Trumpeter 1:32 scale Eurofighter Typhoon - single and 2-seat kits on the way!

Check out IPMS Philippines for the latest gallery pics of what looks like a very nice starter for ten! Restrained rivets, separate leading edge slats..can't wait for this one!

ipmsphilippines.com/v3/




Duxford Autumn Airshow - 6 September 2008
Here are a few images from what turned out to be a good airshow...






























Well, thanks to my good friend Les Venus, I am now the proud owner of one of the first all new Pacific Coast Models Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc 1:32 scale kits. It looks very impressive too!

The polystyrene moulds are well formed with restrained panel line detail. The clear parts are excellent - clear and very thin, which is just what's needed. And then onto the large bag of excellent resin detail parts. You can see from the accompanying pics that the coverage is extensive from the fully detailed cockpit to the wheels and other parts.

Moving onto the decals, the Cartograph sheet is simply superb. The items are well registered and the quality looks first rate. The dull red colour on the British markings looks spot on for a change - often not being reproduced correctly my manufacturers.

So, here are some initail pics to keep you going...














Duxford Air Show 19 May 2008



The weather looked promising and so with daughter in tow we headed off to Duxford, Cambridgeshire...here are some of the star performers, even if the overall flying programme was a bit light...


More recent types...



















And those of yesteryear...









Coningsby 9 May 2008...

Just popped up to Coningsby today - typical! Just missed the Vulcan, it was disappearing into the blue yonder as I was approaching the airfield...Never mind, there's always next time? Hopefully?

Here are a few nice pics of a few Battle of Britain Memorial Flight residents:


Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS915, "The Last" looking superb in the late Spring sunshine...









Spitfire PS915 PR Mk.XIX


The new club we've been planning for the Sleaford, Coningsby, Cranwell and Ruskington area is set for take-off!
9 scale modellers attended the first meeting on 6 May 2008 - a great start. Why not come along to our next meet on Tuesday 3 June?

See separate link for 'New club for Sleaford area'...


Meteor British Phantom conversion 1:32 scale...NEWS UPDATE!

After much careful study of the Meteor package I have reluctantly decided that the package on offer was outrageously over-priced for what you get.

So...sorry to everyone, but I've now received my refund. Let's hope Trumpeter do the biz and do the British Phantom? And if they do, do it full justice?

Watch this space...

UK IPMS Nationals - Telford 10-11 November 2007

Here are some images from this years superb event. Huge thanks go to the IPMS Executive Committee and every involved for putting on a fantastic event. Well done! And....here's to next year!!!

First up....Best in Show - a truly stunning model of the Mauritania 1918, in 1:700 scale and includes 2000 people....it had to be seen to be believed





Here are a few other scale models that caught the eye in the competition...

This was a superb Scorpion in 1:32 scale - really excellent work



The wood effect on this early floatplane was something else...


This 1:32 Japanese Zero in captured marking had an incredibly realistic metallic finish and even more impressive weathering...



The Airfix stand was busy all weekend - hardly surprising as there were built up models of their new BAe Nimrod and Canberra PR.Mk9 on display!







And here are some pics from the Barnet and Harrow club stands...

Here's Neil Ashby's Hawker Sea Fury in 1:32 scale - from the Fisher Models resin kit...very nice!


How about this for fine detail...Just look at that Daimler Benz engine - heavily superdetailed and modified from that included in the Trumpeter 1:24 scale Bf 109 kit...


I like this a lot....Rick Dawson's very nice Avenger from the Trumpeter kit...excellent weathering here - nice one Rick



Jonathan Burns's Hawker Hunter...


Andy Hoare's BMW looks neat here...



A really well detailed addition from Vince Blackburn, not to mention the unusual scheme


How about Ian Taylor's superb Virgin Boeing 747? Just love that subtle weathering - just like real airliners...

Last but not least for now...P-51s were much in evidence and several came from Les Rawlins...good collection building here Les...


Oh! I nearly forgot...one from yours truly...My Eurofighter Typhoon F2 in No.3(F)Sqn markings...




Newark Model Show - October 2007

Just a few images of some of the excellent aircraft models to catch my eye...



This Royal Navy Buccaneer S2B was superb. Anyone whose built the kit, with all its foibles will appreciate the superb modelling skill that's gone into this model - really excellent. You wouldn't believe that the finish is hand-painted - truly unbelieveable!





And here's a couple of really nice 1:32nd scale models from Les Venus. First up, his Hawker Sea Fury on Royal Australian Navy colours, from the excellent Fisher Models resin release. Very striking and unusual - most modellers seem to go for the classic Royal navy scheme. It's always good to see a model that takes your eye. I think Les has certainly captured the finish very well. A slight sheen seems just right.









And his lovely F-4J Phantom II...



Another excellent choice of scheme - really original and one I've never seen on a model table before....despite it being included as a kit option in the box!






Elvington Airshow 2007

Here are a few images from this year's show...Despite deteriorating weather in theafternoon, the show was memorable for the stunning Hawker Hunter two-ship display in rain and murk...absolutely stunning flying skills from the Raspberry Ripple pilot, and, of course Jonathon "Flapjack" Whaley in the 'galaxy' painted "Miss Demeanour".

The RAF Red Arrows also delighted with a stunning low-level display - considering the aweful weather at that late stage in the afternoon, congratulations go to all the guys for providing a real highlight in the gloom!

I've included a couple of other pics - especially for the Spitfire / Seafire enthusiasts!



Jonathan walks back to the enthusiastic appreciation of the crowd!










I believe Jonathon used to fly for the FAA, therefore the 'Mailed Fist' squadron insignia is very appropriate on the fin of his Mk 58 Hunter...






Coningsby 8 August 2007

Battle of Britian Memorial Flight Lancaster PA474 now marked up on its port side as "Phantom of the Ruhr" - superb artwork!!








July 2007 - Waddington Air Show arrivals

Indian Air Force MiG 29s and Su 30s arrive - very nice!





21 June 2007 - Coningsby - two superb schemes for two of the last Jags in service. I couldn't get to the awesome 'Tiger' Jag, but hopefully I'll have an image soon. I managed to shoot the Derert Pink Jag XX725 'T' just before start up...




The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's 'Phantom of the Ruhr' at Hullavington 19 May 2007.



Another two stunning images (above and below) from the lens of Ian Sayer - thanks Ian!




Cometh the hour...cometh the Cats...May 2007



Sadly No.6 Squadron RAF has finally been stood down. Here are a few images from that awesome day on 30th April 2007 when 13 SEPECAT Jaguars returned to RAF Coningsby for a spectacular flypast.  Images courtesy of Ian Sayer and June Faulkner (thanks Ian and June - here's to our next excursion!!)










Goodbye 6 - we'll miss you...