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Just received the Oct 19 issue of RCM and E, way out in the antipodes, and the column SWITCHON grabbed my attention. With the sub title PSSA GOES ALL AMERICAN, I could not believe what I was looking at. Two pictures of a model Avon Sabre A94-101. A94-101 was a CA26 Sabre, a one off and prototype of the Australian built Sabre. The 1st production Australian Sabre, designated CA27, was A94-901. A94-101 survives in the RAAF Museum, Point Cook., VIC and A94-901, survives in the HARS collection at Albion Park, NSW. Yes, the Sabre was an American design, but this model is of the Australian variant, and should have been so captioned. I am unable to let this matter pass without comment. There will be the occasional gremlin. A picture of A94-101 at Point Cook. Not the best view, but it will have to suffice.

THE DAMBUSTER RAID by John Sweetman, Arms and Armour, 1982, appears to be a good book on the subject. Covers everything from theory, development, training, attack and more . May have been over shadowed by later works, it still looks good. AUSTRALIA'S DAMBUSTERS, Colin Burgess, 2003, also a good read, but probably of little interest to those in the UK.

Hey Simon, That is a nice Hurricane, something different. Does it have retracts ? I have one still boxed and when assembled it will be in Irish Air Crops Colours 1943.

Hello Karl, Thank you for the clarification on that point. It is good to known the exact situation. And, on reflection, I think it was Latvia that had that symbol prior to WW2. I confuse those two countries. But, I do know there are no kangaroos in Austria. Have a sign to prove it. Kooka

In addition to Finland, that basic symbol was used as the National marking in aircraft of Lithuania ? prior to WW2. As well as on examples of British and German aircraft of WW1. After all it was supposed to be symbol of good luck. Some one wrote that kids in Germany may not be taught about some of their history. While on tour in Germany and Austria in 2015, we were told by our tour leader, a very cluey young Australian woman, that every student in those countries must attend a concentration camp during their high school years. Maybe some one can clarify that. And I think that a swastika on a model aircraft is legitimate as any other scale marking. It is a model after all.

Hey Ace, That is a bonza looking plant. But not suitable for my back yard. Bad news for the sewerage pipes. Probably wouldn't grow in the east anyway. Have a good one. Cheers

Thanks guys. The botanical name is Ceratopetalum gummiferum, common name is NSW Chistmas bush. Derived from latin I believe and is not edible. It is one of my favourite Australian native plants. You get two colours off the same plant for close on 5 months of the year. Cheers

While it snow and ice in the northern hemisphere, in my part of the world it is early summer, hot with some seasonal storms thrown in. Just a few pics of Christmas bush growing in my back yard. A medium to large shrub native to temperate areas on the eastern seaboard, it is an Australian favourite. The plant produces small white flowers in the spring, the flower then dies with the onset of summer, going red, which is what is prized as a decoration on the table at Christmas lunch. It is easily grown and I like to have my own supply as it is expensive to buy from the florist. I don't have Christmas lights on my house, just some Christmas bush in the front yard as well.

Was at the field the other day and we had the pleasure of a visit from one of our neighbours from the surrounding bush. He/she came onto the runway to inspect flying operations and having had a good look, shot through like a Bondi tram. That is an aussie expression for ' getting out of here in a hurry'. He/she returned to the bush unharmed. It is not a Kangaroo, it is a Swamp Wallaby. Always great to see them, some of our other natural wildlife, not so great to see. Not great pics, did not have my camera on me, but grabbed a few phone shots.

I am off to see the movie Spitfire this afternoon so here is my DF Spitfire 1. In the colours of Flt Lt Des Sheen, an Australian flying with 72 Sqn, during the Battle of Britain. Based on an illustration in an Australian model magazine, of some aircraft flown by Australians during the Battle and published for the 50th anniversary of the Battle. It read the aircraft was very heavily weathered. I chose this Spitfire because of the weathering and also it has some nose art. 4 flights in and no problems so far.   Edited By kooka on 17/11/2018 01:43:07

Back in March, my wife and I and friends, took the Hawkesbury mail boat cruise on the Hawkesbury River, to the north of Sydney. Rich land around the Hawkesbury provided food for the colony in its early days. The mail boat delivers to isolated settlements on the river, that not accessible by road. Idyllic surroundings certainly, but residents need to be very disciplined to live in these places for any real length of time. This rock is a landmark on the river. It is Sydney sandstone. It tells some of the history of the river, a lot more below water for sure. Many early buildings in Sydney were built from this stone. Stone is saved from any new infrastructure projects so these colonial buildings can be maintained and restored. Only a short journey north of Sydney by road or rail. A few hours to be recommended and they serve a great lunch.

Thanks KK. I have put up pictures before, just couldn't pin it this time. I'll work on it. Aussies and Kiwis still standing straight and tall as always.

While on the PKZ Albatros, here is mine. Still flying after several years. In the markings of Jasta 30, 1917. Based on an illustration in a Windsock magazine. Can't insert a picture. Edited By kooka on 12/11/2018 20:46:43 Edited By kooka on 12/11/2018 20:48:47

Band aids for the prop strikes and head ache pills for the crashes.

Hey Erf, As others have replied, you are going about this the wrong way. I have been a customer of Callie for a long time, without regret. And will continue to do so. If you write to Callie ,scan the art work you need, and supply the scale you need or supply the WS and length of your model, Callie will do the rest. She will advise the cost inclusive of post and P and the approx date it will in the post to you. If you wish, as I have done, to ask her for a template of the decals so you may measure them on your model and advise any adjustments prior to finalising tour order and making payment. And she has done that for me. All probably less that the figure you quoted. Can't say anymore.

A few shots from Wings over Illawarra, held at the Illawarra Regional Airport, Albion Park, south of Sydney, NSW, 5-6 May 2018. Built by the US army in 1942 as an outfield to Nowra, the airport also houses an aircraft museum. The Spitfire is A58-758, the last delivered to RAAF, now painted as A58-602. The C27 is from 35 Sqn Richmond NSW. The MH60R has now replaced the S70B in the RAN. The F18 is from 2 OCU Williamtown NSW. The PC9 is now in its twilight years with he RAAF, soon to be replaced by the PC21. This PC9 is with the Roulettes aero team from East Sale Vic.

Having digested the replies I can only say that the blokes I fly with are more easy going than those in the UK. I think I am he only one who users a voice radio and I have not received any complaints. I did'nt think I could do it on this radio, but it's only a Q. Anyway, I 'll set the timer to kick off at 20 per cent and use that as a base. Thanks to all.

I have a Spektrum DX7 G2 .Does any one know if it is possible to set the voice system to call out throttle position. EG 10 per cent, 20 per cent etc. Had a look on the net and Spektrum/Jr pages and can't see anything similar Q's. I don't want to play with the radio too much, I don't want to lose settings. Thanks

I had this discussion with my optometrist coming into the summer of 2017. As a result of that I purchased a pair of Maui Jim glasses. I put them on when I arrived at the field I find then very good for tracking, regardless of bright sky or cloud. Take them off when I leave, I use them solely for flying. I can't say any more that that.

That generation is not referred to as , The greatest generation, for no reason. Straight out of the depression and then confront the Nazis and the Japanese. Abominable treatment of man by man. Lest we forget.

Flight 1, That is a good looking Tiger. What do you mean by "North west territory'. This Tiger was one of three transferred from RAAF to RAN for training in 1954. All retired 1958. The NW code on the fin indicates the aircraft was based at Nowra in New South Wales. A17-692 now flies with the RAAF Museum, Point Cook, Victoria.

The english language is constantly changing. Words, their meaning and usage can be subject to change by succeeding generations. It's all about how words are seen and used. It is as simple as that. Can't get away from it. Should I have used a E instead of e for english in context of language, I'm not sure. Has been raining all today. Gee whiz, it's a change. Been checking models, listening to rain. Can you listen to rain ?. Again, I'm not sure. Anyway, no complaints. Time of a beer.

Was in Arizona last June and saw a Rattler. It was in a caged box, a real bad looking thing and he/she wasn't rattling. Interesting reading responses. Just goes to show where ever in the world, when out and about, be alert and watch for these nasties. No mention of the most dangerous of all - the one eyed trouser snake. Ahh, perhaps it's best not to go there.

Saw these on the FB page of an Australian MFC. Taken this past week. It is either a Red Belly Black or a large Eastern Brown. Both very dangerous, the Brown more so. Best admired from a distance. Been seeing these in the flesh all my life and they still cause a shiver down my spine.