80 Years of Airfix GB

A quick update on the Clipper and the WB-29. It's finally warm enough out on the patio to paint. I shot the underside of the Clipper with Alclad Black Primer and Microfiller. I'll let it sit over night then shoot the topside.

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A lot of fit issues on the WB-29. Kind of expected on these 60 years old Airfix kits. Plugging right along though. I'm using PPP around the nacelles so I don't lose any rivet detail on the wing. It took a lot of sanding and test fitting to make sure the engine cowlings fit the nacelles OK.

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That's it for now.

That DH-125 is really cool looking and such a clever idea for the cabin windows! 

That is one sharp looking spit!

Progress on DH-125.  I used clear epoxy to fill the cabin windows.  It takes several days to cure but I really like the effect on windows this size.  I fill the windows from the inside, with several layers of masking tape on the outside.  The windows are cut out of all but the last layer of masking tape and the window area of that is pressed out with a paint brush handle.

Once the epoxy is cured a fine mill file was used to smooth it down so it was flush with the fuselage and then it was sanded down with 400 to 4000 sand paper. After paint a layer of Future will finish off the windows.  A few bubbles showed up so I'll have to watch that a little more next time.  The last time I used this method was on a 1/100 727 and the smaller windows on that were easier to fill (but not so much fun to mask).  I painted the cockpit parts with RLM 66 and that's all I will do there, it's not going to be that visible even though the windshield transparency is pretty nice.  The fit of the windscreen was surprisingly good, as has been the fit of all the major parts. The wing and tailplane are assembled and curing now.

That Spitfire looks the part!  Your almost ready to sail over the white cliffs of Dover. 

Bish

Blimey, that has come along fast. You must have to much time on your hands. Nice work.

 

Thank you sir.  I wouldn't say time on my hands.  I'm one of the "fortunate" ones who still get to go to work while on furlough.  But it was a great kit!  Fit was very nice...finally had some decals that were nice!  LOL!  I did the camo free hand since it was such a small build.  I'm not sure the decals are in correct scale, but hey...they didn't go poof when I wet them!   LOL!  Hope to have the final pics soon.  Doing a bit of weathering now.

Blimey, that has come along fast. You must have to much time on your hands. Nice work.

A few more pics of the Spit (sorry Bish).  She's almost finished.  Enjoy.

Bish

Good to see you underway Bobby. Really looking forward to that Nimrod, but for now i'll endure the Spit

 

Thank you sir!  I do have to admit that little Spit is fun to do!  The fit is great and the decals actually worked for me!!!!  Sorry you have to go through the pain of a Spit, but it's almost done.  LOL! 

Good to see you underway Bobby. Really looking forward to that Nimrod, but for now i'll endure the Spit

Hey everyone.  I apologize for the delays in all my replys for all the GB's.  Been a little rough around here with the shutdown and all.

Great work everyone!  I see Checkamte has a Mark I also.  Looks to be a different boxing, but has been cool to see his build.  Much better then mine I must say.

As for mine....I know the paint is all wrong, but I don't have the funds (any finds at all for that fact.  LOL!) to get the correct paint right now, so I did the best I could.  Great little kit!  Fit was really good and my decals worked perfectly for a change!!!  See, there is light at the end of the tunnel!  LOL!

Anyway, I'm finishing up the C-47 and started this one for the fun of it.  The NImrod is the main one for this GB and will be started shortly.  Enjoy!

Stik, thanks for replying.  I will definitely be following along.

Off to a nice start John, good to hear about that fit, long may it continue.

Greg

 

 

kensar

Stik - what I was getting at was that you assembled all the parts together before painting them, 'implying' that the whole gun would be painted the same color. I would have thought some parts were bare metal and some were painted different colors.

 

 

Not just you, kensar.

I haven't built armour since I was a kid. Aside from the outside of airplanes, I'm used to pretty much painted then assembling. I watch all the armour builds here and I'm still scratching my head on the detail painting.

Looking forward to 'watching' Stik paint the Howitzer for sure.

BTW, I was going to mention, I like all the detail on that gun.

 

Yes, the gun will be in a monotone scheme. Overall SCC 15, Olive Drab. But there are some other bits of color here and there. Some bare steel on the breech block and elsewhere, black on the tires, etc. I have seen splashes of colors on some parts on museum guns, but I don’t think that those are present on field guns as they would compromise the camouflage. 

Thanks for following along guys!

kensar

Stik - what I was getting at was that you assembled all the parts together before painting them, 'implying' that the whole gun would be painted the same color. I would have thought some parts were bare metal and some were painted different colors.

Not just you, kensar.

I haven't built armour since I was a kid. Aside from the outside of airplanes, I'm used to pretty much painted then assembling. I watch all the armour builds here and I'm still scratching my head on the detail painting.

Looking forward to 'watching' Stik paint the Howitzer for sure.

BTW, I was going to mention, I like all the detail on that gun.

Nice start on the Defiant, John.

Stik - what I was getting at was that you assembled all the parts together before painting them, 'implying' that the whole gun would be painted the same color.  I would have thought some parts were bare metal and some were painted different colors.

Pardon my ignorance, but I know nothing about artillery models and how they are typically put together.

Excellent start on the Defiant office John. Nice work.

Nice start on the cockpit John.

Got started on the BP Defiant - assembly so far has been a joy, on par with anything Tamiya/Hasegawa etc. 

stikpusher

I recently found out that all those 1/72 aircraft that I built from MPC that came in the white boxes with three marking options were actually Airfix molds. Back then I could care less who made them, I just built them. 

Then US Airfix came along... and I built plenty of those.

 

When I was young I didn't realize that either, but those were some of my favorite airplane kits back then 

I recently found out that all those 1/72 aircraft that I built from MPC that came in the white boxes with three marking options were actually Airfix molds. Back then I could care less who made them, I just built them. 

Then US Airfix came along... and I built plenty of those.

stikpusher

 

 

Edwin

 

My experience with Airfix goes back to mainly the 70’s and early 80’s. Their kits then weren’t exactly the best. Stopped building Airfix then, and went more towards Hasegawa, Tamiya etc. Good to see that the new Airfix is on the right track . Will give Airfix a go again one of these days. 

 

 

 

 

Compared to today’s new tool moldings, not much that was molded back then is ”very good”. But many kits from that era need just a little extra effort to make them shine.

 

Yeah, back then, Airfix made kits that weren't made here in the U.S. It was Airfix that enabled me to add a B-17G and a B-24J and a B-29 to my shelf.

castelnuovo

 

 

Bish

Looking nice castel. Does that kit come with an engine?

 

 

 

 

yes it does but i will build it with engine covers closed. I may build the engine as a separate piece. If I paid for it may as well leave no piece unused 

 

I just thought that bulkhead looks a bit to detailed not to have the option to have it on view.

Edwin

 

 

Greg

Just reviewed the last 3 pages I've missed.

I have a keen interest in Airfix, and can't wait to join in the fun this spring. Having never seen an Airfix kit in person, it's great to be able to see all of these various kits in progress.

Thanks to you all for sharing your progress, and I'll be watching.

 

 

 

 

My experience with Airfix goes back to mainly the 70’s and early 80’s. Their kits then weren’t exactly the best. Stopped building Airfix then, and went more towards Hasegawa, Tamiya etc. Good to see that the new Airfix is on the right track . Will give Airfix a go again one of these days. 

 

being in the UK, Airfix were what many of us grew up with. For years i avoided them, but these last few years i have been buyong them again and the new kits are certainly leaps and bounds ahead of what we used to have. Give them a try.

Bish

Looking nice castel. Does that kit come with an engine?

 

yes it does but i will build it with engine covers closed. I may build the engine as a separate piece. If I paid for it may as well leave no piece unused 

Cockpit is coming together nicely on the Mustang:

Edwin

 

My experience with Airfix goes back to mainly the 70’s and early 80’s. Their kits then weren’t exactly the best. Stopped building Airfix then, and went more towards Hasegawa, Tamiya etc. Good to see that the new Airfix is on the right track . Will give Airfix a go again one of these days. 

 

Compared to today’s new tool moldings, not much that was molded back then is ”very good”. But many kits from that era need just a little extra effort to make them shine.

Greg

Just reviewed the last 3 pages I've missed.

I have a keen interest in Airfix, and can't wait to join in the fun this spring. Having never seen an Airfix kit in person, it's great to be able to see all of these various kits in progress.

Thanks to you all for sharing your progress, and I'll be watching.

 

My experience with Airfix goes back to mainly the 70’s and early 80’s. Their kits then weren’t exactly the best. Stopped building Airfix then, and went more towards Hasegawa, Tamiya etc. Good to see that the new Airfix is on the right track . Will give Airfix a go again one of these days. 

Just reviewed the last 3 pages I've missed.

I have a keen interest in Airfix, and can't wait to join in the fun this spring. Having never seen an Airfix kit in person, it's great to be able to see all of these various kits in progress.

Thanks to you all for sharing your progress, and I'll be watching.

Looking nice castel. Does that kit come with an engine?