Search the Community

Hello all, I have had this kit in my stash for about 6 months now and I've been trying not to scratch a constant itch that demands I build it …. but now I have to give in …. as it's driving me mad! These WnW kits are sheer quality, with some beautifully moulded parts, loads and loads of detail and a superb instruction booklet to ease construction. As soon as you open the box and see one in the flesh, you just know that you've bought a quality kit and regardless of the higher bracket prices that they demand, these kits are definitely worth every penny - money well spent! I normally like to scratch-build bits and super-detail my models (it's just a habit I have) but this kit will be built mostly OOB with very little added detail other than maybe some ignition leads on the engine which don't appear to be included. To be honest it doesn't very much else! Kit and contents in the photos below: This is the scheme I will be using in my build, which is the same as the box art: Thanks for looking in on my build, all comments and criticisms welcomed! Kev.

In 2020 Airfix is to release a new tool 1/72nd Bristol Beaufort Mk.1 kit - ref. A04021 https://uk.airfix.com/products/bristol-beaufort-mk1-a04021 3D render V.P.

A short run kit of a pretty obscure subject. A few little issues putting it together but I like the result. WIP here: For scale:

Well, it's official - I now have the inter-war civil aircraft bug, and next up is this little guy - Avis' 1/72nd Bristol Racer. 'What the heck is a 'Bristol Racer' I hear you cry? Well, wikipedia says The Bristol Type 72 Racer was a British racing monoplane designed by Wilfrid Thomas Reid and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton, England. - and who am I to doubt them. More to the point, it looked like this: Who couldn't love that? Well, apparently the pilots who had to fly it because according to wiki it was terrible and scrapped just a couple of years after it was built. Still, it looks good, doesn't it? Anyway, thanks to Avis for making a kit of such an obscure piece of aviation history. Apparently they're only making 500 of these kits, but I've got one so let's hope I can actually finish it and make it look halfway decent when I do. As is traditional, here's the box: And here's the bits: Moulding is definitely short-run, but I've seen worse. Next time: The amazing invisible cockpit!

Finally finished a Contrail vac in time to start a project for the Frog GB, so here is a 1/48 Bristol Blenheim prototype. Like all vacs the kit needs a lot of patience and filler but I was lucky enough to have a spare set of nose glazing and resin interior from a Special Hobby kit. K7033 went through a number of changes before being painted in camouflage and delivered to the RAF, the spinners were soon ditched in favour of easier access for maintenance and was fitted with the standard dorsal turret rather than the trial one on the model.

There's a rumour about a future 1/72nd Bristol Belvedere by ACE Model. To be followed Source: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235045628-amp-mikromir-news-questions-wishes-and-more/&do=findComment&comment=3316095 V.P.

AviS is to release 1/72nd Bristol M.1C & M.1D kits - ref. 72032 & 72033 Source: https://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=95825&start=6960 Box art V.P.

My first helicopter, I did a lot of mistakes, but at the end i’m satisfied also because the kit is not the easiest on the market (thank to S&M for giving us a kit of this interesting subject) I used some etched, built new landing gear with Albion alloy tubes, open 2 doors and folded rotor blades Colours are from Gunze Sorry for the low quality of the photos

Two Scouts completed for Eleventh Hour GB, a Libra vac and Mac kits. Couldn't help doing a group shot with a Pegasus Bristol M1C

Beaufighter TF.X Upgrade Sets (for Revell) 1:48 Eduard Revell's newly minted Beaufighter TF.X (reviewed here) seems to be finding favour with the modelling world, as it's the first new tooling we've had in a long time, although the previous Tamiya model is still pretty good. Eduard's new range of sets are here to improve on the kit detail in the usual modular manner. Get what you want for the areas you want to be more of a focal point. As usual with Eduard's Photo-Etch (PE) and Mask sets, they arrive in a flat resealable package, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between. Detail Set (49926) Two frets are included, one nickel plated and pre-painted, the other in bare brass. A complete set of new layered instrument panels with glossy dials are the primary parts on the painted set, with new rudder pedals; side console and sidewall details; crew hatch internal structure; antenna upgrade; intake meshes for the engines, and lamp holder for the landing light are also supplied. Zoom! Set (FE926) This set contains a reduced subset of the interior, namely the pre-painted parts that are used to improve on the main aspects of the cockpit, as seen above. Whatever your motivations for wanting this set, it provides a welcome boost to detail, without being concerned with the structural elements. Seatbelts STEEL (FE927) In case you don't already know, these belts are Photo-Etch (PE) steel, and because of their strength they can be etched from thinner material, which improves realism and flexibility in one sitting. Coupled with the new painting method that adds perceived extra depth to the buckles and other furniture by shading, they are more realistic looking and will drape better than regular brass PE. As well as the two sets of 4-point crew belts, you also get a metal surround to the hole in the back of the seat, and to install all this you will need to first remove the moulded-in belt detail. landing flaps (48967) Eduard landing flaps use an ingenious technique to achieve excellent true-to-scale flaps using few parts, and requiring the modeller to simply remove the retracted flaps from the lower wing, plus remove the chunky flap detail and scrape the upper wings to accommodate the thickness of the completed bays. Each half of the three flap sections (bay and flap itself) is constructed in the same manner, by twisting and folding over the attached ribs to create a 3D shape, with extra parts added along the way. The two-section bays glue to the inside of the upper wing and the flap is attached to the rear wall of the new bay. Repeat this for the other side, and you're almost done. The bays have additional strips that run the width of the flaps, and actuator details, with a scrap diagram showing the correct angle. Masks (EX621) Supplied on a sheet of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with a full set of masks for the canopy and blister, with compound curved handled by using frame hugging masks, while the highly curved gaps are in-filled with either liquid mask or offcuts from the background tape. In addition you get a set of hub/tyre masks for the wheels, allowing you to cut the demarcation perfectly with little effort. Masks Tface (EX622) Supplied on a sheet of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with everything above, but also give you another set of canopy masks tailored to fit the interior of the glazing so that you can paint the interior and give your model that extra bit of realism. Review sample courtesy of

As most will know Airfix are up to their stash spoiling ways again and are releasing a completely over detailed 1/48 Blenheim 1, at no point did they ask me if that was acceptable, if they had I would have told them straight 'no thank you, I have a perfectly good Contrail one'. So as a snub to Airfix I'm going to indulge in some proper modelling by building it regardless; it will be detailed but not over detailed with never to be seen again , I know it's there interiors and to make it different it will be the prototype Blenheim 1 K7033 in natural metal finish, a silver shiny Blenheim like this.... Typical Contrail vacform sheets, but I have a Classic Airframes interior resin set, plus replacement wheels and a paintmask- see, I'm not as stupid as I look. a few reference works to assist. Like all vac builds nothing will happen for a while why I hack and sand the bits into shape.

I'm feeling confident about finishing the Comet 4B now so here is the venerable Bristol Fighter F.2B to fill the gap for '1956' - confirmed on the Airfix Tribute Forum and Scalemates agrees. I've actually got two 'boxings' of this kit - one from 1962 in the well known 'Red Stripe' bag and one from 1987 in the 'no explosions / blueprint background' with different transfers for 5 Squadron. The box is / was still sealed and you can see that at one time in its career, it was on sale in Selfridges (no less) for £1.75. The older kit looks good with no flash but the transfers...! Those roundels look like eyes squinting sideways! Instructions are the traditional 'locate and cement' kind that actually educate you in all the aircraft terminology. Date inside the fuselage says 1957 - that makes the kit older than I am. Needs to be handled appropriately. I've decided to 'squirrel away' the early kit and build the later one - I'm not an antique dealer, honest! Here it is and it is from the period when the kits made in France - the plastic is more silver as opposed to silver-grey. Still a lack of flash though and the decals are good. I think I built the 'Dogfight Double' version of this first time round (last century) and this time I fancy trying some rigging (gulp) and a 'wood effect' on the prop - there have been bags of tips on BM.

Hello All, A bit late to the party but here is my project, two Bristol Scouts, one injection moulded by MAC and a vacform by Libra. Some spare parts from the MAC one including decals will be used in the vac build. Not decided schemes yet but the Libra will be a 'D' and the MAC a 'C' Just noticed the Libra kit is issue 001, would have been a collectors item if I hadn't already started chopping it up!

Hello, I`m starting another project, I`m going to use the Aviattic`s PC10 and CDL decals for the beastie. More pics soon. Here`s my inbox review of them (in Polish) if anyone`s interested: http://www.kfs-miniatures.com/

Avis is to release in September 2018 a limited edition 1/72nd Bristol 72 Racer kit - ref. BX72030 Source: http://scalemodels.ru/news/13001-Avis-1-72-Bristol-Racer.html V.P.

Bristol 171 Sycamore MK.52 Though shown as XG 545 the is an ex German Example. Pics thanks to Mike Costello.

Finally got started on my contribution, the venerable Bristol Bulldog, for some reason I have 3 although a few parts are missing so in reality there's enough to do 2. This one will be largely OOB as I am in respite after my Contrail Botha! The kits... Decided to open the blister pack but use the decals from the later boxed version as they are the only ones in usable condition. Here's what you get.. Noticed the poor pilot is missing a leg and some engine cowl bits have broken off and gone missing so will raid one of the other kits for replacements. Added a better seat, instrument panel, framing, control column etc to the cockpit, very little of which is seen once closed up. Closed up and spayed. The circular block on the lower wing looks at first like a casting mark but does exist on the real thing, there is a corresponding hole in the bottom of the fuselage to take it. The decals are thick and despite all my best endeavours refuse to sit well. I will replace the roundels with Xtradecal ones and possibly the lettering too. The tail ones are terrible and will be replaced by masking and spraying. I wanted to apply them at the gloss stage so that they don't silver, the fabric areas will be dulled down with matt varnish spray. All in all I'd say this is a well engineered kit and should go together well...more soon.

New year new project now that my contribution to the floatplanes GB is complete. My first GB and great fun it was, huge variety of flying boats and some excellent reults, so if you don't normally do GB's I can highly recommend them, I will certainly be doing more. Anyway decided to go right back to the beginning and have a go at a Bristol Boxkite, the choices are a micro photo etch one in 1/72 (quite expensive too) or the ancient Pyro/Lindberg one in 1/48, I've gone for the latter. The first problem is that picture on the box, the major wing ribs are underneath not on top, the model doesn't have any at all so this needs addressing. I think the first thing will be to sand the wings to remove all the ribs, I did consider replacing them entirely but the whole model would become very flimsy. So here's what you get. More soon. Considering using Bob's Buckles for the rigging, any one had experience of using them?

Quick question for the experten here. Im looking at possibly doing a plane for the RAF 100 Anniversary group build coming up in April. Im debating one of three options ? Im normally a WW2/Coldwar builder but im thinking of expanding into 1930’s types. For the build i was thinking either Bristol bulldog ? Hawker Fury ? Or if i stay WW2 an eagle squadron from the early years. I know there are airfix furies and bulldogs would these be good options to start with a 1930’s bi-plane ? Dennis

It's back to Bristol for this Bristol freighter. I wonder if Airfix will make a visit with the LIDAR kit? No, I thought not

Well it took longer than expected but enjoyable every minute. 16 years ago i built the airfix blenheim of the time. I was 10 years old, sat alongside my dad, using brushes and enamel paint. But today its all airbrushes and new tooled kits. This Airfix Bristol Blenheim MkIVf is the lastest tooling from airfix. It was a great kit with only a minor fit issue on the main fuselage join. Despite that every part was a great fit and had the resemblance of a Blenheim. The whole model was painted with vallejo model air which was a nerve racking task for me as this was my first camoflage aircraft painted using my airbrush. Ìt is a little rough round some of the edges but im more than happy with it. I learnt alot of new techniques along the way as well as some of the old tried and tested techniques. I used an enamal thinned paint for a panel line wash, and learning to preshade and create tonal variations in the paint. Finally the exhaust staining was done using chalk pastel shavings and also used some dry brushing to create chipping on the propelllors. Everything was then given a coat of matt varnish and finished off with removal of the masking tape. Overall i am happy with the Blenheim and cant wait for the 1/48 Mk1 from airfix. Thanks for looking in. On e again thanks for looking in.

So recently i got hold of one of my favourite world war 2 aircraft. The bristol blenheim was an aircraft which was both a bomber and a fighter but lacked improving technology along with other aircraft. By the 1940s it was considered the blenheim to be too outdated and was too slow against enemy fighters. Pilots and crew were awarded medals just for flying in the aircraft. So onto the kit and to begin with there is a very nice box art. And also a choice of day or night fighter included. And also some very well produced details, which is common in airfix new tooled models. As expected the parts are very well made... To begin with the undercarriage bulkheads where fitted into place and the main frames were fitted into place also. A small bit of detail will be required but already a good start. Next the main fuselage was joined together. Work then began on the cockpit sections. Including pilots seat bombardiers position and interior components. With a basecoat of green down weathering will be done with a wash and details picked out. To finish off the evening i fitted all the parts together with a dry fit to see how well the fitments are. Details and wash will be done next before fitting everything into place. And i am also looking for referances if for addimg details and other parts. Thanks for looking.

I finally finished something, and it's not even vacation time yet! This model was started a long time ago, and back then it was the first short run kit that I've ever attempted. Due to reasons it stalled at 25% done, but after all work on a Beaufighter during the autumn I got the mojo back to do something about this one. I had a fun time with the gun throughs and the cooling fans, but in the end they do look quite nice! Not so much with the rocket rails though :-( Anyway, here are the pictures (yes I wil cut of the radiowires a little more. I just need to have a steady one first or time the cutting to my heartbeats) Onwards and upwards. One finished is worth two new on the bench and five in the stash right? Here is a link to the WIP: (pictures from photobucket are blocked, but I might put them over to flickr if need be)

Freighter finally finished using the old Airfix kit, Magna conversion and lots of filler. Main changes are the engines beefed up with new exhaust positions, the Airfix ones are too small and the Magna ones simply wrong. Decals home made. A few pics... Just noticed how silvered the wing decal is, may correct that. Next project Contrail Blackburn Botha and a Bristol Scout.

I managed to pick this one up on ebay last month for the bargain price of £7 & have been itching to get started on it. It's actually the Eduard kit, just in a Revell box & with Revell instructions. No photo etch stuff, but I will be trying out Bob's Buckles for the first time. I received 30 eyelets & 20 turnbuckles this week - boy are they small ! After studying my pics of the Shuttleworth's F2B I can see that I'm going to need more. Paint will be mostly Vallejo model air, I don't have any colours that match the three main colours, so that's another order required before too long - lucky the kit cost next to nothing. I started putting the cockpit parts together using the revell instructions, but decided I didn't like their colour scheme, so the floor changed from Silver to wood. I should have done the grey & wood of the instrument panel the other way round, but I'm still pleased with the way it's come out. WP_20170611_17_00_07_Pro_LI by Andy Moore, on Flickr WP_20170611_16_11_02_Pro_LI by Andy Moore, on Flickr All the inside is now painted, well as far as I'm going to anyway - the bracing wires look a bit messy, if I was doing it again I think I'd paint some stretched sprue & stick it in place of the moulded wires. WP_20170611_17_23_01_Pro_LI by Andy Moore, on Flickr WP_20170611_18_03_01_Pro_LI by Andy Moore, on Flickr This is so much more fun than a grey jet fighter