jenshb

The forward fuselage is the same - or in modelling terms very similar - between the F-5A and F-5E. The cockpit, rear fuselage, wings (with LERX), main undercarriage, wheels, exhausts and tailfin to fuselage interface is different. Res-Kit seem to think that there is a 1:32 kit of the F-5A in progress since they have released wheels for the F-5A/B in that scale.

THanks for the rundown on how to achieve a shiny and smooth gloss black finish - stuggling with that on a build now, and wish I hadn't used enamels on this build...

Beautiful gloss black finishes...ever thought of doing a Vandy-1 Phantom or Tomcat?:) Great tip on the damp microfibre towel - will try that. And I take it you're decanting the TS-14 and shooting through your airbrush? Jens

Would it be easier to draw the panel lines on with a mechanical pencil? The control surfaces will need a bit more definition though... Then there is the method Mr.Airscale uses to lay panel by panel...

I'm sure the BMW Car Club of GB would like to hear it as well. I wouldn't mind reading about it in Straight Six:)

Excellent references in this thread for those who will make an FG.1 in the smaller scales. And excellent work too.

Ah, that does indeed look rather different... I compared it with the AMS Mk5 seat in your pic at the top, which doesn't look to match either.

The Aires Mk.4 seat has the metal "tray" for the parachute. https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AIRE2109?result-token=f7p1D May be a starting point.

Very convincing instrument panels Kent! As far as the seats - can you use MB. Mk4s as a starting point? The number refers to the *technology* of the seat, not it's appearance, so different numbers can look similar, and same numbers can look different. Jens

Lovely looking E30!

I haven't noticed - indeed haven't even looked at the kit for more than a year, so I will need to check. Jens

The most realistic models I have ever seen are displayed in restaurant windows all over Japan. You'd swear they would be ready to eat, and what you get looks very much like the display.

DeHavilland Hornet - nothing equal, nothing above.

If the inner portion of the wing should be flat top and bottom, that would increase the thickness/chord ratio of the aerofoil (making the wing relatively thicker further outboard) which sounds odd. I thought wings typically tended to decrease in thickness towards the wingtips...?

Good to see this one back. Enjoyed seeing your model at last year's SMW.

Nice...:)

The decals were the only thing that really let down my Tamiya Jolly Rogers Tomcat (the 48th scale kit). The colour printing and colour density is actually quite nice, and they are very complete. However, the film is really thick, and that is what spoils it. This is especially noticeable on the black tailfins. Applying a few coats of clear gloss and micromeshing the decals to blend them in helps, but I would need so many coats of clear there wouldn't be any panel lines left. I think the film is deliberately printed thick enough for the average modeller to handle them with no problems, and they will snuggle into detail with the MrHobby decal setter and solvent, or Tamiya's own products. Now, if Tamiya would print decals where you could remove the film afterwards....

A couple of things on the Norwegian aircraft: 332 Sqn at Rygge AB received their first F-86F Sabre in 1957 and was designated as the operational conversion unit for the Sabre. These would have been delivered with the original seat. In 1960-62, the Sabres were modified to take Martin Baker seats (I believe they were Mk.5). 332 Sqn flew the F-86F until 1963, when they were transferred to Gardermoen AB to become an all-weather interceptor unit on the F-86K. They were deactivated the following year, so the date on the decal instructions can't be right. There is (or at least was) a Sabre preserved at Gardermoen wearing this colour scheme however, so maybe that's where they got it from? The Flying Jokers were established in 1957, first on the F-84G, but swapped for Sabres when 332 Sqn transitioned to the newer aircraft (though they were not really "new"). The number of aircraft also increased from four to six, and in 1959, the colour scheme changed to red, white and blue trim and a smoke generating system was added. In the winter of 1960/61, the colour scheme changed again with a playing card featuring a joker adorning the tailfin. This lasted until 1962 as the squadron was preparing to convert to the F-86K Some Sabres were delivered with the 6-3 hard wing, but they were later modified to get the extended span slatted wing. I found a photo in the 1994 edition of "Fra Spitfire til F-16", showing all six Jokers in formation in the colour scheme of the decal (dated 1959), and they all appear to have the leading edge slats. As for the seat - there is one photo of AH-X (53-1128) in the same colour scheme that is said to be taken at Rygge in 1960, and that has the Martin Baker seat. I haven't found photos of the aircraft in question with the original seat, but the time frame of the modifications would make it likely it had the original seat when first painted up in these markings. Bummer about the blue stripe in the pennant - this is poor proof checking of the artwork and the screen, not poor printing. The Norwegian roundel is very demanding of registrations, and these seem to be quite good as well as having the proper proportions. The best way would be to ask anyone not building the Norwegian aircraft whetheyr they can spare a roundel.

There is this possibility... https://www.f35.com/news/detail/raaf-f-35a-au-1-revealed

No, the early ones are gray and gray with gray markings.:) The current ones tend to be just gray with gray markings though. Alternatively, they are bright green with gray RAM strips around panels before they get their "any shade as long as it's gray" paint scheme

Although this thread is mostly about USN, it might be relevant to discuss British practices too? Can't say I've noticed any difference in appearance between fabric and non-fabric surfaces, so surely they must be painted? If paint does not stick well to doped fabric, would we not see flaking on fabric covered control surfaces like elevators and rudders for Hurricanes (or indeed the entire rear fuselage of that one), Spitfires and Mosquitos? These parts were camouflaged, and surely it would be impractical to apply two shades of dope at the upper surfaces and a third one underneath at the point of manufacture? My understanding of British techniques for treatment of fabric covered surfaces (feel free to correct me if I'm wring) are first a layer of red dope, then silver dope (for UV resistance) and then finally the camouflage colours.

Mirrors... On the Eduard Spitfires I have built (1:48), I have punched a disc of Bare Metal foil and applied to the mirror face, and then polished it using very fine polishing sticks. It comes out looking quite bright.

I think the rivet pattern looks convincing and credible - shouldn't that continue below the splitter as well? The 43 Sqn CO scheme looks sharp, but 111 Sqn also had a special scheme involving a black spine and yellow markings - too loud?

I'm always wondering what colour gets painted behind the splitter plate - the lower colour - not the upper. Woudl it be understurface colour extending all the way, or the upper surface colour in the side view...? Anyway, for rivets, I would follow the rear bulkhead of the front cockpit as well as keeping vertical rivets going with the same distance as you have done for the front cockpit.

Master make a refuelling probe in turned aluminium in 1:32... https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MR32030?result-token=25ilJ Interesting conversion and good job on the crisp and clean panel lines.