AdrianMF Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Hello All, In an exercise in sheer perversity, here's the old tool Airfix Gladiator from 1957, upgraded a bit and using the spare canopy from the new tool Airfix Gladiator. I only bought this kit to get the 72 Squadron decals, but then got waylaid into building this as "Hope": It was quite fun, but ultimately you know that there is a much better kit out there (next to this one on my bench!) and so it's ultimately an exercise in frustration. Now to finish the new one! Thanks for looking, Adrian 31 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Moore Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Excellent...well done. Model on!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelglue Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 It looks great Adrian, the rigging is something that looks beautiful but I myself would never attempt! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stesca Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Very nice Adrian, rigging is neatly done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Very nice build! Rigging - are EZ? J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 Thanks chaps! J-W, most of the rigging is EZ-Line - I stuck the lower ends down directly to the painted surface and ran the upper ends to the top of the struts before I glued the top wing on - no drilling. The ailerons and tail rigging are stretched sprue. Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Superb job Adrian,looks a beauty considering it,s the old tool kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old thumper Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 What a bland kit the old Airfix Gladiator was, so few parts and not even a separate pilot figure. It can still make a nice model though as you have proven. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's a disease Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 It's been a while since I logged in! This kit rocks! I just learned about EZ line! (I got the old matchbox version today, still in cellophane!!! Aaaaaand the new Airfix version. Was doing some research and this thread popped up. . . .) Great build even if the kit is old! Is there a WIP file? Cheers, J. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 10, 2015 Author Share Posted August 10, 2015 Hi J, Yes there is: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234965482-gladiator-mini-group-build-new-airfix-gladiator-finished/?hl=%2Bold+%2Bgladiator+%2Badrianmf#entry1705718 Haven't got around to the 1/48th one yet... Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's a disease Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Taaaaa daaaaaa! Cheers mister! (Cheers Mr Adrian) I haven't got around to. . . (We all say that!) Hope I catch you when you do! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Excellent build, very nice. Hard to believe, thats the old one 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Hi Adrian, you've done a perversely great job!!! Brilliantly transformed this Neanderthal kit into something that even looks attractive! I keep looking at my old tool Gladiator every time I feel depressed and believe life can't get worse... Upon seeing the deformed bits of plastic, I know things could be a lot badder!!! Like having to build the "thing"... But 'my' model has got the chest and head (or the half thereof) of the pilot molded with each half fuselage... But looking to your WIP, your model looked like it had a normal cockpit opening... Did they make several versions of that monster, or had you already removed the offending pilot on your photos? You are a brave man... I salute you... JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 10, 2015 Author Share Posted August 10, 2015 Thanks Chaps... Did they make several versions of that monster, or had you already removed the offending pilot on your photos? Jean, I only bought the old one to get the rather excellent decal sheet from its last re-issue. Then I thought the spare canopy from the new one might fit the old one if the fuselage was sanded down to be narrower. So by the time I had sanded away enough to make the canopy fit, the moulded in pilot had gone! So I removed the rest of the shelf, knocked up a quick cockpit by copying the new one in card and scraps, and added a standard "Archie" . Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeSau75 Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 A very nice build of the Gladiator. Like the rigging. Cheers, Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Nice this Adrian, shows what a good modeller can do with a seriously crap old kit. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 Jean, I only bought the old one to get the rather excellent decal sheet from its last re-issue. Well, I was given a boxed old tool Gladiator with a rubbish decal sheet.... obviously from before the nice decals' time... So, lose-lose situation ...Damn! Lucky you!!! JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Russell Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Very nice for an old girl - I was hoping mine might inspire someone....... I also got one just for the decals! Couldn't give it away so I built it..... http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234955293-gladiators-in-ww2-old-and-new-airfix/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Moore Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Adrian...Outstanding job!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Gunthwaite Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 That's a good job! Did you replace the cowling? I made one a two or three years back (the threads on here somewhere!) and my cowling was very "flat" and with only faint humps for the cylinder covers. I made two engine/cowling - one out of the box (bag?), with a home made transfer to depict the covers and other details, the other was engine cowling, exhausts and prop from the old Airfix Blenhiem: I fix them to the fuselage with a bit of blutack so I can show the kit as built out of the box, or in the alternative with the "improved" cowling engine/assembly. Al 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted August 12, 2015 Author Share Posted August 12, 2015 Thanks for the comments! Ed - you can't just throw away the plastic now can you? Very nice builds too. Al - the cowling and engine are from the kit, modified a lot. There is a link to the WIP in post 10 above if you are interested in what I did. Regards, Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Gunthwaite Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Adrian I don't know how I managed to miss your build thread - a superb job on both kits. However I do think you have cheated grossly with the old kit Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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