TimW

I finally started an F2A-3 a week or so ago and, making allowances for work/family demands, have actually managed to get quite a bit of the cockpit/interior done. Now if only I can manage some decent pictures to post. This one will be done up in VMF-221 markings, as provided with the kit. The grand plan is to have this one "on the ground" on a small diorama base of compressed coral or whatever it was Midway had. I have the nifty new Ultracast Navy aviator figure, too. Tim W.

No, they're Air Corps--I've seen photos of USAAC pilots wearing the camouflage uniforms. The Marines and Navy wore very similar gear, hence my noting these were PTO figures. The one guy would be OK for the Med or North Africa, maybe, but not the ETO. Tim W

Nemrod from France does some nice USAAF figures for the Pacific Theater: http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=NM32001 They do some good Navy pilots/gunners, too. Not sure for USAAC in the ETO, though. Tim W.

Anybody have any thoughts on whether RAF Thuds had US harness or replaced them with the Sutton? I'm doing an SEAC Thud and have the very nice Eduard US seatbelts, but am not sure I should use them or the standard UK model. Regards, Tim W.

Another thought--did the RAF Jugs have sutton harnesses or did they keep the standard USAAF ones? I have a nice Eduard US set of straps, but would hate to go to the trouble to put them in and find out they are wrong. My usual sources aren't casting much light on this! Regards, Tim W

It has also occured to me that Cutting Edge does a Hawk 75 set of decals that includes SEAC roundels. Can't be too far off from what I need. Nevertheless, if newer Jug-specific sets may be in the offing I can be patient! Tim W

The markings are small... Masking may be the way to go as I don't have any of the other scale SEAC markings in my stash. While some call them bland, I think the white ID stripes on the wings, tail and stabilizers make them rather unique. Squadron markings aren't too much of a bother, either. Tim W

So is anybody aware of there being any SEAC type markings for the new Jug? I guess what I really would like to see is those two-tone dark blue/light blue roundels in 1/32. I've never been able to find any! TimW

I got my F2A-3 in the mail a couple of days ago. Looks pretty good--a mixture of plastic, some resin and a nice selection of photo etch/film for the instrument panels, instruments, seatbelts, etc. Four versions are available and they differ--two are "navalized" F2A-3s, Capt Humberd's from VMF-221 at Midway (the guy who shot down a Zero in a head on pass), and a USN training aircraft. The other two are B-339-23 export versions, with Australian markings and one a short-lived 5th Air Force aircraft also stationed in Australia in 1942. These have some differences in the instrumentation, as well as no belly window and the tail cones are different. Kit molding is excellent and thus far (I've only worked on the instrument panel) seems to go together pretty well. TimW

Find the time...you won't be sorry. I'm sittin here (barely) in front of my computer with severe pain in the lower back from the arthritis that is keeping me home from work today. But if you're at home, you're that much closer to the modelling bench! Hope you're feeling better. TimW

Bwaha! Had a phone message last night that my '47 has come in to my regular hobby shop. Now to find time to go pick it up. Guess I know what I'll be doing come the weekend. Excellent! TimW

>Damn Rebs! Can't get the bulge on any of em. (homey phrase of the ACW soldier) When's New Market? I only >re-enact when it's almost 100 degrees outside and 99% humidity... That way I get the full "heat stroke" effect >of the wool uniform. laugh.gif End of this month, weekend of May 19/20. Being more civilized folk, our uniforms are a mix of wool and cotton jeanscloth... Tim W PS - I'm hoping to see some nice SEAC markings for this Jug!

Waiting for my '47 to show up at the Hobby Shop.... Can't wait. >Steve, I am currently with Co. A of the 146th NY Volunteer Infantry. It's a Zouave unit from my home >town that saw action at Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold >Harbor, Petersburg, Appomatox Courthouse...Unit mustered out July 1865 in Utica, NY. There aren't many >of us and we're spread all across the Eastern Seaboard but we do exist (at least on paper). I'm with Company I, 42d Virginia... Maybe I'll see you at New Market! TimW

I'm waiting for the Mk II.... Tim W.

Plenty of NVPAF MiG-17s were painted in one form or another: http://www.geocities.com./alvmaia/Mig/17f/17Fviet3.gif http://www.geocities.com./alvmaia/Mig/17f/17Fviet4.gif Osprey has a number of good sources for NVPAF schemes as well. Tim W.

My big question is why the Trumpeter Hun doesn't appear to have any Vietnam period markings. Guess that will be coming soon, as I see some very nice markings for French Huns are out there. Trumpeter is funny about the decal versions sometimes, like the way they dorked up the SBD-2. Tim W.

9C v. 9B... I'm doing a 6-Day War NMF Mirage, so I need the older engine. Tim W.

Sukhoi.... Otlichno! This does the trick very well. Thanks again! Tim W

Anybody have good pictures of the back end of this engine? I'm in the process of converting my Revell "Mirage III" into an Israeli Mirage and am having trouble finding good shots of how the petals on the burner look. It seems to be two large ones (upper and lower) with smaller ones in between. But that could be wrong and I'm having trouble getting a sense of how it should look. Help appreciated! Regards to all, Tim W

Just goes to show that I'm not expert on missiles. I did not realize the fin sizing was so far off. Oh well. Someday I may re-do them, but not this week! Tim W.

Rats, does this mean no RAF No. 30 Squadron? I hope some of the Razorbacks are for the Pacific Theater.... Tim W.

Well, I used them on a Tamiya F-15I I did recently, and they seem to be fairly decent. Required a bit of cleaning up and the finds are very delicate, but once assembled/painted they don't look half bad. Tim W.

Any word on which markings will be included? Any RAF SEAC versions perhaps? TimW.

I'll certainly be wanting one of these. Or two...!