Ivan Ivanovich

Ernie's right. The HpH set is the best bet to turn the clusterf***ed Trumpeter kit into a fairly accurate rendition of an actual MiG-23. Even if it's one of the duckbills. The M/MF as well as the ML/MLD boxings are among the most seriously flawed kits ever released by Trumpeter. Period. However, it really depends on what you want: If you want a reasonably detailed kit that builds up quite nicely, looks "23ish" from 300ft away and you don't care about accuracy in general or you may want a plastic rendition of the 4+ drawings, go for it. But in case you want a kit that "looks right" in terms of shape and proportions, you might be in trouble. To properly fix any of the 32nd scale Trumpeter MiG-23 boxings you'd need at least an all-new fwd fuselage for the M/MF boxings, another all-new fwd fuselage for the ML/MLD kits, all-new transparencies (windshield and canopy) and a new rear fuselage. As is, the rear fuselage depicts too little taper at the top and too much taper at the bottom. All this given, the MLG (oleo and trailing link compression) will be the smallest problem. VVS MiG-23M: LSK/LV MiG-23MLA, 615kg/1355lbs lighter (empty): Just for fun - MiG-23 main landing gear origami:

As odd as it may seem, but I need mine to build a Mk.IXe one fine day. 2020/2021 maybe.

Just a little nosh for in-between two MiGs.

Just a wee bit, you say? <taking a closer look>

Is that oil-canning right below the A-pillar?

My eyes are deaf now...

Only if Marauders and Invaders were to star in one of his next movies. WNW's decision to tackle the Lanc, thus going head-to-head with HKM, could be largely connected to Peter jackson's ongoing The Dambusters remake. Quite obviously Mr Jackson didn't contempt himself with full-scale Lanc mock-ups... And we all know one thing for sure: He's nuts!

As long as this will not further impact the already somewhat stalled HKM F-4K/M, I'm fine with it.

Probably the last transaction for 2018: Traded a 48th scale Dragon Ju 88G-6 for a PCM Spit. Spare sprue of TAMIYA Spitfire Mk.XVIe transparencies - CHECK! Grey Matter Figures low-back spine - CHECK! BarracudaCast seat -CHECK! Master Hispano 20mm & Browning .50cal gun barrel fairings - CHECK! TAMIYA Mk.XVIe from my stash to serve as a template to make upper wing gun blister moulds - CHECK!

From HpH's point of view it was a wise decision to tackle the BN. Just as you quite rightly said: operated by the CSFR and still a good many actual, more or less intact BN airframes only a stone's throw away from their doorstep. I'm 100% sure those who buy the HpH MiG-23BN "plug & play" conversion will enjoy building it, since the baseline MiG-23MF kit won't require any major plastic surgeries. Which is, in my view, great news.

I'm afraid I'll have to pass this one. If HpH came up with a "Kayra", "Emka" or "Deshka", then we'd be talking. Anyway, the resin looks like they nailed it. MiG-27K "Кайра":

Unless you're Italian. Then you bring a knife. If my DCA (she's from Sardinia) reads this, I'm toast. In no time.

Absoferkinglutely!

Answer: Six Lockheed C-130J-30 Super Hercules. Or more precisely, three C-130J-30 and three KC-130J-30. Yesterday, the budget comittee of the German Bundestag has approved and appropriated funds for the purchase of six aircraft. Now Uschi can go shopping. Kaching! C'mon, HpH. I know you want one, too! <arr arr> "Artist's" rendition...

Find the tree!

Watched the movie. Solid entertainment and - for my taste - not overly pathetic.

You're the one that got away today. Who'd have thunk it?! "TWIST OF FATE - Submerged German Sub Saves Modeller From Costly Impulse Buying"

They couldn't find it. I see... But isn't that exactly what Uboats are supposed to do? <chuckles>

And blending in with the background. Sort of...

The timing couldn't be any better. Hope he'll be back by then. Please thank him for his service and godspeed! "Uncle Ivan, what did you do before 2011?" Ivan (on the right) doing things, undisclosed location, Afghanistan, 2009.

12 Strong? Cheers!

You need appr. 3.600 litres/792 imp gallons (~600 kg) of topcoat to paint an A380. Roughly estimated, an An-22 would need 60 to 75% of that amount.

Street food, anyone?

Tastes differ, but in my opinion one of the most beautiful airplanes ever built.

Have you ever wondered how it looks inside a "Cock"? Pics taken in 2004, undisclosed location, Germanistan: