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sounds like heaven !!!!!

I thought the D version was closer to what we use ? I have really little understanding of this subject though but thought I read it in an earlier post ? I've got the D on back order - should it be the E version for a UK version ??

I suspect this was the standard and we have been doing it wrong for ever !

thanks all for the great feedback. Having had chance to look in more detail at some of the builds I think this might be the way to go as well. I don't think my modelling skills are up to the level needed (for example I've never scribed panel lines or added rivets) but this might be a good way to experience vacform without too much pressure. My only other thought as suggested by a few of you above is to pick an unusual subject (possibly away from aircraft - maybe space related )in a small scale. thanks all - really appreciate your thoughts and ideas. neil

I'm in one of those modelling troughs at the moment, just no enthusiasm for the builds on my bench or the kits in my stash. I have a few kits I'd like to buy but they are the ones I've put off for years due to the expense so can't go down that route. To get out of this normally I end up building one or two kits that are far removed from 1/32 scale aircraft however this time I fancy trying something different. I've got on order a Yak 23 from planet models which will be my first ever resin kit. I've also never built a vacform kit and thought that I should break my duck and build one. I think I understand the basic modelling principles in building vacform but I have zero knowledge of kit manufacturers, what kits are available and what would be a good starter kit. I'd like to stick with 1/32 scale and it would need to be relatively simple I think given my lack of experience. I'd really welcome any recommendations on what kits would be good to look at for a complete beginner. I assume stuff like cockpit details would need to be aftermarket ?? thanks neil

lovely, will watch with interest as I'm only a tad further ahead on mine and I wont get to the bench until next week now so hoping you jump ahead ! The kit seems good and no issues with fit so far. It's a long aircraft. Mine will be a French Navy all over grey scheme, I've borrowed a couple of Matra Magics from my 2000D kit and have added an aftermarket ejector seat.

I assume they didn't get enough to cover all back orders - mine is still in back order and showing out of stock. I'm guessing they went by date order for when the back order was placed. Never mind, it keeps my money in my bank account for a bit longer and therefore grows massively on the back of the interest they pay. Oh, hang on, that bit is a different reality, so no kit and no big interest payout.

count me in please (but with the caveat on the price, my pocket money is not massive). What a great initiative.

It will be interesting to see if the aftermarket companies that previously released stuff for the lightning but that are now out of production re-release their stuff. I was thinking decals in particular.

this could be my first resin kit !

I feel sorry for the poor chap trying to sell both F3 and F6 trumpeter kits on ebay for £300 each at the moment ! 1 week too late !!!!

Thanks Thierry, at present I have only used resin ejector seats so really limited previous use. I was thinking about getting Planet Models Yak-23 or Lemkits Mig-9. Both looked relatively simple and both appeal to me, I like post war/early jets.

I'm in the same boat regarding resin and it's more fear than anything else. Never built a resin kit, I guess the first one you do will be like jumping back in years to an inexperienced scale IM modeller and they aren't cheap if you get it wrong. I've been flirting with getting one and giving it a go for the past few years. I think the time is coming to just do it as I'm missing out on some great kits that aren't available in IM. Is there a good resin aircraft tutorial book or website out there somewhere ?? neil

This is turning out to be a kit of many marks - I feel a dedicated shelf on it's way in my hobby room ! Anyone want my Fly kits ???

I'm going to enjoy building a few of these - can't wait.

both great improvements over my painting skills and better than PE (colour and 3d-wise), Quinta just has the edge for me, for the seat belts and the quality.

wow, Thierry, I knew you knew your stuff but that's amazing, I'm off and searching ....

Hi Thierry, good point ! As I have no reference material I guess I was after colours and markings in the first instance and history as a secondary. Thinking about how I model, I'm less worried about factual accuracy of the aircraft, I do like to think about colour schemes as I like to avoid mainstream markings (for example I have hardly any USA marked aircraft in my built collection but loads of African and South American countries aircraft). I'm more interested in the history I think. Thanks neil

Hi all, started to plan out my next few months builds and most of what I've picked are aircraft from 1950's through to early 70's. Looking for inspiration and reference materials I have been dismayed by my (clearly very poor) book collection missing this period of aviation. I have stacks of books covering WW2 and loads from the 80's onwards but next to nothing else. My build list includes a crusader (will be built as french navy), vampire, F105, mig 21 (Indian air force) and Saab J-29. I have a few other kits in my stash from this period as well. Any recommendation from fellow modellers on general aviation books covering this period would be really helpful. thanks in advance neil

good news, I'd like to build another one - a colourful F3 this time I think.

one of my favourite aircraft thanks to building the airfix 1/72 kit back in the 70's. The landing gear really fascinated me for some reason, clearly it was before my mind picked up on girls and beer, at which point aircraft landing gear took a back seat

I use Quinta whenever the pocket money allows, in my view they are a 10 all the way. You need to be careful on some of the bigger pieces as they have a tendency to curl very quickly as they come off the backing paper. I use a small amount of CA to hold them in place but will try the watered down PA suggested by Brett above. The end result is, I think, much better than painted PE and light years better than I can paint.

that's my plan, then I think I might do as many colour schemes as possible to add to my collection of varied colour scheme spits.

I use ready made poly-filler for all of my filler work (the super smooth, flexible for cracks variety). It's easy to use, works well when wet, completely hides under paint, washes off in difficult to work or sand places and has never cracked or shrunk. I'm looking at kits that are about 20 years old at the moment and the filler is still perfect and unblemished. I think sometimes we get conned into using expensive modelling techniques and products for no real reason other than fashion/fad.

I had to look that up - it's obvious now