Final Product Photos, Pappy Boyington F4U-1A Corsair

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series, HA8202, F4U-1A Corsair, VMF-214 "Black Sheep", "White 86" Major Gregory Boyington.

Pappy Boyington never actually flew Corsair 86. Land based Marine squadrons didn't have assigned aircraft so 86 just became part of a publicity picture with a name and Japanese flags representing victories hurriedly applied.

They were so hurriedly applied that some of the victory markings backward and not in line. The name on #86 was Lucybelle after a woman named Lucy that he was courting.

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington was a Major and the C/O of the VMF-214 "Black Sheep" Squadron that accumulated 94 victories of which 26 were Boyingtons.

Sharkey Ward's "Sea Harrier Over The Falklands"

Sharkey Ward's "Sea Harrier Over The Falklands" has proved a fascinating read!!! The time and effort that goes into developing a fighting unit like 801 NAS often isn't appreciated by casual observers.

The book goes into great detail of how Sharkey Ward builds up his team prior to taking command of 801 NAS, building the 801 team, mastering the Sea Harrier and all its systems including the Blue Fox radar.

One of the biggest surprises is just how capable the FRS.1 Sea Harrier was against the best US jets of the time including the F-15!!! Sea Harrier was pitted against the USAF Aggressor Squadron in the UK and this led to a fight with the F-15 Squadron.

The amount of training en-route to the South Atlantic is more than surprising. Weapons testing and night qualifications being the highlights and gives the reader and idea of just how proficient the pilots were.

Having the perspective of some who has been there dramatically focuses you on his view of the proceedings and the climax builds into some thrilling air combat over the Falklands.

While 801 NAS scored less victories than 800 NAS the tactics employed differs greatly and leaves one with the question of which did the better job. Potentially 801 deterred more attacks from their low level CAP than did 800 which conducted high level CAP and then intercepted their quarry from behind after they had struck.

The differing views and policies of the Flag and his Staff on HMS Hermes stands in stark contrast to that of Commander Sharkey Ward CO 801 and the Captain and officers of HMS Invincible. Interestingly the frustrations they're faced with is probably not very different to what operators and management face in the work place today.

Definitely a recommended read that will probably lead to the purchase of a Corgi 801 NAS Sea Harrier flown by Commander Sharkey Ward. 

Franklin Mint A6M2-N Zero-Sen / Rufe

Another long sought after Franklin Mint model is winging its way to Cape Town. It is the A6M2-N Zero-Sen / Rufe float plane fighter. 

FM only did two Rufes to my knowledge and this one, the first release is in my view to one to get. It comes with the beaching gear so makes for a very nice display.

If only more manufacturers would get on the bandwagon and give us more float planes and flying boats!!!

The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.

I've just received my EVO newsletter and Ferrari has replaced the already stunning 599 GTB with the new even better F12 Berlinetta!!! 

The new car is more powerful, lighter and even better looking!!! It's even more powerful than the Aventador. 

In fact it is the most powerful Ferrari road car ever. It is also the quickest  car around Ferrari's Fiorano test track.

It really is an absolute stunner!!! Check out EVO for more. 

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/279502/new_ferrari_f12_berlinetta_revealed.html

Franklin Mint Mirage IIIE French Air Force Lafayette

Some good news on the collector front, I've located and secured a 1/48 Franklin Mint Mirage IIIE equipped with large ferry tanks and Barracuda ECM pods.

This was a French commissioned model so seldom comes up for sale and is pretty hard to find. Photos are equally hard to come by so I enlisted the help of Arno01 for pics of his one.

Franklin Mint has released 16 Mirage IIIs and versions include the 'B', 'C', 'CJ', 'E', 'R', 'S' and 'DS' versions in French, Israeli, Swiss and Australian liveries. 

It should be noted that the first two versions, B11E368/E369, were badly flawed in that a 'B' model fuselage was used for the 'C' model so they look like two seaters with a single seat canopy. Absolutely dead wrong!!!

FM fixed the problem and this is but one of the examples of their handiwork. 

Photos courtesy of Arno01.

Right now I prefer this Mirage III to the Falcon Models 1/72 Mirage III. We'll have to wait until I've had the opportunity to examine a Falcon one to see whether my views change.