Marklo Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 (edited) Notwithstanding some kits earmarked for GBs this is the last of the 1/72 aircraft on the stash, it’s also a fairly complex build and I have to admit although I’ve tried to build one in the past I don’t ever remember completing one. So for that reason I’m starting a new thread instead of adding it to my stash clearance one. An interesting fact I always thought the nickname was an allusion to the amount of rigging wires on the Swordfish however it isn’t. It’s a reference to the versatility of the plane that it was as useful as a stringbag. Still to decide on a colour scheme but it definitely won’t be the one that torpedoed the Bismarck might even stick with the kit scheme as everyone seems to do wartime camo builds. Edited February 17, 2021 by Marklo 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Nice choice Mark, got the other kit with the Taranto raid option but will do the pre war option as it will match the scheme on my Shark. Good luck with your build. Chris 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbag Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Phew!!!! Had me worried there for a minute. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Hi Mark, Quite fancy one of these, so I'll follow along too, if I may? I did build one of Airfix's previous offerings, but that was as a callow youth some forty-odd years ago; I'm thinking this moulding might be a bit of an improvement! Kind regards, Mark (another one!?) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 I’ve looked through the sprues and it’s head and shoulders above any Swordfish kit I’ve attempted in the past. it has alignment jigs for the wings and separate parts to build the wings folded or opened. I’m quit looking forward to building it. The plan is for work proper to start tomorrow once the Gnats done ( it just needs the two blade aerials painted some decals added ten minutes tops) I’m definitely leaning towards the box art scheme with the wings folded. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonners Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Go for it! I finished mine a few weeks ago, OOB but with aftermarket decals, and found it to be an exceptionally well-engineered kit. The torpedo trolley is a nice touch. The pre-war scheme will look great, but I shied away from the big 'carrier band' decals as I think they're just too big to sit properly over the fuselage surface - a painted band would be much better. I'm sure I'll build another sometime, and the folded wing option is very tempting. Jon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 19, 2021 Author Share Posted February 19, 2021 12 hours ago, Jonners said: a painted band would be much better I was planning to paint it, with the fin and the cowl there’s enough yellow to be worth breaking out the airbrush ( I was actually considering breaking out the Gloster whittle, but maybe not) I didn’t think there was a decal. Planning to start on the office today. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 19, 2021 Author Share Posted February 19, 2021 Started painting the interior bits. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 20, 2021 Author Share Posted February 20, 2021 Started to assemble the office. Nicely engineered but a little bit tricky. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 I've got a couple of Airfix Stringbags in the stash and need some pointers so, if you don't mind, I'll tag along. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Nice start Mark they structure looks good and has a good level of detail. Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 20, 2021 Author Share Posted February 20, 2021 (edited) Yes I’m generally impressed with the detail in modern Airfix kits. I do notice that you have to be very careful removing parts from the sprues and my side cutters and sprue saws get a thorough work out Edited February 20, 2021 by Marklo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Oooh, the office is looking rather splendid! What colour did you use for the interior green? Looking forward to the next instalment! Cheers, Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 21, 2021 Author Share Posted February 21, 2021 13 hours ago, 2996 Victor said: What colour did you use for the interior green? It’s my 4BO mix Tamiya XF4 yellow green and xf25 flat green ( I think) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 Fuselage assembled, but not without a fight. Probably me but I always seem to have a tussle wit modern Airfix kits. I also managed to spill a bottle of thinners on it which melted part of the underside d’oh but thankfully localised and fixable. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 So sorry to hear it's been a bit of struggle but I've been having similar issues with my builds recently. What a nightmare with the thinners, too. I've done similar things, too, usually with MEK or Plastic Weld. Absolutely maddening. Good to hear you've overcome it, though. Cheers, Mark 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 My word you have had a fight there Mark. Hope you get the area affected by the thinners sorted okay. Chris 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heloman1 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Wow, great idea for a build but hey, fuzzy pics! You didn't do the Guinness brewery tur this afternoon did you? I had the not so bad Frog kit in my stash until someone relived me of it. I wanted to compare but now I can't. I'll build an Airifx kit to fill another hole in my FAA collection' Colin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 48 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: My word you have had a fight there Mark. Hope you get the area affected by the thinners sorted okay. Chris It's a bit of a bother - I've got one of these on order! Still, looking forward to having a go at it. Mark (the other one!) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 36 minutes ago, 2996 Victor said: It's a bit of a bother - I've got one of these on order! Still, looking forward to having a go at it. Mark (the other one!) Hi Mark (should I call you Mark II) It certainly does look a nice kit, I have one myself and was thinking of doing another biplane as I love rigging . Was looking at this but will wait and poss do something else instead. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 (edited) Thanks for all the feedback. As I’ve said before great fine motor skills terrible gross motor skills means lots of little disasters and everything gets dropped at least once Blurry photos, I use my iPhone and am basically too lazy to retake the photo. Never really a Guinness drinker or beer for that matter. But I don’t live a nice red wine I think that modern kits are so finely tolerances that paint layers do make a difference I also think I may not have had the interior seated quite right ( the edges of the structure are serrated and are supposed to sit into slots in the interior. If I were doing it again I’d probably file down the tabs on the interior. But not to worry nothing that done clamps and filler can’t fix 3 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: (should I call you Mark II) Well since supreme being is a little unwieldy ( and possibly inaccurate) Mark will do nicely It is a very nice kit and I think any issues may be self inflicted. Edited February 22, 2021 by Marklo 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 26, 2021 Author Share Posted February 26, 2021 Fuselage joints sorted out. Tail planes and Cabane struts on. Had to be very careful separating parts and cleaning them up. Once assembled it’s quite strong but easily broken as components. I’m leaving the rudder off till after painting is completed. Undercarriage on. Upper center section on and some rigging done. Had to modify the Airfix jigs so I could use them with the undercarriage on. Thankfully Airfix have moulded indents where the rigging lines go. Happy so far but it’s a tricky kit, nicely engineered but many got yas for the novice. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Great progress with the Swordfish - she's coming together really nicely! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Excellent progress Mark if is coming well now. Chris 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted February 27, 2021 Author Share Posted February 27, 2021 (edited) Jigs off unfortunately they got stuck so the port side underside got a little damaged. Nothing a little filler won’t fix. Rigging wires in and upper wings assembled. Even though I very carefully positioned them the tolerances are so tight that my .4 mm monofilament caused a slight gap. Still nothing that can’t be fixed with a little filler Ready for primer soon. Edited February 27, 2021 by Marklo 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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