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Happy new year everyone! Sadly, 2019 will see the withdrawal of yet another still capable and very popular jet from RAF service, the Tornado (how did about ten squadrons of these disappear so fast?). To honour the service these have given, and to celebrate the memory of seeing so many screaming low over East Anglia in the 80s and 90s (who wishes now they hadn't taken the Tonka for granted!?), my first build this year will be the Airfix 1/48 Tornado GR1. My first impression was there were lots of parts, but two of the sprues were stores, which I won't need. Does anybody want these 1/48 Tornado stores/weapons? Free to a good home: The kit also included two cockpit tubs and two different tailfins (one without the ECM bar). One of the cockpits looks more detailed with raised instruments, but that's not the one the plans say to use. I might try both and see which looks best ... Huge decal sheet, as big as the box! But I won't be using the kit markings as I have these! Not sure yet whether to do 27 sqn or TWCU. Either way I'll need some decals for the serials under the tailplanes.

Just about managed to get this one finished and photographed before 2018 is done. The scheme is taken from the Xtradecal BoB decal sheet and represents "Black 8" flown by Ofw Bernhard Lempskemper. The airfix kit went together very well along with some Eduard etch for the cockpit, wheel wells and air intakes. I tried to replace the slightly sorry looking moulded guns on top of the nose by scratch building some out of thin stainless tube - not sure there's much improvement though in the end... The aerial wire is from stretched sprue with little coiled bits of wire to add interest. I airbrushed on Mr Color RLM04, 65, 02 and 71, thinned with X-20 and they went down a treat, especially the yellow! Weathering was mostly done with brown, black and white oil paints and I added a few random chips with a fine brush and silver paint. The paint job was then protected with a coat of Vallejo flat varnish. This was my first go at riveting and mottling a Luftwaffe aircraft and overall I'm pretty pleased with the result - she looks good alongside the Mk1 Spitfire. WIP is here if you'd like more details: Thanks to those who helped along the way and Happy New Year!

Although the Gresley Coaches remain very much a work in progress, I thought I would return to the drawers of shame rather than start a new build. These have been sitting there for some time Sorry for the small picture but these are the vehicles from the Airfix "Ready for Battle" set. The Hurricane was completed some time ago. So it's abut time the vehicles (and people) joined it. I actually bought this from Bure Valley Models in Norfolk when they regularly sold heavily discounted Airfix kits and I paid less for the entire set than the current price of the Albion Refueller.

Airfix 1:48 Blenheim IF - Colours of L6739 YP-Q, currently flying with ARCo at Duxford. The Inside - To start off, this kit is fantastic by Airfix. Nearly everything is in there thats on the real thing. You can really see they researched this kit well. The instrument panel is detailed superbly with raised detail, unlike other Airfix panels that were just flat. The decals on the panel were also very well done, as shown in the photo they went on well and the colours are good. The rest of the cockpit is well made with all of the main controls, dials and wheels in place. The two spars coming off the bathtub-like structure provide extra strength to the wings, all four fit very nicely into the allocated gaps. The cockpit glass - Unlike the inside where everything fitted fine, the glass was a different story. To start with, Airfix indicate the wrong left-hand side canopy (there are two in the kit). If you look at photos of the aircraft, you will see the difference. The fit was dreadful on both sides, and if Airfix did the whole front section in one mold it would certainly better (but im not sure this is even possible with injection moulding?) . Maybe something for them to consider if they are doing a bomber version or a Mk IV version. The rest of the glass/ canopies - As you can see, my hand isnt the steadiest and masking individual panels wouldnt be worth it. Only after painting did I realise Eduard has done a set of masks. Bummer really. The turret came with a nice little assembly jig that helped ALOT with the little parts. The turret fitted together fine and can just be slot into place onto the aircraft. Personally I haven't glued it into place just to add that element that the aircraft can 'move' . I also didnt glue the main wheels on, since the undercarriage spars are really quite tight on the wheels and they havent come off yet after a few days of me rolling it around. The tailwheel though is one solid piece, and strangely its one of the last things you're told to put in place (i.e not during the closing of the fuselage). The engines - The engines could be a model of their own - the 6 part engine and 3 part propeller are superbly detailed and the first proper radials I've made. The propellers move aswell which is nice, as shown below. No photoshop! Just some wind a slow shutter speed. All in all its a superb kit, and Airfix are really doing well with the new toolings. My only wish would be rivet details like Eduard's but you cant have everything. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and may the new year bring you joy through scale modelling! All the best, Olly.

Afternoon All, I've been lurking in here for ages asking the odd question about F-4 and Tornado kits with the aim of getting back into a hobby I was mad about in my teens. Well, Santa was good to me, and bought a magnifying lamp as I found my eyes really weren't as good as they once were when I last tried this a few years ago. That, and my 12 yo son got an Airfix A-4 starter kit for his Christmas, so it seems like the perfect time to get cracking. I'm really keen to do a Phantom and a Tornado, but before embarking on those, I have a barely started Airfix Gnat which I figured would be a good kit to get myself back into the swing of things. I built a Red Arrows one of these a couple of years ago and really struggled with bits of it, so this could get frustrating! Hopefully I can enthuse my son enough to get him interested, although even if not, its time we wouldn't otherwise spend together so win-win! We've commandeered a corner of the spare room, and set up the new magnifying light: IMG_20181227_115844 by Alistair Henderson, on Flickr A sight for sore eyes! IMG_20181227_110958 by Alistair Henderson, on Flickr So far, there's not a lot else to show. Done a fair bit of painting cockpits and interior bits. The little pots of paint that came with the A-4 are not great, really runny and hard to apply, so we might invest in some proper tubs of acrylic for the colours used on the outside. Keen to use acrylics as I remember when I was a kid the mess and hassle caused by turps and enamel - esp when it got on the carpet! I've already gained a 'stash': IMG_20181227_121252 by Alistair Henderson, on Flickr This might not be the fastest moving topic in the world - also got a ukele for Christmas which I need to master!! Al.

While the decals on the Sea Fury are drying prior to putting on more and the MIG-17 PFU is off the bench I have started the Blenheim Mk 1f. I have started on the interior builds with the bomb bay and cockpit areas together and put in to the fuselage for a test fit. It appears to be ok but I might have to check the bomb bay as it appears to have a very slight gap there. It may just close when glues but I don't want to put undue pressure in to the fuselage. The pilots area is a complicated beast that seems to fit in ok. The bomb bay goes together well but the stage where you have to cut the parts to make the centre beam in half confuse me, hopefully it is something to do with a difference between the bomber and fighter version

When Airfix released their 1/72nd Victor B.Mk.2 (BS) at the end of 2016 I had to get one as soon as possible and this was supplied via the always reliable MJW Models. It was a Christmas present from me to me and was started on Boxing Day. In my mind there was no doubt what I wanted, XL512 operated by No. 139 Squadron out of RAF Wittering 1963-64 in anti-flash white complete with a Blue Steel missile. I am too young to remember this colour scheme but when I start to think about it, anti-flash from nuclear weapons? In England? The four minute warning? Mass scrambles? Get off the ground as fast as you can? Dispersed locations? A "bucket of instant sunshine"? The Soviet threat was so real way back then. To the kit. Not cheap, I think I paid over £50 however the Airfix Victor was absolutely worth every penny, no question. I cannot believe how Airfix has moved so far forward in the last few years. Overall it was a joy to build and I had around 90% of it completed by May 2017. On to the photos: The Airfix kit certainly shows the very complex aerodynamics of the Victor B.2, starting with that unique double crescent wing which was based on captured German research from WW2. Personally I love the larger 'elephant ears' air intakes as well as the 'Küchemann carrots' on the trailing edges, also the four Rolls Royce Conways buried in the wing roots. Even today the Victor looks futuristic. Obtaining the overall anti-flash white finish was a challenge. The kit instructions specify Humbrol 130 satin white which is a paint I have used with some success however airbrushing one colour on a kit this size didn't really feel like an option. I had already experimented with Halfords Appliance White on a 1/48th scale F-16A and I decided to try this approach to the Victor. I had learned to apply several coats by several passes and not to drench the model. Overall it worked really well though there were several areas on the wings where maybe another coat might have helped. I have to say that, for me, the kit went together very well indeed. The only area where I felt I needed filler was very lightly around the jet air intakes. This photo shows what was a fault for me, where the main fuselage joins the cockpit area. For whatever reason, and it might be my ham fisted approach, there was a definite step up between the two sections. I took the view that with my lack of skills at sanding and filling it was just better to leave it as it is. What this photo does show is the detail in the cockpit with the ejection seats clearly visible. It also shows the complexity of the cockpit canopy which was what scared me off completing this kit for such a long time. In the end I masked mine off using various masking tapes and although not perfect the end result isn't too shabby. I understand that there was a masking set available for this kit, maybe worth a thought. My final photo of XL512 in which the Blue Steel round can be seen tucked away under the Victor B.2 fuselage. A very enjoyable build of an iconic V-Force bomber. Michael

Hi All; Here's my completed Airfix 1/48 Hurricane. Any comments welcome; this is my third completed model since picking up the glue and airbrush after a seven-ish year hiatus from the hobby. I have a tonne of pics (including in-progress shots of all my screw-ups 🙂) plus a full description of the build over on my website; F/O Les Clisby's Mk.1 Hurricane on Making-History.ca if you want to check it out. Most importantly (for me, anyway), there's also a history of the aircraft and its pilot there too. I'd also like to say a very big thank you to @Troy Smith for hi help in nailing down many of the finer details in the markings and weathering; I hope I did his help justice in my model. Cheers; Mark Beckwith

Well I’ve got a Frog Beaufighter with no engines: ... and some Airfix bits... So what happens if you replace some of the old Frog bits with Shiny New Airfix ones? ...and scratch up some other Beaufighter details that you used up elsewhere? I wasn’t planning to start it, honest! Thanks for looking, Adrian

Hello all, do you also have short shot tail planes in your kit? This issue is not easy to discover, therefore may be this is the reason it slips through quality control. Even my replacement parts are short shot. I own two FR.9 kits and the issues are in both kits. I emailed Airfix with a summary of my findings, but they haven´t answered after four weeks and a reminder. The pictures are from my email to Airfix. Thomas

Here is my final completed build for 2018. This model has been slowly coming together while I have been concentrating on other builds but is intended as the start of a new collection celebrating the history of this iconic aircraft. OOB with a Master pitot and Tamiya tape seat belts, brush painted with Hataka acrylics from the Modern RAF set #2. Apologies for the quality of the photos, they were taken with my phone and have come out rather dark. Merry Christmas everybody and a happy, safe and productive new year. 🎅 AW

Sorry if I have fooled you into thinking this is a full build, it isn't my intention. What I wanted to do was show my progress and point out any areas that I have had problems with. I am no expert on the type so any accuracy issues are beyond the scope of this as well. Anyway, here is my progress to date: I'd rather not have had to assemble the undercarriage at this stage but I can see no way to add it after building the airframe. The firewall and spars are integral to the undercarriage and unless you make ships in bottle I can see no way of adding it later. You can probably see that there is very little filler, just a little around the wing roots and none on the fuselage or tail planes. A little more filler around the turret opening. The first real issue is the flaps, which are clearly designed to be assembled open. There is some nice detail ,on the inner faces and the instructions do tell you to cut off this detail. However I had to reduce the inner flaps to wafter thickness to make them fit. It is a shame alternative parts aren't provided. Not perfect but it will do. A little more filler around the Bombay is visible in this photo. AS you can see the general fit is impressive. I have to say that the package is comprehensive, I believe all the parts necessary to build a bomber are in the box as are tropical filters. I was so looking forward to this kit coming out and I am not disappointed, I'll probably buy at least another one. More updates after Christmas I hope.

Another completion from my Airfix Therapy build thread and the last of 2018: The very sweet little Spitfire F22. WIP here: New stuff used was Mr Surfacer 1500 for priming and paint was Alclad and Mr Color: No vices beyond the traditionally badly fitting canopy and if you have any of these , build 'em you'll love 'em ( yes, I'm looking at you @Jason). BTW the concern for the lack of pilots has led me to create my first in flight diorama which is here So off into the wild blue yonder of the photo studio we go! Well thats my ninth and final one for 2018 and a hoot it has been, thank you all for tuning in and Happy Holidays! Anil

Here with my last completed build in 2018 - The Airfix 1/48 Sea Fury FB.11. Overall a nice kit but it wouldn't be Airfix without the odd foible would it? Well there is no gunsight for a start and, similar to the Tomahawk, someone forgot to finish the engraving on the trim tabs on the tail which had to be scribed. Another annoying thing was the treatment of the surface details - it is mainly nice engraved lines but on the tail, for some reason, the 60's mad riveter crept in so there are a a number raised rivets adorning the tailplane - why? and why just here? - photographs show the all parts of the airframe were flush riveted so I simply removed them. Also, the small panels on the top of the nose are represented as raised lumps!? Again, photographs show that the panels are flush so I removed them and rescribed. Some people have mentioned in reviews the poor fit of the cowling. I found the fit a little off but not as bad as I was expecting. Despite buying a resin insert, I managed to join the parts and rescribe the details quite neatly. I will save the resin replacement for another build. I wanted to model a Royal Canadian Navy machine (don't ask me why, I just did...). Unfortunately this opened a can of worms re the colours. I won't dwell on it now but I chose to depict a machine from 871 Squadron which was a later delivery to the RCN by which time Hawker had finally got the RCN Extra Dark Sea Grey/Sky colours correct (They were quite different from the RN colours). The colours were Tamiya mixes based on suggestions from Canadian modellers. Well it might not be totally right but that is my spin on it anyhow. I used an old Aeromaster sheet for the markings. I found a picture which shows (I think) the aircraft I was modelling. I was going to use the rockets but the kit versions were poor so I left them off - I may add some if someone does some nice resin versions. I hope it looks OK - Have a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year all of you. Cheers Malcolm

Hello Chaps, I finally, got around to taking "Final Reveal" photos of my "Tiffy" build that I completed in December of 2017. I was holding off, originally, with the intention of building a diorama base for it to sit on, then take photos, but never found the time, due to hosting buddy builds throughout the year on Facebook and YouTube. Anyway, I will still build the base for it, and have created the perfect excuse to do so, by hosting another build beginning on January 1st, 2019 and ending on May 31st, 2019 - the "D-Day (Diorama Day) Buddy Build" in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, June 6th, 1944. I have to say this is a superbly detailed and enjoyable kit to build, as you will all know by now since it's release in 2014, the year my wife bought it for me for a Christmas gift. My step-daughter bought me the 1/24 scale pilot, as a gift for Christmas 2016, to go with the model, too. This was built straight out of the box, the only additions I made were the scratch-built fuse cables out the back of the rockets, the whip antenna and cutting out a number of panels to expose fuel tanks, cockpit, engine and air intake/radiator housing details. Hope you like the photos in my Facebook album link that is visible even if you do not have a Facebook account, and at zero cost to me for Facebook to host the photos, a much cheaper alternative than using photo hosting websites..... If you'd like to watch any or all of my YouTube Channel build introduction, build updates and final reveal videos for this build, then here is the link to the build series of 8 videos: Thanks in advance for any comments on here and/or on my YouTube channel, much appreciated. Bring on the HK Models 1/32 Scale Avro Lancaster Mk.I, yeah baby!!!! Happy modeling! Cheers, Martin

The Lockheed-Republic F-804 Thunder Star was designed to a U.S.A.F. specification for an all-weather, low level, ground support jet. A mix of contemporary design with innovation, the Thunder Star was conceived with ground scanning radar, the aircraft performed well in trials, but the USAF were unimpressed. The prototype made its first flight on 18th January 1954. Some Thunder Stars were built for export with Saudi Arabia being the main customer taking 40 aircraft.

Lockheed-Republic F-800 Shooting Streak The end of World War II saw a rationalisation of the U.S. aviation with many companies merging or being swallowed up by bigger conglomerates. One such was the joining of Lockheed and Republic to make a joint venture into jet engine development. The F-800 Shooting Streak utilised existing, tried and tested design with innovative new systems. It was developed as an armed reconnaissance aircraft with extended range. The prototypes made its first flight on 8th January 1954. The Shooting Streak was shelved by the US, who saw better potential in the U2. A limited number were built for export. Sweden took six and they regularly patrolled, guarding against Soviet and Eastern Bloc provocation.

Hi all Finally finished the Bristol Superfreighter. What a thoroughly enjoyable kit. It went together well and was built OOB apart from some masking tape seatbelts and the Aileron actuator arms and covers and the Decals as I used the S&M decals for a Silver City machine. As a young lad in the mid 70's I remember these lumbering giants taking off and landing at Lydd Airport although under another operator. They used to fly very near to a corner of the school field and it was amazing to watch them along with the HP Dart Heralds, Viscounts and Dakotas. What lovely sounds they all made. Thanks for looking All the best Chris

A complete set

Previous thread about the 1/48th low back Supermarine Spifire F.R. Mk.XIVe - ref. A05135 being closed See also - https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/supermarine-spitfire-fr-mk-xiv.html Here's a new one with fresh news. Source: https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/telford-airfix-trophy-winner-and-a-griffons-growl V.P.

Hi All and Seasons Greetings, My latest build is an Airfix 1/72 Tomahawk built virtually OOB apart from new wing gun barrels from 0.5mm brass tubing and some aerial wires from fishing line. This was a nice build with no major problems, bought it at Aldi about four years ago. The Azure and Dark Earth is Vallejo Model Air and the Middlestone is AmmoMig acrylic. some pastels and dilute colours were used for weathering. The photos unfortunately show how my canopy masking sucks 😪 Constructive comments welcome as usual !!! Next up Hasegawa SH-60B

Here's my Airfix 1:72 Hannover CL.IIIa 3879, operated by an unknown Schlachtstaffeln (Battle Squadron) of the German army aviation, in the Western Front, 1918 which I built in 2001. This was a 1970s/1980s issue of the kit and I built it OOB. I believe this kit was re-issued a few years ago. The kit was completely painted by brush with only the varnish being airbrushed. Fortunately, the wing lozenge patterns were to scale in the paint guide of the back of the box so I could trace it on to the kit itself. I'm well aware the colours used may not be accurate since I went with the colours indicated in the kit's instructions (actually, their Humbrol equivalents). Nevertheless, I was (and am) very pleased with the end result. The kit isn't rigged as I only had the courage to start rigging a few years later! Thank you for looking Miguel

Hello Here is my last build with this 1/72 Airfix North American B-25C from 83rd Bomb Squadron / 12th Bomber Group U.S. Army Air Force in 1942 somewhere in the North African desert area. Decals came from Xtradecal. Soon to be published in Tamiya Magazine French Edition. Patrick

Douglas A-4B Skyhawk - Airfix 1/72 (03029) This is my first Airfix kit ever. Nice fit, good decals. OOB with some small corrections. Vallejo acrylics.

I've just finished this over on the 'Pacific war' GB, build thread can be seen there. I basically built it out of the box, only 'extras' were Tamiya Tape seat belts. I built up both fuselage half parts, complete with glazing, before joining them together, made the joining of the main wing a little harder but worked out OK. Airbrushed with Vallejo 'ModelAir' paints, Black was 'Ultimate' Black Primer, Alclad Gloss Varnish with Vallejo Matt Varnish. Uschi thread for aerial wire. Finished in the kit option of Sqn Leader Arthur Scarf VC's aircraft, based in Butterworth at the outbreak of the Japanese invasion in 1941. All criticism welcome. Davey.