TommyF Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 (edited) This is my entry for the High Wing GB. An early 1980s Matchbox Fairey Seafox in fetching two tone sprues! This will be the first Matchbox kit and first biplane since returning to modelling in my 50s. I'm pretty sure you won't be seeing any rigging but I'll see how it goes. There are two painting options; a light/dark grey 702 squadron detached to HMS Asturias, 1942 or a silver HMS Arethusa 713 Catapult Flight based in Kalafrana, Malta, 1939. Looking forward to reading up about this aircraft and it's WW2 role. Edited August 27, 2021 by TommyF test 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 Great choice, this was the aircraft that spotted the Graf Spee. Good luck with the build. Cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 Welcome aboard Tommy, lovely choice here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Lyttle Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 Oh this looks like an interesting project Tommy. Welcome to the Matchbox club.... ‼️😁 I remember reading (somewhere) that the Matchbox kit designers put the extra effort into their biplane products as they reckoned that, while kids were knocking the Spitfires and stukas together, it was the keen modeller who would be tackling a biplane build. So good luck with this little beauty, should be great 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 Welcome from me too Tommy. That kit almost looks too pristine to build . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Hills Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 Sshh, I have four that I picked up real cheap and will just use the nose for the engines of my Vac Short Mercury. Having said that I have made this kit a couple of times and enjoyed it very much. Good fit and really looks the part 😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted September 5, 2021 Author Share Posted September 5, 2021 Thank you for your welcomes and comments - very interesting. A little bit of progress, the photo doesn't do it justice. Had to give the pilot some cardboard cushions as was seriously low down in the cockpit! Have a week off work so should get a move on now. Lovely little kit - has a nice feel about it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 First biplane (for 40+ years) minor traumas aside - strut breakages, getting the wing alignments just so - it's slowing coming together. I'm surprised how big (large wing area) it has compared to a Bf109 for example. The float assembly is almost done (out of shot) so should be mostly there - apart from canopies and various easily snapable items - soon. For painting I'm going for the aluminium option. The decals for this version are much brighter than the camouflage ones. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 The wings look great Tommy - definitely worth all your effort. Good luck with the floats and their struts. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 (edited) A nice choice of one of Matchbox's lovely biplane kit. Not sure, I would classify it as ancient, though. I remember Maurice Landi from Matchbox bringing it to an IPMS branch meeting in Sheffield that I came down to specially from Leeds in 1982. Or does that just make me old?. Now the Hotspur and Bristol 138 I built for the Frog GB, they are ancient 😄 Reminds me of this in terms of making comparisons. Edited September 13, 2021 by Mr T 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 60 years old or merely 40/50? Certainly there was considerable improvement in the moulding over this period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 The Hotspur and 138 are from 1963/4 and ten years down the line you have the Airfix Marauder and Matchbox Fury, so yes, a big change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 To be fair, not every Matchbox kit was up to the standard of the Fury. The capabilities improved more then the average - but when was it ever different? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 Recently sprayed model biplanes - like small children - should not be left unattended 😬 Not a hint of a breeze when I left the Seafox outside - half a hour later a gust of wind had catapulted it to the stone patio 😟 Upper wings are off, multi strut damage, tailplane detached, call the repair crew...! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Ouch! I bet you were a bit sick after that. Never trust the weather, every time we have a BBQ, I can guarantee that despite it being a still day, when I want to light the coals a strong breeze will spring up to defeat my attempts. I hope it will repair , most of the structs look intact . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 Well done on finding all the parts, I look forward to you getting this one recovered Cheers Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyF Posted October 17, 2021 Author Share Posted October 17, 2021 This little Seafox had it's fair share of difficulties and took a little longer to finish than anticipated. Not my best by any stretch but fairly pleased with the outcome. Gallery updated. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 Thats turned into a very nice piece for the collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Great recovery Tommy. Looks really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Congratulations Tommy, on bringing this one to such a successful conclusion Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now