Matchbox 1/72 Handley Page Halifax Mk 1 10 Squadron RAF Leeming

[adey m]

This is the original issue Matchbox kit from about 1980 which had been in my attic for a number of years.

 

 

Matchbox trademark multi-coloured plastics and choice of parts for two different versions. Beautiful decal sheet with all roundels in register.

 

 

I rebuilt the basic cockpit from the kit and built an interior. Both turrets will be removeable allowing the interior to be seen.

 

 

Matchbox bomb aimer in position with added bomb sight, navigator's seat and cut out in floor for camera, radio operator below the pilot's cockpit, rebuilt engineer's position, wing spar and crew rest bunk. I put a gunner figure in the turret. The original kit's guns are still attached, they are over scale and were replaced later.

 

 

The port side showing the camera below the navigator's table and the bomb aimer's panel.

 

 

Five crew populating the forward fuselage, a gunner in the turret, kit's bomb aimer/navigator, Airfix radio operator, kit's pilot padded out, and a standing flight engineer .

 

 

Fuselage catwalk, block to drill and mount tailwheel to, gunner's rest seat and control panel and removeable rear turret which contains a gunner figure from my spares.

 

 

I painted the model before attaching the wings, it made it so much easier. I sprayed the underwings and rudders with a Humbrol black spray can, and brushpainted the fuselage black and the camouflage colours with Humbrol enamels.

 

I removed the thick overscale framing from the cockpit and turrets glazing with a file and fine sanding, and then polished with T-Cut car paint restorer.

 

 

I corrected the kit's incorrect canopy windshield. I used white PVA glue which is water based and dries clear and can be blended to the fuselage with a wet finger.

 

 

The corrected canopy. I also reduced the amount of taper on the top of the nose with plastic card and filler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROG Whitley of 10 Squadron in background, the Halifaxes replaced the Whitleys.

 

 

I made the undercarriage retractable.

 

 

Undercarriage retracting during take off

 

 

 

 

 

That has been my latest build, the Matchbox Handley Page Halifax Mk 1 night bomber in the markings of 10 Squadron, RAF Leeming here in North Yorkshire ............. the real one probably flew over Scarborough and may be even over our house back in 1942.

 

regards, adey

 

Edited January 2, 2021 by adey m

[Heather Kay]

Lovely work, as ever. It’s the diorama shots I come for, with the splendid modelling an added bonus. 

[swralph]

Great modelling.😀

[binbrook87]

Lovely job on the old girl. And the diorama sets it of nicely. I had one of these kits for Christmas... so you've inspired me to crack on with it now. 

[FatFlyHalf]

Amazing work.

Fantastic result.

[112 Squadron]

Impressive result from a vintage kit! The old Matchbox kits can still be turned into nice models at the hands of a skilled modellers like you. I also like the way you arranged the diorama with all the other interesting items.

[F-32]

That's awesome, great to see a classic kit being finished

[Vinnie]

Another outstanding build, Adey.👍

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Hi Adey, followed this through the Wip. You have really lifted the kit to another level with all your improvements well done sir!  The photography- as ever- makes it seem as  if you were there back in time.

[Greg Law]

Excellent result on an old kit. You pulled off the alterations very well. Looks particularly good in the diorama. 

[Eric Mc]

Excellent. Just shows that these kits can be still turned into very nice representations.

[Homer]

Excellent work, a very nice model .

[stevej60]

Great work Adey,that Matchbox kit really has come out well.

[TheyJammedKenny!]

Beautifully done!  I especially like the retractable landing gear units, and the whole effect is superb.  Thanks for displaying it in context, with the old Whitley in the background.

[Angell328]

Oooh I do like that

Lovely build with a cracking finish, reminds me of building that kit as a kid, although with the decals straight onto the 3 colour plastic!

 

Matt

[adey m]

7 hours ago, Angell328 said:

reminds me of building that kit as a kid, although with the decals straight onto the 3 colour plastic!

 

Thanks Matt, I had a red and cream Gladiator for years .....................

 

adey

[Bedders]

Lovely job on that. My mate's dad flew Halifaxes on 10 Sqn and I've been looking at options for models. This is really useful food for thought.

 

Justin