and the fee for joining the table is comparatively modest. The tug of war between the HKM and WnW Lancs is a comparative process - modellers are simply weighing up options, but the starting stakes are much higher at £350+ per kit so, yes, peeps are going to be quite picky. Tony

Catapult bridle hooks were removed, but the little wells near the wing L/E roots were retained. Always liked the duck egg hues of the American delivery paintwork. Tony

Excellent about the legs. And agree about the threads being merged. This did seem spring-loaded towards mischief. But not my call. Looks like this B-24 will make a super kit to build, and one which will absorb as much AM as the modeller wants to throw at it. The affordable starting point is a big plus. Tony

Looks to be a splendid canvas. Infinitely preferable to a vacform (and you'd be lucky to get one of those for less than about 60% of the Hobby Boss retail price). Just hoping those stalky things next to the rubber vinyl tyres are plastic casts of what will be hard metal cast inserts in the kit. Waiting for the D so as to make a conservatory nosed PB4Y-1. Should be loads of interesting AM out by the time the Ploesti boxing arrives. My only question: if Hobby Boss can sell this giant on the street for about £135, why is their P-61B so hideously expensive? Tony

Remotely realistic: 1. monoplane flying boat 2. monoplane flying boat 3. Schneider trophy competitors Utterly unrealistic wishes: 1. Bristol Beaufighter VI.f 2. English Electric Lightning F.2A/F.6 3. Vickers Wellington so there! Tony

Looks great to me. Buying is looking increasingly likely here @£135, but awaiting the D to make a Navy PB4Y-1 greenhouse nose in off white and dark grey with a hint of blue. (Assuming of course, the nose glazing comes in a single piece without a joint in the middle.) Errors in the wing thickness will, no doubt, be more noticeable in NMF. If Hobby Boss follow these up with a "simplified, looks good" Sunderland and late variant Halifax in my lifetime I'd be well chuffed. Tony

"Simplify, then add lightness" Colin Chapman CBE, Founder of Lotus Cars It's added by drawing holes on the blue print. It's added by cutting or punching said holes. It's added because it's a design thought. Okay, I'll get my hat and walking stick Tony