keithjs

This is the latest addition to my IAC collection. When Airfix first announced the model a couple of years ago I knew then this would be a great addition to it. It really is a superb model. In my opinion probably one of Airfix's finest despite some reservations about the wing fabric representation. Personally, I agree that the surface texture looks somewhat overdone, but, when it's lightly rubbed over and paint is applied it looks fine to me. Anyway, detail throughout is amazing and because the glazing is crystal clear you're going to see everything. The only additions I made were some generic Eduard seatbelts and if you use the sloped canopy, you'll need some piping and cables to power the instruments as it's quite obvious through the glazing. With the later canopy the fuselage shroud hides them. And, also, some for the small set of 4 instruments on the radio operator's panel. As I particularly wanted to do a very early IAC aircraft, I needed to modify the ailerons by lengthening them inboard by 3ft (about 20mm) by cutting away the wing and part of the flap. I had initially thought of using a spare set from a Classic Airframes kit which comes with the longer ones as additional parts. I even managed to obtain a set from a very nice chap on here as for some obscure reason I could only find one of mine.... Anyway, it wasn't to be because despite the length being OK and looking good from above, the underneath was a different angle and just looked odd. The only option therefore was to modify the length of the kit ones. Not a difficult job and I think the end result looks OK. The markings (well actually only the 21) came from Max Decals. They do supply the green/white/orange as decals, but I think it looks better if they can be sprayed on and it was simple enough to do. Also, the green is my own mix but it seems to be showing darker than it really is in the photos. I used a combination of Humbrol 78 and 120. The aluminum is Tamiya LP38 and the cowlings are LP48 Sparkling silver So, that's it. I'm certainly looking forward to building another one ASAP but using the other canopy and different engine cowlings. A godsend too will be when Eduard release a set of glazing and turret masks...😵 Thanks for looking. My thanks to Joe Maxwell at Max Decals, Michael Whelan, Curator of the IAC Museum in Baldonnel and Luke Slaney at Airfix for providing extra 'information etc' and some photos that I hadn't got. Much appreciated. IMG_3066 IMG_3065 IMG_3067 IMG_3068 A5

The very nice people on the Airfix stand said at the weekend it would be released today. Apparently their distribution system means even my local shop should have them imminently....

Looks like you've got a couple of winners there. Nice to see you've made a decent job of that very inconvienient nose joint too.👌

For instance just add a drill bit or Tamiya paint mixing jar to the order (always useful) and it'll take it just over the threshold

Thank you for that, but I don't think that was the one I saw. Will do as you suggest and see what I can find. Will have a look around at Telford next week too.

Just received my kit this morning and when this was first announced I’m sure I saw that someone was going to do a metal gun and /or accessories for it. I just can’t remember who and where or am I having a senior moment??

Picked one up from our local model shop today (even before Hannants got theirs). Still fondling the plastic at the moment eager to start it soon.

Thanks Colin.They’re most useful. I can now see the kit is missing the hinges on the main doors too. You’re welcome Andy.

Hi Chris and Andy. Just for you. Here's some shots in daylight for you Andy and extra large ones for you Chris. Thanks for your interest. 20221016_132916 20221016_132930 20221016_132947 20221016_133008

Hi Andy, I just followed the instructions as best I could as the colours seem to blend into one another on the plan. I did notice it was a different pattern to the green/brown ones tho’. Will take one later when the suns out.

Oh my goodness, what a mistake to make! And I’ve built 2 Airfix ones too. Thank you for pointing it out. Now corrected. And it’s not as though I’ve got no references either….

Thank you. Paints are Xtracolor for top surfaces with an irregular overspray of AK real colors and Tamiya matt black for underneath. Semi matt varnish overall is Alclad II. Engine fronts are my own mix of various AK extreme metals.

Thank you for your comment. Yes I think it should be OK but I would recommend adding some kind of axle between the legs as its a small attachment lug to the wheel hub. See step 43 on the attached instructions. Its the tail wheel thats quite weak although mine hasn't broken yet... 20221015_183003

Latest addition to my WWII twin collection is ICM's new Beaufort. Built straight from the box except for some Eduard seatbelts and Kits World 3D instrument panels etc. Everything goes together perfectly but getting the glazing to line up is a little tricky although it does fit properly in the end without any trimming etc. I did find the forward fuselage bowed outward very slightly so i held it in place very loosely with some clamps while the glazing dried. The cockpit area is OK but could do with some more detail as the glazing is very unforgiving and very clear. The turret is nice but I decided not to follow the instructions for this as they show you to fit it complete then add the rear fuselage shroud. I decided to fit the main turret seating etc then fit the shroud and get it cleaned up then add the turret in 2 halves. It seemed to work OK for me. The undercarrige is very nice too but a little fiddly to hold in position while other parts of it dried. The wheel wells however are very basic. Engines are good and come complete with dozens of individual exhaust pipes, however you wont see the rear ones anyway. The kit comes complete with a torpedo and carrying trolley which incidentally is also available separately. 5 markings options are provided. 4 in green/brown and the one I chose in dark grey and dark slate grey. Decals are fine but I think the red is a little bright? Anyway, I look forward to building another one when someone does some resin detail parts. Thanks for looking. BEAU 1 BEAU 2 BEAU 3 BEAU 4 BEAU 5

Nice one Kevin. I assume you'll be wanting some extra space on the club tables at Telford?

Very nice. Just finished mine although not as nice as yours.

My first memories of this aircraft date from when dad took me as a kid over to the then fairly new Skyfame Museum at Staverton airport probably in about 1971/72. I've always had an interest in the aircraft since then so was pleased to see Hannants add this to their Xtrakit collection. I just had to build one. Moulded in typical Xtrakit/Sword hardish plastic parts are nicely engraved although I did enhance them a little with a scribing tool. The cockpit is very small and because I was going to use the canopy with the small windows I didn't spend a lot of time here. It is however nicely detailed should you wish to display it open or with the clear canopy. It also comes complete with photo etch seatbelts and a Kits World 3D instrument panel. The rest of the model is typical of a short run kit especially with regard to the fit of parts which can be a little frustrating at times, particularly the nose intake area and the exhaust bulges. Mine was actually a little short shot on the nose lip so some superglue and filler was required here. The wing floats have ribbed detail in the wells but there's quite a bit of flash on the struts etc (and a lot of the smaller parts). Same goes for the wheels and beaching legs but nothing a little extra time won't cure. The wing/fuselage joint was pretty much spot on as was the tailplane although this required trimming as it was very tight. A nice touch is the photo etch grill in the nose intake and this fitted perfectly with just a dab of superglue. Decal wise, all 3 aircraft are depicted but unfortunately I had to replace all the roundels and fin flashes as I found the decals quite thick and they didn't seem to settle down very well at all. I didn't replace the serials etc as I didn't have any equivalent sizes. Also, should you wish, you can also remove the lower hull and display it on a sea base cut out from the underside of the box. So, all in all a nice addition to the range and certainly one welcomed by me and thanks for looking. 20221004_192940 20221004_193010 20221004_192953 20221004_192926 20221004_193034

It does indeed!! You'd have thought someone like Tamiya would have at least tried to refine them somewhat. Makes it look like a reboxed Italeri kit. So disappointing again.

Recieved mine toaday and I notice the 'other' rear turret and nose glazing is included in the kit. If I were to use these would that make it a Mk.1a or a Mk. IIa, or are there other differences between a I and a Ia and IIa?

No surprise really considering Wingnuts was always going to do one. Wonder what the damage for that will be? P40's for escorts? surely not? And that 109 is a bit close!

Jadlam has them in stock. Just ordered mine.

Something a bit different anyway.. I could well be tempted... https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/XK72017?result-token=gGMTQ https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/XK72018?result-token=gGMTQ

Ah, right, I stand corrected. Yes it is a little small isn't it? And too far underneath or is that an optical illusion?

I notice that the gun gas extractor tube fitted under the nose (nose art side) is missing from the built up photos. Just hoping its included as its a very obvious part.

Speaking to a guy on the Airfix make and take display at Duxford last week (as they had a couple of built up ones and sprues on display ) and he seemed to think the end of October.