Popular Post tomprobert Posted January 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2023 This build has been on and off (more off than on to be fair) the bench for the last 7 years! It finally crossed the finish line earlier this week and thank Christ for that! Fonderie kits have a poor reputation but when I first bought this and fellow modellers imparted their horror stores I didn't think it could be that bad. I was wrong. It was worse. It didn't look too bad in the box to be fair - lots of flash but nothing a good clean up with a new blade and a sanding stick couldn't put right. It was when I started building the thing that the true horrors emerged. The fuselage was badly warped, the interior parts simply didn't fit, wings were different thicknesses, one stabiliser was positioned higher on the fuselage than the other, the vacformed canopy and tail turret were hopelessly inaccurate and not worth using, the rear fuselage had the turret faring missing and it was too narrow, props were completely the wrong shape, most white metal parts, including the undercarriage legs, were badly warped and mis-shaped, dropped flaps fouled the bomb bay doors and the decals, probably due to age, had yellowed and broke up when I tested them in water. In short, it was a nightmare and was a resident on the Shelf of Doom for long periods as I plucked up the courage to do some more work to it. 7 years later and it was finally done. Work completed is summarised here: - Interior mostly made from scratch - Scratch-built bomb-bay and wing bomb cells - Bomb load from the Tamiya Lancaster - New vacformed canopy (thanks Neil!) - Rear fuselage widened and new turret fairings made - Sanger vac rear turret transparency used - Prop blades slimmed down and rounded (I'm still not happy with the shape!) - 100 Group aerials added - Xtracolor enamels - DK decals Anyway, it was fun I suppose and she's not come out too badly. My model represents Handley Page Halifax B Mk III MZ913, Z5-N of 462 Squadron RAAF, Foulsham (100 Group), April 1945. All the best, Tom 120 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Tom, That is one fabulous Halibag. Well played, Sir! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenko Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Brilliant. Silk purse from cows ear. 10/10 and a gold star.👍👍👍😁 Dick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Faboulose build, my compliments, it is true!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Simply stunning work, one can only be inspired by what you have achieved Tom, brilliant!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zigomar Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Mastering such a crappy kit with style is the sign of the Jeddi! Stunning and .... respect! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Beautiful Halifax - it sounds like the usual FM journey - masterful achievement. CJP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Smashing! Sounds like the kit worked against you at every step! Regards, Adrian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_W Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Beautiful work. The radial engined and rectangular fin versions are always my favourite. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Not bad, I suppose.🤣 Seriously, it's amazing. I wish I had your fortitude. Seven years? Anyway, I'm glad you finally finished because Tamiya can release theirs now. 😳 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley353 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Fantastic build and a great result from a ‘challenging’ kit. The fact that this is the only injection moulded option in 1/48 highlights how poorly represented such an important aircraft has been by the mainstream kit manufacturers. I was convinced that Airfix would see us right in 1/72 this year too but it wasn’t to be…… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen B Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Wonderful - I hope you are very proud of this model, you have every right to be. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Masterful work as always Tom, I'd have given up long ago on any kit that tested my patience like this one. It a real beauty and a pleasure to look at. Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan2 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Hi, Well done....any FM 1/48 Halifax kit is a struggle in to get over the finish line. Have one in the oven waiting on me learning 3D printing...but that's a long story. To long for here. Phil. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Without doubt, one of the finest Halifax models that I have ever seen! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Tom, your modelling is crisp, neat, subtle, accurate and always beautifully presented, I aspire to reach that lofty level. What a wonderful Halifax you’ve ended up with all painted up in one of my favourite schemes. Cheers.. Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Robin Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 That is beautiful! An admitted struggle but the end result has gotta be worth it. Regards, Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprue Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Well done. As always with problem kits the question is, which gets beaten into submission first...you or the kit? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanm Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Superb! Mine also keeps coming off the shelf of doom for short periods - this is inspiration to have another go at it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 You only did 100 group for the aerials. They aren't really plastic, they are the tails of the pop rivets you had to use to get it to stay together. 🤣 Seriously, that is a fantastic rendering. I know you sweated blood taming that monstrosity - even my therapist has not recuperated yet! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Wow! That's amazing, must be the best Halifax anywhere on Britmodeller. You must be relieved to have completed it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantherhawk27263 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Amazing job, that is a real beauty!! That is a real prize winner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 I don't recall ever seeing a Halifax kit completed. Yours is wonderfully built. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back in the Saddle Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 I would say that was worth the 7 years it took! Excellent build Tom👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icantsignin Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Any FM kit finished to any degree of detail is commendable but you achieved an impressive result. Entering it in contests maybe? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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