Airfix 1/72nd SM. 79 Complete

Cool. Always like that plane.  Looking good.  

Thanks John, still got a bit to do to get it up to scratch.

Of all the Italian tri-motor bombers, I’ve always liked this one the best. Nice to see new life given to an old kit. 

Thanks guys.

Clint, yes indeed. I am now finding it hard to believe i just used to slap these old Airfix together in the 80's, they must have looked a right mess.

Just a one pic update this week. Construction is done after quite a bit of sanding and filling. Around the hump was especially bad. The clear pieces were a pain. The 2 side pieces behind the cockpit came out when i applied masking tape so i had to prize off the hump, refit the clear parts and refit and sand the hump. The main canopy was especially interesting in that i would be interested to know what kit it was designed for, because i am sure it wasn't this one. But its in.

Its since been primed and the first coar of yellow went on this morning.

Cheers Clint. I am just hoping they don't pop off when i take the tape off.

I've only built the Sparrows from Supermodel and Italeri, both of which were a tussle as well. It must be something about all of the weird shapes.

Did you know the bombs were stored in a vertical nose-down position?

Here's a favorite photo:

It’s looking really good. Efforts definitely paying off. On a $ per hour of entertainment you’re getting a hell of a deal!

Cheers guys, Mongoose, your not wrong.

GM, no, i didn't realise that. Looking at pics of other models i did notice here the bomb bay was, there is a blank space in my kit, but i didn't pay that much atention. But thinking about it, i can see that now.

I did come across that photo while trying to find a pic of mine. That little kid on the right must be scared out of his mind.

Time for some paint and decals. I started out with the yellow surfaces and then the RLM 70/71 on top. Theres a few areas i would normally redo. The rudder is a bit patchy and theres some yellow over spray. But in this case i decided to leave it. This was re-done in the field over the original Yugoslav scheme. And the Germans did not hang onto these for long as they were soon handed over to the new Croat air force, so i decided to leave it as it was.

Paints are all Xtracolour and are rather shiny.

Then it was time to add decals, fit the engines and sort the undercarrage. These Kora decals go down nice but are delicate. The sheet is one decal so you have to trim each one to remove the folm. But in handeling the sheet i nocited some of the black coming away from the decals under my fingers. So i had to be extra careful. The portion of decal over the lower side windows has been cut but i will remove that with the masks after the flat coat which will hopefully prevent damaging the rest of the crosses.

Got the wheels and exhausts to finish off and fit, them some exhaust staining and light weathering.

I got the 79 wrapped up a couple of weeks ago and finally soted the pics today. Finishing off was just adding the last parts and some light weathering. The Germans did not use these for very long so didn't want to go to made. I did a simple dio which included one figure just inside the door.

Was nice to get this done after all these years of wanting to do it. I am very glad Airfix has moved on since these were the norm, did bring back some memories of my early days in the hobby when i didn't know any better.

Thanks for looking, al comments welcome as always.

Yes, I remember opening up those early Airfix goodies and thinking, “Look at all that realistic rivet detail!”. Back when gaps and raised panel lines were no big deal.  That sure is a beautiful trimotor you made. 

Thanks Chad. Its now hard to believe this was about all i could get hold of back in the 80's. How times change.

Cheers Clint.

Well done. It's nice to see an early war transport. It looks super nice.

BK

Thanks Brandon.

O-U-T-S-T-A-N-D-I-N-G work Bish! 

Jim  

OH, by the way, where did you get that jig that you used during the build? Never saw one like that before.

Thanks Jim.

Its from a company in the UK called EBMA. They do a lot of stuff for modellers, i also got a couple of holders for my glue bottle and decal soloutions, which i tend to spill al the time.

http://ec2-52-56-128-123.eu-west-2.compute.amazonaws.com/index.php?route=common/home

Theres a couple of companies at least over here that sell varous laser cut items for model builders.

Thanks Bish! Added it to my wish list that the wife uses once in a while for surprises.

Jim  

Your welcome Jim. This is another one i have used, this is quite local to me and the guy who owns it isa memeber of the same model club, he does some amazing figure painting. I have bought a paint stand for my vallejo bottles as well as a couple of paint brush holders.

http://www.sphereproducts.co.uk/

I like this laser cut wood, as well as coming in very handy i think it looks nice as well.

Thanks for the link Bish! He's got some good stuff there. Think I'll put some of his stuff at the top of my special wish list.

Jim