1/144 Hawker-Siddeley HS.748 Andover Military ‘Europe’ (RAF, RAE, Belgian AF) - Mark I

1/144 Hawker-Siddeley HS.748 Andover Military ‘Europe’ (RAF, RAE, Belgian AF) - Mark I

The HS.748 was a British short/medium-range twin-engined airliner designed during the late 1950s. It was originally developed and initially produced by A.V. Roe & Co., then-after its dissolution-by Hawker Siddeley Aviation and later by its successor, British Aerospace.

The 748 was a remarkably successful aeroplane and an effective DC-3 replacement in many parts of the world. The first prototype (G-APZV) first flew in June 1960. Initially, the Srs.1 version for 44 passengers was built (24 a/c), then production was switched to the 52-seat Avro 748 Srs.2, followed by the Srs.2A and 2B with further increases in power and maximum weight. A total of 350 HS.748s were built which also included 89 aircraft manufactured by Indian Hindustan Aeronautics and this type continued in production until 1988.

The HS.748 was a low-wing monoplane of an all-metal construction, fitted with a nose-wheel type tricycle undercarriage. The flight crew consisted of two members, while the cabin accommodated passengers or could be adjusted to mixed passenger/freight layout.

Powered by two Dart turboprop engines, it possessed a high level of performance, including short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities and overall ruggedness. In freight configuration the aircraft was capable of hauling payloads in excess of 10,000 lb (4,540 kg).

Significant military users included the RAF, the Royal Australian and the Royal Thai Air Forces. Lower numbers of the 748 were delivered to air forces of Belgium, Brazilia, Colombia, Ecuador and India, while the majority of the 748s were flown by various British and overseas airline operators.

Colour schemes included in the kit:
1) Hawker Siddeley HS.748 (Srs.2 Model 206) Andover CC Mk.2, XS789 (c/n 1561), No.32 Sq., Royal Air Force, Northolt Air Base, Greater London, U.K., early 1990s

2) Hawker Siddeley HS.748 (Srs.1 Model 107), XW750 (ex-Smiths Industries Ltd. G-ASJT, c/n 1559), ‘Raspberry Ripple’, Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE)/ Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA)/QinetiQ, Royal Air Force, Bedford/Farnborough/Boscombe Down Air Bases, Bedfordshire/Hampshire/Wiltshire, U.K., 1983-2004

3) Hawker Siddeley HS.748 (Srs.2A Model 288), CS-03 (c/n 1743), Yellow 43, 21e Esc. ‘Sioux’, 15 e Wing Transport Aérien, Belgian Air Force (Force aérienne belge/Belgische Luchtmacht), Brussels/Melsbroek Air Base, Belgium, 1978

This injection-moulded kit contains 51 parts. For modeller’s convenience a display base, made of pasteboard card, depicting tarmac section of the military airport is added. A comprehensive instruction leaflet and a decal sheet are included.

Note: There does not appear to be any glazing on this kit!

Price:£28.99

Source: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM144120

1/144 Dassault Mirage IIIE/EE/RS/5BA 'In Europe' (French, Spanish, Swiss & Belgian AF) by Mark I Models MKM14410

1/144 Dassault Mirage IIIE/EE/RS/5BA 'In Europe' (French, Spanish, Swiss & Belgian AF) by Mark I Models MKM144101

Dassault Mirage IIIE/EE/RS/5BA 'In Europe' (French, Spanish, Swiss & Belgian AF) The Mirage III jet fighter was developed by the French Avions Marcel Dassault company and its prototype flew in 1956. The first major production model was the Mirage IIIC, while the IIIE was an upgraded variant flying in April 1961.

The Mirage IIIE was a single-seat, all-metal monoplane featuring a tailless delta configuration utilised as a multirole/strike aircraft. Compared to the previous IIIC, it had an extended fuselage for avionics and additional fuel and straight tailfin leading edge. It was powered by a SNECMA Atar 09C turbojet. It carried two DEFA cannons in the lower fuselage under the air intakes and was fitted with five external stores pylons (one under the fuselage and two under each wing).

The first production Mirage IIIEs went to the French Air Force in 1964, with a total of 183 aircraft eventually delivered to that air arm. Licence production was also undertaken in Australia, where 98 a/c were built between 1963-68 by GAF as the Mirage IIIO. A number of Mirage IIIEs were built for export, being purchased by Argentina (IIIEA), Brazil (IIIEBR), Lebanon (IIIEL), Pakistan (IIIEP), South Africa (IIIEZ), Spain (IIIEE) and Venezuela (IIIEV).

Mirage IIIR was a reconnaissance aircraft, with radar replaced by a camera nose. It was based on the IIIE but with simpler avionics. These aeroplanes we supplied to the French Air Force (IIIR/RD) and others were exported to Switzerland (one Mirage IIIRS delivered + 17 licence-built by F+W in 1968-69), Pakistan (IIIRP) and South Africa (IIIRZ/R2Z). Production of the Mirage IIIE/R (incl. exports) was substantially greater than that of the IIIC, totalling more than 530 aircraft.

The Mirage 5 was the next major variant, first flying in May 1967, destined for clear-weather attack role. It was equipped with less sophisticated avionics, more fuel storage and featured a longer nose. In Belgium, 63 a/c were licence-built in the period 1970-73 by SABCA as the 5BA. A total of 531 Mirage 5s (all variants, incl. exports) were built, of which a number were exported to Abu Dhabi, Colombia, Egypt, Gabon, Libya, Pakistan, Peru, Venezuela and Zaire.

Colour schemes included in the kit:
1) AMD Mirage IIIE, No.568, Black 4-BI, Escadron de Chasse 2/4 ‘La Fayette’, French Air Force (Armée de l’Air), Air Base (BA) 116 Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur, France, early 1970s

2) AMD Mirage IIIEE, No.631/C.11-23, Black 111-12/C11-23, Escuadron 111 ‘Dólares’, Ala de Caza 11 (Fighter Wing), Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire), Manises Air Base, Spain, 1973

3) AMD Mirage IIIRS, No.5, Black R-2101, Überwachungsgeschwader (Surveillance Sq.), Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe), Dübendorf Air Base, Switzerland, late 1965

4) SABCA Mirage 5BA, No.021, White BA 21, 2e Esc. ‘La Comète’, 2e Wing Tactique, Belgian Air Force (Force aérienne belge), Florennes Air Base, Belgium, late 1985

This injection-moulded kit contains 53 parts and two clear parts (the cockpit canopy,taxiing lamp). A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

Estimated Price : £18 GBP
Release Date: To be confirmed
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM144101

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Mirage_III

1/144 Revell Alpha Jet Conversions - Retrowings

1/144 Revell Alpha Jet Conversions - Retrowings 
Retrowings foray into 1/144 aircraft kits and conversions continues with another couple of related sets!

Both are very crisply cast and finely detailed on good resin, both sets come with an information leaflet that contains relevenat  background and the all important "cut here" guideance.

As usuals, the service from Retrokits and the prices for short run resing updates reasonable!

http://www.retrokit.net/144kits

Alpha Jet Conversions: Belgian Alpha Jet 1B Cockpit Detail Set (Retrowings RW44016)
Alpha Jet A & Alpha Jet E Cockpit Detail Sets are also available


Alpha Jet Conversions: Belgian Alpha Jet Tail Correction Set (Retrowings RW44017)
The Revell kit is regarded to have a "bannana" like rear section, this conversion help to rectify this issue!

Available: Now
Price: 3.99 Euro
 
Future releases from Retrowings will cover  items for the: Chinook, Hunter, Kfir, F-5, F-104 and F-117, as well as the first item in a line of 1/144 aircraft decals...

1/144 F-104 Luftwaffe Decal Set by Astra Decal

Astra Decal is brand of DACO Decals, who in turn researches design decals for Revell (Germany) Gmbh.

This means the authenticity of this product is unquestionable!?
They shoulf also be proper screen printed decals, not alps! :0)

This is an amazingly complete set of decals that enable you to complete over 1000 (!) different configurations of German Luftwaffe Starfighters (Bare Metal Finish versions excluded).
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I think it would be true to say if your a Modern Era Luftwaffe or a F-104 Fanatic this has to be on your list of purchases! It might even be true to say that a large number of these decals could be used in general modeling (if your not a rivet counter!)
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If you wish to see "super size images" click below:
Home Page http://ultra.glo.be/daco/

Product Page http://ultra.glo.be/daco/KAst16.html
Decal #1 http://ultra.glo.be/daco/DAst16aG.jpg
Decal #2 http://ultra.glo.be/daco/DAst16bG.jpg
Decal #3 http://ultra.glo.be/daco/DAst16cG.jpg
Decal #4 http://ultra.glo.be/daco/DAst16dG.jpg
Decal #5 http://ultra.glo.be/daco/DAst16eG.jpg

Available: Now!
Price: 10 Euro

A full set for Belgian F-104's is also planned: http://ultra.glo.be/daco/KDCD64.html

On another note:
It is Shame the 'Dirty Diana' F-16 decals are not in available in 144!!
Only the Dutch AF would be alowed to paint their aircraft like this, it wouldnt be permmited in the UK! :o(