My stash just grew again 2026

[Rheged]

Okay, guys, need help making a list... given that most of my modeling outside the 20th Century Limited is pivoting to 1/1200 and 1/2000 WWII ships once I reestablish myself in Indiana, what all kits in 1/1200 have the durability to survive rough handling on a gaming table and offer a Worth Building experience?

Thinking on the way out when the time comes, try to give Emil at Skyway a "one last time" sale if he has any in stock and if he's still there in however many years.

Not quite what you are looking for, but have you ever come across these:-  https://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/index/Category:Minic_Ships   ?

[Rick Lowe]

I picked up my Airfix 1/35 Saracen yesterday.

Looks good, and hopefully it'll build up well for this sometimes ham-handed modeller.

And I think I'll choose the Sierra Vista Tactical Unit markings - it's something different, and I have some of the old Dragon NYPD ESU figures I can use with it.
I just need to find out what small arms they were using back in 2011. Anyone know? MP5s or Rugers, or SCARs? Cheers

[Gondor]

The problem I have with the Saracen is that it's the Mk 5. That was modified to deal with the environment of Northen Ierland duering the troubles, so not the correct type to be a battle taxi for the British Army as it was designed to be.

[PR19_Kit]

Surely someone, somewhere will soon offer resin or 3D printed conversion parts to 'down-grade' it to an older version?

[Weaver]

The problem I have with the Saracen is that it's the Mk 5. That was modified to deal with the environment of Northen Ierland duering the troubles, so not the correct type to be a battle taxi for the British Army as it was designed to be.

What are the external differences?

[Gondor]

The problem I have with the Saracen is that it's the Mk 5. That was modified to deal with the environment of Northen Ierland duering the troubles, so not the correct type to be a battle taxi for the British Army as it was designed to be.

What are the external differences?

Extra armour was added to the Mk 2. Wikipidea Article

[Weaver]

The problem I have with the Saracen is that it's the Mk 5. That was modified to deal with the environment of Northen Ierland duering the troubles, so not the correct type to be a battle taxi for the British Army as it was designed to be.

What are the external differences?

Extra armour was added to the Mk 2. Wikipidea Article

Yes I read that, but it doesn't say what kind of armour and where. Was it inside (spall liners), underneath (mine protection plates), appliqué (I've never noticed any on Mk.5s, but maybe I just didn't look hard enough), or a dozen other possibilities?

[Mossie]

All of those I believe.  The Mk.5's applique armour can be seen with a lip to the upper edges along with additional plates. The upper edges are flush in the Mk.2.

[Rick Lowe]

Filler or filing could be the answer there, maybe? If it's just something cosmetic like that.

And it has two front louvre panels, so maybe Airfix will do a back-dated version shortly?
They'd be silly not to, and there are multiple versions of the Ferret and Stalwart already, so...

[Weaver]

Filler or filing could be the answer there, maybe? If it's just something cosmetic like that.

And it has two front louvre panels, so maybe Airfix will do a back-dated version shortly?
They'd be silly not to, and there are multiple versions of the Ferret and Stalwart already, so...

Yes, there's one nose panel with half the louvres covered and one with them all exposed. I also note that two of the air outlets on the top of the engine bay are moulded separately on a separate frame (frame G), which strongly implies that they're going to do the reverse-flow cooling mod in the future. It has the rebar boarding steps at the rear, which seem characteristic of the Mk.5 but not the Mk.2, however those would be easy to just leave off.

I do notice that there's something different about the turret hatches between the Mk.2 and the Mk.5. The latter seem to slightly overhang the turret sides as though a lip has been added to them, whereas the Mk.2 ones sit flush. I wonder if that might have been a Northern Ireland mod to stop liquid from petrol bombs getting inside the turret?

There are two different turret fronts in the kit as well, although I can't make out how they differ.

[Rick Lowe]

I do notice that there's something different about the turret hatches between the Mk.2 and the Mk.5. The latter seem to slightly overhang the turret sides as though a lip has been added to them, whereas the Mk.2 ones sit flush. I wonder if that might have been a Northern Ireland mod to stop liquid from petrol bombs getting inside the turret?

Very likely - like the gutter strips over the window flaps on other things, and the wipers on vision blocks, to wipe away paint bombs.
Something I noticed back in the day when I was clambering over the Shorlands at Budge, was that there were some turrets with one single drop-down hatch at the rear which presumably made for a seat; and others with split, side-hinged ones.

I wondered what the 'Y' shaped things were on the backs of Humber Pigs, and once I found they were retaining straps for jerrycans I wasn't surprised they were left empty in N.I.... 

[Weaver]

Very likely - like the gutter strips over the window flaps on other things, and the wipers on vision blocks, to wipe away paint bombs.
Something I noticed back in the day when I was clambering over the Shorlands at Budge, was that there were some turrets with one single drop-down hatch at the rear which presumably made for a seat; and others with split, side-hinged ones.

Yes, the Mk.1 Saracens had the 3-door turrets and subsequent marks had the 2-door, which was for exactly that purpose: providing an open seat for the commander. My guess is that the 3-door turrets got recycled onto the Shorlands: probably not much call to sit half out of the turret in Belfast...

[Gondor]

From eBay

1 x 1/72 Special Hobby SH 72201 Westland Whirlwind FB Mk.1 'Fighter-Bomber' Upgraded Edition 2024. Not the Helicopter Whirlwind.

1 x 1/72 Special Hobby SH 72539 CAC Boomerang Mk.1/II 'Australian Emergency Fighter'

[Weaver]

From eBay

1 x 1/72 Special Hobby SH 72201 Westland Whirlwind FB Mk.1 'Fighter-Bomber' Upgraded Edition 2024. Not the Helicopter Whirlwind.

Now there's a thought: a Whirlwind autogyro. WWII Whirlwind with the wings cut off at the engine pods and the rotor from a Whirlwind helicopter...