80 Years of Airfix GB

Here's another Aifix completion, Martin.  I started while away from home on a short vacation so there are no build photos.  Ignore the jeep and the two GMC 353's, the rest is the Airfix USAAF Bomber Resupply set in 1/72.  I built the C-53 before this GB started, it's the Airfix new kit.  This is a great set, builds up very well, great fit almost everywhere.

Well frank, i think you have more than earnt your GB badge. Between you and Chad alone you got 20 builds, and there is still a month to go.

This GB has been a lot more popular than i ever thought it was. And while this was an anniversary GB, i don't think i'll wait 10 years to run another one.

Man, there's some great stuff going on! I've kinda been slackin' since I finished the Hellcat drone. Resting on laurels I don't have, so I need to get moving again. I know there's something laying around for this build that needs to be finished. Another Devastator. The P-39, which I still can't find. Something.

I  couldn't figure out how to attach those engines nacelles without filler either. Looks good Dan!

Looks good Dan. I see you also needed some filler around the engines and underside of the outer wing sections. At least i know it wasn't just me.

Great work everybody.  Work has been slow on the He-111, my testors clear cement was no good so I had to wait for a new bottle.  The front canopy does not meet the fuselage smooth so I've been using Vallejo plastic putty to a smooth transition.  Next up is masking the front canopy then it's time for a base coat, Tamiya XF-19 Sky Grey.

IMG_9555 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

IMG_9556 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

IMG_9557 by Daniel Smith, on Flickr

Looks like everyone is having fun with gaps. I just had to check on the Gnat to see if it was one of their older kits, but its not, that does surprise me.

Well I thought I was going to get away with something easy this time but this little Gnat is proving me wrong. Airfix does tend to have some issues when it comes to the fit and finish of small parts. Their thick molded plastic isn't condusive for quality tiny parts. This little lady is full of small parts which are causing some pretty nasty gaps.  The canopy is a wee bit short too. 

Come on G, you can do it! 

Bish, I think the gaps at the horizontal stabs are short shots.  No problemo - solution is in hand and will be posted when executed.  The rest is easy stuff.

Darn it, Mopar, you are leaving me behind.  I better hurry up!

Some nasty little gaps there G, those ones at the tail look like somone has been at them with a scalpel.

Ernest, really nice looking trio there, lovely detail. Be looking forward to the paint going on.

TJ, got the front page updated with the Gnat, very nice loking build that, and the Bf 110 has been added..

Front office is done.  Time to close her up.  

Bish - I'm in for one more.  I'd like to build the 1/72 Folland Gnat "Yellowjacks".

I sure am a sucker for a nice Vampire. 

The deadline closes in so I have to stop dilly-dallying and crack on with the Vampire!

The fit needs a little TLC, but nothing compared to what I have been working on recently.

The intakes just need some fine sandpaper and a wash to rid them of all that swarf.

The horizontal stabs have peculiar gaps, but again, not a big deal.

Well done Frank, Lost, and TJ!

TJ, i will check out your Gnat tonight, some hosting sites don't show up on my work PC. And yes, look forward to seeing the 110 kit. I'll get that added as well.

Looks like they called it Gnat for good reason.  That's a tiny little thing!  But very cool nonetheless.

My little Red Arrows Gnat is finished 

Bufflehead, are all three of those kits 1/72 scale new tool? I really like the FW-190. Don't forget to put a pilot in the seat. The brass hardware really adds to the kit.

The paint stage is generally where my momentum dies!  I like those brass cannons.

 Man I'm really bad about keeping myself updated with everyones' progress here.

I do have an update on my builds, but first I have to give my hats off to lostagain and fotofrank since they're on the last page of the thread!

That is a beautiful Vampire lostagain!  The metal finish came out great and I love the color scheme with the bright orange sections! 

frank, suberb rendition of the Hellcate Drone!  Never seen that version before...very interesting contrast between the red and green sections!  I live how the preshading came out!

I wish mine were further along, but at least 99% of the assembly is done and all of them can go into the paint booth!

The BF-109 will be displayed with canopy open and flaps down (nice that the kit has that option!).  The landing gear, propeller assy, canopy and flaps are just dryfitted in place so that they can be removed for proper painting.  Still missing a couple of very small parts which will be added at the end (so my clumsy fingers won't break the off ).

The P-51 will be displayed in the basic flaps-up configuration.  Sanding the seams on the kit tires required redoing all the tread pattern....too much work for me so I just replaced them with a resin pair from SBS.  I wanted this plane to have 500 lb bombs which aren't included in the kit so Eduard Brassin to the rescue.  Also replaced the molded on MGs with .007 brass tubing.  Like the BF-109, most of the periperals are dry fitted at this point.

Last is the FW-190.  I decided I wanted to display this on a stand since I had a few of Airfix's clear display stands in the stash.  So landing gear up for this one.  Mostly OOB, but I did replace the molded on canons with .009 brass tubing and since the molded on pitot tube broke off () it was also fitted with a scratchbuilt brass replacement.

Yeah not much, but we're getting there.  Trying very hard to get these done by end of year!

lostagain

Great work Frank,

Love me a colourful plane. That is a super subject well done.  Do Airfix have a scorpion model to complete the battle of Palmdale? That was hilarious...

 

I don't know if Airfix has an F-94 but there are several kits out there: Revell, Sword, EMHAR(?), and Lindberg. I'd opt for the Revell if I can find it affordable. I do have a Revell F-89D in my stash though.

Cary, i agree with you there, great line up.

If you want to post the Snowberry, please don't worry about being done by the end of Dec, yu can keep posting after that if you wish.

I just checked out the first page again and was really wowed by the finished models! Great work by all! I have the 1/144 HMS Snowberry on the bench right now but would never finish in time. 

Great work Frank,

Love me a colourful plane. That is a super subject well done.  Do Airfix have a scorpion model to complete the battle of Palmdale? That was hilarious...

Thanks, y'all. The build actually turned out better than I expected.