To save me from completely losing the will to live from tackling attempting to turn Hobby Boss' Mi-8 actually into an Mi-8 I have decided to pick up what should (hopefully!) be a nice simple build of one of my favourite aircraft of all time, the Mig-21. I have decided to build an old Academy 1/48 Mig-21PF that I have had for a while as it is a fairly simple kit and (to me at least) looks like the plane its supposed to. The one part of the kit which definitely does need improving on is the cockpit as the kit one if rather basic to say the least, and to that end I have bought a resin replacement by Pavla which should hopefully fit better than their Mi-8 bits, I have given it a test fit and all seems well. Anyway here's the usual box and contents shots. The kit instructions and decals. I am not sure at the moment exactly which scheme to do it in but I will most likely not be using the kit decals, I have a few sets for the Mig-21.... Would you believe there isn't a PF on any of them! Obviously I need more decals! Some of the decals can be used on PF's as the national markings are the same. As I said I have a Pavla cockpit, and here are the various bits. Much more detailed than the kit offering but the instructions on what to remove from the kit are non-existent so I will have to give it my best guess, oh dear! I say I don't know exactly which scheme to do but I am leaning towards an Egyptian one such as either of the schemes below. Probably the bottom one. I know one of the kit options is Egyptian and in a very similar scheme but the national markings look too big to my eye, I'm sure I have some more suitable Egyptian markings somewhere in the stash. Thats it for now, thanks for looking in, and wish me luck! Craig.

I think this is the first new ship kit from Academy in quite a while. Interesting that they are going with 1/700 instead of 1/350: https://www.cybermodeler.com/news/academy.shtml

Hi all, If anyone remembers this from 2014, I'm doing another one! This time it's a commission build. I'll be using the same kit (Academy Sufa) and the IsraCast Block 60 F conversion for a UAE Air Force bird. Work starts soon, and I'm going to get back to my usual building pace. Al

Hi Guys. Now that I recently finished 2 projects (one Bearcat and one Lavochkin), it's time to move on with another one. My next client will be the Bf109D in 1/48 from Academy. I intend to use the Eduard zoom set for this kit also. Because I want to convert it to a Bf109 A, I bought myself also the Kagero Top Drawings edition dedicated to Bf 109 early (A to D) series. I hope that it will guide me in order to obtain a decent 109 Anton replica. First, I present you the mandatory pics with kit box and its contents. Hope I will be able to finish this one. It will be a long-term project anyway, because I'm such a slow builder... So, I'm thinking about Spain...1937...

Well my Spitfires decals were settling so I was stuck for something to do so I decided I would make a start on one of the builds I would like to do for this GB. This ones just going to be a quick out the box effort on Academys 1/72 MiG-27. I know the kits got its issues, I beleive the nose is wrong for a D and the cockpit detail is almost none existant but I'm just looking for a quick build again at the moment and not get bogged down with corrections and detailing etc on this whilst I'm waiting on parts for a couple of other builds I want to get done for this and another gb so onwards. Obligatory box and sprue shot:

Academy is to release a - new tool or (most probably) Italeri kit rebox ? - 1/48th Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet - ref. 12316 This ref. number was not announced in the catalogue 2017: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235014703-academy-catalogue-2017-programme-newsletter-1q-2017/ Source: https://tieba.baidu.com/p/5169820785 V.P.

Hello Modellers, because my wife told me that she's fed up with my airplanes all aorund at home I had to take my latest on to my office at work.... Thank God I have some space and maybe in the near future i will bring also another one. This dauntless is almost OOB with just some details added in the cockpit. Painting has been done with airbrush and Tamiya acrylics. Matt finishing is also a Tamiya but spray can. Any comment and criticism is welcome . Enjoy pictures even if quality is not really the best (I took them with mobile phone...). Cheers Andy

Hi guys! This time I would like to show you my last model. It´s the simple Academy F4U-1D Corsair in 1/72. It has some Eduard PE and some improvements, like a longer tail gear and navigation lights. Decals are custom made and the bands are painted to represent an aircraft of the USS Intrepid. I hope you like it! Every critics and comments are welcomed! Best regards from Uruguay, Ignacio

We've got four excellent New Plastic Model Kits From Academy Models to show you, including a 1/72 SR-71 Blackbird with GTD-21 Drone, a Russian T-34/76 Factory No.183 in 1/32 and two Modeller's Edition ship kits: The USS Missouri BB-63 & USS Enterprise CV-6 both in 1/700 Scale. See more details below.

Got this one finished and in the photo booth. It really is a great kit with no major problems, may possibly add a mine detection device when it goes on a diorama eventually. Also might be worth saying that the doors and the rear boot section are only tacked in with a bit of pva in case I have to open them later which is why you might spot a bit of a gap. Kit manufacturer: academy Scale: 1/35 Type: M1151 Humvee Extras used: DEF models resin sagged wheels Paints and colours used: MRP 080 and various tamiya. Weathered with mig pigments and ak washes

Hi guys. Welcome to my latest WIP of the lovely Academy P-38 Lightning. 1/48 Ive been itching to start this for some time now and was held up only by my Eurofighter's canopy malfunction. which has now been remedied and can be found here in RFI (link to be added) I bought this kit a while ago having a yearning to go all silver something I tested out on my Vampire build last year. I'm planning on doing some new techniques on the weathering and painting of the silver panels so fingers crossed all goes to plan. I had also planned on doing the "droopsnoot" variant but while waiting for the Eurofighter parts I ended up falling out of love with the kit decals and falling in love with the brash American nose art that adorned these planes so I went and bought some rather saucy after market decals and some other bits and bobs while I was at it, what was that about the devil and idle hands? So here's my homage to Bold American Aeroplanes with a penchant for rather inappropriate nose art. I hope you will join me it's going to be fun. (Probably) after all it's nearly Summer. First up some pictures of what I'm starting with. The box art is lovely. And here are the decals I'll be using. I love the olive strips on the nose but I'm still not decided on which scheme to go for. this one with a yummy yellow tail and red nose. Or this one with swirls and stripes. any preference? also while checking over the kits office I noticed the lack of detain on the IP and other areas so I couldn't help myself and bought this. looks rather pretty. I doubt if I can make a start tonight but I thought I'd at least start the ball rolling. Thanks for joining me and as always. Happy Modelling. Johnny boy.

Well, here goes! In at the deep end for my first WIP. All my previous builds have been projects that have several WIP's against them, but this is not seen so often. Continuing the theme of jets I worked on in the RAF, this will be a Hunter T7 to go with the Buccaneer in 237 OCU markings. I'm using the Academy Hunter F6 kit with the Heritage T7 conversion along with a few AM extra's On top of the conversion work, I'll also be trying to correct some of the Academy kits errors. Don't expect work to progress at a blistering rate, it took 6 months to build the Phantom!!! All the bits. The Heritage conversion set. The main fuselage components marked ready for cutting. Just off for a stiff drink before I get the razor saw out! Rob.

I've been searching lately for a resin exhaust set for the Academy F-15C MSIP boxing but I'm unable to find any. I know that Eduard did some for their Fighting Eagles edition but there's nothing on their website about them anymore. So I was wondering if anyone has tried to fit the Aires set thats meant for the Hasegawa kits to an Academy version? Are they a good fit? Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. EDIT: I was wondering if I could be really cheeky and ask a huge favour? Does anyone on here have the Aires F-15 exhausts within easy reach? If so, would it be possible to get a couple of measurements? Specifically the burner can diameter that sits inside the airframe and the outer diameter of the can where it buts up to the fuselage. Any help would be much appreciated.

After the two-seats F/A-18F Super Bug - ref.12535 - (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234994146-172-boeing-fa-18f-super-hornet-by-academy-released/), Academy is to release in 2017 a 1/72nd USN Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet "VFA-143 "Pukin Dogs" kit - ref.12547. Source: https://www.facebook.com/academymodeleurope/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1575659209129938 V.P.

Hello, just few weeks ago i finished Su-27 from Academy. I used HDL Decals, Eduard Pe set, Correct Nose from QB and Pavla K-36M Zvezda, also i added a wires on landing gears and wheelbays. Just like always my Su-27 has got few mistakes (i broken canopy, the color and paint scheme are incorrect. Another mistake is incorrect Nose paint scheme (it should be straight, and i made paint it curve). I hope you will enjoy.

Hi all, I recently completed this a few weeks ago and I decided to upload it here. The build wasn't that enjoyable and I'm not to pleased how it turned out to be honest . The decals are just a bunch of markings I had spare so it is in no way historically accurate

The Academy catalogue 2017 is online here: https://www.facebook.com/academymodeleurope/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1575659209129938 News pages: Just one new aircraft tooling: the 1/72nd McDD F-15E & K Strike/Slam Eagle - ref.12550 & 12554 - thread: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235013557-new-tool-f-15ek-by-academy-in-172/ All the other "new" kits being repop (with new decals) or variants from old kits. Nonetheless interesting is a 1/72nd single seat F/A-18E Super Hornet kit (thread: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235014755-172-boeing-fa-18e-super-hornet-release-in-2017/) a variant from the FA-18F Super Bug - ref. 12535 - released on July 2016 (thread: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234994146-172-boeing-fa-18f-super-hornet-by-academy-released/). Not even a 1/48th F-4E (derived from F-4C/D kit) nor a FA-50 (derived from the T-50 kit)... And a few other "things" V.P.

Well you just can't have enough doras ! This is an older project but i finally managed to take some photos . Very nice and simple model . I added the rivets to make it more interesting . Hope you like it ! ( until the next dora ! ) IMG_20170304_181530 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr IMG_20170304_181541 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr IMG_20170304_181609 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr IMG_20170304_181557 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr IMG_20170304_181619 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr

Hi all, me again! Well, the postman dropped this wonderful kit off last week: The tooling looks excellent: (and so does this chap): Anyway, my aim is simple*- convert this Phantom F4J into an RAF grey/green FGR.2 F-4J(UK) *Simple, meaning a process that requires a metric crap-tonne of work.... - The main points to be aware of are threefold: 1. Decals 2. Shape of the tail 3. Shape of the engine exhasuts As of a few moments ago, I ordered a set of decals from Hannants to partly solve problem 1 (stencils will need to be scraped together from the spare decals box) And as for the other 2 issues, I can solve the shape of the tail by using scrap plasticard to replicate the rectangular shaped fairing at the top of the FGR.2's tail and for 3.... well I'm not sure about that. I could try and see if I have any spare nozzles or cylindrical shaped objects from other kits lying around or I could find a 1:48 bomb of the right diameter and cut that into sections to be shaped into the nozzles? I was tempted to go for the aftermarket resin nozzles that are available but at £10 for a comparatively small item is a bit much. So, that's it for now. Kind regards, Sam EDIT: Changed from F-4J to FGR2 to --> F-4J to F-4J(UK)

Long time no see Britmodeller, but I have not been resting on my laurels. Here's the Academy 1/72 Hornet from the 1986 Libya strike. At least I hope it is. Markings come from one of the Aeromaster Stinging Hornets set and has aircraft 203 from VFA-132 Privateers. I'm not sure if this particular aircraft flew in the strike (I know 200 did) but I will assume that it did. The aircraft is armed with a pair of AGM-88 HARM missiles as in real life, with accompanying AIM-9s and AIM-7s. The aircraft is painted using Gunze colors in the original Hornet colors of Light Ghost Gray (FS 36375) over Light Gray (FS 36495). I'm still not quite convinced about the accuracy of Gunze's LGG. I feel it has a purplish tint that shouldn't be there. Metal surfaces were painted with Citadel metallics (old formula). I used white missile markings as I have seen some pictures where they were still carried around this time. The HARM markings were taken from a Revell F/A-18F decal sheet and the HARMs themselves from a Revell F-16C kit. A Windsor & Newton pigment marker was used for the red edges of the bay doors. I love the Academy legacy Hornet. It has some fit issues (dry fitting strongly recommended) and the nose is a complicated 4-piece setup but it looks gorgeous once built. There was no aftermarket used as none was needed although the cockpit, while detailed, might not be enough for purists. A bit of filling and sanding was needed to remove some of the bumps that are not appropriate for a mid-1980s Hornet. Thanks for looking!

This was a straightforward build for a cancer research fundraising GB, with the only additions being the Kormoran 1 courtesy of Eduard, and a modified brass pitot for a Jaguar. This is the Academy kit from the 1985 boxing (I was able to utilize the original decals), based on 1970's tooling. Had I noticed when I was ordering the Kormorans that the package included one 1, and one 2, I would've ordered 2 packs to hang a pair of Kormoran 1s off the pylons. Oh well, so be it. I've always kinda liked asymmetrical load outs anyways. Or perhaps he has just fired one at a target..... On to the pics, because I know that's the only reason anyone is looking.

Hi folks, After a looong period of starting plenty of kits and finishing none, I decidced I'd do something quick to get the modelling mojo back. I chose Academy F-4J, with decals from SWS. So here goes my F-4J(UK) Phantom, with Mr Paint paints (yeah, I know) for the FS36440 and FS36270 greys and Tamiya XF-25 for the very peculiar blue-grey found on these Phantoms. Cheers, Sébastien

Hey guys, here's my try at Academy Fortress. Almost OOB, with exception of QB gun barrels and scratchbuilt landing lights. Markings are from Revell, since i always wanted to do "Shamrock", with it's replacement tail, it makes otherwise dull overall Olive Drab looks interesting. I preshaded the model with Gunze Tire black, and then gradually painted OD in about a dozen thin layers. I used Gunze OD and faded OD, and repainting of markings is done with MM OD. Wash is Tamiya, weathering done with Tamiya Smoke + Tamiya D set. Sligh chipping is done using artist silver pencil. Comments are welcome, thanks for looking!

Me 262 build starts here! I started this build on Sunday 28th August. I've cleared up my environment so I'm free to make models once again, although it has been some time, so I thought I'd brush up on my skills again before I finish/ruin that harrier! So far I've been working on a mister craft hawker hunter which is near ready for paint and the aforementioned Airfix harrier which I've been dabbling with...... So, on with this build.... I decided it's going to be fast and from the box! A few parts make up the nose section and wings the fit is excellent, the wing/fuselage joint just clicks in, as does the cockpit assembly. This area was a bit fiddly! I superglued the console to my finger and I lost the control column to the carpet monster.......which, on a clean wooden floor is some feat.... (Oh yeah, there is also a big glue finger print melted into the port wing. Once dry I sanded this up. Looks ok now..... Glad I chose to practice!!,) After getting bored of searching for the missing part I picked out a few colours and laid down some paint.....first use of the gun in a while! Felt goooood! Went to bed, woke up, found the control column. Happy days. I used tamiya paints; German grey for the cockpit. RLM 02 for the undercarriage legs, doors and bays. Me262 round 2....... Cockpit. Some parts of this type I'm unsure of, I couldn't help but look for some pics to see what you should have here. Clearly seatbelts and seat cushion are missing. Also the gunsight is missing. There are a few more little details but I want this to be quick! The piece of foil that holds headache pills has a light embossed pattern. I've read about using this for belts. Why not have a go? It took longer than expected! Cut with a steel rule and scalpel, the "belts" were fixed with superglue. Seat cushion from styrene sheet, rounded a bit with a file so it looks more ummm, cushiony? Painted with games workshop acrylics. Browns on the cushion and bone for the belts. A few (because they were nearest) Airfix acrylic colors were used in the tub for switches and dry brushing. Tamiya flat black for the dials and green for the rediscovered control column boot. Looks ok. A fairly accurate representation of what should be. Except for the gunsight. Not sure about building one yet, I wanted a quick build. Sidewalls could do with something GAP filling... It should be fairly straightforward, looks to be parallel. Maybe next time? The fit of the tub assembly to the fuselage is excellent, it just snaps in... No glue! I just tacked it in with superglue. Me262 Weight and Luck! According to the instructions you need 5-8g in the nose. I found some appropriate sized weights. This time I'm using little screws, this turns out to be a lucky find! The small screws are about 0.5g and the big screws are about 1g. I could only fit two screws in the nose, so I had to remove the cockpit, that's the lucky bit, I'm glad I just tacked it with super glue. I got 8 small plus blu tac between the bulkheads, and I can fit 2 large into each engine nacelle. That's enough! This time I used the scalpel handle and blu tac to form a counter balance, just add screws! Me262 cockpit 2. I had to remove the cockpit to get some extra weight in! While it was out....... I broke the instrument panel off, by accident. While it was off....... I thought I'd add some of the wiring which can be seen through the glass... I discovered this detail while looking for the cockpit references. This took ages but I advanced my skills my a bit. I made some little instrument backs from the spares box, drilled some holes for the wire which was sprayed yellow and everything was superglued into place and trimmed to length with cutters. Then the panel complete was refitted to the tub. I think the wire was too firm for the task, I must try and get some lead wire. That's it for this part! Too much time wasted here....now time for the engines. (Pic to follow......)

HI again fellow modellers, Some of you out there must have had the experience of building a model that at some point during the build you think 'this is the best model I've ever done; my magnum opus !' This was such a build, everything was going swimmingly, I'd got the 'patchy' Hornet scheme off to a tee and it went together well(my first Academy build) until decal time This was the Blue Angels version of the kit but I fancied a proper 'warbird' so bought some aftermarket decals(Techmod) from Hannants. They were pants. Kept breaking and the ones that didn't seem to have a really visible carrier film. I compounded this by doing my usual overweathering. To add insult to injury when I'd virtually finished I noticed various decals had 'disappeared', despite being matt coated, including the all-important 'Dirty Dan' title which was the major point of the excercise Then I forgot to do the false canopy until after decaling and the masking ripped off the national insignia(to spares box for a hi-viz insignia which I attempted to tone down with some dilute grey paint(partial success)). Anyway enough of my rant............here it is, warts and all !! PS: I know Marine Hornets rarely carried GBU's during Gulf I as they had no self-lasing capability, However this has a spot tracker/strike cam so it could drop these if buddy or ground lased..............that's my excuse anyway