Model Forum / General / Models / October 2005

I am currently trying to track down the the  exact measurements of the
Tanks that were built in Australia during WW2.....before the americans
came to save us.........lol lol

Hi all,

I'm also an Aussie and developed grandiose visions of having a
complete 1:72 collection of all ADF aircraft at an early age. Trouble
is, some of the aircraft just ain't available in 1:72 scale, or the
attempts at these subjects have been poor and not worth the effort.
Types that spring to mind are:

·    Douglas Dolphin (apparently a Czechmaster kit is due soon)
·    Wackett Gannet
·    Avro Cadet (was there an Aeroclub kit of this?)
·    DHA Glider
·    CAC Woomera (Beechnut attempted this one, which I believe was very
poor)
·    Northrop Delta
·    Lockheed Lodestar
·    Aerospatiale Squirrel (a resin kit appeared briefly a few years
back)
·    Supermarine Sea Otter (Aeroclub did it with limited success and
there's an Azur kit due soon)

Over the years, I've managed to amass a fairly good collection of
most types used by the ADF in 1:72 scale (or similar types for
conversion) and ADF decal sheets, but therein lies the next problem -
my work has kept me away from home for most of my life, so I may never
find the time to actually assemble them into models!

In answer to Daniel's posting, I have not seen a decal sheet
specifically for the Mirage IIID, but the Roodecals sheet (number MA24)
or the High Planes sheet (number D7201), both of which feature the
Mirage IIIO could easily be adapted with some help from a sheet
providing generic serial numbers (eg. Aussie Decals sheet number 701 or
702). I also recall seeing a decal sheet from an overseas manufacturer
(Carpena?) which included at least on RAAF Mirage, but I don't know
offhand if it's a single or dual seater.

As Ultan Rooney replied, the High Planes kit of the Mirage IIID
contains markings for several aircraft. I don't have a High Planes
Mirage in my collection, but I'd imagine they're a decent kit,
given the short-run limitations.

The Boeing Washington should be a pretty straightforward build from any
B-29 kit. As far as I know, there is no difference between the two,
aside from the name, which was simply the RAF designation for the
aircraft. The RAAF Washingtons were natural metal overall with "A"
type roundels, fin flashes and serials - the decal spares box should
yield all that is required here.

There is/was a Lincoln conversion kit available from one of the English
cottage industry companies (Magna Models?) but I believe it's pretty
crude. As a start however, Red Roo Models market some resin Lincoln
engine cowlings; I have a set of these and aside from the moulded-in
exhausts (I would have preferred separate items), they seem OK. I also
vaguely recall seeing a mention of a Lincoln conversion set from one of
the Australian cottage industry producers in a magazine a couple of
years ago, but as far as I know, it hasn't happened yet. Maybe
there'll be one around shortly to be mated to the new Hasegawa kit?

With the recent termination of Aussie Decals, we have lost one very
good source of after-market RAAF markings (we can only hope someone
buys the screens from Peter to keep the excellent work going). Red Roo
Models and Hawkeye Models (following this company's recent revival)
continue to produce excellent resources for the ADF modeller. Hawkeye
also produce an excellent range of Aussie civil markings. I don't
know if Roodecals are still producing, but some of their decal sheets
are fairly easily found.

Hope this information is useful to someone!!

James.