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No whilst it is rightly best remembered for it's service throughout WWII the Supermarine Spitfire continued in service well into the 1950's with a great many air forces including the RAF who finally retired their last operational example (a PR.XIX ) after it performed it's last flight on 10th June 1957. As I signed up for both elements of this GB and the subjects built post 1946 are getting the Lion's share of the builds I thought that I should add one from the "used in the 50's but built earlier" category and the Spitfire fits that perfectly. For my build I will be using the recent Airfix 1/48 FR Mk.XIV which I picked up in their New Year sale (I got two as it seemed rude not to ) which actually comes with markings for an eligible option in the form of TZ112 from II( AC) Sqn RAF based in Germany 1950-51, but me being me I want to do something a bit different and that comes in the form of one of approximately 130 Mk.XIV's sold to Belgium between 1947 and 49 and were used until 1954. Daco do a very nice set of decals covering various marks of Spitfire including the XIV so I have ordered a set and some Eduard seatbelts which will be the only additions I make to this kit. Speaking of the kit here is picture of the box lid and contents; I'm going to spend the rest of this week working on my Caproni in the WWII twins GB and will hopefully make a start on this (work permitting) next week so don't expect any big leaps forward too soon. Thanks for looking in and as usual all comments and criticisms are gratefully received. Craig.

Hey! um, this is my first post here and i started tu cut and join some stuff and idk, but i think it looks pretty decent...

Well She's finally finished. Sorry to disappoint anyone who was hoping to see a lovely bikini clad young lady, but after some thought (well hardly any if I'm honest 😀) I decided to leave her out of the finished item. However I've enjoyed making the buggy so much that I've actually bought another two, so she may as yet make it to the RFI section. It really is a fantastic little kit and its hard to believe it dates back to the 1970's Heres the link to the WIP. And heres the glamour shots I've just noticed the hugh gap under the windscreen (which you can't see in reality), oh well no one's going to complain about a draught in a beach buggy are they? 😁 Thanks for looking - Andy

So this build has been going on for 6 years on and off ( mainly off ) is finally coming to the close. In fact I started playing with the plastic and making plans 3 years before that! My intention with this build was to find the gem of a TSR2 kit that we saw in the original (resin?) pattern that appeared in the magazines of the time, that was hidden beneath some rather indifferent tooling. Made in the pre-CAD days the fit of the parts left a lot to be desired and often caused the details that were there to be obliterated by liberal applications of filler. I wanted to try and show that if the parts were properly prepped and fettled then the amount of filler and sanding could be dramatically reduced. In the meantime everyone else got on built the kit or fifteen! I'm not one for building whiff schemes usually as they often stretch reason to breaking point so but I had originally intended to build the Empire Test Pilot scheme in it's famous white, red and blue as I felt this was a plausible outcome where the production was still cancelled but the airframe was used for test and research work. I came across a build of this kit in this scheme ( admitted not well painted ) but the dark blue obscured all the detail in the underside making it look 2 dimensional and put me off it. I do love these scheme but will try it on a model with less time invested in it. So I decided to plump the early service scheme provided by Xtradecal (40 Sqn, RAF Coningsby, early 1968). In my mind though the saga of the TSR2 was just extended by a few years; a few service acceptance machines made were constructed and made it into the hands of the RAF who quickly repainted them from the factory anti-flash white to the camouflaged upper surfaces that was just starting to be applied to other service aircraft, the undersides with their low vis stencils were untouched. This was a vain attempt to make the TSR2 look like a part of the modern RAF arsenal. The airframes didn't even get fitted with the refuelling probe before the political rambling that had being going on for many years finally came to an end and cancelled the order for the production machines. Apart from the improvement to the fix of the main parts here is summary of the additional work done. Details added/replaced: Fin intake added Intake boundary layer guide vanes, replaced (vague moulding) Correct bogie retraction arm location Replaced pitot tube Nose and main leg cabling, nose steering jacks Accessories: The pre-painted Eduard "Zoom" PE had great details but poor colour choices, maybe try painting them MSG and using the kit decals Xtradecals were disappointing in that they broke up as well a the lack of stencils and other small decals for the camo schemes. The Model Alliance whiff sets look better but focus on RAF schemes. The Palva seats were lovely, and could be used to build a museum setting, they of cause need the inevitable trimming to fit. AIM ladders worked well too, though I replaced the poles with brass rod. Hind sight is a wonderful tool, however there things that I could have done better: Fixed the undersized bomb doors, before attaching Replaced and detail the ill fitting cockpit rear bulkheads Sanded the rear fuselage with the exhaust fairing in place so the contours match Better clear coats, I think the slight silvering places is down to the texture of my gloss coats As usual the final assembly threw up a few issues but I'm pleased I fought to get the cockpit canopies, probe, legs and tail all in alignment to be able to take the head on shot. I'm very happy with the camo and weathering and the overall look of the model, but at the moment mainly glad that it is finally finished. tl:dr here are the photos ( under dull, winter light unfortunately ) ... and here it is on the shelf with all my other pointy British jets.

Well after putting forward some possibilities for my build in the chat section I revisited the stash and came upon a possibility which instantly went to the top of the pile as its one of my favourite aircraft of all time, the DeHavilland Mosquito. Not the more modern Tamiya tooling (if I found them for £10 or less I would need a wheelbarrow to carry the ones I wold "need") but the old Airfix 1/48 FB.VI in 1/48 scale one which I picked up a couple of years ago from the Kit Swap at Telford for the bargain price of £5. Now this may be an older tooling but there is nothing wrong with it as it is dimensionally accurate and actually quite nicely detailed for it's age. Here are the usual box and contents shots including one of the very handy price sticker proving the bargain price and the fact that it is eligible for the GB; The box top may have seen better days but the contents are still good; And the price sticker; Now the sharp eyed amongst you may have noticed the lack of something that is very important, decals! This had me rummaging through my decal stash for a part used Eagle Strike set which I know I have that has a nice SEAC example on it that I picked up for a couple of pounds as the set is incomplete. Now I know I have the sheet but can I find it? No is the answer. I have a sheet by Xtradecal but that would take the overall cost to around £13 so that won't do, but then I remembered my mini stash of Lift Here decals sent to me by my very good friend Sasha in Serbia over the years and all sent for free and in there is a set with a couple of Mossie's on it as well as a couple of P-47's, and as they didn't cost me a penny it keeps the cost of the package at £5!! Here are a couple of pics of the decal sheet and instructions; I shall be building the FB.VI at the bottom for this build, though I would very much like to do the T.3 at some point when I can work out what to do in the cockpit to convert it from an FB.VI. One very helpful point is the fact that according to the instructions there were no stencils visible! Which is excellent as I don't have any! A slightly deeper dive into the stash found a later stablemate from Airfix which I picked up from an airshow at RAF Waddington probably 15 years ago; Lets have a closer look at the price sticker on this one; £4.50! Even bigger bargain!! I could actually build them both in one thread and it still come in at less than £10!! I will see how I get on with my FB.VI before I make any commitment to building the NF.30 at the same time, though I will probably spray the interior at the same time as I do the FB.VI as it makes sense. For those of you unfamiliar with the Airfix NF.30 you actually get the full FB.VI kit with a new sprue to enable you to build the nightfighter from it with new upper wings, nacelles and radar nose. I am really keen to get started on this/these as I haven't built a Mossie in a long time. Thanks for looking in and as usual all comments and criticisms are gratefully received. Craig.

This is the P-51D Mustang by Airfix in 48 scale. It was a joy to build this kit. I used Vallejo acrylics (mainly olive drab and neutral grey). The decals came from SuperScale decals (no48-1065). There is a mistake in the decal sheet instructions, since they make 'ol flak joe' walk towards the tail of the aircraft. I had my doubts if that could be corect. Some searching on the internet showed that in fact he was walking in the direction of flight. Hope you like the Mustang. Regards, Gerben

I was given this kit today by my team at work as an early birthday present. It was such a lovely and thoughtful gesture that, despite vowing not to start another build until I'd completed one that I'd already got in progress, I've decided to make it a project to get it built in the course of my week off next week. I'm sure the Airfix Jaguar E-type Open Two Seater needs no introduction. I built one of these in my adolescence and so I'm quite keen to go back and have another bash at it. It seems somehow appropriate that the bits come in a plastic bag, even if they are contained within a cardboard box. Limited set of decals but they look pretty nice. And the parts themselves, very much a case of "flash! Aaargh!" As recommended by the instructions, I've given the parts a wash in warm, soapy water. I'll leave them to dry overnight before attempting to start the build properly. I'm not quite sure how to tackle this build as you can't assemble the body without also assembling most of the interior and suspension. The various parts of the body don't seem to mate terribly well, so it's going to be a challenge to get it all together to paint. I'll probably use an airbrush rather than spray cans and I think I'll go for green, rather than the red finish that the box art suggests.

These three guys have moved between the workbench, the shelf of doom and back again for many, many years. I recently decided that I'd get them back to the bench and make an effort to get them finished. One each from Airfix, Academy and Matchbox. I'd decided years ago to finish the three of them using an Almark decal set for three Battle of Britain aircraft, each displaying variations in finish. The Airfix kit is not the current kit but one from a few years ago with the trademark rivets. If I'd started this more recently I would have taken down the rivets but as these were started years ago I'm just going to press on. Here are the first few photos.

My Lansen having gone faster than expected, I am waiting for some paint to arrive so I thought I might make a start on this. I built it when it first came out in the early 1970's and remember it being a simple kit. The cockpit is non existent, being just a crude seat and pilot, so I will have a go at detailing it a bit, having bought a resin seat.The kit has markings for 2 machines, one from F 13 wing and another from F10 with lots of yellow squares. I have never been certain if they were normal markings - I have read somewhere that similar markings were used on Lansens but only during exercises so wonder if the same applies here? As usual with my builds I like to give a little background history as I know there are one or two out there who know as little about the Draken as I did - I suggest everybody else skips this bit. As ever all info from Putnam's Saab aircraft so anybody wanting to correct or add to it - please feel free. Saab's first purpose built jet, the J29 Tunnan was entirely conventional except for a rather fat fuselage, and the next warplane they built, the J32 Lansen was perfectly “normal” to look at, but the supersonic J35 Draken (Dragon) was totally unconventional for the time, being given a “double delta” wing like nothing before, and perhaps nothing after as well. The concept was tested on a purpose built machine known as the Saab 210, which had a similar wing to the Draken, but tested various nose and intake layouts – this is one version. At least one other had a longer nose I believe. In April 1952 the Swedish Air Force ordered 3 prototypes of the Saab 1250 project as the Type J35 Draken, and the first flew on October 25th 1955, powered by the same RM 5A licence built RR Avon as fitted to the J32A Lansen. Delivery of the initial production A model began in late 1959, fitted with the more powerful RM 6B variant of the engine. 90 were produced, but from the 66th onwards changes were made to the rear fuselage to incorporate a new afterburner and a retractable tailwheel to allow high drag "nose up" landings to assist in short field operations apparently. Top speed was Mach 1.5 Starting in 1962, 75 of a new version the J35B were delivered with improved armament and radar, followed by 120 improved J35D with more powerful engine and improvements in radar, fuel capacity and a new rocket ejector seat. The C version was a 2 seat trainer and the E was an unarmed recce version, and the ultimate version was the F of which 230 were built entering service in 1965. This was basically a D version with a completely new electronics fit to allow it to fire licence built versions of the Hughes Falcon missile instead of the Sidewinder of the early versions, of which more during the build. Top speed was in excess of Mach 2. A number of F models were later upgrade to the J with changes to electronics and weaponry. The Draken was primarily a fighter but had limited ground attack capability, particularly the ones exported to Denmark, or so I believe, and as such was a replacement for the J29 Tunnan rather more than the J32 Lansen, which was replaced by the Viggen multi role aircraft I think, but may be wrong? Early versions were NMF and very late ones Grey but I will be painting this in the "Blue/Green" camo. So I had better do a bit of research on cockpit colours before I go any further. Cheers Pete

Hello all; I normally stick to Allied air forces but this paint scheme has been a bucket list for a while and I finally had a go at it. The full story of the multiple approaches and repaint can be found on my site. As usual, comment and corrections welcome. Cheers; Mark.

So I gather that this GB is all about finishing shelf queens... I also see the 25% rule doesn't apply, so I have a number of models that fit the bill, ranging from still in assembly to finishing off the decals. This is one that just needs decals, weathering and all the little bits and adding. Hope no one minds me putting up a few entries, I have a number of projects I'd love to get on with. There's the original WIP thread ^^ And this is what the model looks like now.

A relative recently gifted me an Airfix 1/32 17 pounder kit. Over Diwali I decided to do a full speed build of it. Sorry that there are no photos of the WIP, but my camera's SD card got corrupted. Many thanks to Tim (@Tank152) for the various items he sent me that greatly helped while building. I will weather the kit when I am home for winter vacations in December. Please give any advice that you fell will help improve the kit.

Hi Everyone, Here is another project for 2015, this one has a deadline as it is another commission build for my step mum's birthday in April. She is from Cornwall originally and has heard about the Penlee lifeboat tragedy in 1981. She has always liked my previous lifeboat build, which is the current Penlee Severn class lifeboat and so I agreed to build another one for her birthday. I will be getting a display case for the lifeboat as soon as it is completed. Thanks to cmatthewbacon for sending me the kit, I will be donating to the RNLI as soon as the build is completed. We agreed this in lieu of any payment for the kit. Anyway here are the photos of the kit as I have primed it. First update will be following soon as I really have to get a start on this build. I'm hoping to improve on the way I built my previous lifeboat. Rick

Here's some pics of a big scale Airfix Mk. I I'm building. I have the basic paint on, and the decals have just been finished. Next up will be weathering and so forth. Paint is Tamiya Sky, RAF Dark Green 2 and Gunze Dark Earth. It's a good kit to build, though it does show it's age. I am building this on commission, and I ordered the recent Airfix boxing. I'd forgotten I have an old 70s era boxing of this kit. About halfway through the build, I "discovered" that old boxing, and compared parts. It is amazing to see what time does to a mold. Still, quite builadable and quite fun. (Although I am hoping Airfix decides to do an updated 1/24th scale Spitfire someday!) I added a few aftermarket parts- a seat, control column and undercarriage lever from Gray Matter Figures. (http://www.greymatterfigures.com/) The rest is OOB. It's built gear up, as the customer wants it to hang from his ceiling. To facilitate this, I split the rubber tires in half, and it fit pretty nicely.

Kit manufacture: Airfix (club boxing with Harrier FA.2) Scale: 1/72 Type: Harrier GR.7 Extras used: Tape seat belts, not that you can see them. Paints and colours used: Tamiya Dark Sea Grey (on top), Xtracrylix Dark Camo Grey (underside), Tamiya mainly elsewhere, Citadel Silver and Gunmetal for the metal bits! Weathered with Flory Dark Dirt, Glossed with Alclad and Matte coats were with Xtracrylix. The build is mentioned here, in very little detail: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234964266-airfix-148-seafire-fxvii-plus-special-guests/#entry1684720 So this is a Harrier Gr.7 scratch built out of milliput, Vallejo filler and Tamiya putty. I filled the gaps between the fillers with the Airfix Harrier Gr.7 kit (old tool). This is one of the first models I started when I got back into the hobby 2-3 years ago, and has only now been finished. As it was the old tool, I decided I'd use it as a practice kit (filling, sanding, weather etc), but encountered so many problems, it frequently got placed on the shelf of doom... In truth, the fit was actually pretty good over all, but where it didn't fit, it was a nightmare (air intake, wing roots underneath), particularly the canopy with was too wide. I must commend Airfix though, I broke the first canopy trying to squeeze it onto the model; they sent me a replacement FOC in the post within 2 days. Top work that. I left some missiles off, basically the weapons were an additional item to the original tool of this aircraft (I guess) and as a result did not fit on any of the pylons. The weapons that are on there I drilled out and fitted with a tiny copper rod, but I lost interest by the time I got to the missiles.... So, here she is, tips and constructive criticism greatly appreciated. I think the one thing I did learn from this practice kit was that if there is a nice, new tooled, highly praised kit (Airfix, Revell/Has) for just a couple of quid more, don't bother with the old one! But I'm fairly pleased with the end result. Many thanks, Val