Popular Post JOCKNEY Posted August 2, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 2, 2020 During the recent "kit you built as a kid" Group Build, it occurred to me of all the kits I built as a nipper, the one I remember most fondly was my Airfix B-17 "A Bit of Lace". This had pride of place on my bedroom ceiling, with Germans attacking from one side and Japanese from the other. Having found the kit in exactly the same box as the one I would have bought at the time, it just had to be done. I have included the build thread below, if you fancy a trip down memory lane. Here are the photos of the completed build and one of the actual aircraft herself, I hope you like them Heres the real thing Finally my thanks to Scott aka @Jinxman for the decals and @Dansk for hosting such an inspiring Group Build. Please let me know what you think. Cheers Pat 79 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigglesof266 Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 (edited) Nice result. Have to agree. That particular original box art by Roy Cross arguably represents the epitome of his work for Airfix. It made me lust so hard for that kit, I saved up and bought it either in 1967 or early 1968 which was no mean feat as even twin engined mediums in 1/72 featured sparsely during my childhood and adolescent modelling due their relative cost, and Series 5 (?) multi-engined heavies were only acquired through either the very rare occasional gift or even rarer, a great deal of desire inspired willpower and saving of pocket money for months without a model on my part. Edited August 3, 2020 by Bigglesof266 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Wow! That's fabulous! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Well Pat..........I think your B-17 is OUTSTANDING!!!!! Great results especially with the old tooling of the kit. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 I remember receiving this kit when I was a lad - must've been a Christmas or Birthday gift; I don't remember which. The box art was definitely a prime attraction and Airfix were hardly surpassed (at the time) for inspiring the dreams of young modellers. I particularly remember the retractable undercarriage which seemed an important feature to me as a kid. Your build turned out a thousand times better than mine did, although I wasn't as fussy (or skilled) then as I am now! Thanks heaps for this stroll along memory lane. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Great finish to this old kit, it’s come out really well 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Wonderful work on that Pat, for an oldie, ( the kit, not you ) it's scrubbed up really well under your tender care. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 17 hours ago, Bigglesof266 said: Nice result. Have to agree. That particular original box art by Roy Cross arguably represents the epitome of his work for Airfix. It made me lust so hard for that kit, I saved up and bought it either in 1967 or early 1968 which was no mean feat as even twin engined mediums in 1/72 featured sparsely during my childhood and adolescent modelling due their relative cost, and Series 5 (?) multi-engined heavies were only acquired through either the very rare occasional gift or even rarer, a great deal of desire inspired willpower and saving of pocket money for months without a model on my part. Thanks very much, yes I can still remember racing home on my bike, having bought it, desperate to start on it as soon as possible. It must have been a special occasion as it was way outside my normal pocket money range. Isn't it strange how we can remember things like that so clearly from years ago ! cheers Pat 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHIL B Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 41 minutes ago, JOCKNEY said: Thanks very much, yes I can still remember racing home on my bike, having bought it, desperate to start on it as soon as possible. It must have been a special occasion as it was way outside my normal pocket money range. Isn't it strange how we can remember things like that so clearly from years ago ! cheers Pat Quite right Pat. I remember my brother building A Bit O' Lace when I was about 6 years old but I don't remember what I had for dinner last night... Lovely build Pat. Phil 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Hi Pat, as always, a great build! these old Airfix kits are not that straightforward, and I am not sure how we ever managed to build anything half decent when we were wearing short pants (that I still wear every day here...) or a short kilt in your case! But you have done yourself proud Pat. I especially like the chipped paint on the outer wing. Congrats mate. JR 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Lovley 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Superb. And I had that poster of the real B-17 on my wall at university - next to the Smith's 'Meat is Murder' and Joy Division. It confused a few people. But perhaps a bit more original than the tennis girl scratching her bum... 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Blimey Pat that brings some old memories back and you`ve done a better job than I ever did mate,...superb modelling mate, Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Wow, looks absolutely stunning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 On 03/08/2020 at 02:14, SAT69 said: Wow! That's fabulous! Thanks very much cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 Nice one Pat, it's turned out really well. As others have noted, this kit was a big thing as a kid, way too expensive for mere pocket money and something that memories were made of if you were lucky enough to get one. Thanks for letting us relive those memories. Tony. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigglesof266 Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 6 hours ago, TonyW said: As others have noted, this kit was a big thing as a kid, way too expensive for mere pocket money and something that memories were made of if you were lucky enough to get one. So true. I think it bears to remember very different times materially -which I wouldn't swap for quids. For instance although I did finally get that B-17, it wasn't untiI was 12 going on 13 years old. However it was always either or all or even both. I'd lusted after Airfix's B-24 since spotting it at the age of 8 playing with a friend who built one he'd received as a gift. I never managed it. By the time I could finally start to afford the occasional Series 4 or 5 occasionally, control-line flying had usurped plastic modelling and became the recipient of any available funds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Walter E Kurtz Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Loved and lusted after this kit as a child like many of you! I did get to do it later in life. Found it broken and missing parts in the loft! Done a few repairs to mine .. yours looks pretty fabulous though I must say! Thanks for sharing! Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Add me to the list of those who lusted after this kit that remained out of pocket money range! I did eventually get one though, must have been one Christmas. It certainly didn't turn out as good as yours! Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unfinished project Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Got one of the latter boxings of this on the shelf of doom. Every part needs filed test fitted, filed another EleventyTwelve times to get it to fit. If it gets finished hopefully it’ll look half as good as this beauty you’ve produced 🥇 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael51 Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Memories............... A fine build indeed, Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Roberts Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Beautiful job, well done! I never got to own or build this one but definitely, like so many others, lusted after it. One of the iconic modelling subjects and you have really done her justice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted August 6, 2020 Author Share Posted August 6, 2020 On 03/08/2020 at 03:10, Sky Keg said: Well Pat..........I think your B-17 is OUTSTANDING!!!!! Great results especially with the old tooling of the kit. Mike Thanks Mike, I seemed to have a lot more problems this time than i did aged 11 ! Less gluey fingerprints this time though 😉 cheers Pat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 That is cracking , a superb build !! brings back memories of humbrol cement all over the paws and parents reminding me that scalpels are sharp - i think the interior of mine built in the 70's had dried blood in it !! Need to get the work , life, modelling balance back !! - only finished 2 models this year , I missed this GB unfortunately 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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