davecov Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 My build of the Airfix 1/144 SR.N4 (09171) This build has fought me all the way. Ill-fitting skirt parts, flexible decks and bulkheads, ill-fitting roof and wrongly printed decals all conspired to make this a build to forget - you would think. Having said all that, I am trying to get another one so that I can make it now that I am aware of all of it's pitfalls. Vehicles are Oxford Die-Casts and the figures came courtesy of eBay. Now that I have posted pictures all over the place, I have just noticed some orange paintwork that I meant to put right last night - but didn't! It is difficult but I'm trying to unsee it! That is all. Dave 43 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natter Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 Oh dear lord, somebody actually built one. And did an incredible job of it. Bloomin' superb! 3 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PF Naughton Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Hi, That looks incredible 😮 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Wow, lovely job Dave. I really enjoy seeing these old pocket money kits built with modern techniques and not a small amount of skill, I hope you find another one, cheers, Pappy 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecov Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 Thanks everybody. 👍 I first built one of these in the Seventies whilst still at school and have wanted to build one ever since I returned to modelling in 2004 after an absence of 25 years from the hobby. I finally bought this kit in 2011 and it has been hanging around for the right moment! Unfortunately, I got this boxing: It comes with a weird clear plastic that yellows with age but if you can get hold of a Seventies boxing the clear plastic remains clear. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEXANTOMCAT Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Brilliant! TT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schweinebacke Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 That brings back back memories of my first visit to England as a child in 1973 with my parents. I dont know where we departed (destination was Ramsgate) but the craft emerging out of the fog with the deafening engine sound was really impressive. It was also my first flight as the tickets were flight tickets. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Memories abound here too, went on one as a youngster and it has stayed with me ever since. Nice job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 9 hours ago, Pappy said: Wow, lovely job Dave. I really enjoy seeing these old pocket money kits built with modern techniques and not a small amount of skill, I hope you find another one, cheers, Pappy You obviously got more pocket money than I did! I think my grandparents shelled out £1 17/6 (£1.87.5 in post-dismalisation money) for my Christmas present SR.N4 the year it was released. My pocket money then was 2/6 (12.5p). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Great build Dave, which brings back some very happy memories. I too tackled this kit when it first came out, but with nowhere near the same success as you've had with yours. I like the idea of using the lovely Oxford Diecast vehicles. If memory serves me right, the kit vehicles were ok, but the Oxford ones are better. It's great to see this kit again. Thanks for sharing it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecov Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 Thanks everybody.😀 Chris @cngaero I didn't use the kit cars because the 'N' Gauge cars were slightly smaller and the difference is noticeable when put alongside each other. Here are the kit's 1/144 Beetles with P&D Marsh Models 'N' Gauge white metal ones. As it turned out, I didn't use the white metal ones either. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorfinn Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Superbly impressive, Dave. All the little extra additions and great paintwork really sell the illusion. Great fun to examine closely! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecov Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 Some of you may be interested to know that I have bagged a Seventies boxing of this kit and will be making that one as a Seaspeed version. Dave 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancona Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Hi Dave, What a magnificent blast from the past, beautifully done ! Cheers David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Derbyshire Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 nice one sir Nice one sir Nice one sir 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Derbyshire Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 So good i said it x3 !@#$% 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev The Modeller Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 I always wanted one of these, sadly pocket money wouldn't stretch. These were amazing craft, running (fuel) and maintenance costs killed them, as they couldn't carry enough and of course cut price ferry prices at the time, I believe. I was lucky enough to go on one in Nov 1999, a Hoverspeed SR.N4 from Dover to Calais, I think they stopped running they following year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecov Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 The final nail in the coffin was the ending of Duty Free between EU countries in 1999. Hoverspeed relied heavily on duty free sales and once they had gone the end was in sight. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Well done. I watched some of the build and thought it was outstanding. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 Wow! Love it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard E Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 On 10/12/2021 at 8:21 AM, Pappy said: I really enjoy seeing these old pocket money kits built with modern techniques and not a small amount of skill, I hope you find another one, On 10/12/2021 at 9:32 AM, Beermonster1958 said: This was another of those kits I kept meaning to buy, never got around to it and then, it ceased production......! One of those kits which was always sitting on the shelf in Woolworth's toy section when I didn't have enough pocket money/birthday money to get it. Memories of simplier times well built Dave. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecov Posted October 17, 2021 Author Share Posted October 17, 2021 Thanks again for your comments everybody. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecov Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 When I got home last night, this was waiting for me: A Seventies boxing that should have better transparencies than the later boxing I built above. Definitely a project for the future. Dave 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 I have wanted one of those it seems forever. How do you distinguish between the ‘70s boxing and earlier releases? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecov Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 Hi Michael, the box-style has changed over the decades which helps identify when the kits were produced. The Airfix SR.N4 came out in 1970 and was in a "red-stripe" boxing until 1972: (Thanks to Scalemates) In 1972 came this boxing where the red stripe was replaced by a red Airfix logo and the lettering changed. This was used until 1975: (DaveCov) In 1975 or 76, this boxing appeared which lasted until 1979 when Airfix withdrew the SR.N4 from production (Thanks to Scalemates) From 1994 to 2003 Airfix released it again in this boxing which came with transparencies that yellow with time: (DaveCov) The Airfix Tribute Forum has a History of Airfix Kits section and you can read the entry for the Airfix SR.N4 here. Scalemates has an entry for the Airfix SR.N4 here. Both sites show the history of releases for the kit and box arts but whilst the ATF concentrates solely on Airfix kits, Scalemates covers all manufacturers kits and accessories. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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