[Airfix Aston Martin....]

Excellent model of a beautiful car. What an amazing finish.

[Aerobatic Team Group Build]

Thanks, Mick. Welcome aboard. I have the Frecce Tricolori, set as well but haven't started any of the models yet.

Anyone else want to join the fun?

[Aerobatic Team Group Build]

Hi there,

I'm still looking for three more participants for this one. Is anyone else interested?

Happy New Year.

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Well, back home after the Christmas interlude and have managed to get all the decals on. I was in conflict with the yellow stripes which seemed to require major surgery to fit. I am not sure if they are correct, but I can't change them now. The decal sheet was first issued in 1974 and re-issued in 1987, bought by me from Hannants this year. This explains why the carrier film lifted off in the water, and some of it stuck to individual decals, which caused me a few problems. The canopy is not fixed in place and I still need to attach the gear doors, the slipper tanks and the pitot.

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Hi

I have managed to get the larger decals on before hitting the Motorway. The decal sheet is quite old and the carrier film is disintegrating in the luke warm water, but fortunately the decals are ok.

Can't wait to finish her after Christmas.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

[Canberra PR9]

Excellent job, Dean. When will Airfix refrain from gouging out those overscale panel lines?

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Hi All

Here is my lump of filler with plastic attached as she now stands. I hope to get some of the decals on today before heading up to the Midlands for Christmas with the in-laws - hoorah!

I will to attach the pylons, slipper tanks, main gear doors and jet pipes after the decals have been applied.

I have already touched up some of the patchy paintwork that is visible in these shots.

[Harrier GR9 ZG501 EB-Q]

Thanks for the comments guys. I hope they are useful to anyone building a Harrier at the moment.

I had a great day, Mark. The Turkish Stars were the highlight for me. It was even better, as I won the tickets in a competition in "Flypast" magazine!

[F-16 Special Colours Italian Air Force]

Very nice pictures !

Note under the port canopy the 18th Gruppo motto "Ocio che te copo", a dialect expression translating in "beware, I'm going to kill you". This dates back to the Spanish civil war and was worn during WW2 on Cr.42 and Mc.202. This unit was one of those operating from Belgium during the BoB

Glad you liked the pictures, Giorgio and thanks for the background information.

I, for one won't be attempting the kit- the thought of lining up the black and green chequers has already given me nightmares!

[F-16 Special Colours Italian Air Force]

Hi

I took these pictures at Waddington 2010 and thought that they might be useful to anyone building the Italeri kit.

[Harrier GR9 ZG501 EB-Q]

Hi

My salute to the Harrier....

[Aerobatic Team Group Build]

Hi All

Thanks very much to you all for showing such an interest in my proposal and particularly to Antony who has offered to help host the GB with me.

I am happy to extend the GB to military and cilvilian teams in addition to solos and what-ifs, as long as they are in special markings.

I understand from Mish that we need at least 15 participants to proceed, so unless we can seduce at least 3 more members to take part, this might have to be put on hold at the end of Runway 27...

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Hi

I have applied the first coat of Humbrol 163. I know she doesn't look great, but after a second coat of each colour, she should look better. I'm just pleased that the paint has hidden all the filler. I have a 1/48 Capri (I mean Bucc) in the "to do" pile, but I think that I'll save that one for a few years!

[Trumpeter 1/48 F-100D]

That is beautiful. I love the weathering, but the heat discoloration is simply amazing!

[Aerobatic Team / Demonstration Squadron / Solo Demo Team GB]

Hi All

Thanks very much to you all for showing such an interest and particularly to Antony who has offered to help host the GB with me.

I understand from Mish that we need at least 15 participants to proceed, so unless we can seduce at least 3 more members to take part, this might have to be put on hold at the end of Runway 27...

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Hi

The filling and sanding around the nose and tail took a little longer than expected and it is still not perfect! You're not wrong Jabba, this baby has more filler than a 1980's boy racer's Capri! (Oops showing my age, there!)

So, anyway, here she is on my painting board (IKEA chopping board) still wet from the first brush-painted coat of Humbrol 164, along with the painted jet pipes. Begone to the airing cupboard....

[Panzer IV]

That is truly impressive - I can't believe it is 1/76! Excellent work.

[Out Of the Box (OOB) GB]

Count me in, as all my builds are from the box, except for the odd decal purchase! I don't know what I will build, as I have plenty of items in stock!

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Thanks, Killa. I certainly need the luck as the fit is terrible!

[Battle of Britain Memorial Flight]

Thanks for the kind words chaps.

[Kinetic F-16AM NATO Viper]

Excellent! The tiger on the tail is really impressive.

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Thanks guys. A bit more filling and sanding tomorrow and then I hope to get the first coat of paint on.

[1/16 Tiger 1 out in the snow]

Heres my repainted and modifiedHeng long Tiger. Im glad it snowed , i wanted a good photo of it outside.

Looking good! I've got one of these, but haven't used it in the snow because it was too deep and I was frightened that I would wreck the tank!

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Hi All

Quick progress, as wife and son are at the cinema with friends!

After an afternoon of sanding, I have brushed on an undercoat to highlight areas requiring further attention (of which there are several!) I have painted the canopy frame black, to be followed by the appropriate grey or green top coat and have rested it in position for the photos.

I need to smear some more Squadron Green on to the nose cone, forward fuselage, engine nacelle to the wing leading edge and possibly around the air brakes.

This kit is certainly showing it's age and I wonder if Airfix are over-charging for it, as it really is not up to modern standards. That said, I am still enjoying building it, which is after all what it is all about!

[Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer of XV Squadron 1974 Modeldecal sheet 26]

Hi

Well, it is starting to look like a Buccaneer now.

The gap wehere the folding part of the wing joins the part that is attached to the fuselage was very poor and required plenty of putty and attention from the sanding sponge. The nose cone and the airbrake clamshell also required a liberal application of putty to fair them into the fuselage. I have assembled the slipper tanks and have dipped the caopy pieces in Klear. I will not be able to use any of the supplied weapons, as I think that XW526 would have carried CBLS 100 Bomblet Carriers in 1974.

It seems that XW526 might have been re-painted in 1974 and coded "A" and I have decided that she will be finished in the way that she was re-delivered to the Squadron from the paint-shop - clean and glossy!