Norm In Toronto

You may be right Neo. No details have been released (not even the variant being negotiated - but almost certainly the "A" variant), however the press briefing by the Procurement Minister strongly suggested that economic considerations would result in thousands of new Canadian jobs. I remain optimistic, but am prepared to be disappointed yet again. 19 billion dollar budget should get us something even if those are $0.75 Canadian dollars.

In an announcement that raises a raft of political questions (not allowed on this site), Canada has finally made its decision on replacing its aging fleet of CF-18 aircraft. 12 years ago, the government was negotiating with Lockheed Martin for the same aircraft, but for reasons that remain unclear, failed to follow through with the purchase. Personally, I'm delighted that we will finally have a "state-of-the-art" fleet to contribute to the defense of our country and to bolster Canada's commitment to NATO actions. Time will tell.

Sure would appreciate it if you could re-post the images. I obviously missed this thread two years ago, and by the responses, it well worth viewing. Any chance of the images coming back?

Yep, and that's in REAL dollars, not our Cdn discounted currency. Gives you an idea of the purchasing power differential we face up here in the Great White North. Not complaining - ah hell, yes I am.

Thanks Carl. Still a tad dear at $400 Cdn. - but we Canucks must keep in mind our lousy buck is only 75 cents US. That's a minimum 25% self imposed penalty on just about everything we purchase on-line.

Nope, no joke. This link automatically determines my location as "Canada" - your mileage may vary. https://www.hlj.com/1-12-scale-ford-gt40-mk-ii-66-menrs-002?utm_source=HobbyLink+Japan+Newsletter&utm_campaign=cafd9b0c55-EDM_RANKING_AUTOMOTIVE_2020_11_27&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_baa74bea0a-cafd9b0c55-226438921&goal=0_baa74bea0a-cafd9b0c55-226438921&mc_cid=cafd9b0c55&mc_eid=3da1e26b28

Listed today at Hobbylink Japan the Meng 1/12 GT40 is priced at just a buck or two less than $450.00 Cdn. From what I've seen of the built-up model ( https://www.themodellingnews.com/2020/10/preview-details-of-mengs-12th-scale.html ) it's very nice but NOT up to Tamiya's past 1/12 scale F1 vehicles (and they never got to the $400 mark - at least not as originally issued). Meng does great work, but I'm afraid this is just an attempted "gouge". Out of my snack bracket - sorry Meng.

There's an umbilical connection on the top of the left thigh about half way between the knee and waist. All necessary connections (air, communications links and various sensor terminals) are included in one, flat "plug" (appears to be about 3 - 4 inches in size). Modern technology

Thanks Kev - makes sense from a manufacturing standpoint, but may limit the use of machined aluminum or resin connectors like those used in the auto modelling area.

Question to those who have had "hands-on" with these items: Are they solid or are they "hose" (hollow tube) like? It appears from the data on the insert card that other diameters are either available or are planned - any further info? Norm.

Am I misreading Halberd's material? It looks to me that the black "tire" piece is SOFT RESIN, - NOT VINYL. Would this not eliminate any possibility of the dreaded "melt down" effect and make weathering much more effective? I'm also intrigued with the process of "adjusting the tire pressure" (adjusting the drawdown) from fully inflated to completely flat. Would love to have additional information on how this is accomplished. Norm.

Kevin, you don't mention it, but it appears that there are no holes provided at the ends in which the wire would be inserted - is this correct? Drilling them would be a challenge - but, hey, that's modelling ain't it?

Gerhard, you can take a virtual tour of the shop on their site: http://www.wheelswingshobbies.com/ Click on the "virtual tour" label on the left side of the home page, then use your mouse to direct your view left, right, up, down, and move the arrow ahead and click to move around. Don't forget to go "downstairs". Norm.

Nice Spit there Peter - but what it really needs is "metal foil" finish. All the best in the New Year! Norm.

Looks like the documentary was lost more thoroughly than the original aircraft. Too bad Google Earth can't find the video like it can the 70 year old wreck (9°11'51.78"S Long 148°39'43.00"E) Apparently some mysteries are destined to remain unsolved. Norm.

Sorry Peter, but I counted the number of rivets on the wheel well panel - and I think you may be short one! Just kidding, of course - outstanding work my friend. BTW, I have to say how impressed I was in receiving my order from Airscale in only 5 days!! All the way from Merry Ol' England to remote Barrie Ontario. And this during the Christmas rush for deliveries - Thanks also to the Royal Mail and good ol' Canada Post. It's comforting to see the attention to detail you exhibit in your model masterpieces is reflected in the operation of your company. Best of the Season Peter, to you and yours - and keep the updates coming. Norm.

Oh, and by-the-way, the CF 100 was a CANADIAN aircraft (AVRO Canada - just in case anyone reading Clunk's post got the impression it was a British development) - AND it was a bloody beautiful aircraft - at least in my mind's eye. Perfectly suited for it's intended role of long-range interceptor, over some of the world's most desolate landscape. Take that, you men of failing style appreciation, you!! Norm.

I've got to agree with most of the comments here. SAC products generally leave me scratching my head with the question "WHY" bouncing around inside. I must admit that I have little respect for a company that attempts to capitalise on our hunger to upgrade to aftermarket items, by providing "direct copies" of an existing product (with little or NO attempt to upgrade or detail said part) and then reproduce that copy in a medium that MAY provide more long term problems than the original. I see little evidence of this supplier doing much more than pressing existing kit parts into modelling clay and then pouring in inferior grade white metal to produce crude replicas of the original parts - the packaging probably cost him more than his "manufacturing" process. Norm.

Ok, I'm NOT going to repeat myself, nor will I attempt to "outdo" comments made by others here, soooo... I will NOT tell you that you are doing a terrific job, I won't - NO you can't make me. So there! Norm.

Kevin, I agree. What would also be interesting to know, is whether a kit's original gear was THAT prone to breakage. In other words, if increased detail is not a requirement to the purchaser, does the situation warrant the use of a stronger replacement (if, indeed, SAC gear is stronger)? Norm.

I agree wholeheartedly. Ernie does a great job on his products. G-Factor gear are usually much more detailed than the plastic original they replace AND are cast in a MUCH more robust brass alloy material. First rate products! Norm.

"Kicked Up A Notch" - Naaaaah, Blasted into orbit!! Outstanding Chuck, Norm.

Quote from review: "I still am not happy with the softness of the alloy used. However, the gear of the 1/24th kits are quite substantial in diameter so the SAC gear will not bend as easy as it does in smaller scale kits. So I am confident it should hold up well. Recommended as a quick and relatively low-priced replacement for the kit gear." Still leaves the question WHAT'S THE POINT? If the SAC product lacks the fidelity (or at best, only matches) that of the original plastic part, and may provide only marginal structural integrity (compared to the original part) - Why bother buying this product? This is one line of After Market products that leaves me shaking my head. Norm.

500 MPH Bear... Wow, when I read this I HAD to check - and sure enough, a quick Google search reveals the Bear had a top speed of 925 KPH that translates to 574 MPH - damn quick for a prop driven monster of this size! Guess I should spend more time researching some of these old Cold War weapons. Thanks for opening my eyes. Norm.

Peter, thanks for your reply, much appreciated. Chuck, great tip with Great Planes Debonder - I'll have to find some and give it a try. Thank-you! Norm.