Asian Air Arms SIG

[asianairarms]

_Hi,

_{My name is Brian Griffin and I am writing to you because I have recently started a new IPMS Special Interest Group that I suspect some of you a/c modellers could well be interested in - and able to contribute to - Asian Air Arms.}

_{I've recently come to realise that the information available concerning the operations and equipment of post-1945 Asian air arms is really quite minimal. I also have noticed that their aircraft and colour schemes can range from the curious to the "I do not believe it!" For example, Sri Lankan Kfir, Indonesian PZL Wilga, Thai Navy AV-8S, Malaysian A-400M, Singaporean F-15, etc. And from the period immediately after WWII, Taiwanese B-24, Pakistani Halifax, Chinese Tu-4 (B-29), North Korean Il-10, etc. It seems that this is a topic on which there is an almost limitless choice of out-of-the-ordinary subjects to choose from - no more grey, grey and more grey! It's almost like a "What if", but for real.}

_{Spurred on by this, I therefore decided to set up a SIG covering this region and period. However, I wanted to create a really useful resource that would open modellers' minds to the fascinating possibilities and so decided to build my first website. It now covers 26 air forces from Mongolia to the Maldives, and from Japan to Afghanistan and is searchable by country or by aircraft type. It lists, and wherever possible illustrates, all the aircraft used by those air arms since 1945. It also offers colour schemes; lists of kits available to make these models; lists of serial numbers for most air arms; period photos; photos of members' models; videos; decal resources and relevant articles (e.g. "Soviet Air confrontations with Pakistan Air Force during Soviet-Afghan War" - something few people are even aware of!)}

_{Please click on this link http://www.asianairarms.com and take a little while to browse through. You'll see that it's far from complete and - darn it - new information keeps coming in, thereby confounding my beautifully organised order! ONE DAY, it'll be perfect. I suspect that many US modellers could be able to contribute to this site - correcting errors and adding additional data - your help would be much appreciated!}

_{If, having looked through it, you feel this SIG could be of interest, just click on the "Join Now" button at the top of any webpage and you'll be put on the mailing list.}

_{I look forward to hearing from you.}

_{Kind regards,}

_{Brian Griffin}

_{Leader - Asian Air Arms (IPMS Special Interest Group)}

_{http://www.asianairarms.com}

 

[ghodges]

Hi Brian! First let me say I think this is a very good thing and I wish you the best of luck. Now I'd like to make a suggestion....if you haven't done so, create a similar Face Book page for your group.

 

The reason I suggest this is simply the numbers of people you can potentially attract.

 

David Cooper has had an IPMS SIG for resin and vacuform kits for many years. However, it was quite limited in scope and numbers until he created a Facebook page for it a few months ago. Since then the "membership" on the FB page has passed 2000! I had no idea there were so many people afflicted like myself.... :smiley2:

 

This is a very good site for IPMS members, but unfortunately, the Eboard and Journal editors haven't really "pushed" this page to where more members come here more often. I view at as a membership perk, as well as a way to be active in between local club meetings and contests. It's yet another facet of IPMS besides the Journal, the clubs, and the shows; but it's going by the wayside because it's potential isn't being realized.

 

While I personally am not interested in Asian stuff (except Japanese subjects), several of my IPMS friends are interested in "small airforce subjects" as well as ANYTHING to do with modern jets, especially if they sport unconventional schemes. I'll pass along your info to them!

 

GIL :smiley16:

[asianairarms]

Hi Gil,

 

Thanks for you suggestion. Interestingly, I set up a Facebook profile only last weekend and hope that it will help spread the word.

 

It's very good of you to pass Asian Air Arms info onto fellow modellers - anything you can do to help, will be much appreciated. What a shame that you're not a potential member!!!

 

Kind regards,

 

Brian