Cheetah11

Mirages generally do not have the intakes painted but the intake alloy is anodized. the color is a dull silver grey.

Hi Alan The ST23 kit only has the parts for the A-5. You will need to modify the lower gun covers and the wheel well cover in the centre, as well as the slightly lower position of the outboard guns with the associated fairing. The bomb/tank rack is not included. The Nowotny special edition A-5 boxing has all the parts you need. Both A-5 and A-6 can be build from it. Cheers Nick

It is basically the same kit but the G boxing has dedicated cannon sprues, thus lacking the bomb racks. Dive brakes , sirens, small bombs and both short and long wings are included. The parts you will need are wing bomb racks, centre bomb and cradle.

Bravo Alain. Another great build. I really like the weathering around the cockpit sills. Well done. Cheers Nick

A black object radiates more heat than a white object if both are at a higher temp than the surroundings. At lower temperatures the black object absorb more heat. According to Ben Rich in his book on the stealth fighter and SR-71 the black anodising of the SR-71 dropped the temp at high speed by 40 deg. This allowed for a more workable alloy to be used during manufacturing.

I was interested till I saw the 1000 Dollar price. That is 8 Tamiya 1/32 planes. Nick

Interestingly the instruments have square housings behind the panel while most kits depict them as round. Fortunately Avionix have it right.

Thanks for the reply Ernest I was thinking of doing Molders's F-2. I will see maybe the inside of the cockpit is visible in photos. Cheers Nick

I am starting an early Me 109F. My question is when did the cockpit color of the Me 109 change from RLM02 to RLM66. Was it at the changeover between E and F model or later(or perhaps earlier)? Thanks Nick

Hi Peter One of Trumpeter’s better kits IMHO. I finished mine as an F-8P with Berna decals and an Avionix cockpit. Really enjoyed the build and it is an impressive size ( Phantom size). I encountered no real problems during the build. Nick

Very nice John, but where is the F1 ? Nick

Just a silly question. Since the HUD projection is at infinity would the symbols be visible outside the pilot’s perspective?

A super build Sean, especially considering the age of the kit and all the work done. Also nice to see in model form a part of the little known history of the South African participation in the Korean war. Looking forward to the Mustang build. Cheers Nick

Hanna Reitsch didn't have balls and she test flew a V1 flying bomb.

Awesome Chopper build Pete. BTW is the small stone at the top there to test the guitar. Cheers Nick

Hi Alain Thanks for the Christmas wishes. Merry Christmas to you and all LSP members. I did not have the traditional Christmas lunch at home but at least I had great company and and interesting view. Cheers Nick

I have the Hasegawa 109 F in the stash but would like one more. This discussion made me look at the Revell kit again as the Hasegawa F is unobtainable locally. A look in the spares box came up with an old Hasegawa 109 E4 canopy. It fits the Revell kit like a glove. Another option for a cheap F.

A super build of one of my favorite aircraft. Well done Iain. A pity these are now difficult to find. I have finished a C-6 and have a G-6 from Pastor John still to do. Cheers Nick

Wow Sean, That is looking really great. I must see it in the flesh soon. Enjoy your holiday. Cheers Nick

Personally 2021 was not a good year. I don't know if there is a curse on jet pilots flying light aircraft but I have just lost a third friend this year in a flying accident. All as experienced jet pilots as you will find anywhere, all killed while flying light piston aircraft. Reminiscent and as unbelievable as Dale Snodgrass's accident. Nick

Fantastic model Iain, I see you have not lost your touch and I hope you will regularly post. I am glad you also moved up to 32nd. I think the last model of yours I have seen was at the JNB museum meeting many moons ago.

Thanks for the compliments Sean and Chris. Well Sean I have found something not really boring. Mr Tamiya and I do not a ways share the same interests. Cheers Nick

Hi Mark I have seen the one you are working on. Have you completed it? I am doing a South African one from the last Cold War tank battles in Angola in 1988. The project stalled for a while while waiting for a Mouse House engine deck (never arrived). I have restarted the project with a printed engine deck. Sorry for stealing the thread Panzerwomble Cheers Nick

Great model. I am busy with a 1/25 but there is a rumour of a 1/16 from Tamiya https://tamiyablog.com/2021/11/full-details-of-upcoming-tamiya-56044-1-16-rc-british-battle-tank-centurion-mk-iii-full-option-complete-kit/ Nick

Thanks for all the compliments and interest Jeff, Brian and Maru. Really appreciated. Hi Pete, tanks for the compliment. This coming from a former F-16 pilot is special. The F-16 has been my favorite fighter since the YF-16 showed up and I have built most of the 1/48 and 1/32nd models . First one the old Tamiya 1/48 prototype with the vertically split fuselage. I think this is my sixth Hasegawa 1/32 one and as you mentioned a challenging kit. But as they say 'the familiar touch of an old lover'. Interestingly the Navy had to find an Air Force plane to simulate the Mig29/Su27 threat in the form of the F-16N in the late eighties and then replace these with the F-16A in 2002. The replacements for these are rumored to be more Vipers. Good luck with the move and happy modeling. Nick Hi Ron thanks for the compliment. You are right the F-16 have gained a few pounds. As a youngster I remember being super impressed when Janes pocket book quoted the empty weight of the YF-16 as 12500 lbs. with 24 000 lbs. of thrust. A little far away from the Block 60. My Belgian friends said the F-16A was a fair match for the F-16C. Not as much thrust but better wing loading. Cheers Nick Hi Alain, tanks for the interest and the compliments. I hope your Friends at Master194 would like the amount of "juice" on this one. I hope the winter is not too cold this year and you can do a lot of modeling. You wanted a few photos of the F-16F. Here are a few. AM seats, nozzle, and undercarriage bays, the rest all scratch build. BTW I have started cutting the fuselage of the F4u-5. Cheers and happy modeling Nick