fightersweep

Hi all; As the title says (and apologies if this has been covered before), I was just wondering what I need to do to convert the Airfix Swordfish Mk I to a Mk II. I'm looking at representing the RNHF's LS326 as she was in the early 1980's if that helps. Asking here as I know very little about the Stringbag. Have to say though, the new Airfix kit is lovely! Thanks in advance! Best regards; Steve

Have to agree. It looks like a pretty decent kit. So glad this was re-released. I remember bending the ear of the Hobby Co rep years ago when I was the buyer at Midland Counties and told him Italeri should re-pop the Esci Transit...Wonder if I helped in some small way! Hope we get to see a little aftermarket for the kit. I'm not a regular vehicle builder, so don't know how well kits like this are catered for. Some extra decals would be nice! Best regards; Steve

Blimey! That was fast! Mine are still in the shipping box that turned up today. Will be keeping a close one on this thread....and a nice start so far. Are the door handles moulded on solid on the doors? Looks that way from here. I guess a bit of cutting and scraping required? Looking forward to the progress. Best regards; Steve

That makes a lot of sense. I've been lucky, my Transit has been pretty reliable so far...but why have a Transit when you can have a Bongo? Always loved that name! Best regards; Steve

That's interesting. So the Transit didn't get past the Mk1 in Australia. What replaced it? Best regards; Steve

Oh right! Thanks for the info! I had my three on backorder, so maybe they're on their way! Best regards; Steve Edit: Just checked emails...3 Transits on route!

Nice! That was quicker than I expected! Hannants still have it as forthcoming...so maybe soon! Best regards; Steve

I like the idea of a group build. Is that do-able? I've got loads of ideas but I'm useless at printing my own decals. Hope some other options become available! Mind you, I have a full size Mk IV Transit on the driveway that needs fixed. I should be concentrating on that! Regards; Steve

Two side doors!! That won't do! Looks like I'll be cracking out the filler too.

Four? I like your style Sir! I notice from the sprue shots on Italeri's website that the option for left and right hand dashboards are still supplied..so all good there. Only one UK decal option in the box as far as I can see. I'm not a regular vehicle modeller, but will there be any chance of any aftermarket decals or accessories being released for this kit? I'm tempted to build a minibus version of the Royal Mail Transit I drove around in 1988. Now, are three on backorder going to be enough?? Best regards; Steve

Not to worry, there's bits in the box to put the steering wheel on God's chosen side!

Hi Richard; I often wondered about those lower "windows" too. Extra visibility would make the most sense I suppose, but was that part of the cockpit seen in the series? It's been a while since I watched all the way through, but I have just started again from episode 1. Quite intelligent and forward thinking science fiction all told. As much as I would like a detailed pod interior, and I don't shy away from a good bit of scratch building, I may just go the battery storage route. However, the temptation is to go all out on this beauty! Best regards; Steve

Thanks again for the extra feedback. I think my best route is using the pod as battery storage as I intend to use a lighting kit. I suppose it would be a simple task to rig the pod so that batteries can be changed if necessary. Interesting observation that cupboards and consoles were placed where the windows were. Either it wasn't thought out properly, or they were solar panels. I quite like that idea. Best regards; Steve

Thanks! That's a superb reference shot and will come in very handy! Best regards; Steve

Thanks Kallisti; I did not know that! So far better to reproduce what the actual studio model had. See what you mean about the studio cockpit interior. I was watching a few episodes last night, and it occurred to me too that the seats must have been far too low to see out of the windows. I will build mine as Gerry Anderson intended! Best regards; Steve

Hi all; Just noticed that the box art and details for the Italeri (Esci) Transit is now on their website. Linky here; http://www.italeri.com/scheda.asp?idProdotto=2575 Like the choice for the box art...."Cook, cook cook cookability, that's the beauty of gas!" (There's a clue there!) Hannants now have it listed as forthcoming at £26.99. Not too bad. I want at least three or four. Been waiting ages for this! Best regards; Steve

Thanks Steve and Kallisti for the replies, and yes! It would seem that I am a bit of a jammy sod! Love your builds by the way. Lots of inspiration to be had there along with some useful tips. Thanks also for the advice re: the photo etch set. My finger was hovering over the order button, but that was quickly retracted! I may well go for the mask set as it looks quite useful and I was also wondering if there were any detail sets available for the pax pod interior...or maybe that wouldn't really be necessary? Had a quick scan of the instructions, and it looks like I need to have my wits about me. Maybe it's just because I'm used to Spitfire and 109 shaped things, but it looked a little daunting! I'm certain I want to light this thing up. There was a light up strip (looks a bit like a sticking plaster) that has been test fitted to the cockpit roof and looks quite effective when lit up. I'm not sure if that was originally in the box, or has been added. I have ordered a lighting kit, so that could prove interesting. Is it worth adding any extra detailing to the cockpit? It seems a lot more basic than I expected, just the two pilot figures glued to the bulkhead. I imagine not much can be seen, but I am considering at least a floor with seats and console. Anyway, enough of my rambling for now. I may have to crack open some sprue bags and start this thing! Best regards; Steve

Hi Guys! I'm usually a builder of prop aircraft, mostly WW2 stuff, but I've always had a soft spot for Sci Fi having grown up on Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Space 1999 etc. I haven't really ventured into Sci Fi kit building (except for a badly built X-Wing when I was about 13) but I think this is about to change. I was wandering around the Malvern flea market on Sunday (my full time job) when I came across a boxed MPC 22" Eagle Transporter on a vendors table. Well, I was drawn to it like a moth, and once told that it was £50, I decided I had to have it. After bartering it down to £40, I walked away with what I considered a bit of a bargain even though I wasn't totally sure of the RRP. Having got back home, I looked inside the slighty tatty box to find all the sprues still bagged and sealed and not only that, also in the box were the two, sealed aluminium accessory sets released for this kit. A bit of Googling revealed that I had bagged myself about £250 of Eagle Transporter heaven. Not bad at all for someone that normally wouldn't win Jack in a lucky dip! I thought about selling it on, but truth be told, I can't get rid of this beauty and want to build it. I've just ordered a lighting kit, some aftermarket decals and I'm considering the photo etch set. I want to get the paint mask set too, but one of the questions I have is if there is anywhere in the UK that I can obtain these aftermarket sets? Most of my Googling only throws up US suppliers. I'm also wondering if there are any hints and tips on building this kit. It looks like a nice model in the box and I'm looking forward to starting it. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance; Steve

Have to agree that this would have been a far better option for Trumpeter to have released this in 1/32, and therefore plugged a gap in the Battle of Britain theme market. A Defiant would be nice next to my Revell 1/32 He-111, Ju-88, Spitfire, Trumpy Ju-87B and Pacific Coast Hurricanes and Fiat G.50. Just need a Blenheim in 1/32 as well! Regards; Steve

I still raise an eyebrow when I think of the Airfix Vauxhall Victor estate that sold for £570 on Ebay! Do wish they would re-release those kits! Regards; Steve

Reedoaks does a WAAF in 1/24....but it isn't cheap!! Amazing quality figures though.. http://reedoak.com/ Regards; Steve

I did wonder as it looked like an Arado, but the scale threw me off...1/18th scale? Too big for 1/32 by the looks of it. Regards; Steve

Oh wow! That surface detail is a work of art! I'd love a C-47 in 1/32. Now, how to get this one past the missus?? Regards; Steve P.S. What's the fuselage in progress behind the C-47?

I agree with Mungo. Some other choices for Bomb Group markings would have been nice. Seems like the 91st was the only group in the 8th sometimes, just as the 4th and 56th are with the Fighter Groups. Very rarely see 401st BG markings for example. Regards; Steve

I've done the tour a couple of times. As Mungo say's, she's painted throughout with a lot of anti-slip if I remember rightly. The top turret wasn't there, just the turret perspex, a bit like an astrodome with no turret mechanism, No bomb sight either. The last time I got to look around, the earlier Stinger tail was in the process of being prepared for fitting for the film. This had been quite well equipped with ammo boxes and most of the correct details. There wasn't any armour plate on the pilots seats either. I did have some photos, but I would need to find them. I've got plans to do my HK 1/32 B-17 as Sally B circa 1983 (We'll Meet Again scheme). I can only imagine that the interior was even more sparse then! Regards; Steve