Simon Nonymous

Apols I didn't think that someone would want that level of detail; I can post a pic from the instructions if needed, but it's a very simple, typical assembly. Sorry about the thumb in the pic, but the kit at this point could mount either the radials or the Merlins onto the nacelle assembly. The Merlin assembly is two halves vertically split, with three pieces inside to form the front radiator, the rear radiator flap, and the air intakes/radiator exit .

Just a quick phone snap of progress. The Merlins are now on. The props/spinners can wait till the main painting is done and dusted, but the fit of the power eggs is pretty good. A small smear of filler will be needed just close some hairline gaps between the bulkhead and the engine itself, but all in all, it all fits together nicely. The tail planes are the other Mk. II difference, and again, went together like Lego. Nice one Airfix!

If you have a thing for 1940 in 1:48th then you should consider it; it seems to be the highest rated kit I could find. Best of luck with yours.

I have no knowledge of the MPM kit but the Airfix Mk II gives you parts for the Mk II only, there are no radial engines or alternate tail fins for a Mk I.

I have an odd feeling both of us could recite Withnail and I word for word, even if not drink for drink. The memory is fine! Soup? Why haven't I got any soup?

Whooops got my museums mixed up, there's one under restoration at Cosford... I have had a good look at the Brooklands one last year.

Welcome from someone born in the West Riding but currently in exile in Lancashire. It's a great online forum and resource base - I've never lacked for help if I've asked for it here.

Brilliant post and very useful; I made one kit out of the box, warts and all, just to show you chaps what you got for your money. Now, as I still have two kits to make. I now know what to get in order to build them 'properly' into B. XVIs - cheers Tony, this thread is a very useful resource!

Good afternoon everyone! OK after the new Mosquito build, and a nice 1:48 Airfix Hurricane, I am back to Bomber Command with this lovely kit. I have the advantage of having built the base Mk. I A/C kit last year, which I really enjoyed, and this one I think will be similarly satisfying. The kit is mostly the Mk. I A/C kit (unsurprisingly) but features a new sprue for the Merlins, and has a modified set of tail planes; I think that was the only real difference from the radial powered planes, but I am sure someone will patiently correct me if I am wrong. I am not sure. The only thing I think is missing is any sort of bomb sight in the bomb aimers position; I'll check in the Haynes manual to see what's what, plus I am off to RAF Duxford on Sunday so may be able to see a real Wimpy there. Any pics or hints gratefully accepted here of course! EDIT: What was I thinking of? RAF Cosford has one of the two surviving Wimpies!!! Thank you Mr Beard! This is a kit which has a cracking level of interior detail, and although Airfix helpfully colour code the instructions to tell you which bits you can omit as they won't be easily seen once the fuselage is buttoned up, I went for the full fat build because... well because I could. It's all out of the box, and I haven't gone mad with dry brushing or shading as it'll mostly not be seen once I button the fuselage up. Apologies if the colour balance is a bit off, it was just quick pics with the phone:

I was going to message you to say thanks Troy - I did read up on the props/spinners post when researching my build, thank goodness! I do use hot water with a dash of fairy liquid for the transfers, plus microsol/microset, however might not have tamped down on those nubbins on the upper wing enough. Thank you for all the helpful hints.

They are a bit - it's my error as here is a pic of the real thing and there is no overlap:

It's all Vallejo and AK interactive topsides. Yup the trailing edges I really should have filled/sanded them to a join. Bf 109 E it is, sat in the pile waiting for me - I already have made both of the Defiants, from when I got started back into this madness two years ago! Thank you for the kind words.

Hallo Sir! I'm down in BB4, enjoying blue skies for once! I found the easiest way to put pics up is to create a new Facebook profile with no friends etc, and upload pics there; then use the right click > Copy Image Address to get an address that pastes here nicely. It's never let me down yet

Thank you - I do in fact sometimes lighten images when I need to show things like cockpit detail and have done so in my other post today; I tend to underexpose deliberately - like you said you can always tweak it upwards. 🙂

Hello Bob All acrylics Vallejo Model Air 71.323 BS Dark Earth Vallejo Model Air 71.302 Sky Type S AK Interactive Air AK2011 RAF dark green (I use the vallejo equivalent as well but there was none in stock last time I made an order.) Engine cowlings and exhausts are mixes of Vallejo Metal Color copper and silver Cockpit interior - good old Tamiya XF-71 I make my own shading stuff from oils, replicating the colours seen here but using darker shaded of each colour, ie dark green, dark earth, and sky. It seems to work better than just using a plain black wash to pick out panel lines and other raised details. Hope that helps and thanks for the compliment.