80 Years of Airfix GB

Thanks Chad, l think I'm getting better at it.

Very cool shading Steve!

Well, the "bug catcher" arrived from Lone Star Models today. I can press on with the WB-29 now.

BTW: We're driving up to Douglas, GA tomorrow to witness some history. The XP-82 is supposed to fly!

Bish, I'm finding the black baseing the whole thing is not nessesary, but it look good where there will be shadows such as wheel wells. I manly do the entire kit as a primer.

I got the green on.

Some interesting builds showing up now.  Keep'em coming!

I always struggle in decideing what to do about weathring aircraft. I am not a huge fan of fading, especially WW2 aircraft, as i don't think they were not around long enough. As you say, they don't get muddy, maybe some around the landing gear ifyour on a muddy field on the eastern front. I am often tempted just to do some exhaust staining and leave it at that, but it never looks right. But i am edging towards a less is more thinking.

having recently done an Airfix Phantom, i know what you mean about the stencils, especially on modern aircraft. But for me the decals give the subject an identity. It turns it from just a generic subject into a specific aircraft or tank.

Modelcrazy, thanks for the tips. I've never been very good with an airbrush, so my prior attempts at painting individual panels or pre-shading panel lines just never came out the way I wanted. Lately though I have been getting a little, and I do mean little, better. I think one of my problems is that I am partially color blind, so I really don't see what I should to make the paint job come out right. The other is that I am so inpatient that I tend to put down too heavy a coat of paint instead of lighter ones. We'll see how it goes.

Bish, I normally just rely on washes to do the job of lightening up the color. With armor, it's always worked pretty well, but aircraft don't get muddy so they aren't as forgiving as a tank. This is only my third aircraft, after building armor for years, so I'm still learning. And it's funny that you mention decals being your favorite. For years I stayed away from aircraft because of the dozens of tiny decals. After finishing a Corsair and B-25, and placing every single stencil that was called out, I found that it wasn't so bad. And they really make the model stand out. Maybe now I can build that F-14 that's sitting on my shelf. 

Steve, good to see the paint going on. Looks nice.

The Lanc is looking nice. I do enjoy the painting stage, but decals are my favorite.

I have all but given up on black baseing. I am tending now to just add a lighter version of the base colours and then a light streaking with Flory washes.

cwalker3

I'm getting ready for the part of the build that I dread. Painting and weathering. I'll be painting dark green and brown camo over black. Hopefully I can achieve a worn and faded look when I'm done. Any tips along those lines would be appreciated. Anyway, here's where she stands today.

 

Painting is my favorite part by far. I can't wait to get done with the build so I can paint.

The way I get a worn faded look is I black base first then sprat light coats of the base color followed by adding additional color to he panel areas. I will then lighten the color some and go back over the panel areas. I'm still working on the technique but I like the results.

Here is my update for the Blenheim. After fixing the nose mess-up and masking, I black based and added the tan base color. I plan on adding the green tomorrow.

I'm getting ready for the part of the build that I dread. Painting and weathering. I'll be painting dark green and brown camo over black. Hopefully I can achieve a worn and faded look when I'm done. Any tips along those lines would be appreciated. Anyway, here's where she stands today.

Both looking good there nice, nice to see the paint go on the Stuka.

CN, the Stuka is looking good so far. One of my favorites!

Just got the wings and fuselage together on the Hurricane. Kicking myself because I didn't read the reviews close enough. The only fit issue, which made the wings come out a little "wonkee", is YOU MUST SAND THE WING SPARS DOWN. I should have sanded more and not muscle the parts together with a thermonuclear glue bomb. But if that is the only fit issue this kit will be a dream. This is coming from somebody who builds models that are shite.

No worries Bish.

CN, that is looking beautiful! I take it this will be in markings for Africa?

Some progress on Stuka. I built both the engine and the cowling, will see which one will I install. The upper part of the wing is dry fit

Nice progress Das.

And no Stik, i didn't catch the Stones referance.

Nicely done there Bobby, loks good, even for a Spit .

Got you added to the front page.

Thanks Beav. You’re the only one who has caught my Stones quote so far. 

Your Hurricane is looking great. I am so wanting to build one of those new Airfix Hurricanes. I made their old one years ago. It was nowhere near as nice as this beauty. 

...and the IP. A few wrinkles, but way better than painting.

The Spit' turned out great, Eagle! I have to do another one to replace the Revellogram one I did.

Stik', Nice start! ...And like the Stone's lyrics.

Here's my 'pit of the Hurricane...fit issues...Negative! I didn't put in the guns because you won't see them and am going to use them for another project...still bother's me...Anal retentiveness much, DasBeav? No, Dr Freud, I am fine.

Bish

Looks good Stik.

What was it Ford said 'Any colour you want, as long as its black'

 

Yes he did. This will be another attempt at black basing, and I’ll try a Tamiya mix for the SCC 15 Olive Drab that I found the other day.

Man, what great work being done here!  Very inspiring!

I finished the "small" Airfix project.  The Spit is done.  Overall a great little kit to build.  The fit was great and the decals worked for me! Fun kit!

Bish...awesome GB as always and I'll let you pick the finish photo.  Now....To get started on the Nimrod!!  Enjoy!

Looks good Stik.

What was it Ford said 'Any colour you want, as long as its black'

Thanks Kensar.

Nice start on your P-40 Keyda!

 Now as for my QF 17 Pounder...

I see a red door and I want it painted black

No colors anymore I want them to turn black

Black base on...

kensar

Yes, nice start and its almost finished already!

I found this to be a quick build.

Which version are you doing?

 

 

Thanks, lol.  The camo one with the sharks mouth.  I like camo birds for some reason.  I don't know what it is, but they catch my eye.  I've bought several kits that way, lol. 

Thanks Bish!

Bish - your plane is looking great.

Yes, nice start and its almost finished already!

I found this to be a quick build.

Which version are you doing?

Nice start Keyda, its coming on well.

I was finally able to get started on the P-40 this morning.  I spent most of the day at the bench, so I got quite a bit done.

Cockpit all done.  I did use a couple of the decals on the instruments, but not all of them. 

Then I just got busy glueing things together, and next thing I knew I had a plane, lol.

Fit has been pretty good over all.  I still have a few small areas that need a little bit of putty and others that need sanding.  But I should be able to get it in primer tomorrow.  Nothing much on the schedule, so it should be an all day bench day again!