beany

1/72 Airfix Club Kit Spitfire PR.XIX This was built as part of the recent Blitzbau Group Build on the UAMF forum. I didn't quite complete it within the 24 hours as there were too many interruptions on the day. The kit goes together reasonably well although I did struggle with the oversized invasion stripe decals in places. I painted the canvas backboard myself and stuck some foam board behind to shove the copper tube into and bent it with needle nose pliers upwards into a hole drilled under the fuselage. The prop blur (inkjet printed onto A4 Overhead Projector Acetate sheet) will be replaced eventually with a less "messy" one. Not my best ever build but should look alright hanging on a far wall and viewed from a distance! Cheers Al.

One of my biggest influences since 1974 when I first got into YES (the Relayer album bought solely on the basis of the album cover - I'd never heard of them up until that point) as a teenager. Here is another shot of the Blenheim and some of my other work - I like making clocks from picture disc LPs. My three loves/hobbies in that corner of the room - Model Making, Painting and Prog Rock! Thanks everyone for all of the kind comments.

All I do is wedge in a couple of layers of foamboard cut to the size of the back of the canvas then poke the copper rod through, bend it upward with pliers and gaffer tape it in place. Likewise I bend the other end upwards and shove it into a tight hole drilled in the bottom of the aircraft - just behind the open bomb bay in this case. Paints are just Pebeo acrylics from Hobbycraft (canvases are from Home Bargains or The Works because Hobbycraft is too bloody expensive!). I do have more of these but am not sure which section I should post then in. Would it be in RFI on an aircraft type by aircraft type basis do you think?

Shelf space is at a premium in my house so I tend to combined modelling with my other hobby or painting and then hang the result. Subject are usually inspired by the superb box artwork and this one is no different. This kit was built as part of the Blenheim Group Build over on the UAMF forum but I have finally finished the background painting as per the box art and mounted the aircraft. It isn't supposed to be exactly the same but just inspired by the superb box artwork. It is currently hanging in my studio i.e. the corner of the front room my wife has kindly donated for me to do my painting - a bit like placating a six year old! Cheers Al.

My other main hobby after modelling is drawing and painting. I got into a discussion with a friend of my sister and mentioned I might do some aviation based paintings and in particular one with Lancaster bombers which I had an idea for. She said she'd be interested in buying it as her dad liked Lancasters and had been a commercial pilot all his life. She wanted it for his 90th birthday in August 2023. I'm only a hobby painter, not an "artist" whatever that is anyway, but here is what I produced for her. It is a 16" x 20" canvas and I used tube acrylics. I'd love to call it something but have come up blank so I am open to suggestions please ladies and gents of Britmodeller. Cheers Al. P.S. It has been pointed out to me that Lancs would not be being flying in to the setting sun on a mission but I don't give a toss cos it looks pretty IMHO and will definitely being doing another to keep for myself!

Sorry - total mojo desertion recently, but back now and will have to Blitz this build to get finished for June 5th. Cheers Al.

Sorry to keep you guys waiting and not communicating better but I have been wrapped up in running the Matchbox GB over on the Unofficial Airfix Modellers Forum but that finishes at midnight tonight so I can then concentrate my efforts on my entries here in this GB.

I like what you have done with the cockpit. That step in the wing undersides is annoying and I'm assuming not correct but wouldn't know for sure. I have the Monogram 1/48 Me.410 and may dry fit the wings on that to see if there is a "step". I have made the Matchbox one decades ago but don't remember finishing it and I still have some of the decals somewhere. I am a fan of the shape of the 410 and always stand and admire the one in Cosford whenever I go there. Very much enjoying your build.

Work has finally begun on my Skyraider. The first few hours have been cutting parts from sprues and cleaning up seams on individual parts before starting to glue parts together. Inside the cockpit walls there were some very prominent ejector pins lugs that were scraped out with a knife and then sanded. The further most ones remain as they will be hidden behind the I/P. All 3 crew were identical so I removes the heads of centre and right chaps seen here and repositioned their noggins to make all three seem more believable. I don't have any spare arms so can't do much about them. The detail actually looks sharper in real life than in this over exposed photo. First coat is Revell Aqua Leather Brown then it will be dry brush with Dark Earth and then Again with Beige. Enjoyable build so far.

Great progress on this one Dave. I built this bike back in the early 80s and couldn't remember much about it (apart from just loving the kit and the subject for itself) but you mentioning the tilted engine has brought back a vague memory of struggling with the same problem back then. Can't remember what I did - probably nothing - but I'd love to be able to get this kit again so will be enjoying your build all the more. You are certainly putting a lot more effort into your build than I did back then - and probably would do today!

That's a beautiful build Nigel. I've just received one of those via eBay - a previous attempt ended up in the bin, but this time I will take all of your tips on board, so thanks for those. I won't enter mine in this GB as I have already have two bikes and a 1/48th Skyraider entered!

Superb looking build of the Priest Ratch, well done mate. Love the idea of the Ferrero Rocher box as a display case too - I'll be nicking that idea for sure.

Stunning work in the cockpit. I will nick your ideas when I build this one again one day. The previous one I built ended up being blow off of a tray in the car park at a very windy RAF Cosford Museum on the way in to a model show a few years back. It was nowhere near the quality of your build Adrian but it was still disappointing to see it dashed to pieces on the floor and then blown under a car where I just left it as I couldn't reach it and could see how much damage was done! Watching your build makes me want another.

Outstanding progress Steve. Love the seat belts - I shall be stealing that idea for mine.

Never built that one yet but would like to one day - especially if it comes out looking as good as that. Great job, very nicely finished.