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If Spitfires are not your thing then it may be worth looking away now as I'm going to try to make two 1/48 versions simultaneously! A fair while back, when I decided I'd one day like to make the Eduard Mk.IX Spitfire, I didn't know at the time what I was starting. You can check out my finished version of the Mk.IX here. When I thought about such a lovely, quite expensive kit, I decided I ought to practice the skills I'd need to do it justice beforehand. So I practiced by making three 1/72 Spitfires and then moved onto a 1/48 Mk.XVI. Even before I'd started the Mk.IX I realised I was addicted to making Spitfires. A few months ago I'd already picked up the 1/48 Tamiya Mk.Vb and then when the Airfix version appeared (and was quite cheap on pre-order on the big A) I decided to get one of those too. I had originally planned to make the Tamiya kit before the Eduard one but I ended up making the latter for the D-Day Group Build first. So now it's time to expand my Spitfire collection by two. I'm quite excited by this project and thought it would be interesting to see what the comparisons are between the two kits - I have little pre-knowledge about them other than reading bits and pieces about them on the web. Some people seem to be positive about both and others the opposite. Versions of these that I have seen built look pretty good to me but I'm not an expert on the real thing or the kits. In my head I have this idea that I might be able to use each kit to be make the other a better version but this may not work out in practice. I don't intend to do any major surgery on either, but rather just enjoy the type of thing I feel comfortable with. Edit 21/08/15 - if anyone is interested there is a follow up thread to this one where I am currently making the Tamiya and Airfix (new tool) 1/48 Mk.I kits. I'm using a lot of the lessons I learned from this thread. If you are interested it can be found in the Battle of Britain Group Build section here. So box and sprue photos first - I like the artwork on both: In comparison the Airfix box seems a lot fuller of parts but I already know some of them won't get used: Tamiya box: As there did seem to be fewer parts with the Tamiya kit I decided to bolster it a bit with Eduard Zoom set: Tamiya sprues: Some cockpit details - I really like making up the cockpits and both kits seem to have nice details - Tamiya: Tamiya instructions: Versions included in the kit: Airfix sprues: Airfix cockpit detail: Airfix - new style instructions - not sure about these yet: Possible versions in the box: I have also got these bits left over from the cockpit of the Eduard Mk.IX and I might think about if they're better to use somewhere: I'm hoping to get some work started on these this weekend - all I've done so far is get all the parts washed in warm soapy water. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix

Hi folks, I tend not to do build logs on BM, but thought I'd show a photo of my current wip, the Airfix Bf109E, as I made a somewhat disparaging remark about it on my profile. It is a nice wee kit (the emphasis being on the 'wee', for those of us whose origins are North of Hadrian's Wall), but has some really annoying engineering / fit. Now I can bollix up a kit with an ability matched by few others, but when bits of a new tool Airfix don't fit off the sprue, then I get a bit annoyed. The wing uppers and lowers didn't match up and the lower edge of the LE slats sat proud of the forward edge of the lower wing, also the wing tips and ailerons didn't sit in the same plane, all of which required some fettling of the mating portions of the wing pieces to sort out. The sprue gates are quite oversized and I removed a chunk of the outer edge of the tailplanes (actually the elevators) when I removed them from the sprues with side cutters. That explains the rather odd shape of the outer edge of the elevators in the picture below. In addition, there are some really small pieces that I'm not looking forward to removing from the sprue (Pitot tube, aileron mass balances, gun barrels, etc.). Also removing the mould seams from the tailplane support struts was lots of fun. Right, rant mode is now off. Apart from the above, it's gone together fairly well, although some mechanical deformation of the upper engine cowling piece was necessary to aid fit, and some filler was required at the fuselage / wing underside interface. Anyway, I'm now onto painting, and the second coat of RAF Dark Green sorry, RLM71 dunkelgrun, has just been applied. I'm using the Bf109E colour demarkations from Michael Ullmann's Luftwaffe Colours book and I have just realised that I've got the positions wrong on the starboard wing. Oh poo! Still, we're hopefully on the home straight now, so just have to grit my teeth and get it done. regards, Martin

I think I must have Attention Deficit Disorder or something, because I was thinking I would take a break from modelling for a couple of weeks until the start of the French Fancies GB; however less than a week later I find that I am bored (and I used to work in Insurance so believe me I know bored when I see it)... So I thought I'd make a start on something I had been meaning to do for a while, and combine the decals from the Airfix VC Winners set with the new-tool Airfix Blenheim IV to represent the aircraft flown by Acting Wing Commander Hughie Edwards on the Bremen Raid on 4 July 1941 for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Here's the basic kit; labelled as a IVF (the fighter version) but it contains all the parts you would need to make the bomber variants too: I also got some aftermarket goodies which I accumulated over the last few months, the Peewit canopy masks being the most recent I think: Here are the decals from the Airfix VC Winners set - Question: surely by July 1941 underwing roundels too? ... and so I started assembly, the Mk.I I built following the instructions and it turned out fine, but this time I am starting with the cockpit because construction starts with the cockpit, Airfix - these are the relevant components awaiting clean up and later on, paint: It's worth noting that if you intend to build a bomber with either of the under-chin turrets, these are both supplied but you need to open a slot in the floor of the right-hand cockpit part. Cheers, Stew

http://www.ipmsdeutschland.de/Ausstellungen/Nuernberg2013/Bilder_VH/Nuernberg_2013_VH_030.htm This certainly looks like a step up from the old kit! Although it's a shame that they haven't re-engineered the windscreen parts to make assembly easier - hopefully the fit at least will be better. Separate doors are a nice touch. Does anyone know if the Red Bull boxing is a reboxing of this new tool or the old tool. If my memory serves me, the Red Bull boxing is due for release before this one. thanks, Andrew

Hello folks, After the last build I've leapt up in scale to the new Revell Spitfire. I've had the kit a wee while but lacked the motivation to start it after reading of a few issues with it here and there. However, bouyed by some recent top builds of almost OOTB models my joy has been re-kindled. I've long wanted a large scale early Spit in the cabinet and waited for Tamiya to release one of their uber kits, sadly to no avail. Instead, Revell came to the rescue with a brand new tooling. It's a fairly well known fact that opinion is divided on this model. Somehave said that the rivet and surface detail treatment is too heavy handed. Others, the exact opposite. I think we all have to take our own view of the subject and decide whether to proceed or not. Personally, I expect to be doing some work on the details so it bothers me not at this point. On to the build and it's a slow start. The instructions begin with the cockpit and as we've probably seen elsewhere, the detail is pretty good ootb. I expect to have to add some detail in there for my own personal satisfaction but, being the lazy b****r that I am, I'd like to keep it to a sensible level. To that end, I've opted to add a pilot. Unfortunately, Revell have chosen not to provide one. No matter, there are some super resin aftermarket pieces available. However, just to complicate things, I'd like to model this airframe as a kind of restored warbird type thing in which case, that whole Irvine flying jacket and Mae West combo is rarely sported. Instead, these warbird jockeys are often to be seen purely in a flying overall. Since I have never spotted a pilot model in that garb there was only one choice,....scratch build the blighter. In my hazy memory I seemed to remember that I had some armour kits that a chum had donated years ago. Sure enough, I found some German tank of some description or other with some unbuilt crewmen still on their sprues. Yes, they are 1/35th scale and might look a little, umm,...little but I thought it was worth a go. To get the clothign to look more like a pilot I sanded off the dude's tunic and used green stuff to add rolled up cuffs and stuff. I'll add a watch to one of his wrists and finish his flying gloves off with more foil once the green stuff has set overnight. If any of you pilot types spot anything that should be altered or could be improved please pipe up and I'll get on it. Originally I'd planned to use the head off a Hasegawa Spit pilot but it's quite crude. Luckily, and thanks to the smashing generosity of one of our members I may be able to revise the head issue. More on that in due course of course. While I had some green stuff on the go I splodged a bit on the backrest of the seat to represent the padding that Revell omitted. It's not brilliant but much of it will be obscured by the parachute pack, belts and harnesses. Once the pilot's putty is cured I'll dry fit him into the seat and see what can be seen around him. That will allow me to decide just how far to take the internal detailling. More soon. Cheers.

This is my first ever Typhoon and it was built as part of a diorama for the D-Day Group Build. After the D-Day landings 198 Squadron, flying out from Thorney Island, Funtingdon and Hurn, were involved with ground attacks on tanks (suitable for my diorama) and enemy emplacements around Caen. In July 1944 they moved to Plumetot and then followed the advancing troops into the Netherlands. To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day Eurofighter Typhoon, ZK308, was painted to represent Hawker Typhoon MN526. It's a lovely kit with nice detail - in fact the 'in-flight' version doesn't make use of a lot of the detail included in the kit so, at some point, I'm planning on making a version of it on the ground. It's all brush painted with Humbrol and Revell acrylic paints applied with hairy sticks. I have used a Prop Blur (another first for me) to make it look like it's in flight. The Typhoon itself is mounted on a clear acrylic rod. The WIP can be found here More photos of the diorama can be found here And a few photos of it on the diorama: My other D-Day aircraft build can be found here. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix

Any news on the A320, IL-62 and IL-76 release dates? I've seen some CAD images, but no plastic yet? Thanks, Andrew

Well, I've finally managed to finish one! This is the excellent new-tool P-51D mustang from Airfix. I built the kit with a few scratchbuilt parts such as harnesses, wiring and gun barrels. The decals are by Kits-world with Stencil markings and insignias from the kit sheet. For less than the price of two pints this kit has provided me with hours of entertainment, and with so many decal options available I can't wait to build more! I hope you like it. Sean

Hi In 2008, my family bought me a flight in a Classic WingsTiger Moth from Duxford. I took control and flew the wonderful old girl towards Newmarket race course. I then turned back towards Audley End House near Saffron Walden. I had a wonderful time and would recommend the experience to all. My wife took these pictures (I'm in the front cockpit): When Airfix released the new Tiger Moth, I decided that I wanted to create a miniature version of R4922. Thanks to the generous gift from a friend (thanks mate!), I built and brush-painted her last Sunday afternoon and then applied a mix of kit and other decals one evening during the week (which aren't particularly accurate). I managed to break off two of the cabane struts while trying to remove the "jig" struts that are intended to ensure the correct alignment of the wings.. I applied a coat of W&N Galeria Satin Varnish and then almost lost the will to live applying the rigging and control cables due to my CA accelerator not working as I had hoped. I painted one of the wheels yellow, as in the above picture and attached the aerial cut from guitar string. I nearly didn't post pictures of the model, as I am not 100% happy with the result. The most obvious issue for me is the over-scale EZ-Line control cables. Anyway, here she is, warts and all! Here she is with the models I made following my more recent Classic WIngs experience:

Hi all! It's a while since I did my last WIP, but I've been itching to build this! It arrived at my parents' house just before Christmas, indeed the same day my girlfriend and I turned up! To say I've been excited for this is quite an understatement. I really should learn-I got similarly worked up about the Trumpeter kit back in 2008- and just look what a disappointment that turned out to be! Still, I just get the feeling Airfix have made the most significant kit of their revival to date- so on with the build! One slight disappointment upon opening the box is that they've not put nearly as much interior detail into this kit as some of their other recent efforts-thinking Harrier GR1/3 in particular. So out came the plasticard and fuse wire on the tub. I'm particularly chuffed with the throttle box-seems to have come out well. Sorry about the poor photography! The sidewalls, which are devoid of detail, got the same treatment. I've also beefed up the structural detail in the very nicely-done nosewheel bay, and added the mechanism which closes the undercarriage doors. I've also filled one of the two pairs of ejector pin marks. I decided to leave the other pair at the back ends of the wheelbay, as I really don't think I could clean them up well in such a confined space-and with the undercarriage leg in place they'll hardly show. In spite of the instructions telling me to leave them until later, I've also added the cannon inserts now, as it's easier to blend them in before closing up the fuselage. I found that if you fit them as the kit would have you do it, they stand proud: The trick is to slice off the tabs round the edge of the hole, and very lightly rub down the edges of each insert. One slight niggle I have with the moulding of this kit is that Airfix's occasional pebbly plastic finish makes an appearance with this kit. Not a problem on a camouflaged WW2 fighter, but with a polished NMF Lightning this will be really noticeable. So I've also spent ages rubbing down the fuselage, taking care to avoid the little vents and other protrusions. It's a bit irksome really-they've shown with the Typhoon, 109e, etc that they can mould absolutely smooth plastic- so why revert to pebbly finish for the Lightning and Hurricane I? Still, a small gripe. Otherwise I'm enjoying this kit immensely-until next time!

This is my finished Airfix 1/72 MkIa Spitfire - the new tool version. I really enjoyed building it. It's the first plane I've built in many, many years so it was a bit of a learning experience. It's all brush painted apart from the final application of matt varnish which was from a rattle can. I tried some pre-shading, which I think worked, and this is my first attempt at weathering. The build can be found here. The first photos are ones I took after deciding it was finished and in proper daylight rather than electric light: Next I decided to make a little display base for it on some scrap MDF I had: Which I then tried some close-ups of with the sun at quite a low angle: .....and a couple without the sun: Well that's it for this one. Comments and suggestions welcome. Next off I'm going to do another Spitfire for the 'Less than a tenner' group build. In fact I may even be making two. Kind regards, Stix

Hi all! Here's my latest completion-kit is the new tool Airfix T.11. I wanted to build a Flying Training Schools Vampire in the yellow bands scheme, and ideally with the big nose code letters to make the scheme a bit more exciting. The kit scheme for WZ507 as preserved 2012 was out, as the real preserved aircraft wears something of a "mish-mash" of T.11 schemes rather than its original service codes etc. So, casting about online I found this lovely colour photo of XE988, based at RAF Swinderby with 8 FTS in 1957: http://abpic.co.uk/photo/1199645/ Codes and serials are from Xtradecal and Modeldecal stock sets, the rest of the decals are kit. I added stencils to match period photos of T11s in this scheme where possible, although a few stencils are placed on a "best guess" basis! The model is brush-painted over Tamiya primer, using Xtracrylix Trainer yellow, and a High-Speed Silver mix of my own devising- about 80:20 Revell Aqua Aluminium : Vallejo white. The only other alterations to this lovely kit are a handful of wires in the pit, the radio aerials on the wings, removal of some non-period lumps around the nosewheel, cartridge ejector chutes, and some Pavla ejection seats (which do show up OK under the nice clear canopy!) Hope you like it! (The sharp-eyed will notice that the model required repairs after the photo above!)

Hi everyone, I found a few photos taken last year after completing the lovely Airfix GR9, in the Cottesmore special scheme. There's nothing to really report about this kit other than you can pour glue in the box, shake and get a lovely Harrier. Much has been said about the depth of panel lines on Airfix's 1/72 kits. To be honest my opinion is that we already accept so many compromises on such a small scale that the depth of panels lines is less important than accurate outlines. On this kit in particular the undercarriage legs and wheels etc. are very fine and in scale and it looks and 'sits' like a Harrier should. The engineering and design on this model are first class and make for an easy build. I do get a bit stalled when folk complain that (for example) 'those panel lines are a bit deep on the new Airfix spitfire' forgetting that the kit costs less than a fiver! Airfix have an unusual position, unlike most they are making kits aimed at a broad range of modellers and skills, to design highly detailed yet easy to construct kits that end up at pocket money prices is something to be marvelled at. Don't forget Hasegawa are regularly re-releasing 30 year old toolings and asking us to pay £30-£40 for a 1/72 kit. Any way rant over, hope these photos meet approval!

Things really are great from the Russian/Soviet armour modeller this year,Trumpeter have released some cracking kits from the cold war era and now Meng have released the box art for hopefully a more accurate version of one of the latest tanks from the old Soviet Union the T-90. Zevesda brought us a a very good new tool of the T-90 which is fairness is a good kit let down by it's ride height and suspension set up. This isn't a easy fix for us that strive for accuracy so hopefully Meng will have sorted this area out. From what I have seen of Meng kits they are highly regarded and generally accurate. Fingers crossed for this release, I'll certainly be investing in a kit or two ! http://www.meng-model.com/ http://www.meng-model.com/new.php?id=362 Cheers Dan

Hi What kits have Airfix retooled? I know the Zero. Mustang Typhoon ,Focke Wulf any more ?? Dave

Folks, Built for a GB on uamf, here are 2 attempts at the Airfix 1/72nd scale new tool P-51D. The first is "Anita", CV-W, a MkIVa from 3Sqn RAAF in 1945. Decals from Xtradecals (apart from wing roundels which were Almarks), and using the resin undernose insert from Freightdog (I didn't bother using the Freightdog Aeroproducts prop, just reshaped the kit part with sidecutters and sanding stick): The second is "LouIV / Athelene", E-2C, an early model P-51D without the fin fillet, from the 361st FG, 8th AF, USAAF in 1944. Decals from AeroMaster, otherwise oobL regards, Martin

Airfix Salute Dambusters 70th Anniversary Tuesday 14th May 2013: Airfix (owned by Hornby Hobbies Ltd) has successfully launched two brand new Dambusters products. The first, a classic Airfix Avro Lancaster 'Dambusters' 1:72 (Image 1; A09007 RRP £29.99) set has sold out across the UK within days of its launch. Image 1: Airfix Avro Lancaster B.III (Special) The Dambusters 1:72 NEW TOOL (A09007 RRP £29.99) The Airfix team based in Margate, Kent launched the new Airfix Dambusters range in April this year to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Dam Raid (Operation Chastise) on 17th May. The Dambusters range consists of two newly tooled products, one a gift set that comes complete with the correct Humbrol paints, adhesive and brushes to build a replica of Wing Commander Guy Gibson aircraft (Image 2; A50138 RRP £34.99). The classic Airfix set comes complete with two finish options; Fltl Joseph Charles McCarthy DFC and Fltl Robert Norman Barlow DFC – both aircraft and crews being part of the famous 617 Squadron Dambusters “Operation Chastise” (Image 2 A09007 RRP £34.99) Image 2: The Dambusters Avro Lancaster B.III (Special) 1:72 NEW TOOL (A50138 RRP £34.99) The Dambusters range has been a huge success, with Airfix manufacturing additional product to keep up with fierce demand from the modelling community. Retailers have seen a huge surge in demand for Dambusters products especially as key media titles have run with articles and front covers saluting the successful World War II attack. Marketing Manager for the Airfix brand said; “We’re extremely happy with this range. It’s always a pleasure to provide a product to our fans that marks such an important historical event. To see this range literally ‘fly’ of the shelves only highlights what a great product Airfix is. We continue to listen to our customers and research and product the products our modellers want.”

After making my first model in 15 years, I have caught the bug again! (see my related post for my first Spitfire build)... I always wanted to do an Me109, so I bought the new tool kit: I wanted to improve on my Spitfire, and try new tips from various model forums. This time, I brush-painted with Humbrol Enamel paint. I also used the new Humbrol Clear varnish, applied after painting to help with decals, which were also applied using Humbrol DecalFix. To finish off, I sprayed a light coat of Humbrol Acrylic Matt varnish from a spray-can, to take it back to a matt finish; I painted according to the given instructions, in the colours of Franz von Werra's machine from the Battle of Britain. A few of the small parts were damaged trying to remove them from the sprue. One of the elevator supports snapped when trying to remove it from the sprue, so I had to do a fix, which worked fine. The aerial pole over the canopy also snapped, and is a bit crooked; and I didn't even attempt to fit the tiny fixings under the wings - these just disintigrated trying to get them off the sprue! I also left off some of the small stencil decals. As it is only 1/72 scale, I didn't want to make the finish too 'crowded'. Anyway, my second model after gap of 15 years...here are the pics: And here it is together with my first build, the Spitfire Mk1a...once enemies in the Battle of Britain

I've recently decided to start modelling again, after a gap of about 15 years since my last models as a teenager... I went to my local hobby shops, and decided to try an Airfix Spitfire; I bought the starter set, a new tool kit with the small pots of acrylic paint, a brush and cement: I wanted to practice, and try some of the tips I had read on various model forums. So I completed it with the supplied acrylic paint, and I bought a few more pots of Humbrol Acrylic paint, such as yellow, silver, gunmetal and Cockpit Green, to make the end result more interesting. I also bought a range of brushes to make detailed work and larger surfaces easier to paint. I also bought some Tamiya masking tape, and used it for the canopy, the line between the blue underside and green/brown camoflage and also for the blue fuselage band (there is a decal supplied for this, but I decided to paint it). I also bought a tube of Humbrol Model Filler, which was applied to the wing roots, and places along the fuselage seam. So, I am fairly pleased with the end result; brush painted using the supplied pots of acrylic...not too bad for my first model in 15 years! I put the decals straight onto the painted surface, so there was a bit of silvering. Lots to improve and try for my next build. Here are the pics, enjoy!

Just found this on the net. http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM35329/Mil Regards Dan

Hasegawa have announced a new tooling of the Eurofighter Typhoon, which some of you may already have heard about, but we now know when it's coming, and that the initial production run will include a bonus display stand. No further details on that aspect of it, but it should prove handy, I'm sure. Decals include RAF No.3(F) SQuadron, coded QO-H, and Luftwaffe JG74, and there will be 195 parts in the box - quite a high part count for a 1:72, which bodes well. This looks to be the boxtop picture, culled straight from Hasegawa's website. I'll be interested to see how it compares to the Revell kit in the same scale, as I always thought it had room for improvement on the detail. It should be in the shops here around October time, allowing for the vagaries of the slow boat from Japan getting here on time, which gives you plenty of time to put one or more on your Christmas wish list. Modern jet fans rejoice While we're on the subject - on a related note, a new Dual-combo boxing of the Hasegawa Jaguar GR.1A/T.2A is being released at the same time, with parts for two kits, one of each mark in the box, and decals for a 1A of 16 Squadron, coded XX965 in 2010, and a T.2A of 6 Squadron, coded XX141 in 2009. A good month for RAF lovers