Eric Mc Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 The Airfix B-26 is still a very good model - even if it has raised panel lines. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigglesof266 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 On 2/11/2017 at 8:34 PM, colsom said: need something to practice airbrushing in particular along with all the other skills I keep discovering here and on Youtube. <snip> Are these kits, which are marked as unopened, any different to the equivalent kits available today or am I going to find them poor quality? First, what's your scale? From the gist if you're targeting Airfix, that suggests 1/72. Ancient Airfix go under the auspices of collectors kits today, or so many sellers think gauging from the silly eBay prices I've seen. Admittedly 1/72 isn't my preferred scale but I have more than a few. My choice for an inexpensive canvas overall is Academy, many of which are reboxed half decent Minicraft moulds. But that's in 1/48. They can be had inexpensively most everywhere, but especially over the internet. They also have a solid 1/72 range and are generally well distributed. Arii (Microace) is also excellent, as in inexpensive, but one generally needs to source over the internet pay shipping which you are already doing? Their 1/48 moulds date from the late 1970s and early 1980s but still scrub up fine generally and represent fantastic value on a budget. They just don't have the extensive detail of modern kits. Arii 1/48 (reboxed oTAKI) offer a solid range of Japanese single engine subjects, and smattering of the best known Allied chestnuts. They also have small 1/72 range. Airfix kits of 40 years ago and up until less than a decade ago are the very same Airfix kits you remember of 40 years ago. The best part of them is still Roy Cross's magnificent header card art and the halcyon memory of imaginative play. In comparison with kits of today, they are crude, and some raised rivet ridden extravaganzas as was in vogue circa late '60s early '70s. But as you yourself intimate, if all you're going to use them for is a practise canvas, those factors are immaterial. The problem is, IMO respecting OMMV, Airfix kits are overpriced in comparison with the competition in an extremely competitive marketplace today. But, if you can source them 'cheap cheap cheap' from within the UK....why not? IME though, the most expensive aspects of model building are time and effort, achievement of the objective within reasonable application of both vital to maintaining motivation. Some of Airfix's newer 1/72 kits are exceptionally good, but then you pay for it. e.g. A.W. Whitley, Do 17Z. Not test canvasses. Some are the old 1960s moulds in a bright new red box, and you still pay for it. e.g 1/72 H.P. Hampden, Ju 88A-4, Mitsubishi "Dinah" (Ki-46 II). You wouldn't be looking to these at their pricing as disposable canvas. OTOH, new Series 1 equivalent Airfix kits that were both inexpensive and decent in 1/72, not so sure now Airfix have stopped supplying eHattons, are their new 1/72 Bf 109E, Spitfire I, Hurricane I, P-51D, Fw 190A-8, Zero A6M2 Rei-Sen. These are little beauties in scale. Airfix is probably a good choice regardless, if A. British is what inspires you, and B. 1/72 your focus. Eduard's 1/72 range is expanding and their prices are very keen IMV. e.g. For me, there is hardly a difference in price between for instance Eduard's Weekend Bf-110 and Airfix's newer mould Bf 110. I have both in 1/72. What pennies it is is so insignificant as to not be a factor. Advantages and disadvantages to both however. The advantage of for instance a new mould Airfix Bf 110 vs a Eduard Weekend Bf 110 is the former's build simplicity, and crevice like panel lines notwithstanding, it still looks like a Bf 110. Doesn't matter as a canvas. Just my 02c. I know how you feel feeling your way when you see some of the masters here like Reini78's dad's work. Only way is to get stuck in has been my approach. Mistakes will be made. That's the curve. Binning an Academy or Arii attempt however, however is a lot less $$ painful than state of the art Dragon, MENG, Eduard Profi or newer mould Tamiya, especially in 1/48. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsom Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 More good advice thanks. The more I delve into eBay the more I realise that the prices are ridiculous as the kits can be had much cheaper from other sellers, Kingkits to name just one. I agree with your opinion about time and effort. For me neither are an issue. I'll put in whatever effort is needed to get a good result. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Another point not mentioned, is that a 40YO kit will have well yellowed decals. Replaceable, but at additional cost and effort. If OP wants cheap kits to practice painting on, frequent shops like The Works, The Range, Home Bargains, Aldi, and Lidl, the all have occasional bargains - newly moulded and new decals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDriskill Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) On February 18, 2017 at 6:09 AM, theplasticsurgeon said: Another point not mentioned, is that a 40YO kit will have well yellowed decals. Yellowed decal sheets can be cured by sealing in a plastic bag, and taping it facing out, to the inside surface of an exterior window for a couple days. The ultraviolet component of sunlight works miracles. There may be other reasons to avoid vintage decals, of course. Sunlight is not so much help with dried-out, broken, incomplete, or inaccurate decal sheets! Edited February 19, 2017 by MDriskill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Quote On 28/05/2012 at 16:46, Jennings Heilig said: The yellowing is caused by oxidation (redox). Sometimes you can bleach it out with UV light (although in the UK, that might be kind of a dicey proposition for most of the year). The problem is, the yellowing will return. The chemical reaction that caused it in the first place will continue to take place. The organic molecules in the decal film will oxidize, just like if you scrub a steel pan shiny, then leave it out, it will rust again. As long as oxygen is present, the yellowing will return. Even "sealing" a decal on a model doesn't prevent the diffusion of oxygen into the decal. sun bleaching does work, but for how long is the point. This may or may not be a problem depending on how long you need the model. HTH 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Using the sun to bleach decals works quite well. How quickly the process moves along depends on a number of factors - the state of the decals the manufacturer of the decals the level and length of sunlight available In the summer, I've found blue tacking a decal sheet to a south facing conservatory window allow yellowing to fade in about a week - if the weather is good. Although I've not tried it myself, I have heard that the ultraviolet lights used to dry finger nails also does the trick in a couple of minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Thompson Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 FWIW I've done this a lot over the last 20 years, and have yet to have any decals so treated re-yellow once applied and varnished, for which I use 2 brush coats of Klear/Future before whatever (usually acrylic) varnish for the final coat. To prevent condensation causing problems I always put the decals in a ziplock bag before taping them to a south facing window. As others have said, it could take a week (where I lived before in the Netherlands), and up to 2 weeks here in Scotland. If the decals are old enough to need bleaching they usually also need an insurance coat of Microscale Liquid Decal Film to prevent disintegration. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre B Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) My experience with older Airfix kit is that it is to knew what to get and what to avoid. I still think that Airfix kits as the A-1J Skyraider (1968), Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Ia (1979) and F2H Banshee (1980) are nice kit to get and build. Others as Grumman J2f-5 Duck and Ford Trimotor are still almost the only ones to get. But the older Corsair, Dauntles, A-4 Skyhawk, Dornier Do 217 E/J is best to avoid if one has in mind to build an nice kit... /André Airfix 1/72 Aircraft complete list... AH-64D Longbow Apache 2004Aichi D3A1 Val 1965Airco DH4 1967Airspeed Horsa Glider 2008Albatros D.V 1957Arado Ar 196 1966Armstrong Whitworth Seahawk 1959Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk.V 2015Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk.VII 2016 *Auster 6 Antartic 1958Avro 504K 1967Avro Anson I 1962Avro Lancaster B.I 1958Avro Lancaster B.I Special 2001Avro Lancaster BI(F.E.)/BIII 2014Avro Lancaster B.II 2013Avro Lancaster B.III 1980Avro Lancaster Dam Buster 1993Avro Lancaster 'Dambusters' 2013Avro Shackleton MR2 2015Avro Vulcan B.2 1983BAC Canberra B(I).6 1973BAC Jaguar 1970BAC Jet Provost Mk.3 1960BAC Lightning F.3 1988BAC Strikemaster 1974BAC TSR.2 2005BAe Agile Combat Aircraft 1984 *BAe Harrier GR.3 1982BAe Harrier GR.5 1991BAe Harrier GR.7 1991BAe Harrier GR.7A/GR.9A 2010BAe Harrier T.10 1991BAe Hawk Mk.I 2010BAe Hawk 128 / 132 2008BAe Red Arrows Hawk 2008BAe Sea Harrier FA2 2009BAe Sea Harrier FRS1 2009BAe/MDD T-45 Goshawk 1988 *Battle of Britain Memorial Flight 1990Beagle Basset 1968Bell AH-1T Sea Cobra 2004Bell P-39 Airacobra 1965[/b]Beaufighter and Bf 109 (Dogfight Double) 1966Blackburn NA.39 Buccaneer 1960Blohm und Voss BV 141B 1970Boeing AH-64 Apache Longbow 2008Boeing Chinook HC.1 1984 *Boeing CH-47 Chinook 2001Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 1962Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 1999Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 2016Boeing B-29 Superfortress 1965Boeing Sentry AEW.1 1991Boeing Vertol 107-II 1965Boulton Paul Defiant N.F.I 1960Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I 2015Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.1 Dornier Do 17z (Dogfight Double) 2015Brewster F2A Buffalo 1972Bristol and Fokker (Dogfight Double) 1965Bristol Beaufighter TFX 1958Bristol Beaufighter Mk.X 2015Bristol Beaufighter Mk.X / Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8 Dogfight Doubles Gift Set 2015Bristol Beaufighter Mk.X (late) 2016Bristol Belvedere 192 1959Bristol Blenheim 2014Bristol Blenheim IV 1968Bristol Bulldog IIa 1970Bristol Fighter F2b 1956Bristol Superfreighter Mk32 1959Britten-Norman Defender 1977Camel and Albatros (Dogfight Double) 1965Cessna O-1 Bird Dog 1973Cessna O-2A 1969Cessna O-2 and MiG-21 (Dogfight Double) 1971Commonwealth Boomerang 1965Consolidated B-24J Liberator 1963Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina 1964Curtiss Kittyhawk 1964Curtiss P-40B Tomahawk 2011Curtiss P-40B & Mitsubishi A6M2b Type 21 Zero (Dogfight Double) 2011Curtiss SB2C Helldiver 1968D-Day 60th Anniversary Gift Set 2004Dassault Mirage 2000C 1990Dassault Mirage IIIC 1964Dassault Mirage F.1C 1979Dassault Super Etendard 1990Dassault Super Mystere B2 1972DH Canada Beaver 1972DH Canada Chipmunk 1970DH Mosquito II/VI/XVIII 1972DH Mosquito FBVI (1st Tool) 1957DH Mosquito NF.XIX 1995DH Tiger Moth 1957DH 82a Tiger Moth 2014DH Vampire FB.5 1998DH Vampire T11 2013Dornier Do 17E/F 1972Dornier Do 17Z 2014Dornier Do 217E-2 1960Dornier Do 217E/J 1978Dornier Do 217 Mistel 2001Dornier-Dassault Alpha Jet 1980Douglas A-1 Skyraider 1968Douglas A-4B Skyhawk 2012Douglas A4D1 Skyhawk 1958Douglas A/B-26 Invader 1971Douglas AC-47 Gunship 1973Douglas Boston III 1963Douglas Dakota C-47 A/D Skytrain 2014Douglas Dakota MkIII with Willys Jeep 2014Douglas DC-3 1960Douglas DC-3 Dakota 2001Douglas F4D-1 Skyray 1977[/b]Douglas SBD Dauntless 1967Douglas TBD Devastator 1969English Electric Canberra B (I)8 2008English Electric Canberra PR.9 2008English Electric Lightning F.1A 1963English Electric Lightning F2A/F.6 2013Eurofighter EFA 1990Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II 1983Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II + Mavericks 1988Fairey Battle 1968Fairey Firefly 1966Fairey Swordfish II 1958Fairey Swordfish 1983Fairey Swordfish Mk.I 2011Falklands Anniversary Gift Set 2008Fiat G.50 1967Fiat G.91R 1959Fieseler Fi 156 Storch 1967F.M.A. IA 58A Pucara 2008Focke Wulf Fw 189A-2 1970Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8 2013Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8/F-8 1978Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8/F-8 2013Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8 & Hawker Typhoon 1b (Dogfight Doubles) 2013Focke Wulf Fw190D 1958Focke Wulf Fw 190D-9 1979Focke Wulf Mistel (Ta-154 & Fw-190A) 2008Fokker Dr1 Triplane 1957Fokker E.II/E.III Eindecker 2016Fokker E.II/RAF BE2c (Dogfight Double) 2016 *Folland Gnat 1964Folland Gnat 2011Fouga Magister 1976Ford Trimotor 1968General Dynamics F-16A/B 1982General Dynamics F-111A 1967General Dynamics F-111E 1976Gloster Gladiator MkI 1956Gloster Gladiator 1 2013Gloster Javelin FAW.9/9R 1994Gloster Javelin T.3 1993Gloster Meteor III 1970Gloster Meteor F.8 2008Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat 2015Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat & Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' (Dogfight Double) 2015Grumman F6F Hellcat 1968Grumman F-14A Tomcat 1976Grumman Gosling (Widgeon) J4F-1 1959Grumman J2F-6 Duck 1969Grumman Martlet Mk.IV 2016Grumman TBM-3 Avenger 1966Grumman Wildcat VI 1964Handley Page C-10A Jetstream 1969Handley Page Halifax B.III 1961Handley Page Hampden 1968Handley Page 0/400 1969Handley Page Victor B.2 2016Hannover CLIIIA 1968Hawker Demon 1968Hawker P.1127 1963Hawker Harrier GR1 2013Hawker Hart 1957Hawker Hunter F.6 1960Hawker Hunter FGA.9 1984Hawker Hurricane MkI 'Early' 2013Hawker Hurricane I 1979Hawker Hurricane I/II 1972Hawker Hurricane IIC 1990Hawker Hurricane MkIIc 2009Hawker Hurricane IV RP 1957Hawker Sea Fury FB11 2008Hawker Tempest V 1990Hawker Typhoon IB 1959Hawker Typhoon Ib 2013Hawker Siddeley/BAe Nimrod MR-2P 2006Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B 1989Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2B / S2-C-D S Mk50 2010Hawker Siddeley Dominie 1968Hawker Siddeley Harrier AV-8A 2015Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1 1969Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3 2013Hawker Siddeley Hawk 1975Heinkel He111H-6 2016Heinkel He 111H-20 1962Heinkel He111P-2 2015Heinkel He 177A-5 1967Henschel Hs 123A 1970Henschel Hs 126 1978Henschel Hs 129B 1968Horsa Glider 2008Hunting Percival Jet Provost T.3 2016Hurricane and Ju 88 (Dogfight Double) 2005Ilyushin Stormovik 1964Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle 1968Junkers Ju 52/3m 1965Junkers Ju 87/Gloster Gladiator (Dogfight Double) 2016*Junkers Ju87B Stuka 1957Junkers Ju 87B 1980Junkers Ju 87B-1 'Stuka' 2015Junkers Ju 87B/R Stuka 1978Junkers Ju 87B-2/R-2 'Stuka' 2017Junkers Ju 88A-4 1964Kaman SH-2F Seasprite 1983Kamov Ka-25A/C Hormone 1984Kamov Ka-25B Hormone 1985Kamov Ka-25B Hormone 1989Lockheed AC-130H 1987Lockheed C-130 Hercules 2001Lockheed C-130K Hercules 1969Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star 1974Lockheed F-104G Starfighter 1963Lockheed F-117A Stealth 1992Lockheed Hudson I 1963Lockheed P-38F Lightning 1972Lockheed P-38J Lightning 1958Lockheed S-3A Viking 1979Lockheed U-2B/D 1984Lockheed YF-22 Lightning II 1992LTV A-7D/E Corsair II 1972Martin B-26 Marauder 1973Martin B-57B/E Canberra 1987MBB Bo 105C 1979McDonnell F2H Banshee 1980McDonnell F-4B Phantom II 1965McDonnell F-4B/C/E/J Phantom 1971McDonnell F-15A/B Eagle 1980MDD F-15E Strike Eagle 1993MDD F-18A Hornet 1982McDonnell Douglas FG.1 Phantom 2017 *Messerschmitt Bf 109E 1977Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 2012Messerschmitt Bf 109E-Tropical 2012Messerschmitt Me109F 1956Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 1965Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 2009Messerschmitt Bf 109K 1990Messerschmitt Bf 110C-2/C-4 2010Messerschmitt Me110D 1959Messerschmitt Bf 110E/E-2 Trop 2010Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet 1977Messerschmitt Me 262A 1960Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a Schwalbe 2017*Meteor III and Doodlebug (Dogfight Doubles) 2005Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 15 1958Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 15 2009Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 21c 1967Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Flogger 1980Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum 1990Mil Mi-24 Hind 1984Mil Mi-24 Hind A 1988Mirage and MiG 15 (Dogfight Doubles) 1968Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero 1959Mitsubishi A6M2b Type 21 Zero 2011Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah 1965Modern Dogfight 1998 *Mosquito and Me 262 (Dogfight Doubles) 1967NA B-25 Mitchell 1965North American B25C/D Mitchell 2017 *NA F-51 Mustang 2012NA F-86D Sabre 1975NA F-86F Sabre 2003NA Harvard II 1962NA OV-10A Bronco 1969NA P-51B Mustang 1979NA P-51D Mustang 1958NA P-51D Mustang 1974NA P-51D Mustang 2012NA P-51D Mustang & F-15 Eagle 2008NA RA-5C Vigilante 1971North American Sabre 2010NA T-6G Texan 2005Nakajima B5N1 'Kate' 2016Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' 2015Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter 1966Northrop F-5E Tiger II 1984Northrop P-61 Black Widow 1967Northrop RF-5E Tiger Eye 1988Panavia MRCA 1976Panavia Tornado F.3 1989Panavia Tornado GR.1 1983Panavia Tornado GR4/4A 2004Petlyakov Pe-2 1968Piper Cherokee Arrow 1974R.A.F. R.E.8 1957RAF/NATO Weapons Set 1992RAF Red Arrows Hawk 2010Red Arrows Gnat 1974Red Arrows 40th Display Season 2004Republic F-84F Thunderstreak 1974Republic F-105F Thunderchief 1983Republic F-105G Wild Weasel 1988Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 1966Rockwell B-1B 1984Rockwell OV-10D Bronco 1983Roland C.II 1965Roland and R.E.8 (Dogfight Doubles) 1965Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c 2016Saab Draken 1971Saab JAS 39 Gripen 2001Saab Tunnan 2005Saab Viggen 1971Savoia-Marchetti SM79 1967Saunders Roe SR53 1958Scottish Aviation Bulldog 1975Sepecat Jaguar GR.1/GR.3 1977Short Skyvan 1975Short Stirling 1966Short Sunderland III 1959Shorts Tucano T.1 1990Sikorsky CH-53G 1982Sikorsky HH-53C 1981Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King 1969Sopwith 2F1 Camel 1957Sopwith Pup 1975SPAD VII 1967Spitfire and Bf 110 (Dogfight Doubles) 1966Spitfire & RAF Personnel 2005Spitfire IIa & Eurofighter EFA 2008Stormovik and FW 190 (Dogfight Doubles) 1968Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker A 1990Supermarine S6B 1957Supermarine Spitfire 'BTK' 1955Supermarine Spitfire F Mk22 2012Supermarine Spitfire I 1979Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I/IIa 2011Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia 2010Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Va 2016 *Supermarine Spitfire Vb 1975Supermarine Spitfire Vc 2005Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX 1959Supermarine Spitfire MkIXc 2008Supermarine Spitfire PRXIX 2009Supermarine Swift F.R. Mk5 2014Supermarine Walrus Mk.II 1958Vickers Valiant BK.Mk.1 2010Vickers Valiant B(PR)K Mk.1/B(K)Mk.1 Sprue Set 2012Vickers Wellington B.III 1959Vickers Wellington MkIc 2008Vought F4U-1D Corsair 1964Vought OS2U Kingfisher 1967Westland Army Lynx 1976Westland Gazelle 1973Westland Lysander 1972Westland Lysander MkII (1st tool) 1956Westland Navy Lynx 1978Westland Navy Lynx Mk 8 2001Westland Puma 1973Westland S.55 1956Westland Scout 1966Westland Sea King HAR.3 1984Westland Sea King HAR.3 2016 *Westland Sea King HAS.5 2006Westland Sea King HC.4 2015Westland Whirlwind I (Fighter) 1958Westland Whirlwind I 1978Westland Whirlwind HAR.1 1966Westland Whirlwind HAS.22 1978Yakovlev Yak-3 1990Yak-9D 1963 Edited February 19, 2017 by Andre B Adding information... 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old thumper Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Andre B, you are very obviously a loyal Airfix customer. I agree some old kits are much better than others. Some of the old kits are still among my favorites, for example the P-38F. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre B Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 15 hours ago, old thumper said: Andre B, you are very obviously a loyal Airfix customer. I agree some old kits are much better than others. Some of the old kits are still among my favorites, for example the P-38F. Well I try at least... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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