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What's new

• Rafi Ben-Shahar joins us today with his Special Hobby 1/48 Fairey Barracuda II, with scratchbuilt wingfolds. Really rare aircraft and rare model. Good to see it around!
• Hanchang Kuo posted his very nice Hasegawa 1/700 USS Yorktown CV-10. This Yorktown was built using the old Essex kit. Nice build, nice photographs!
• Alexandre Bigey returns today, now he presents his Frog / Novo 1/72 Supermarine Attacker. It was the first carrier based jet aircraft of the Royal Navy.
• John Bishop posted a very extensive walkaround of the F-4B Phantom II wearing VMFA-531 marking displayed at Aurora Municipal Airport, Aurora Il

Editorial:

• The Final Countdown Group Build passed the first 3 months. We're halfway of the event. If you're not in, it's still not too late! You have 3 more months to complete your build! Don't forget, we have raffle prizes offered from LuckyModel, and Afterburner Decals, so you every chance to win something!
  
  

News by Alert 5:

• Retired Aircraft Carrier Survives Hurricane Rita Off Texas Coast
  Retired aircraft carrier USS Oriskany have survived Hurricane Rita's wrath. The carrier had moved from Pensacola to Texas to avoid hurricanes this season.
• Pentagon: China's Anti-Aircraft Carrier Strategy Includes Ballistic Missiles
  In the Pentagon's annual China report, it mentioned that China will use its ballistic missiles against U.S. aircraft carriers in any potential conflict with Taiwan. Cuise missiles, special operations forces, naval mines and submarines are other options being explored by Beijing.
• Helicopter Crash Kills 5 Crew Members in Afghanistan
  A CH-47 Chinook went down in southern Afghanistan while supporting operations against insurgents. The helicopter had delivered troops to a village and was returning to base. The crash is most likely an accident.
• Cherry Point Marines return
  VMA-231 with their five Harriers return back to MCAS Cherry Point after six months in Iraq. During that time they had a joint exercise with Israel and an exercise in Kuwait to train for the desert.
• MALABAR 05 : Indian Navy - U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers To Conduct Joint Exercise
  India's INS Viraat will conduct an exercise with USS Nimitz in the Arabian Sea from 25 Sep to 04 Oct 05.
• Moving Day At The Tulsa Air And Space Museum
  Tulsa Air and Space Museum is moving its F-14 display to a new home.
• Oxygen loss linked to fatal MCAS jet crash
  Oxygen deprivation was the likely reason a U.S. Marine pilot crashed his F/A-18 Hornet into the Atlantic Ocean last year. Capt. Franklin R. Hooks, 32, was taking part in a training exercise on June 27, 2004, when he crashed south of the Azores, in the eastern Atlantic.
• Hawkeyes, Greyhounds among first to respond to Katrina
  The U.S. Navy's E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound fleet responded less than 48 hours after Hurricane Katrina's hit the Gulf Coast area. The E-2C from VAW-77 played an important role as a key command-and-control node.
• A Grounded Greyhound Flies Again
  A completely rewired C-2A Greyhound finished its Service Life Extension Program recently at NAVAIR Depot North Island.
• Oceana’s fate far from set; conversion would be costly
  Oceana Naval Air Station will be useless to the USN if they are forced to shift the jets to Florida. It would be cheaper for the Navy to move out and not convert the base for other type of missions. The Service Life Extension Program will give each Greyhound 36,000 landings and 50,000 flight hours.
• Navy jet crash kills two in Florida
  A S-3 Viking from VS-32 went down near Jacksonville Naval Air Station while attempting to land in a storm. Both crew were killed.

   

• Thomas Neuss joins us today with this really nice 1/72 Italeri HH-60H Rescue Hawk that is converted from the Seahawk kit. Very good job!
• An other modeler joined us today as well, Andy Frill is here with his is a Hasegawa 1/48 A-7E Corsair.
• Our fellow member, Simon Bird presents his finished Trumpeter 1/350 USS George Washington conversion, using the Nimitz kit, and GMM and WEM detail sets.
• Maurizio Bressan is here with the second part of the USS George Washington photo tour.

Editorial:

Unfortunately my internet provider limited the number of outgoing emails, that means that I cannot send further newsletters to the registered users of the forum. I created a new mailing list that is on independent service from the site, and from the current internet provider. Good thing in the trouble, that we can separate the forum registration and the newsletter registration from now. There are three options from now:

• For those who are not requesting the newsletters, but want to use the forum, only the forum registration is needed (you don't need to register to the forum again, if you're already a member). If you're not registered, you can do that in the forum menu on the left. If you're registered to the forum, and you'd like to receive the newsletter as well in the future, please register to the newsletter here, or you can register later in the darker field above, right from the What's new text.

• For those who wants to get the newsletter only, only the newsletter registration needed. You can register to the newsletter here, or you can register later in the darker field above, right from the What's new text.

• If you want to use the forum, and you'd like to receive the newsletter as well, then you'll need both registration.

As always I'm not using your registration data for any other than the purpose of it, I never send spams, unwanted emails to you, and I never give your email address away. Please report if you're having problems with the registration!

News by Alert 5:

• Harris Corporation's Low-Cost Weapon Data Link Used In Successful JDAM Moving Target Demonstration
  Harris Corporation has successfully tested a low-cost, UHF network-capable weapon data link for the JDAM on a F/A-18 Super Hornet to hit moving targets.
  The Super Hornet was able update the JDAM with the position of the moving target using its onboard sensors and transmitting it to the bomb using the aircraft's existing communication system. The JDAM was also able to transmit real-time weapon status back to the host F/A-18 for a two-way data link
• Ministry eyes rice-for-planes trade deal
  Jakarta hopes to barter 250,000 tons of rice from Thailand in exchange for CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the Royal Thai Navy.
• VF-101 last flight
  VF-101 flew their show bird to Castle Air Museum yesterday, its expected to arrive at Castle on Tuesday at noon. If you happen to be there and taking photos, I hope to post them in the gallery to complete the story
• Cowboys back in the saddle to test new technology
  USMC's VMFA-112 will be in England taking part in Exercise Urgent Quest.
• Sky-high ambitions for woman who became Navy pilot
  Kendra Kaufman is one of 311 female pilots in the U.S. Navy and one of just 13 female Naval aviators who fly the C-2A. She is attached to the USS Nimitz.
• Many in Jacksonville fight plan to reopen Cecil Field base
  7,000 to 10,000 residences living in Jacksonville will be under the noise zone of Cecil Field Naval Air Station if the jets are moved there from Oceana.
• Nimitz Sailors Spend, Sightsee, Slam Dunk in Dubai
  USS Nimitz made a visit to United Arab Emirates city of Dubai from Sept. 1-6
• Indian Navy holds talks with British firm
  The Indian Navy is holding talks with British Aerospace for 18 to 22 Hawk advanced jet trainers after the Indian Air Force refused to “share” with it the 66 Hawks they acquired. The Navy need the Hawks to train their MiG-29 pilots.
• V-22 clears congressional hurdle (Free Registration)
  A 4-year-old congressional restriction imposed on the V-22 has been lifted. V-22 production has been limited to the "minimum sustaining rate" of no more than 11 or 12 per year under restrictions from Congress. The lifting of the restriction will improve the chances that an upcoming Pentagon review board will give the go-ahead for full rate production.
• Raytheon Awarded $38.8 Million Contract for Marine Corps CH-53E FLIRS
  Raytheon Company will provide 83 AN/AAQ-29A Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) imaging systems for U.S. Marine Corps Super Stallion CH-53E helicopters.
• Russia offers sale of naval planes to India
  Russia is offering India naval surveillance and anti-submarine airplanes to counter the United States offer of eight P3-C Orions.
  The Chief of Indian Navy did not disclose which Russian model aircraft is being considered.
• Grim Reaper comes calling for F-14 training unit
  VF-101 Grim Reapers will retire Sept. 14 after 63 years of service.

• I continue posting Vladimir Begara's nice models. This time he shows us this beautiful Academy 1/72 F-8E Crusader. Wel all know this new kit, and we all know it's looking great even in the box. Vladimir shows us how it looks like completed/ Good job!
• Ted Taylor today presents an interesting rare aircraft of the Royal Navy. This is a Dynavector 1/48 De Havilland Sea Hornet
• Kelly Quirk returns to us, now with his beautiful Trumpeter 1/350 USS Hornet, of course with a Doolittle's Raid scene. Good one as usual!
• Gerry Clarke posted a couple of images of VFA-37 Ragin` Bulls F/A-18C Hornets.

Editorial:

• Afterburner decals offered 2 sheets of 1/48 and two sheets of 1/32 decals from their range as raffle prizes to support out Final Countdown Group Build Their line of products are not for naval aircrafts now, but I'm sure that all the winners will be happy by this too! Please check their website to get some idea about their product line! Thank you for your support!
• More prizes to come! Remember, there will be raffle prizes, so everybody have the same chance to win! If you or your company is ready to offer some prizes for this event, please feel free to contact me!

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.

• Kristian Amadori joining us today with his pretty nice Italeri 1/72 F6F-3 Hellcat converted from the F6F-5N kit. You can see how to build up a nice little model using a cheap 1/72 kit. Good job!
• This is Jan M. Visser's next submission, this time he presents his Tamiya 1/32 F-14A Tomcat on a deck section diorama.
• Bob O' Connor's carrier submissions are continuing. This time he shows us a rare carrier, this is a Delphis 1/700 Giuseppe Garibaldi representing Italy's Harrier Carrier...
• David Harvey shares his extensive walkaround images of this Westland Seaking in Royal Australian Navy Markings

Editorial:

• There are still several invalid email addresses in the forum database. It means that some of you probably entered a wrong email address at registration. Because if this you will not be able to get the newsletters about the site updates, and you will not be able to get notification when someone replies to a forum that you are "watching". These emails are bouncing back, and I'm receiving them as a delivery fault. I'm receiving 1-2 delivery error emails every day because of this. Please check if your email address is correct in your registration (you can check it in the forum by clicking the "Profile" in the top right section of the main forum page)

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.

• Pete Hudson returns to us with this nice Royal Navy diorama. This beauty is a Hasegawa 1/48 F-4 FG.1 Phantom on a scratchbuilt deck section. Very nice one, and rare subject for a diorama! Congratulations!
• Christoph Mentzel is here again. Today he presents a nice diorama with a Jim Shirley Productions 1/700 USS Oriskany CV-34. Good one as usual.
• After his F3H Demon article Bob Jellison sent a nice article about the North American RA-5C Vigilante. Bob flown these aircrafts.
• Gerry Clarke posted a pretty nice walkaround of the VF-143 Pukin Dogs F-14B with the Last Ride paint scheme.

Editorial:

• The Final Countdown Group Build passed the first 2 months. We're at the one third of the timeframe of the event. It seems there's a growing interest to the group build. If you're not in, it's still not too late! You have 4 months to complete your build!
  
  

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.

• John McCormick joins us today with his wonderful Hasegawa 1/32 OA-4M Skyhawk. Very nice job!
• Ted Taylor's next submission is this nice Pro Modeler 1/48 SB2C-4 Helldiver
• Paolo Yuen returns, today he presents his Heller 1/400 Charles de Gaulle. Nice to see this rare model here!
• Garry Prettyman shares his nice walkaround photos of the VF-74 Be-devilers F-4J Phantom II in from the museum at Duxford

Editorial:

• Sorry for the long delays between the updates, but I'm really busy, and I'm traveling back to my home every weekend so I cannot prepare the articles. Probably I'll have more time from the middle of September.

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.

• Vladimir Begala joins us now with his nice Trumpeter 1/48 RA-5C Vigilante. Good job! More to come...
• Ted Taylor is posting his Italeri 1/48 V-22A Osprey prototype.
• Gary Johnson presents his Revell 1/542 Bon Homme Richard CV-31. This is a rare subject in rare scale...
• I reviewed the Fujimi 1/72 F/A-18C Strike Hornet & Flight Deck Crew combo set.

Editorial:

• Several of you added incorrect email addresses to the forum at registration, and for these persons all the newsletter emails are bouncing back to me. Please check your email address in your registration, and update it if necessary! Also sometimes it's recommended to cleanup your mailbox, as I simply cannot contact some of you because your mailboxes are full.

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.

• This is an other Tomcat from Andy Mullen's nice collection. This is a Hasegawa 1/72 F-14A Tomcat
• This is Mike Williams Tamiya 1/48 Fairey Swordfish Mk.1
• Roberto Musakawa returns to us with his nice Sweet 1/144  FM-2 Wildcat. Nice little bird.
• Curtis Jurrens presents a couple of useful photographs and details shots of one of the 3 A-6E Intruder prototypes.

Editorial:

• Gerry Prettyman sent us some info of THE FORMATION OF THE BRITISH BUCCANEERS. 66 SQUADRON. Details follows:
  
  The association of naval aviation or the A.N.A. is a non profit, educational and fraternal society of naval aviation, whose main purpose is to educate the public and the national leaders on the vital roles of the navy, Marine Corps and the coast guard. We do this through published writing, symposia, speeches and discussions. Visit the A.N.A. web site at www.anahq.org for more details. The formation of the British squadron was officially formed at Fort Nelson in Portsmouth, England, on the 30th June 2005. We had the honour of the president of the A.N.A. Admiral Phillip D. Smith USN (retired ), Capt, Eric Brown, who flew many captured German aircraft after world war two, such as the ME 262, ME 163 and many more. The members of the Buccaneers come from all over the U. K. And meet whenever they can. Anyone who may be interested in joining the Buccaneers in the U.k. can e-mail me  At garryprettyman2004@yahoo.co.uk.
• 
  GARRY PRETTYMAN
  http://community.webshots.com/album/385654083igbkQr

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.

• Simone Fiorito joins us with his Italeri 1/48 F/A-18E Super Hornet. This kit needs lot of work to build up correctly.
• Yufei Mao returns, now with an aircraft. This is a nice Hasegawa 1/48 B5N2 Kate.
• Gennady Kasyanenko is here again. Now he shows us his Zvezda 1/72 KA-27 PS
• This is Ben Hardaway's Italeri 1/700 USS Saratoga CV-60.

Editorial:

• I moved to Germany, and I'm in the temporary accommodation, and as I thought before, I have no internet access, so it's really hard to make the updates. I'll try to make as many update's as possible, but I cannot promise anything for sure.

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.

• Ted Taylor is back, now he shows us his Hasegawa 1/48 RF-4B Phantom
• Anton M. Alerte joins us today with his Airfix 1/48 Super Etendard. I love this rare subject.
• Alexandre Bigey returns with an Emhar 1/72 FJ-4B Fury. An other piece of his naval aircraft collection.
• Joseph Bognanni collected and constructed a nice and useful color chart to find the appropriate colors you want from the different paint manufacturer's range.

Editorial:

• I moved to Germany, and I'm in the temporary accommodation, and as I thought before, I have no internet access, so it's really hard to make the updates. I'll try to make as many update's as possible, but I cannot promise anything for sure.

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.

• Pete Hudson joins us today with this nice Accurate Miniatures 1/48  TBM Avenger
• Randy L Smith is back. Our resin model specialist member shows us a rare subject this time, this is a Collect-Aire 1/48 T2V / T-1A Seastar.
• Christoph Mentzel presents his Pitroad / Highmold 1/700 HMS Invincible
• Ken Middleton shares a valuable walkaround again. This is a F/A-18A+ in the markings of VMFA-115 Silver Eagles. Thanks for sharing Ken!

Editorial:

• I moved to Germany, and I'm in the temporary accommodation, and as I thought before, I have no internet access, so it's really hard to make the updates. I'll try to make as many update's as possible, but I cannot promise anything for sure.

News:

• Sorry, but I cannot provide you news until I'm in the temporary accommodation here. Until then, please feel free to check Alert5, our news provider.