Rabbit Leader Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Greetings from Hot and Humid Australia. Back in October 2017, the 2nd edition of Britmodellers Matchbox Group Builds got underway. It is still currently open, however has now only two more weeks for final entries to be submitted. In the day, Matchbox kits were probably my equivalent of what some folk here talk about Airfix & Frog models of the sixties. Each box had a beautiful Roy Huxley painting on top and came in 2 to 3 different shades of coloured plastic. Overall they were always quite basic, however were the perfect start for beginners, whilst also providing the experienced modeller with a platform to turn these models into absolute masterpieces. Amongst their new line-up of kits for 1976 was a Hawker Hunter. Now Matchbox had a knack of producing some quirky versions and off-beat subjects and true to form graced the modelling community with the first injection moulded parts to build a twin seat Hunter. I'm sure even back then, those modellers with an eye for detail soon realised that what was offered was quite simplistic and a little off in shape, however we could now build a T.7 of sorts so credit goes where credit is due. As a 15 year old (1985) I recall seeing this kit re-released in the lovely RAF Blue Diamonds Aerobatic team scheme. I'd heard of the Black Arrows c/o the Airfix F.6 kit, however the Blue Diamonds were new to me. For some reason I never ended up buying this kit back then, however have always wanted to have a go at one in this scheme. This latest Matchbox GB once again peaked my interest in this kit and I managed to hunt one down without dipping to deep into the kids inheritance! So here is my version of this classic kit in all it's shiny glory (or is that gory?). The obligatory GB WIP is also attached which shows a few modifications I made to 'hopefully' enhance the basic plastic. Now I'll admit that it'll never be branded as my best piece of work, however I figure that if I somehow went back in time as a 15 year old and produced this result, I would have been quite chuffed. Either way it does add a splash of colour to the cabinet and ticks off a 30+ year old modelling "Bucket List" item. Cheers... Dave (By the way - please take time to look through the Matchbox II GB gallery. There are some wonderful entries already presented and hopefully a few more to follow in the weeks to come). And some WIP shots.. And the Matchbox "Orange Range" inspired base! 48 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Thats a fantastic looking build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 (edited) Love it. Great paint job and really like what you did on the wheel wells. Justin Edited January 28, 2018 by Bedders 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Absolutely fantastic! And it allowed me to verify that my new sunglasses are actually working fine. The enhancements you made on the kit are just right; the wheel wells are actually a must on all these old kits. Congrats. JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve27752 Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Very pretty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Great looking Hunter ... Quite a striking Blue that is painted in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeSau75 Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Looks great it its glossy blue - good to see this Matchbox kit being built so nicely. Cheers, Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Lovely work. The world can always use another Hunter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Looks good! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goggsy Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Wow, that’s a bit special that is. I love the shade of blue and the masking is really crisp. Good work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 To coin a phrase, you've 'pulled the rabbit from the hat' there! A on a venerable kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Beautifully finished model! Martian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 That's beautiful. Not what I expected from that kit at all. I think I'm speechless! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Jumbo Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Love it- seeing that two tone plastic takes me right back! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 That's a stunning rendition of the Matchbox Hunter. I too have built this kit in this scheme, sometime in the 90s I think, but it doesn't look half as good as this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatisant Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 In the stash,but not for much longer! Love your build. Beautiful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 31, 2018 Author Share Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, glatisant said: In the stash,but not for much longer! Love your build. Beautiful. So good to hear that this Hawker Hunter build has inspired you to tackle yours. I also appreciate all the positive comments above, so thanks for all your continued encouragement which honestly goes a long way. I've still got the Hawker Tempest F.6 to finish before the Matchbox II GB is out and am seriously thinking about entering the "Hawker (Siddeley)" GB with another great Hawker product. Cheers and once again a Big thanks.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Superb, absolutely first rate finish. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Oh very nice! Love the paint job. And the base is great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Wow, that scheme is something special alright, well done Dave! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted February 4, 2018 Share Posted February 4, 2018 Another cracker Dave, I always liked the Matchbox two seat Hunter, we just need Airfix to do this in 1/48 now. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Very impressive indeed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Thats lovely, I really like your solution to the pit and seats, looks great! Might have to dig my Xtrakit T7 out of the stash now!! Cheers Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Just found this. Beautiful paint job and nice extra detailing. David 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adey m Posted March 20, 2018 Share Posted March 20, 2018 Wow Dave, you have done a wonderful job on that old Matchbox Hunter, it is beautiful and that canopy is so clear. Superbly photographed too. regards, adey 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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