|
Post by jp on Oct 15, 2018 11:06:35 GMT 12
Two large transports will never be enough, once servicing and maintenance are taken into account. Isn't it cheaper to buy another Helicopter type that fits a C-130 (or similar) to use more or less purely for rapid deployment? Don't we have a big new boat coming that can take NH-90s that could follow up, if need be?
|
|
|
Post by jp on Oct 9, 2018 15:13:05 GMT 12
Just announced by Richard Alexander that it should be a similar price to Felixstowe/Hansa Duelist kit - so hopefully in the vicinity of $350-400 US...
|
|
|
Post by jp on Oct 7, 2018 12:38:14 GMT 12
Haven't the Americans done that since at least WW2?
Also, at least some of the RNZAF Dauntlesses only had Roundels on top/bottom of one wing - overpainted US markings.
|
|
|
Post by jp on Oct 5, 2018 21:07:13 GMT 12
"The price will be eye-wateringly high though. I've heard it bandied about that this will most likely be around the $US500 mark price-wise"
Really? Its only marginally bigger than a Felixstowe, and that is only USD269...
Even with a couple of extra engines, and some turrets, there to 500 bucks is a big leap....
|
|
|
Post by jp on Oct 3, 2018 11:32:17 GMT 12
Wouldn't be surprised if this is a leg-pull - HK models is releasing one very soon, and the market for a model that big/expensive isn't likely to be huge... Some of us know some of the people at WNW, and the chance of this being a leg pull (especially with the CAD imagery now posted) is about nil. It's not something they do. The market may not be huge but WNW's reputation is such that this will likely be the best kit of a Lancaster ever produced. True - but when I made that post (about 6 days ago) the news of the impending release was about 20 minutes old... I'm glad they are making a Lancaster - I'll definitely buy AND build one, (as long as they aren't cost prohibitive), and I wasn't even considering buying the HKM one.
|
|
|
Post by jp on Oct 3, 2018 11:04:54 GMT 12
The trailers for Mortal Engines look like utter crap to me. I think what you mean to say is "this movie adaptation of a successful series of books aimed at young adults doesn't really appeal to me, but I hope lots of people go and see it, so Peter Jackson can make plenty of money to continue financing his aviation/model interests".....
|
|
|
Post by jp on Sept 28, 2018 20:30:32 GMT 12
well, if its on facebook, it must be true
|
|
|
Post by jp on Sept 28, 2018 15:32:08 GMT 12
Wouldn't be surprised if this is a leg-pull - HK models is releasing one very soon, and the market for a model that big/expensive isn't likely to be huge...
|
|
|
Post by jp on Sept 24, 2018 18:19:55 GMT 12
Possibly the replica off its pole at Hendon for a refurb, prior to returning, as part of the revamp...
|
|
|
Post by jp on Sept 19, 2018 10:17:44 GMT 12
She has the wingspan shortened to 32 feet (from about 37'), shorter ailerons, winglets, and a shortened tailplane. Also removal of gunports, etc to clean up wings. Not sure about engine mods.
|
|
|
Post by jp on Sept 13, 2018 15:45:44 GMT 12
Excellent filming..... will be buying the DVD.
Funny how this film had a very limited release in England (really only one day?) yet has been playing twice a day for a week in Hastings, with another week's worth of viewings advertised.....
|
|
|
Post by jp on Sept 4, 2018 15:21:08 GMT 12
It was up briefly yesterday, after being down for a few days - they have changed the format (most people seem to hate it) - and said they are struggling with a few issues at the mo.....
|
|
|
Post by jp on Sept 3, 2018 14:27:22 GMT 12
I believe the Seafire XVII in the UK is/was flown occasionally by a woman. Not technically a Spitfire, and is being repaired after a landing incident.....
|
|
|
Post by jp on Aug 26, 2018 8:35:36 GMT 12
I haven't missed your point - you're just wrong - why does it have to be either/or? Its not "indecision and poor leadership" - its a decision to partially restore something, or to work to a certain look/state. The Halifax at Hendon is conserved pretty much in a "as found" condition with a few minor assembles rebuilt. If you think the Hampden is taking a long time, you could multiply that by a factor of about 10 to see the Halifax restored....
Something is only original once - replacing the wear and tear with bright shiny stuff is to a certain extent obliterating its individual history - and nothing "factory fresh" has a history - the history starts once it starts being used....
|
|
|
Post by jp on Aug 25, 2018 16:48:27 GMT 12
Personally, I prefer the conserve approach to an aircraft's history, providing its still essentially complete - prevent it deteriorating, but retaining its original paint/markings/history is sometimes more interesting than a whole row of aircraft in pristine paint jobs. MoTaT is a case in point - P-40 and Hudson in nice SHINY paint - as inaccurate as all $@!
Perhaps a nice colour photo of a pristine Hampden, alongside the unrestored tail boom would work?
PS - I doubt Brooklands Museum would be overly impressed at the idea their preservation efforts for R-Robert are half-arsed....
|
|
|
Post by jp on Aug 23, 2018 15:10:53 GMT 12
There looks like there is a shed load more light in there than when I visited - I don't remember the Me163 hanging from the roof - may have missed it in the gloom! Other than that, much as I remember it....
|
|
|
Post by jp on Aug 23, 2018 9:17:16 GMT 12
yup - good idea - and if we could get rid of "themed" lighting as well, which Wigram seem to be fond of, viewing/photography would be better still.
|
|
|
Post by jp on Aug 22, 2018 15:15:37 GMT 12
Try the Science Museum in London - all the aircraft are on the top floor (Supermarine S.6B, Alcock & Brown's Vimy, Amy Johnson's Moth, etc) and all 3 times I've been there it has been almost pitch black. When I queried the reasoning it went along the lines of "It's such a hassle getting a cherry picker in here to replace light bulbs. We usually wait until the last few are still going, then replace them all at once...." Needless to say, if you turned up during the months at a time when they were on the far end of the replacement cycle, you could see flip all....
I have heard that light destroys/fades artifacts and paint, but you'd think in this day and age there would be a viable alternative.
|
|
|
Post by jp on Aug 21, 2018 22:13:02 GMT 12
Quality takes time too... NASM's B-29 took in the vicinity of 200,000 man hours to turn into a presentable exhibit - and I believe that was reasonably complete to start with. Hampden isn't far from being a start from scratch project...
|
|
|
Post by jp on Aug 20, 2018 11:35:52 GMT 12
He has written fiction yes - "A Piece of Cake", among others. Does write more than one genre.
|
|