GranddadAl

Greetings, I'm approaching the end of my Airfix1/24 Hellcat build. My problem is that the canopy doesn't fit! Tried in the open position it slides gracefully down the fuselage. I've checked the instructions many times and I don't seen to have missed any steps. I'd post a photo but I'm not sure how to do this. Any help would be much appreciated. Al

Thanks to everyone who has taken the trouble to help me out. Difficult to put the bulkheads in the wrong place Mike.. Nice deep grooves to locate them. I masked these off before painting the cockpit. I've followed your advice McG, very helpful article. I seem to be getting close. Apologies for my garbled posts. Auto correct is trying to take over the world I think.

Colin, not a clue how to post photos since Photo Bucket. Sorry, I've been away for a while. Al

Seawinder, for some reason the two main fuselage bulkhead seen to be too big. Clearly this can't be the case can it? But reducing these bulkhead by sanding, filing and hacking does seem to easing this problem, I just content to over do it. Thank you Fishplanebeer for your input too. I started modelling with the Airfix Spitfire, 1/- from Woolworths. It's never too late to learn something new.

I'm currently building the Airfix 1:24 f6f-5 Hellcat. Having adhered carefully to the instructions thus far I now find that when I offer the two fuselage halves together there is a yawning chasm between them. Is it me or has anyone else experienced this? I've tried reducing the bulkheads but I'm afraid I'll end up with other parts not fitting later in the build. Any advice gracefully received.

Morning. Are these any good for brush painting?

Thanks Killingholme. It's on my wish list. Al

I imagine the Revell 1/96 scale Cutty Sark currently for sale is a reissue of the 1959/1974/1997 kit. Can some knowledgeable person out there confirm or refute this please. With thanks Al

Thank you Tzulscha & Levin. You're quite right of course Levin, I stand corrected.

Thank you all for the helpful advice, I shall certainly take it on board. I've only used Humbrol matt varnish, both from a rattle can and with a brush, mainly because I live 5 minutes away from the Hornby Visitor Centre where I get 20% discount! Last time I used Humbrol Matt Clear with much the same results. It comes in a bottle and appeared to be well mixed. I should obviously widen my horizons, so I shall try the Windsor and Newton product on the Fairey Swordfish I'm presently rigging. Now where did I put that invisible thread.... Al

Thanks for all your kind comments and helpful advice. I have used Microsol/set in the past, Darby, with good results on gloss surfaces. However I feel that glossing a neatly painted matt surface and then matting it again makes the original colours significantly darker and frequently the matt varnish ends up a milky white. I used Decalfix for the first, and so far, only time after watching a short video online, imaginatively titled 'How To Use Decalfix',Which shows the use of this to soak the decal from the backing and applying to the surface which has also had decalfix brushed lightly on. The claim is that this avoids silvering without the need for applying to a gloss surface, and those which I did manage to apply seem to bear this out. I didn't manage to get the lost one in the right place and shifting it about eventually destroyed it, Airfix are unable to replace these unfortunately. I have seen the white outline version Pete610 but unless you know a miniature sign writer it will have to stay missing.

I'm somewhat diffident about putting this photo on here. It's my first attempt at an armoured vehicle and thought I might elicit some helpful criticism, Can only show from this side as I managed to ruin the 'GRIEF' decal for the other side. Has anyone else tried applying decals using only Humbrol Decalfix? I'd be interested to know how they got on.

That's a idea Nick. Thank you. I thought 5 groups of matelots doing the hornpipe maybe.

Thank you all for your help. The holes I referred to are indeed where the positions of the gun tubs for the KGV are marked. I have the POW and the Hunter deck has these five cut-outs marked quite prominently. I'll do my best to disguise them. Al

Thanks for your help Prowler. I guess I should have worked that out for my self. In point of fact there are five circular coutouts, three parallel just behind the breakwater and two more slightly further back, one each side. I've taken a photo and if I ever get to remember how to post it I will.

I have recently helped prop up the Chinese economy by purchasing a Hunter wooden deck for my 1/350 Tamiya Prince of Wales, my first foray into warship modelling. The fit looks excellent, but I am all at sea with a couple of things as the instructions are sketchy to say the least, and hope you'll excuse my ignorance. Is the shiny film on the back, adhesive? If so how do I activate it, if not what adhesive should I be using. The are four round cutouts just aft of the bow breakwater but no correseponding fittings on the original deck. Any ideas how to disguise them? I'd appreciate any help anyone could give me. With thanks in advance Alan

Does anyone know if this is available yet! The blurb on the Airfix website says due on 9th. June I've just returned form holiday to see that it still says that despite it now being the 26th.!!

Wilkos do decent grey and white enamel primers at £4.99 each. and whats wrong with standing in a bowl of custard dessed as a nun?

Hi Muzz, What a beautiful looking model, really first class Thanks for your info. I actually have the later boxing of the Revell Hawk T1A moulded in a nice light gey. Decals are supplied for a 74 Squadron or 151 Squadron aircraft and as I say, what I now know is the seal for the blast screen and the seal round the edge of the canopy are printed in a dark yellow. On all the photos i've seen of hawks and the close up view of XX315 I had last year this does appear to be grey. I have to bow to your superior knowledge of course but would far rather use grey than a lurid yellow. Looks like I must try to paint. Alan

I've only ever made the Red arrow version 'til now but always applied the MDC to the outside. of the canopy. It doesnt show as far as I can see. I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask but I have just received a Revell Hawk kit for Xmas. Please excuse my ignorance but the thicker stripe that goes over the canopy blast screen and the narrow lining round the edge are yellow on the decal sheet. Try as I might I have not been able to find a single photo of a Hawk with this, it is grey in every instance. Even Revell's own box art shows this as being grey. Short of buying yet another Red Arrow version, does anyone know where I might find suitable decal for this. Making my own is probably a no no and the after market sets I have don't carry this particulr piece. Happy New Year Al

No problem Chewitt - your secret is safe with me. Al

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments. I invested in an moderately priced (OK, cheap) compressor with two airbrushes. I have never had a great deal of success with them although I did manage to paint my Titanic deck with one of them. Now, however I seem to be unable to draw the paint into the brush. I've tried all manner of thinner ratios and air pressures to no avail. The brushes are clean and definitely not clogged. I sprayed a Bae Hawk model with Wilkinson's grey primer from a rattle can with no probs but again no luck with the finish coat. I've watched videos and read 'how to' books. Any advice greatly appreciated but maybe you just can't teach an old dog new tricks. Al

I've finally summoned up the nerve to post a photo of my attempt at the Airfix Lifeboat . As I seem to be completely inept at using an airbrush I ended up brush painting this. Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated. Al Al

Thanks Rick - Boat looks fantastic, I hope mine can be half as good. All the best Al