Eric Mc

The other FROG kit I bought around the same time was their Sea Venom. I have a built one (not the original build however) in my current collection but I would like to have another go at it soon.

Same here. I can still remember standing at the 32/32A/32B bustop in Abbey Street itching to open my newly acquired (from Banba) 1/72 FROG Fairey Firefly. That would have been around 1972. I built it back then in the Canadian option but that build is long gone. However, during lockdown I had another go -

My model shop haunts as well. FROG models could also be found in The Banba Book Shop in Capel Street. Pocket money bagged Series 1 kits were obtainable about a mile from home in Baldoyle at Keogh's Newsagents at Sutton Cross.

Even if the roundels aren't quite right it still looks great. The location in Ireland was actually GormaNstown.

All good stuff regarding the colours - thanks.

The main reasons why I prefer window decals to actual windows on 1.144 airliners are - simplicity realism consistency Another reason is that many airliners have polished metal/chromed window surrounds (look at many 707s, 737s etc - especially earlier ones) and you can't really replicate these easilly any other way than using decals.

Many thanks. I might give it a go with those colours and perhaps lighten up 65. Is Humbrol 65 similar to RLM 65 (which was the Luftwaffe's light blue colour on WW2?).

Could you let me have the colour references please? The reason I'm asking is that I was building an old issue of this kit so the paint references in the instructions will be well out of date.

Not bad for an old kit. I have a stalled build somewhere. What Humbrol paints did you use?

Very nice.

One of my favourite inter-war designs. Nicely done too.

As I've recently managed to bash one of their vintage Hampdens into shape, a new tool is almost definitely around the corner. Failing that, a nice new tool (and accurate) 1/72 Fairey Battle would be nice.

Gorgeous. One of my favourite aircraft and beautifully done.

Won't be Airfix as they don't do 1/144 any more. ICM perhaps - to go with their Tu-144?

It's not THAT old a kit (10 years?) That's modern by my standards. A lovely build. I was lucky enough to see a few of these still being used commercially in the mid 1970s (EI-ARS of Aer Turas and LN-MOB of Bergen Air Transport). I particularly used to like watching EI-ARS depart over my house in Dublin on its way to Luton on a cold clear winter's night with all the exhaust stacks pushing out blue and yellow flames. And the noise.

That explains why so many kits are shared between them then.

Great if it is. I've been hanging on for a decent Battle for decades.

I would assume that the Ffrom Battle is based on the Special Hobby one as they are part of the same stable. It's obviously better than the inaccurate old Airfix kit but it is still short-run in nature. A Airfix Battle as nice as their 1/72 Hurricane would be great.

I would love a modern, accurate kit of the Fairey Battle, in 1/72 preferably.

We have similar laws in the UK. But they are hardly ever enforced. Our regulatory bodies are very lax.

Yes - the Novo Javelin would have been the former FROG FAW9

Farnborough - in conjunction with Models for Heroes.

I did have a look at the ones in my stash and put them back. I then reached for the trusty old Airfix kit. AT least it has an air of familiarity - and a touch of nostalgia..

Thank you. I always loved the Hampden and did build one of these kits not long after it first came out. I had another go about 15 years ago but failed miserably on that occasion. At least that failed effort provided some useful spares for this build. I have some of the Valom/AZ kits in the stash. It would be interesting to build one of them as they are more modern - but short run in nature.

FINALLY got this one to the end. If the real Hampdens had taken six months to build Britain would have well and truly lost the war. The tractor is from the Stirling kit. Overall I'm pleased with the kit but I really must build a modern kit next as bashing these geriatric mouldings into any sort of shape can be very trying. Build here - https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235125542-handley-page-hampden-airfix-172/