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My last Airfix Mustang in the stash. I found some goodies too. Although the red-tail markings are attractive, I once fell for the luxorious design of these Exito decals, and I somehow need to motivate that expense, so this will be the choice this time: It’s a P51D-25-NA operating as long-range escort out of Iwo Jima towards the end of the war, and since I have 5-, 10 and 15-NA since before it complements the collection. Some tweaks will be needed, regarding radio equipment (I distinctly remember they had a different set of boxes, not to mention the different set of antennas) and tail-warning radar. I now have one week to find that vac form canopy and Quickboost exhaust stacks I remember buying but cannot find. I now understand how squirrels feel.

Gonna add an Indian Spitfire to the Indian Tempest. Would have preferred to do the camouflaged "96" with the Chakra roundels. There are Iliad Design and Model Alliance decals for this scheme, but the Chakras are on white ground. Actual info is that the chakras on camouflaged aircraft were on yellow ground. So gonna do the silver Indina scheme with the normal cockades included in the kit. DSC_0008 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr DSC_0009 by grimreaper110, auf Flickr

Made a start on this. The two halves of the hull were well warped. Managed to eventually get them stuck together but required filler to fill a gap in the middle 🙂

Evening all, It's been a very long time since I posted a WIP on here, and even longer since I joined a Group Build, but given my passion for naval types in particular it seemed rude not to join in this one. I've plenty of options in the stash, and I may end up entering more than one build, but looking through the build threads I didn't see a Buccaneer, so I thought I'd put that right for starters. I'll be building the new Airfix 1/72 kit OOB, although I may choose to finish her as a 736 NAS option on an old Model Alliance Sheet I have knocking around. On with the now very familiar box and sprue shot... I have a Stuka on the bench that is nearing completion, so hopefully I'll be able to get cracking with this one sooner rather than later. Cheers, Shaun

Well, here's my choice .... the Airfix 1/35 Tiger 1 early .... nothing complicated and something I have half a chance of finishing! Ill fitting parts, inaccurate and vynil tracks .... what could possibly go wrong? 😟 Keith 😁

Expected in Spring (May ?) 2024 - ref. A09010 - Consolidated B-24H Liberator https://uk.airfix.com/products/consolidated-b-24h-liberator-a09010 V.P.

OK slight change of build plan, I said that the next on the bench would be the HobbyBoss Scammell Commander with the Amusing Hobby Centurion AVRE for a load well whilst at the South West Model Show at the Bovington Tank Museum I was given the Airfix Austin K2/Y by the friend that I shared a table with as he had ended up with two. He has built one as in the film Ice Cold in Alex but didn't want to build a second one so thought I might like to have it so it has made its way onto the bench and will be built out of the box using the Northern Europe markings in the kit. A start has been made with the basic chassis being assembled completing build sections one and two That's as far as its progressed more soon I hope Thanks for looking in your time is very much appreciated Stay safe Roger

Morning all! My first memory of pretty much any aircraft as a child was seeing the odd shaped Gloster Javelin that was the former gate guardian of RAF Stafford. My dad was stationed there from 1982 - 85 before demobilising. The airframe was then later scrapped due to poor maintenance in 1994, as seen here in the video below My plan is to build XA801 and convert the Airfix FAW.9 to the FAW.2. Problem is, I cannot find the conversion kit needed to do so. I know there are only a few slight changes between the FAW.2 and the FAW.9, the most notable is the engine exhaust, as well as the FAW.2 did not have mid-air refueling. I know that a conversion kit exists, but I cannot find it anywhere, if any one is able to help point me in the right direction, or knows someone who has one that are willing to part with it, I would more than interest. Thanks all in advance

G’day all. I’ve just completed the Airfix Phantom FGR.2 this afternoon (Easter Monday). An annoying start followed by a pleasant build for the most part, I’m happy to say that this was an enjoyable project. The kit is built as XV466 ‘D’ Desperation while assigned to 1435 flight at RAF Mount Pleasant in 1991. The most annoying issues with the kit are the fit of the lower wing to the underside of the intake trunks and the fir of the forward canopy section to the nose fuselage. Some judicious plastic removal and fettling had the parts slip into place. Gaps were addressed with the tried and tested recipe of CA glue and talc. The Skyflash (Sparrows) and Sidewinders are courtesy of Eduard but the rest of it is what you get in the packet. The kit ordnance have fins that are a scale 6 inches wide so this was a must. The yellow seeker head covers on the Sidewinders add some colour to an otherwise muted colour scheme. I’m frustrated that Airfix still persist with panel lines that really are suited on a 32nd or 24th scale kit. Here in Australia you pay anywhere between $50 - $65 for this kit (25-33 pounds). Comparing kits of similar size and cost you get panel lines that are much more refined. Airfix, if you’re listening, please get your act together in this area. There has been much discussion about it. On the plus side, the kit decals were fantastic and reacted well to the Microset/sol combo. Painting is always the fun part for me. On the kit I used Mr Color lacquers for the camo greys and Alclad for the metal exhaust areas. Looking at photos of period jets and particularly XV466, the greys seemed to lighten over time, almost to the point of almost no contrast between the two topside greys. A variety of weathering products have been used for panel lines and such. You can make out the two tones of greys in the overhead shots. Anyway, on with the photos. Let me know what you think. Cheers, Mick.

Second build. Another spitfire completed. A few mistakes on my behalf but I am learning and most important enjoying myself.

I generally build WW2 Allied aircraft, but I do have a bit of a thing for early British jets. So, I am going to go with an aircraft that amazed me in late 70’s at Duxford (I think) going pretty much straight up off the end of the runway. My dear old Dad used to drive me to quite a few airshows, so it might have been somewhere else. On reading up on the EE Lightning I discovered it was nicknamed the “Frightening”. I presumed this was to do with the rate of climb, the ceiling or more likely the speed. Some pilots said it was like being saddled to a skyrocket, but no…….. The Lightning was nicknamed “Frightening” because of its challenging crosswind landing characteristics. I would never have guessed that one! This is the 2013 tooling from Airfix. All the bits look pretty good. A little bit of flash here and there, but nothing bad. I did notice when I got the plastic out of the box how heavy it seems for 4 smallish sprues. I am planning on doing the green/aluminium scheme as I served in the Army in West Germany in the 80’s not long after these beasts! I've seen that @Enzo the Magnificent has beaten me to it on this one, so will keep a beady eye on his build for some tips 🙂 George

Back in 2011 I saw that Airfix had announced a Valiant and so I put in a pre-order and waited - probably for around 6 months. Eventually it arrived but has been gathering dust in storage ever since. It was issued too late to be eligible for the Airfix Classic GB but is I believe eligible for this one and also the NATO one later this year, so if I have time I will have a shot at building it. Airfix describe it as a BK Mk 1 though I am uncertain if that is correct as initially the Valiants were pure bomber B Mk 1 I believe. Some were later converted to a PR version, and others to a tanker and in 2012 Airfix released a conversion pack for both of these versions, and in 2021 I understand that they released a re-boxing of the kit complete with at least part of the conversion set. Perhaps the nomenclature was changed to recognise the fact that the bomber could be relatively easily converted to a tanker and back again, but I will be building it in the bomber configuration, perhaps in the all over "Anti Flash White" scheme as I remember seeing them flying high overhead once or twice on my way home from school in the early 1960's. The Valiant entered RAF service in October 1952, and was phased out in 1965 shortly after the switch from high level to low level as the wing spars were found to be suffering from metal fatigue. The Valiant was considered something of a stop-gap design and so as the "more advanced" Victor and Vulcan had entered service by then it was apparently decided not to bother repairing the Valiants, and the B2 low level version was not ordered into production. The kit comes with markings for 4 aircraft - the second prototype WB215 in NMF, XD823 used in Operation Grapple to drop what was claimed to be the first UK hydrogen bomb in 1957 (there is some doubt about whether or not it was a fusion event rather than a fission one I believe), XD857 in 1963, and WZ404 in 1964, and has the option of either a single nuclear weapon or 21 x 1000lb iron bombs, though I will probably model it with the undercarriage down and the bomb doors closed. I suspect this was one of the first of the "new style" Airfix kits, following their Bf 110 of 2010 so it will be interesting to see how it goes together compared with some of the more recent ones. Pete

After some prevarication I think I'd like to put this into the group build.... I got this as part of an auction bundle of car kits and would very much like to get it done. But there's a problem. I made a rudimentary start back in December, assembly of the main bodywork parts, then quickly realised that several key components were missing. I have no instructions but I found the required document on Scalemates.com, no problem. But study of the drawings showed that I have no chassis parts, rear axle or suspension, or front axle arrangements. It was like someone had built up the chassis assembly and then put it on a shelf while the rest of the kit stayed in its box. And I got the box! I think I have the wherewithal to try a scratch built solution and the added impetus of being in a group build might just be the motivation to see it through (or fail gallantly 🤩) Here's what I've got... And this is the basic shell with the petrol tank attached to the rear... That's well under the 25% threshold, I'd say, although if the hosts say otherwise I shall reconsider my choice, of course 😉 It'd be great to get my little MG sorted out

Hi, on this group build I'm moving back to my preferred scale and also to the beginnings of NATO, and I'm building an Airfix 1:48 Supermarine Seafire F.XVII (A06102A). It is all too easy these days, seeing Leopard tanks and F-35s being presented in NATO social media posts, to forget that NATO was founded soon after the WW2 and thus most weaponry, aircraft, tanks and vessels included, that was used by NATO nations in those early years, was of similar vintage. Here is the box: It is a big box, and it contains big parts, which is a personal relief, having just built three models in 1:72... Speaking of parts, here they are: As you can see, I'm using aftermarket parts for masks and cockpit decoration. I plan to build the version on the box, from the No.767 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Somerset, England, 1950. /Jari

Hello Everyone, This one is going to be my main project. I was recently sent this kit by a very good friend of mine, who knew that I wanted to build another one especially after I saw the last James Bond movie, No Time To Die. I have previously built an Airfix 1:350 Type 45 destroyer kit as HMS Daring when the kit was first released and had always meant to build another one to go with my few other Royal Navy warships models (HMS Illustrious, HMS Turbulent, HMS Astute). This build has not been started yet (except for washing and priming the sprues), so I will post some photos of the untouched sprues and then include photos of the various build steps as I go along. I will most likely start the painting and building process tomorrow. All the best, Rick

I'm not the first to offer up a Blenheim for this GB and I think this particular Airfix 1/72 boxing has already had an airing as well! But I fancy doing a Fighter variant of the Blenheim, this one was sitting near the top of the stash and so out it has come. I plan on building this one pretty much out of the box. This boxing has decals for BQ-O (L8679), a 600 Squadron aircraft based at RAF Manston in August 1940, but I'm planning on doing this one as a different aircraft on the squadron during that month so I'll be digging out some extra decals. Haven't worked out which exact aircraft I want to do yet; some reading through the Squadron ORBs (AIR-27-2059) and my two main reference works (Gentlemen in Blue by Hans Onderwater and The Bristol Blenheim: A complete history by Graham Warner) is ongoing. I think (hope?) I've got a masking set somewhere...

With a Japanese nightfighter finished, I thought I’d try an allied machine as well. The Blenheim isn’t as popular I thought it would be, so I’ll add a Mk IVF. Maybe I’ll go with the one on the box cover, unless I can scrounge some serials and codes for a plane in navy colours. Or maybe not. Will do some research, found seceral titles on Scribed. The box: I built the old Airfix as a kid and remember struggling - I expect this to be a bit different. The box contains pieces to do a regular Mk. IV as well, so that is another possibility. Assembled the office - will try to paint it all in one piece. I’m masking the lower window to paint it on the inside as well. The rest of the glass house I’ll paint only from the outside. It’s very thick anyway. This is the first Airfix model I’ve seen where the flaps can be left lowered, with moulded structure inside. Thickness of braces is of course widely overscale. Will see what to do. Some internal structure in the wheel houses too: Fit seems good, but the soft plastic has quite rounded edges, which results in trenches where the pieces mate. I expect some filling.

I’m just starting this from the stash. 2 queries. 1. The overall colour will be Gunship Gray. It’s as close a match as I can see from various photos on the net and seems oft recommended on here for modern French a/c tho not, so far as I can see, the Alpha Jet. (I had assumed Mirage blue was correct until I saw the photos). Does anyone have any strong evidence against Gunship Gray? 2. I assume the -E was unarmed for most of its service life. It’s even hard to find pictures of it with fuel tanks. Further,the gun pod in the kit seems to be the Mauser rather than the DEFRA . Again, have I got this wrong or were they often carrying ordnance? TIA

With the (currently) 4 F-14 Tomcats still on the go and the Airfix one virtually finished, I think a breather is required to keep the modelling mojo going. SWMBO asked which helicopter I was going to do next. I have two Mistercraft kits (Desert Huey and a Cobra) which I intend to get round to, but the obvious choice, considering the US Navy theme I’m on with said Tomcats, would be the Seasprite. I bought this kit off eBay for around £5 IIRC about 4 months ago when I was building the AW Merlin. It had been part built with no paining done whatsoever using what appears to be polystyrene cement a fair while ago judging by the yellowed colour of the cement - which means (hopefully) and easier strip down. There were a few gaps in the fitted parts which also would allow for easier dismantling. A trial of removing the engine pod proved this to be the case. The parts which were not fitted are still on the sprues, so all in all, it’s going to be like a not quite new kit once it’s dismantled. The kit even has its original decals which is useful - yellowed but present. I’ll try the sunshine trick to see if they clear up a bit (but I might have to buy replacements). As purchased using the seller’s photos.

Hi. Here's another one from me. The Frogeye Sprite (aka the Bugeye in the States), was produced between 1958 and 1961, and utilised the 948cc engine from the Austin A35 and Morris Minor 1000. Whilst the A35's engine produced around 35 BHP (the clue's in the name), for the Sprite this was boosted to 43 BHP. This gave a top speed of 83 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 20.5 seconds. For its time, the car was pretty nippy and went on to provide an affordable way into motorsport on both sides of the Atlantic. The Airfix kit was first released in 1961, but mine's a '90s release. All my parts are still factory-sealed, so I'll open things up for a closer look, once I get started. Where possible, I like to base my car builds on real, preserved examples and I'll be using this beauty for this one. Cheers

Evening all. I'd like to join in with Airfix's recent small-scale Mossie in its bomber guise. I'm going for the airframe on the box art because 1) I don't need any AM decals but mainly 2) Its the subject of a big poster I had on my bedroom wall when I was a model-mad teenager. Of course at the time, I dearly wanted to build a model of it so its great to now have that chance. Thanks Airfix! Here's the usual box & sprue shots. Here's the poster which I bought from the RAF Museum shop in the late '70s. It is, of course, one of Charles E Brown's wonderful wartime air to air photos. At the time, my friends all seemed to have rather different posters on their bedroom walls. Many involved models but were definitely not de Havilland or Airfix products! I'm planning to build this one out of the box but we'll see how that goes when I get to the bomb bay doors/fairing and the tailwheel. Here's hoping this thread gets further than my last one. I posted the same sort of photos for an Airfix 1/48 Chippy in the last DH GB then found out later the same day that we were moving house imminently. That stalled my modelling until now. That move went well so I'm confident I can actually start building this time. All the best, Phil.

Hello Everyone, While parts for my Type 45 destroyer build we're drying, I decided to make a start on another kit from my stash. At my wife's insistence, I started work on an Airfix 1:72 scale Red Arrows Gnat which has been sitting in the stash for a while. I will post sprue photos later along with the 1st construction photos. I'm working on simple builds while my destroyer is drying etc. All the best, Rick

For this GB I'm going to build a "Sexy American Singles in South American Service" subject, a Bolivian P-51D. Sexy American Singles in South American Service involves building American WWII single-engine aircraft to represent eight South American nations. So far, I've built representatives from Chile (A-24B); Argentina (F4U); Brazil (P-47); and Uruguay (F6F). Bolivia will be the next addition. I had hoped Arma would have their P-51D out by now, but since they don't I'll use this Airfix kit I picked up. One day I want to build the Korean version from it, but for now she'll be Bolivian. I will use decals and the profile from Aztec:

Not a full set, but a restoration. Summer dress Winter dress with a sepia wash

Hello Britmodellers, Here's my take on the Airfix MiG 17. I wanted to build a slightly different machine than the famous '3020' so I did some decal juggling there. A few grainy pics show '3012' in a heavily weathered condition. It took me two tries before I ̶g̶o̶t̶ ̶f̶e̶d̶ ̶u̶p̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶i̶t̶ / got the effect somewhat acceptable. Other modifications were the KK-2 bangseat, reshaped inner wing leading edges and brass gun barrels. Thanks for watching! Luka